cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The evolution of lobular neoplasia.

Lobular neoplasia of the breast, encompassing both atypical lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ, remains a poorly understood entity. Often misconceived of as simply a risk factor for subsequent carcinoma, lobular neoplasia likely constitutes both a generalized risk factor and a direct precursor to invasive disease. Recent molecular studies, particularly those examining alterations in the E-cadherin gene, provide compelling evidence to support a role for lobular neoplasia as a direct precursor to invasive lobular carcinoma. These molecular studies also provide early insights into the biologic relationship of atypical lobular hyperplasia and lobular carcinoma in situ. The ability to stratify lobular neoplasia into high-risk and low-risk categories based on molecular attributes is on the horizon. With this ability will come an evolution in our thinking, diagnosis, and management of this enigmatic disease.
Theoretical Perspectives on Cognitive Aging

The phenomenon of age-related cognitive decline has long been controversial, both in terms of mere existence, and with respect to how it is explained. Some researchers have dismissed it as an artifact of declining health or lower levels of education, and others have attributed it to general changes occurring in the external environment. Still other interpretations have been based on the "use it or lose it" principle -- known as the Disuse Hypothesis -- or on the idea that there are qualitative differences in either the structure or the process of cognition across the adult years. Perhaps the most popular approach at present relies on the information-processing perspective and attempts to identify the critical processing component most responsible for age-related differences in cognition. The primary purposes of this book are first to review the evidence of age-related differences in cognitive functioning and then to evaluate the major explanations proposed to account for the negative relations between age and cognition that have been established. Included is a discussion of theoretical dimensions and levels of scientific theorizing assumed to be helpful in understanding and evaluating alternative perspectives on cognitive aging. The various perspectives are then covered in detail and analyzed. The text concludes with observations about the progress that has been made in explaining cognitive aging phenomena, plus recommendations for research practices that might contribute to greater progress in the future.
X-ray spectral reconstruction from attenuation data using neural networks

An artificial neural network using input data derived from attenuation measurements was trained to generate spectral profiles (relative number of photons versus energy). Once the relative spectral distribution is reconstructed, absolute spectra (number of photons per unit exposure spectral distribution is reconstructed, absolute spectra (number of photons per unit exposure versus energy) can be calculated. A neural network was trained on spectra generated mathematically using the Birch-Marshall model, combined with attenuation data, calculated from the spectra by numerical integration. Whereas attenuation data can be calculated in a straightforward manner from the x-ray spectra, the reverse is not true. Several neural networks were successfully taught to reconstruct the spectra, given the attenuation data. The networks were tested using kV/inherent filtration combinations that were not in the training set, and the performance of the reconstruction was excellent. Noise in the attenuation data was simulated to test the effects of noise propagation in the reconstruction. The effects of network architecture and data averaging on noise propagation were investigated. Experimentally determined spectral data complied by Fewell were also used to train a neural network, and the results of the reconstruction were also found to be excellent.
Evasion of innate immunity by parasitic protozoa

Parasitic protozoa are a major cause of global infectious disease. These eukaryotic pathogens have evolved with the vertebrate immune system and typically produce long-lasting chronic infections. A critical step in their host interaction is the evasion of innate immune defenses. The ability to avoid attack by humoral effector mechanisms, such as complement lysis, is of particular importance to extracellular parasites, whereas intracellular protozoa must resist killing by lysosomal enzymes and toxic metabolites. They do so by remodeling the phagosomal compartments in which they reside and by interfering with signaling pathways that lead to cellular activation. In addition, there is growing evidence that protozoan pathogens modify the antigen-presenting and immunoregulatory functions of dendritic cells, a process that facilitates their evasion of both innate and adaptive immunity.
Acoustic Correlates of Emphatic Stress in Central Catalan

A common feature of public speech in Catalan is the placement of prominence on lexically unstressed syllables ("emphatic stress"). This paper presents an acoustic study of radio speech data. Instances of emphatic stress were perceptually identified. Within-word comparison between vowels with emphatic stress and vowels with primary lexical stress reveals that the former are characterized by having a high tone, higher F0 scaling, and greater intensity, but shorter duration with respect to lexically stressed vowels. Emphatic stress can thus be characterized as anchoring an intonational pitch accent on a lexically unstressed syllable. When this phenomenon occurs, primary lexical stress is still cued by duration. Compared with other lexically unstressed vowels, vowels with emphatic stress have greater duration and intensity, and less vowel centralization. Thus, vowels are hyperarticulated when bearing emphatic stress. In particular, schwa is more open, without merging with /a/. Regarding the distribution of emphatic stresses, the most common pattern observed is binary or rhythmic (les institucions 'the institutions'), with emphatic stress occurring two syllables before the primary stress. Less frequently, emphatic stress appears on the first syllable of the prosodic word (nacionalitats 'nationalities'), occasionally producing stress clash (el marc 'the framework').
Reconstitution of Cell Membrane Structure in vitro and its Transformation into an Excitable System

