cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rationality, the Public Sphere, and the State: The relevance of Alberto Guerreiro Ramos in a Field That Has Largely Forgotten Him

The work of Alberto Guerreiro Ramos has tremendous importance to the field of public administration. We present a brief overview of two of his most significant contributions: his critique of instrumental rationality in public affairs theorizing and his discussion of a "mul tidimensional" model of the public sphere. We argue that, although Guerreiro Ramos urges us to rethink some of the basic theoretical assumptions of public administration and public policy, many of his ideas are conceptually underdeveloped. We use the writings of other prominent thinkers to highlight the limitations of Guerreiro Ramos's argument and to pave the way for a substantive theory of human organization that is relevant to today's world.
Therapeutic Hypothermia and Stent Thrombosis: A Nationwide Analysis.

Abstract Objectives This study sought to determine whether “real-world” data supported the hypothesis that therapeutic hypothermia (TH) led to increased rates of stent thrombosis. Background TH, which is often instituted after cardiac arrest (CA) to improve neurologic outcomes, alters pharmacokinetics of antiplatelet medications, leading to a theoretical risk of stent thrombosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods CA patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing PCI were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2006 to 2011, with a defined primary outcome of stent thrombosis. The incidence of stent thrombosis in patients undergoing TH versus those not undergoing TH was compared using both logistic regression and propensity score matching. Results In this dataset, 49,109 CA patients underwent PCI for acute myocardial infarction from 2006 to 2011, of whom 1,193 (2.4%) underwent TH. The incidence of stent thrombosis in the TH group was 3.9% (43 of 1,193), compared to 4.7% (2,271 of 47,916) in the no TH group (p = 0.61). Logistic regression showed that TH was not a significant predictor of stent thrombosis with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.28 to 1.76; p = 0.46). Propensity matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences between the TH and no TH groups, matching 1,155 patients in the TH group with 3,399 patients in the no TH group. No difference was observed in the incidence of stent thrombosis in the TH and the no TH groups after propensity matching (3.5% vs. 6.1%; p = 0.17). Conclusions TH does not increase the incidence of stent thrombosis after primary PCI in patients with acute myocardial infarction presenting as CA.
Prochemerin Is a New Substrate for Thrombin.

Abstract Abstract 3591 Poster Board III-528 Introduction Prochemerin is a 163 amino acid precursor protein with a C-terminal domain highly susceptible to proteolysis. Its chemotactic activity is unmasked upon C-terminal cleavage by proteases of the coagulation, fibrinolytic and inflammatory systems. Here, we studied whether thrombin is able to cleave prochemerin to generate active forms of chemerin. Methods The 15mer peptide prochemerin C-terminal sequence (YFPGQFAFSKALPRS) or prochemerin was incubated with thrombin at different concentrations and times. The reactions were stopped by addition of PPACK before determining their chemotactic activity in a transwell assay using CMKLR1-transfected cells and their mass by mass-spectrometry. Results Thrombin (0-100 nM) dose-dependently cleaved 15mer to 14mer (YFPGQFAFSKALPR). Over a longer reaction time, the 10mer (YFPGQFAFSK) was also detected. The 15mer was almost inert in the chemotaxis assay but thrombin-cleaved 15mer caused migration of CMKLR1 transfectants. The 14mer and 10mer at 1 μM induced CMKLR1 cell migration at a rate of 3200 and 2800 cells/ml, but 1 μM 15mer did not induce any chemotaxis. Thrombin can also cleave the 14mer to a 10mer as determined by mass spectrometry. Using selected thrombin mutants for the Na+ binding site (E229K) and the active site YPPW-insertion loop (W50A), we found that thrombin hydrolysis of the 15mer was dependent on the Na+ bound “fast” form of thrombin and active site topology. The 10mer could be further activated by carboxypeptidase N (CPN) by removing the C-terminal lysine, whereas the C-terminal arginine of 14mer could not be cleaved by CPN, which did not affect its activity. Full-length prochemerin was also activated by thrombin (100nM) and the chemotactic activity further increased by CPN (50nM) about 6 fold. Conclusions Prochemerin is a new substrate for thrombin. Thrombin-cleaved chemerins are active chemoattractants in chemotaxis. This extends the molecular link between blood coagulation and CMKLR1-mediated immune responses. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Efficient Fusion at Neutral pH by Human Immunodeficiency Virus gp41 Trimers Containing the Fusion Peptide and Transmembrane Domains.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is membrane-enveloped, and an initial infection step is joining/fusion of viral and cell membranes. This step is catalyzed by gp41, which is a single-pass integral viral membrane protein. The protein contains an ∼170-residue ectodomain located outside the virus that is important for fusion and includes the fusion peptide (FP), N-helix, loop, C-helix, and viral membrane-proximal external region (MPER). The virion initially has noncovalent complexes between three gp41 ectodomains and three gp120 proteins. A gp120 contains ∼500 residues and functions to identify target T-cells and macrophages via binding to specific protein receptors of the target cell membrane. gp120 moves away from the gp41 ectodomain, and the ectodomain is thought to bind to the target cell membrane and mediate membrane fusion. The secondary and tertiary structures of the ectodomain are different in the initial complex with gp120 and the final state without gp120. There is not yet imaging of gp41 during ...
Concentrations and content of mercury in bark, wood, and leaves in hardwoods and conifers in four forested sites in the northeastern USA

