cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Image Quality Comparison of Reduced- and Standard-Dose Dual-Energy Multiphase Chest, Abdomen, and Pelvis CT.

We present a new image quality assessment method for determining whether reducing radiation dose impairs the image quality of computed tomography (CT) in qualitative and quantitative clinical analyses tasks. In this Institutional Review Board-exempt study, we conducted a review of 50 patients (male, 22; female, 28) who underwent reduced-dose CT scanning on the first follow-up after standard-dose multiphase CT scanning. Scans were for surveillance of von Hippel–Lindau disease (N = 26) and renal cell carcinoma (N = 10). We investigated density, morphometric, and structural differences between scans both at tissue (fat, bone) and organ levels (liver, heart, spleen, lung). To quantify structural variations caused by image quality differences, we propose using the following metrics: dice similarity coefficient, structural similarity index, Hausdorff distance, gradient magnitude similarity deviation, and weighted spectral distance. Pearson correlation coefficient and Welch 2-sample t test were used for quantitative comparisons of organ morphometry and to compare density distribution of tissue, respectively. For qualitative evaluation, 2-sided Kendall Tau test was used to assess agreement among readers. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations were designed to examine significance of image differences for clinical tasks. Qualitative judgment served as an overall assessment, whereas detailed quantifications on structural consistency, intensity homogeneity, and texture similarity revealed more accurate and global difference estimations. Qualitative and quantitative results indicated no significant image quality degradation. Our study concludes that low(er)-dose CT scans can be routinely used because of no significant loss in quantitative image information compared with standard-dose CT scans.
Total Hip Arthroplasty After In Situ Fixation of Minimally Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures in Elderly Patients.

Abstract Background In situ screw fixation remains the most common treatment for minimally displaced femoral neck fractures (FNFs). Total hip arthroplasty (THA) can be used as a salvage procedure, but the results of conversion THA in this population have not been evaluated. The goals of this study were to evaluate (1) unique complications associated with conversion THA, (2) implant survivorship free of revision and reoperation, (3) radiographic results, and (4) clinical outcomes in patients undergoing conversion THA after in situ fixation of nondisplaced FNFs. Methods Between 2000 and 2014, 62 consecutive patients >65 years of age who underwent THA after in situ fixation of minimally displaced FNFs were identified. Indications were osteonecrosis (44%), post-traumatic/degenerative arthritis (35%), and nonunion (21%). Mean age was 78 years, and 73% patients were women. Mean follow-up was 5.5 years. Results One patient was revised for aseptic femoral loosening at 11 years. One patient underwent debridement and modular component exchange at 10 years for acute hematogenous periprosthetic joint infection. Two patients underwent acute reoperation without component exchange (one superficial wound infection, one hematoma evacuation). Survivorship free of reoperation for any indication was 97% at 5 years. No patients with surviving implants had radiographic evidence of loosening at 5 years. Harris hip scores improved from 35-85 (P Conclusion Conversion THA was associated with clinical improvement, a low rate of complications, and excellent implant durability. Risks of loosening, dislocation, and periprosthetic fracture can be minimized with appropriate operative strategies and perioperative management.
Large Energy Development Projects: Lessons Learned from Space and Politics

The challenge to global energy future lies in meeting the needs and aspirations of the ten to twelve billion earthlings that will be on this planet by 2050. At least an eight-fold increase in annual production will be required by the middle of this century. The energy sources that can be considered developed and in the box for consideration as sources for major increases in supply over the next half century are fossil fuels, nuclear fission, and, to a lesser degree, various forms of direct and stored solar energy and conservation. None of these near-term sources of energy will provide an eight-fold or more increase in energy supply for various technical, environmental and political reasons. Only a few potential energy sources that fall out of the box appear worthy of additional consideration as possible contributors to energy demand in 2050 and beyond These particular candidates are deuterium-tritium fusion, space solar energy, and lunar helium-3 fusion. The primary advantage that lunar helium-3 fusion will have over other out of the box energy sources in the pre-2050 timeframe is a clear path into the private capital markets. The development and demonstration of new energy sources will require several development paths, each of Apollo-like complexity and each with sub-paths of parallel development for critical functions and components.
In-Hospital Outcomes of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in America's Safety Net: Insights From the NCDR Cath-PCI Registry.

