cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A fluorescent-based HPLC assay for quantification of cysteine and cysteamine adducts in Escherichia coli-derived proteins

Recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli are often produced as unfolded, inactive forms accumulated in inclusion bodies. Redox-coupled thiols are typically employed in the refolding process in order to catalyze the formation of correct disulfide bonds at maximal folding efficiency. These thiols and the recombinant proteins can form mixed disulfide bonds to generate thiol-protein adducts. In this work, we apply a fluorescent-based assay for the quantification of cysteine and cysteamine adducts as observed in E. coli-derived proteins. The thiols are released by reduction of the adducted protein, collected and labeled with a fluorescent reagent, 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate. The derivatized thiols are separated by reversed-phase HPLC and can be accurately quantified after method optimization. The estimated thiol content represents total amount of adducted forms present in the analyzed samples. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was established; specifically, the lowest amount of quantifiable cysteine adduction is 30 picograms and the lowest amount of quantifiable cysteamine adduction is 60 picograms. The assay is useful for quantification of adducts in final purified products as well as in-process samples from various purification steps. The assay indicates that the purification process accomplishes a decrease in cysteine adduction from 0.19 nmol adduct/nmol protein to 0.03 nmol adduct/nmol protein as well as a decrease in cysteamine adduction from 0.24 nmol adduct/nmol protein to 0.14 nmol adduct/nmol protein.
Cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks under Gaussian fusion channels

This paper presents cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks under Gaussian fusion channels. The global detection performance is evaluated based on Neyman-Pearson (NP) detection and using equal gain combining (EGC) fusion rule. It is shown that, under a global signal to noise ratio (SNR) constraint, the global detection performance can be maximized by choosing an appropriate local energy threshold. Furthermore, asymptotic performance is investigated assuming large numbers of secondary users and samples used for local energy calculation.
Beyond Stigma: Visibility and Self‐Empowerment of Persons with Congenital Limb Deficiencies

Goffman's (1963) theory of stigma holds that rejection by “normals” leads people with disabilities to adopt practices that help them to pass as normal or cover the immediate impact of their physical difference. However, such an attempt to mitigate the effects of stigma does not characterize the life histories of three adults with severe multiple congenital limb deficiences described in this paper. For them, self-display, within the context of American culture in the 1980s, is a strategy for self-empowerment in which the primary focus is the experience of the person with disabilities rather than the reactions of people who are “normal.” Their adaptations suggest some limitations to the applicability of Goffman's theory in a changing social context.
Identification of stroke-prone patients by panoramic and cervical spine radiography

OBJECTIVE To determine if calcified atherosclerotic lesions in the region of the bifurcation of the common carotid artery (a major cause of stroke) can be identified by conventional panoramic dental radiography. METHODS All those aged 65 years or older, of 500 consecutive out-patients enrolled in the dental clinic for comprehensive treatment and for whom it was possible to obtain a technically satisfactory panoramic radiograph, were included. The radiographs were evaluated for the presence of radiopacities within the soft tissues of the neck at the level of the lower margin of the third cervical vertebra. An antero-posterior cervical spine radiograph was obtained of those individuals with any such calcifications. Medical histories were obtained from patients with suspected lesions in order to determine the presence of risk factors known to be associated with stroke. RESULTS Six individuals (4.5% of the final study population) had radiopacities which were confirmed by radiographs of the cervical spine to b...
The hydrogen and oxygen isotope geochemistry of pedogenic clay minerals: principles and theoretical background

Abstract The 18 O/ 16 O and D/H ratios of the structural oxygen and hydrogen of naturally occurring clay minerals carry information about the conditions under which the minerals formed. Clays generally form in isotopic equilibrium with the environment, and hence have isotopic compositions that reflect the temperature of formation and the 18 O/ 16 O and D/H ratios of water in the micro-environment. The isotopic signature of water in the weathering environment is a reflection of the climate. Once formed, clays are resistant to isotopic alteration under surface and near-surface conditions, except when they undergo subsequent mineralogical alteration. In some instances, this alteration may be subtle, as in the case of conversion of kaolinite with a high degree of crystalline order (as measured by the Hinckley index) to kaolinite of low crystalline order in a pedogenic profile. Isotopic studies of pedogenic clays may be expected to yield more information about pedogenesis and paleoclimate when both 18 O/ 16 O and D/H ratios of the clays are measured. However, few studies have incorporated the use of the two isotope ratios.
Comparison of the postsurgical stability of the Le Fort I osteotomy using 2- and 4-plate fixation

