cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of a Health‐Partner Intervention on Cardiovascular Risk

Background Lifestyle modifications are first‐line measures for cardiovascular disease prevention. Whether lifestyle intervention also preserves cardiovascular health is less clear. Our study examined the role of a Health Partner–administered lifestyle intervention on metrics of ideal cardiovascular health. Methods and Results A total of 711 university employees (48±11 years; 66% women, 72% Caucasian/22.5% African Americans) enrolled in a program that promoted healthier lifestyles at Emory University (Atlanta, GA). Anthropometric, laboratory, and physical activity measurements were performed at baseline and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years of follow‐up. Results were utilized by the Health Partner to generate a personalized plan aimed at meeting ideal health metrics. Compared to baseline, at each of the 6‐month, 1‐year, and 2‐year follow‐up visits, systolic blood pressure was lower by 3.6, 4.6, and 3.3 mm Hg ( P <0.001), total cholesterol decreased by 5.3, 6.5, and 6.4 mg/dL ( P <0.001), body mass index declined by 0.33, 0.45, and 0.38 kg/m2 ( P <0.001), and the percentage of smokers decreased by 1.3%, 3.5%, and 3.5% ( P <0.01), respectively. Changes were greater in those with greater abnormalities at baseline. Finally, the American Heart Association “Life's Simple 7” ideal cardiovascular health score increased by 0.28, 0.40, and 0.33 at 6 month, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively, compared to baseline visit. Conclusions A personalized, goal‐directed Health Partner intervention significantly improved the cardiometabolic risk profile and metrics of cardiovascular health. These effects were evident at 6 months following enrollment and were sustained for 2 years. Whether the Health Partner intervention improves long‐term morbidity and mortality and is cost‐effective needs further investigation.
Inter-reader Variability in the Use of BI-RADS Descriptors for Suspicious Findings on Diagnostic Mammography: A Multi-institution Study of 10 Academic Radiologists.

Rationale and Objectives The study aimed to determine the inter-observer agreement among academic breast radiologists when using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) lesion descriptors for suspicious findings on diagnostic mammography. Materials and Methods Ten experienced academic breast radiologists across five medical centers independently reviewed 250 de-identified diagnostic mammographic cases that were previously assessed as BI-RADS 4 or 5 with subsequent pathologic diagnosis by percutaneous or surgical biopsy. Each radiologist assessed the presence of the following suspicious mammographic findings: mass, asymmetry (one view), focal asymmetry (two views), architectural distortion, and calcifications. For any identified calcifications, the radiologist also described the morphology and distribution. Inter-observer agreement was determined with Fleiss kappa statistic. Agreement was also calculated by years of experience. Results Of the 250 lesions, 156 (62%) were benign and 94 (38%) were malignant. Agreement among the 10 readers was strongest for recognizing the presence of calcifications (k = 0.82). There was substantial agreement among the readers for the identification of a mass (k = 0.67), whereas agreement was fair for the presence of a focal asymmetry (k = 0.21) or architectural distortion (k = 0.28). Agreement for asymmetries (one view) was slight (k = 0.09). Among the categories of calcification morphology and distribution, reader agreement was moderate (k = 0.51 and k = 0.60, respectively). Readers with more experience (10 or more years in clinical practice) did not demonstrate higher levels of agreement compared to those with less experience. Conclusions Strength of agreement varies widely for different types of mammographic findings, even among dedicated academic breast radiologists. More subtle findings such as asymmetries and architectural distortion demonstrated the weakest agreement. Studies that seek to evaluate the predictive value of certain mammographic features for malignancy should take into consideration the inherent interpretive variability for these findings.
Phase dynamics and domain interactions in biological membranes

Every living organism involves biological membranes one way or another, which are important in most biological processes and cellular functions. All of these are dramatically manipulated by not only the sizes and numbers of domains (lipid rafts) but also their lateral organization and phase dynamics in biomembranes. In this article, we discuss the recent findings on domain formation and phase transition behaviors in phospholipid mixtures containing cholesterol and relate to membrane lateral heterogeneity. Thermodynamic forces and considerations regulating in-plane as well as out-of-plane domain structures and interactions in lipid monolayers and bilayers are described. Compositional symmetry and asymmetry between inner and outer leaflets in biomembranes are also considered.
The Dyadic Effects of Relationship Uncertainty on Negative Relational Maintenance

This study examined the dyadic effects of relationship uncertainty and the use of negative relational maintenance behaviors. Romantic couples (N = 227 dyads) completed a survey assessing their current relationship uncertainty (i.e., definition, mutuality, behavioral, future) and their use of negative behaviors to maintain their relationship (i.e., jealousy induction, avoidance, spying, infidelity, destructive conflict, allowing control). Multilevel modeling was used to calculate actor-partner interdependence models. Actor effects were revealed between relationship uncertainty and negative relational maintenance. Results also revealed some partner effects. However, nine of these effects were moderated with significant actor-by-partner interactions, indicating that actors and partners with low relationship uncertainty use less negative maintenance in their relationships.
Wood adhesive properties of cottonseed protein with denaturant additives