THE formation of single, stable bimolecular lipid and proteolipid1 membranes up to 10 mm.2 in area has been accomplished routinely in 0.1 M saline solution by methods analogous to the formation of Hooke-Newton ‘secondary black’ in air soap films2–4. By forming such a membrane between two compartments filled with saline its transverse electrical properties can be measured, and controlled chemical investigations can be undertaken.
Mechanism by which a Glutamine to Leucine Substitution at Residue 509 in the Ribonuclease H Domain of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Confers Zidovudine Resistance

We recently reported that zidovudine (AZT) selected for the Q509L mutation in the ribonuclease H (RNase H) domain of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), which increases resistance to AZT in combination with the thymidine analogue mutations D67N, K70R, and T215F. In the current study, we have defined the mechanism by which Q509L confers AZT resistance by performing in-depth biochemical analyses of wild type, D67N/K70R/T215F and D67N/K70R/T215F/Q509L HIV-1 RT. Our results show that Q509L increases AZT-monophosphate (AZT-MP) excision activity of RT on RNA/DNA template/primers (T/Ps) but not DNA/DNA T/Ps. This increase in excision activity on the RNA/DNA T/P is due to Q509L decreasing a secondary RNase H cleavage event that reduces the RNA/DNA duplex length to 10 nucleotides and significantly impairs the enzyme's ability to excise the chain-terminating nucleotide. Presteady-state kinetic analyses indicate that Q509L does not affect initial rates of the polymerase-directed RNase H activity but only polymerase-independent cleavages that occur after a T/P dissociation event. Furthermore, competition binding assays suggest that Q509L decreases the affinity of the enzyme to bind T/P with duplex lengths less than 18 nucleotides in the polymerase-independent RNase H cleavage mode, while not affecting the enzyme's affinity to bind the same T/P in an AZT-MP excision competent mode. Taken together, this study provides the first mechanistic insights into how a mutation in the RNase H domain of RT increases AZT resistance and highlights how the polymerase and RNase H domains of RT function in concert to confer drug resistance.
It takes T to tango.

Abstract Of three recently cloned T-type voltage-gated calcium channels, α 1g is most likely responsible for burst firing in thalamic relay cells. These neurons burst during various thalamocortical oscillations including absence seizures. In this issue of Neuron , Kim et al. inactivated α 1g , and resultant mice were deficient in relay cell bursting and resistant to GABA B receptor-dependent absence seizures, suggesting roles for α 1g and relay cell bursting in absences.
Rotation Effects on the Isothermal Growth of (Eu,Y)8(Fe,Ga)5O12 Magnetic Bubble Films by Liquid Phase Epitaxy

An isothermal liquid phase epitaxy dipping technique for the growth of garnet films from PbO-B2O2-Fe2O3 fluxed melts was studied. Films were grown on Gd3Ga5O12 substrates which were rotated axially while being held in a horizontal plane. To a first approximation, the film growth rate varies with the square root of rotation rate (r), as predicted by diffusion boundary-layer theory. This rotation effect is modified by the interfacial reaction which involves the integration of garnet constituent units into the growth surface of the film. By holding all growth parameters constant except for changing r from 36 to 169 rpm, the film composition and magnetic properties can be changed. Lead impurity content, lattice mismatch, magnetic anisotropy, and saturation magnetization increase with increasing rotation up to a limiting r >121 rpm. Thereafter, these properties decrease with increasing r, presumably as a result of a growth interface instability.
Origin of hepatic triglyceride fatty acids: quantitative estimation of the relative contributions of linoleic acid by diet and adipose tissue in normal and ethanol-fed rats

