cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated Localization and Segmentation of Mononuclear Cell Aggregates in Kidney Histological Images Using Deep Learning

Abstract Allograft rejection is a major concern in kidney transplantation. Inflammatory processes in patients with kidney allografts involve various patterns of immune cell recruitment and distributions. Lymphoid aggregates (LAs) are commonly observed in patients with kidney allografts and their presence and localization may correlate with severity of acute rejection. Alongside with other markers of inflammation, LAs assessment is currently performed by pathologists manually in a qualitative way, which is both time consuming and far from precise. Here we present the first automated method of identifying LAs and measuring their densities in whole slide images of transplant kidney biopsies. We trained a deep convolutional neural network based on U-Net on 44 core needle kidney biopsy slides, monitoring loss on a validation set (n=7 slides). The model was subsequently tested on a hold-out set (n=10 slides). We found that the coarse pattern of LAs localization agrees between the annotations and predictions, which is reflected by high correlation between the annotated and predicted fraction of LAs area per slide (Pearson R of 0.9756). Furthermore, the network achieves an auROC of 97.78 ± 0.93% and an IoU score of 69.72 ± 6.24 % per LA-containing slide in the test set. Our study demonstrates that a deep convolutional neural network can accurately identify lymphoid aggregates in digitized histological slides of kidney. This study presents a first automatic DL-based approach for quantifying inflammation marks in allograft kidney, which can greatly improve precision and speed of assessment of allograft kidney biopsies when implemented as a part of computer-aided diagnosis system.
Human Centered Design as a New Approach to Creative Problem Solving: Its Usefulness and Applicability for Social Work Practice

Social innovation within Human Service Organization (HSO) is gradually gaining momentum, however tools and techniques to promote the same are still in their infancy. Human Centered Design is one to...
Soft Microenvironments Induce Chemoresistance by Increasing Autophagy Downstream of Integrin-Linked Kinase.

Breast cancer relapse can develop over the course of years as a result of dormant cancer cells that disseminate to secondary sites. These dormant cells are often resistant to conventional hormone and chemotherapy. Although recurrence is the main cause of death from cancer, microenvironmental factors that may influence resistance to therapy and duration of dormancy are largely unknown. Breast cancer relapse is often detected in tissues that are softer than the normal mammary gland or the primary breast tumor, such as bone marrow, brain, and lung. We therefore explored how stiffness of the microenvironment at secondary sites regulates tumor dormancy and the response of breast cancer cells to hormone and chemotherapy. In soft microenvironments reminiscent of metastatic sites, breast cancer cells were more resistant to the estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen as a result of increased autophagy and decreased expression of estrogen receptor-α. Consistently, pharmacologic inhibition or genetic downregulation of autophagy increased the response of breast cancer cells to tamoxifen on soft substrata. Additionally, autophagy was decreased downstream of integrin-linked kinase on stiff substrata. Altogether, our data show that tissue mechanics regulate therapeutic outcome and long-term survival of breast cancer cells by influencing autophagy.
Use as Concept and Classification

Johns focuses on more epistemological matters in this chapter, arguing that both conscious and unconscious functions (or ‘uses’) are deployed in experience, representation and comprehension. He uses this belief to criticise older epistemological models that naively relapse into either the ‘myth of the given’ (empiricism) or the myth of ‘pure reason’ (idealism). Johns’ characterisation of ‘relation’ now plays a dynamic role in determining the process whereby a property becomes a relation and vice versa. Johns ends the chapter by distinguishing different types of relations, strongly criticising the notion that there is only one type of relation, that of human and world (or mind and world).
Diet Quality Is Lower for Those Who Skip Lunch Among a Sample of Predominantly Black Adolescents.

Purpose:To compare the dietary quality among adolescents who skip lunch and those who do not and explore associations between school-level variables, demographic variables and lunch skipping.Design...
Do Teams Improve the Quality of Ambulatory Care

Using data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, we examined team composition in office-based practices and compared their relative quality of care. We found that, compared with physician-only teams, patients seen by physician and nurse practitioner/nurse midwife teams and those seen by physician and nurse teams were more likely to receive statins for hyperlipidemia and blood pressure screening, respectively. We also found that patients seen by physician and physician assistant teams were less likely to receive recommended care for all 4 quality indicators, and patients seen by any interprofessional team were less likely to receive recommended depression treatment than physician-only teams.
Why have private savings rates in the United States and Canada diverged

Abstract One of the central questions in macroeconomics for many years has been whether government policy can affect private saving rates, and if so, to what extent and through what channels. The question has remained controversial because, as with other macroeconomic questions, experiments to check divergent hypotheses cannot be deliberately performed, so economists must rely upon the often dubious evidence from the limited experiments with which nature and history have endowed us. This paper discusses the results of an exceptionally good natural experiment that has been provided by Canada and the U.S. over the past thirty-five years. After moving in tandem for almost twenty-five years, American and Canadian private saving rates have diverged dramatically over the last decade. The primary conclusion emerging from our analysis of this phenomenon is that tax policies can have a potent impact on private savings behavior. Differences in tax structures and in the interactions of taxation and inflation appear to be important factors explaining the divergent behavior of the American and Canadian private savings rates. Recognizing the importance of asset revaluations, caused partially but not entirely by tax effects, also helps to explain the different behavior of U.S. and Canadian savings. There may also be a relationship between government deficits and the private savings differential.
Evaluation of increased fiber, decreased amino acids, or decreased electrolyte balance as dietary approaches to slow finishing pig growth rates