Mercury (Hg) is deposited from the atmosphere to remote areas such as forests, but the amount of Hg in trees is not well known. To determine the importance of Hg in trees, we analyzed foliage, bark and bole wood of eight tree species at four sites in the northeastern USA (Huntington Forest, NY; Sleepers River, VT; Hubbard Brook, NH; Bear Brook, ME). Foliar concentrations of Hg averaged 16.3 ng g-1 among the hardwood species, which was significantly lower than values in conifers, which averaged 28.6 ng g-1 (p < 0.001). Similarly, bark concentrations of Hg were lower (p < 0.001) in hardwoods (7.7 ng g-1) than conifers (22.5 ng g-1). For wood, concentrations of Hg were higher in yellow birch (2.1-2.8 ng g-1) and white pine (2.3 ng g-1) than in the other species, which averaged 1.4 ng g-1 (p < 0.0001). Sites differed significantly in Hg concentrations of foliage and bark (p = 0.02), which are directly exposed to the atmosphere, but the concentration of Hg in wood depended more on species (p < 0.001) than site (p = 0.60). The Hg contents of tree tissues in hardwood stands, estimated from modeled biomass and measured concentrations at each site, were higher in bark (mean of 0.10 g ha-1) and wood (0.16 g ha-1) than in foliage (0.06 g ha-1). In conifer stands, because foliar concentrations were higher, the foliar pool tended to be more important. Quantifying Hg in tree tissues is essential to understanding the pools and fluxes of Hg in forest ecosystems.
Amino Acid Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is the decrease in skeletal muscle mass and muscular function that occurs with aging. The underlying mechanisms of sarcopenia include anabolic resistance, which is defined as a poor muscle protein synthetic response to previously effective stimuli such as nutrients and exercise. Among the nutrients that humans ingest, amino acids directly trigger the synthesis of muscle proteins. The essential amino acid leucine, in particular, functions as a stimulatory signal. Leucine-enriched essential amino acids help overcome anabolic resistance in elderly individuals to effectively stimulate muscle protein synthesis. Long-term intake of leucine-enriched essential amino acids has a synergistic effect with exercise to increase skeletal muscle mass, strength, and walking speed in elderly individuals, and can be an effective countermeasure to sarcopenia.
John O. Haley, Law’s Political Foundations:: Rivers, Rifles, Rice, and Religion

John Owen Haley’s Law’s Political Foundations represents the culmination of a lifetime of research and thinking on comparative law and legal history, and it is a breathtaking product. The book constructs a theoretical framework of how and why societies develop certain kinds of legal regimes—what Haley calls “public law,” “private law,” and “private ordering”—and then illustrates its central mechanisms through four historical examples. Haley moves effortlessly between sweeping theoretical discussion and detailed empirical narrative, showing a masterful command of multiple academic disciplines and literatures. For the past several decades, comparative legal history has—with only a few exceptions—struggled to identify usable analytical paradigms that...
Four millimeter spherical rotors spinning at 28 kHz with double-saddle coils for cross polarization NMR.