Abstract Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the postoperative stability of Le Fort I osteotomies accomplished with 2-plate versus 4-plate fixation. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving 32 patients who underwent Le Fort I 1-piece osteotomy concurrent with orthodontic therapy. All patients were treated by 1 attending surgeon during an 18-month period. Sixteen patients were treated by plate and screw fixation consisting of 4 miniplates (group I), and an additional 16 patients were treated using 2 miniplates (group II). In group I, fixation was accomplished with 2.0-mm low-profile Lorenz (Walter Lorenz Surgical Inc, Jacksonville, FL) plates and screws placed at the piriform aperture and at the maxillary buttress. Four screws were placed in each of the plates. In group II, fixation was accomplished with 2.0-mm low-profile Lorenz plates and screws placed at the piriform aperture. Again, 4 screws were placed in each of the plates. Results: Serial cephalometric evaluation at arbitrary anterior nasal spine and posterior nasal spine for both groups showed that postoperative skeletal changes in the direction of the surgical movement were seen in approximately 20% of cases; these changes averaged less than 1 mm. Postoperative skeletal changes opposite to the direction of the surgical movement were seen in approximately 30% of cases; these changes also averaged less than 1 mm. No postoperative skeletal changes were seen in approximately 50% of cases. For all measured changes about arbitrary anterior nasal spine and posterior nasal spine, there was no significant difference between groups I and II. Conclusion: This study suggested that postoperative skeletal changes associated with the use of 2-plate fixation do not appear to differ significantly from those seen with 4-plate fixation. © 2003 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 61:574-579, 2003
Multiple Case Studies of the Influence of Land-Use Type on the Distribution of Uses along Urban River Greenways

This descriptive case study examines the influence of the land-use type on the level of use of greenways for physical activity, and is intended to inform the construction or expansion of multi-use greenway systems. Greenway use data were collected through direct observation, making multiple passes over two city greenways and recording the location of users with a Global Positioning System device. The distribution of uses was then examined with land-use data using geographic information systems to determine if use was heaviest on segments of the greenway adjacent to areas with distinct land-use characteristics. The study reveals that use is heaviest on sections of the greenway that intersect parks and on greenway segments in downtown areas where there is a concentration of commercial land use. Use is also significant on segments that connect parks to the downtown when these two land uses are separated by relatively short distances.
Weakly Stable Regions and Protein-Protein Interactions in Beta-Barrel Membrane Proteins

We briefly discuss recent progress in computational characterization of the sequence and structural properties of β-barrel membrane properties. We discuss the emerging concept of weakly stable regions in β-barrel membrane proteins, computational methods to identify these regions and mechanisms adopted by β-barrel membrane proteins in nature to stabilize them. We further discuss computational methods to identify protein-protein interactions in β-barrel membrane proteins and recent experimental studies that aim at altering the biophysical properties including oligomerization state and stability of β-barrel membrane proteins based on the emerging organization principles of these proteins from recent computational studies.
A Sharp Thermal Transition of Fast Aromatic‐Ring Dynamics in Ubiquitin

Aromatic amino acid side chains have a rich role within proteins and are often central to their structure and function. Suitable isotopic-labelling strategies enable studies of sub-nanosecond aromatic-ring dynamics using solution NMR relaxation methods. Surprisingly, it was found that the three aromatic side chains in human ubiquitin show a sharp thermal dynamical transition at approximately 312 K. Hydrostatic pressure has little effect on the low-temperature behavior, but somewhat decreases the amplitude of motion in the high-temperature regime. Therefore, below the transition temperature, ring motion is largely librational. Above this temperature, a complete ring-rotation process that is fully consistent with a continuous diffusion not requiring the transient creation of a large activated free volume occurs. Molecular dynamics simulations qualitatively corroborate this view and reinforce the notion that the dynamical character of the protein interior has much more liquid-alkane-like properties than previously appreciated.
GLUTARALDEHYDE CROSS-LINKED COLLAGEN OCCLUSION OF THE URETERAL ORIFICES WITH PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROSTOMY: A MINIMALLY INVASIVE OPTION FOR TREATMENT REFRACTORY HEMORRHAGIC CYSTITIS

Hemorrhagic cystitis represents a potentially devastating problem in urology with a mortality rate approaching 4%. 1 Although many factors have been attributed to the cause of this disease, the most common causes continue to be cyclophosphamide based chemotherapy and external beam radiotherapy. If preventive measures fail and hemorrhagic cystitis develops, patients usually respond to conservative treatment, such as bladder catheterization, clot evacuation or continuous bladder irrigation. If bleeding continues, intravesically instilled bladder astringents, such as alum, prostaglandin and silver nitrate, have proved to provide good results with little morbidity. 1– 4 Treatment refractory bleeding represents a more difficult and challenging problem. For treatment refractory disease oral conjugated estrogen, hyperbaric oxygen, aminocaproic acid, intravesical formalin and bilateral hypogastric arterial embolization have been reported with varying success and morbidity, although the gold standard remains supravesical urinary diversion. 1, 2, 5–7 We present a minimally invasive method of supravesical urinary diversion for transfusion dependent, treatment refractory hemorrhagic cystitis. CASE HISTORY
Commutativity-based concurrency control in groupware

