Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Who is providing what type of psychotherapy to eating disorder clients? A survey.

OBJECTIVE Little is known about the psychotherapies delivered to eating-disordered clients by community therapists. We sought to describe the education and training of psychotherapists working with eating-disordered clients, the psychotherapeutic approaches used, and the reasons for use. METHOD Eligible Calgary clinicians were identified and asked to complete a 25-item telephone interview. RESULTS The response rate was 74%. Educational backgrounds and fields of specialization of clinicians who completed the survey (n = 52) varied widely, as did the psychotherapies used. The most common primary therapeutic orientations of respondents were eclectic therapy (50%), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT; 33%), and addiction-based therapy (6%). Most clinicians (87%) reported frequently using CBT techniques with eating-disordered clients. The reasons given for using primary therapeutic approaches varied by clinicians' preferred therapeutic approach and education level. CONCLUSION Clinicians generally choose to tailor treatment to individual needs rather than base decisions on the level of empirical support. These findings have implications for dissemination of empirically supported psychotherapies.
Anti-lipid Potential of Drimys brasiliensis

Background: The traditional use of Drimys brasiliensis Miers (Winteraceae) in the south of Brazil to reduce cholesterol has not been described in scientific literature. Objective: To verify the hypocholesterolemic effects of D. brasiliensis using rats as animal model. Materials and Methods: The bark of D. brasiliensis was extracted with water with further lyophilization and was subjected to phytochemical analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and free radical scavenging activities by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay to determine antioxidant potential. The hypocholesterolemic activity was determined in male Wistar rats treated with 100 and 250 mg/kg/day extract concomitantly fed a hypercaloric diet, over 20 days (prevention assay). In the treatment assay, rats were fed a hypercaloric diet for 40 days and received the extract (100 mg/kg/day) from day 20. Results: In this research, we found that the extract of the bark of D. brasiliensis was able to reduce the triglycerides significantly and reduce total cholesterol at doses 100 and 250 mg/kg/day and both administration regimens (prevention and treatment) in rats treated with the extract and hypercaloric diet. The extract showed strong antioxidant properties (DPPH assay), probably responsible by hypocholesterolemic activity of the plant. By HPLC, we detected catechin (1.34%), epicatechin (3.48%), rutin (0.86%), caffeic acid (0.45%), and ferulic acid (0.84%) in D. brasiliensis extract. Conclusions: We confirm the popular use of the plant to reduce of cholesterol. Abbreviations used: HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography; PDA: Photodiode array detector; RS: Reference substances; DPPH: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; VCEAC: Vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity.
Choosing peritoneal dialysis reduces the risk of invasive access interventions.

BACKGROUND Patients choosing between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) should be well informed of the risks and benefits of each modality. Invasive access interventions are important outcomes because frequent interventions lower patient's quality of life and consume limited resources. The objective of this study was to compare the risk of access interventions between the two modalities. METHODS Three hundred and sixty-nine incident chronic dialysis patients were prospectively enrolled at four Canadian centers that were eligible for both modalities, received at least 4 months of pre-dialysis care and started dialysis electively as an outpatient. Two hundred and twenty-four (61%) chose PD and 145 (39%) chose HD. Patients were followed for an average of 1.3 years (range 0.07-3.6 years). RESULTS In the PD group, there were fewer access interventions (2.5 versus 3.1 interventions per patient, adjusted odds ratio of 0.79 for PD versus HD, P = 0.005) and a lower intervention rate (2.3 versus 1.9 per patient-year, adjusted rate ratio of 0.81 for PD versus HD, P = 0.04). PD catheters were less likely to experience primary failure (4.6 versus 32%, P < 0.0001), showed a trend toward lower intervention rates during use (0.8 versus 1.2 per patient-year, P = 0.06), and had equal patency compared to fistulae (1-year patency of 84 versus 88%, P = 0.48). Patients managed exclusively with HD catheters (28% of the HD group) required 1.7 interventions per patient and an intervention rate of 1.9 per patient-year. CONCLUSION Patients who choose PD require fewer access interventions to maintain dialysis access than patients choosing HD.
Correlation between PET/CT results and histological and immunohistochemical findings in breast carcinomas*

