cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous spine biopsy: a meta-analysis

Background: Percutaneous spine biopsy has widely replaced open biopsy. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of the inner diameter of the biopsy needle and the method of imaging guidance on the adequacy and accuracy of tissue samples and to evaluate the complication rates associated with the different needle diameters and imaging guidance methods. Methods: We searched MEDLINE for studies that evaluated either the adequacy (whether or not a diagnosis could be made on the basis of pathologic examination) or the accuracy (whether or not the primary diagnosis was correct) of samples obtained by means of percutaneous spine biopsy. These articles and their relevant references subsequently were reviewed twice and were evaluated against the inclusion criteria, yielding twenty-five studies. The inclusion criterion was the use of a biopsy instrument (a fine needle or trephine with an identifiable inner diameter) under the guidance of imaging (fluoroscopy or computed tomography) for the evaluation of an identified spine lesion, with the report of either adequacy or accuracy. Meta-analysis with use of the random-effects model was used to analyze the data. Results: The adequacy, accuracy, and complication rates increased with the inner diameter of the needles, but, with the numbers available, only the complication rate increased significantly (p = 0.01). Although the use of a computed tomography scan slightly increased the adequacy and accuracy of the samples, these increases were not significant. The complication rate associated with the use of computed tomography was 3.3%, compared with 5.3% for fluoroscopy. Conclusions: As the outcomes associated with computed tomography were not significantly different from those associated with fluoroscopy, the decision to use one or the other requires the consideration of other factors, such as the type, level, and vertebral location of the lesion as well as the expertise of the physician. In situations in which the use of a needle with a small inner diameter is highly effective (for example, in cases of metastatic lesions), the clinician should first consider using a needle with a smaller inner diameter to obtain the biopsy specimen because of the higher complication rate associated with large-bore needles. However, in cases of sclerotic lesions, in which obtaining an adequate sample can be difficult, the use of a needle with a larger inner diameter is desirable. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
The Contributions of Immigrants to American Culture

The standard account of American immigration focuses on the acculturation and assimilation of immigrants and their children to American society. This analysis typically ignores the significant contributions of immigrants to the creation of American culture through the performing arts, sciences, and other cultural pursuits. Immigrants and their children are not born with more creative talents than native-born citizens, but their selectivity and marginality may have pushed and pulled those with ability into high-risk career paths that reward creative work. The presence of large numbers of talented immigrants in Hollywood, academia, and the high-tech industries has pushed American institutions to be more meritocratic and open to innovation than they would be otherwise.
Use of audience response systems for summative assessment in large classes

The audience response system - technology that allows immediate compilation and display of a group's multiple choice input - is being shown effective in the classroom both in engaging students and providing real time, formative assessment of comprehension. This paper looks at its further potential as an alternative for summative assessment, replacing conventional examinations and testing as a basis for student grades. After brief discussion as to practical benefits of doing so and a review of ARS - hardware, software, and studies of its impact on learning - we develop and report outcomes of two distinct trials utilising ARS for both formative and summative assessment. Results indicate synergies in combining the two forms of assessment, though student attitudes are found to be particularly sensitive to the instructor's approach to design.
Carboncarbon bond construction at the 2-position of polysubstituted pyrimidinones

Abstract A novel synthetic method to introduce a carboncarbon bond at the 2-position of pyrimidinones via nucleophilic addition of Grignard reagents to 2-cyano pyrimidinones at ambient conditions is disclosed. This unique approach leads to the preparation of such biologically important molecules as polysubstituted pyrimidinones in good to excellent yields.
Managing the Mobility of a Mobile Sensor Network Using Network Dynamics

It has been discussed in the literature that the mobility of a mobile sensor network (MSN) can be used to improve its sensing coverage. How the mobility can efficiently be managed toward a better coverage, however, remains unanswered. In this paper, motivated by classical dynamics that study the movement of objects, we propose the concept of network dynamics and define the associated potential functions that capture the operational goals, as well as the environment of an MSN. We find that in managing the mobility of an MSN, Newton's laws of motion in classical dynamics are insufficient, for they introduce oscillations into the movement of sensor nodes. Instead, in network dynamics, the laws of motion are formulated using the steepest descent method in optimization. Based on the network dynamics model, we first devise a parallel and distributed algorithm (parallel and distributed network dynamics (PDND)) that runs on each sensor node to guide its movement. PDND then turns sensor nodes into autonomous entities that are capable of adjusting their locations according to the operational goals and environmental changes. After that, we formally prove the convergence of PDND. Finally, we apply PDND in three applications to demonstrate its effectiveness.
Towards a computer-delivered test of productive grammatical ability

This study piloted test items that will be used in a computer-delivered and scored test of productive grammatical ability in English as a second language (ESL). Findings from research on learners’ development of morphosyntactic, syntactic, and functional knowledge were synthesized to create a framework of grammatical features. We outline the interpretive argument and present results from four pilot test administrations in terms of (a) reliability, (b) relationships between item difficulties and developmental stages, (c) correlations with other English tests, and (d) predictability of test scores in relation to proficiency levels. The results support the potential of assessing productive ESL grammatical ability by targeting areas identified in SLA research, and the plausibility of moving forward with computer delivery and scoring.
Bus therapy: a problematic practice in psychiatry.