Commutativity of operations is often exploited in concurrent systems to attain high levels of concurrency. A commutativity-based concurrency control method, called operational transformation (OT), has been actively researched in groupware over the past 15 years. However, much progress can still be made on more practicable approaches to developing and proving OT algorithms. Several constraints have been proposed previously but they are generally difficult to follow and verify in practice. This paper proposes an alternative approach to address this problem. A new consistency model is defined which greatly simplifies the design and proof of OT algorithms
Extreme C-terminal sites are posttranslocationally glycosylated by the STT3B isoform of the OST.

Metazoan organisms assemble two isoforms of the oligosaccharyltransferase (OST) that have different catalytic subunits (STT3A or STT3B) and partially nonoverlapping roles in asparagine-linked glycosylation. The STT3A isoform of the OST is primarily responsible for co-translational glycosylation of the nascent polypeptide as it enters the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. The C-terminal 65–75 residues of a glycoprotein will not contact the translocation channel–associated STT3A isoform of the OST complex before chain termination. Biosynthetic pulse labeling of five human glycoproteins showed that extreme C-terminal glycosylation sites were modified by an STT3B-dependent posttranslocational mechanism. The boundary for STT3B-dependent glycosylation of C-terminal sites was determined to fall between 50 and 55 residues from the C terminus of a protein. C-terminal NXT sites were glycosylated more rapidly and efficiently than C-terminal NXS sites. Bioinformatics analysis of glycopeptide databases from metazoan organisms revealed a lower density of C-terminal acceptor sites in glycoproteins because of reduced positive selection of NXT sites and negative selection of NXS sites.
The geometry of the marmot (rodentia: sciuridae) mandible: phylogeny and patterns of morphological evolution.

Marmots have a prominent role in the study of mammalian social evolution, but only recently has their systematics received the attention it deserves if sociobiological studies are to be placed in a phylogenetic context. Sciurid morphology can be used as model to test the congruence between morphological change and phylogeny because sciurid skeletal characters are considered to be inclined to convergence. However, no morphological study involving all marmot species has ever been undertaken. Geometric morphometric techniques were applied in a comparative study of the marmot mandible. The adults of all 14 living marmot species were compared, and mean mandible shape were used to investigate morphological evolution in the genus Marmota. Three major trends were observed. First, the phylogenetic signal in the variation of landmark geometry, which describes mandible morphology, seems to account for the shape differences at intermediate taxonomic levels. The subgenera Marmota and Petromarmota, recently proposed on the basis of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence, receive support from mandible morphology. When other sciurid genera were included in the analysis, the monophyly of the genus Marmota and that of the tribe Marmotini (i.e., marmots, prairie dogs, and ground squirrels) was strengthened by the morphological data. Second, the marmotine mandible may have evolved as a mosaic of characters and does not show convergence determined by size similarities. Third, allopatric speciation in peripheral isolates may have acted as a powerful force for modeling shape. This hypothesis is strongly supported by the peculiar mandible of M. vancouverensis and, to a lesser degree, by that of M. olympus, both thought to have originated as isolated populations in Pleistocene ice-free refugia.
Congenic Interval Mapping of RNO10 Reveals a Complex Cluster of Closely-Linked Genetic Determinants of Blood Pressure

Genetic dissection of the rat genome for identifying alleles that cause abnormalities in blood pressure (BP) resulted in the mapping of a significant number of BP quantitative trait loci (QTLs). In this study we mapped at least one such BP QTL on rat chromosome 10 (RNO10) as being within the introgressed segment of a S.LEW congenic strain S.LEWx12x2x3x8 spanning 1.34 Mb from 70 725 437 bp to 72 063 232 bp. BP of 3 congenic strains that span shorter segments of this region was additionally examined. Results obtained indicate that LEW alleles that comprise a 375-kb introgressed segment of the congenic strain S.LEWx12x2x3x5 (70 725 437 bp to 71 100 513 bp) increase BP. The magnitude of change in BP exhibited by the 2 strains, S.LEWx12x2x3x8 and S.LEWx12x2x3x5, is the net phenotypic effect of the underlying genetic determinants of BP. In this respect, the current data are superior to previous QTL localization of BP QTL1, which was hypothesized based on differential congenic segments. Genetic dissection using these 2 congenic strains as tools is expected to facilitate further dissection of the regions. Meanwhile, differential congenic segments were used to predict and thereby prioritize regions for candidate gene analysis. Using this approach, 2 distinct regions of 401 kb and 409 kb within S.LEWx12x2x3x8 and a 104 kb region within S.LEWx12x2x3x5 were prioritized for further consideration. Because all of these genetic elements are located within a 1.06-Mb region of RNO10, our study has revealed a remarkable insight into a genomic module comprising very closely-linked, opposing genetic determinants of BP. (Hypertension. 2007;50:891-898.)
A systematic comparison of sugar content in low-fat vs regular versions of food