In swine production, pig movement restrictions or packing plant closures may create the need to slow growth rates of finishing pigs to ensure they remain at a marketable body weight when packing plant access is restored. Although dietary formulations can be successful at slowing pig growth, precision is needed regarding how to best formulate diets to achieve growth rate reductions. Thus, the objective was to evaluate three dietary experimental approaches aimed at slowing growth rates in finishing pigs. These approaches consisted of either increasing neutral detergent fiber (NDF), reducing essential amino acids, or reducing the dietary electrolyte balance through the addition of acidogenic salts. A total of 94 mixed-sex pigs (72.4 ± 11.2 kg BW) across two replicates were individually penned and assigned to 1 of 8 dietary treatments (n = 11-12 pigs/treatment): 1) Control diet representative of a typical corn-soybean meal-based finisher diet (CON); 2) diet containing 15% NDF from soybean hulls (15% NDF); 3) diet containing 20% NDF from soybean hulls (20% NDF); 4) diet containing 25% NDF from soybean hulls (25% NDF); 5) diet formulated as per CON but with 50% of the soybean meal replaced with corn (89% Corn); 6) diet containing 97% corn and no soybean meal or synthetic amino acids (97% Corn); 7) diet containing 2% anhydrous calcium chloride (2% CaCl2); and 8) diet containing 4% anhydrous calcium chloride (4% CaCl2). Over 28 d, pig body weights and performance were recorded weekly. At d 28, all pigs were ultrasound scanned and switched to the CON diet to evaluate compensatory gain from d 28 to 35. Overall, increased NDF did not impact any growth performance parameter (P > 0.05). Amino acid restriction reduced average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain:feed (G:F) linearly (linear P < 0.001). Similarly, ADG, ADFI, and G:F were linearly reduced with increased CaCl2 inclusion (linear P < 0.001). ADG differed during the compensatory gain period (P < 0.001), with 4% CaCl2-fed pigs having a 47% increase in ADG compared with CON-fed pigs. Conversely, 15% and 25% NDF-fed pigs had reduced ADG compared with CON-fed pigs during the compensatory gain period. Gain efficiency differed from day 28 to 35 (P < 0.001), with 4% CaCl2-fed pigs having a 36% increase in G:F compared with CON-fed pigs. Altogether, these data demonstrate that both amino acid restriction and CaCl2 inclusion are effective at slowing pig growth, albeit at greater inclusion rates.
Upward gaze direction increases center of pressure displacement and decreases squat stability

The purpose of this study was to quantify differences in barbell back squat stability as a function of gaze direction. Sixteen female subjects who were experienced in barbell back squatting perform...
Clinical Outcomes for Primary and Radiation-Associated Angiosarcoma of the Breast with Multimodal Treatment: Long-Term Survival Is Achievable.

Background: The optimal management of primary angiosarcoma (PAS) and radiation-associated angiosarcoma (RAAS) of the breast remains undefined. Available data show persistently poor survival outcomes following treatment with surgery or chemotherapy alone. The objective of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes in patients treated with multimodality therapy. Methods: Patients diagnosed with stage I–III PAS or RAAS of the breast were identified from our local tumor registry (2010–2020). Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment were collected. Primary outcomes were local recurrence (LR), distant recurrence (DR), and median overall survival (OS). A secondary outcome was pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Mann–Whitney U, chi-squared, or Fisher exact tests were used to analyze data. Kaplan–Meier curves compared OS for PAS and RAAS. Results: Twenty-two patients met inclusion criteria, including 11 (50%) with RAAS and 11 (50%) with PAS. Compared to PAS patients, RAAS patients were older and had more comorbidities. For RAAS patients, median time from radiation to diagnosis was 6 years (IQR: 5–11). RAAS patients were more likely to have a pCR to NAC (40% vs. 20%, p = 0.72). RAAS patients had a higher LR rate (43% vs. 38%, p = 0.83), and PAS patients were more likely to develop a DR (38% vs. 0%, p = 0.07). Median OS was 81 months in PAS patients and 90 months in RAAS patients (p = 1.00). Discussion: Long-term survival can be achieved in patients with PAS and RAAS who undergo multimodality treatment. NAC can result in pCR. The long-term clinical implications of pCR warrant further investigation.
Nondestructive Evaluation of the Effects of Dynamic Stress Produced by High-Power Ultrasound in Materials

