cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant Therapy in Adrenocortical Carcinoma: Reflections and Future Directions

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy with high risk of recurrence despite macroscopically complete surgical resection. The main predictors of ACC recurrence include advanced disease stage, incomplete surgical resection, cortisol production, certain genetic alterations, and high proliferation rate (Ki-67 proliferation index). Mitotane has been the mainstay adjuvant therapy of ACC. However, the use of mitotane is based on retrospective and occasionally conflicting evidence. As mitotane levels can take a few months before reaching therapeutic levels, there is an emerging practice of combining platinum-based chemotherapy with mitotane in the adjuvant setting. Retrospective data indicate that radiotherapy is an option for select patients, particularly those with positive resection margins. There are multiple knowledge gaps in selecting patients for adjuvant therapy. It is of great importance to establish risk calculators to predict recurrence and to implement molecular profiling of ACC to guide adjuvant therapy. The role of immunotherapy in metastatic ACC is emerging and if deemed efficacious, then future studies will be needed to ascertain the role of adjuvant immunotherapy in ACC.
Help Not Wanted! Examining Factors that Influence Help Acceptance

We predict that contextual attributes (i.e., employees’ need for help) and offeror attributes (i.e., offeror’s performance, political nature) indirectly influence employee help acceptance through e...
Chapter Ten – PROFITS

Publisher Summary Profits, or the excess of revenues over costs, represent a firm's return for bearing risks, for being innovative, and for producing a service to mankind. Those companies or entrepreneurs that satisfy the consumers' needs the best are rewarded the most in the form of continued success and handsome profits. Profits, on occasion, also provide certain side benefits. For instance, some of the profits are given away to charities; others are distributed as dividends. A part of the profits are plowed back into the company for expansion and research and development, which help improve the quality of the product and update the firm's capital equipment, contributing to higher productivity of the firm's resources. Higher productivity usually implies lower costs and prices. A firm's profit function shows the relationship of profits to the quantity of output produced and sold. If a firm's revenues exactly equal its economic costs, it earns normal profits, or breaks even.
Is there a J‐curve in China‐U.S. trade?

© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd A recent series of empirical studies of the impact of real currency devaluations on a country's trade balance has produced mixed result regarding the J-curve hypothesis. Thus, in an effort to extend the literature by shedding additional light on the validity of the J-curve hypothesis, this study revisits the J-curve hypothesis using data on bilateral trade involving China and the U.S. Results from error correction estimation show that an increase in domestic as well as foreign income significantly improves China's trade balance with U.S., while the monetary variables (both domestic and foreign) have no effect on that trade balance. The key finding is that a depreciation of China's currency initially worsens its trade balance, but, over time, its trade balance improves. This pattern supports the J-curve hypothesis that is tested in prior studies with mixed results.
On-Package Decoupling Strategy to Mitigate Radio Frequency Interference from Integrated Voltage Regulators

This paper presents a new solution for mitigating integrated voltage regulator (IVR) switching noise by using on-package radio frequency (RF) decoupling capacitors. IVR enables product miniaturization but prone to RFI issues without proper design considerations due to high switching frequency. The proposed decoupling strategy allows flexible and low-cost platform designs. The critical design parameters, such as capacitance, capacitor number, and locations, are studied. The effectiveness of the proposed solution is validated with system-level measurements. These recommendations may help to mitigate radio frequency interference (RFI) due to IVR switching noise, relax IVR routing requirements, and eliminate the need of on-board shielding.
COVID-19 Related Mortality During Management of a Hepatic Abscess.

Abstract The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which originated in the capital city of the Hubei Province, Wuhan, China, in late 2019. Declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11th, 2020, COVID-19 has challenged healthcare systems to limit the spread of community and hospital-acquired disease. This article uses a patient case to highlight the importance of infection control during the height of the SARS-CoV-2 surge at a Level I affiliated community hospital in Western New York.
Understanding Pathways from Traumatic Exposure to Physical Health

Exposure to a traumatic event is strongly linked to adverse physical health. This chapter reviews the evidence on the physical health consequences of traumatic exposure by using a model that conceptualizes PTSD as the primary mediator through which exposure affects physical health. PTSD is associated with more health problems and medical disorders, decreased physical functioning and overall health, and greater service utilization and mortality. Biological, psychological, behavioral, and attentional changes associated with PTSD are the proposed mechanisms through which PTSD could affect physical health, with the concept of allostatic load as an explanation for how even subtle changes could combine to adversely affect health. The literature showing that PTSD is associated with poor health is highly consistent across self-reported and objective indicators, although there is relatively less evidence on objective indicators of morbidity other than cardiovascular disease and on mortality. Nevertheless, recognizing the physical health effects of traumatic exposure has important implications for research, practice, and society as a whole.
Preparing a Successful Scientific Abstract for Professional Meetings in the Data Sciences

Abstracts constitute an important part of the scientific process. They allow readers to assess important attributes of a given project or study in a quick and efficient manner. Each year the Society of Clinical Data Management (SCDM), similar to other professional societies, issues a ‘Call for Abstracts’ in which data professionals are encouraged to submit summaries of their work for possible presentation at the annual meeting. If an abstract is accepted, authors will be asked to share their work at the meeting through a podium, poster, panel, or round-table presentation. The purpose of this article is to educate SCDM members about the fundamentals of writing an abstract, including its overarching purpose, key components, and potential for contributions to both the profession and science, more generally. Recommendations for writing abstracts are also provided.
Antibacterial Collagen Composite Membranes Containing Minocycline.