Obesity remains a significant public health concern. One of the primary messages from providers and health-care organizations is to eat healthier foods with lower fat. Many in the lay press, however, have suggested that lower fat versions of foods contain more sugar. To our knowledge, a systematic comparison of the sugar content in food with lower fat alternatives has not been performed. In this study, we compared fat free, low fat and regular versions of the same foods using data collected from the USDA National Nutrient Database. We found that the amount of sugar is higher in the low fat (that is, reduced calorie, light, low fat) and non-fat than 'regular' versions of tested items (Friedman P=0.00001, Wilcoxon P=0.0002 for low fat vs regular food and P=0.0003 for non-fat vs regular food). Our data support the general belief that food that is lower in fat may contain more sugar.
The Toxicologist as Educator: Addressing Pain Management in the Midst of an Opioid Epidemic.

We callitthe Bmonthly rant^ at theOregonand AlaskaPoison Center: a rotating student or resident presents a case of an opioid poisoning and a well-prepared overview of the toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of opioids in overdose. The eyes of the fellows and attendings meet briefly, and the moment is perfect for an in-depth discussion about the complexities of opioid prescribing, pain management, and pitfalls of opioid therapy. What ensues is a carefully designed discussion surrounding several key components of appropriate pain management and iatrogenic addiction. With an increasing focus on the opioid epidemic and prevention of addiction, medical educators are actively working to design pain management curricula. It is worth highlighting that many toxicologists already incorporate this education for rotators on the toxicology service and that toxicologists are a valuable resource for medical educators involved in the re-designing of medical curricula. The toxicology rotation seems an ideal place to formally educate trainees to manage pain while attenuating diversion, adverse effects, polypharmacy, and iatrogenic addiction. Whether students and residents spend a day, a week, or a month on the toxicology service, educators can use this opportunity to introduce new approaches toward opioid use in pain management, thus laying the groundwork to reduce morbidity and mortality from opioids. Participants in the discussions on our service typically include third or fourth year medical students, pharmacy students, and emergency medicine residents on their toxicology rotation, who will go on to treat patients with acute and chronic painful conditions in all fields of medicine. Even early in training, students and residents make astute observations about the challenges and pitfalls surrounding the management of acute and chronic
Fluoroscopy-guided thrombolysis of mechanical mitral valve thrombosis in a young female with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

Prosthetic valve thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of mechanical valve prosthesis. The differential diagnoses for prosthetic valve obstruction includes pannus formation, prosthetic valve dehiscence, prosthetic valve endocarditis, chordae entrapment, patient-prosthesis mismatch and primary device failure. Establishing a diagnosis requires an understanding of prosthetic valve haemodynamics and careful correlation of clinical and imaging findings. Definitive therapy must be individualised based on various patient-specific factors. We present a case of mechanical mitral PVT in a young woman with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and outline the diagnostic and therapeutic approach utilised for successful treatment. The success and complication rates of various therapeutic strategies are also discussed, and highlight the need for individualised decision-making rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to PVT.
Research Resource: Roles for Calcium/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase 2 (CaMKK2) in Systems Metabolism

A number of epidemiological studies have implicated calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling as a major factor in obesity that contributes to aberrant systems metabolism. Somewhat paradoxically, obesity correlates with decreased circulating Ca(2+) levels, leading to increased release of intracellular Ca(2+) stores from the endoplasmic reticulum. These findings suggest that insulin resistance associated with the obese state is linked to activation of canonical Ca(2+) signaling pathways. Mechanistically, increased intracellular Ca(2+) binds calmodulin (CaM) to activate a set of Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent protein kinases. In this research resource, we explore the metabolic functions and implications of Ca(2+)/CaM-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) as a metabolic effector of Ca(2+)/CaM action. We reveal the importance of CaMKK2 for gating insulin release from pancreatic β-cells while concomitantly influencing the sensitivity of insulin-responsive tissues. To provide a better understanding of the metabolic impact of CaMKK2 loss, we performed targeted metabolomic analyses of key metabolic byproducts of glucose, fatty acid, and amino acid metabolism in mice null for CaMKK2. We quantified amino acids and acyl carnitines in 3 insulin-sensitive tissues (liver, skeletal muscle, plasma) isolated from CaMKK2(-/-) mice and their wild-type littermates under conditions of dietary stress (low-fat diet, normal chow, high-fat diet, and fasting), thereby unveiling unique metabolic functions of CaMKK2. Our findings highlight CaMKK2 as a molecular rheostat for insulin action and emphasize the importance of Ca(2+)/CaM/CaMKK2 in regulation of whole-body metabolism. These findings reveal that CaMKK2 may be an attractive therapeutic target for combatting comorbidities associated with perturbed insulin signaling.
Instituting Health Care Reform and Preserving Quality: Role of the Hospital Epidemiologist