Objective To correlate the results of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) performed with a specific protocol for assessment of breasts with histological/immunohistochemical findings in breast carcinoma patients. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional study with prospective data collection, where patients with biopsy-confirmed breast carcinomas were studied. The patients underwent PET/CT examination in prone position, with a specific protocol for assessment of breasts. PET/CT findings were compared with histological and immunohistochemical data. Results The authors identified 59 malignant breast lesions in 50 patients. The maximum diameter of the lesions ranged from 6 to 80 mm (mean: 32.2 mm). Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most common histological type (n = 47; 79.7%). At PET/CT, 53 (89.8%) of the lesions demonstrated anomalous concentrations of 18F-FDG, with maximum SUV ranging from 0.8 to 23.1 (mean: 5.5). A statistically significant association was observed between higher values of maximum SUV and histological type, histological grade, molecular subtype, tumor diameter, mitotic index and Ki-67 expression. Conclusion PET/CT performed with specific protocol for assessment of breasts has demonstrated good sensitivity and was associated with relevant histological/immunohistochemical factors related to aggressiveness and prognosis of breast carcinomas.
Temporal Causality and Dynamics of Financial Development, Trade Openness, and Economic Growth in Vector Auto Regression (VAR) for Bangladesh, 1974-2003: Implication for Poverty Reduction

This paper examines whether financial development and openness to international trade can play any positive role in reducing poverty in Bangladesh through their growth enhancing effect. The paper takes granted that growth reduce poverty and makes econometric test to ascertain whether financial development and trade openness cause growth. Standard Granger-causality test is employed for this purpose. Variables are found first difference stationary without having any co-integrating relationship as reported by Johansen co-integration test. As such Granger-causality test is carried out in first difference VAR. The paper does not find any causal relationship between trade openness and growth, and financial development and growth. This implies that financial development and trade openness do not reduce poverty through their effect on growth. However, bi-directional causal link evidenced between financial development and trade openness indicates that these two can contribute to poverty reduction directly through their mutual effect on each other. Journal of Nepalese Business Studies Vol.2(1) 2005 pp.1-12
Understanding Propensity to Initiate Negotiations: An Examination of the Effects of Culture and Personality

Like many decisional processes, the early stages of negotiation play a critical role in determining how an encounter will unfold and, ultimately, the nature of the outcome. Yet for many individuals, initiating a negotiation is a difficult undertaking, frequently aborted if not avoided altogether. This paper tests a model of the initiation process, focusing specifically on those aspects of culture (individualism-collectivism, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity-femininity, power distance) and personality (risk propensity, locus of control, self-efficacy, Machiavellianism) that have been proposed to influence assertiveness and propensity to initiate. The study draws participants from diverse country cultures, and examines assertiveness/initiation propensity through three distinct measures. The results of these analyses for negotiators and future research are reported.
Rapamycin Attenuates Endothelial Apoptosis Induced by Low Shear Stress via mTOR and Sestrin1 Related Redox Regulation

Background. Studies indicate the dramatic reduction of shear stress (SS) within the rapamycin eluting stent (RES) segment of coronary arteries. It remains unclear about the role of rapamycin in endothelialization of stented arteries where SS becomes low. Since mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway is involved in the antioxidative sestrins expression, we hypothesized that rapamycin attenuated low SS (LSS) induced endothelial dysfunction through mTOR and sestrin1 associated redox regulation. Methods and Results. To mimic the effect of LSS on the stented arteries, a parallel plate flow chamber was used to observe the interplay of LSS and rapamycin on endothelial cells (ECs). The results showed LSS significantly induced EC apoptosis which was mitigated by pretreatment of rapamycin. Rapamycin attenuated LSS induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production via prohibition of sestrin1 downregulation. Activities of mTORC1 and mTORC2 were detected contradictorily modulated by LSS. Inhibition of rictor expression by target small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection prohibited sestrin1 downregulation induced by LSS, but inhibition of raptor did not. Conclusions. Rapamycin may prohibit sestrin1 downregulation through targeting mTORC2 in appeasing LSS induced EC oxidative apoptosis. Our results provide the in vitro evidence to explain the pathophysiology of RES stented arteries.
Urban Planning for a Renewable Energy Future: Methodological Challenges and Opportunities from a Design Perspective

Urban planning for a renewable energy future requires the collaboration of different disciplines both in research and practice. In the present article, the planning of a renewable energy future is approached from a designer’s perspective. A framework for analysis of the planning questions at hand is first proposed. The framework considers two levels of inquiry: the technical environmental aspect, and its wider embedding in sustainable development. Furthermore, life cycle analysis and exergy studies are discussed for their application potential in design. An altered trias energetica as proposed in earlier publications appears to remain a robust concept for low exergy, renewable energy based urban design. When considering sustainable development, environmental assessments shall be completed by an inquiry of the socio-cultural, economical, juridical, aesthetical and ethical aspects characterizing the planning or decision process. The article then presents a number of practical design principles that can help envisioning a built environment that can be sustained on the basis of renewable energy sources. In accordance with the altered trias energetica concept, elements of passive urban energy design, exergetic optimization of energy provision systems and the sourcing of renewable energy are identified, and their respective potentials assessed.
Effects of Anchoring and Adjustment in the Evaluation of Product Pricing

Anchoring and adjustment comprise a heuristic that creates expectations. Two types of anchors were applied on participants' evaluation of products: the price reference of the product (maximum, minimum, or no price reference) and the context in which the products were evaluated (the prestige of the shopping center). Results showed that both factors anchored evaluations of products' value. Context effects were explained by the different expectations of visitors in prestigious (looking for quality) and less prestigious (seeking a bargain) centers.
Mucoepidermoid tumors of salivary glands in Western India.

