cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential Responses of Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Immediate Early Genes to Corticosterone and Circadian Drive

The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis diurnal cycle of activity is manifest in circadian rhythms of ACTH and corticosterone secretion, which in the rat peak around the onset of the dark period. This cycle is thought to be driven by daily fluctuations in activity of CRH neurons within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), controlled by suprachiasmatic nucleus inputs. In this study we examined whether the circadian drive that regulates ACTH and corticosterone basal secretion in the rat is reflected in PVN immediate early gene expression and, if so, whether different genes respond uniformly or uniquely to circadian stimulatory input. In addition, we examined how circadian drive and acute stress, two categories of stimuli that induce HPA axis activation, comparatively affect gene expression within different components of the HPA axis (c-fos mRNA, CRH heteronuclear RNA, and zif268 mRNA in PVN; c-fos mRNA, proopiomelanocortin heteronuclear RNA, and zinc finger 268 mRNA in anterior pituitary; c-fos mRNA and nerve growth factor I-B mRNA in adrenal cortex). Finally, we examined whether circadian differences in gene expression depend on endogenous glucocorticoids and, if so, whether the dependence is on an acute or permissive influence of the hormone. We found that a circadian drive that regulates HPA axis basal hormone secretion is also manifest on basal c-fos gene expression in the PVN. Moreover, we show that different immediate early genes within the HPA axis anatomical components display different diurnal patterns of gene expression. These differential patterns result, in part, from gene-specific responses to circadian signals and acute and/or permissive glucocorticoid actions.
Toward a Psychosocial Conceptualization of Religion as a Resource in Cancer Care and Prevention

Summary Religion frequently appears as a variable in studies of cancer patients, although frequently at the level of demographic variables, such as church attendance. There has been little systematic attempt to integrate this literature or to provide guidance for research and application. This paper attempts to overcome these limitations by providing a framework for considering the research and practice implications religious phenomena (individual practice, denominational teachings, etc.) have for different levels of cancer care and prevention. Consistent with this framework, examples are offered, such as the use of places of worship as venues for reaching high-risk populations. Organizational concerns, such as role negotiation between health care providers and clergy, are also discussed.
DMLC IMRT delivery to targets moving in 2D in Beam's eye view.

The goal of this article is to present the algorithm for DMLC leaf control capable of delivering IMRT to tumors that experience motion in two dimensions in the beams eye view (BEV) plane. The generic, two-dimensional (2D) motion of the projection of the rigid target on BEV plane can be divided into two components. The first component describes the motion of the projection of the target along the x axis (parallel to the MLC leaf motions) and the other describes the motion of the target projection on the y axis (perpendicular to the leaf motion direction). First, time optimal leaf trajectories are calculated independently for each leaf pair of the MLC assembly to compensate the x-axis component of the 2D motion of the target on the BEV. These leaf trajectories are then synchronized following the mid time (MT) synchronization procedure. To compensate for the y-axis component of the motion of the target projection on the BEV plane, the procedure of ''switching'' leaf pair trajectories in the upward (or downward) direction is executed when the target's BEV projection moves upward (or downward) from its equilibrium position along the y axis. When the intensity function is a 2D histogram, the error betweenmore » the intended and delivered intensity in 2D DMLC IMRT delivery will depend on the shape of the intensity map and on the MLC physical constraint (leaf width and maximum admissible leaf speed). The MT synchronization of leaf trajectories decreases the impact of above constraints on the error in 2D DMLC IMRT intensity map delivery. The proof is provided, that if hardware constraints in the 2D DMLC IMRT delivery strategy are removed, the errors between planned and delivered 2D intensity maps are entirely eliminated. Examples of 2D DMLC IMRT delivery to rigid targets moving along elliptical orbits on BEV planes are calculated and analyzed for 20 clinical fluence maps. The comparisons between the intensity delivered without motion correction, with motion correction along x axis only, and with motion correction for full 2D motion of the target are calculated and quantitatively evaluated. The fluence maps were normalized to 100 MU and the rms difference between the desired and delivered fluence was 12 MU for no motion compensation, 11.18 MU for 1D compensation, and 4.73 MU for 2D motion compensations. The advantage of correcting for full 2D motion of target projected on the BEV plane is demonstrated.« less
Assessing Outcomes and Safety of Inpatient Versus Outpatient Tissue Expander Immediate Breast Reconstruction