Abstract Objectives This study compared risk-adjusted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) outcomes of safety-net hospitals (SNHs) and non-SNHs. Background Although risk adjustment is used to compare hospitals, SNHs treat a disproportionate share of uninsured and underinsured patients, who may have unmeasured risk factors, limited health care access, and poorer outcomes than patients treated at non-SNHs. Methods Using the National Cardiovascular Data Registry CathPCI Registry from 2009 to 2015, we analyzed 3,746,961 patients who underwent PCI at 282 SNHs (hospitals where ≥10% of PCI patients were uninsured) and 1,134 non-SNHs. The relationship between SNH status and risk-adjusted outcomes was assessed. Results SNHs were more likely to be lower volume, rural hospitals located in the southern states. Patients treated at SNHs were younger (63 vs. 65 years), more often nonwhite (17% vs. 12%), smokers (33% vs. 26%), and more likely to be admitted through the emergency department (48% vs. 38%) and to have an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (20% vs. 14%) than non-SNHs (all p Conclusions Despite treating a higher proportion of uninsured patients with more acute presentations, risk-adjusted PCI-related in-hospital mortality of SNHs is only marginally higher (4 additional deaths per 1,000 PCI cases) than non-SNHs, whereas risk-adjusted bleeding and acute kidney injury rates are comparable.
Exercise and diet improved cholesterol levels in high-risk adults

Source Citation Stefanick ML, Mackey S, Sheehan M, et al. Effects of diet and exercise in men and postmenopausal women with low levels of HDL cholesterol and high levels of LDL cholesterol. N Engl ...
Utilizing Dual Mobility Components for First-Time Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty for Instability

Abstract Background Dislocation following total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains a significant clinical problem. Few studies have focused on the use of dual mobility (DM) components in the setting of first-time revision for instability following THA. Here, we investigate patient outcomes following first-time revision THA with DM components for a diagnosis of instability. Methods Institution-wide revision THAs using DM components performed between 2010 and 2013 were identified. Chart review identified 40 patients with average 3-year follow-up who had undergone first-time revision for instability, defined as instability after primary THA. Etiology of instability was classified by Wera type. Patient demographics, medical co-morbidities, re-dislocations, and re-revisions were recorded. Component position and leg-length discrepancy were measured on pre-operative and post-operative radiographs when available. Utilizing Student's t-test or Fisher's exact test, we analyzed differences between those who endured recurrent dislocation and those who did not. Results Recurrent dislocation occurred in 2 patients (5%). Both patients underwent re-revision for recurrent instability and carried diagnoses of instability of unresolved etiology. Two patients underwent re-revision for reasons unrelated to the DM construct. All-cause re-revision rate at final follow-up was therefore 10% (4 patients). No medical, demographic, or radiographic factors were significantly associated with risk of recurrent instability (P > .05). Conclusion The use of DM components for first-time revision THA for a diagnosis of instability carried a re-dislocation rate of 5% and an all-cause re-revision rate of 10% at average 3-year follow-up. Instability of unresolved etiology was associated with re-dislocation following revision surgery.
Dumbbell-Shaped Octasilsesquioxanes Functionalized with Ionic Liquids as Hybrid Electrolytes for Lithium Metal Batteries

Exploring solid-state electrolytes as alternatives for flammable liquid carbonate electrolyte is considered as one of the key routes toward next-generation lithium polymer batteries assembled with a high-capacity electrode. In this work, we synthesized an organic–inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte with ionic liquid moieties tethered onto dumbbell-shaped octasilsesquioxanes through oligo(ethylene glycol) spacers. The hybrid electrolyte is featured by its high room-temperature ionic conductivity (1.2 × 10–4 S/cm at 20 °C with LiTFSI salt), excellent electrochemical stability (4.6 V vs Li+/Li), and great thermal stability. Excellent capability of the hybrid electrolyte to mediate electrochemical deposition and dissolution of lithium has been demonstrated in the symmetrical lithium cells. No short circuit has been observed after more than 500 h in the polarization tests. Decent charge/discharge performance has been obtained in the prepared electrolyte based all-solid-state lithium battery cells at ambient tem...
Recent advances in plant-based vinyl ester resins and reactive diluents

Abstract Vinyl ester resins (VERs) are used in a variety of applications. However, alternative feedstocks and molecular structures have been recently investigated due to dwindling petroleum reserves and risks associated with bisphenol A (BPA), a leading petroleum-derived precursor for VERs, as well as environmental hazards directly related to the use of petroleum-derived and classified hazardous air pollutant and volatile organic compound reactive diluents (RDs). Plant feedstocks are very common and based on their building blocks, the feedstocks can be categorized into plant oils, cellulose, and lignin. Considerable amount of work has been done on vinyl ester cross-linkers and diluents derived from plant oils, especially those prepared from soybean oil. Carbohydrate biomass-based building blocks, especially isosorbide and furan-based monomers, have a very high potential for use in commercial VERs due to the availability of raw materials and performance of building blocks. Lignin-based vinyl esters have also shown a lot of the potential to compete with their petrochemical counterparts in both cost and performance. This review covers both the topics of bio-based cross-linkers as well as RDs with emphasis on the preparation of monomers and polymers as well as the processing and properties of these materials.
Patient-controlled tissue collection for genetic testing after early pregnancy loss: A pilot study