Crossing state lines, a man arrives alone in San Francisco, having traveled by bus on a 1-way ticket provided by a psychiatric hospital in his home state. He is disoriented,with few possessions,lacks medications and medical records, and calls 911 as he was instructed. He is brought to the county psychiatric emergency service, which,hectic and often over capacity,treats nearly 6000 patients annually (of which 39% are not San Francisco residents).The patient needs housing,a psychiatrist,case manager, primary care provider, and transfer of Medicaid or general assistance—a package known colloquially astheSan Francisco Special.Placements are challenging— the county hospital reduced its acute inpatient psychiatrycapacity50% in thelast 5years owing to budget short-falls—yet out-of-state visitors are not turned away. Shipping patients across state lines on 1-way bus fares without a treatment plan or identified residence is referred to as bus therapy, a form of patient dumping. In April 2013, the Sacramento Bee reported that more than 1500 mentally ill and questionably discharged patients from Nevada were transported by Greyhound bus to states across the country in the past 5 years.1 One-third were sent to California—San Francisco and Los Angeles counties initiated formal investigations. Patient dumping is not new. In the 1970s, with US mental health deinstitutionalization, psychiatric beds were reduced, uninsured patients were often turned away, and more patients sought emergency care. The 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act was intended to reduce patient dumping, by requiring emergency departments to screen and stabilize presenting patients (a subjective process). With continued reductions in inpatient capacity (4000 acute beds reduced nationally between 2010-2012), the impact on emergency services is expected to grow.2 People with mental illness have the right to relocate willingly and preferably when in stable condition and with facilitated continuity of care.On the other hand,patient dumping has many implications for psychiatric patients, especially the severely mentally ill. Obvious ones are potential harms owing to decompensation,poor self-care, loss of support networks, vulnerability to victimization, and/or failure to access care. In 2009, 40% of adults with serious mental illness went untreated.3
Integrating genetic approaches into the discovery of anticancer drugs

The discovery of anticancer drugs is now driven by the numerous molecular alterations identified in tumor cells over the past decade. To exploit these alterations, it is necessary to understand how they define a molecular context that allows increased sensitivity to particular compounds. Traditional genetic approaches together with the new wealth of genomic information for both human and model organisms open up strategies by which drugs can be profiled for their ability to selectively kill cells in a molecular context that matches those found in tumors. Similarly, it may be possible to identify and validate new targets for drugs that would selectively kill tumor cells with a particular molecular context. This article outlines some of the ways that yeast genetics can be used to streamline anticancer drug discovery.
The Projective Linear Transition Map for Constructing Smooth Surfaces

We exhibit the essentially unique projective linear (rational linear) reparameterization for constructing C^s surfaces of genus g>0. Conversely, for quadrilaterals and isolated vertices of valence 8, we show constructively for s=1,2 that this map yields a projective linear spline space for surfaces of genus greater or equal to 1. This establishes the reparametrization to be the simplest possible transition map.
Nonresponse and selection bias in treatment follow-up studies.

Large-scale studies of addiction treatment employ two stages: select providers, then select patients to follow-up. Nonresponse due to noncooperation of providers and problems of locating and recruiting patients may bias the results. We review selection and attrition biases in previous work and in four major United States treatment studies in the 1990s: DATOS (N = 10,100 clients. 96 units), NTIES (N = 6,593/71), SROS (N = 3,047/99), and CALDATA (N = 3,045/86). We develop a standard approach, break down sampling and attrition rates, and discuss differences in client, program, and methodology factors. We conclude with some methodological recommendations for future follow-up studies of addiction treatment. [Translations are provided in the International Abstracts Section of this issue.]
Dissociable Frontal–Striatal and Frontal–Parietal Networks Involved in Updating Hierarchical Contexts in Working Memory

Recent theories propose that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is organized in a hierarchical fashion with more abstract, higher level information represented in anterior regions and more concrete, lower level information represented in posterior regions. This hierarchical organization affords flexible adjustments of action plans based on the context. Computational models suggest that such hierarchical organization in the PFC is achieved through interactions with the basal ganglia (BG) wherein the BG gate relevant contexts into the PFC. Here, we tested this proposal using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants were scanned while updating working memory (WM) with 2 levels of hierarchical contexts. Consistent with PFC abstraction proposals, higher level context updates involved anterior portions of the PFC (BA 46), whereas lower level context updates involved posterior portions of the PFC (BA 6). Computational models were only partially supported as the BG were sensitive to higher, but not lower level context updates. The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) showed the opposite pattern. Analyses examining changes in functional connectivity confirmed dissociable roles of the anterior PFC-BG during higher level context updates and posterior PFC-PPC during lower level context updates. These results suggest that hierarchical contexts are organized by distinct frontal-striatal and frontal-parietal networks.
Optical, thermal, and materials aspects of short laser pulses for optical data storage