With the rising cost of healthcare delivery and bundled payments for episodes of care, there has been impetus to minimize hospitalization and increase utilization of outpatient surgery mechanisms. Given the increase in outpatient mastectomy and immediate tissue expander (TE)-based reconstruction and the paucity of data on its comparative safety to inpatient procedures, we sought to understand the risk for early postoperative complications in an outpatient model compared with more traditional inpatient status using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. NSQIP data files from 2005 to 2012 were queried to identify patients undergoing immediate TE-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Patients were stratified by whether they received outpatient or inpatient care and then propensity score matched based on preoperative baseline characteristics to produce matched cohorts. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine whether outpatient versus inpatient status conferred differing risk for 30-days complications. Of the 2014 patients who met criteria, 1:1 propensity matching yielded 634 patients in each of the matched cohorts. Overall complications (5.2 vs. 5.4 %), overall surgical complications (4.3 vs. 3.9 %), overall medical complications (1.3 vs. 2.1 %), and return to the operating room (6.6 vs. 7.3 %) were similar between outpatient and inpatients cohorts (p > .2), respectively. There was a small, but significant increased risk of organ/space SSI in outpatients (1.9 vs. 0.5 %, p = .02) and trend for increased risk for pulmonary embolus (PE) and urinary tract infection (UTI) in inpatients (0.3 vs. 0 %, p = .16; 0.3 vs. 0 %, p = .16). Our studies suggest that outpatient TE confers similar safety profiles to inpatient TE with regards to 30-day postoperative overall complications, medical and surgical morbidity, and return to the operating room. A slightly increased risk for surgical site infection must be balanced against potential risk for known inpatient-related complications such as UTI and PE.
Effect of Gibberellic Acid on the Growth of Pea Seedlings when imbibed through the Seed Coat

Stowe and Yamaki1, in a recent review paper, have listed two hundred and two references relating to the isolation and effects of the gibberellins upon various physiological processes in plants.
BRANCHED, STRUVITE CALCULUS AND CLEAR CELL CARCINOMA IN SAME KIDNEY Rare Condition with Significant Implications for Management

The concomitant existence of a branched (partial staghorn) calculus and clear cell carcinoma (hypernephroma) in the same kidney is rare. Herein, we report the eighth such case in the world literature, and to our knowledge, the first patient with a parenchymal tumor identified preoperatively. In all of the previous 7 cases, the calculus was managed with open renal exploration, and only at the time of surgery was the incidental renal cell carcinoma identified; the surgical procedure was modified accordingly. With open surgery no longer the cornerstone of therapy for renal calculi, it is imperative that the kidney be evaluated in a meticulous and compulsive manner prior to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL). The finding of a coexisting renal cell carcinoma will radically alter the patient's treatment.
Comparative analysis of emergency department treatment of patients with chest pain

A vital function of the emergency physician is separating patients with chest pain who require intensive immediate treatment from those who require minimal care. The care of 701 patients presenting with chest pain in two Baltimore hospitals was evaluated using medical record data and follow-up questionnaires to discharged patients. Twenty per cent were admitted. There was a significant difference between the two hospitals in admission rates. Thirty-five per cent of the discharged patients felt no better two weeks after emergency department discharge. Plans for further research include a study to clarify the difference in admission rates and the characteristics of individuals who remained symptomatic at two weeks.
Electronic states and charge-transfer mechanisms in solid molecular hydrogen

Abstract Metallic behavior and the transition from a molecular to an atomic phase in solid hydrogen under pressure have been predicted theoretically and sought after experimentally for a long time. We report extensive first-principles investigations of the electronic states in static, hexagonal close packed (hcp) structures which are representative of solid molecular hydrogen at high pressure. In a structure which preserves the full hcp symmetry, charge is transferred from bonding to antibonding states at pressures near 1.5 Mbar. However, at still higher pressure charge transfer takes place in the opposite direction. In a different structure of lower symmetry and lower energy, antibonding states do not become occupied until much higher pressure ( ∼ 2.5 Mbar). The character of antibonding electronic states and their occupation with pressure provide insight into possible metallic behavior and the transition to the atomic phase.
Using logistic regression procedures for estimating receiver operating characteristic curves

SUMMARY Estimation of a receiver operating characteristic, ROC, curve is usually based either on a fully parametric model such as a normal model or on a fully nonparametric model. In this paper, we explore a semiparametric approach by assuming a density ratio model for disease and disease-free densities. This model has a natural connection with the logistic regression model. The proposed semiparametric approach is more robust than a fully parametric approach and is more efficient than a fully nonparametric approach. Two real examples demonstrate that the ROC curve estimated by our semiparametric method is much smoother than that estimated by the nonparametric method.
Neuropsychological executive functions and DSM-IV ADHD subtypes.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate and compare a focused set of component neuropsychological executive functions in the DSM-IV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder combined (ADHD-C) and inattentive (ADHD-I) subtypes. Method The Stop task, Tower of London, Stroop task, Trailmaking Test, and output speed measures were completed by 105 boys and girls aged 7–12 classified as either DSM-IV ADHD-C ( n = 46), ADHD-I ( n = 18), or community control ( n = 41). Results Both subtypes had deficits on output speed. A group × gender interaction was observed on the Stop task: boys with ADHD-C were impaired versus boys with ADHD-I, whereas girls in the two subtypes did not differ. The ADHD-C type had a deficit in planning. Neither ADHD group had a deficit in interference control per se, although they were slower than controls on the Stroop tasks. Conclusions ADHD-I shares neuropsychological deficits with ADHD-C in the domain of output speed; on most domains the subtypes did not differ. Neuropsychological distinctions between these ADHD subtypes may be few, depending on which domain of executive functioning is assessed, and these distinctions differ by gender. In the case of boys, the two subtypes may be distinguished by the specificity of motor inhibition deficits to ADHD-C.
Identifying microstructural deformation mechanisms in snow using discrete-element modeling