Objective To determine how frequently and effectively products of conception can be obtained among women pursuing medical management of early pregnancy loss. Methods This pilot study was conducted to assess products of conception recovery outcomes for participants opting for medical management compared with women opting for surgical aspiration A tissue-collection kit was provided to women opting for medical management. Outcome measures included successful collection of products of conception, quantity and integrity of DNA, and participant satisfaction with the process. Results Tissue was collected from 19 of 22 participants in the medical management group (84%) and 39 participants (100%) in the surgical management group (P = .02). DNA yield and integrity were similar among both groups (P = .03 and P = .003, respectively). Participants in the medical group reported a high comfort level with the kit and the process of tissue collection. Conclusions Medical management of a missed abortion followed by patient-controlled collection of products of conception for subsequent cytogenetic analysis is well tolerated and highly effective. This methodology may reduce the need for surgical management, empower women to have more agency in their medical decisions, and increase access to genetic testing.
A Role for Branched-Chain Amino Acids in the Pathophysiology of Diabetes: Using Data to Guide Discovery.

Featured Article: Wang TJ, Larson MG, Vasan RS, Cheng S, Rhee EP, McCabe E, et al. Metabolite profiles and the risk of developing diabetes. Nature Med 2011;17:448–53.2 Over the past 10 years, the ability to quantify human biologic activity has grown exponentially. We now have the technology for high-throughput genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics and the ability to interrogate the human biochemical system at every level (1). Indeed, hundreds of chemicals can now be measured in hundreds of individuals at reasonable cost. These advances have fueled analyses that drive medicine forward in a new way: instead of a hypothesis motivating the generation of new data, more and more discoveries are made when the data generate a new hypothesis. The article featured here exemplifies the power of this technique. The recent advent of metabolomic profiling was seen as a great opportunity to better understand type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Because DM is a disease of pathologic energy management, metabolite profiling is a natural tool for understanding the underlying pathophysiology …
Surgeons' Perceived Barriers to Palliative and End-of-Life Care: A Mixed Methods Study of a Surgical Society.

Abstract Background: Nearly 20% of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients present with potentially incurable (Stage IV) disease, yet their physicians do not integrate cancer treatment with palliative care. Compared with patients treated by primary providers, surgical patients with terminal diseases are significantly less likely to receive palliative or end-of-life care. Objective: To describe surgeon perspectives on palliative and end-of-life care for patients with Stage IV CRCs. Design: This is a convergent mixed methods study using a validated survey instrument from the Critical Care Peer Workgroup of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care Project with additional qualitative questions. Settings: Participants were all current, nonretired members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Main Outcome Measures: Surgeon-perceived barriers to palliative and end-of-life care for patients with Stage IV CRCs were identified. Results: Among 131 Internet survey respond...
Reference in the Age of Wikipedia, Or Not...

The title of my talk today is purposefully provocative. But it is not because I believe that reference in the age of Wikipedia is dead, but rather that in the time of Wikipedia we need to be able to ask and answer the question implied by the, “or not...” We all know that the old models of reference work no longer are adequate. Our challenge is to be able to affirmatively explain what it is we do and how it adds value.
Safety management system in staircase with passive RFID sensor tags

This research proposes a sensor system in staircase for monitoring the abnormal behaviors of the elderly. In this system, passive RFID sensor tags are set on the handrail and the wall of the staircase. Then, it can distinguish three states of the elderly such as general, walking, and abnormal ones. The system differentiates the states based on the pressure data of the tags and the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). The RSSI is the values that show how the tag responses to the antenna in the read-zone. However, the RSSI cannot provide accurate measurement of the distance of the tag. In the future, this research will focus on behaviors analysis method and develop real-time system.
Subclavian Vein Central Line Placement

This chapter discusses technical aspects of subclavian vein central line placement including instrumentation and equipment, patient positioning, canalizing the subclavian vein with guide wire, dilatation of the vein, threading of central line, and assessment of line position and pneumothorax. The authors also offer pearls and pitfalls.
Epidemiologic analysis of hand-foot-mouth disease in Xingtai city in 2012

Objective This study aimed to review the epidemiological feature of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) cases that occurred in 2002 in Xingtai City,to help develop and implement precautionary measures applicable for future.Methods Descriptive epidemiological methodology was used to analyze the data of HFMD which were collected from the disease surveillance information reporting system.Results A total of 593 cases of HFMD were reported in 2012.The reported incidence of HFMD was 8.35/100 000.The incidence in city (0.99/100 000) was lower than that in rural area (7.37/100 000),and there is a significant difference between them(P ＜0.05).There are 73 severe case,which account for 12.31％.One dead case was reported and the mortality was O.17％.The case number peaked in April and May,which make up 52.95％ of the total cases.Cases who are under 5 years old occupied 97.47％.From the total,436(73.52％) infections were tested positive,137(23.10％) were positive for CoxA16,228(38.45％)were positive for EV71,and 71 (11.97％) were positive for other common enteroviruses.Conclusions The incidence in rural area was higher than that in the city,most of the cases were children under 5 years old,and April and May are the peak season.HFMD could be in a relatively short period.The surveillance should be strengthened.Health education should be enhanced in high risk population. Key words: Hand-foot-mouth disease; Epidemiology; Surveillance
Historical Scripts, Leadership Sequencing, and Counterfactuals