Sub-nanosecond laser pulses are attractive for optical data storage because of their efficient delivery of optical power and mitigation of thermal conduction effects, thus enabling media designs for superfast cooling. We review the technology of short-pulse lasers, and discuss the potential of short-pulse data recording.
Planning for resilience: modeling change in human–fire interactions in the Alaskan boreal forest

The development of policies that promote ecological, economic, and cultural sustainability requires collaboration between natural and social scientists. We present a modeling approach to facilitate this communication and illustrate its application to studies of wildfire in the interior of Alaska. We distill the essence of complex fire–vegetation interactions that occur in the real world into a simplified landscape model, and describe how equally complex fire–human interactions could be incorporated into a similar modeling framework. Simulations suggest that fire suppression is likely to increase the proportion of flammable vegetation on the landscape and reduce the long-term effectiveness of wildfire suppression. Simple models that test the consequences of assumptions help natural and social scientists to communicate objectively when exploring the long-term consequences of alternative policy scenarios.
On the perturbational solution to the dyadic Green's function of Maxwell's equations in anisotropic media

The dyadic Green's functions of Maxwell's equations in anisotropic media are found by a perturbation technique. The solutions are in Taylor's series which may be summed in closed form in the case of uniaxial crystal media. When the medium is biaxial or gyrotropic, approximation by partial sum may be used. The approximate solutions give the near fields in elementary functions, Which may be used to solve integral equations arising from scattering and radiation problems.
Force and pressure transmission through the normal wrist. A theoretical two-dimensional study in the posteroanterior plane

Force transmission through the wrist in the normal population was investigated using the rigid body spring modeling (RBSM) technique (assuming carpal bones are rigid bodies interposed by series of springs simulating articulating cartilage and constraining ligaments). One-hundred and twenty normal wrist posteroanterior X-rays of adults (evenly divided to represent both genders and two age groups) provided the anatomical data. Reaction forces between the carpal bones were modeled using a system of compression linear springs, representing cartilage and subchondral bone, and of tensile linear springs, representing ligaments. The spring constants were determined based on the material properties of wrist cartilage and ligaments. Assumed axial loads were applied along the metacarpals to simulate a grasp strength of 10 N with active stabilization of the wrist in neutral position. The force transmission ratio at the radio-ulno-carpal joint was 55% through the radio-scaphoid and 35% through the radio-lunate joints. The remaining 10% of the load was passing through the triangular fibrocartilage with minor differences between genders. Among the intercarpal joints, a large percentage of the load of the wrist was transmitted to the scaphoid. The peak pressure was highest at the proximal pole of the radio-scaphoid, with a radio-scaphoid versus radio-lunate peak pressure ratio of 1.6. The most important ligaments in terms of load transmission were those opposing ulnar translation of the carpus. The wrist morphology had little influence on the magnitude and pattern of load distribution. There was no effect of age on wrist force distribution.
Pigment tests evaluated by a model of chromatic discrimination.