Results of measurements made during high-power ultrasonic insonation of metal specimens give new insight into the mechanical and thermal processes involved. Changes observed in the ultrasonic attenuation of test specimens during insonation indicate that high-power ultrasound can create and/or move dislocations. Measurements of the ultrasonic velocity indicate change in the moduli of the material during insonation. Heating of the test specimen to various degrees, depending upon both the specimen configuration and material has also been observed during high-power ultrasonic insonation. Details of these and further results are discussed.
Failure Analysis Techniques

Failure analysis is a necessary part of any semiconductor manufacturer’s operation. Failure analysis is the tool used for product and process improvement. Without failure analysis it is impossible to determine the cause of failure and implement corrective actions to prevent its reoccurrence. ESD related failures come from two primary sources. The first are failures produced by the ESD testers as a result of product classification. Part of a new product’s qualification process includes determining its ESD threshold and in turn, its ESD classification. Samples of parts are tested using the three ESD models detailed in Chapter 1. The parts that fail may require failure analysis to determine the weaknesses in the design or to learn how to improve the design. The other source of ESD related failure is product failure during manufacture or from the field. These failures may be caused by ESD or they could be caused by any number of failure mechanisms. The product failures where the source of the failure is not known require more methodical analysis so these other failure sources can be evaluated. This section will not attempt to provide an exhaustive review of failure analysis techniques but will focus on the techniques employed with failures originating from ESD testing. The general concepts reviewed here are applicable to any failure analysis but may not cover all of the steps and techniques available to locate failures that are not ESD related.
Coexpression by vaccinia virus recombinants of equine herpesvirus 1 glycoproteins gp13 and gp14 results in potentiated immunity.

Abstract The equine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein 14 (EHV-1 gp14) gene was cloned, sequenced, and expressed by vaccinia virus recombinants. Recombinant virus vP613 elicited the production of EHV-1-neutralizing antibodies in guinea pigs and was effective in protecting hamsters from subsequent lethal EHV-1 challenge. Coexpression of EHV-1 gp14 in vaccinia virus recombinant vP634 along with EHV-1 gp13 (P. Guo, S. Goebel, S. Davis, M. E. Perkus, B. Languet, P. Desmettre, G. Allen, and E. Paoletti, J. Virol. 63:4189-4198, 1989) greatly enhanced the protective efficacy in the hamster challenge model over that obtained with single recombinants. The inoculum doses (log10) required for protection of 50% of hamsters were 6.1 (EHV-1 gp13), 5.2 (EHV-1 gp14), and less than 3.6 (vaccinia virus recombinant expressing both EHV-1 glycoproteins [gp13 and gp14]).
Minimally invasive radiologic techniques in the treatment of uretero-enteric fistulas.

Abstract Objectives The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of minimally invasive interventional radiologic (IR) techniques in the management of uretero-enteric fistulae in comparison to established surgical modalities. Materials and methods Twenty-five patients (16 men, 9 women) with a mean age of 47 (range: 19–77 years) with uretero-enteric fistulae were treated with percutaneous nephrostomy, double “J” stent, radiologic uretero-neocystostomy, and radiologic uretero-pyelocalicostomy. All patients had a single fistula each. Uretero-enteric fistulas were due to direct or iatrogenic trauma in 14 patients (uretero-ileal fistulas, n = 6; uretero-colonic fistulas, n = 4; uretero-duodenal fistulas, n = 2; uretero-pancreatic fistula, n = 1; uretero-fallopian tube, n = 1), complications of pelvic neoplasms in 4 patients (uretero-sigmoid fistulas, n = 4), inflammatory disease in 4 patients (uretero-ileal fistulas, n = 2; uretero-sigmoid fistulas, n = 2), and avascular necrosis of renal transplants in 3 patients (uretero-sigmoid fistulas, n = 3). Results Drainage by percutaneous nephrostomy and double “J” stent resulted in closure of 8 uretero-enteric fistulae over 7–16 weeks. Four uretero-enteric fistulae obliterated after re-routing urine flow using 3 radiologic uretero-neocystostomies and one IR pyelocalicostomy. In other patients, flow through the fistulae was substantially decreased by five double “J” stents and 3 percutaneous nephrostomies. The duration of inpatient hospitalization was significantly less for patients managed successfully by IR procedures than those treated by surgical modalities, 5.07 versus 10.5 days mean (P Conclusions IR procedures provided definitive treatment in 48% of uretero-enteric fistulae at significantly reduced inpatient hospitalization and cost. As palliative treatment, it improved the quality of life.
Selection of Astaxanthin-Overproducing Mutants of Phaffia rhodozyma with β-Ionone

β-Ionone, an end ring analog of β-carotene, inhibits astaxanthin production in the red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma. Astaxanthin-overproducing mutants of this yeast are easily spotted on β-ionone-containing yeast malt agar plates. β-Ionone appears to block astaxanthin synthesis at the β-carotene level.
Effect of progesterone on proinflammatory cytokine production by monocytes stimulated with pathogens associated with preterm birth.