The present study demonstrates that the rat liver obtains most of its triglyceride fatty acids from dietary sources. The dietary and adipose tissue contributions of linoleic acid for hepatic triglyceride esterification were shown to be 50.42 and 13.85 μmoles, respectively, during a 4-day period. When ethanol provided 40% of the caloric intake, fatty liver developed and hepatic triglyceride content increased threefold. Under these conditions, the dietary and adipose tissue contributions of linoleic acid were estimated at 192.85 and 10.73 μmoles, respectively. This increase in dietary fatty acid utilization was sufficient to account for the entire increase in esterified hepatic linoleic acid. Any explanation of these observations must include the high dietary fatty acid utilization in both control and ethanol-treated animals. One possibility is that most dietary lipids first enter a rapidly turning over pool in adipose tissue from which most hepatic triglyceride fatty acids are derived. Another is that dietary fatty acids, incorporated into chylomicrons, are stored separately and used preferentially by the liver as compared with lipids derived from adipose tissue and bound to albumin. The pros and cons of these possibilities are discussed.
Generic Picard–Vessiot extensions for connected-by-finite groups

Abstract We construct generic Picard–Vessiot extensions for linear algebraic groups G which are isomorphic to the semidirect product of a connected group G 0 by a finite group H , where the adjoint H -action on the Lie algebra of G 0 is faithful.
Domestic Violence: The Role of Interracial/Ethnic Dyads in Criminal Court Processing

Utilizing a random sample of 455 cases, this article analyzes the impact of interracial/ethnic dyads on domestic violence case processing through the Sacramento County Criminal Court system during ...
Dental Office Design: Perceptions of Dentists in Texas

The design of the dental office can play a role in improving dentist/patient relationships. The design can also enhance dental services marketing efforts. This study was undertaken to determine the level of satisfaction of dentists in Texas with the design of their offices and to identify which aspects of dental office design needed further improvement. A two-page questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 199 dentists currently practicing in Texas eighty-six (43.2%) responded. The questionnaire asked subjects to evaluate the interior design of their offices. Results determined that as many as one-half of dental office relocations occur because of changes needed in the interior. Dentists do most of the interior planning for their own offices. Features of dental office design perceived to be in need of improvement were: planning of a staff lounge area, access for wheel chairs, and design of the office to be suitable for future plans. “Warmth” and “competency” were images dentists most wanted to communicate to the patient community, and most Dentists perceived a need for improved dental office design services.
Krylov-based minimization for optimal H 2 model reduction

We present an approach to model reduction for linear dynamical systems that is numerically stable, computationally tractable even for very large order systems, produces a sequence of monotone decreasing H 2 error norms, and (under modest hypotheses) is globally convergent to a reduced order model that is guaranteed to satisfy first-order optimality conditions with respect to H 2 error.
Zinc Supplementation: Its Effect on Egg Production, Feed Conversion, Fertility, and Hatchability

Studies were conducted over four layer years using Single Comb White Leghorn hens, 24 to 68 weeks of age, to observe the effects of zinc supplementation of a corn-soybean meal layer ration on egg production, feed conversion, fertility, and hatchability. Pullets were housed in floor pens; 20 birds per pen. New Hampshire cockerels were used as sires. Treatments were the basal corn-soy-based diet (28 or 34 ppm zinc by analysis) with the following supplemental zinc levels (as the carbonate): 0, 10, 20, or 40 ppm. Feed, water, and crushed oyster shell were supplied ad libitum in all trials. No consistent production effects due to zinc supplementation were observed. Egg production, feed intake, and feed conversion were not improved by zinc supplementation. Fertility and hatchability, likewise, were not improved by zinc supplementation. The chicks produced showed no significant differences in 3-week body weights. However, the chicks produced from hens on the 28 ppm zinc (control) diet showed an increased incidence of zinc-related feather fraying. There was a significant (P<.05) increase the first two laying trials and a numerical increase the last two trials. Thus it appears that 28 ppm of zinc, naturally supplied, is adequate for egg production, fertility, hatchability, and growth of progeny. (Key words: zinc, Single Comb White Leghorn, egg production, hatchability, fertility)
Space Experiments with Silicon Strip Detectors

This paper briefly describes some of the scientific goals of the experiments using silicon strip detectors in space and highlights interesting features of their silicon detectors.
Spoilage Microflora of Broiler Carcasses Washed with Electrolyzed Oxidizing or Chlorinated Water Using an Inside-Outside Bird Washer