Clinical color-vision tests are evaluated within the framework of a model of chromatic discrimination in terms of cone excitation. The motivation for this study was to derive a method for evaluation of test design, test sensitivity, and observer performance. The discrimination model is based on the assumption that chromatic discrimination is mediated in two independent channels, one for short-wavelength cones and one for long- and middle-wavelength cones. Luminance-dependent templates are derived for each channel, and they describe chromatic-discrimination behavior of the young color-normal observer. The templates incorporate receptor-and opponent-level gain controls. We show how the chromaticities of clinical tests can be calculated in cone-excitation units and how discrimination behavior on the tests can be plotted on the templates. The tests include the Farnsworth–Munsell 100-hue, the Farnsworth Panel D-15, the Farnsworth Panel D-15 desaturated, the American Optical Hardy–Rand–Rittler, the Farnsworth F2 plate, the Standard Pseudoisochromatic Plates, Part II, the Ishihara, and the Minimalist tests. Clinical-test data collected on young color-normal observers at different illumination levels show the validity of the techniques.
ASSOCIATION OF ANDROGENIC-ANABOLIC STEROID THERAPY WITH DEVELOPMENT OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Abstract Four patients with aplastic anaemia developed hepatocellular carcinoma after long-term therapy with androgenic-anabolic steroids. In one child there was clinical evidence of tumour regression when the androgen was stopped. There are now epidemiological, clinical, and experimental observations which suggest that an androgenic environment favours development of hepatocellular carcinoma. With the widespread clinical application of androgenic-anabolic steroids (especially their use by athletes) further study to elucidate the precise relationship between this class of drugs and hepatocellular carcinoma is urged.
Intercessory Prayer and Cardiovascular Disease Progression in a Coronary Care Unit Population: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective To determine the effect of intercessory prayer, a widely practiced complementary therapy, on cardiovascular disease progression after hospital discharge. Patients and Methods In this randomized controlled trial conducted between 1997 and 1999, a total of 799 coronary care unit patients were randomized at hospital discharge to the intercessory prayer group or to the control group. Intercessory prayer, ie, prayer by 1 or more persons on behalf of another, was administered at least once a week for 26 weeks by 5 intercessors per patient. The primary end point after 26 weeks was any of the following: death, cardiac arrest, rehospitalization for cardiovascular disease, coronary revascularization, or an emergency department visit for cardiovascular disease. Patients were divided into a high-risk group based on the presence of any of 5 risk factors (age =70 years, diabetes mellitus, prior myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral vascular disease) or a low-risk group (absence of risk factors) for subsequent primary events. Results At 26 weeks, a primary end point had occurred in 25.6% of the intercessory prayer group and 29.3% of the control group (odds ratio [OR], 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.60–1.14]; P =.25). Among high-risk patients, 31.0% in the prayer group vs 33.3% in the control group (OR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.60–1.34]; P =.60) experienced a primary end point. Among low-risk patients, a primary end point occurred in 17.0% in the prayer group vs 24.1% in the control group (OR, 0.65 [95% CI, 0.20-1.36]; P =.12). Conclusions As delivered in this study, intercessory prayer had no significant effect on medical outcomes after hospitalization in a coronary care unit.
RANBP2 is an allosteric activator of the conventional kinesin‐1 motor protein, KIF5B, in a minimal cell‐free system

The association of cargoes to kinesins is thought to promote kinesin activation, yet the validation of such a model with native cargoes is lacking because none is known to activate kinesins directly in an in vitro system of purified components. The RAN-binding protein 2 (RANBP2), through its kinesin-binding domain (KBD), associates in vivo with kinesin-1, KIF5B/KIF5C. Here, we show that KBD and its flanking domains, RAN GTPase-binding domains 2 and 3 (RBD2/RBD3), activate the ATPase activity of KIF5B approximately 30-fold in the presence of microtubules and ATP. The activation kinetics of KIF5B by RANBP2 is biphasic and highly cooperative. Deletion of one of its RBDs lowers the activation of KIF5B threefold and abolishes cooperativity. Remarkably, RBD2–KBD–RBD3 induces unfolding and modest activation of KIF5B in the absence of microtubules. Hence, RANBP2 is the first native and positive allosteric activator known to jump-start and boost directly the activity of a kinesin.
All-cause mortality risk of metabolically healthy obese individuals in NHANES III

Mortality risk across metabolic health-by-BMI categories in NHANES-III was examined. Metabolic health was defined as: (1) homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) l2.5; (2) ≤2 Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III metabolic syndrome criteria; (3) combined definition using ≤1 of the following: HOMA-IR ≥1.95 (or diabetes medications), triglycerides ≥1.7 mmol/L, HDL-C l1.04 mmol/L (males) or l1.30 mmol/L (females), LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L, and total cholesterol ≥5.2 mmol/L (or cholesterol-lowering medications). Hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality were estimated with Cox regression models. Nonpregnant women and men were included (, mean ± SD, age years, BMI kg/m2, 49.4% female). Only 40 of 1160 obese individuals were identified as MHO by all definitions. MHO groups had superior levels of clinical risk factors compared to unhealthy individuals but inferior levels compared to healthy lean groups. There was increased risk of all-cause mortality in metabolically unhealthy obese participants regardless of definition (HOMA-IR HR 2.07 (CI 1.3–3.4), ; ATP-III HR 1.98 (CI 1.4–2.9), ; combined definition HR 2.19 (CI 1.3–3.8), ). MHO participants were not significantly different from healthy lean individuals by any definition. While MHO individuals are not at significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality, their clinical risk profile is worse than that of metabolically healthy lean individuals.
Do clinicians see Axis I and Axis II as different kinds of disorders

Since 1980, personality disorders have been conceptualized as a qualitatively different kind of mental disorder and placed on their own "axis." In this study, clinicians were given 67 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnoses and were asked to discard unfamiliar diagnoses, make groups of similar diagnoses, place the most similar groups next to each other, and describe the overall structure of their taxonomies. Results showed that clinicians were more familiar with the personality disorders than with some kinds of Axis I disorders (eg, sleep disorders). Clinicians tended not to keep the personality disorders in one group, although they often kept the cluster groupings together. Cluster groupings were often placed with comorbid Axis I disorders. These data suggest that clinicians did not see the personality disorders as qualitatively different from the Axis I disorders.
An assay for heparin by decrease in color yield (DECOY) of a protein-dye-binding reaction

The interference by heparin and some related molecules with the well-known Bradford dye-binding assay for proteins is used as the basis of a rapid, sensitive method for the quantitation of these polysaccharides. Whereas the available methods for the assay of glycosaminoglycans have lacked specificity for sulfated polyanions in general and for heparin in particular, the procedure described here distinguishes among different uronic acid derivatives and, when performed in conjunction with heparinase digestion or cetylpyridinium chloride precipitation, can be used to determine heparin content of complex biological samples.
Failed back syndrome and epidural fibrosis.