A dynamic model of dry snow deformation is developed using a discrete-element technique to identify microstructural deformation mechanisms and simulate creep densification processes. The model employs grain-scale force models, explicit geometric representations of individual ice grains, and snow microstructure using assemblies of grains. Ice grains are randomly oriented cylinders of random length with hemispherical ends. Particle contacts are detected using a novel and efficient method based on the dilation operation in mathematical morphology. Grain-scale ice interaction algorithms, based on observed snow and ice microscale behavior, are developed and implemented in the model. These processes include grain contact sintering, grain boundary sliding and rotation at contacts, and grain contact deformation in tension, compression, shear, torsion and bending. Grain-scale contact force algorithms are temperature- and rate-dependent, with both elastic and viscous components. Grain bonds rupture when elastic stresses exceed ice tensile or shear strengths, after which intergranular friction and particle rearrangement control deformation until the snow compacts to its critical density. Simulations of creep settlement using 1000-grain model snow samples indicate the bulk viscosity of snow is controlled by the grain contact viscosity and area, grain packing and the increased number of frozen bonds that form during settlement. A linear relationship between contact viscosity and bulk snow viscosity at any specified density indicates that the linear model parameters can be accurately scaled, allowing simulations to be conducted for a broad range of dynamic and viscous creep deformation problems.
Inputs to combination-sensitive neurons of the inferior colliculus.

In the mustached bat, combination-sensitive neurons display integrative responses to combinations of acoustic elements in biosonar or social vocalizations. One type of combination-sensitive neuron responds to multiple harmonics of the frequency-modulated (FM) components in the sonar pulse and echo of the bat. These neurons, termed FM-FM neurons, are sensitive to the pulse–echo delay and may encode the distance of sonar targets. FM-FM neurons are common in high-frequency regions of the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICC) and may be created there. If so, they must receive low-frequency inputs in addition to the expected high-frequency inputs. We placed single deposits of a tracer at FM-FM recording sites in the ICC and then analyzed retrograde labeling in the brainstem and midbrain. We were particularly interested in labeling patterns suggestive of low-frequency input to these FM-FM neurons. In most nuclei containing labeled cells, there was a single focus of labeling in regions thought to be responsive to high-frequency sounds. More complex labeling patterns were observed in three nuclei. In the anteroventral cochlear nucleus, labeling in the anterior and marginal cell divisions occurred in regions thought to respond to low-frequency sounds. This labeling comprised 6% of total brainstem labeled cells. Labeling in the intermediate nucleus of the lateral lemniscus and the magnocellular part of the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus together comprised nearly 40% of all labeled cells. In both nuclei, multiple foci of labeling occurred. These different foci may represent groups of cells tuned to different frequency bands. Thus, one or more of these three nuclei may provide low-frequency input to high-frequency-sensitive cells in the ICC, creating FM-FM responses. We also examined whether ICC neurons responsive to lower frequencies project to high-frequency-sensitive ICC regions; only 0.15% of labeling originated from these lower frequency representations. If the spectral integration of FM-FM neurons is created at the level of the ICC, these results suggest that neurons of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus or monaural nuclei of the lateral lemniscus may provide the essential low-frequency input. In contrast, there is little evidence that the low-frequency representation of the ICC contributes to these integrative responses. J. Comp. Neurol. 409:509–528, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Structure of cytochrome P450eryF : Substrate, inhibitors, and model compounds bound in the active site

Much of our understanding of P450 reaction mechanisms derives from studies on P450cam, a bacterial camphor hydroxylase. P450cam has served as the model for understanding detailed structure/function relationships in mammalian P450 enzymes, which have not proved amenable to x-ray crystallographic techniques. To expand and improve the P450 model, we solved the structure of P450eryF, a cytochrome P450 involved in erythromycin biosynthesis. The overall structure of P450eryF is similar to that of P450cam, but differs in the exact positioning of several alpha-helices, which results in the enlargement of the substrate-binding pocket. P450eryF also differs from P450cam in having alanine in place of the highly conserved threonine residue in the active site. To assess the role of this alanine residue, two mutant forms of P450eryF and a substrate analog were examined. Our findings suggest that P450eryF has evolved an active site that utilizes the substrate to assist in catalysis. In addition, the enlarged substrate binding pocket of P450eryF enables P450eryF to bind certain steroid compounds and azole-based steroid hydroxylase inhibitors. Crystals have been obtained for P450eryF complexed with the antifungal drug ketoconazole, and the high-resolution structure has been determined.
Representing community: knowing users in the face of changing constituencies