How we make sense of world politics and episodes of accelerated globalization depends on our historical scripts. Validating one person’s historical script versus someone else’s is a highly problematic exercise. Counterfactuals, however, can be utilized to at least suggest or reinforce the asserted significance of different versions of political–economic history. A series of eight counterfactuals encompassing the past 1000 years are harnessed to buttress the utility of framing the development of the modern world economy around a chain of lead economies and system leaders extending back to Sung China and forward to the United States.
Abstract IA25: Control of tumor immune suppression by macrophage PI3Kγ regulated pathways

Macrophages play key roles in promoting immune suppression, tumor growth, and resistance to therapy. Our recent studies show that tissue-resident macrophages (TRM) as well as bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) play critical but unique roles in promoting tumor growth. While BMDM are recruited to tumors in a PI3Kγ, Integrin α4, and CCR2-dependent manner, TRMs accumulate in tumors independently of integrin α4, PI3Kγ, or the trafficking receptor CCR2. Gene expression and functional studies indicate that tumor-derived TRM are highly proliferative, immune suppressive, and distinct from BMDM. We show that TRM develop from macrophage progenitors that are abundant in tumors but not in normal tissues; purified progenitors differentiate into macrophages that potently stimulate tumor growth when adoptively transferred into mice. Notably, we found that the lipid kinase PI3Kγ promotes immune-suppressive polarization of TRM and BMDM. Inhibition of PI3Kγ repolarizes macrophages, induces dendritic cell maturation, and stimulates CD8+ T-cell recruitment to tumors and activation. Inhibition of PI3Kγ also synergizes with checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapeutics to promote tumor regression and immunologic memory, leading to sustained tumor suppression. Our studies identify PI3Kγ as a valuable target for immune therapy of solid tumors. Citation Format: Judith A. Varner. Control of tumor immune suppression by macrophage PI3Kγ regulated pathways [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2018 Nov 27-30; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2020;8(4 Suppl):Abstract nr IA25.
Abstract B49: Modeling a pathogenic SAMD9 mutation in human induced pluripotent stem cells

Germline mutations in SAMD9 are the molecular determinants of some pedigrees with familial monosomy 7 and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (OMIM 252270), MIRAGE syndrome (myelodysplasia, infection, restriction of growth, adrenal hypoplasia, genital phenotypes, enteropathy), and other nonsyndromic pediatric MDS. Mutations identified thus far have been associated with decreased growth of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and bone marrow hypocellularity. Previous studies suggest that the wild-type function of SAMD9 is growth restrictive; therefore, the mutations identified in pediatric MDS have been deemed gain-of-function (GoF), given the exaggerated antiproliferative phenotype demonstrated in overexpression systems within nonhematopoietic cell lines, most commonly HEK-293T. To date, no model systems are available to study the impact of these mutations in their endogenous locus, a locus known to be induced by inflammatory stimuli, namely interferon (IFN). Here we report our development, using CRISPR/Cas9 genomic engineering, of two separate isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines, derived from a non-neoplastic iPSC line (BJFF.6), containing a known pathogenic SAMD9 mutation (c.3406G>C; p.E1136Q), which we previously identified in a family with monosomy 7 and MDS. From this mutated iPSC line we are able to successfully differentiate hematopoietic precursors and myeloid cells that contain a pathogenic SAMD9 mutation. Using our novel pediatric MDS model system, we demonstrate that in the presence of IFN, viability of HSPCs (CD34+) and differentiated myeloid cells (CD13+) is significantly decreased when the SAMD9 p.E1136Q mutation is present (CD34+; WT=16.7% vs Mut=11.5% (p=0.05), CD13+; WT=22.6% vs. Mut=3.5% (p Citation Format: Jason R. Schwartz, Jon P. Connelly, Shondra M. Pruett-Miller, Jeffery M. Klco. Modeling a pathogenic SAMD9 mutation in human induced pluripotent stem cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on the Advances in Pediatric Cancer Research; 2019 Sep 17-20; Montreal, QC, Canada. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(14 Suppl):Abstract nr B49.
How Subsidies Affect Asymmetric Procurement Auctions: Comparing Experimental Results to Theory

The use of bid preference auctions, where one class of bidders is offered favored treatment over another class, has received mixed attention in the literature. Research has shown there is an economic benefit of such policies thanks to lower costs for procurement auction buyers as incentives are offered to disadvantaged sellers. In this paper, we study one type of preferential procurement auction: the subsidy. Using a set of controlled experiments, we compare actual bidder behavior to what is predicted in equilibrium. We find that sellers suffer from overly aggressive bidding (but do learn over time). More importantly, we explore the behaviors that may explain any deviations from theory – focusing on best response bidding and what directional learning theory would predict based on prior round outcomes. We find evidence of myopic behaviors among bidders. One intriguing take-away is that cost-advantaged bidders may be more responsive to opponents’ bids. Due to the wide use of bid preference auctions to support both policy and social aims, our findings have both financial and societal implications.
The Place of Corticosteroids in Migraine Attack Management: a 65-year Systematic Review with Pooled Analysis and Critical Appraisal (S23.007)