COMMENTARY ON: Liu J, Ni B, Zhu L, et al. Mitomycin C-polyethylene glycol controlled-release film inhibits collagen secretion and induces apoptosis of fibroblasts in the early wound of a postlaminectomy rat model. Spine J 2010;10:441–447 (in this issue) .
Pseudorabies Virus Us9 Directs Axonal Sorting of Viral Capsids

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) mutants lacking the Us9 gene cannot spread from presynaptic to postsynaptic neurons in the rat visual system, although retrograde spread remains unaffected. We sought to recapitulate these findings in vitro using the isolator chamber system developed in our lab for analysis of the transneuronal spread of infection. The wild-type PRV Becker strain spreads efficiently to postsynaptic neurons in vitro, whereas the Us9-null strain does not. As determined by indirect immunofluorescence, the axons of Us9-null infected neurons do not contain the glycoproteins gB and gE, suggesting that their axonal sorting is dependent on Us9. Importantly, we failed to detect viral capsids in the axons of Us9-null infected neurons. We confirmed this observation by using three different techniques: by direct fluorescence of green fluorescent protein-tagged capsids; by transmission electron microscopy; and by live-cell imaging in cultured, sympathetic neurons. This finding has broad impact on two competing models for how virus particles are trafficked inside axons during anterograde transport and redefines a role for Us9 in viral sorting and transport.
Ku70 Functions in Addition to Nonhomologous End Joining in Pancreatic β-Cells: A Connection to β-Catenin Regulation

The genesis of β-cells predominantly occurs through self-replication; therefore, understanding the regulation of cell proliferation is essential. We previously showed that the lack of nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) DNA repair factor ligase IV leads to an accumulation of DNA damage that permanently halts β-cell proliferation and dramatically decreases insulin production, causing overt diabetes in a hypomorphic p53R172P background. In the present study, to further delineate the function of NHEJ, we analyzed mice deficient for another key NHEJ factor, Ku70, to discover the effect of cellular responses to DNA damage in pancreatic β-cells on cellular proliferation and glucose homeostasis. Analysis of Ku70−/− pancreatic β-cells revealed an accumulation of DNA damage and activation of p53-dependent cellular senescence similar to the results found in our earlier ligase IV deficiency study. To our surprise, Ku70−/− mice had significantly increased β-cell proliferation and islet expansion, heightened insulin levels, and decreased glycemia. This augmented β-cell proliferation was accompanied by an increased β-catenin level, which we propose to be responsible for this phenotype. This study highlights Ku70 as an important player not only in maintaining genomic stability through NHEJ-dependent functions, but also in regulating pancreatic β-cell proliferation, a novel NHEJ-independent function.
Representing multifigure anatomical objects

We use multifigure m-reps to represent anatomical objects, such as human livers, with named components. Each component is represented as a single figure m-rep. These figures of the object are connected via hinge geometry. A smooth object surface is then computed using our technique based on the subdivision method applied to a single figure m-rep. This novel representation allows us to represent and analyze a complex anatomical object by its individual components, by relations among its components, and by the object itself as a whole entity. Using our representation, some preliminary results on statistical analysis of multifigure anatomical objects are presented.
Recent Developments in the Flammability of Elastomeric Materials

Abstract Most of the flame-retardant technology now used with elastomers has been known for some time. Advances have been made in recent years in the understanding of elastomer combustion and inhibition mechanisms, in the measurement and control of visible smoke generation from elastomers, and the toxic effects of combustion atmospheres. By integrating existing technology with recent developments and the likely advances of the future, elastomeric materials will continue to receive acceptance for a wide variety of applications. Author's note: A review stressing quantitative aspects of polymer combustion has recently appeared.
CMOS Micromachined Infrared Imager Pixel

We report a CMOS micromachined infrared (IR) sensitive pixel that senses temperature by measuring capacitance change due to lateral motion induced by differences in thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE) of two materials. The temperature-induced capacitance change is measured by an on-chip circuit with input d.c. bias feedback and double-correlated sampling. The device is fabricated using a standard 0.5µm CMOS process followed by a maskless CMOS micromachining process. The area of the pixel sense element is 800 µm2. Measured pixel sensitivity is 0.57 mV/K with equivalent temperature noise of \( 6mK/\sqrt {Hz} \), corresponding to \( 0.2aF/\sqrt {Hz} \) of equivalent capacitance noise.
Social and Political Exclusion: How America's Religious Interact with Open Atheists