The effect of acidic, electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water and chlorinated water on the spoilage microflora of processed broiler carcasses was examined. Carcasses were sprayed for 5 s at 80 psi with tap, chlorinated, or EO water in an inside-outside bird washer. Treated carcasses were then stored at 4 degrees C for 0, 3, 7, or 14 d, and the microbial flora of the carcasses was sampled using the whole-carcass rinse procedure. Populations of psychrotrophic bacteria and yeasts in the carcass rinsates were enumerated. Results indicated that immediately after spraying the carcasses, significantly fewer psychrotrophic bacteria were recovered from carcasses sprayed with chlorinated or EO water than from carcasses sprayed with tap water. Furthermore, significantly fewer yeasts were recovered from carcasses sprayed with EO water than from carcasses sprayed with tap or chlorinated water. The population of psychrotrophic bacteria and yeasts increased on all carcasses during refrigerated storage. However, after 14 d of storage, significantly fewer psychrotrophic bacteria and yeasts were recovered from carcasses sprayed with EO water than from carcasses sprayed with tap or chlorinated water, and significantly fewer microorganisms were recovered from carcasses sprayed with chlorinated water than from carcasses sprayed with tap water. Pseudomonas spp. and Candida spp. were the primary microbial isolates recovered from the broiler carcasses. Findings from the present study indicate that EO water can effectively be used in inside-outside bird washers to decrease the population of spoilage bacteria and yeasts on processed broiler carcasses.
DNA Recognition via Mutual-Induced Fit by the Core-Binding Domain of Bacteriophage λ Integrase†

Bacteriophage lambda integrase (lambda-Int), a phage-encoded DNA recombinase, cleaves its substrate DNA to facilitate the formation and later resolution of a Holliday junction intermediate during recombination. The core-binding and catalytic domains of lambda-Int constitute a bipartite enzyme that mediates site-specific DNA cleavage through their interactions with opposite sides of the recognition sequence. Despite minimal direct contact between the domains, the core-binding domain has been shown to facilitate site-specific DNA cleavage when provided in trans, indicating that it plays a role beyond enhancing binding affinity. Biophysical characterization of the core-binding domain and its interactions with DNA reveal that the domain is poorly structured in its free form and folds upon binding to DNA. Folding of the protein is accompanied by induced-fit structural changes in the DNA ligand. These data support a model by which the core-binding domain plays a catalytic role by reshaping the substrate DNA for effective cleavage by the catalytic domain.
Sensitivity analysis and low-dimensional stochastic modeling of shipboard Integrated Power Systems

For design purposes, we use stochastic modeling and sensitivity analysis to identify the most important parameters of the AC power distribution in the integrated power system (IPS) model. The main AC subsystem of the IPS consists of a 59 kW synchronous generator and a motor drive of 50 hp induction motor. First, we perform sensitivity analysis treating all 31 parameters of the full model as stochastic variables. Second, we construct two low-dimensional stochastic models (with 15 and 8 parameters) and compare the multi-rate dynamics of the reduced models to the full model. For parameter variations larger than 50%, the low-dimensional models still predict accurately the mean values but underpredict the variance of most state variables.
Blue-shifting of coherent plasmon radiation due to Landau damping

Restricting the wave vector of coherent plasmons excited by ultrashort laser pulses results in a frequency blue-shift of the emitted THz radiation, consistent with the onset of Landau damping.
Biomass harvest of invasive Typha promotes plant diversity in a Great Lakes coastal wetland

6 Ecological and financial constraints limit restoration efforts, preventing the achievement of 7 desired ecological outcomes. Harvesting invasive plant biomass for bioenergy has the potential 8 to reduce feedback mechanisms that sustain invasion, while alleviating financial limitations. 9 Typha × glauca is a highly productive invasive wetland plant that reduces plant diversity, alters 10 ecological functioning, its impacts increase with time, and is a suitable feedstock for bioenergy. 11 We sought to determine ecological effects of Typha utilization for bioenergy in a Great Lakes 12 coastal wetland by testing plant community responses to harvest-restoration treatments in stands 13 of two age classes and assessing community resilience through a seed bank study. Belowground 14 harvesting increased light penetration, diversity, and richness, and decreased Typha dominance 15 and biomass in both years post-treatment. Aboveground harvesting increased light and reduced 16 Typha biomass in post-year 1 and in post-year 2, increased diversity and richness and decreased 17 Typha dominance. Seed bank analysis revealed that young stands ( 30 years). In the field, 19 stand-age did not affect diversity or Typha dominance, but old stands had greater Typha biomass 20 and slightly higher richness following harvest. Harvesting Typha achieved at least two desirable 21 ecological outcomes: reducing Typha dominance and increasing native plant diversity. Younger 22 stands had greater potential for native recovery, indicated by more diverse seed banks. In similar 23
Support for Repealing Prohibition: An Analysis of State-Wide Referenda on Ratifying the 21st Amendment†