Abstract Collagen membranes have been used as bioresorbable barrier membranes in guided tissue/bone regeneration. However, the collagen membranes currently used in clinics lack an active antibacterial function, although infection at surgical sites presents a realistic challenge for guided tissue/bone regeneration. In this study, we successfully prepared novel and advanced collagen composite membranes from collagen and complexes of heparin and chelates of minocycline and Ca2+ ions. These membranes were characterized for chemical structures, morphology, elemental compositions and tensile strength. In vitro release studies were conducted to evaluate the release kinetics of minocycline from these membranes. Agar disk diffusion assays were used to assess their sustained antibacterial capability against model pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The chemical and physical characterization confirmed the successful synthesis of minocycline-loaded collagen composite membranes, namely NCCM-1 and NCCM-2. Both membranes had weaker tensile strength as compared with commercial collagen membranes. They achieved sustained release of minocycline for at least 4 weeks in simulated body fluid (pH 7.4) at 37°C. Moreover, both membranes demonstrated potent sustained antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus. These results suggested that the advanced collagen composite membranes containing minocycline can be exploited as novel guided tissue regeneration membranes or wound dressing by providing additional antibacterial functions.
Integrating Systemic and Analytic Approaches to School Attendance Problems: Synergistic Frameworks for Research and Policy Directions

School attendance and school attendance problems are complex and significant indicators of child and adolescent health and development. The study of school attendance/problems has a rich history but one that has bifurcated into detached systemic and analytic approaches. Integrative heuristic frameworks are pursued to enhance synergy regarding school attendance/problems via shared conceptual schemas, cohesive organization of key variables, fundamental evolutionary processes, assimilated measurement tools, and coordinated intercession strategies. Five major domains (and themes) of the school attendance/problems literature are presented to juxtapose systemic and analytic approaches in this area: core constructs (dimensional and categorical), influencing factors (distal and proximal), trajectories (continuous and discontinuous), measurement (evaluation and assessment), and intercession (intervention and treatment). Systemic and analytic approaches to each major domain of school attendance/problems contain key commonalities for integrative heuristic frameworks. These frameworks include symbiotic categorical-dimensional orientations defining core constructs, shared domain architectures and ecological levels linking distal and proximal influencing factors, developmental cascade pathways accounting for continuous and discontinuous trajectories, nuanced early warning systems and data mining algorithms blending evaluation and assessment, and multi-tiered systems of support incorporating broad interventions and specific treatments. Only by encompassing all valid panoramic and immersive perspectives and best practices can researchers, educators, policymakers, families, and other stakeholders fully comprehend and address the complicated ecosystem of school attendance/problems. Such integration is also necessary to effectively draw all youth, and particularly marginalized youth, into the educational process.
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using a novel minimally invasive expandable interbody cage: patient-reported outcomes and radiographic parameters

OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a novel multidirectional in situ expandable minimally invasive surgery (MIS) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) cage. METHODS A retrospective analysis of 69 consecutive patients undergoing a 1- or 2-level MIS TLIF using an expandable cage was performed over a 2-year period. Standard MIS techniques with pedicle screw fixation were used in all cases. Upright lateral dynamic flexion/extension radiographs were reviewed prior to and at 1 year after surgery. Clinical metrics included numeric rating scale for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index, and the SF-12 and VR-12 physical and mental health surveys. Radiographic parameters included anterior and posterior disc height, neuroforaminal height, spondylolisthesis, segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis, and fusion rate. RESULTS A total of 69 patients representing 75 operative levels met study inclusion criteria. The mean patient age at surgery was 63.4 ± 1.2 years, with a female predominance of 51%. The average radiographic and clinical follow-ups were 372 and 368 days, respectively. A total of 63 patients (91%) underwent 1-level surgery and 6 patients (9%) underwent 2-level surgery. Significant reductions of numeric rating scale scores for back and leg pain were observed-from 6.1 ± 0.7 to 2.5 ± 0.3 (p < 0.0001) and 4.9 ± 0.6 to 1.9 ± 0.2 (p < 0.0001), respectively. A similar reduction in Oswestry Disability Index from 38.0 ± 4.6 to 20.0 ± 2.3 (p < 0.0001) was noted. Likewise, SF-12 and VR-12 scores all showed statistically significant improvement from baseline (p < 0.001). The mean anterior and posterior disc heights improved from 8.7 ± 1.0 mm to 13.4 ± 1.5 mm (p = 0.0001) and 6.5 ± 0.8 mm to 9.6 ± 1.1 mm (p = 0.0001), respectively. Neuroforaminal height improved from 17.6 ± 2.0 mm to 21.9 ± 2.5 mm (p = 0.0001). When present, spondylolisthesis was, on average, reduced from 4.3 ± 0.5 mm to 1.9 ± 0.2 mm (p = 0.0001). Lumbar lordosis improved from 47.8° ± 5.5° to 58.5° ± 6.8° (p = 0.2687), and no significant change in segmental lordosis was observed. The overall rate of radiographic fusion was 93.3% at 1 year. No perioperative complications requiring operative revision were encountered. CONCLUSIONS In this series of MIS TLIFs, use of this novel interbody cage was shown to be safe and effective. Significant improvements in pain and disability were observed. Effective and durable restoration of disc height and neuroforaminal height and reduction of spondylolisthesis were obtained, with concurrent gains in lumbar lordosis. Taken together, this device offers excellent clinical and radiographic outcomes via an MIS approach.
QuantImPy: Minkowski functionals and functions with Python