PROBLEM A number of clinical trials have demonstrated that supplemental progesterone (P4) can prevent preterm birth. Although P4 can decrease the production of mediators of inflammation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages, a majority of infections associated with preterm birth are due to Ureaplasma urealyticum, which does not contain LPS. Therefore, we studied whether P4 could lower the production of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes stimulated with U. urealyticum. METHOD OF STUDY Human monocytes (THP-1 cells) were treated with P4 and then stimulated with heat-killed Escherichia coli or U. urealyticum. Cytokine concentrations in the conditioned medium were then measured by ELISA and relative viability of the cells was assessed colorimetrically. The impact of P4 on interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-8 production was assessed by comparing levels across different P4 dosages and organism concentrations. RESULTS Both organisms increased IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha and IL-8 production in a dose-dependent manner. P4 enhanced the production of IL-1beta and IL-8, but inhibited TNF-alpha production by monocytes stimulated with either organism. CONCLUSION P4 modulates cytokine production by E. coli and U. urealyticum-stimulated monocytes in a similar manner and is not strictly immunosuppressive. This suggests that P4 does not prevent preterm birth by simply suppressing bacteria-stimulated cytokine production.
Neisserial Porin-Induced Dendritic Cell Activation Is MyD88 and TLR2 Dependent

Neisserial porins have been shown to act as B cell mitogens and immune adjuvants. PorA and PorB are the major outer membrane porin proteins of the human pathogen Neisseria meningitidis. We have shown that the mechanism of the immunopotentiating capability of porin involves up-regulation of the T cell costimulatory ligand, CD86. Due to neisserial porin's ability to activate B cells and potentiate immune responses, we hypothesized that porin also employs the potent immune stimulatory function of dendritic cells (DC). We examined the ability of purified N. meningitidis PorB to induce maturation of murine splenic and bone marrow-derived DC. PorB treatment induced DC maturation, as demonstrated by increased expression of CD86 and class I and II MHC molecules. In addition, PorB not only enhanced the allostimulatory activity of DC, but also augmented the ability of DC to stimulate T cells in an Ag-specific manner. PorB-matured DC secreted the inflammatory cytokine IL-6, which may have implications for the adjuvant property of porin. Induction of IL-6 by PorB is also significant because IL-6 is one of a number of cytokines produced during infection with N. meningitidis and may be involved in the inflammatory process observed during infection and disease. We previously demonstrated the requirement of MyD88 and TLR2 for PorB-induced B cell activation. In the present study, MyD88 and TLR2 were also essential for PorB-induced DC activation. This work is significant for elucidating the mechanism(s) of neisserial porin's immune stimulatory activity.
Ultrasonic Detection of Cracks in Web Geometries

The need for high reliability interior crack detection in jet engine turbine components requires an optimal configuration of ultrasonic test equipment. Such optimization must be based upon the specific part geometries involved and upon the crack population which is supposed to exist in the parts. Due to the high cost with respect to time and manpower of fabrication, system evaluation and destructive analysis of experimental samples, it is preferable to simulate the detection process numerically in order to identify system configurations which promise high probability of detection of cracks. This paper describes such a computer model, presents experimental verification of its accuracy and illustrates its use in the design and optimization of ultrasonic detection systems for cracks in web geometries.
Treatment and prognosis of rectal prolapse in cystic fibrosis

Rectal prolapse occurred in 112 (18.5%) of 605 cystic fibrosis patients. In 48 patients prolapse preceded diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, but physicians (pediatricians, pediatric and general surgeons, and proctologists) rarely appreciated its importance as a symptom of this disease. Prolapses frequently cease with institution of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy following diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. However, even when the disease remains undiagnosed, the symptom is often transient and frequently resolves at 3-5 yr of age. Prolapse occurring initially after cystic fibrosis is diagnosed rarely responds to manipulation of diet or enzyme doses. Many patients develop a method of reduction which involves voluntary abdominal, perineal, and gluteal muscles and does not require manual pressure on the prolapsed segment. Most patients do not need specific treatment for the prolapse. Surgery is rarely necessary. A sweat test should be obtained on any child who has had even a single episode of rectal prolapse.
Establishing a methodology to examine the effects of war-zone PTSD on the family: the family foundations study

Military deployment may adversely affect not only returning veterans, but their families, as well. As a result, researchers have increasingly focused on identifying risk and protective factors for successful family adaptation to war-zone deployment, re-integration of the returning veteran, and the longer-term psychosocial consequences of deployment experienced by some veterans and families. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among returning veterans may pose particular challenges to military and military veteran families; however, questions remain regarding the impact of the course of veteran PTSD and other potential moderating factors on family adaptation to military deployment. The Family Foundations Study builds upon an established longitudinal cohort of Army soldiers (i.e. the Neurocognition Deployment Health Study) to help address remaining knowledge gaps. This report describes the conceptual framework and key gaps in knowledge that guided the study design, methodological challenges and special considerations in conducting military family research, and how these gaps, challenges, and special considerations are addressed by the study.
ST segment tracking for rapid determination of patency of the infarct-related artery in acute myocardial infarction