Abstract Spherical rotors in magic angle spinning (MAS) experiments have significant advantages over traditional cylindrical rotors including simplified spinning implementation, easy sample exchange, more efficient microwave coupling for dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), and feasibility of downscaling to access higher spinning frequencies. Here, we implement spherical rotors with 4 mm outside diameter (o.d.) and demonstrate spinning >28 kHz using a single aperture for spinning gas. We show a modified stator geometry to improve fiber optic detection, increase NMR filling factor, and improve alignment for sample exchange and microwave irradiation. Higher NMR Rabi frequencies were obtained using smaller radiofrequency (RF) coils on small-diameter spherical rotors, compared to our previous implementation of MAS spheres with an o.d. of 9.5 mm. We report nutation fields of 110 kHz on 13C with 820 W of input power and 100 kHz on 1H with 800 W of input power. Proton decoupling fields of 78 kHz were applied over 20 ms of signal acquisition without any sign of arcing. Compared to our initial demonstration of a split coil for 9.5 mm spheres, this current implementation of a double-saddle coil inductor for 4 mm spheres not only intensifies the RF fields, but also improves RF homogeneity. We achieve an 810°/90° nutation intensity ratio of 0.84 at 300.197 MHz (1H). We also show electromagnetic simulations predicting a nearly 3-fold improvement in electron Rabi frequency of 0.99 MHz (with 4 mm spheres) compared to 0.38 MHz (with 3.2 mm cylinders), with 5 W of incident microwave power. Further improvements in magnetic resonance spin control are expected as RF inductors and microwave coupling are optimized for spherical rotors and scaled down to the micron scale.
Computed tomography performance in predicting extranodal extension in HPV-positive oropharynx cancer.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the performance characteristics of seven predetermined imaging features on pretreatment computed tomography (CT) in identifying extranodal extension (ENE) in cervical lymph node metastases from human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal carcinoma (HPV-OPC). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study. METHODS Seventy-three patients with HPV-OPC who underwent primary surgery and cervical lymph node dissection were included. Preoperative contrast-enhanced CT (cCT) imaging was evaluated by two radiologists blinded to pathological results. Each cCT was scored for seven imaging features of interest: 1) indistinct capsular contours, 2) irregular nodal margins, 3) perinodal fat stranding, 4) perinodal fat planes, 5) nodal necrosis, 6) intranodal cysts, and 7) nodal matting. Logistic regression was employed to determine radiologist-specific odds ratios (OR) of predicting ENE for each imaging feature and radiologist-specific receiver operating characteristics (sensitivity [Sn], specificity [Sp], area under the curve [AUC], positive predictive value [PPV], negative predictive value [NPV]) for each imaging feature. RESULTS Thirty-two (44%) patients had ENE-positive lymph nodes. The presence of irregular margins (ORA = 12.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]A = 2.3-65.9; ORB = 7.0, 95% CIB = 1.4-36.3) and absence of perinodal fat plane (ORA = 6.8, 95% CIA = 2.0-23.3; ORB = 14.2, 95% CIB = 1.7-120.5) were significantly associated with ENE for each radiologist. Irregular nodal margin status was most specific for ENE (SnA = 45%, SpA = 94%, AUCA = 69%, PPVA = 82%, NPVA = 73%; SnB = 28%, SpB = 95%, AUCB = 61%, PPVB = 80%, NPVB = 64%). Absence of perinodal fat plane was most sensitive for ENE (SnA = 87%, SpA = 50%, AUCA = 69%, PPVA = 59%, NPVA = 62%; SnB = 96%, SpB = 34%, AUCB = 65%, PPVB = 53%, NPVB = 63%). CONCLUSIONS Of the seven imaging features hypothesized to be associated with ENE-status, the presence of irregular nodal margins and absence of perinodal fat plane were the most specific and sensitive features, respectively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 130:1479-1486, 2020.
Automatic Visual Recommendation for Data Science and Analytics

Data visualization is used to extract insight from large datasets. Data scientists repeatedly keep generating different visualizations from the datasets for their hypothesis. Analyzing datasets which has many attributes could be a cumbersome process and lead to errors. The goal of this research paper is to automatically recommend interesting visualization patterns using optimized datasets from different databases. It reduces the time spent on low utility visualizations and displays recommended patterns.
Trends in Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in the United States, 2015-2018.

This secondary analysis of National Survey on Drug Use and Health data examines recent national trends in cannabis use among older adults in the United States to determine whether cannabis use has continued to increase and to examine trends in use among subgroups of older adults.
COMPLICATIONS OF CARDIAC IMPLANTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE INTERVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES

There are limited data on management of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). These patients may be at elevated risk of complications after undergoing CIED procedures. In order to better understand these risks, we set out to describe
Who Gets the Ventilator? Disability Discrimination in COVID-19 Medical-Rationing Protocols

Originally published by The Yale Law Journal Company, Incorporated in the Yale Law Journal Forum, Vol. 130, pp. 1-25 (2020/2021).
Retrospective quality metrics review of stereotactic radiosurgery plans treating multiple targets using single-isocenter volumetric modulated arc therapy

Purpose To characterize key plan quality metrics in multi-target stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) plans treated using single-isocenter volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in comparison to dynamic conformal arc (DCA) plans treating single target. To investigate the feasibility of quality improvement in VMAT planning based on previous planning knowledge. Materials and methods 97 VMAT plans of multi-target and 156 DCA plans of single-target treated in 2017 at a single institution were reviewed. A total of 605 targets were treated with these SRS plans. The prescription dose was normalized to 20 Gy in all plans for this analysis. Two plan quality metrics, target conformity index (CI) and normal tissue volume receiving more than 12 Gy (V12Gy), were calculated for each target. The distribution of V12Gy per target was plotted as a function of the target volume. For multi-target VMAT plans, the number of targets being treated in the same plan and the distance between targets were calculated to evaluate their impact on V12Gy. VMAT plans that had a large deviation of V12Gy from the average level were re-optimized to determine the possibility of reducing the variation of V12Gy in VMAT planning. Results Conformity index of multi-target VMAT plans were lower than that of DCA plans while the mean values of 12 Gy were comparable. The V12Gy for a target in VMAT plan did not show apparent dependence on the total number of targets or the distance between targets. The distribution of V12Gy exhibited a larger variation in VMAT plans compared to DCA plans. Re-optimization of outlier plans reduced V12 Gy by 33.9% and resulted in the V12Gy distribution in VMAT plans more closely resembling that of DCA plans. Conclusion The benchmark data on key plan quality metrics were established for single-isocenter multi-target SRS planning. It is feasible to use this knowledge to guide VMAT planning and reduce high V12Gy outliers.
Energy Partitioning Following Tensile Failure in Three-Point Loading Tests of Nugget Sandstone Specimens