This paper traces the use of the concept 'community' by drawing attention to the ways in which it serves as an organizing principle within systems development. The data come from an ethnographic study of participants and their activities in the Water and Environmental Research Systems Network (WATERS). WATERS is a US National Science Foundation-funded observatory and cyberinfrastructure project intended to serve the heterogeneous scientific disciplines studying the water environment. We identify four vehicles by which WATERS participants sought to know the needs, conflicts and goals of their diverse communities: engaging in vernacular discussions; organizing community forums; implementing surveys; and requirements gathering. The paper concludes that the use of community in IT development projects is substantially divorced from its traditional meanings which emphasize collective moral orientations or shared affective ties; instead, within systems development, community has a closer meaning to a 'political constituency,' and is used as a short-hand for issues of inquiry, representation, inclusion and mandate.
Fluoro-d-galactosides as substrates and inducers of the β-galactosidase of Escherichia coli

Abstract 1. 1. The α- and β-forms of fluoro- d -galactoside are hydrolyzed by the corresponding enzymes, α- and β-galactosidase. The enzyme reaction, which is sterospecific, yields galactose and HF. 2. 2. Fluoro β- d -galactoside can induce the synthesis of β-galactosidase. 3. 3. Certain other effects of the fluoro- d -galactosides on the growth and enzyme synthesis of E. coli are discussed.
Signal-to-Noise Ratios and Effective Repetition Times for Wavelet Encoding and Encoding with Wavelet Packet Bases

Abstract Wavelet encoding is a method of localizing MR signal. Bands of spins of variable length and position are excited to encode position. Wavelet encoding is a compromise between phase encoding, which excites all the spins with each RF excitation, and line scanning, which excites only one pixel with each RF excitation. Expressions for the SNR are developed. Phase encoding produces optimum SNR, but it has relatively short effective repetition times. Line scanning has poor SNR but has long effective repetition times. Wavelet encoding is generalized to use wavelet packet bases. Wavelet packet bases include a wide class of bases. They include the bases used for Hadamard and phase encoding at one extreme and line scanning at the other. If the appropriate basis is chosen from among the wavelet packet bases, SNR can be freely traded for longer effective repetition times. Several other results are shown; e.g., wavelet encoding is very effective at edge detection in terms of SNR and number of excitations required. In addition, an alternative statistical formulation is introduced that quantifies the bias in the reconstruction. The bias quantifies the sensitivity of each basis to artifacts.
Digitizing the moving face during dynamic displays of emotion.

Humans typically decode facial signals during dynamic interactions in which the face moves. In this study, we digitized real time video signals in order to examine movement asymmetries across the face during emotional and nonemotional expressions. Forty dextral males were tested. For each expression, a 400 ms video segment was analyzed for changes in signal value (pixel intensity) over consecutive frames. The upper and lower face regions were examined separately due to differences in the cortical enervation of facial muscles in the upper (bilateral) vs lower face (contralateral). Results revealed distinctly different movement asymmetries over the lower and upper hemiface. In the upper face, more movement occurred over the right side for most facial expressions, regardless of emotionality. The latter finding questions the assumption that muscles of the upper face are symmetrical and/or bilaterally enervated in a symmetrical manner. In the lower face, negative expressions linked to fight-flight emotions (i.e. fear, anger) were associated with greater left sided movement, whereas happiness tended to be associated with more right sided movement. No consistent pattern of movement asymmetry occurred for nonemotional expressions. Although the valence-related movement asymmetries in the lower face are consistent with neuropsychological models of emotional expressivity, it remains unclear whether they reflect activation or inhibitory hemispheric mechanisms. Taken together, these data suggest that multiple factors may contribute to expressive movement asymmetries of the face.
Guanidinium restores the chromophore but not rapid proton release in bacteriorhodopsin mutant R82Q.

Replacement of the Arg residue at position 82 in bacteriorhodopsin by Gln or Ala was previously shown to slow the rate of proton release and raise the pK of Asp 85, indicating that R82 is involved both in the proton release reaction and in stabilizing the purple form of the chromophore. We now find that guanidinium chloride lowers the pK of D85, as monitored by the shift of the 587-nm absorbance maximum to 570 nm (blue to purple transition) and increased yield of photointermediate M. The absorbance shift follows a simple binding curve, with an apparent dissociation constant of 20 mM. When membrane surface charge is taken into account, an intrinsic dissociation constant of 0.3 M fits the data over a range of 0.2–1.0 M cation concentration (Na+ plus guanidinium) and pH 5.4–6.7. A chloride counterion is not involved in the observed spectral changes, as chloride up to 0.2 M has little effect on the R82Q chromophore at pH 6, whereas guanidinium sulfate has a similar effect to guanidinium chloride. Furthermore, guanidinium does not affect the chromophore of the double mutant R82Q/D85N. Taken together, these observations suggest that guanidinium binds to a specific site near D85 and restores the purple chromophore. Surprisingly, guanidinium does not restore rapid proton release in the photocycle of R82Q. This result suggests either that guanidinium dissociates during the pump cycle or that it binds with a different hydrogen-bonding geometry than the Arg side chain of the wild type.
Photoelectron Angular Distributions of Ultrathin Ni/CU(001) Films