Objectives This study was designed to test the hypothesis that monitoring the ST segment on a single electrocardiographic (ECG) lead reflecting activity in the infarct zone provides sensitive and specific recognition of reperfusion within 60 min of initiation of therapy in acute myocardial infarction. Background Infarct-related arteries that fail to recanalize early may benefit from immediate rescue angioplasty. Hence, detection of reperfusion has important practical clinical implications. Methods Of 41 patients with acute myocardial infarction who had ambulatory ECG (Holter) monitors placed, 38 had adequate ST segment monitoring for 3 h; 35 of the 38 were treated with thrombolytic agents and 3 with primary angioplasty. All patients underwent early coronary angiography and were classified into two groups: Group P (22 patients) had angiographic patency (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] grade 2 or 3 flow), and Group O (16 patients) had persistent occlusion (TIMI grade 0 or 1 flow) of the infarct-related vessel at 60 min from initiation of therapy. The initial ST segment level was defined as the first ST segment level recorded; the peak ST segment level was defined as the highest ST segment level measured during the 1st 60 min. To assess the optimal ST segment recovery criteria for reperfusion, the presence or absence of a ≥75%, ≥50% and ≥25% decrement from initial and peak ST segment levels, sampled and analyzed at 2.5-, 5-, 10-,15 and 20-min intervals, was correlated with patency of the infarctrelated artery at 60 min. Results ST segment recovery of ≥50% reduction from peak ST segment levels with sampling rates at ≤10-min intervals provided the optimal criterion for recognizing coronary artery patency at 60 min (sensitivity 96%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 77% to 99%; specificity 94%, 95% CI 69% to 99%, p Conclusions ST segment monitoring of a single lead reflecting the infarct zone provides a reliable method for assessing reperfusion within 60 min of acute myocardial infarction. Optimal criteria for ECG reperfusion include a ≥50% decrease from peak ST segment levels, with ST segment measurements recorded continuously or at least every 10 min.
Scaled Opposite Spin Second Order Møller−Plesset Theory with Improved Physical Description of Long-Range Dispersion Interactions

Separate scaling of the same-spin and opposite spin contributions to the second-order Moller-Plesset energy can yield statistically improved performance for a variety of chemical problems. If only the opposite spin contribution is scaled, it is also possible to reduce the computational complexity from fifth order to fourth order in system size, with very little degradation of the results. However neither of these scaled MP2 energies recovers the full MP2 result for the dispersion energy of nonoverlapping systems. This deficiency is addressed in this work by using a distance-dependent scaling of the opposite spin correlation energy. The resulting method is compared against the previously proposed scaled MP2 methods on a range of problems involving both short and long-range interactions.
Stochastic exit from mitosis in budding yeast: model predictions and experimental observations

Unlike many mutants that are completely viable or inviable, the CLB2-dbΔ clb5Δ mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is inviable in glucose but partially viable on slower growth media such as raffinose. On raffinose, the mutant cells can bud and divide but in each cycle there is a chance that a cell will fail to divide (telophase arrest), causing it to exit the cell cycle. This effect gives rise to a stochastic phenotype that cannot be explained by a deterministic model. We measure the inter-bud times of wild type and mutant cells growing on raffinose and compute statistics and distributions to characterize the mutant's behavior. We convert a detailed deterministic model of the budding yeast cell cycle to a stochastic model and determine the extent to which it captures the stochastic phenotype of the mutant strain. Predictions of the mathematical model are in reasonable agreement with our experimental data and suggest directions for improving the model. Ultimately, the ability to accurately model stochastic phenotypes may prove critical to understanding disease and therapeutic interventions in higher eukaryotes.
Distance-dependent statistical potentials for discriminating thermophilic and mesophilic proteins

Identification of the characteristic structural patterns responsible for protein thermostability is theoretically important and practically useful but largely remains an open problem. These patterns may be revealed through comparative study on thermophilic and mesophilic proteins that have distinct thermostability. In this study, we constructed several distance-dependant potentials from thermophilic and mesophilic proteins. These potentials were then used to evaluate the structural difference between thermophilic and mesophilic proteins. We found that using the subtraction or division of the potentials derived from thermophilic and mesophilic proteins can dramatically increase the discriminatory ability. This approach revealed that the ability to distinct the subtle structural features responsible for protein thermostability may be effectively enhanced through rationally designed comparative study.
Initiation of Secretory Changes in Transplanted Mammary Adenocarcinoma of the Rat by Pituitary Lactogenic Hormone.

SummaryThe daily injection of 40 to 80 crop gland units of pituitary lactogenic hormone for 4 to 6 days into rats suckling their young induced secretory changes in a transplanted mammary adenocarcinoma. The hormone produced no effect on the tumors of non-nursing females or normal males. Progesterone also exerted no influence, nor did it affect, when given simultaneously with estradiol dipropionate, the secretory phenomena induced in the neoplastic cells by the latter substance alone. Pituitary lactogenic hormone failed to induce secretion in the tumor cells of animals previously treated with progesterone, and did not enhance the alterations produced by the combined administration of progesterone and estradiol.
Effectiveness of assertiveness training in modifying aggressive behaviors of young children.