Beam theory is a proxy for the behavior of intact, deforming roof strata above underground openings. Strong, stiff, intact strata have the ability to store significant strain energy when underground openings have large spans, as is typical of longwall operations. When strata fail, they may release some or all of this strain energy. Released energy is partitioned between fracture, thermal, and seismic energy. The tensile failure surface in simply supported beams is predicted to be free of shear stress. This prediction and the kinematic inability of crack slip during fracture make significant dissipation of energy by friction unlikely. In this study, the failure energy partitioning of Nugget Sandstone specimens is examined. Tensile fractures in specimens were induced using three-point loading tests. Elastic waves emanating from fracture events were recorded using an array of accelerometers. Accelerometers were placed within two crack lengths of the fracture surface, and the acceleration records are similar to strong motion seismic records. Spectral analysis was performed and used to develop synthetic, well-behaved, acceleration signals. Synthetic velocity signals were used to estimate radiated seismic energy generated by fracture. These estimates of radiated seismic energy demonstrate a potential means to constrain the minimum seismic partition. Fracture testing was performed on additional samples to estimate the fracture toughness of the sandstone. Synthesis of this data demonstrate a potential means to constrain a maximum seismic partition. Bounding the seismic partition for this type of fracture event could aid the detection and evaluation of seismicity emanating from longwall operations. Having better information about the location and magnitude of mining-induced seismicity within longwall overburdens could lead to better understanding of extraction sequencing and rock behavior in general. These energy estimates also support the hypothesis that dissipation of thermal energy by friction is small in bending tensile failure.
Advanced simulation tools in the OASYS suite and their applications to the APS-U optical design

Since 2013, OASYS (OrAnge SYnchrotron Suite) has been developed as a versatile, user-friendly and open-source graphical environment for modeling x-ray sources, optical systems, and experiments. Its concept stems from the need of modern software tools to satisfy the demand of performing more and more complex analysis and design of optical systems for 4th generation synchrotron radiation and FEL facilities. The ultimate purpose of OASYS is to integrate in a synergetic way the most powerful calculation engines available to perform virtual experiments in a synchrotron beamline. For x-ray Optics, OASYS integrates different simulation strategies via the implementation of adequate simulation tools (e.g., ray tracing and wave optics packages), which communicate by sending and receiving encapsulated data. The OASYS suite has been extensively used in the optical design process for the APS-U project, and several new tools have been created to perform advanced calculations needed by the design of feature beamlines and to provide accurate specifications for the procurement of the optics.
In situ observations of jetting in the divergent rebound regime for high-velocity metallic microparticle impact

Metallic bonding of certain materials can be achieved via high-velocity impact, and this type of bonding is often linked to an intense extrusion of material from the impact site, known as jetting. We present in situ observations of hydrodynamic jetting and ejection of matter from high-velocity metallic microparticle impacts that still result in rebound of the particle. While the occurrence of jetting has been linked to permanent particle deposition in prior studies, the present findings reveal that any bonds that may form upon jetting can be rebroken by particle rebound in some circumstances. We further present asymmetric occurrences of jetting associated with localized delays in particle detachment followed by rotation during particle rebound, which may speak to transient bond formation at the jetting sites.
Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions about Ethical Practices in Student Evaluation

In this study, 264 pre-service teachers responded to a survey by marking whether they perceived example evaluation scenarios to have ethical or unethical actions by an educator. Results indicate that pre-service teachers had high agreement in 53% of the scenarios, and were in high disagreement regarding 17% of the scenarios. Chi-square analysis comparing elementary and middle/secondary pre-service teachers found significantly different responses in 17% of the scenarios. In each of these cases, elementary pre-service teachers had a higher percentage of participants deeming a scenario as ethical than those in the middle/secondary group. Discussion includes the need for teacher preparation programs to explicitly address ethical conduct with pre-service teachers, including ongoing discussion and reflection throughout the program.
Muscles of Mastication and the Temporomandibular Joint

The muscles of mastication cause movements of the mandible and the temporomandibular joint performing the function of chewing. The anatomy and function of the masseter, temporalis, medial pterygoid, and lateral pterygoid muscles are outlined. The temporomandibular joint is the articulation of the temporal bone with the head of the condyle of the mandible. The joint is enclosed in a capsule and contains a dense fibrous articular disc.
Effects of Last Dosing Time on Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Tacrolimus Performed using Extracted Data from Electronic Health Records