The authors present measurements of the evolution with film thickness of the 3d electronic states at the Fermi energy of ultrathin Ni films. The morphology and thickness of the films is determined from x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron diffraction and x-ray magnetic linear dichroism using synchrotron radiation. Photoelectron angular distributions were measured using an ellipsoidal mirror analyzer. Even at submonolayer Ni coverages, the 3d electronic states exhibit bulk-like properties. This is attributed to the short screening length of electrons in metals, the localization of the 3d electrons, the similarity of the Ni and Cu ion cores, and finally the interaction with the underlying fcc periodic potential.
Metamorphosis of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Research: from Delayed Vasospasm to Early Brain Injury

Delayed vasospasm that develops 3–7 days after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has traditionally been considered the most important determinant of delayed ischemic injury and poor outcome. Consequently, most therapies against delayed ischemic injury are directed towards reducing the incidence of vasospasm. The clinical trials based on this strategy, however, have so far claimed limited success; the incidence of vasospasm is reduced without reduction in delayed ischemic injury or improvement in the long-term outcome. This fact has shifted research interest to the early brain injury (first 72 h) evoked by SAH. In recent years, several pathological mechanisms that activate within minutes after the initial bleed and lead to early brain injury are identified. In addition, it is found that many of these mechanisms evolve with time and participate in the pathogenesis of delayed ischemic injury and poor outcome. Therefore, a therapy or therapies focused on these early mechanisms may not only prevent the early brain injury but may also help reduce the intensity of later developing neurological complications. This manuscript reviews the pathological mechanisms of early brain injury after SAH and summarizes the status of current therapies.
Preferential recovery of uniparental streptomycin resistant mutants from diploid Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Analysis of the streptomycin resistant mutants recovered from control and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanadine (MNNG) treated haploid cultures of C. reinhardtii reveal that approximately 60% of the mutants are of the sr-1 type known to show Mendelian inheritance while 40% are of the sr-2 and sm-3 types known to be inherited in a uniparental (UP) manner. In contrast, most if not all streptomycin mutants recovered from similarly treated diploid cultures of C. reinhardtii are of the UP variety. Failure to recover sr-1 mutants from the diploid stock is explained by our findings that diploids heterozygous for Mendelian streptomycin resistance (sr-1/sr-1 +) are both stable and sensitive to streptomycin. Efficient recovery of UP streptomycin resistant mutants from diploids can be explained by the observations of Gillham (1963a, 1969) which demonstrate that diploids heterozygous for an sr-2 mutation (sr-2/sr-2 +) segregate resistant and sensitive progeny during mitotic cell division. The utility of diploids for isolating new UP mutant genotypes, for establishing the cellular localization of the UP genome(s), and for characterizing the rules governing UP gene segregation is discussed.
Knowledge and skills that should be included in a graduate prosthodontic program

Abstract I have pointed out some of the things that should be included in a graduate prosthodontic program in order that graduate students will have the knowledge and skill needed for this stage of their careers. The graduate program that I have described is one that offers opportunity for development to students. It is not the end in itself. This educational discipline must be geared to the ultimate goals of each individual student. Since there are three main categories of graduate students in prosthodontics, there must be three educational plans at the graduate level. No one is more exacting or demanding than the others, but the requirements are different. These plans are for clinical practice, education, or research. The emphasis of graduate training should be upon why instead of how and, therefore, upon the basic sciences that provide the answers to why some techniques are better than others. Once the student understands the reasons why a technique is effective, he can develop his skills in that technique through practice. On this same basis, he can effectively evaluate any proposed technique in order to determine whether or not it is good. The research and the thesis required in graduate programs in prosthodontics are learning techniques. They are valuable in developing the objective attitudes that are essential to progress. They are valuable as means for continuing study, for guiding others, and for communicating with others. The clinical requirements and achievement in a graduate program are those of a laboratory course designed to test methods rather than to test individual abilities of students. The student is expected to develop his own digital dexterity with experience to be obtained beyond the graduate program. The graduate program is designed to give him the tools for judging the effectiveness of his own prosthodontic treatment as well as the effectiveness of others.
Endometriosis of the perineum; report of two new cases and a review of literature.