social value system in general: a period of expansion beginning in the 1940s, cost containment in the early 1980s, and the current era of assessment and accountability beginning in the late 1980s. The expansion period was characterized by rapid growth in the number of hospitals, physicians, and technical advances; an increase in funding by the National Institutes of Health for basic research; and an increase in the number of citizens in the United States who were covered by health insurance plans with the enactment of Medicare and Medicaid in 1965.
Calmer Life: A Culturally Tailored Intervention for Anxiety in Underserved Older Adults

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility of the Calmer Life and Enhanced Community Care interventions delivered by community and expert providers and test their preliminary effectiveness on worry, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) severity, anxiety, depression, sleep, health-related quality of life, and satisfaction. Design Small randomized trial, with measurements at baseline and 3 months. Setting Underserved, low-income, mostly minority communities in Houston, TX. Participants Forty underserved adults 50 years and older, with significant worry and principal or coprincipal GAD or anxiety disorder not otherwise specified. Intervention Combination of person-centered, flexible skills training to reduce worry; resource counseling to target unmet basic needs; and facilitation of communication with primary care providers developed through a community–academic partnership with social service and faith-based organizations. Religion/spirituality may be incorporated. Measurements Primary outcomes: worry (Penn State Worry Questionnaire-Abbreviated), GAD severity (GAD-7), anxiety (Geriatric Anxiety Inventory-Short Form). Secondary outcomes: depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8 and Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form), sleep (Insomnia Severity Index), health-related quality of life (12-item Medical Outcomes Study Short Form), satisfaction (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire and exit interviews). Results Provider training was valid; mean ratings for community providers were well above average, with none less than adequate. Reach was excellent. Participants receiving the Calmer Life intervention had greater improvement in GAD severity and depression than those receiving Enhanced Community Care. Satisfaction with both treatments was equivalent. Conclusions A larger comparative-effectiveness trial needs to examine outcomes following the Calmer Life intervention relative to standard community-based care and to evaluate more fully issues of implementation potential.
Correlates of Grocery Product Consumption Rates

Media strategies aimed at penetrating the heavy half are frequently based on matching socioeconomic and demographic profiles of the media under consideration to those believed representative of the...
Further Observations on the Reproduction of Bacilli from Large Bodies in Proteus Cultures.

SummarySingle large bodies were isolated from the contact line of 2 spreading Proteus strains. Their descendants were similar to one of the strains with respect to the properties studied, and crossing or segregation of properties was not observed. With a single exception, only one strain was recovered from the large bodies formed at the contact of 2 strains.
Comparative genome analysis suggests characteristics of yeast inverted repeats that are important for transcriptional activity.

Inverted repeats are sequences of DNA that, when read in the 5′ to 3′ direction, have the same sequence on both strands (palindromic portion), with the exception of a small number of nucleotides in the exact center (nonpalindromic spacer). They have been implicated in various DNA-mediated processes including replication, transcription, and genomic instability. At least some of these sequences are capable of forming an alternative DNA structure, called a cruciform, that may be important for mediating these functions. We generated a list of inverted repeats in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome and determined which of them are conserved in three related yeasts. We have identified characterisitics of inverted repeats that make them more likely to be conserved than the surrounding DNA and characteristics, such as position and base composition, that make the genes they are associated with likely to be more actively transcribed. This is an important step in determining the functions of this group of genomic el...
Real-time image processing for non-contact monitoring of dynamic displacements using smartphone technologies

The newly developed smartphone application, named RINO, in this study allows measuring absolute dynamic displacements and processing them in real time using state-of-the-art smartphone technologies, such as high-performance graphics processing unit (GPU), in addition to already powerful CPU and memories, embedded high-speed/ resolution camera, and open-source computer vision libraries. A carefully designed color-patterned target and user-adjustable crop filter enable accurate and fast image processing, allowing up to 240fps for complete displacement calculation and real-time display. The performances of the developed smartphone application are experimentally validated, showing comparable accuracy with those of conventional laser displacement sensor.
Survey of State-of-the-art

