Analytical modelling in Dynamo

BIM is applied as modern database for civil engineering. Its recent development allows to preserve both structure geometrical and analytical information. The analytical model described in the paper is derived directly from BIM model of a structure automatically but in most cases it requires manual improvements before being sent to FEM software. Dynamo visual programming language was used to handle the analytical data. Authors developed a program which corrects faulty analytical model obtained from BIM geometry, thus providing better automation for preparing FEM model. Program logic is explained and test cases shown

Independent validation of the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score in the ANRS HC EP 23 Fibrostar cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND: The Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score combining serum hyaluronan, N-terminal peptide of type III procollagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, was reported as relevant in predicting liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease and proposed as an alternative to liver biopsy. METHODS: We evaluated the ELF score in a cohort of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients included in a multicenter prospective study (ANRS HC EP 23 Fibrostar) using commercial reagents, different from those developed by the manufacturer of the Siemens ELF™ test. RESULTS: In 512 CHC, the ELF score, using ROC curves, showed good predictive performances for severe fibrosis [AUROC=0.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-0.86]and for cirrhosis (AUROC=0.85; 95% CI 0.81-0.90), but slightly lower for significant fibrosis (AUROC=0.78; 95% CI 0.74-0.82). The Obuchowski measure (0.81) showed that the ELF score globally performed as a marker of liver fibrosis. The ELF score predicted significant fibrosis (cut-off=9.0) with a sensitivity of 0.86, a specificity of 0.62, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.80 and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.70. For extensive fibrosis (cut-off=9.33), sensitivity was 0.90, specificity was 0.63, PPV was 0.73 and NPV was 0.85. For cirrhosis (cut-off=9.35), sensitivity was 0.83, specificity was 0.75, PPV was 0.44 and NPV was 0.95. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the ELF score performance as an index to predict liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in CHC. The ELF test, using validated reagents, could be added to the health authorities approved non-invasive tests in assessing fibrosis as surrogate to liver biopsy

Including osteoprotegerin and collagen IV in a score-based blood test for liver fibrosis increases diagnostic accuracy

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive methods for liver fibrosis evaluation in chronic liver diseases have been recently developed, i.e. transient elastography (Fibroscan™) and blood tests (Fibrometer®, Fibrotest®, and Hepascore®). In this study, we aimed to design a new score in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) by selecting blood markers in a large panel and we compared its diagnostic performance with those of other noninvasive methods. METHODS: Sixteen blood tests were performed in 306 untreated CHC patients included in a multicenter prospective study (ANRS HC EP 23 Fibrostar) using METAVIR histological fibrosis stage as reference. The new score was constructed by non linear regression using the most accurate biomarkers. RESULTS: Five markers (alpha-2-macroglobulin, apolipoprotein-A1, AST, collagen IV and osteoprotegerin) were included in the new function called Coopscore©. Using the Obuchowski Index, Coopscore© shows higher diagnostic performances than for Fibrometer®, Fibrotest®, Hepascore® and Fibroscan™ in CHC. Association between Fibroscan™ and Coopscore© might avoid 68% of liver biopsies for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Coopscore© provides higher accuracy than other noninvasive methods for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in CHC. The association of Coopscore© with Fibroscan™ increases its predictive value

An Unsealed Package: The Ninth Circuit Creates a Circuit Split When Interpreting FDA Regulations on Food Label Nutrient Content Claims in \u3cem\u3eReid v. Johnson & Johnson\u3c/em\u3e

On March 13, 2015, in Reid v. Johnson & Johnson, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit held that the statement “No Trans Fat” on the label of Benecol, a food that contains between 0 and 0.5 grams of trans fat, was not a permitted nutrient content claim. The court held that such a statement made on the label was false or misleading and was therefore not authorized by Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) regulations. The court came to this conclusion despite the Third Circuit reaching the opposite conclusion in 2013, in Young v. Johnson & Johnson, regarding the same statement on the same product. Although FDA regulations do not expressly discuss the permissibility of a “No Trans Fat” nutrient content claim, the FDA issued two warning letters stating that this nutrient content claim is unauthorized. This Comment argues that the conflict between the Third and Ninth Circuits demonstrates the need for the FDA to revisit regulations pertaining to trans fat nutrient content claims

Short-term traffic predictions on large urban traffic networks: applications of network-based machine learning models and dynamic traffic assignment models

The paper discusses the issues to face in applications of short-term traffic predictions on urban road networks and the opportunities provided by explicit and implicit models. Different specifications of Bayesian Networks and Artificial Neural Networks are applied for prediction of road link speed and are tested on a large floating car data set. Moreover, two traffic assignment models of different complexity are applied on a sub-area of the road network of Rome and validated on the same floating car data set