OBJECTIVE: We aimed herein to determine the role of corticosteroids in the acute management of migraine in the ED (Emergency Department) and outpatient care. BACKGROUND: Headaches recur in up to 87[percnt] of migraine patients visiting the ED, making ED recidivism a management challenge. METHODS: Advanced search strategies employing PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases inclusive of relevant grey literature search was employed for Clinical Studies and Systematic Reviews by combining the terms ‘migraine’ and ‘corticosteroids’ spanning all previous years since the production of synthetic corticosteroids ca. 1950 until August 30, 2014. Methods were in accordance with MOOSE guidelines. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies (n=3989, median age 37.5 years, interquartile range or IQR 35 - 41 years; median male:female ratio 1:4.23, IQR 1:2.1 - 6.14; 52[percnt] ED-based, 56[percnt] randomized controlled) and four systematic reviews were included. International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria were applied in 64[percnt]. Nineteen studies (76[percnt]) indicated observed outcome differences favoring benefits of corticosteroids, while six (24[percnt]) studies indicated non-inferior outcomes for corticosteroids. Median absolute risk reduction was 30[percnt] (range 6 - 48.2[percnt]), and 11[percnt] (6 - 48.6[percnt]) for 24-, and 72-hour headache recurrence, respectively. Parenteral dexamethasone was the most commonly (56[percnt]) administered steroid, at a median single dose of 10 mg (range 4 - 24 mg). All meta-analyses revealed efficacy of adjuvant corticosteroids to various abortive medications - indicating generalizability. Adverse effects were tolerable. Higher disability, status migrainosus, incomplete pain relief, and previous history of headache recurrence predicted outcome favorability. CONCLUSIONS: Our literature review suggests that with corticosteroid treatment, recurrent headaches become milder than pretreated headaches and later respond to nonsteroidal therapy. Single-dose intravenous dexamethasone is a reasonable option for managing resistant, severe, or prolonged migraine attacks. Disclosure: Dr. Woldeamanuel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rapoport has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer Inc, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Nupathe, and MAP Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Cowan has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan, Inc., MAP Pharmaceuticals, Nautilus Neurosciences, and Nupathe.
Notch signaling in cancer: Complexity and challenges on the path to clinical translation

Notch receptors participate in a conserved pathway in which ligands expressed on neighboring cells trigger a series of proteolytic cleavages that allow the intracellular portion of the receptor to travel to the nucleus and form a short-lived transcription complex that turns on target gene expression. The directness and seeming simplicity of this signaling mechanism belies the complexity of the outcomes of Notch signaling in normal cells, which are highly context and dosage dependent. This complexity is reflected in the diverse roles of Notch in cancers of various types, in which Notch may be oncogenic or tumor suppressive and may have a wide spectrum of effects on tumor cells and stromal elements. This review provides an overview of the roles of Notch in cancer and discusses challenges to clinical translation of Notch targeting agents as well as approaches that may overcome these hurdles.
Biomarkers of Kidney Tubule Health, CKD Progression, and Acute Kidney Injury in SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) Participants.

Rationale & objective SPRINT compared the effect of intensive versus standard systolic blood pressure targets on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In this ancillary study, we evaluated the use of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to combine biomarkers of kidney tubule health in urine and plasma and then study their role in longitudinal eGFR change and risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Study design Observational cohort nested in a clinical trial. Setting & participants 2,351 SPRINT participants with eGFR Exposure(s) Levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin-18 (IL-18), chitinase-3-like protein (YKL-40), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), alpha-1 microglobulin (α1m) and beta-2 microglobulin (β2m), uromodulin (UMOD), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH). Outcome(s) Longitudinal changes in eGFR and risk of AKI. Analytical approach We performed EFA to capture different tubule pathophysiologic processes. We used linear mixed effects models to evaluate the association of each factor with longitudinal changes in eGFR. We evaluated the association of the tubular factors scores with AKI using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results From ten biomarkers, EFA generated four factors reflecting tubule injury/repair (NGAL, IL-18 and YKL-40), tubule injury/fibrosis (KIM-1 and MCP-1), tubule reabsorption (α1m and β2m), and tubule reserve/mineral metabolism (UMOD, FGF23, and PTH). Each SD higher tubule reserve/mineral metabolism factor scores were associated with a 0.58% (0.39%, 0.67%) faster eGFR decline independent of baseline eGFR and albuminuria. Both the tubule injury/repair (HR per SD higher 1.18 [1.10, 1.37]) and tubule injury/fibrosis factors (HR 1.23 [1.02, 1.48]) were independently associated with future risk of AKI. Limitations The factors require validation in other settings. Conclusions EFA allows parsimonious subgrouping of biomarkers into factors which are differentially associated with progressive eGFR decline and AKI. These subgroups may provide insights into the pathological processes driving adverse kidney outcomes.
The State of Corporate Disclosure on Well-being: A Review of Corporate Reporting Practices in the Food and Agriculture Sector in 2018