Abstract The Minkowski functionals and functions are a family of morphological measures and can be used to describe both the morphology (shape) and topology (connectedness) of a system. This paper presents the QuantImPy Python package which can compute both the Minkowski functionals and functions. In addition, this package can efficiently perform basic morphological operations and compute their distance maps. QuantImPy is easy to install, well-documented, integrated with existing Python packages, and open source.
Summary of panel discussion about antiviral therapy for zoster

The clinical benefit of antiviral therapy for recurrent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections in immunocompromised patients is not disputed but some aspects of the treatment of zoster in the otherwise healthy individual remain controversial.
Potential Social Disarray in Russia Due to Health Factors

Russians are already unhappy about their economic plight; a major health crisis could push them to take action against the government.
Acceleration of injected electrons in a laser beatwave experiment

A 10-ps beam of 12 MeV electrons was loaded in a 1-cm long plasma beat wave accelerator driven by a TW CO/sub 2/ laser pulse. CO/sub 2/ laser pulses and electron bunches were deterministically synchronized with an uncertainty of 20 ps. At the resonant electron plasma density of /spl sim/10/sup 16/ cm/sup -3/ the electrons have been accelerated to 22 MeV with a gradient of /spl sim/ 1 GeV/m.
From Court to Forest: Giambattista Basile's Lo cunto de li cunti and the Birth of the Literary Fairy Tale

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Nancy L. Canepa Year: 1999 Pages: 336 Publisher: Wayne State University Press Prices: $39.95 US(hard cover).
Historical Perspectives of the Enzymes of Nitrate Assimilation by Crop Plants and Potential for Biotechnological Application

Early history. Early (1880–1948) literature reviews report on the effect of NO3 - supply, experimental manipulations and environment, especially light, on levels of NO3 -, NO2 and organic-N in various organs of several plant species. As early as 1904 it was noted that cell free extracts of potato tubers reduced NO3 -.Subsequently, similar observations were made with other plant species. By 1952, knowledge was emerging on the characteristics of nitrate reductase (NR) extracted from E. coli and Neurospora (McElroy and Glass 1956). In 1953, Evans and Nason extracted and partially purified a NR from the primary leaves of 8-day-old soybean plants. In order of decreasing efficiency, the enzyme used reduced tri- or diphosphopyridine nucleotide (TPNH or DPNH) or flavin adenine dinucleotide (FADH2) as electron donors. With TPNH, the NR reduced NO3 - to NO2 -, stiochiometrically. The optimum pH for assay was 6.5. Sulfhydryl group(s), FAD and at least one metal were essential components. In vitro, illuminated grana could reduce TPN for NO3 - reduction. At that time, this provided an explanation for the role of light in NO3 - assimilation in green leaves. In a survey of seven plant species, low levels of NR actvity (1 to 7 nmol mg-1 dry weight h-1) were found in crude extracts of shoots and roots. For four of these species, the enzyme could utilize either TPNH or DPNH. For wheat, corn and tomato, NR was found in the roots but not the shoots. With 17-day-old soybean seedlings, the primary leaves had no NR activity and activity of other leaves was very low.
Respecting the Uniqueness of the Individual: Social Work Practice within a Reflective Model

HONORING the uniqueness of the individual is central to social work practice. Uniqueness, a multidimen sional concept, is that which differ entiates one person from another. Re specting uniqueness is clearly defined within the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (1979) as a fundamental value of the social work profession and is readily accepted by practitioners as a positive value to uphold. In fact, most social workers would claim strict adherence to such a worthy and respectable value stance. Sometimes in their haste to subscribe to something that is obviously positive, social workers subscribe blindly, with out questioning what the concept means. They fail to examine how they came to accept the concept as central to their professional value base, and they do not explore trends that have influ enced the shaping of the concept. Social workers may give the impression of up holding the value while failing to evaluate carefully the ways in which their organizations, their work, and their treatment inhibit, if not obstruct, the actual application of the value in their day-to-day practices. As Richmond (1917) aptly noted,
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in the optimization of subwavelength solar cell textures for light trapping