A DETAILED study of 22 patients with mucoepidermoid tumors of the salivary glands, observed and treated at the Tata Memorial Hospital over a period of 25 years (1941 through 1965), has disclosed some interesting facts. The incidence of mucoepidermoid tumor is infrequent, and the diagnosis is based on characteristic histological appearance. The mucoepidermoid tumor as a distinct pathologic entity was recognized fairly recently. In 1945, Stewart et al1were first to report these tumors as mucoepidermoid tumors. They reported 45 cases from a total of 700 tumors of major salivary glands seen at the Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases, New York. They classified these tumors as benign and malignant. However, they cautioned that benign did not mean innocent, and stated that it would be preferable to term them as "relatively favorable" and "highly unfavorable. " Foote and Frazell,2from the same institute, while reporting on a larger
Lymphocyte Homing and Homeostasis

The integration and control of systemic immune responses depends on the regulated trafficking of lymphocytes. This lymphocyte “homing” process disperses the immunologic repertoire, directs lymphocyte subsets to the specialized microenvironments that control their differentiation and regulate their survival, and targets immune effector cells to sites of antigenic or microbial invasion. Recent advances reveal that the exquisite specificity of lymphocyte homing is determined by combinatorial “decision processes” involving multistep sequential engagement of adhesion and signaling receptors. These homing-related interactions are seamlessly integrated into the overall interaction of the lymphocyte with its environment and participate directly in the control of lymphocyte function, life-span, and population dynamics. In this article a review of the molecular basis of lymphocyte homing is presented, and mechanisms by which homing physiology regulates the homeostasis of immunologic resources are proposed.
Age at natural menopause and hypertension among middle-aged and older Chinese women

Objectives: Earlier age at natural menopause has been associated with cardiovascular disease in several studies, but evidence of its association with hypertension is lacking. We aimed to examine the relationship between age at natural menopause and hypertension among middle-aged and older Chinese women. Methods: A total of 13 406 postmenopausal women (mean age 63.5 years) were enrolled from the Dongfeng–Tongji cohort study in Hubei province, China. Age at natural menopause was self-reported and was categorized into three groups (⩽45, 46–52, or ≥53 years). Logistic regression models were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hypertension in relation to age at natural menopause. Results: Of the study participants, 6690 (49.9%) women were diagnosed as hypertension. The mean age at natural menopause was 49.3 ± 3.3 years. After adjustment for potential confounders, the ORs of hypertension for women who reached menopause at age 45 or less and 46–52 years were 1.27 (95% CI, 1.08, 1.50) and 1.14 (95% CI, 1.01, 1.29), respectively, compared with those who reached menopause at age at least 53 years. Each 1-year delay in menopause was associated with 2% decrease in prevalence of hypertension (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97, 0.99). Conclusion: Our findings suggested that earlier age at natural menopause was related to prevalence of hypertension independent of potential confounders. Identification of women with earlier menopause offers a window of opportunity to improve women's health during the postmenopausal years.
Disseminated histoplasmosis.

OBJECTIVE To study the clinical features and natural history of disseminated histoplasmosis(DH) in India. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the data obtained from the in-patient medical records of adults (age > 13 years) diagnosed to have DH during the period from January 1989 to December 1999. DH was diagnosed when histologically compatible intracellular organisms were present or Histoplasma capsulatum was obtained in culture from the extrapulmonary sites. RESULTS Nineteen patients (18 male and 1 female) were diagnosed to have DH. Diabetes mellitus and HIV infection were the most common co-morbid conditions. Weight loss, fever and oropharyngeal ulcers were the commonest symptoms. Physical signs included hepatosplenomegaly, oropharyngeal ulcers and lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and/or culture from the following sites: bone marrow, adrenal gland, lymph node, oropharyngeal ulcers, rectal mucosa and skin. Two patients were treated with Amphotericin B, 6 with various azoles and 3 had Amphotericin B followed by various azoles. Among the eleven treated, 7 were cured, 2 improved, 1 had a relapse and 1 patient died. CONCLUSION DH is not uncommon in India and should be considered in the diagnosis of patients with prolonged fever, weight loss, oropharyngeal ulcers, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and adrenal enlargement. Correct diagnosis and treatment leads to a favourable outcome.
Shape Matching Using Points Co-occurrence Pattern