Abstract The incidence of endometriosis at the episiotomy site is quite rare. We have experienced two cases of perineal endometriosis over a 9 year period. The typical clinical history and local findings enable us to make the correct diagnosis of both cases. The treatment of choice is complete surgical excision of endometrial tissue and usually obtains permanent cure. A review of the English literature showed there were 66 cases reported previously. The possible pathogensis of endometriosis and various modality of treatment were also discussed.
UNILATERAL ADRENAL HETEROTOPIA WITH RENAL-ADRENAL FUSION

An 83-year-old white woman presented for evaluation of diffuse upper abdominal pain and weight loss. Physical examination demonstrated no tenderness or abdominal masses. Blood pressure was normal. Computerized tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a 2.9 X 2.2 cm. solid mass in the upper pole of the right kidney. Laboratory studies, including renal function, hormonal evaluation and hematological parameters, were normal, and urinalysis was negative. Upper pole partial nephrectomy was performed en bloc with the adrenal gland through a flank incision. Histological examination of the specimen was remarkable for fusion of the adrenal gland with the kidney and adrenal cortical clear cells admixed with renal parenchyma (part A of figure). Renal cystic changes were noted at the junction of the fusion. Immunohistochemical stains for epithelial membrane antigen (part B of figure), pan cytokeratin and cytokeratin 7 were positive in the renal tissue, and negative in the extrarenal and intrarenal adrenal tissue, confirming heterotopia. The patient did well postoperatively. DISCUSSION
Dysregulated diurnal cortisol pattern is associated with glucocorticoid resistance in women with major depressive disorder

Dysfunction of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis is believed to play a role in the pathophysiology of depression. To investigate mechanisms that may underlie this effect, we examined several indices of HPA axis function – specifically, diurnal cortisol slope, cortisol awakening response, and suppression of cortisol release following dexamethasone administration – in 26 pre-menopausal depressed women and 23 never depressed women who were matched for age and body mass index. Salivary cortisol samples were collected at waking, 30 min after waking, and at bedtime over three consecutive days. On the third day, immediately after the bedtime sample, participants ingested a 0.5 mg dexamethasone tablet; they then collected cortisol samples at waking and 30 min after waking the following morning. As predicted, depressed women exhibited flatter diurnal cortisol rhythms and more impaired suppression of cortisol following dexamethasone administration than non-depressed women over the three sampling days. In addition, flatter diurnal cortisol slopes were associated with reduced cortisol response to dexamethasone treatment, both for all women and for depressed women when considered separately. Finally, greater self-reported depression severity was associated with flatter diurnal cortisol slopes and with less dexamethasone-related cortisol suppression for depressed women. Depression in women thus appears to be characterized by altered HPA axis functioning, as indexed by flatter diurnal cortisol slopes and an associated impaired sensitivity of cortisol to dexamethasone. Given that altered HPA axis functioning has been implicated in several somatic conditions, the present findings may be relevant for understanding the pathophysiology of both depression and depression-related physical disease.
Digital simulation of flow patterns in the czochralski crystal-pulling process

Abstract A procedure is described for the numerical solution of the time-dependent equations governing the flow in a crystal-growth crucible. The molten crystal material is taken to be a Newtonian fluid with constant viscosity. The Boussinesq approximation is employed, i.e. compressibility is neglected except insofar as thermal expansion modifies the gravitational body force. Crucible rotation is the main driving force, but a series of numerical experiments suggests that buoyancy effects can modify appreciably the impurity-blending estimates obtained from an isothermal study.
Uncertainty for data with non-detects: Air toxic emissions from combustion

ABSTRACT Air toxic emission factor datasets often contain one or more points below a single or multiple detection limits and such datasets are referred to as “censored.” Conventional methods used to deal with censored datasets include removing non-detects, replacing the censored points with zero, half of the detection limit, or the detection limit. However, the estimated means of the censored dataset by conventional methods are usually biased. Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) and bootstrap simulation have been demonstrated as a statistically robust method to quantify variability and uncertainty of censored datasets and can provide asymptotically unbiased mean estimates. The MLE/bootstrap method is applied to 16 cases of censored air toxic emission factors, including benzene, formaldehyde, benzo(a)pyrene, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, total chromium, chromium VI and lead from coal, fuel oil, and/or wood waste external combustion sources. The proportion of censored values in the emission factor data ranges ...
Faith-Based Organizations, Charitable Choice, And Government:

This article discusses the positive and negative aspects of “charitable choice.” Although the author challenges the validity of the “separation of Church and State” argument against charitable choice, perhaps the most popular argument against this concept is that it violates the separation of Church and State principles. On the other hand, the greatest value of the charitable choice concept is its inclusion of diversity and the resulting governmental responsiveness because of such diversity. The American public is becoming more diverse, and in turn, social issues concerning various communities are becoming more complex. In such an environment, a rich variety of inputs from diverse groups should be encouraged by public agencies. No one single entity (not government, education, or business) can solve all society problems alone. The WHOLE community—faith-based organizations, education, and public and private agencies, together—must all play a role in finding solutions and committing to action.
Convergence of splitting and Newton methods for complementarity problems: an application of some sensitivity results