Second- and third-grade children (N = 24) were assigned to one of two groups, assertiveness social-skills training or an attention control group. Both groups met for 1 hr., twice weekly, for 3 wk. ...
The impact of physician weight discussion on weight loss in US adults.

Summary Problem The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States and worldwide is at epidemic levels. Physicians may play a vital role in addressing this epidemic. We aimed to examine the association of a physician's discussion of patients' weight status with self-reported weight loss. We hypothesized that physician discussion of patients' being overweight is associated with increased weight loss in patients with overweight and obesity. Methods Data analysis of participants ( n =5054) in the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2005–2008. The main outcome was rates of self-reported weight loss and the association with physicians' discussion of their patients' weight status. Results Overweight and obese participants were significantly more likely to report a 5% weight loss in the past year if their doctor had told them they were overweight (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.88; 95% CI 1.45–2.44; AOR 1.79; 95% CI 1.30–2.46, respectively). Conclusions Physicians' direct discussion of their patients' weight status is associated with clinically significant patient weight loss and may be a targetable intervention. Further studies are needed to determine if increasing physician discussion of patients' weight status leads to significant weight loss.
Binding of Calcium by Liver Mitochondria: An Effect of Steroid Hormones in Vitamin D-Depleted and Parathyroidectomized Rats

The treatment of rats with cortisone diminishes the ATP or substrate-dependent binding of calcium to subsequently isolated liver mitochondria in vitro. Treatment with 17β- estradiol or deoxycorticosterone (DOCA) enhances calcium binding under the same conditions. These effects of steroid hormone treatment are demonstrable in intact, parathyroidectomized or vitamin D-depleted animals, and appear to be independent of a mitochondrial interaction with parathyroid hormone or vitamin D. Treatment with glucocorticoids probably interferes with the utilization of both the substrate and/or the ATP necessary to support calcium binding. Parathyroidectomy or vitamin D -repletion of depleted animals causes an increase in mitochondrial calcium binding which is independent of the steroid hormone effects. These results are discussed in relation to previous work in this area. (Endocrinology 80: 89,1967)
Energy-resolved electron particle and energy fluxes in positive column plasmas

This paper deals with electron flux densities and electron energy flux densities in positive column discharges. Recent kinetic calculations by Uhrlandt and Winkler have revealed the interesting physical phenomenon of radially inward directed energy flux densities in positive column plasmas. We have used a self-consistent positive column model, based on an accurate and highly detailed Monte Carlo code, to study this effect in more depth. The results of this study show a rather complex physical picture of electron particle and energy flux densities. Electrons with low energies usually exhibit radially outward directed particle and energy flux densities. At energies above the threshold for electronic excitation particle and energy flux densities are usually inward directed. Only close to the wall, at total energies above the wall potential energy, do these flux densities point towards the wall. The thickness of this `wall loss region' scales with the electron mean-free-path for momentum transfer, i.e. with the inverse of the neutral gas density. The results presented can be qualitatively interpreted in terms of the total-energy picture for the electrons.
A composite measure to determine improvement following treatment for social phobia: The index of social phobia improvement

This article describes the development of a composite index to determine improvement in treatment outcome research with social phobia. The index is comprised of 5 individual outcome measures that tap various domains of social phobia and assess the disorder via multiple methods (e.g. self-report, clinical ratings, behavioral performance). The ability of the index to determine improvement over treatment, and its initial concurrent validity are discussed.
Considering the Inclusion of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Markers in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics

The inclusion of biomarkers in social surveys such as the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) has the potential to answer many elusive questions in social science and public health, including the much-studied relationship between socioeconomic status and health. This article reviews the potential inclusion of biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic risk in the PSID. We first discuss the considerable analytical benefits of adding these biomarkers to the PSID, including the exploration of life course hypotheses and the potential to test causal relationships between the social environment and biological systems. Next, we review evidence on the reliability of self-reports of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, concluding that the potential bias from relying on self-reports may be substantial. Based on evidence of biological importance as well as practical considerations of ease of in-home collection, our first tier of recommended biomarkers includes measured height, weight, waist and hip circumfer...
Synthesis and X-ray structures of metallocenium diamines of iron and cobalt

Abstract A detailed, reproducible synthesis of 1,1′-diaminocobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate is provided. The compound can be made on gram scales in several steps starting from 1,1′-dimethylcobaltocenium salts. The X-ray structures of 1,1′-diaminocobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate and a related 1,1′-diaminoferrocenium salt, are described.
Problem‐based learning in clinical medicine