Our paper reviewed the state of corporate disclosure on well-being in 2018. To do so, we mapped the information and metrics disclosed by forty-eight agricultural companies by stakeholder impacted, Sustainable Development Goal fulfilled, and the seven categories of Stiglitz, Sen & Fitoussi’s definition of "quality of life". The current reporting framework appears to lack rigor and to leave many well-being issues uncovered. We observe that companies disclose mostly "effort-driven narratives" and metrics, informing about actions and strategies. Little information is provided on corporate impact on stakeholders’ well-being and no rigorous set of indicators emerges from the analysis. We identify critical disclosure gaps for the well-being of all stakeholder groups. Local communities’ disclosure, in particular, suffers from major limitations. First, the disclosure on corporate influence over national communities, through lobbying and tax payment (SDG16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) is weak in coverage and in depth. Second, corporate measures of local communities’ environmental protection (and therefore health) just emerged. Disclosure on employees’ well-being, on the other hand, benefits from a more robust disclosure, as most of the information lay in the human resources department. Few best-practices are presented in this paper, along with discussions on emerging metrics. We argue that corporate reporting would benefit from a more rigorous reporting framework assessing the various dimensions of well-being.
Development of a machine learning-based tool to evaluate correct Lewis acid–base model use in written responses to open-ended formative assessment items

Acid–base chemistry is a key reaction motif taught in postsecondary organic chemistry courses. More specifically, concepts from the Lewis acid–base model are broadly applicable to understanding mechanistic ideas such as electron density, nucleophilicity, and electrophilicity; thus, the Lewis model is fundamental to explaining an array of reaction mechanisms taught in organic chemistry. Herein, we report the development of a generalized predictive model using machine learning techniques to assess students’ written responses for the correct use of the Lewis acid–base model for a variety (N = 26) of open-ended formative assessment items. These items follow a general framework of prompts that ask: why a compound can act as (i) an acid, (ii) a base, or (iii) both an acid and a base (i.e., amphoteric)? Or, what is happening and why for aqueous proton-transfer reactions and reactions that can only be explained using the Lewis model. Our predictive scoring model was constructed from a large collection of responses (N = 8520) using a machine learning technique, i.e., support vector machine, and subsequently evaluated using a variety of validation procedures resulting in overall 84.5–88.9% accuracies. The predictive model underwent further scrutiny with a set of responses (N = 2162) from different prompts not used in model construction along with a new prompt type: non-aqueous proton-transfer reactions. Model validation with these data achieved 92.7% accuracy. Our results suggest that machine learning techniques can be used to construct generalized predictive models for the evaluation of acid–base reaction mechanisms and their properties. Links to open-access files are provided that allow instructors to conduct their own analyses on written, open-ended formative assessment items to evaluate correct Lewis model use.
Mitochondrial metabolism and carcinogenesis

Abstract Cancer cells exhibit a unique phenotype of efficiently altered metabolism that encompasses not only the bioenergetic demands of the cell, but also generation of precursors of biosynthetic molecules, along with the induction of homeostatic pathways that support uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation. Mitochondria, the cellular metabolic hubs, play a key role in cancer pathophysiology. We have only started to understand the complex metabolic interplay between the cancer cells and the microenvironment, especially involving the role of mitochondria and their underlying mechanisms that sustain cancer cell growth. In this chapter, we review the studies uncovering the role of mitochondria from the perspective of a normal cell undergoing changes resulting in uncontrolled growth and tumor formation.
HspB1 Overexpression Improves Lifespan and Stress Resistance in an Invertebrate Model.

To explore the role of the small heat shock protein beta 1 (HspB1, also known as Hsp25 in rodents and Hsp27 in humans) in longevity, we created a Caenorhabiditis elegans model with a high level of ubiquitous expression of the naked mole-rat HspB1 protein. The worms showed increased lifespan under multiple conditions and also increased resistance to heat stress. RNAi experiments suggest that HspB1-induced life extension is dependent on the transcription factors skn-1 (Nrf2) and hsf-1 (Hsf1). RNAseq from HspB1 worms showed an enrichment in several skn-1 target genes, including collagen proteins and lysosomal genes. Expression of HspB1 also improved functional outcomes regulated by SKN-1, specifically oxidative stress resistance and pharyngeal integrity. This work is the first to link a small heat shock protein with collagen function, suggesting a novel role for HspB1 as a hub between canonical heat response signaling and SKN-1 transcription.
Phenotype-Centric Modeling for Rational Metabolic Engineering