This paper is concerned with two well-known families of iterative methods for solving the linear and nonlinear complementarity problems. For the linear complementarity problem, we consider the class of matrix splitting methods and establish, under a finiteness assumption on the number of solutions, a necessary and sufficient condition for the convergence of the sequence of iterates produced. A rate of convergence result for this class of methods is also derived under a stability assumption on the limit solution. For the nonlinear complementarity problem, we establish the convergence of the Newton method under the assumption of a “pseudo-regular” solution which generalizes Robinson's concept of a “strongly regular” solution. In both instances, the convergence proofs rely on a common sensitivity result of the linear complementarity problem under perturbation.
Modification of crosslinking effects in cotton fabrics by swelling and methylation

The effects of crosslinking on cotton fabric are changed when the cotton has been chemically modified before crosslinking with an inert substituent, such as the methyl group. The main action of the inert substituent is to preserve swelling ability by hindering fiber deswelling after methylation and during crosslinking. At the levels of modification used, the crosslinking reaction appears to proceed normally, with no effects from reduction in the number of reactive cellulosic hydroxyl groups.
Competitive continuous fermentations with selective recycle

An inclined settler is used to partially separate desired cells from undesired cells in the product stream of a competitive continuous fermentation on the basis of differences in sedimentation velocities owing to differences in floc-forming capabilities. A stream that is enriched in the desired cells is then selectively recycled to the bioreactor. Experiments with nonsegregating yeast cultures and segregating bacterial cultures have demonstrated that maintenance of the slower-growing strains is achievable using selective recycle, whereas washout of these strains by the faster-growing competing strains occurs in the absence of selective recycle. These results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
Subspace sums for extracting non-random data from massive noise

An algorithm is introduced that distinguishes relevant data points from randomly distributed noise. The algorithm is related to subspace clustering based on axis-parallel projections, but considers membership in any projected cluster of a given side length, as opposed to a particular cluster. An aggregate measure is introduced that is based on the total number of points that are close to the given point in all possible 2 d projections of a d-dimensional hypercube. No explicit summation over subspaces is required for evaluating this measure. Attribute values are normalized based on rank order to avoid making assumptions on the distribution of random data. Effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated through comparison with conventional outlier detection on a real microarray data set as well as on time series subsequence data.
MAPKAP Kinase 2 Phosphorylates Tristetraprolin on in Vivo Sites Including Ser178, a Site Required for 14-3-3 Binding

MAPKAP kinase 2 (MK2) is required for tumor necrosis factor synthesis. Tristetraprolin (TTP) binds to the 3'-untranslated region of tumor necrosis factor mRNA and regulates its fate. We identified in vitro and in vivo phosphorylation sites in TTP using nanoflow high pressure liquid chromatography microelectrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and novel methods for direct digestion of TTP bound to affinity matrices (GSH-beads or anti-Myc linked to magnetic beads). MK2Delta3B, activated in Escherichia coli by p38alpha, phosphorylates TTP in vitro at major sites Ser(52) and Ser(178) (>10-fold in abundance) as well as at several minor sites that were detected after enriching for phosphopeptides with immobilized metal affinity chromatography. MK2 phosphorylation of TTP creates a functional 14-3-3 binding site. In cells, TTP was phosphorylated at Ser(52), Ser(178), Thr(250), and Ser(316) and at SP sites in a cluster (Ser(80)/Ser(82)/Ser(85)). Anisomycin treatment of NIH 3T3 cells increased phosphorylation of Ser(52) and Ser(178). Overexpression of MK2 sufficed to increase phosphorylation of Ser(52) and Ser(178) but not Ser(80)/Ser(82)/Ser(85) or Thr(250). Thus, Ser(52) and Ser(178) are putative MK2 sites in vivo. Identified phosphosite(s) may be biologic switches controlling mRNA stability and translation.
Experimental cancer therapy in mice by adenine nucleotides.

Adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), injected intraperitoneally into tumor-bearing (s.c. implanted footpad tumors) mice, exhibited significant anticancer activity. Daily treatments (for 10 days) inhibited the growth of the fast-growing, aggressive CT 26 colon adenocarcinoma in CB6F1 mice. The growth-inhibitory activity of adenine nucleotides was also observed against a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma, CAPAN-1, xenografts in athymic nude mice. With low tumor burdens some 'cures' were obtained in both model systems. No inherent toxicity, as determined by changes in host weight, were observed during and after the period of treatment. Intraperitoneal injections of 1 ml of 50 mM AMP, ADP or ATP in saline, yielded elevated blood and plasma levels of ATP which lasted for several hours in both strains of mice. The growth-inhibitory activities of adenine nucleotides against tumor cells in vitro, have previously been demonstrated.
Associative symmetry and stimulus-class formation by pigeons: The role of non-reinforced baseline relations