AbstractMost commercial wood adhesive use either formaldehyde-based resins or polyurethanes, both of which include potentially toxic chemicals in their formulations. As a result, proteins are being considered as greener and more sustainable wood adhesives. While most of the protein adhesive studies focus on soy proteins, there is also interest in exploring alternatives. In this work, testing of the adhesive performance of cottonseed protein isolate was undertaken in the presence of protein denaturants, i.e. guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS), urea, and alkali. For comparison, soy protein isolate was also included in the study. At optimal dosage levels, the dry adhesive strength of cottonseed protein isolate could be enhanced by 38, 25, or 47% with SDS, GuHCl, or urea, respectively. The dry adhesive strength and hot water resistance of cottonseed protein isolate was generally superior to that of soy protein isolate, with or without the denaturants. Thus, the combination of cott...
Blood-brain-barrier spheroids as an in vitro screening platform for brain-penetrating agents.

Culture-based blood–brain barrier (BBB) models are crucial tools to enable rapid screening of brain-penetrating drugs. However, reproducibility of in vitro barrier properties and permeability remain as major challenges. Here, we report that self-assembling multicellular BBB spheroids display reproducible BBB features and functions. The spheroid core is comprised mainly of astrocytes, while brain endothelial cells and pericytes encase the surface, acting as a barrier that regulates transport of molecules. The spheroid surface exhibits high expression of tight junction proteins, VEGF-dependent permeability, efflux pump activity and receptor-mediated transcytosis of angiopep-2. In contrast, the transwell co-culture system displays comparatively low levels of BBB regulatory proteins, and is unable to discriminate between the transport of angiopep-2 and a control peptide. Finally, we have utilized the BBB spheroids to screen and identify BBB-penetrant cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). This robust in vitro BBB model could serve as a valuable next-generation platform for expediting the development of CNS therapeutics. In vitroblood-brain barrier (BBB) models are crucial tools for screening brain-penetrating compounds. Here the authors develop a self-assembling BBB spheroid model with superior performance to the standard transwell BBB model, and use their platform to identify cell-penetrating peptides that can cross the BBB.
Burnout: Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Radiology Residents in New England With Comparison Against United States Resident Physicians in Other Specialties.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to establish burnout prevalence, associated demographic and program-related factors, and degree of burnout in New England radiology residents relative to residents in other specialties. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A 31-item survey, including nine demographic and program-related questions and the 22-item Maslach Burnout Inventory–Health Services Survey, was sent to all resident members of the New England Roentgen Ray Society (20 programs, 472 residents). Emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA) scores were calculated and stratified using published normative data. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify burnout predictors. Chi-square testing with Bonferroni correction was performed to confirm predictors associated with high burnout. The EE, DP, and PA scores were compared with the results of residents from other specialties. RESULTS. There were 94 responses. High EE, high DP, and low PA scores were reported...
Renal Function Changes Following Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Limited data assessing the clinical significance of post-left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in renal function are available. We aimed to investigate the impact of changes in renal function after LVAD implantation on subsequent long-term outcomes. We followed 184 patients with HeartMate II LVADs implanted between May 2008 and November 2014. Serial assessment of renal function, was performed at baseline and at day 1, day 7, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after implantation. Effects of 1-month GFR and changes in GFR from baseline to 1 month on long-term mortality and hospital re-admission were evaluated. There were 30 patients with GFR <45 (low), 44 with GFR 45 to 59 (intermediate), and 110 with GFR ≥60 (normal) at baseline. Only patients with baseline GFR <45 experienced significant improvement in GFR after 2 years of follow-up (p = 0.012). At 1 month, a higher GFR category was significantly associated with a 31% reduction in mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.69, CI 0.49 to 0.98, p = 0.036), but not re-admission. Patients with baseline low and intermediate GFR who had no improvement in renal function category at 1 month experienced significantly greater risk of mortality (HR 1.95, CI 1.10 to 3.43, p = 0.022) and re-admission (HR 1.75, CI 1.07 to 2.84, p = 0.025), relative to patients whose GFR was normal at baseline and 1 month. In conclusion, renal function after LVAD implantation improves in patients with GFR <45. Change in renal function from baseline to 1 month after implantation is a powerful marker of long-term outcomes.
A Novel Instrument for Real-Time Measurement of Attenuation of Weather Radar Radome Including Its Outer Surface. Part I: The Concept

AbstractThe concept and theory of a novel instrument to characterize the RF performance of a radome under different conditions including dirtiness, wetness, and varying temperature, was presented and discussed in Part I: The Concept. The proposed concept estimates the transmittance through the radome using the reflected signal, directly measured, and an algorithm to evaluate the water absorption on the radome surface. In this second part of the paper, the proposed concept was employed to characterize the radome of an operative X-band weather radar, both in dry and wet conditions.
Thin-Film Strain Engineering and Pattern Effects in Dielectrics CVD