Light trapping in solar cells allows for increased efficiency and reduced materials cost. It is well known that a 4n2 factor of enhancement in absorption can be achieved by randomly texturing the surface of the solar cell, where n is the refractive index of the material. However, this limit only holds when the thickness of the solar cell is much greater than the wavelength of light. In the subwavelength regime, the fundamental question remains unanswered: what surface texture realizes the optimal absorption enhancement? We turn to computational inverse electromagnetic design in order to find this optimal nanoscale texture for light trapping, and observe spontaneous symmetry breaking in the final design. We achieve a factor of 40 in enhancement at normal incidence and above 20 for angle-averaged incidence (averaged over an energy bandwidth of 1/8) for n= 3.5.
Effects of freezing conditions on the morphology and mechanical properties of clay and polymer/clay aerogels

Clay aerogels and poly(vinyl alcohol)/clay aerogels were prepared via an environmental friendly freeze-drying process. Both mechanical properties and microstructures of the clay aerogels and polymer/clay aerogels were correlated to the freezing conditions. The compressive moduli of these materials increased as the freezing temperature used to produce the aerogels was decreased. Scanning electron microscopic observations suggest that the morphological variations of clay aerogels can be explained by the mechanism of ice templating that produced these structures. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Extreme free energy of stabilization of Taq DNA polymerase

We have examined the chemical denaturations of the Klentaq and Klenow large-fragment domains of the Type 1 DNA polymerases from Thermus aquaticus (Klentaq) and Escherichia coli (Klenow) under identical solution conditions in order to directly compare the stabilization energetics of the two proteins. The high temperature stability of Taq DNA polymerase is common knowledge, and is the basis of its use in the polymerase chain reaction. This study, however, is aimed at understanding the thermodynamic basis for this high-temperature stability. Chemical denaturations with guanidine hydrochloride report a folding free energy (DeltaG) for Klentaq that is over 20 kcal/mol more favorable than that for Klenow under the conditions examined. This difference between the stabilization free energies of a homologous mesophilic-thermophilic protein pair is significantly larger than generally observed. This is due in part to the fact that the stabilization free energy for Klentaq polymerase, at 27.5 kcal/mol, is one of the largest ever determined for a monomeric protein. Large differences in the chemical midpoints of the unfolding (Cm) and the dependences of the unfolding free energy on denaturant concentration in the transition region (m-value) between the two proteins are also observed. Measurements of the sedimentation coefficients of the two proteins in the native and denatured states report that both proteins approximately double in hydrodynamic size upon denaturation, but that Klentaq expands somewhat more than Klenow.
Necrotizing eosinophilic folliculitis as a manifestation of the atopic diathesis.

Background Eosinophilic folliculitis (EF) is an idiopathic eruption of sterile pustules and papules involving the trunk, face, and extremities, associated in many cases with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The classic histopathology is one of follicular-based, eosinophilic spongiosis with variable microabscess formation. We describe nine HIV-negative patients who manifested a novel form of pustular EF in the setting of atopy. Materials and methods Paraffin sections of skin biopsies from ten patients, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and special preparations to evaluate for microbial pathogens, were examined. Detailed clinical histories and serologic studies were obtained. Results Among the clinical presentations in seven men, two women, and one girl (age range, 11–62 years) were ulcerative and/or nodular plaques mainly on the face and/or extremities, sometimes in an annular configuration. The clinical considerations included deep mycotic infection, ulcerative herpes, systemic vasculitis, Mucha Haberman disease, and pyoderma gangrenosum. All patients had a personal and/or family history of atopy. Co-existent medical illnesses included psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, and lymphoproliferative disease. One patient was on a calcium channel blocker, one on multiple antidepressants, and two on antihistamines, all of which are associated with immune dysregulation. All skin biopsies showed variable intra- follicular eosinophilic microabscesses, follicular necrosis, folliculocentric necrotizing eosinophilic vasculitis, marked degeneration of connective tissue fiber elements, and striking tissue eosinophilia, including flame figure formation and dermal eosinophilic abscesses. Apart from commensals, such as Pityrosporum and Demodex, microbial pathogens were not identified. Conclusions The presentations differed from conventional EF by virtue of a strong association with atopy and by the presence of ulceration, nodule formation, follicular and dermal necrosis, and eosinophilic vasculitis. We propose the term ‘‘necrotizing eosinophilic folliculitis,’' and suggest that the basis of this novel form of EF is an unrepressed T-helper lymphocyte type 2 (Th2)-dominant response to various epicutaneous stimuli in patients with atopy, the prototypic immune dysregulatory state associated with a Th2-dominant cytokine milieu.
Single crystal growth of the Ln2(MoO4)3-type rare earth molybdates

Abstract Specific Czochralski crystal growth procedures are described for some of the title compounds which occur in a multitude of different structures further complicated by temperature-dependent polymorphism and thermodynamic metastability. Particular emphasis is given to the growth conditions of the eight ferroelectric species where Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Ho. For the compositions Gd 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 , Tb 2 (MoO 4 ) 3 and GdDy(MoO 4 ) 3 , a procedure has been established for the first time which will yield high quality single crystalline material free of any second phases to give rise to scattering the light of a laser beam passed through the crystal.
Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency does not alter the effects of chronic fluoxetine treatment on central serotonin turnover or behavior in the forced swim test in female rats.