Religiosity in America is a two-edged sword. On the one hand, the highly religious more nearly approach the ideal democratic citizen than any other group. They are more neighborly, altruistic, and selfless. Despite this, the non-religious perceive the highly religious to be intolerant and selfish. Using an innovative experimental design, this paper explores how religiosity influences individual behavior (both political and non-political) and finds that the highly religious are significantly less likely to engage in everyday activities with non-believers. This bias is distinct from partisan motivated bias that might come as the religious and the non-religious separate into opposing political parties. The findings suggest that those who are openly atheistic are excluded from the social networks that seem to help the religious develop the attributes of the democratic ideal. The potential exclusion from these social networks could explain why some Americans choose to remain in the closet about their atheism.
Coronary Artery Fistulae

Two patients presented to our cardiology clinic Mr. H was 70 years old with a history of cardiac transplantation for ischemic cardiomyopathy. He presented with worsening dyspnea. Two years ago, he could run up 2 flights of stairs but had recently started to become short of breath while walking short distances. He also described pedal edema and progressive orthopnea. His medical history was significant for coronary artery disease. On examination, we noted an elderly male (6′0″; 85 kg). The heart rate was 90 bpm with a blood pressure of 156/90 mm Hg. The SaO2 was 98% on room air. The heart sounds were normal, but we auscultated a III/VI continuous machinery murmur over the left upper sternal border. His ECG showed sinus rhythm and left ventricular hypertrophy. The chest radiograph displayed mild cardiomegaly. We performed a transthoracic echocardiogram that was remarkable for concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with normal ejection fractions. Right heart catheterization revealed normal filling pressures and cardiac output. An endomyocardial biopsy showed no evidence of allograft rejection. Ms. B was 75 years old and also presented with dyspnea. For the past 4 months, she had noted shortness of breath after walking ≈1 mi, whereas she was able to go much farther on her daily walks before the onset of symptoms. Her medical history was significant for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and migraines. There was no previous history of cardiac disease. On examination, we noted a frail elderly female (5′6″; 50 kg). Her heart rate was 62 bpm with a blood pressure of 132/90 mm Hg. The SaO2 was 99% on room air. The heart sounds were again normal but we auscultated 2 murmurs—one was a II/VI continuous murmur over the left upper sternal border and the other was a II/IV diastolic decrescendo murmur best heard in the aortic area. The …
Correction: Preparation and evaluation of nanocellulose-gold nanoparticle nanocomposites for SERS applications

Correction for ‘Preparation and evaluation of nanocellulose–gold nanoparticle nanocomposites for SERS applications’ by Haoran Wei, et al., Analyst, 2015, 140, 5640–5649.
Upper Airway Anomalies in Congenital Tracheoesophageal Fistula and Esophageal Atresia Patients.

Objective:To examine the prevalence of upper airway anomalies in patients diagnosed with congenital tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia (TEF/EA).Methods:A retrospective review was cond...
Technology and the Older Person: Age, Sex and Experience as Moderators of Attitudes Towards Computers

Although computer-based technology has become increasingly pervasive in our personal lives as well as in the workplace, we know very little about individual differences in attitudes and reactions to this technological onslaught. We were particularly interested in learning about older people’s degree of willingness to incorporate computer-based technology into their lives. The main purpose of the present study was to examine the individual difference factors of age, sex, and amount of computer experience as moderators of attitudes toward computer-based technology.
Interleukin 1B gene ( IL1B ) variation and internalizing symptoms in maltreated preschoolers

Evidence now implicates inflammatory proteins in the neurobiology of internalizing disorders. Genetic factors may influence individual responses to maltreatment; however, little work has examined inflammatory genetic variants in adults and none in children. The present study examined the role of an interleukin 1B gene (IL1B) variant in preschoolers exposed to maltreatment and other forms of adversity in internalizing symptom development. One hundred ninety-eight families were enrolled, with one child (age 3-5 years) from each family. Adversity measures included child protective service documentation of moderate-severe maltreatment in the last 6 months and interview-assessed contextual stressors. Internalizing symptoms were measured using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment. Maltreated children had higher major depressive disorder (MDD) and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and marginally higher internalizing symptoms on the Child Behavior Checklist. Controlling for age, sex, and race, IL1B genotype was associated with MDD symptoms (p = .002). Contextual stressors were significantly associated with MDD and posttraumatic stress disorder and marginally with internalizing symptoms. The IL1B genotype interacted with contextual stress such that children homozygous for the minor allele had more MDD symptoms (p = .045). These results suggest that genetic variants of IL1B may modulate the development of internalizing symptoms in the face of childhood adversity.
A New Genus of Anthicidae (Coleoptera) from Chile