Phenotype-centric modeling enables a paradigm shift in the analysis of kinetic models. It brings the focus to a network9s biochemical phenotypes and their relationship with measurable traits (e.g., product yields, system dynamics, signal amplification factors, etc.) and away from computationally intensive parameter sampling and numerical simulation. Here, we explore applications of this new modeling strategy in the field of Rational Metabolic Engineering using the amorphadiene biosynthetic network as a case study. Our phenotype-centric approach not only identifies known beneficial intervention strategies for this network, but it also provides an understanding of the mechanistic context for the validity of these predictions. Additionally, we propose a set of hypothetical strains with the potential to outperform reported production strains and enhance the mechanistic understanding of the amorphadiene biosynthetic network. We believe that phenotype-centric modeling can advance the field of Rational Metabolic Engineering by enabling the development of next generation kinetics-based algorithms and methods that do not rely on a priori knowledge of kinetic parameters but allow a structured, global analysis of the design space of parameter values.
Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Patients with Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in the Setting of Left Ventricular Dysfunction: 1. The Role of Propafenone 2. The Role of Adjunct Beta-Blockade

The isolated occurrence of either congestive heart failure or ventricular tachycardia (VT) carries a poor prognosis. Frequently, congestive heart failure and complex ventricular arrhythmia coexist in patients (1–5). The combined occurrence of congestive heart failure and complex ventricular arrhythmia has a worse prognosis than either alone, with an annual reported mortality of between 50 and 60 percent (2). Previous attempts at extending survival in this group of patients has primarily focused on treatment of heart failure (1,2). Despite control of heart failure, mortality remained high as patients frequently succumbed to sudden death. However, previous investigators have not pursued aggressive arrhythmia management in this group of patients.
Culture Driven Values

In this book, I take the position that the basic culture does determine personality. Personality, by definition, dictates certain preferences. Regardless of their nature, these preferences, in many different types, provide order and direction to individual lives. Because of their preferences, individuals prioritize their options of buying and using products and services. In doing so, they emphasize or de-emphasize their efforts and establish and pursue certain lifestyles. By definition, when “like” individuals practice certain “like” behavior patterns and lifestyles, cultures emerge and become rather all encompassing. As a result, various cultures show varying values, and connected to this, varying behavior patterns. These varying behavior patterns indicate and reinforce culture-related consumer behavior, which must be the starting point for international marketers.
Wavelet decomposition and phase encoding of temporal signals using spiking neurons

Spike encoding is the initial yet crucial step for any application domain of Artificial Spiking Neural Networks (ASNN). However, current encoding methods are not suitable to process complex temporal signal. Motivated by the modulation relationship found between afferent synaptic currents in biological neurons, this study proposes a spike phase encoding method for ASNN, which could perform wavelet decomposition on the input signal, and encode the wavelet spectrum into synchronized output spike trains. The spike delays in each synchronizing period represent the spectrum amplitudes. The encoding method was tested in two implementation examples: (a) encoding of human voice records for speech recognition propose; and (b) encoding of multichannel electroencephalography (EEG) records with the aim to detect interictal spikes in patients with epilepsy. Empirical evaluations confirm that encoded spike trains constitute a good representation of the continuous wavelet transform of the original signal, with the ability to capture interesting features from the input signal.
Role for dopamine in the behavioral functions of the prefrontal corticostriatal system: implications for mental disorders and psychotropic drug action.

We have discussed the role of dopamine in modulating the interactions between cortical and striatal regions that are involved in behavioral regulation. The evidence reviewed seems to suggest that dopamine acts, overall, to promote stimulus-induced responding for conditioned or reward-related stimuli by integrative actions at multiple forebrain sites. It is thus not surprising that dopaminergic dysfunction has been implicated in a number of neuropsychiatric disorders that involve abnormal cognitive and affective function. Future studies aimed at pinpointing the precise anatomical sites of action and molecular mechanisms involved in dopaminergic transmission within the corticolimbic circuit are critical for trying to disentangle the cellular mechanisms by which dopamine exerts its actions. Moreover, the afferent control of dopamine neurons from brainstem and forebrain sites need to be fully explored in order to begin to understand what mechanisms are involved in regulating the dopaminergic response to stimuli with incentive value. Finally, the post-synaptic consequences of prolonged and supranormal dopaminergic activation need to be investigated in order to understand what persistent neuroadaptations result from chronic activation of this neuromodulatory system (e.g. in drug addiction). Answers to these sorts of questions will undoubtedly provide important insights into the nature of dopaminergic function in the animal and human brain.
Reflections on Water: New Approaches to Transboundary Conflict and Cooperation

Joachim Blatter and Helen Ingram, eds. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2001. xvi and 342 pp., diags., maps, and index. $26.95 paper (ISBN 0-262-52284-5). The indispensable and complex nature of water mak...
Peak tornado activity is occurring earlier in the heart of “Tornado Alley”

Tornado frequency may increase as the factors that contribute to severe convection are altered by a changing climate. Attributing changes in tornado frequency to observed global climate change is complicated because observational effort has increased over time, but studies of the seasonal distribution of tornado activity may avoid sampling biases. We demonstrate that peak tornado activity has shifted 7 days earlier in the year over the past six decades in the central and southern US Great Plains, the area with the highest global incidence of tornado activity. Results are largely unrelated to large-scale climate oscillations, and observed climate trends cannot fully account for observations, which suggest that changes to regional climate dynamics should be further investigated. Tornado preparedness efforts at individual to national levels should be cognizant of the trend toward earlier peak tornado activity across the heart of “Tornado Alley”.
Workflow and problem domain as information planning tools in a pediatric clinic--defining present and future information technology needs.