Abstract While translational evidence suggests that long-chain omega-3 fatty acid status is positively associated with the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs, the neurochemical mechanisms mediating this interaction are not known. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary omega-3 ( n -3) fatty acid insufficiency on the neurochemical and behavioral effects of chronic fluoxetine (FLX) treatment. Female rats were fed diets with (CON, n = 56) or without (DEF, n = 40) the n -3 fatty acids during peri-adolescent development (P21–P90), and one half of each group was administered FLX (10 mg/kg/day) for 30 days (P60–P90) prior to testing. In adulthood (P90), regional brain serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic (5-HIAA) concentrations, presynaptic markers of 5-HT neurotransmission, behavioral responses in the forced swim test (FST), and plasma FLX and norfluoxetine (NFLX) concentrations were investigated. Peri-adolescent n -3 insufficiency led to significant reductions in cortical docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n -3) composition in DEF (− 25%, p ≤ 0.0001) and DEF + FLX (− 28%, p ≤ 0.0001) rats. Untreated DEF rats exhibited significantly lower regional 5-HIAA/5-HT ratios compared with untreated CON rats, but exhibited similar behavioral responses in the FST. In both CON and DEF rats, chronic FLX treatment similarly and significantly decreased 5-HIAA concentrations and the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens, brainstem tryptophan hydroxylase-2 mRNA expression, and immobility in the FST. While the FLX-induced reduction in 5-HIAA concentrations in the prefrontal cortex was significantly blunted in DEF rats, the reduction in the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio was similar to CON rats. Although plasma FLX and NFLX levels were not significantly different in DEF and CON rats, the NFLX/FLX ratio was significantly lower in DEF + FLX rats. These preclinical data demonstrate that n -3 fatty acid deficiency does not significantly reduce the effects of chronic FLX treatment on central 5-HT turnover or behavior in the FST in female rats.
Exposure to Community Violence and Protective and Risky Contexts Among Low Income Urban African American Adolescents: A Prospective Study

This study examined protective and risky companionship and locations for exposure to community violence among African American young adolescents living in high crime, urban areas. The Experience Sampling Method (ESM), an in vivo data collection method, was employed to gather information from 233 students (62% female) over 3 years, beginning in the 6th grade. Questionnaire variables of exposure to community violence were regressed onto ESM companionship and location variables, cross-sectionally and longitudinally, separately for boys and girls. At different points, time spent with parents, in school, and outside in private space was associated with less exposure to violence for boys and girls, while time spent with girls was protective for boys. In addition, time spent outside in public and with older peers was associated with increased risk for boys and girls. These findings are discussed in relation to previous and potential future research, and to strategies to prevent exposure to community violence.
A Clinical Approach to the Pharmacotherapy of Aggression in Children and Adolescents

Overt aggression in its various forms is the most prevalent symptom presenting to pediatric mental health providers, regardless of setting. It is a behavior with a heterogeneous etiology and requires a comprehensive approach to evaluation and treatment. Evaluation of the aggressive child must assess medical, neurologic, psychiatric, psychosocial, familial, and/or educational contributions to behavioral dyscontrol. Multimodal treatment is generally required. At present, there is no single medication to recommend for the treatment of aggressive behavior. Multiple medications have clinically been used in a nonspecific fashion to target excessive childhood aggression. Although successful for some, this approach increases risk for ineffective interventions accompanied by side effects. Until a scientific understanding of the developmental neurobiology of aggression leads to more specific treatment, this review suggests the use of a diagnostic-based approach to the pharmacology of aggression (FIG. 1). Descriptive diagnostic techniques should be used to define the presence of any primary or comorbid psychiatric disorder that presents with aggression as an associated symptom. Treating aggression in the context of these psychiatric syndromes appears to be the most direct approach. Aggression occurring in the context of a medication-responsive psychiatric diagnosis appears most sensitive to pharmacologic intervention. Presently, evidence for efficacy is strongest for aggression in the context of ADHD, psychotic disorder, adolescent-onset bipolar disorder, and ictal aggression It remains less clear that medication can help aggression when it occurs independently of a pharmacologically treatable comorbid psychiatric disorder. Aggression may respond to a target symptom approach where discrete behavioral symptoms that contribute to aggression, such as irritability, explosiveness, fear, or impulsivity, may be modified by medication intervention (FIG. 1). When treatment is approached in this fashion, it is standard practice to use the least toxic and safest intervention first. Behavioral treatment based on contingency management principles could be initially recommended. Medication trials should first use medications that have demonstrated empiric efficacy in reducing aggression (TABLE 1) and that have a favorable safety profile. Neuroleptics to treat aggression in nonpsychotic psychiatrically referred youth should be kept to a minimum, secondary to their significant adverse risk profile. Alternative medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake-inhibiting antidepressants, buspirone, lithium, anticonvulsants, opiate blocking agents, propranolol, nadolol, and clonidine, deserve more clinical research in pediatric aggression. These medications may offer effective and less toxic alternatives in the pharmacologic treatment of inappropriate excessive childhood aggression.
In Vitro Assembly of the øX174 Procapsid from External Scaffolding Protein Oligomers and Early Pentameric Assembly Intermediates

