Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Propensity Score Estimation to Address Calendar Time-Specific Channeling in Comparative Effectiveness Research of Second Generation Antipsychotics

Background Channeling occurs when a medication and its potential comparators are selectively prescribed based on differences in underlying patient characteristics. Drug safety advisories can provide new information regarding the relative safety or effectiveness of a drug product which might increase selective prescribing. In particular, when reported adverse effects vary among drugs within a therapeutic class, clinicians may channel patients toward or away from a drug based on the patient's underlying risk for an adverse outcome. If channeling is not identified and appropriately managed it might lead to confounding in observational comparative effectiveness studies. Objective To demonstrate channeling among new users of second generation antipsychotics following a Food and Drug Administration safety advisory and to evaluate the impact of channeling on cardiovascular risk estimates over time. Data Source Florida Medicaid data from 2001–2006. Study Design Retrospective cohort of adults initiating second generation antipsychotics. We used propensity scores to match olanzapine initiators with other second generation antipsychotic initiators. To evaluate channeling away from olanzapine following an FDA safety advisory, we estimated calendar time-specific propensity scores. We compare the performance of these calendar time-specific propensity scores with conventionally-estimated propensity scores on estimates of cardiovascular risk. Principal Findings Increased channeling away from olanzapine was evident for some, but not all, cardiovascular risk factors and corresponded with the timing of the FDA advisory. Covariate balance was optimized within period and across all periods when using the calendar time-specific propensity score. Hazard ratio estimates for cardiovascular outcomes did not differ across models (Conventional PS: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.81–3.18 versus calendar time-specific PS: 0.93, 95%CI: 0.77–3.04). Conclusions Changes in channeling over time was evident for several covariates but had limited impact on cardiovascular risk estimates, possibly due to unmeasured confounding. Although calendar time-specific propensity scores appear to improve covariate balance, the impact on comparative effectiveness results is limited in this setting.
RhNRG-1β Protects the Myocardium against Irradiation-Induced Damage via the ErbB2-ERK-SIRT1 Signaling Pathway

Radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD), which is a serious side effect of the radiotherapy applied for various tumors due to the inevitable irradiation of the heart, cannot be treated effectively using current clinical therapies. Here, we demonstrated that rhNRG-1β, an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like protein, protects myocardium tissue against irradiation-induced damage and preserves cardiac function. rhNRG-1β effectively ameliorated irradiation-induced myocardial nuclear damage in both cultured adult rat-derived cardiomyocytes and rat myocardium tissue via NRG/ErbB2 signaling. By activating ErbB2, rhNRG-1β maintained mitochondrial integrity, ATP production, respiratory chain function and the Krebs cycle status in irradiated cardiomyocytes. Moreover, the protection of irradiated cardiomyocytes and myocardium tissue by rhNRG-1β was at least partly mediated by the activation of the ErbB2-ERK-SIRT1 signaling pathway. Long-term observations further showed that rhNRG-1β administered in the peri-irradiation period exerts continuous protective effects on cardiac pump function, the myocardial energy metabolism, cardiomyocyte volume and interstitial fibrosis in the rats receiving radiation via NRG/ErbB2 signaling. Our findings indicate that rhNRG-1β can protect the myocardium against irradiation-induced damage and preserve cardiac function via the ErbB2-ERK-SIRT1 signaling pathway.
Tree codes for vortex dynamics: Application of a programming framework

This paper describes the implementation of a fast N-body algorithm for the study of multi-(cid:12)lament vortex simulations. The simulations involve distributions that are irregular and time-varying. We adapt our programming framework which was earlier used to develop high-performance implementations of the Barnes-Hut and Greengard-Rokhlin algorithms for gravitational (cid:12)elds. We describe how the additional subtleties involved in vortex (cid:12)lament simulations are accommodated e(cid:14)ciently within the framework. We describe the ongoing experimental studies and report preliminary results with simulations of one million particles on the 128-node Connection Machine CM-5. The implementation sustains a rate of almost 30% of the peak machine rate. These simulations are more than an order of magnitude larger in size than previously studied using direct methods. We expect that the use of the fast algorithm will allow us to study the generation of small scales in the vortex collapse and reconnection problem with adequate resolution.
Comparison in Personality Profiles between Child Abusers versus Child Neglectors

Comparison in Personality Profiles between Child Abusers versus Child Neglectors by Jodi R. Cuneo MA, City University of New York 2004 BA, Rutgers University 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology Walden University May 2015
Reversible Decrease of Portal Venous Flow in Cirrhotic Patients: A Positive Side Effect of Sorafenib