Although optical networking is a relatively young topic, this field has experienced explosive growth over the past few years. This growth has been fueled mainly by the demands for enormous bandwidth on our data networks, namely the Internet, to satisfy the high-speed applications of the network users. Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is the current favorite technology for building optical communication networks since all of the end-user equipment needs to operate only at the bit rate of a WDM channel, which can be chosen arbitrarily, e.g., peak electronic processing speed. The state-of-the-art in designing optical WDM networks is reviewed in this chapter, starting with WDM networking evolution, and covering new WDM technologies, how to construct WDM networks, followed by recent trends in WDM research.
THE ROLE OF BASELINE VERSUS LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP EJECTION FRACTION IN PREDICTING ADVERSE EVENTS AMONG PRIMARY PREVENTION IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR RECIPIENTS

Background: Ejection fraction (EF) is used to risk stratify implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) candidates. The clinical utility of follow-up (f/u) EF assessment in these patients (pts) remains unclear. Methods: We studied primary prevention ICD pts to assess the importance of long-term EF
STAR Results from Au+Au Fixed-Target Collisions at sNN=4.5GeV

Abstract We present results from STAR's first dedicated fixed-target run conducted in 2015 with Au + Au collisions at s NN = 4.5 GeV . Directed flow of protons and lambdas, elliptic flow of identified hadrons, HBT radii, as well as pion, K s 0 , and Λ spectra are compared with previous results from the AGS. These results demonstrate that STAR has good event reconstruction and particle identification capabilities in the fixed-target configuration. The implications of these results on future STAR fixed-target runs are discussed.
Voting in the Presence of Byzantine Faults

Voting (or election) algorithms are used widely in many safety-critical systems to mask errors. Most systems only tolerate malicious (or Byzantine) voters – these systems assume the existence of a correct and centralized mechanism to collect the votes and propagate the voting output to each voter. However, in many realistic scenarios, such a centralized voting mechanism is not feasible. Thus, we study the Byzantine voting problem – no centralized mechanism exists in the system, and voters may become Byzantine faulty. We first present impossibility results in both synchronous and asynchronous systems. To circumvent the impossibility results presented in this paper, we propose two relaxed voting properties that are achievable and present optimal voting algorithms that satisfy the relaxed properties. Finally, we show that it is possible to design Byzantine voting algorithms that produce the voting output in one communication step under contention-free scenarios.
Trabecular microbypass stent implantation with cataract extraction in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a trabecular microbypass stent (iStent) combined with cataract surgery in patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG). Setting Vance Thompson Vision, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA. Design Retrospective case series. Methods Eyes with PXG had implantation of 1 stent. Data were collected preoperatively and postoperatively through 24 months. Data included intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, the incidence of postoperative IOP pressure spikes of 15 mm Hg or higher at any timepoint, and the need for additional surgery. Results The series included 115 eyes. The mean preoperative IOP was 20.00 mm Hg ± 6.95 (SD). One year postoperatively, the mean IOP was 15.54 ± 3.83 mm Hg (P Conclusion Trabecular microbypass stent implantation during cataract surgery safely and effectively lowered IOP and medication use in patients with mild to severe PXG.
Abstract 142: Which Hospitals Fail to Improve Readmission Rates?

Objective: The 30-day readmission rate in the Medicare population is near 18%, with an associated cost of $16 billion dollars annually. Policy makers have become focused on trying to identify successful strategies to reduce both the clinical and economic burden of rehospitalizations, and to this end, the Affordable Care Act sets up penalties for hospitals with high readmission rates. Despite the national attention to readmissions, there are many hospitals that have failed to improve their readmission rates. Understanding who these persistently poor-performing hospitals are is key to helping them improve. Methods: We used national Medicare data from 2007 through 2009 to calculate mean readmission rates across six common conditions (heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding) for all acute-care hospitals in the U.S. We identified poor baseline performers as those hospitals with performance in the worst quartile of readmission rates in 2007. We then categorized these hospitals into two groups: those who improved by 2009 and those who did not. We compared the characteristics of hospitals and markets in each of these groups. Results: Our sample was comprised of 869 poor-performing acute-care hospitals. Baseline median composite readmission rates were 27.8% (IQR 25.8%-32.5%). Of these, 214 (24.6%) hospitals failed to improve their readmission rates by 2009; the median 2009 readmission rate for persistently poor performers was 32.0% (IQR 27.1%-38.0%) while the rate fo hospitals that improved was 20.9% (IQR 18.5%-23.6%). Persistently poor performers were more likely to be small hospitals (71% versus 32%, p Conclusions and Implications: Between 2007 and 2009, small, public, non-teaching hospitals were far less likely to improve their readmission rates than others; in general, persistently poor performers were hospitals with lower resource levels and more socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. As hospitals face looming penalties for high readmission rates, our findings raise concern about the ability of the small, worst-performing hospitals and those with poor resource bases to improve their outcomes, and thus raise concerns about the potential of readmissions penalties to widen disparities in care. Policymakers may need to consider coupling readmission penalties with programs and resources to help these vulnerable hospitals improve in order to avoid unintended consequences of this policy initiative.
Dual Diagnosis: An Introduction