Background: The primary mission of the University of Alabama School of Medicine—Tuscaloosa is the education of medical students and family medicine residents. Problem‐based learning (PBL) was identified as an alternative strategy to achieve this mission. Description: This article discusses the evolution of this modified curriculum in clinical medicine which utilizes “real patient on paper”; scenarios and “real‐time‐real‐patient”; encounters. Obstacles that are unique to the clinical environment are identified, and experiences are shared regarding how these were partially overcome. Evaluation: The curriculum was evaluated by subjective feedback from students, review of learning issue logs, and comparison of subjective and objective scores prior to curriculum modification and subsequently. Conclusions: PBL strategies are well suited to clinical education provided that the faculty are committed to this methodology. In our curriculum, it appears to foster the development of life‐long learning skills and to pr...
Comparison of helical, maximum intensity projection (MIP), and averaged intensity (AI) 4D CT imaging for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) planning in lung cancer

Abstract Background and Purpose To compare helical, MIP and AI 4D CT imaging, for the purpose of determining the best CT-based volume definition method for encompassing the mobile gross tumor volume (mGTV) within the planning target volume (PTV) for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in stage I lung cancer. Materials and methods Twenty patients with medically inoperable peripheral stage I lung cancer were planned for SBRT. Free-breathing helical and 4D image datasets were obtained for each patient. Two composite images, the MIP and AI, were automatically generated from the 4D image datasets. The mGTV contours were delineated for the MIP, AI and helical image datasets for each patient. The volume for each was calculated and compared using analysis of variance and the Wilcoxon rank test. A spatial analysis for comparing center of mass (COM) (i.e. isocenter) coordinates for each imaging method was also performed using multivariate analysis of variance. Results The MIP-defined mGTVs were significantly larger than both the helical- ( p =0.001) and AI-defined mGTVs ( p =0.012). A comparison of COM coordinates demonstrated no significant spatial difference in the x -, y -, and z -coordinates for each tumor as determined by helical, MIP, or AI imaging methods. Conclusions In order to incorporate the extent of tumor motion from breathing during SBRT, MIP is superior to either helical or AI images for defining the mGTV. The spatial isocenter coordinates for each tumor were not altered significantly by the imaging methods.
Slow potassium dynamics and seizure evolution

Seizures involve dynamics on a wide range of temporal scales, from spike times on the order of milliseconds to the large depolarizations seen in single cells that can last several tens of seconds. At the longest time scales, these events modify the cellular environment, altering oxygen, potassium, sodium and other electrolyte concentrations to produce a durable but transient modification of the network dynamics. In order to investigate these slow dynamics we have developed a highly simplified model that monitors the changes in ionic concentrations in and around highly active cells, while disregarding the fast dynamics responsible for action potential generation. We model the time-dependent potassium concentration in and around a cell resulting from flow through voltage-gated channels, pumps, and the surrounding glial network. The flow through voltage-gated channels is determined by time-averaging simulated potassium currents in a Hodgkin-Huxley conductance-based neuron. The current is a function of both intra- and extracellular potassium concentrations and responds to changes in the concentration gradient over a duration that is long compared to the time associated with spiking events. On the other hand, this response time, which can be as slow as a fraction of a second, is still short compared to the lifetime of a network seizure and can be considered instantaneous. Therefore we disregard the response time and approximate the model as a pair of differential equations which are amenable to a complete phase plane analysis. We report on the results of this phase plane analysis and show comparisons with results from in vitro experiments.
The effect of psoriasis on patients' quality of life and improvements associated with alefacept therapy.

Patients with psoriasis may experience impaired psychosocial mental status regardless of their objectively defined disease severity. The objective clinical measures of disease that are commonly used to evaluate a patient’s psoriasis fail to take into account the effect of psoriasis on patients’ quality of life (QOL). As a result, a significant number of patients are dissatisfied with conventional treatments and are searching for new options. A high unmet need for effective and safe long-term therapies that can also improve patients’ QOL exists in psoriasis. Alefacept, a selective biologic agent specifically designed for the treatment of psoriasis, provides improvement in both the physical (as measured by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) and mental (as measured by the Dermatology Life Quality Index) aspects of the disease. Additionally, alefacept is extremely well tolerated, with no negative effect on QOL, and the improvement in QOL are maintained off-treatment, which is consistent with its remittive effects on the disease. Alefacept helps fulfill the needs of psoriasis patients by providing efficacy, safety, off-treatment remissions, and improvement in QOL.
Development and Representation of Personality Impressions

A developmental model of impression formation was tested. Results indicated that the mental representation of personality impressions depends on the perceiver's degree of experience with the impression target. At low levels of experience, impressions consist primarily of stored behavioral exemplars. However, as experience increases, an abstract impression is formed that is subsequently stored and retrieved independently of the behaviors on which it was based. Experiment 2 demonstrated that impressions continue to evolve once they have become abstract and that behavioral exemplars affect judgments even when they are not directly retrieved for judgment purposes. These findings highlight the importance of applying dynamic approaches to impression-formation research.
Single-agent pamidronate for palliative therapy of canine appendicular osteosarcoma bone pain