Abstract A population pharmacokinetic (PK) study with 363 subjects was performed using real-world data extracted from electronic heath records (EHRs) to estimate the tacrolimus population PK profile. As population PK studies for oral medications performed using EHR data often assume a regular dosing schedule as prescribed without incorporating exact dosing time, we assessed the sensitivity of the PK parameter estimates to assumptions about dose timing using last-dose times extracted by our own natural language processing system, medExtractR. We also investigated the sensitivity of estimations to absorption rate constants that are often fixed at a published value in tacrolimus population PK analysis. There was no appreciable difference in parameters estimates with vs. without last-dose time incorporated in the data and our sensitivity analysis revealed little difference between parameters estimated assuming a range of absorption rate constants. We also conducted simulation studies to investigate how drug PK profiles and experimental designs such as concentration measurements affects sensitivity to incorrect assumptions about dose timing and absorption rates. Our findings suggest that drugs with a slower elimination rate (or a longer half-life) are less sensitive to dose timing errors and that experimental designs which only allow for trough blood concentrations are usually insensitive to deviation in absorption rate.
Institutional Perspectives on the EU’s Strategic Partnerships: Where Is the Focus and Authority?

While EU strategic partnerships have gained prominence as an essential EU foreign policy tool, their meaning has remained largely vague and unspecified. This is related to a lack of institutional ownership in the EU foreign policy system. This chapter considers how the activity of key institutional actors such as the European External Action Service, the High Representative and the European Commission have shaped the meaning and role of EU strategic partnerships. This institution-centric perspective provides the background for the rest of the edited volume in that it scrutinizes the policy-setting and institutional framework of strategic partnerships. Its analysis is focused on the period after the 2009 Lisbon Treaty, as this was meant to enhance the EU’s capacity to act as a strategic and coherent foreign policy actor. The chapter focuses on institutional roles in shaping strategic partnership goals, the development of frameworks, as well as the influence of institutional complexity on their management. It ultimately argues that there is little institutional leadership on the strategic partnerships, as the presence of bureaucratic politics facilitated by the complex institutional set-up in Brussels has hindered a consideration of these in the context of the EU’s wider foreign policy.
Is Ice Nucleation by Organic Crystals Nonclassical? An Assessment of the Monolayer Hypothesis of Ice Nucleation.

Potent ice nucleating organic crystals display an increase in nucleation efficiency with pressure and memory effect after pressurization that set them apart from inorganic nucleants. These characte...
On the Bayesian Rational Assumption in Information Design

We study the problem of information design in human-in-the-loop systems, where the sender (the system) aims to design an information disclosure policy to influence the receiver (the user) in making decisions. This problem is ubiquitous in systems with humans in the loop, e.g., recommendation systems might choose whether to present others' reviews to encourage users to follow recommendations, online retailers might choose which set of product features to present to persuade buyers to make the purchase. Among the flourish literature on information design, Bayesian persuasion has been one of the most prominent efforts in formalizing this problem and has spurred various research studies in both economics and computer science. While there has been significant progress in characterizing the optimal information disclosure policies and the corresponding computational complexity, one common assumption in this line of research is that the receiver is Bayesian rational, i.e., the receiver processes the information in a Bayesian manner and takes actions to maximize her expected utility. However, as empirically observed in the literature, this assumption might not be true in real-world scenarios. In this work, we relax this common Bayesian rational assumption in information design in the persuasion setting. In particular, we develop an alternative framework for information design based on discrete choice model and probability weighting to account for this relaxation. Moreover, we conduct online behavioral experiments on Amazon Mechanical Turk and demonstrate that our framework better explains real-world user behavior and leads to more effective information design policy.
Identification of a gene cluster associated with triclosan catabolism

Aerobic degradation of bis-aryl ethers like the antimicrobial triclosan typically proceeds through oxygenase-dependent catabolic pathways. Although several studies have reported on bacteria capable of degrading triclosan aerobically, there are no reports describing the genes responsible for this process. In this study, a gene encoding the large subunit of a putative triclosan oxygenase, designated tcsA was identified in a triclosan-degrading fosmid clone from a DNA library of Sphingomonas sp. RD1. Consistent with tcsA's similarity to two-part dioxygenases, a putative FMN-dependent ferredoxin reductase, designated tcsB was found immediately downstream of tcsA. Both tcsAB were found in the midst of a putative chlorocatechol degradation operon. We show that RD1 produces hydroxytriclosan and chlorocatechols during triclosan degradation and that tcsA is induced by triclosan. This is the first study to report on the genetics of triclosan degradation.
Pilot study of reliability and validity of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI-II) in children and adolescents with spinal cord injury.