This introductory chapter will discuss (1) the complexity associated with making a specific diagnosis when individuals have both mental illness and substance use disorder, (2) treatment associated with dual diagnosis, (3) issues of cultural competency as it pertains to this topic, and (4) overall implications for this topic for the future. There will be clinical examples throughout the chapter that will hopefully help to illustrate the information presented.
A Challenging Task

Designing a building is a complex task requiring close cooperation among the architect and a group of engineers with different expertise, such as mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and structural engineers. Up to a few decades ago the main target of the traditional building designers in general was to design a building that is beautiful, comfortable, cost effective, and capable of satisfying the building applicable functions. The focus of the modern era building designers in response to the world energy uncertainty and its increasing cost and adverse effects on environment has changed to not only satisfying these traditional design targets, but also minimizing consumption of energy in the buildings. This has imposed a big burden on the architects and engineers to change the way they have pursued building design. Now, not only they have to comply with common standards and codes such as building code and mechanical code, but also have to comply with the new regulations based on requirements that are set by organizations such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in order to surpass the energy saving thresholds that are enforced by energy standards such as ASHRAE standard 90.1.
Neuroplastic alterations in the limbic system following cocaine or alcohol exposure

Neuroplastic changes in the CNS are thought to be a fundamental component of learning and memory. While pioneering studies in the hippocampus and cerebellum have detailed many of the basic mechanisms that can lead to alterations in synaptic transmission based on previous activity, only more recently has synaptic plasticity been monitored after behavioral manipulation or drug exposure. In this chapter, we review evidence that drugs of abuse are powerful modulators of synaptic plasticity. Both the dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area as well medium spiny neurons in nucleus accumbens show enhanced excitatory synaptic strength following passive or active exposure to drugs such as cocaine and alcohol. In the VTA, both the enhancement of excitatory synaptic strength and the acquisition of drug-related behaviors depend on signaling through the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) which are mechanistically thought to lead to increased synaptic insertion of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs). Synaptic insertion of AMPARs by drugs of abuse can be long lasting, depending on the route of administration, number of drug exposures, or whether the drugs are received passively or self-administered.
A novel integrative medicine educational program for radiation oncology patients: Feasibility and patient-reported outcomes.

e21629Background: Integrative medicine uses complementary health approaches (CHAs) to improve wellness. Many patients use CHAs to manage acute and late toxicities of radiotherapy (RT). However, few...
Jumping genomic gigantism.

Genomic gigantism in amphibians originated through a single extraordinary jump overlying otherwise gradual change; genome size variation is related to both the external environment and life history in frogs, but may not be in salamanders.
Annihilators and extensions of idempotent-generated ideals

We define a ring R to be right cP-Baer if the right annihilator of a cyclic projective right R-module in R is generated by an idempotent. This class of rings generalizes the class of right p.q.-Bae...
Tissue-Engineered Stem Cell Models of Cardiovascular Diseases

In vitro disease modeling can provide compelling insights into the molecular underpinnings of various pathological conditions. Traditionally, researchers have used two-dimensional (2D) cell culture methods to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that drive diseases. However, this method of cell culture fails to recapitulate the complex, three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment that is present in vivo. Recently, tissue-engineered models have been generated to create culture systems that better recapitulate the complex 3D microenvironments found in living tissue. By using these engineered models, more relevant data may be produced to unravel the molecular underpinnings of disease states and potentially translate into new therapeutic strategies.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) elicits stimulus-specific enhancement of cortical plasticity.

Abstract Background Deficits in plasticity underlie many severe psychiatric disorders. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a promising method for modulating plasticity. However, given its non-focal nature, there are open questions as to how targeting and outcome specificity can best be achieved. Objective Understanding how tDCS interacts with concurrent brain activity is necessary for the rational advancement of tDCS. In the present study, we use an event-related potential (ERP) paradigm to assess the stimulus-specific effects of tDCS on cortical plasticity. Methods 22 healthy volunteers underwent a blinded, sham-controlled plasticity paradigm in a crossover design. High frequency presentation of auditory stimuli was used to induce potentiation in specific components of the ERP. We investigated whether anodal tDCS targeting the auditory cortex would modulate plasticity induction across time. Two pure tones were used as stimuli, only one of the tones, the target tone, was used for plasticity induction. Plasticity was quantified as change in the mean amplitude of the N100 component relative to baseline. Results TDCS significantly modulated plasticity in the target tone compared to sham (p ​= ​0.02) but had no effect on the control tone (p ​= ​0.73). This effect was time dependent, with tDCS effects no longer apparent 30 ​min after stimulation. Conclusions Our results indicate that tDCS can modulate cortical plasticity in the auditory cortex in an activity-dependent manner. These findings bolster the idea that tDCS can be an effective tool to target and modulate plasticity both for research and therapeutic purposes.
Dual injection short time parametric PET image