Portal hypertension, the most important complication with cirrhosis of the liver, is a serious disease. Sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor is validated in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Because angiogenesis is a pathological hallmark of portal hypertension, the goal of our study was to determine the effect of sorafenib on portal venous flow and portosystemic collateral circulation in patients receiving sorafenib therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Porto-collateral circulations were evaluated using a magnetic resonance technique prior sorafenib therapy, and at day 30. All patients under sorafenib therapy had a decrease in portal venous flow of at least 36%. In contrast, no specific change was observed in the azygos vein or the abdominal aorta. No portal venous flow modification was observed in the control group. Sorafenib is the first anti-angiogenic therapy to demonstrate a beneficial and reversible decrease of portal venous flow among cirrhotic patients.
Human Rights From Below: Achieving Rights Through Community Development, by Ife, J

Jim Ife has authored other works on human rights and community development before the publication in 2010 of Human Rights From Below: Achieving Rights Through Community Development. Two books, Human Rights and Social Work: Towards Rights-Based Practice (Ife, 2008) and Community Development: Community-based Alternatives in an Age of Globalization (Ife, 2002), are among his works on human rights and community development. Here it is worthwhile to mention the reason that makes Human Rights From Below different from the aforementioned works. In Human Rights From Below, Ife discusses human rights and community development together and proposes a marriage between human rights and community development approaches. The proposed integration seems an uneasy marriage because human rights and community development have been dominated by topdown and bottom-up approaches, respectively. However, Ife successfully illustrates the possibilities, as well as the imperatives, of integrating the two approaches to effectively promote the goals of human rights and community development. In Human Rights From Below, Ife explores the concepts of human rights and community development. After reviewing how the four terms (human, right, community, and development) have been separately used in different contexts, the author points out that both human rights and community development are complex, problematic, and contested ideas. Then he explores the relationship between human rights and community development, skillfully portrays their common ground, and proposes the integration of the two approaches to address current global challenges including human rights abuses, and economic and ecological crises. The major theme of the book is that neither human rights nor community development can be successfully achieved in isolation. The author eloquently argues that people intending to enhance human rights should be “concerned with community development, as community development is necessary if our human rights are to be fully realized” and “those concerned with community development must necessarily also be concerned with human rights as the framework” (p. 1). The core idea here is that
Expression of the dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin DC-SIGN by inflammatory matrix metalloproteinase-producing macrophages in rheumatoid arthritis synovium and interaction with intercellular adhesion molecule 3-positive T cells.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-producing inflammatory macrophages in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients express the novel dendritic cell (DC)-specific C-type lectin DC-SIGN and whether this expression is associated with the presence of naive T cells expressing the DC-SIGN ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule 3 (ICAM-3). METHODS Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed to study the expression of DC-SIGN in synovium samples from RA, osteoarthritis (OA), and trauma patients. DC-SIGN expression on RA monocytes or on monocytes stimulated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin-4 was further investigated by flow cytometry. To localize DC-SIGN in the synovium, the DC markers ICAM-3 and MMP-1 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (single and double labeling) on serial cryostat sections. RESULTS Seventy percent of the inflammatory cells in the synovium of RA patients showed high expression of DC-SIGN. DC-SIGN was expressed by 80% of CD68-positive macrophages, but not by CD83-positive, DC-LAMP-positive, or Fascin-positive cells. Normal numbers of DC-SIGN-positive cells were found in the peripheral blood of RA patients, suggesting that DC-SIGN is up-regulated locally in the joint. In RA synovium, ICAM-3-positive resting T cells were found in close proximity to DC-SIGN cells. Unexpectedly, a lower percentage of DC-SIGN-expressing cells was found in OA synovium compared with RA synovium. Furthermore, ICAM-3-expressing T cells, which are known to bind DC-SIGN, were almost absent within the synovium of OA and trauma patients. DC-SIGN-positive macrophages adjacent to these T cells were located in close proximity to the cartilage-degrading proteins extracellular MMP inducer (EMMPRIN) and MMP-1. CONCLUSION The C-type lectin DC-SIGN is almost absent in the synovium of trauma patients but is highly expressed by most CD68-positive macrophages in the synovium of RA patients. The lack of correlation between DC-SIGN expression and the expression of CD83, DC-LAMP, or Fascin indicates that multiple DC/macrophage subsets are present in RA synovium. Expression of DC-SIGN and its ligand, ICAM-3, is found in substantial amounts only in RA synovium, suggesting that their interaction is implicated in the additional activation of synovial macrophages that leads to the production of EMMPRIN and MMP-1.
A mixed-signal implementation of a polychronous spiking neural network with delay adaptation