This chapter covers two different topics which have become increasingly important in the semiconductor industry due to shrinking device dimensions and continuation of scaling: (a) effect of intrinsic film stress on a semiconductor device and (b) interaction of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) with pattern density. This chapter surveys new developments in deposition of highly strained dielectric thin films and evolution in film properties, especially in film intrinsic stress. The basics of silicon strain engineering as well as silicon strain metrology are covered.
Replantation of the Thumb

The thumb has a significant impact on the overall function of the hand, and its absence can result in major impairment and disability. Functional impairment following the loss of the thumb will reliably degrade the overall function of the hand with a loss of 50 % of grasp, 30 % of pinch, and 20 % of hook strengths. Given these factors, the thumb has been assigned a relative value of impairment of 40 %, further emphasizing the dictum that the thumb should be replanted in all situations possible. The mechanism of injury is a significant predictor of ultimate function, both in regard to strength and range of motion. It should be noted that severe avulsion and crush injuries affect the functional outcome, as well as the possibility of performing the replantation. Replantation should proceed in a stepwise manner, following a thorough debridement and irrigation of the injury site and amputated part. Midlateral incisions on the amputated part and proximal stump allow for exploration of the volar structures, including the flexor sheath and neurovascular bundles. Ultimately, functional success is based upon the ability of the surgeon to reconstruct the bony and soft tissues, as well as the patient’s motivation and compliance with perioperative management and rehabilitative hand therapy.
SEPARATION OF ATYPICAL AND USUAL FORMS OF HUMAN SERUM CHOLINESTERASE BY AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY

ABSTRACT. Complete separation of a mixture of usual and atypical human cholinesterases has been achieved using an affinity chromatographic column containing a diaminocaproyl-phenyltrimethyl ammonium ligand. Resolution of the two cholinesterases was due to qualitative differences in the active sites of the usual and the variant esterases for the column ligand. Serum cholinesterase from an individual heterozygous for the atypical esterase gene separated quite differently than it did from a mixture of atypical and usual sera. Rather than eluting as two distinct peaks of esterase activity, the natural heterozygous sample separated as a series of esterases with progressively higher dibucaine numbers. From the pattern and properties of the component esterases, it is concluded that the major molecular form of serum cholinesterase in serum, C 4 , is a tetramer, and the serum of heterozygotes contains five tetrameric molecular species, produced by random combination of usual and atypical esterase subunits. Evidence for the identity of such tetramers of mixed subunit composition was obtained by rechromatography of the pooled fractions believed to contain mainly A 2 U 2 . This component eluted as a single species at the expected position, and had a dibucaine number of 60, as predicted.
Bioorganic Chemistry of the Arylhydroxylamine and Nitrosoarene Functional Groups

Arylamine and nitroaromatic chemicals make up one of the largest groups of man-made chemicals that find their way into our environment, including food, water and air. The vast majority of herbicides, the mainstay of no-till agriculture, are derivatives of these classes of compounds. Even cooking high protein foods leads to the formation of arylamine chemicals, some of which are potent mutagens and probable human carcinogens. Arylamine and nitroaromatic compounds are at either end of an oxidation/reduction equilibrium and are both relatively unreactive. Both arylamine and nitroaromatic compounds can be metabolized into the more reactive intermediates between the two, that is, the arylhydroxylamine and nitrosoarene compounds (Fig. 1). This review will focus attention on the chemistry of these arylhydroxylamine and nitrosoarene intermediates under biological conditions.
Quantitative Communication Research: Review, Trends, and Critique

Trends in quantitative communication research are reviewed. A content analysis of 48 articles reportingoriginal communication research published in 1988-1991 and 2008-2011 is reported. Survey researchand self-report measurement remain common approaches to research. Null hypothesis significancetesting remains the dominant approach to statistical analysis. Reporting the shapes of distributions,estimates of statistical power, and confidence intervals remain uncommon. Trends over time includethe increased popularity of health communication and computer mediated communication as topicsof research, and increased attention to mediator and moderator variables. The implications of thesepractices for scientific progress are critically discussed, and suggestions for the future are provided.
An Ankle–Foot Prosthesis Emulator With Control of Plantarflexion and Inversion–Eversion Torque