Chileanthicus is described, as are its 2 included species, C. lafertei (type; = Formicomus lafertei Solier) and C . penai from Atacama Province. The Australian Formicomus quadrimaculatus King is compared.
FRI0376 Beneficial effect of buspirone, an orally available 5-ht1a receptor agonist, on lower esophageal sphincter function in patients with systemic sclerosis

Background Domperidone is widely used for the management of symptoms in patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) and esophageal involvement, but its efficacy is under question. Recently, buspirone, an orally available 5-HT 1A receptor agonist, was shown to enhance esophageal peristalsis and lower esophageal sphincter ( LES) function in healthy volunteers (Di Stefano M et al, Dis Esophagus. 2012 Jul;25(5):470-6) Objectives To evaluate the effects of acute buspirone and domperidone administration in SSc patients with symptomatic esophageal involvement. Methods Thirty consecutive patients (26 women, aged 52.3±10.4 years, 15 and 15 with diffuse or limited SSc, respectively) underwent high resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) before and 30 minutes after randomised administration of 10 mg buspirone (n=19) or 10 mg domperidone (n=11). We compared buspirone and domperidone effects, before and after drug administration, on: a) resting pressure of the LES; b) residual pressure of LES relaxation; c) amplitude, duration, and onset velocity of esophageal body contractions. Prior to HRM each patient completed a self-reported 0-100 visual analogue scale questionnaire for esophageal symptoms (ESQ). Results There was no difference in terms of SSc characteristics, as well as of clinical severity (assessed by ESQ scores) and extent (assessed by HRM findings) of esophageal involvement between patients who received buspirone or domperidone. Buspirone increased mean resting pressure of LES (from 9.42±2.6 to 11.53±3.4 p Conclusions Acute administration of buspirone, but not of domperidone, exerted a beneficial effect on impaired LES function in patients with SSc, suggesting a role of 5-HT 1A receptor-mediated interactions in these patients. Prospective studies to examine whether buspirone is of long-term therapeutic value for SSc-associated esophageal disease are warranted. Disclosure of Interest : None Declared
Individuality and hierarchy in Cicero’s De Officiis:

This essay explores a creative argument that Cicero offers to answer a fundamental question: how are we to judge among different ways of life? Is there a natural hierarchy of human types? In respon...
The Remarkable 50 Years of Imaging in HCM and How it Has Changed Diagnosis and Management: From M-Mode Echocardiography to CMR

The almost 50-year odyssey of cardiac imaging in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), revisited and described here, has been remarkable, particularly when viewed in the timeline of advances that occurred during a single generation of investigators. At each step along the way, from M-mode to 2-dimensional echocardiography to Doppler imaging, and finally over the last 10 years with the emergence of high-resolution tomographic cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), evolution of the images generated by each new technology constituted a paradigm change over what was previously available. Together, these advances have transformed the noninvasive diagnosis and management of HCM in a number of important clinical respects. These changes include a more complete definition of the phenotype, resulting in more reliable clinical identification of patients and family members, defining mechanisms (and magnitude) of left ventricular outflow obstruction, and novel myocardial tissue characterization (including in vivo detection of fibrosis/scarring); notably, these advances afford more precise recognition of at-risk patients who are potential candidates for life-saving primary prevention defibrillator therapy. This evolution in imaging as applied to HCM has indelibly changed cardiovascular practice for this morphologically and clinically complex genetic disease.
The Gender of Spirit: Hegel’s Moves and Strategies

The figure of Hegel as a thinker as well as the image, however distorted, of “the Hegelian system” have proved to be a constant target of criticism as well as a point of reference for feminist theorists and philosophers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Simone de Beauvoir’s appropriation and creative re-conceptualization of Hegel’s dialectics of lordship and bondage to depict the origins of gender inequality in Le Deuxieme Sexe is arguably her most well-known encounter with Hegelian dialectics, although it is her earlier Pour une morale tie Vambiguite that contains Beauvoir’s clearest confrontation and critique of Hegel’s thought. For Luce Irigaray, Hegel is an explicit conversation partner in Speculum as well as, more emphatically, in J’tzime a- toi. In Judith Butler’s latest works, she openly posits her thought in the Hegelian tradition—a situating that is perhaps not very surprising considering her doctoral dissertation Subjects of Desire that examined the philosophical reception of Hegel’s concept Begierde (desire) in twentieth-century French thought from Kojeve and Hyppolite through Sartre and Lacan to Deleuze and Foucault.1
Autophagy in the liver: cell’s cannibalism and beyond