We present a mixed-signal implementation of a re-configurable polychronous spiking neural network capable of storing and recalling spatio-temporal patterns. The proposed neural network contains one neuron array and one axon array. Spike Timing Dependent Delay Plasticity is used to fine-tune delays and add dynamics to the network. In our mixed-signal implementation, the neurons and axons have been implemented as both analog and digital circuits. The system thus consists of one FPGA, containing the digital neuron array and the digital axon array, and one analog IC containing the analog neuron array and the analog axon array. The system can be easily configured to use different combinations of each. We present and discuss the experimental results of all combinations of the analog and digital axon arrays and the analog and digital neuron arrays. The test results show that the proposed neural network is capable of successfully recalling more than 85% of stored patterns using both analog and digital circuits.
FREQUENCY OF DIFFERENT CAUSES OF PANCYTOPENIA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: To determine the frequency of different causes of pancytopenia on bone marrow examination. Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Haematology (pathology) department of Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and Military Hospital Rawalpindi from Jan 2012 – Dec 2012. Patients and Methods: Total 67 cases of pancytopenia were included in the study. Bone marrow aspiration was done using 16 G LP needle and biopsy was done by using 11 G Trephine biopsy needle. Results: Out of 67 patients, (15%) were children and (52%) were adults. Among children leishmaniasis and hypersplenism were the most common causes (20%) of pancytopenia followed by acute leukemia (3.8%), aplastic anaemia (6.7%) and megaloblastic anaemia (6.7%). Among adults megaloblastic anaemia was the most common cause (40.4%) followed by lymphoproliferative disorder (15.4%), hypersplenism (7.7%), aplastic anaemia, megaloblastic anaemia, acute leukemia and myelodysplasia. Conclusion: Major causes of pancytopenia in children were leishmaniasis and hypersplenism where as in adults they were megaloblastic anaemia and lymphoproliferative disorders.
Study of the Development of Positive Streamers Along an Ice Surface

This paper presents the results of fundamental investigations on the inception and propagation of corona discharge on an ice surface stressed with a standard lightning impulse voltage. High-speed photography and photomultiplier techniques were used to observe and record the propagation of the streamers. The effects of several experimental parameters such as freezing water conductivity and HV rod electrode radius on the streamer inception parameters were investigated. Moreover, time to first streamer, inception voltage and corresponding field, as well as streamer propagation velocity and charge deposited by a streamer on ice surface were measured. The results are discussed and emphases are laid on the main factors influencing the development of positive streamers on ice surface.
Cost Analysis of Implementing Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry Plus Real-Time Antimicrobial Stewardship Intervention for Bloodstream Infections

ABSTRACT Studies evaluating rapid diagnostic testing plus stewardship intervention have consistently demonstrated improved clinical outcomes for patients with bloodstream infections. However, the cost of implementing new rapid diagnostic testing can be significant, and such testing usually does not generate additional revenue. There are minimal data evaluating the impact of adding matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for rapid organism identification and dedicating pharmacy stewardship personnel time on the total hospital costs. A cost analysis was performed utilizing patient data generated from the hospital cost accounting system and included additional costs of MALDI-TOF equipment, supplies and personnel, and dedicated pharmacist time for blood culture review and of making interventions to antimicrobial therapy. The cost analysis was performed from a hospital perspective for 3-month blocks before and after implementation of MALDI-TOF plus stewardship intervention. A total of 480 patients with bloodstream infections were included in the analysis: 247 in the preintervention group and 233 in the intervention group. Thirty-day mortality was significantly improved in the intervention group (12% versus 21%, P < 0.01), and the mean length of stay was reduced, although the difference was not statistically significant (13.0 ± 16.5 days versus 14.2 ± 16.7 days, P = 0.44). The total hospital cost per bloodstream infection was lower in the intervention group ($42,580 versus $45,019). Intensive care unit cost per bloodstream infection accounted for the largest share of the total costs in each group and was also lower in the intervention group ($10,833 versus $13,727). Implementing MALDI-TOF plus stewardship review and intervention decreased mortality for patients with bloodstream infections. Despite the additional costs of implementing MALDI-TOF and of dedicating pharmacy stewardship personnel time to interventions, the total hospital costs decreased by $2,439 per bloodstream infection, for an approximate annual cost savings of $2.34 million.
Peritoneal dialysis catheter placement technique and complications

Background. This review describes the peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter implantation techniques for the treatment of PD. The PD catheter-related complications still cause significant morbidity and mortality, resulting in the necessity to switch to haemodialysis (HD) treatment. Methods. Several catheter insertion techniques, using an open surgical approach, laparoscopic and percutaneous techniques have been employed, with their specific early and late complications and failure rates. Results. Despite the similar outcomes of open surgical versus laparoscopic techniques from randomized studies, the laparoscopic insertion has the major advantage of correct catheter positioning in the lower abdomen, with the possibility of adhesiolysis. The minimal invasive percutaneous insertion bears the risk of bowel perforation and catheter malpositioning, and the outcome of this technique is strongly related to the experience of the surgeon. The major complications of these implantation techniques, like bleeding, dialysate leakage and catheter malpositioning, and their management are discussed in our study. Late peritonitis remains the major drawback of PD treatment, with the need of temporary or permanent changeover to the HD treatment in 10% of the patients. Conclusions. Enrichment of the physician's interest and experience, along with a multidisciplinary approach to outline the optimal strategy of PD-catheter insertion and complication of the treatment, may improve the patients’ survival and decrease the morbidity.
Interaction of Imatinib with Human Organic Ion Carriers