Ankle inversion–eversion compliance is an important feature of conventional prosthetic feet, and control of inversion, or roll, in active prostheses could improve balance for people with amputation. We designed a tethered ankle–foot prosthesis with two independently actuated toes that are coordinated to provide plantar-flexion and inversion–eversion torques. A Bowden cable tether provides series elasticity. The prosthesis is simple and lightweight, with a mass of 0.72 kg. Strain gauges on the toes measure torque with less than 1% root mean squared (RMS) error. Benchtop tests demonstrated a step response rise time of less than 33 ms, peak torques of 250 N $\cdot$ m in plantarflexion and $\pm$ 30 N $\cdot$ m in inversion–eversion, and peak power above 3 kW. The phase-limited closed-loop torque bandwidth is 20 Hz with a chirp from 10 to 90 N $\cdot$ m in plantarflexion, and 24 Hz with a chirp from $-$ 20 to 20 N $\cdot$ m in inversion. The system has low sensitivity to toe position disturbances at frequencies of up to 18 Hz. Walking trials with an amputee subject demonstrated RMS torque tracking errors of less than 5.1 N $\cdot$ m in plantarflexion and less than 1.5 N $\cdot$ m in inversion–eversion. These properties make the platform suitable for testing inversion-related prosthesis features and controllers in experiments with humans.
Quantifying risk associated with clinical trial termination: A text mining approach

Abstract Clinical trials that terminate prematurely without reaching conclusions raise financial, ethical, and scientific concerns. Scientific studies in all disciplines are initiated with extensive planning and deliberation, often by a team of highly trained scientists. To assure that the quality, integrity, and feasibility of funded research projects meet the required standards, research-funding agencies such as the National Institute of Health and the National Science Foundation, pass proposed research plans through a rigorous peer review process before making funding decisions. Yet, some study proposals successfully pass through all the rigorous scrutiny of the scientific peer review process, but the proposed investigations end up being terminated before yielding results. This study demonstrates an algorithm that quantifies the risk associated with a study being terminated based on the analysis of patterns in the language used to describe the study prior to its implementation. To quantify the risk of termination, we use data from the clinicialTrials.gov repository, from which we extracted structured data that flagged study characteristics, and unstructured text data that described the study goals, objectives and methods in a standard narrative form. We propose an algorithm to extract distinctive words from this unstructured text data that are most frequently used to describe trials that were completed successfully vs. those that were terminated. Binary variables indicating the presence of these distinctive words in trial proposals are used as input in a random forest, along with standard structured data fields. In this paper, we demonstrate that this combined modeling approach yields robust predictive probabilities in terms of both sensitivity (0.56) and specificity (0.71), relative to a model that utilizes the structured data alone (sensitivity = 0.03, specificity = 0.97). These predictive probabilities can be applied to make judgements about a trial's feasibility using information that is available before any funding is granted.
Factory optima: a web-based system for composition and analysis of manufacturing service networks based on a reusable model repository.

This paper reports on the development of Factory Optima, a web-based system that allows manufacturing process engineers to compose, optimise and perform trade-off analysis of manufacturing and cont...
Is Frailty Reversible after LVAD

Purpose Very little is known about frailty in patients with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) in general, and about reversibility of different measures of frailty post LVAD in particularly. The purpose of the study was to determine which measures of frailty improve post LVAD implantation. Methods This was an observational, longitudinal (3 month) cohort study of 25 patients with advanced heart failure who underwent LVAD implantation between January 2015 and May 2016. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved from hospital medical records. The six minute walk test (6MWT) was conducted by physical therapist and hand grip strength was assessed by a nurse practitioner using a hand dynamometer. Paired t-test was used to determine differences between pre and post 6MWT, handgrip strength and serum albumin levels. Demographic and clinical characteristics were reported using frequencies, percentages for categorical variables and mean ± standard deviation for continuous variables. Results A majority of the patients were male (88%) and over 40% of the patients in the study were under the age of 60. The primary etiology of heart failure for his population was ischemic cardiomyopathy (60%). Complete data were collected on 23 patients. One patient died within 3 months of LVAD implant and one patient was wheelchair bound post LVAD implant. The mean pre-operative albumin level was 2.7 ± .4 mg/dL with only 4% of patients having an albumin levels > 3.5 mg/dl. The albumin became normal after surgery (see Table). Only 8% of patients walked 300 feet or more in 6 minutes pre-implant. In contrast 53% were able to walk more than 300 feet at 3 months post-implant. There was no difference in hand grip strength. Conclusion Albumin levels and 6MWT significantly improved 3 months post LVAD implant, while hand grip strength noted no improvement. Short 6MWT distance and low albumin should not preclude LVAD implant because these measures of frailty are reversible and are likely to improve shortly after surgery.
Examining the Effect of the Affordable Care Act on Two Illinois Emergency Departments