Objectives The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution repealing national prohibition is the only amendment ratified by state conventions rather than state legislatures. The referenda held to select delegates for these conventions offer a promising source of data for identifying determinants of support for prohibition repeal. Methods We use various proxy measures to determine the importance of economic, political, and demographic forces in motivating support for electing pro-repeal delegate slates to state ratifying conventions. Results Urbanization, per-capita income, percentage of Catholics, and support for the Democratic Party were correlated with support for prohibition repeal. Neither the percentage of evangelical denominations, gender distribution, nor foreign-born population appeared to significantly influence referenda returns. Conclusions This study confirms the conventional understanding regarding Catholic opposition to prohibition and higher income areas’ support for repeal. The findings also indicate that congressional backers of repeal were correct in calculating that submitting the 21st Amendment to popularly elected state conventions, rather than rural-dominated state legislatures, would improve the chances of ratification. Moreover, support for repeal among Democratic congressmembers and party leaders appears to have extended to rank-and-file Democratic voters as well.
Sustainable Markets: Case Study Of Heinz

“The traditional definition of sustainability calls for policies and strategies that meet society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” 1 Sustainability is a concern in private and public sectors all over the world; it is an issue that resonates with people in all age ranges, income levels, and geographic locations. The main idea of sustainability is “reduce, reuse, and recycle.” People and organizations alike must consider every possible effect from the decisions they make in regards to the environment. Sustainability is a challenge in each and every industry, but with the consistent consumption of numerous resources, it is also a necessity. The food industry, like many others, has begun a transformation of its production processes. Drastic changes are being made in the areas of energy consumption, packaging, emissions, and waste. In the United States, between the years 2005 and 2010, “more than 1.5 billion pounds of packaging was diverted from landfills.” The goal is increase that number by another 2.5 billion pounds in the next ten years. As of now, the food and beverage industry “is on track to reduce packaging weight by 19 percent, or 2.5 billion pounds, by 2020. That’s the energy-saving equivalent of removing 363,000 homes or 815,000 gas-guzzlers.” 2 (Cacciola, 2011) As to be expected, Heinz is at the front of the line when it comes to sustainability and originality. The company’s sustainable goals are right in line with the industry and the U.S. Government. Three of the sustainable goals Heinz lists are: (1) reducing GHG emissions by twenty percent of the next ten years, (2) reduce energy consumption by 20%, and (3) reduce packaging by 15%. 3 (The Seed of Heinz's Success, 2011)
Software-Based Hybrid Perfusion SPECT/CT Provides Diagnostic Accuracy When Other Pulmonary Embolism Imaging Is Indeterminate

Purpose To investigate the diagnostic performance of perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (Q-SPECT/CT) in patients suspected to have pulmonary embolism (PE) but with indeterminate computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or planar ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scans.
Hospital experience and expected mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a hospital level analysis.

Objective. To determine whether a hospital's experience in treating patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality among these patients. Methods. The California Hospital Discharge Database, which contains information on all discharges from acute care hospitals in California, was used to identify patients with SLE hospitalized on an emergent or urgent basis from 1991 to 1994 (n = 9989). For each of the 413 hospitals at which these patients were hospitalized, expected mortality risks were computed based on a model that included patient demographic and clinical characteristics, and differences between the observed and expected numbers of deaths were calculated. This difference was then associated with the average annual number of patients with SLE admitted to each hospital on an emergent or urgent basis. Similar analyses were performed for the subset of 2372 patients hospitalized on an emergent basis (at 293 hospitals), and the subset of 405 patients hospitalized on an emergent basis due to SLE (at 122 hospitals). Results. In all 3 patient subsets, there was an inverse association between the average annual number of patients with SLE hospitalized on an urgent or emergent basis at a hospital and the difference between the observed and expected number of deaths at that hospital. Highly experienced hospitals had fewer than expected deaths, while there was little association between the difference between the observed and expected number of deaths among less experienced hospitals. Conclusion. Hospitals that treat larger numbers of patients with SLE have fewer than the expected number of deaths among such patients.
Commodity Pricing and Inflation Expectations