Objective: The objective of this study was twofold: 1) to evaluate the reliability of the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI-II) and Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) indoor mobility item (#12) when used with children with spinal cord injury (SCI) and 2) to examine the concurrent validity between the WISCI-II and the SCIM indoor mobility item in children with SCI. Methods: A convenience sample of 10 children with SCI between 4-16 years of age was recruited to complete 2 videotaped trials of ambulation for 10 meters. Six licensed physical therapists trained in the use of the WISCI-II and SCIM served as raters; each rater independently scored the WISCI-II and SCIM indoor mobility item for each of the subjects' two trials by reviewing the videotape. The viewing and scoring of Trial 1 and Trial 2 were separated by at least 3 weeks. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was calculated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Concurrent validity was evaluated using the Spearman Correlation Coefficient (rs). Results: Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of repeated WISCI-II scores was high (ICC = 0.98, CI = 0.95-0.99; ICC = 0.97, CI = 0.96-0.99, respectively). Intra- and inter-rater reliability for the SCIM mobility score was equally high (ICC = 0.96, CI = 0.95-0.98, ICC = 0.97, CI = 0.95-0.98). There was strong correlation between WISCI-II scores and the SCIM indoor mobility item (rs = 0.99). Conclusion: In this sample of 10 children and six trained raters, intra- and inter-rater reliability of WISCI-IIscores and the SCIM mobility indoors scores was high, providing preliminary indication for their utility with children. The high correlation between the WISCI-II and SCIM mobility item further supports concurrent validity.
Interannual to decadal climate and streamflow variability estimated from tree rings

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses selected tree-ring research in the continental United States, with a particular focus on hydroclimatic variability, environmental and human impacts, and recent developments with new multicentury tree-ring chronologies in the eastern and western United States. The tree-ring community is actively pursuing the development of long, climate-sensitive tree-ring chronologies in the United States, including novel species and habitat types. The emerging continent-wide network of moisture-sensitive tree-ring chronologies will be exceptionally valuable for documenting the geographical impact and recurrence of great drought extremes. The hemispheric footprint of these decadal moisture regimes may also be used to constrain the concurrent large-scale ocean-atmospheric circulation. The dendroclimatic community focuses primarily on expanding the geographic scope and time depth of this outstanding network. To maximize the social and scientific value of this unparalleled array of natural environmental proxies, procedures and secure funding need to be instituted for the timely updating of selected high-quality chronologies across North America to monitor climatic variability and change as they occur.
Other People's Stories: Entitlement Claims and the Critique of Empathy

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Amy Shuman Year: 2005 Pages: 190 Publisher: University of Illinois Press ISBN: 0-252-02963 Prices: $35.00 US
Photoprotection by Dipicolinate Against Inactivation of Bacterial Spores with Ultraviolet Light

The resistance of three types of Bacillus cereus T spores to ultraviolet radiation corresponded to their dipicolinic acid (DPA) content. Photoprotection against ultraviolet light was observed in DPA-containing spores and in DPA-less spores irradiated through calcium dipicolinate.
Basement membrane and extracellular matrix molecules in the skin

Publisher Summary The dermal-epidermal basement membrane zone (BMZ) lies at the interface between the epithelium and underlying mesenchymal tissue. It is a highly organized structure with both similarities and differences compared to BMZs present in other tissues. In the skin, the BMZ serves many functions. Its architectural role includes providing stable dermal-epidermal cohesion and mechanical integrity of the skin. It also regulates and serves as a source of ligands/signaling molecules that bind to cellular receptors such as integrins, to influence cellular proliferation, migration, and differentiation. The BMZ of the skin is composed mainly of collagen and laminin networks, connected by proteoglycans/glycosaminoglycans, all of which can undergo degradation/activation by metalloproteinases. This chapter provides an overview on the wide variety of molecules found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the skin, with particular focus on the BMZ. The role of each molecule in normal as well as disease and developmental processes in the skin is explored in the chapter.
Multiple cores of Gleason score 6 correlate with favourable findings at radical prostatectomy.

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Previous studies have reported variable outcomes at radical prostatectomy (RP) with Gleason score 6 (GS6) on biopsy. It has been shown that a significant proportion of patients with GS6 disease at biopsy are upgraded to Gleason score 7 or higher after RP, increasing the risk of an adverse outcome. However, such studies have focused on clinical parameters such as PSA, prostate volume and biopsy cancer volume, in concert with GS6, to predict clinically significant upgrading. The present study is the first to use a significant number of patients with the aim of specifically analyzing the outcome at RP (i.e. percentage organ-confined, margin status, overall grade and biochemical recurrence) and making a direct correlation with the number of positive cores to show that the overall prognosis is favourable. Objective To establish whether the good prognosis of Gleason score 6 (GS6) is maintained in the setting of multiple involved cores. Patients and Methods In total, 6156 men (from 1 April 2000 to 30 April 2007) with GS6 on biopsy underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) at our institution. The number of positive cores was correlated with the outcome at RP. Results More positive cores correlated with less organ-confined disease (P < 0.001), positive margins (P < 0.012), increasing RP grade (P < 0.001) and increased seminal vesicles/lymph node involvement (P = 0.012). For men with data available, the actuarial risk of being biochemically free of disease at 5 years was 93.2% when ≤6 cores were positive (812 men followed to 5 years) vs 89.1% if >6 cores were positive (41 men followed to 2 years) (P = 0.6). Although the predicted ‘cure rate’ of >75% probability of a tumour showing no evidence of biochemical recurrence at 10 years after RP was statistically different between cases with ≤6 vs >6 positive cores (P < 0.0001), the outcome in both groups was still favourable (90.5% vs 84%). Partin-like tables were generated factoring in the number of positive cores to predict organ-confined disease as a guide for urologists to perform nerve-sparing surgery. For example, with T1c disease, there was a ≥75% probability of organ-confined disease with one to three positive cores regardless of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and the same probability was present with four to six positive cores and a PSA level of 0–4 ng/mL. Conclusion A low Gleason score on biopsy is a powerful prognostic finding, such that this favourable outcome is maintained even in the setting of multiple positive cores with GS6.
Scheduling and task allocation for parallel digital signal processing architectures