Author(s): Probst, Beatrice D.; Walls, Luther; Cirone, Michael; Markossian, Talar | Abstract: Introduction: The emergency department (ED) has long served as a safety net for the uninsured and those with limited access to routine healthcare. This study aimed to compare the characteristics and severity of ED visits in an Illinois academic medical center (AMC) and community hospital (CH) of a single health system before and after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).Methods: This was a retrospective record review of 357,764 ED visits from January 1, 2011– December 31, 2016, of which 74% were at the AMC and 26% at the CH. We assessed the severity of ED visits by applying the previously validated Ballard algorithm, which classifies ED visits as non-emergent, intermediate, or emergent. Descriptive analyses were conducted to compare the characteristics of ED visits before and after the implementation of the ACA. We conducted multilevel logistic regression analysis to examine the odds of non-emergent compared to intermediate/emergent ED visits by the ACA implementation status controlling for patient demographic characteristics, insurance status, and multiple visits per patient.Results: ED visits for patients with Medicaid or other governmental coverages increased in the post-ACA compared to pre-ACA period (Pre: 33.2 % vs Post: 38.3% at the AMC, and Pre: 29.7% vs Post: 35.1% at the CH). A statistically significant decrease in ED visits for uninsured patients was observed at the AMC and CH in the post-ACA period compared to the pre-ACA period (Pre: 12.1% vs Post: 6.4%, and Pre: 13.9% vs Post: 9.8%, respectively). Results from the regression analysis showed a significant decreased odds of non-emergent vs intermediate/emergent ED visits during the post-ACA period compared to the pre-ACA period at the AMC (odds ratio [OR] 0.68; confidence interval [CI], 0.66-0.70). However, an increased odds of non-emergent vs. intermediate/emergent ED visits was observed at the CH (OR 1.09; CI, 1.04-1.14).Conclusion: Similar to other Medicaid expansion states, ED utilization for uninsured patients decreased at both the AMC and the CH in the post-ACA period. While Medicaid visits for children l 18 years declined in the post-ACA period, it increased for ages 21 to 65 years of age. Contrary to our hypothesis, the severity of emergent ED visits increased in the post-ACA period but not at the CH.
New vagus nerve stimulation lead and implantable pulse generator placement

Abstract A 27-year-old man had suffered from epilepsy since the age of 8. He had two types of seizures ultimately, one with generalized tonic-clonic behavior and the other with staring and brief rhythmic chewing type movements followed by slight left arm twitching and abnormal posturing. For a few years in adolescence, he had no seizures, but by the time he was in college in his later teens, they recurred, forcing him to drop out of school and he was never able to finish his degree. Unfortunately, over the next 7 years to the present, he has had an escalating frequency of seizures, briefly decreasing in frequency with some of the medication alterations that have taken place many times over the years, only to resume their typical frequency after a few weeks or months on the new medication regime. At present, he has the generalized seizures every few months while the other type occurs a few times each week. On occasion, he can have even three in a day, while at times, he has managed for 2–3 weeks without any seizures. Maintaining employment with little training has been difficult. Relationships also have been difficult to maintain, and he has n’t been able to drive in many years.
Opioid-free spine surgery: a prospective study of 244 consecutive cases by a single surgeon.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND CONTEXT There have been no reported efforts to eliminate opioid use for elective spine surgery, despite its well-known drawbacks. PURPOSE We sought to test the hypothesis that opioid-free elective spine surgery, including lumbar fusions, can be performed with satisfactory pain control. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING This study analyzes prospectively collected data from a single surgeon's patients who were enrolled into an institutional spine registry. PATIENT SAMPLE We enrolled every consecutive surgical patient of author RAB between January 1, 2018 and July 13, 2019. OUTCOME MEASURES The postsurgical opioid use, pain scores, emergency room visits, and readmissions were tracked. METHODS We developed a comprehensive program for opioid-free pain control after elective spine surgery. In the initial stage, opioids were given “PRN” only, while in the second stage, they were avoided altogether. Student's t tests were performed to compare pain scores, and regression analyses were performed to understand drivers of opioid use and pain. RESULTS Two hundred forty-four patients were studied, a third of whom underwent lumbar fusions. In the initial stage, 47% of patients took no opioids from recovery room departure until 1-month follow-up. During the second stage, 88% of patients took no opioids during that period. Pain scores were satisfactory, and there was no association between postoperative opioid use and either procedural invasiveness or pain scores. However, preoperative opioid use was associated with a nearly fivefold increased risk of postoperative use. Ninety-three percent of lumbar fusion patients who were opioid-free before surgery did not take a single opioid in the postoperative period. CONCLUSION Opioid-free elective spine surgery, including lumbar fusions, is feasible and effective. We suggest that opioid-free spine surgery be offered to patients who are opioid-naive or who can be weaned off before the operation.
ACTH Treatment for Management of Nephrotic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Reappraisal.