Purpose: The activity of imatinib in leukemia has recently been linked with expression of the organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) gene SLC22A1. Here, we characterized the contribution of solute carriers to imatinib transport in an effort to further understand mechanisms involved in the intracellular uptake and retention (IUR) of the drug. Experimental Design: IUR of [3H]imatinib was studied in Xenopus laevis oocytes and HEK293 cells expressing OATP1A2, OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OCT1-3, OCTN1-2, or OAT1-3. Gene expression was determined in nine leukemia cell lines using the Affymetrix U133 array. Results: Imatinib was not found to be a substrate for OCT1 in oocytes (P = 0.21), whereas in HEK293 cells IUR was increased by only 1.20-fold relative to control cells (P = 0.002). Furthermore, in 74 cancer patients, the oral clearance of imatinib was not significantly altered in individuals carrying reduced-function variants in SLC22A1 (P = 0.99). Microarray analysis indicated that SLC22A1 was interrelated with gene expression of various transporters, including ABCB1, ABCC4, ABCG2 (negative), and OATP1A2 (positive). Imatinib was confirmed to be a substrate for the three efflux transporters (P < 0.05) as well as for OATP1A2 (P = 0.0001). Conclusions: This study suggests that SLC22A1 expression is a composite surrogate for expression of various transporters relevant to imatinib IUR. This observation provides a mechanistic explanation for previous studies that have linked SLC22A1 with the antitumor activity of imatinib. Because of its high expression in the intestine, ciliary body, gliomas, and leukemia cells, OATP1A2 may play a key role in imatinib pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics.
THE DISCOVERY OF A MASSIVE CLUSTER OF RED SUPERGIANTS WITH GLIMPSE

We report the discovery of a previously unknown massive Galactic star cluster at ℓ = 29. °22, b = −0. °20. Identified visually in mid-IR images from the Spitzer GLIMPSE survey, the cluster contains at least eight late-type supergiants, based on follow-up near-IR spectroscopy, and an additional 3–6 candidate supergiant members having IR photometry consistent with a similar distance and reddening. The cluster lies at a local minimum in the 13CO column density and 8 μm emission. We interpret this feature as a hole carved by the energetic winds of the evolving massive stars. The 13CO hole seen in molecular maps at VLSR ∼ 95 km s−1 corresponds to near/far kinematic distances of 6.1/8.7 ± 1 kpc. We calculate a mean spectrophotometric distance of 7.0+3.7−2.4 kpc, broadly consistent with the kinematic distances inferred. This location places it near the northern end of the Galactic bar. For the mean extinction of AV = 12.6 ± 0.5 mag (AK = 1.5 ± 0.1 mag), the color–magnitude diagram of probable cluster members is well fit by isochrones in the age range 18–24 Myr. The estimated cluster mass is ∼20,000 M☉. With the most massive original cluster stars likely deceased, no strong radio emission is detected in this vicinity. As such, this red supergiant (RSG) cluster is representative of adolescent massive Galactic clusters that lie hidden behind many magnitudes of dust obscuration. This cluster joins two similar RSG clusters as residents of the volatile region where the end of our Galaxy's bar joins the base of the Scutum-Crux spiral arm, suggesting a recent episode of widespread massive star formation there.
Spatial Cognition & Computation: an Interdisciplinary Journal How Navigational Aids Impair Spatial Memory: Evidence for Divided Attention How Navigational Aids Impair Spatial Memory: Evidence for Divided Attention

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the " Content ") contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Abstract: Research has demonstrated navigational aids impair spatial memory, but has not considered important spatial cognitive concepts. For example, impairment may stem from spatial perspective switches between route-based aids and survey-based memory assessments. Further, the verbal format of aid instructions may selectively interfere with verbal working memory (VWM). To address these potential explanations , participants navigated desktop virtual environments in a goal-directed manner. In each within-participants condition, participants either navigated with a verbal or tonal aid that presented mixed spatial perspective instructions or without aid. Both aids yielded slight navigational advantages and steep spatial memory costs despite their mixed perspective instructions. The equivalent impairment between information formats suggests navigational aids impair spatial memory by dividing attention rather than selective interference of VWM.