The authors present models and techniques for the task and I/O allocation and scheduling problem, subject to task precedence, memory requirements, and interprocessor communication costs. The models take into account the special characteristics of new architectures and can handle both sequential and parallel I/O and program execution within a processor. Both linear and nonlinear memory requirements can be modeled. By distinguishing between tasks that require all the output data from a predecessor before they begin execution and tasks that require only partial data, the models are more realistic and the accuracy and efficiency of the schedules is further improved. A simple branch-and-bound technique is presented, and it is applied to the solution of the task allocation problem. An example from the scheduling of a measurement application that includes filtering and FFT operations is also presented. >
The Versajet water dissector: a new tool for tangential excision.

Goulian and Watson knives work well for tangential burn excision on large flat areas. They do not work well in small areas and in areas with a three-dimensional structure. The Versa-jet Hydrosurgery System (Smith and Nephew, Key Largo, FL) is a new wateriet-powered surgical tool designed for wound excision. The small size of the cutting nozzle and the ability to easily maneuver the water dissector into small spaces makes it a potentially useful tool for excision of burns of the eyelids, digits and web spaces. The Versajet Hydrosurgery System contains a power console that propels saline through a handheld cutting device. This stream of pressurized saline functions as a knife. We have used the Versajet for burn excision in 44 patients. Although there is a learning curve for both surgeons using and operating room staff setting up the device, the Versajet provides a relatively facile method for excision of challenging aesthetic and functional areas.
The state of secondary access services: Social sciences

Secondary access services available to American social scientists include bibliographies for the academic disciplines and a large variety of specialized services for subdisciplines and interdisciplinary fields. Nearly all originated during three decades of intensive development between 1950 and 1980. Coverage of journal literature is more extensive than coverage of monographs and data sources. Clearer differentiation among services in overlapping fields is needed. The transition from paper-based to computer-based services offers many possibilities for improved access to the literature, but difficulties attributable to intellectual and organizational characteristics of the social sciences may be relatively unaffected by technological change.
Investigation into the relationship between perikymata counts and crown formation times

This study reports on a sample of 12 modern human incisors (from two archaeological sites) that were viewed with a scanning electron microscope and whose perikymata were counted. These 12 incisors more than doubles the previously published sample size of modern human incisors that have served as the published standard for perikymata number in human incisors and have been employed to define taxonomic relationships in fossil hominids. All previously published fossil specimens fall within the expanded range of modern human perikymata counts and can no longer be considered distinctively nonhuman in dental formation time. Five neandertal incisors from the Krapina site in Croatia, Yugoslavia, were also examined. These incisors substantially expand the previous data base for counts of perikymata in Homo sapiens neanderthalensis, likewise overlapping the previously published modern human range. Finally, the validity of methods that have been employed for deriving crown formation times from perikymata counts in fossil hominines is called into question. Utilizing the presently known perikymata ranges for modern humans, these methods do not predict the range of known crown formation times of modern humans as assessed from studies of living children.
Improving signature detection classification model using features selection based on customized features

Having an accurate Signature Detection Classification (SDC) Model has become highly demanding for Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) to secure networks, especially when dealing with large and complex security audit data set. Selecting appropriate network features is one of the factors that influence the accuracy of SDC model. Past research has shown that the Hidden Marcov Chain, Genetic Algorithm, and the two-second time windows are among the best features selection methods for SDC Model. However this paper aims to improve the accuracy model by applying the features extraction based customized features. The customized features are the network data set which has been preprocessed through the following steps: removing biased attributes, discretized using chi-merge and remove the attributes with string value. The previous research applies the feature extraction based on all features. The best model is measured based on the detection rate, false alarm rate and number of rules using four data mining techniques such as Ripper(Jrip), Ridor, PART and decision three. The experiment is conducted using three random KDD-cup99 data sets. The result shows that the features extraction based on customized features has increased the accuracy model between 0.4% to 9% detection rates and reduced between 0.17% to 0.5% false alarm rates. The result shows the importance of data preprocessing in producing a high quality SDC Model.
Optimizing Structural Best Management Practices Using SWAT and Genetic Algorithm to Improve Water Quality Goals