Parametric positron emission tomography (PET) imaging can provide more quantitative information compared to the standard uptake value (SUV). To acquire the parametric image, a long dynamic scan over 80 mins are necessary, however, some patients with severe diseases cannot stay in a scanner such a long time or can produce bad motion artifacts during the dynamic scan. To address this issue, we propose a novel parametric PET reconstruction method using a dual injection strategy. The dual injection strategy is that the first injection of half dose at the beginning and the second injection of half dose at the middle of scan are administered, which can preserve total amount of dose. A scan is conducted after 60 mins from the first injection with a duration of total 20 mins as usually done in PET scan protocol. To estimate the parametric image, we firstly split the first and last time activity curves (TACs), and then a parametric image is estimated using partial dynamic data based on the simplified reference tissue model (SRTM). To split the TACs, a linear fitting method is used by assuming that there is no temporal metabolite changes and TAC with 20 min in the steady-state is linear. For the accurate estimation of parametric image, a penalized direct reconstruction method is proposed in which a penalty is imposed in parametric images. In brain phantom simulation, we demonstrated that the proposed method can estimate the parametric image only using 20 min acquisition.
Cancer cells deploy lipocalin-2 to collect limiting iron in leptomeningeal metastasis

The tumor microenvironment plays a critical regulatory role in cancer progression, especially in central nervous system metastases. Cancer cells within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-filled leptomeninges face substantial microenvironmental challenges, including inflammation and sparse micronutrients. To investigate the mechanism by which cancer cells in these leptomeningeal metastases (LM) overcome these constraints, we subjected CSF from five patients with LM to single-cell RNA sequencing. We found that cancer cells, but not macrophages, within the CSF express the iron-binding protein lipocalin-2 (LCN2) and its receptor SCL22A17. These macrophages generate inflammatory cytokines that induce cancer cell LCN2 expression but do not generate LCN2 themselves. In mouse models of LM, cancer cell growth is supported by the LCN2/SLC22A17 system and is inhibited by iron chelation therapy. Thus, cancer cells appear to survive in the CSF by outcompeting macrophages for iron.
Role of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Pediatric Obesity: Benefits, Risks, and Approaches to Patient Selection

Effective treatments for pediatric obesity are limited. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists have emerged as therapeutic agents for obesity in adults and have shown benefits outside of weight loss. Here we explore the evidence for GLP-1R agonist use in pediatric obesity. Emerging evidence suggests that GLP-1R agonists have a role in pediatric obesity treatment. A recently published, randomized, placebo-controlled trial found a greater reduction in BMI z-score (− 0.22 SDs) in adolescents receiving liraglutide compared with placebo. As in adults, gastrointestinal adverse effects were commonly seen. GLP-1R agonists appear to perform favorably compared with other approved pharmacological agents for pediatric obesity. However, heterogeneity in weight loss response, cost, side effects, and need for injections may limit their use in many pediatric patients. Rather than broadly applying this therapy if it is approved, we suggest careful patient selection and monitoring by clinicians pending further studies.
Thematic exploration of sectoral and cross-cutting challenges to circular economy implementation

Circular economy (CE) offers a pathway towards sustainable, closed-loop resource systems, but widespread adoption across industrial sectors is limited by fragmented knowledge and varied implementation approaches. This article reviews sector-specific challenges and opportunities associated with implementing and measuring the benefits of CE strategies. Literature mapping highlights progress towards CE implementation in food, chemicals, metals, consumer electronics, and building and infrastructure sectors, and towards measuring CE outcomes via systems analysis methods like life cycle assessment (LCA) and material flow analysis (MFA). However, key challenges were also identified that point to future research and demonstration needs. First, research on CE adoption typically exists as case studies that are closely linked to a sector. But literature has not effectively synthesized knowledge gained across domains, particularly understanding underlying barriers to CE and where they occur in product life cycles. Second, research on CE outcomes often applies well-established methods without adapting for unique attributes of CE systems. A key opportunity is in integrative methodological advances, such as expanded use of consequential LCA, development of physical Input–Output tables, and integrating MFA with dynamical models. Finally, regardless of sector, new CE business models are seen as a critical enabler to realize success, but theoretical frameworks in literature are not well-tested in practice. The review also highlights opportunities to harness other emerging trends, such as big data, to provide better information for system modelers and decision-oriented insight to guide CE stakeholders.
Hybrid (b, c)-inverses and five finiteness properties in rings, semigroups, and categories

Given elements a, b, c of any associative ring R with 1, then a is called right hybrid (b, c)-invertible if there exists y∈R such that yay=y,yR=bR and rann(y)=rann(c). It is shown that such y exist...