Bacteriophage oX174 morphogenesis requires two scaffolding proteins: an internal species, similar to those employed in other viral systems, and an external species, which is more typically associated with satellite viruses. The current model of oX174 assembly is based on structural and in vivo data. During morphogenesis, 240 copies of the external scaffolding protein mediate the association of 12 pentameric particles into procapsids. The hypothesized pentameric intermediate, the 12S⁎ particle, contains 16 proteins: 5 copies each of the coat, spike and internal scaffolding proteins and 1 copy of the DNA pilot protein. Assembly naive 12S⁎ particles and external scaffolding oligomers, most likely tetramers, formed procapsid-like particles in vitro, suggesting that the 12S⁎ particle is a bona fide assembly intermediate and validating the current model of procapsid morphogenesis. The in vitro system required a crowding agent, was influenced by the ratio of the reactants and was most likely driven by hydrophobic forces. While the system reported here shared some characteristics with other in vitro internal scaffolding protein-mediated systems, it displayed unique features. These features most likely reflect external scaffolding protein-mediated morphogenesis and the oX174 procapsid structure, in which external scaffolding-scaffolding protein interactions, as opposed to coat-coat protein interactions between pentamers, constitute the primary lattice-forming contacts.
The systems analysis and design course: a practitioners’ assessment of the importance and coverage of topics

This study builds on research indicating significant variability among topics covered in the teaching of systems analysis and design, and identifies topics that practitioners consider important. Shannon’s entropy is used to analyse the opinions and measure the agreement or disagreement among survey respondents. The findings indicate agreement regarding which traditional topics are not important and agreement among which object-oriented and structured analysis subtopics are important. The results indicate enough variance to cause concern that IS graduates may not have the knowledge, skills, and abilities desired by their potential employers. This analysis provides a basis for future comparisons.
Receptor mechanisms of bradykinin-mediated activation of prenodal lymphatic smooth muscle.

We have previously shown that several endogenous vasoactive agents constrict prenodal lymph vessels in the canine forelimb. In this study, we assessed the receptor mechanisms by which bradykinin activates lymphatic smooth muscle. Intralymphatic (i.l.) infusion of bradykinin at concentrations of 3.82 x 10(-6), 3.82 x 10(-5) and 3.82 x 10(-4) molar significantly increased lymphatic perfusion pressure. To determine the potential role of lymphatic alpha-receptors in this response, we infused bradykinin at a concentration of 3.82 x 10(-4) molar i.l. before and during intra-arterial (i.a.) phentolamine administration. Prior to phentolamine, bradykinin resulted in a doubling of the lymphatic perfusion pressure. Phentolamine alone had no effect on the resting lymphatic pressure, but significantly reduced forelimb arterial pressures. When the infusion of bradykinin was repeated during phentolamine administration, there was no significant change in the lymphatic perfusion pressure. To determine the subclass of alpha-adrenergic receptors involved in this response, we infused bradykinin and the alpha1-receptor agonist phenylephrine i.l. before and during administration of i.a. prazosin, a specific alpha1-receptor antagonist, i.a. Prior to prazosin, both phenylephrine and bradykinin significantly increased lymphatic perfusion pressure. During prazosin administration, neither phenylephrine nor bradykinin significantly altered the lymphatic perfusion pressure. These data indicate that bradykinin-mediated increases in prenodal lymphatic smooth muscle tone are mediated by lymphatic alpha1-adrenergic receptors.
Non-small-cell lung cancer in the elderly with an emphasis on chemotherapy in the adjuvant and metastatic disease settings

SUMMARY Most lung cancer patients in the USA are older than 65 years of age, and yet oncologists continue to struggle with how best to treat these older patients. This article reviews the medical management of non-small-cell lung cancer in older patients with a focus on decision-making with respect to chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting and metastatic disease settings. In these two settings, chemotherapy as a single-modality intervention can provide a major positive impact. Nonetheless, a relative dearth of evidence in these settings underscores the need to summarize the available data in an effort to make patient counseling easier for healthcare providers and to make decision-making easier for patients and their families.
Dealing with acquired hemophilia

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS, INTERVENTIONS, AND THERAPEUTIC TRIALS Twenty-three years ago, Green and Lechner[1][1] published the first survey of patients with spontaneous development of factor VIII inhibitors. That paper explored the epidemiology and other clinical characteristics in 215 patients with
Antiserum inhibition of rabbit spermatozoal adherence to ova.