A genetic algorithm (GA), an evolutionary optimization technique, is coupled with a semi-distributed hydrologic model, Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to find an optimum combination of structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) that meets the treatment goals at a watershed scale. The structural BMPs considered in the study are detention ponds, parallel terraces, filter strips, grassed waterways, and grade stabilization structures which are all applicable in agricultural watersheds. The decision variables in the optimization model are the type, size, and location of BMPs which minimize the construction cost and simultaneously reduce sediment and nutrients to target levels at the watershed outlet. The model is demonstrated on the Silver Creek, a sub-watershed of the Lower Kaskaskia watershed in Illinois. The model is used to compare three different sediment and nutrient reduction cases (i.e. 20%, 40%, and, 60%) at the watershed outlet.
Interaction between Protein Kinase C δ and the c-Abl Tyrosine Kinase in the Cellular Response to Oxidative Stress

Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms are phosphorylated on tyrosine in the response of cells to oxidative stress. The present studies demonstrate that treatment of cells with hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) induces binding of the PKCdelta isoform and the c-Abl protein-tyrosine kinase. The results show that c-Abl phosphorylates PKCdelta in the H(2)O(2) response. We also show that PKCdelta phosphorylates and activates c-Abl in vitro. In cells, induction of c-Abl activity by H(2)O(2) is attenuated by the PKCdelta inhibitor, rottlerin, and by overexpression of the regulatory domain of PKCdelta. These findings support a functional interaction between PKCdelta and c-Abl in the cellular response to oxidative stress.
Mining relational data from text: From strictly supervised to weakly supervised learning

This paper approaches the relation classification problem in information extraction framework with different machine learning strategies, from strictly supervised to weakly supervised. A number of learning algorithms are presented and empirically evaluated on a standard data set. We show that a supervised SVM classifier using various lexical and syntactic features can achieve competitive classification accuracy. Furthermore, a variety of weakly supervised learning algorithms can be applied to take advantage of large amount of unlabeled data when labeling is expensive. Newly introduced random-subspace-based algorithms demonstrate their empirical advantage over competitors in the context of both active learning and bootstrapping.
Methodological variables during analysis of in vivo cerebellar cyclic GMP, an indirect marker of nitric oxide release.

Abstract In light of the recent recognition of the physiological significance of nitric oxide, there is considerable interest in the methodological variables that can confound the results of the cerebellar cGMP analysis from in vivo experiments. In this study, using male Swiss Webster mice, the effect of such methodological variables as 1) weight of the animals; 2) tissue extraction procedures used in radioimmunoassay for cGMP; and 3) the commercial source of the assay kit on, harmaline-, pentylenetetrazole- or SNAP-induced increase in cerebellar cGMP in vivo were evaluated. Results indicate that mice in the 15- to 19-g weight range are most sensitive and best suited for in vivo drug effects on cerebellar cGMP. Furthermore, for the extraction of cerebellar cGMP, use of ice-cold 0.5 N hydrochloric acid and subsequent dilution of the sample in assay buffer is the simplest and fastest method. Present data also indicate that the source of the radioimmunoassay kit has a significant effect on the cerebellar cGMP results. Based on the present results, the protocol developed and the guidelines drawn are timely and of high practical significance for research in the area of pharmacology of nitric oxide.
Role for β-blockers in the management of diabetic kidney disease

Diabetes is the number one cause of end-stage renal disease in the United States. Most patients with diabetic renal disease also have hypertension and additional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. The leading cause of death among these patients is CV events. Treatment of hypertension in patients with diabetes is therefore of particular relevance. The goals of antihypertensive therapy are to lower blood pressure (BP), to slow the progression of kidney disease, and to reduce the risk of CV events. The recommended target BP in patients with chronic kidney disease, with or without diabetes, is <130/80 mm Hg. The majority of these patients will require more than one antihypertensive agent to control their BP; most will need more than two drugs. Data from numerous randomized clinical trials show that patients with diabetic kidney disease should receive an agent that blocks the renin-angiotensin system in combination with a diuretic, β-blocker (βB), or calcium channel blocker. β-Blockers have an important dual role to play in the management of patients with diabetic kidney disease: to help achieve target BP, and to provide optimal cardioprotection in these patients who are at high risk for cardiac events.
Itraconazole in the management of chronic dermatophytosis.

Fifty-five patients with griseofulvin-unresponsive dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton rubrum were treated with itraconazole. They had either tinea corporis or "dry type" infections of the palms, soles, or nails. The following sites were affected: trunk (12 infections), soles (47), toe webs (52), palms (26), fingernails (29), and toenails (42). Patients were treated with oral itraconazole until clinical and mycologic remission were achieved. Response rates and mean times to recovery were as follows: trunk, 100%,1.5 months; soles, 83%,6.7 months; toe webs, 90%, 7.2 months; palms, 96%, 4.6 months; fingernails, 90%, 5.4 months; and toenails, 76%,10.3 months). In a 6-month follow-up period 7 of 30 patients with toenail infections who had responded to treatment had a clinical and mycologic relapse, usually of one nail. Side effects were minimal but included abdominal discomfort (three patients), headache (one), and weight gain (two). No persistent abnormalities in blood biochemistry were seen, even in patients who received itraconazole for more than 9 months.