Shape matching is a very critical problem in computer vision, and many smart features have been designed in recent literature for improving the similarity measure between pairs of shapes, and most of them consider either distribution of the sample contour points, or convexity/concavity property of the contour. In this paper, we design a novel shape feature to capture the Co-Occurrence Pattern (COP) of the points sampled from any given shape contour, and each pattern is described by \textbf{Self-Similarity} which investigates the spatial co-occurrence relation among all the sample points. We test our feature on three famous shape databases: MPEG-7 CE-Shape-1 part B, Tari1000, and Kimia99 data set for shape matching and retrieval. The experimental results show that the proposed descriptor achieves higher computational efficiency with no significant performance loss.
An Experiment in Inspecting the Quality of Use Case Descriptions

Achieving higher quality software is one of the aims sought by development organizations worldwide. Establishing defect free statements of requirements is a key strategy for achieving improvements in quality. In this paper we present the results of a laboratory experiment that explored the application of a checklist in the process of inspecting use case descriptions. We compare the checklist with others in the literature then report experimental findings. A simple experimental design was adopted in which the control group used an ad hoc approach and the treatment group was provided with a six-point checklist. The defects identified in the experiment were classified at three levels of significance: i. Internal to the use case ii. Specification impact, and iii. Requirements impact. It was found that the identification of requirements defects was not significantly different between the control and treatment groups, but that more specification and internal defects were found by the groups using the checklist. In the paper we explore the implications of these findings. ACM Classification: D.2. 1 (Software – Software Engineering – Requirements/Specifications)
Additional evidence of a variant translocation t(12;22) with EWS/CHOP fusion in myxoid liposarcoma: clinicopathological features

It is well established that the majority of myxoid/round cell liposarcomas (LPS) are characterized by a reciprocal translocation t(12;16)(q13;p11) which at the molecular level results infusion of the CHOP and FUS/TLS genes. It is assumed that functional characterization of these genes may provide insight into the molecular pathogenesis of this tumour type. This study describes two new cases of myxoid/round cell LPS having a t(12;22). By reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) it has been shown that this leads to fusion between the CHOP and EWS genes, thus indicating involvement of the EWS gene, at least occasionally, in yet another sarcoma type. Combining these two cases with two others which were recently similarly characterized at the molecular level, their clinicopathological features have been compared with cases having the more usual t(12;16). It was not possible to identify any clinical or pathological differences between these molecular genetic subsets. The relevance or significance of these gene fusion products in myxoid/round cell LPS remains to be determined. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Rational Analysis of Rule-Based Concept Learning

This article proposes a new model of human concept learning that provides a rational analysis of learning feature-based concepts. This model is built upon Bayesian inference for a grammatically structured hypothesis space-a concept language of logical rules. This article compares the model predictions to human generalization judgments in several well-known category learning experiments, and finds good agreement for both average and individual participant generalizations. This article further investigates judgments for a broad set of 7-feature concepts-a more natural setting in several ways-and again finds that the model explains human performance.
Disrupted mitochondrial electron transport function increases expression of anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐XL proteins in SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma and in Parkinson disease cybrid cells through oxidative stress

Death of dopamine neurons in Parkinson disease (PD) may arise from consequences of the complex I (C‐I) defect in the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC). Whether cells activate programmed death (apoptosis) pathways derives, in part, from relative activities of proteins such as bcl‐2 and bcl‐XL , that have anti‐apoptotic actions. We studied the responses of bcl‐2 and bcl‐XL genes in pharmacologic (acute incubation with methylpyridinium (MPP+)) and mitochondrial transgenic (“cybrid”) models of Parkinson disease C‐I defects. MPP+ incubation increased levels of bcl‐2 and bcl‐XL proteins in native SH‐SY5Y cells but not in ρ0 cells devoid of ETC activity. MPP+ increased bcl‐2 mRNA levels by 40% at 8 hr. Confocal microscopic imaging showed that the intracellular distribution of immunoreactive bcl‐2 was not significantly associated with mitochondrial membranes at baseline but was associated with mitochondria after 12 hr of MPP+. Immunoreactive bcl‐XL protein was significantly and equally associated with mitochondrial membranes both at baseline and after MPP+. PD cybrids showed increased basal levels of bcl‐2 and bcl‐XL proteins, similar to the maximum levels found after MPP+ treatment of control SY5Y cells. After MPP+ exposure, bcl‐2 protein levels increased in control cybrids but did not increase further in PD cybrids. Both pharmacologically generated and transgenically induced C‐I inhibition increases levels of anti‐apoptotic bcl proteins, possibly from increased gene transcription. Augmentation of bcl‐2 and bcl‐XL expression may delay neurodegeneration in PD. J. Neurosci. Res. 61:693–700, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.