Application of Different Temperatures in the Incubation Process of Jurung Fish Eggs (Tor tambra)

The habitat of the Jurung Fish (Tor tambra) is generally inflowing rivers, rocky bottom waters and relatively low water temperatures. This study aimed to determine the hatchability of the Jurung Fish (Tor tambra) eggs with different temperature treatments using a tray in the aquarium. The research method used is the laboratory experimental method and the experimental design is a non-factorial completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 4 treatments and 4 replications: A (control), B (28°C), C (30°C) and D (32°C). The results showed that the application of different temperatures had a significant effect on the hatching of the Jurung Fish (Tor tambra) eggs. The results of Duncan's further test analysis showed that the 28°C temperature treatment was the best compared to other temperatures. This study recommends that further research is needed on larval abnormalities at different water temperatures

Automation of the Hepascore and validation as a biochemical index of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C from the ANRS HC EP 23 Fibrostar cohort

Background Hepascore combining serum bilirubin, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, hyaluronic acid (HA) and α2-macroglobulin with age and sex, was reported as relevant in predicting liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV infection and was proposed as an alternative to liver biopsy. Methods Since an automated HA assay (Latex method, Wako, Japan) became available, we investigated to automate Hepascore by simultaneous measurements of components using an OLYMPUS AU640 analyzer (Tokyo, Japan). For its clinical evaluation, we considered a cohort of chronic HCV patients included in a multicenter prospective study (ANRS HC EP 23 Fibrostar). Results Automated Hepascore was not significantly different than assayed as previously described. An improvement in HA variability was evidenced. In 512 chronic HCV patients, automated Hepascore, using ROC curves analysis, showed good predictive performances for significant fibrosis (AUROC = 0.81), severe fibrosis (AUROC = 0.82), and cirrhosis (AUROC = 0.88). For significant fibrosis, Hepascore (cut-off = 0.5) had a sensitivity of 0.77, a specificity of 0.70, a positive predictive value of 0.71 and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.77. Hepascore < 0.25 could exclude significant fibrosis with a sensitivity of 0.95 and a NPV of 0.90 and Hepascore < 0.75 could exclude cirrhosis with a sensitivity of 0.86 and a NPV of 0.97. Conclusions This study shows that Hepascore, a non-invasive index of liver fibrosis, necessitating only one serum sample, can be totally automated using a single analyzer and confirms that Hepascore accurately predicts liver fibrosis in chronic HCV. Hepascore might be largely used in assessing liver fibrosis as surrogate to the liver biopsy

The Crazy Maze of Food Labeling and Food Claims Laws

(Excerpt) This Article critiques the role of the FDA in providing consumers with accurate and relevant food label information, identifies impediments in the pursuit of its mission, and offers solutions to those impediments. Part I of this Article traces the history of U.S. food labeling and health claims laws. Current food laws and their regulation have developed over time. The first federal legislation was passed in the early 1900s. The food laws of today have certainly been influenced by past food laws, which were largely a reaction to societal events. A brief summary of the historical development of our nation’s important food laws should serve to illustrate this point. Next, Part II demonstrates the significant hurdles that prevent the FDA from fulfilling its mission of consumer safety. The FDA has too many regulations to enforce, too many products and establishments to keep up with, and not enough staff or funding to adequately do either. Currently, supplement manufactures are not required to submit safety evidence before selling products. Therefore, the FDA does not investigate safety issues until becoming aware of a widespread health concern. The administrative hurdles are not internal to the FDA. The FDA is one of several agencies responsible for the regulation of food, and there are differing rules and key term definitions between agency regulations. Having varying rules and term definitions makes for conflicting laws and consumer confusion. Part III reviews studies on the effectiveness of food labels and health claims, as well as how the courts have treated health claims. Finally, Part IV argues that food and nutrition supplement laws should be streamlined. Although several authors ably identify solutions for how this may be accomplished, the sheer number of solutions that have been posited over the past several years is too plentiful to reasonably implement. Therefore, this Article suggests a combination of a few solutions that, taken together, are manageable implementations, which will maximize positive change in food law protections. The proposed improvements to food laws will be limited to establishing a simple mandatory front-of-package labeling scheme that will include: (1) eliminating structure/function claims; (2) greatly revising and simplifying nutrition content claims laws; (3) having the FDA issue letter grades for products based on evidence of health claims while allowing agreed-on health claims language to appear on the label; and (4) deferring to the expertise of the FDA in the courts