The in vitro effects of different normal and immune sera rabbit oviductal fluid and culture media from incubations of female reproductive tissues on the adherence of rabbit spermatozoa to rabbit and rat ova is described. There were no apparent differences in results due to species of ova. Adherence of spermatozoa to ova was not affected by treatment with normal sera. Antisera against materials that contained spermatozoa such as semen epididymal spermatozoa and testis completely inhibited the spermatozoa from attaching to ova and caused considerable agglutination of sperm cells in the incubation slides. When the agglutinating and immobilizing activities of rabbit and goat antisera were removed by papain treatment the antiadherent effect of the antisera was unaffected. Oviductal secretions and concentrated media from the culture of reproductive tissue from female rabbits isoimmunized with semen inhibited adherence of sperm.
Extended security enhancement algorithm for power systems

Abstract An enhanced formulation of a linear method for transmission line overload alleviation is described, based on the relationship between line current and voltage parameters. This new development ensures adequate modelling of real power injections in buses without specified loads, inclusion of the swing bus from those generators with the capability of alleviating line overloads, and incorporation of the dependence of load on voltage during load shedding.
Diagnostic markers of prostate cancer: utility of prostate-specific antigen in diagnosis and staging.

The optimal tumor marker for prostate cancer would be effective for early detection, staging, and monitoring patients after definitive treatment. This marker would have a high sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value for distinguishing men with benign prostatic hy-perplasia (BPH) from men with early prostate cancer. Such a marker would consistently detect biologically significant disease, correlate with clinical and pathologic staging, and predict prognosis. In addition, this marker would be accurate at indicating cure or progression of disease after treatment. Certainly, the ideal marker also would be reproducible, inexpensive, generate results rapidly, be easy to perform, be accessible to clinicians, and tolerable to patients. Unfortunately, such a “super” marker does not exist at this time. However, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has many of the aforementioned capabilities. This article will describe the current utility of PSA in the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Global Evaluation of Radiosonde Water Vapor Systematic Biases using GPS Radio Occultation from COSMIC and ECMWF Analysis

In this study, we compare specific humidity profiles derived from Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) radio occultation (RO) from August to November 2006 with those from different types of radiosonde and from ECMWF global analysis. Comparisons show that COSMIC specific humidity data agree well with ECMWF analysis over different regions of the world for both day and night times. On the contrary, evaluation against COSMIC specific humidity shows a distinct dry bias of Shang-E radiosonde (China) and an obvious wet bias of VIZ-type (USA). No obvious specific humidity biases are found for MRZ (Russia) and MEISEI (Japan) radiosondes. These results demonstrate the usefulness of COSMIC water vapor for quantifying the dry/wet biases among different sensor types.
Enhancement of Ultraviolet Disinfection of Wastewater by Low Pressure Water Jet Pretreatment: Effectiveness and Impacts on Bacteria

AbstractIt has been proven that the concept of using a high pressure water jet (HPWJ) to pretreat wastewater for the enhancement of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection of wastewater is an effective and cost-efficient alternative compared with the widely studied ultrasonic method. This study addresses: (1) the effectiveness of the pretreatment with a low pressure water jet (LPWJ) under similar experimental settings to the previous HPWJ study, (2) the water pressure impacts on bacteria in the treated wastewater, and (3) the difference in electrical energy consumption under treatment with different pressures. The results show that with the tested primary clarifier overflow (PCO), there were no real differences in enhancement of UV disinfection with LPWJ pretreatment operating under a tested pressure range from 0.97 to 6.80 MPa. More than 1 log unit improvement of UV disinfection efficiency can be achieved under all the tested pressures compared with treatment by UV irradiation alone when the UV dose is in the 20∼3...
Two distinct serotonin receptors: regional variations in receptor binding in mammalian brain

Two distinct serotonin receptors in mammalian brain are labeled respectively with [3H]serotonin (5-HT1) and [3H]spiperone (5-HT2). In general agonists display highest affinities for 5-HT1 while antagonists prefer 5-HT2 sites. To conduct regional studies of 5-HT receptors, we estimated 5-HT2 sites with [3H]spiperone, using the 5-HT2 specific antagonist cinanserin to displace binding to 5-HT2 but not dopamine receptors and sulpiride to displace [3H]spiperone from dopamine but not 5-HT receptors. About 15% of cerebral cortical [3H]spiperone binding appears to involve dopamine sites and the remainder involves 5-HT2 receptors. In the corpus striatum about 80% of [3H]spiperone binding labels dopamine receptors and the rest involves 5-HT2 sites. [3H]mianserin binds about equally to 5-HT2 and histamine H1-receptors. [3H]mianserin interactions with 5-HT2 sites are studied selectively by displacing histamine H1-receptor binding with the H1-antihistamine triprolidine. [3H]LSD labels both 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. Its binding to 5-HT1 sites is displaced selectively with 5-HT, while its binding to 5-HT2 receptors is displaced with cinanserin. [3H]5-HT labels only 5-HT1 receptors. The regional distribution of the two 5-HT receptors is similar in rat, guinea pig and bovine brain. However, the regional patterns of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors differ considerably in all 3 species. The hippocampus is quite high in 5-HT1 receptors but low in 5-HT2 sites. The cerebellum contains the lowest levels of both 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. In bovine brain, most areas contain similar numbers of 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors. However, the substantia nigra, the richest 5-HT1 area in bovine brain, possesses 10 times more 5-HT1 than 5-HT2 sites.
Phenomenological model for the growth of small metallic clusters on a substrate