In 2002, $22.4 billion were spent on hospital construction in the United States. With lifetimes for new buildings expected to be decades, planning a building's information technology infrastructure must take into account present and future needs. Workflow measurement and the definition of problem domain have been advanced as essential tools in addressing current requirements while anticipating future needs. To examine these, stakeholders must be identified—including both those who will use the facility and those who will be involved in the IT planning and long term support.
Rectification of nanopores in aprotic solvents – transport properties of nanopores with surface dipoles

Nanopores have become a model system to understand transport properties at the nanoscale. We report experiments and modeling of ionic current in aprotic solvents with different dipole moments through conically shaped nanopores in a polycarbonate film and through glass nanopipettes. We focus on solutions of the salt LiClO4, which is of great importance in modeling lithium based batteries. Results presented suggest ion current rectification observed results from two effects: (i) adsorption of Li+ ions to the pore walls, and (ii) a finite dipole moment rendered by adsorbed solvent molecules. Properties of surfaces in various solvents were probed by means of scanning ion conductance microscopy, which confirmed existence of an effectively positive surface potential in aprotic solvents with high dipole moments.
A Measure of Robustness to Misspecification

Abstract Researchers often report estimates and standard errors for the object of interest (such as a treatment effect) based on a single specification of a statistical model. We propose a systemat...
Effects of phonation time and magnitude dose on vocal fold epithelial genes, barrier integrity, and function

Objectives/Hypothesis To investigate the effects of increasing time and magnitude doses of vibration exposure on transcription of the vocal fold's junctional proteins, structural alterations, and functional tissue outcomes. Study Design Animal study. Methods 100 New Zealand White breeder rabbits were studied. Dependent variables were measured in response to increasing time doses (30, 60, or 120 minutes) and magnitude doses (control, modal intensity, and raised intensity) of vibration exposure. Messenger RNA expression of occludin, zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), E-cadherin, β-catenin, interleukin 1β, cyclooxygenase-2, transforming growth factor β-1, and fibronectin were measured. Tissue structural alterations were assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Transepithelial resistance was used to measure functional tissue outcomes. Results Occludin gene expression was downregulated in vocal folds exposed to 120-minute time doses of raised-intensity phonation, relative to control, and modal-intensity phonation. ZO-1 gene expression was upregulated following a 120-minute time dose of modal-intensity phonation, compared to control, and downregulated after a 120-minute time dose of raised-intensity phonation, compared to modal-intensity phonation. E-cadherin gene expression was downregulated after a 120-minute time dose of raised-intensity phonation, compared to control and modal-intensity phonation. TEM revealed extensive desquamation of the stratified squamous epithelial cells with increasing time and magnitude doses of vibration exposure. A general observation of lower transepithelial resistance measures was made in tissues exposed to raised-intensity phonation compared to all other groups. Conclusions This study provides evidence of vocal fold tissue responses to varying time and magnitude doses of vibration exposure. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 124:2770–2778, 2014
Approximations of thermoelastic and viscoelastic control systems

Well-posed models and computational algorithms are developed and analyzed for control of a class of partial differential equations that describe the motions of thermo-viscoelastic structures. An abstract (state space) framework and a general well-posedness result are presented that can be applied to a large class of thermo-elastic and thermo-viscoelastic models. This state space framework is used in the development of a computational scheme to be used in the solution of a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control problem. A detailed convergence proof is provided for the viscoelastic model and several numerical results are presented to illustrate the theory and to analyze problems for which the theory is incomplete.
Pneumoperitoneum in the ventilated neonate: Respiratory or gastrointestinal origin?

IN THE VENTILATED NEONATE, a pneumoperitoneum can be caused by gas leaking from a perforation in the gastrointestinal tract or by air dissecting from the respiratory tree. Gastrointestinal leaks require prompt surgical intervention to control bacterial contamination; extraalveolar air dissecting into the peritoneal cavity requires observation and, occasionally, aspiration to relieve intraabdominal pressure. Various radiographic signs have been described to differentiate these two groups of infants?-:' Despite an awareness of this previous work, a diagnostic error occurred. This prompted a review of the clinical and roentgenographic findings that might prove useful in differentiating a pneumoperitoneum of gastrointestinal origin from one of respiratory origin.