Background. In recent years, the use of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy for treatment of proteinuria due to nephrotic syndrome (NS) has been heavily explored. ACTH therapy, which comes in the natural (H. P. Acthar Gel) or synthetic (tetracosactide) form, has resulted in remission in patients with immunosuppressive and steroid-resistant NS. However, the exact efficacy of ACTH therapy in the NS etiologies, such as membranous nephropathy (MN), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), minimal change disease (MCD), lupus nephritis (LN), IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), has not been determined. Objective. This systematic review analyzed the published literature on ACTH therapy in various NS etiologies to determine its efficacy. Methods. A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was conducted for articles through June 2019. An additional search was performed on clinicaltrials.gov to search for additional trials and cross reference the results of our database search. The literature which studied synthetic or natural ACTH treatment in patients with known etiologies of NS was included. Studies were excluded when they consisted of a single case report or did not analyze the lone effect of ACTH in NS. Results. The initial search yielded a total of 411 papers, and 22 papers were included. In 214 MN patients, there was an overall remission of 40% (85/214) and an overall remission of 43% (42/98) in FSGS patients. In other etiologies, there were overall remissions of 78% (11/14), 31% (5/16), 40% (16/40), and 62% (8/13) in MCD, LN, IgAN, and MPGN patients, respectively. Conclusion. ACTH showed benefits in proteinuria reduction across all etiologies of NS. However, more randomized controlled studies with larger population sets and longer follow-ups are imperative to establish causal benefits. New studies into its efficacy in children are also necessary.
Political action and the philosophy of mind

The problem of political action has its roots, arguably, in the sixth book of the Nicomachean Ethics, where Aristotle seeks to describe an intellectual virtue – phronesis – that is different from the faculty of theoretical reason but that is nonetheless capable of producing genuinely objective, rational knowledge, i.e., knowledge of what is true. The problem, specifically, is to understand how such a thing is possible, and much of the recent literature appears to suggest that perhaps it’s not. Since rhetoric, persuasion, interest and emotion are obviously central features of political life, it may seem that some kind of non-intellectualist and non-rationalist perspective must be the way to go. I argue, nonetheless, that any such account is, and cannot but be, deeply problematic; and I defend, by way of contrast, a decidedly intellectualistic understanding of political enterprise.
Climate Change and Forests

Forests have become an important carbon sink in the last century, with management and carbon fertilization offsetting nearly all of the carbon emitted due to deforestation and conversion of land in...
Invariant theory of ∧ 3(9) and genus-2 curves

Previous work established a connection between the geometric invariant theory of the third exterior power of a 9-dimensional complex vector space and the moduli space of genus-2 curves with some additional data. We generalize this connection to arbitrary fields, and describe the arithmetic data needed to get a bijection between both sides of this story.
Sensitivity of Myocardial Radiomic Features to Imaging Parameters in Cardiac MR Imaging.

BACKGROUND Cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images are often collected with different imaging parameters, which may impact the calculated values of myocardial radiomic features. PURPOSE To investigate the sensitivity of myocardial radiomic features to changes in imaging parameters in cardiac MR images. STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION A total of 11 healthy participants/five patients. FIELD STRENGTH/ SEQUENCE A 3 T/cine balanced steady-state free-precession, T1 -weighted spoiled gradient-echo, T2 -weighted turbo spin-echo, and quantitative T1 and T2 mapping. For each sequence, the flip angle, in-plane resolution, slice thickness, and parallel imaging technique were varied to study the sensitivity of radiomic features to alterations in imaging parameters. ASSESSMENT Myocardial contours were manually delineated by experienced readers, and a total of 1023 radiomic features were extracted using PyRadiomics with 11 image filters and six feature families. STATISTICAL TESTS Sensitivity was defined as the standardized mean difference (D effect size), and the robust features were defined at sensitivity < 0.2. Sensitivity analysis was performed on predefined sets of reproducible features. The analysis was performed using the entire cohort of 16 subejcts. RESULTS 64% of radiomic features were robust (sensitivity < 0.2) to changes in any imaging parameter. In qualitative sequences, radiomic features were most sensitive to changes in in-plane spatial resolution (spatial resolution: 0.6 vs. flip angle: 0.19, parallel imaging: 0.18, slice thickness: 0.07; P < 0.01 for all); in quantitative sequences, radiomic features were least sensitive to changes in spatial resolution (spatial resolution: 0.07 vs. slice thickness: 0.16, flip angle: 0.24; P < 0.01 for all). In an individual feature level, no singular feature family/image filter was identified as robust (sensitivity < 0.2) across sequences; however, highly sensitive features were predominantly associated with high-frequency wavelet filters across all sequences (32/50 features). DATA CONCLUSION In cardiac MR, a considerable number of radiomic features are sensitive to changes in sequence parameters. EVIDENCE LEVEL 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.
Description of Paraxiopsis kensleyi n. sp., a new axiid lobster from the Gulf of Mexico (Crustacea: Decapoda: Axiidea)