Abstract A two-component phenomenological model of small metallic cluster growth on a substrate is presented and solved. The results are compared with those of recent experimental scanning tunneling electron microscope (STEM) studies. It is shown that this model can quantitatively explain all the features found in the experimental study, including in particular the presence of an unshifting peak at small radius in the cluster size distribution function.
Refining hollow obturator base using light-activated resin

Abstract The disadvantages of an open-type hollow obturator include difficulty in polishing and cleaning of the internal surface, food accumulation in the hollow obturator and inability to obtain support from the superior aspect in the defect area. This article describes an easy time-saving procedure that uses visible light-activated denture base materials as a reline material to close an open type interim obturator. This procedure can be used successfully for both late stage interim obturators and/or for correcting leakage problems for patients who wear definitive obturators. (J Prosthet Dent 1997;78:327-9.)
S1 nuclease-specific nicking of mitochondrial DNA containing displacement loops

Conditions are described in which the single strand-specific nuclease S1 selectively nicks mitochondrial DNA containing displacement loops without nicking supercoiled mitochondrial DNA. Using these conditions, the percentage of molecules containing displacement loops can be easily and accurately determined. This method is superior to the traditional electron microscopic examination for assessing the frequency of displacement loop-containing molecules. In addition, this method permits the determination of the relative specific activities of displacement loop and nondisplacement loop-containing mitochondrial DNA after various radioactive labeling protocols. S1 nuclease is shown to cleave the displaced strand of the displacement loop, to partially degrade the 7S-initiation strand, but not to cleave the parental template strand complementary to the 7S-initiation strand. The final product is a nicked circular molecule with at least two breaks localized within the displacement loop region in only one of the two parental strands.
Electronic Structures of Crystalline and Aqueous Solutions of LiBr, NaBr, KBr, and KBrO3: In Situ Br L-Edge Near-edge X-ray Absorption Fine Structure

The electronic structures of crystalline and aqueous solutions of LiBr, NaBr, KBr, and KBrO3 were studied using in-situ Br L-edge near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) under ambient conditions. The direct observation of the ligand-field potential (10Dq) allows the determination of their dependence on the interatomic distances between Br and the first near neighbor in crystalline LiBr, NaBr, KBr, and KBrO3 and the effect of hydration in the corresponding aqueous solutions. DV−Xα molecular-orbital calculations show that for both crystalline and aqueous solutions of KBr, the transitions occur from Br 2p to the unoccupied states containing mainly 4d orbitals of Br. The 5s and 5p orbitals of Br and 3d orbitals of K also contribute to the unoccupied states in addition to the 4d orbitals of neighbor Br due to the orbital mixing in crystalline KBr.
Global identification of bursicon-regulated genes in Drosophila melanogaster

Background Bursicon is a heterodimer neuropeptide responsible for regulating cuticle sclerotization and wing expansion in several insect species. Recent studies indicate that the action of bursicon is mediated by a specific G protein-coupled receptor DLGR2 and the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. However, little is known regarding the genes that are regulated by bursicon. The identification of bursicon-regulated genes is the focus of this investigation.
Cold War Captives: imprisonment, escape, and brainwashing

Cold War Captives: imprisonment, escape, and brainwashing SUSAN L. CARRUTHERS Berkeley, CA, University of California Press, 2009 ix + 305 pp., illus., bibliography, index, $21.95 (cloth) During the...
Industrial organization in oil markets since the embargo

Recently it has become obvious that OPEC, a cartel which only a few years ago could cause substantial redistribution of wealth in its favor, is now hard pressed to protect these gains. In the history of cartels the phenomenon is not new, and the conventional tools of industrial organization analyses are used here to provide insights into the process. The dynamics of structural change and the conduct of market participants have undermined OPEC's dominance in world crude oil trading.
Archaic Homo sapiens at Lake Eyasi, Tanzania: Recent misrepresentations

Archaic Homo sapiens cranial fragments from northern Tanzania, commonly termed the Eyasi skulls, have been the subject of several recent studies. Microanalytical chemical analysis (F,U,N) and aspartic acid racemization dates provided by R. Protsch are criticized here for serious inconsistencies in the data presented. Also, attention is drawn to inaccuracies in this recent literature concerning the context at Lake Eyasi from which these fossilized hominid remains were recovered.