Two experiments tested the assumption of Urcuioli's (2008) theory of pigeons' equivalence-class formation that consistent non-reinforcement of certain stimulus combinations in successive matching juxtaposed with consistent reinforcement of other combinations generates stimulus classes containing the elements of the reinforced combinations. In Experiment 1, pigeons were concurrently trained on symbolic (AB) and two identity (AA and BB) successive tasks in which half of all identity trials ended in non-reinforcement but all AB trials were reinforced, contingent upon either responding or not responding to the comparisons. Subsequent symmetry (BA) probe trials showed evidence of symmetry in one of four pigeons. In Experiment 2, pigeons learned three pair-comparison tasks in which left versus right spatial choices were reinforced after the various sample-comparison combinations comprising AB, AA, and BB conditional discriminations. Non-differentially reinforced BA probe trials following acquisition showed some indication of symmetrical choice responding. The overall results contradict the theoretical predictions derived from Urcuioli (2008) and those from Experiment 2 challenge other stimulus-class analyses as well.
Trends in thyroid cancer demographics and surgical therapy in the United States.

Background The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing. Our objective was to characterize the demographic pattern of this increase and to examine trends in surgical therapy for thyroid cancer. Methods Analysis of the SEER and NHDS databases was performed from 1974 to 2000 and from 1979 to 2004, respectively. Thyroid-related diagnoses were extracted, and thyroid cancer (ICD 193.X) were analyzed using the SAS statistical package. We compared the population-adjusted incidence of thyroid cancer and examined regional variations in the operative therapy for thyroid cancer. Results The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased during the past 26 years. This increase occurred predominantly in women and in the Northeastern and Southern United States, whereas there has been a decrease in thyroid cancers in the Midwest. Papillary cancer accounts for most of this increase. Total thyroidectomy (TT) is now the most common operation for thyroid cancer. No differences in the use of TT were observed based on hospital size or insurance status. Conclusion The increasing incidence of thyroid cancer in the United States is predominantly in women. These results suggest that women are a high-risk group for developing thyroid cancer although men have higher stage disease.
Morphologic and immunophenotypic characterization of foam cells in endometrial lesions

The detection of foam cells in cervicovaginal smears obtained from postmenopausal women suggests the possibility of an endometrial lesion. Ultrastructural studies have suggested that foam cells represent endometrial stromal cells but the histogenesis of these cells has not been firmly established. To investigate the origin and diagnostic significance of foam cells, we analyzed the morphology and immunophenotype of these cells in endometrial tissue specimens and correlated the findings with cervical smears obtained within the preceding 6 months. Selected biopsies containing foam cells were evaluated using four well-characterized macrophage markers: KP-1(CD68), HAM 56, MAC 387, and lysozyme. Foam cells were found in 11 (38%) of 29 simple hyperplasias, 7 (50%) of 14 complex hyperplasias, 6 (50%) of 12 complex atypical hyperplasias, 21 (70%) of 30 adenocarcinomas, 1 (4%) of 25 samples with stromal breakdown, and 0 of 30 specimens showing normal cycling endometrium. Foam cells were also found in smears preceding the histologic diagnosis of 2 (13%) simple hyperplasias, 2 (25%) complex hyperplasias, 3 (43%) complex atypical hyperplasias, 5 (28%) adenocarcinomas, 5 (28%) cases of stromal breakdown, and 0 of 8 normal tissue specimens examined. Foam cells were immunoreactive with at least 2 of the 3 macrophage-specific antibodies in all 21 biopsies studied. Our results suggest that foam cells phenotypically represent macrophages and not endometrial stromal cells. Foam cells are identified in a significant percentage of cervical smears and endometrial tissue specimens obtained from women with endometrial pathology. The morphology and immunophenotype of foam cells, however, does not appear to be useful in distinguishing benign endometrial stromal breakdown, endometrial hyperplasia, and endometrial adenocarcinoma.
Implications of genetic variability for dry bean cooking time and novel cooking methods for fuelwood conservation in Rwanda

This study was conducted to determine how fast and slow cooking dry bean cultivars and novel cooking methods affected firewood use, cooking time, and cooked bean texture among 15 homesteads in southern Rwanda. Cooking was done on the homestead by the women of the household with a known quantity of firewood. ‘Calima’ and ‘Rubona 5’ were evaluated as pure lines and as components of market mixtures. The open wood fire cooking method was compared to cooking beans after soaking them overnight and cooking beans in a haybasket cooker. Results indicated that the use of the haybasket cooker and ‘Calima’ (fast‐cooking), significantly reduced fuelwood consumption and the amount of labor needed to prepare beans for eating. ‘Calima’ required 16% less firewood and 8% less time to cook than the slower cooking cultivar ‘Rubona 5’. The haybasket cooker used 40% less firewood than the traditional open fire cooking method.