Chronic liver disease and its progression to liver failure are induced by various etiologies including viral infection, alcoholic and nonalcoholic hepatosteatosis. It is anticipated that the prevalence of fatty liver disease will continue to rise due to the growing incidence of obesity and metabolic disorder. Evidence is accumulating to indicate that the onset of fatty liver disease is causatively linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal lipid accumulation. Current treatment options for this disease are limited. Autophagy is an integral catabolic pathway that maintains cellular homeostasis both selectively and nonselectively. As mitophagy and lipophagy selectively remove dysfunctional mitochondria and excess lipids, respectively, stimulation of autophagy could have therapeutic potential to ameliorate liver function in steatotic patients. This review highlights our up-to-date knowledge on mechanistic roles of autophagy in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and its vulnerability to surgical stress, with an emphasis on mitophagy and lipophagy.
Restructuring the Mixed Economy of Welfare: Three Modes of Privatization

Since the early-1990s arrangements for social protection in most of the advanced industrialized nations have undergone a series of policy reforms that are restructuring the mixed economy of modern welfare states. This paper reviews several fundamental reasons for these changes and their substantive character, focusing on the increasing role of the private sector in the finance and delivery of welfare state activity. Three basic modes to increase private responsibility for heretofore publicly financed and publicly delivered social provisions are identified, illustrating alternative paths which advance the movement toward privatization. The assumptions and implications associated with these modes of privatization are analyzed.
Can perception training improve the production of second language phonemes? A meta-analytic review of 25 years of perception training research

Cognitive scientists across disciplines have shown a vested interest in examining if and how the speech perception and production modalities are connected. The field of second language (L2) acquisition contributes to this discussion by investigating the effects of auditory training of L2 sounds on pronunciation. This meta-analysis offers a comprehensive view of the last 25 years of L2 perception training studies that test for effects in production. The results indicate that the two modalities are connected, insomuch as training the perception of L2 sounds can induce positive change in the productive mode as well. The data indicate that strictly controlled perception training led to medium-sized improvements in perception (d = 0.92, SD = 0.96) and small improvements in production (d = 0.54, SD = 0.45). A correlation analysis suggests a small- to medium-sized relationship between perception and production gains, although this relationship was not significant. The production of obstruents improved to a larger degree than sonorants or vowels, and an additional six moderating variables influenced the magnitude of the production effect sizes. We caution researchers to not equate the connection of the two modalities in long-term linguistic development to real-time neurological processing, and we end with five recommendations for the domain of L2 phonetic training research.
Association Between Pretreatment Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Outcome of Patients With Metastatic Renal-Cell Carcinoma Treated With Nivolumab.

Abstract Background Biomarkers to guide treatment in metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC) are lacking. We aimed to investigate the association between pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and outcome of patients with mRCC receiving nivolumab. Patients and Methods Through retrospective chart review, we identified 38 patients with mRCC treated with standard-of-care nivolumab between 2015 and 2016 at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. NLR was determined from complete blood count collected before starting treatment, and imaging was performed to assess progression. The NLR cutoff value of 5.5 was determined by log-rank test, and the univariate association with overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) was assessed by the Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier method. Results The 38 patients had a median age of 69 years. The PFS and OS for all patients at 12 months was 54% and 69%, respectively. The median PFS was 2.6 months in the high NLR group but not reached in the low NLR group. Low NLR was strongly associated with increased PFS with hazard ratio of 0.20 (95% confidence interval, 0.07-0.64; P = .006). The median OS was 2.7 months in the high NLR group but not reached in the low NLR group. Low NLR was significantly associated with a prolonged OS with hazard ratio of 0.06 (95% confidence interval, 0.01-0.55; P = .012). Conclusion Pretreatment NLR
Thermal processing of thermogelling nanoemulsions as a route to tune material properties

Many soft matter systems have properties which depend on their processing history. It is generally accepted that material properties can be finely tuned by carefully directing self-assembly. However, for gelling colloidal systems, it is difficult to characterize such path-dependent effects since the colloidal attraction is often provided by adding another component to the system such as salts or depletants. Therefore, studies of and an understanding of the role of processing on the material properties of attractive colloidal systems are largely lacking. In this work, we systematically studied how processing greatly influences the properties and the microstructures of model attractive colloidal systems. We perform experiments using a thermogelling nanoemulsion as a model system where the isotropic attraction can be precisely tuned via the temperature. The effects of processing conditions on gel formation and properties is tested by performing well-designed sequential temperature jumps. By properly controlling the thermal history, we demonstrate that properties of colloidal gels can be beyond the limit set by direct quenching, which has been a major focus in literature, and that otherwise slow aging of the system associated with a decrease in elasticity can be prevented. Our results provide new experimental evidence of path-dependent rheology and associated microstructures in attractive colloidal systems and provide guidance to future applications in manufacturing complex colloid-based materials.
A Professional Potter

Jim Lincoln, the subject of this description, was 35 years old at the time of sampling. He was an acquaintance of the author, and was recruited as a participant in the sampling exercise primarily because of his vocation: He is a professional potter, thought by many to be one of the most creative ceramicists in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. He is a graduate of a university biology department, having switched majors from chemistry, although art was a major emphasis during his senior year.