A new species of axiid was discovered during sampling offshore deep banks on the middle continental shelf off Louisiana. Paraxiopsis kensleyi n. sp. appears to inhabit interstices and cavities of coralline algal rubble, rhodoliths, coral rubble, and other eroded calcareous substrates. Weakly separated from Eutrichocheles Wood-Mason, 1876 on the basis of morphology, present assignments of western Atlantic species to Paraxiopsis de Man, 1905 are regarded as provisional. The new species is described morphologically, and the coloration of freshly captured specimens is documented and compared to related species where possible. Coloration readily distinguishes mature specimens of the new species from Paraxiopsis spinipleura Kensley, 1996, with which it was initially confused. The diagnosis includes GenBank accession numbers for COI sequences to allow future molecular phylogenetic comparisons. Compared to regional species that share a similar dentation or spination on the submedian carina, the pleon of the new species is distinctive in the truncate ventral margin on pleura 2–4, as opposed to being broadly rounded or directed ventrally in an acutely triangular tip. The new species is the eighteenth species of Paraxiopsis worldwide and the ninth from western Atlantic waters, seven of which are now known to range into the Gulf of Mexico. An updated key to western Atlantic members of the genus is provided.
Neutron/Gamma Pulse Shape Discrimination in Plastics Scintillators: From Development to Commercialization

Radiation detection requires instruments which can detect nuclear radiation, having at the same time the ability to discriminate among different types of nuclear particles. For many decades, neutron detection has been based on 3He proportional counters sensitive primarily to thermal neutrons. The most common methods for the detection of fast neutrons have been based on liquid scintillators with pulse shape discrimination (PSD). A decade of studies conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) led to the development of new materials, among which are the first PSD plastics for fast neutron detection manufactured based on high concentrations of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) dissolved in aromatic polymers. More advantages were introduced by plastics doped with 10B and 6Li that enable combined detection of both thermal and fast neutrons, offering, in addition, a unique “triple” PSD for discrimination between fast neutrons, thermal neutrons, and gamma rays. Studies conducted with these and more recently introduced materials prepared with multiple dyes alternative to PPO produced a deeper understanding of energy transfer and excited state interaction phenomena. Research led to the commercial production of PSD plastics which, due to the deployment advantages and ease of fabrication, create a basis for the replacement of liquid scintillators and widespread use of solid-state scintillators as large-volume and low-cost neutron detectors.
Truth’s dialectical role: from friction to tension

This paper contrasts two versions of a pragmatist critique of deflationism about truth. According to the critique, understanding the practice of factual discourse requires understanding a role play...
Native Electrophoresis-Coupled Activity Assays Reveal Catalytically-Active Protein Aggregates of Escherichia coli β-Glucuronidase

β-glucuronidase is found as a functional homotetramer in a variety of organisms, including humans and other animals, as well as a number of bacteria. This enzyme is important in these organisms, catalyzing the hydrolytic removal of a glucuronide moiety from substrate molecules. This process serves to break down sugar conjugates in animals and provide sugars for metabolism in bacteria. While β-glucuronidase is primarily found as a homotetramer, previous studies have indicated that the human form of the protein is also catalytically active as a dimer. Here we present evidence for not only an active dimer of the E. coli form of the protein, but also for several larger active complexes, including an octomer and a 16-mer. Additionally, we propose a model for the structures of these large complexes, based on computationally-derived molecular modeling studies. These structures may have application in the study of human disease, as several diseases have been associated with the aggregation of proteins.
Extracting information from informal communication

This thesis focuses on the problem of extracting information from informal communication. Textual informal communication, such as e-mail, bulletin boards and blogs, has become a vast information resource. However, such information is poorly organized and difficult for a computer to understand due to lack of editing and structure. Thus, techniques which work well for formal text, such as newspaper articles, may be considered insufficient on informal text. One focus of ours is to attempt to advance the state-of-the-art for sub-problems of the information extraction task. We make contributions to the problems of named entity extraction, co-reference resolution and context tracking. We channel our efforts toward methods which are particularly applicable to informal communication. We also consider a type of information which is somewhat unique to informal communication: preferences and opinions. Individuals often expression their opinions on products and services in such communication. Others' may read these "reviews" to try to predict their own experiences. However, humans do a poor job of aggregating and generalizing large sets of data. We develop techniques that can perform the job of predicting unobserved opinions. We address both the single-user case where information about the items is known, and the multi-user case where we can generalize opinions without external information. Experiments on largescale rating data sets validate our approach.
Spectroscopic studies of organic compounds introduced into a radiofrequency induced plasma

Abstract The spectra of hydrocarbons introduced into a plasma torch have been studied. The background of the plasma torch is much simpler than that of a flame and higher temperatures are obtained. The plasma has fair sensitivity towards carbon: ca. 2 μg sec-1 for CN (3883 A) and 10 μg sec-1 for C2 (5165 A). The torch may be operated with an “inert” oxidizing or reducing atmosphere. The discharge almost completely fragments organic compounds and thus the method is not suitable for the production of the molecular spectra of larger molecules.
Extensive Epidemic Spreading Model Based on Multi-agent System Framework

In current epidemic spreading study, continuous system dynamics model and discrete agent model are often regarded as two types of incompatible models. However these two types of models may coexist in large-scale epidemic simulation. A multi-agent based framework for such coexisting is proposed in this paper consisting of location agents with hierarchical structure, participant agents to denote host, pathogen, or medium, and event agent to model the epidemic outbreak, control policy, etc. Transformation algorithm is provided for the communication between locations with different types of epidemic models. Such a framework is illustrated by SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak case.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the NO3 nu-2 and nu-3 bands - Absolute line strength measurements