Background: Canine appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) causes focal bone destruction, leading to chronic pain and reducedquality-of-life scores. Drugs that inhibit pathologic osteolysis might provide additional treatment options for managingcancer-induced bone pain. Aminobisphosphonates induce osteoclast apoptosis, thereby reducing pain associated withmalignant osteolysis in human patients with cancer.Hypothesis: Treatment of dogs with pamidronate administered intravenously will alleviate bone pain and reduce pathologicbone turnover associated with appendicular OSA in dogs.Animals: Forty-three dogs with naturally occurring appendicular OSA administered pamidronate intravenously.Methods: Prospective study. Therapeutic responses in dogs treated with pamidronate administered intravenously andnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) were evaluated by using a numerical cumulative pain index score (CPIS), andby quantifying urine N-telopeptide (NTx) excretion and relative primary tumor bone mineral density (rBMD) assessed withdual energy x-ray absorptiometry. In addition, variables, including pamidronate dose, skeletal mass, baseline and change forCPIS, urine NTx and rBMD during treatment, and baseline tumor volume and radiographic pattern were compared betweendogs clinically responsive and nonresponsive to pamidronate therapy.Results: Twelve of 43 dogs (28%) had pain alleviation for .4 months, lasting a median of 231 days. Changes in CPIS andrBMD during treatment were statistically different between responders and nonresponders (P 5 .046 and .03, respectively).Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Substantiated by reductions in CPIS and increases in rBMD, single-agent pamidronateadministered intravenously with NSAID therapy relieves pain and diminishes pathologic bone turnover associated withappendicular OSA in a subset of dogs.Key words: Aminobisphosphonate; Bone sarcoma; Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry; Malignant osteolysis; Painalleviation; Urine N-telopeptide.
Excess molar enthalpies of (benzene + cyclohexane + n-hexane)

Abstract Excess molar enthalpies HmE, measured at 0.08 MPa and 298.15 K in a newly constructed isothermal dilution calorimeter, are reported for (benzene + cyclohexane + n-hexane). They are in close agreement with the best literature values for the standard mixture (cyclohexane + n-hexane) and for (benzene + cyclohexane). Previous values for the ternary mixture roughly confirm the new results, but discrepancies are about ten times greater than the estimated experimental accuracy of the new dilution calorimeter.
Metabolic studies in isolated rat liver cells. II. Biosynthesis of serum low density lipoproteins and its regulation.

Dispersed rat liver cells were used for study of protein and serum lipoprotein synthesis. Cellular leucine incorporatein was tested in the presence of various cofactors, buffers and inhibitors.14C-leucine was incorporated into cellular protein at an active rate for 1 hr. Incorporation was more rapid in the presence of succinate, MgCl2, phosphate and nicotinamide, but these cofactors were not absolutely required. The liver cells also incorporated labeled leucine into lower density lipoproteins (1DL) and released the newly labeled 1DL into the incubation medium. Puromycin strongly inhibited the production of cellular protein and 1DL. The mode of cellular regulation of 1DL synthesis was examined. The rate of 1DL production was selectively enhanced by short term alimentation with dietary triglyceride or by the addition of a mixture of lipogenic cofactors to incubated liver cells. The utility of isolated liver cells as a preparation for metabolic control studies is discussed.
Variability in the Responsiveness to Low-Dose Aspirin: Pharmacological and Disease-Related Mechanisms.

The main pharmacological aspects of pharmacodynamics (PD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) of aspirin as antiplatelet agent were unravelled between the late sixties and the eighties, and low-dose aspirin given once daily has been shown to be a mainstay in the current treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disorders. Nevertheless, several PD and PK aspects of aspirin in selected clinical conditions have recently emerged and deserve future clinical attention. In 1994, the term “aspirin resistance” was used for the first time, but, until now, no consensus exists on definition, standardized assay, underlying mechanisms, clinical impact, and possible efficacy of alternative therapeutic interventions. At variance with an undefined aspirin-resistant status, in the last 5 years, the concept of variability in response to aspirin due to specific pathophysiological mechanisms and based on PK and/or PD of the drug has emerged. This growing evidence highlights the existence and possible clinical relevance of an interindividual variability of pharmacological aspirin response and calls for new, large studies to test new low-dose aspirin-based regimens which may ameliorate platelet acetylation, reduce variability in drug responsiveness, and improve clinical efficacy on selected populations.
The Role of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Pediatric Diabetes

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), also referred to as holistic, or integrative, medicine, are terms that describe a heterogeneous collection of nontraditional therapies, from chemical substances, to biofeedback, to prayer. This review focuses on CAM in pediatric patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. CAM prevalence in this population and the specific modalities that have been studied in children are described. Randomized, placebo-controlled, prospective studies in young adults are evaluated for their applicability to pediatric patients. CAM's "complementary" role is emphasized, as there is evidence of significant morbidity when CAM replaces standard-of-care therapy.
`DON'T HOLD YOUR BREATH', OR SHOULD YOU?

![Figure][1] The presence of oxygen in the atmosphere is necessary to sustain most life forms on this planet. However, the metabolism of oxygen can be viewed as a double-edged sword. While the reduction of oxygen to water by mitochondria is coupled to a high production of ATP that allows