The nitrate radical, NO/sub 3/, was produced in a low pressure (<10 Torr) discharge flow reactor and probed by high-resolution (0.005 cm/sup -1/) Fourier transform infrared spectrometry in the regions 730-780, 1020-1090, and 1470-1520 cm/sup -1/. Two infrared bands, consisting of only K/sup 2/ = 3n (n = integer) transitions, have been observed and are assigned, according to D/sub 3h/ symmetry, to the out-of-plane bend (nu/sub 2/) and to the N-O degenerate stretch (nu/sub 3/). Consistent with this assignment is the absence of a symmetric stretching band. Rovibrational constants are derived from the nu/sub 2/ band (nu/sub 0/ = 762.327 cm/sup -1/). Absolute NO/sub 3/ concentrations, derived from measured absorptions of helium-neon laser radiation (632.8 nm), are used in conjunction with the infrared measurements to determine absolute infrared line strengths. Band strengths for nu/sub 2/ and nu/sub 3/ of 26 +/- 19 and 150 +/- 100 cm/sup -2/ atm/sup -1/ are calculated from the observed line strengths. In addition, an upper limit of 2 cm/sup -2/ atm/sup -1/ is obtained for the band strength of the forbidden symmetric stretch (nu/sub 1/). These observed bands are not sufficiently intense to permit infrared detection of NO/sub 3/ in the terrestrial atmosphere usingmore » currently available techniques.« less
Indirect Adaptive Control based on DAC Theory

The control of plants subjected simultaneously to uncertain parameter perturbations and large, unknown, unmeasurable external disturbances is a major challenge in the field of adaptive control. In this paper parameter estimation techniques used in traditional Adaptive Control are combined with the disturbance modeling and estimation techniques of Disturbance-Accommodating Control (DAC) to obtain a new kind of high-performance adaptive controller. This new adaptive controller can adapt to a wide variety of unknown, unmeasurable external disturbances that have complex dynamic behavior.
Prediction of rehabilitation outcomes with disability measures

This study evaluated the extent to which rehabilitation outcomes and resource use can be predicted by functional status measures. Linear measures of motor and cognitive function were derived from the Functional Independence Measure for a sample of 27,699 patients undergoing initial rehabilitation. Admission functional status was consistently related to discharge function and length of stay, though the strength of these associations varied with impairment. Motor function was a stronger predictor of length of stay than was cognitive function for all impairments. However, the unique contribution of cognitive function was apparent for specific impairment groups. The predicted variance at discharge in motor function averaged 55%, 70% in cognitive function, and 20% in length of stay. These results support the use of functional status measures in the development of rehabilitation resource use models. Recommendations for future research are proposed.
THE DRIVING NEED FOR HUMAN FACTORS IN THE CAR OF THE FUTURE

As the nature of the in-vehicle activity evolves from being a perceptual-motor driving task to that of a communications and vigilance task (set against a background of infotainment services) then we can not only anticipate emergent behaviors but will also see a new need for the management of multimodal information presentation to the driver according to his driving circumstances and indeed, personal preferences. Consequently driving could be as different from what we know today, as today is from the time of leather helmets and driving goggles. The aim of this presentation is to provide an overview of the major human factors and safety issues which these new systems are raising and which will be fundamental to their effective and safe use as well as to their commercial viability and success. For the covering abstract see ITRD E108169.
Anthropologists in the Lab

A Machine to Make a Future Biotech Chronicles. By Paul Rabinow and Talia Dan-Cohen . Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2004. 204 pp. $24.95, £15.95. ISBN 0-691-12050-1. The authors, anthropologists who focus their attention on the current practices of science, offer a behind-the-scenes look at the intersection of genomics, medicine, and commerce that is focused on Celera Diagnostics
Microsatellite loci for Ponto-Caspian gobies: markers for assessing exotic invasions.

We developed and tested eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for Ponto-Caspian 'neogobiin' gobies, many of which are invasive in Eurasia and North America, whose study will aid understanding of the population genetics underlying their success. We tested samples from one to two locations from 12 taxa in the recently revised genera Babka, Benthophilus, Mesogobius, Neogobius = Apollonia, Ponticola and Proterorhinus; including the bighead, Caspian, knout, monkey, racer, round, tadpole and tubenose gobies; and taxa from introduced vs. native populations, those diverging between fresh and marine waters, and those differentiated between the Black and Caspian Seas. Populations conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations, averaging five to 15 alleles per locus and 0.11 to 0.67 mean heterozygosity. Allelic variation significantly differentiated among all taxa and populations.
Codes and Consequences: Choosing Linguistic Varieties.

Codes and Consequences: Choosing Linguistic Varieties. Carol Myers-Scotton. ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998. 219 pp.