This study will focus on investigating the effects of crude oil and gold prices on implied inflation expectation. “Crude oil is arguably one of the single most important driving forces of the global economy, and changes in the price of oil have significant effects on economic growth and welfare around the world” (Rentschler, 2014). Gold prices attract considerable attention as potential predictor of inflation as well. The study reveals that crude oil prices are positively and significantly related to inflation, while the link between gold and inflation proves to be very limited. The process of inflation expectation as a function of oil and gold prices is subject to some pronounced ARCH type shocks but it is not very persistent. Based on the results of conducted research I conclude that implied inflation expectations are correlated with high oil prices.
Abstract 353: Triciribine, a Selective Akt Inhibitor, Inhibits Myofibroblast Differentiation and Ameliorates Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling in Pulmonary Hypertension

Objectives: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an incurable, chronic and progressive disease with severely poor prognosis and often leads to pulmonary hypertension (PH). Persistent myofibroblast (MF) differentiation in response to TGFβ, marked by de novo expression of αSMA stress fibers, is the central orchestrator of tissue fibrosis and vasculopathy. Our previous studies indicated the integral role of Akt in myofibroblast differentiation and fibrosis. Here, we investigated the efficacy of Triciribine (TCBN), a selective Akt inhibitor, currently in clinical trials for cancer therapy, as a potential therapeutic option for IPF and PH. Methods: WT and Akt1 null mice, as well as those treated with TCBN were subjected to 3 week hypoxia along with normoxia control, and the lungs were used for imaging and western analysis to study the biochemical, structural and vascular changes in the lungs. Cutting edge techniques such as microfil-cast based vascular imaging, confocal imaging and analysis of extracellular matrix protein turnover was performed for the data collection and analysis. Results: Under hypoxia, WT mice exhibited robust vascular remodeling leading to thickening of the artery wall, reduction in lumen size and loss of capillaries in the lungs. This effect was significantly less in Akt1 null mice. Treatment with TCBN significantly ameliorated vascular remodeling in mice due to hypoxia, and resulted in normalization of the vasculature with increased lumen size, reduced wall thickness and increased number of capillary branches as compared to untreated controls. TCBN also affected expression of a number of different extracellular matrix proteins and matrix metalloproteases in addition to changes in the expression of contractile proteins alpha-actin, myocardin and serum response factor in the adventitial fibroblasts. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the crucial role of Akt as an integral mediator of MF differentiation in IPF and PH. Further, TCBN could potentially be a therapeutic option for IPF and PH.
Clinical Outcomes and Toxicity of Proton Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer.

Proton beam radiotherapy (PBT) represents a rapidly expanding modality for the treatment of several malignancies. We examined the current state of PBT for breast cancer to evaluate its role in the modern era of breast radiotherapy. Systematic searches were performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and abstracts from the American Society for Radiation Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, and Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group of North America annual meetings, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Nine original investigations were analyzed. Despite the dearth of overall data, skin toxicity after PBT might be equivalent or better than that of photons. Conventionally fractionated breast/chest wall PBT produces grade 1 dermatitis rates of approximately 25% and grade 2 dermatitis in 71% to 75%. This is comparable or improved over the published rates for photons. The incidence of esophagitis was decreased if the target coverage was compromised in the medial supraclavicular volume, a finding that echoes previous results with photon radiotherapy. The rates of esophagitis were also comparable to the previous data for photons. Using PBT-based accelerated partial breast irradiation, the rates of seroma/hematoma and fat necrosis were comparable to those reported in the existing data. Radiation pneumonitis and rib fractures remain rare. PBT offers excellent potential to minimize the risk of cardiac events, keeping the mean heart dose at ≤ 1 Gy. However, definitive clinical experiences remain sparse. The recently begun randomized trial of protons versus photons will further aid in providing robust conclusions.
Effects of Cloacal Cannulation on Feed and Water Consumption in Chickens

Abstract THIS report concerns the use of a cloacal cannula for the collection of urine and its effect upon feed and water consumption. DESCRIPTION AND USE OF CANNULA The cannula, shown in Figures 1 and 2, was designed to collect urine samples without direct cannulation of ureters. It is inserted in the cloaca at the point where ureters empty into cloaca (urodeum). The cannula is held in place by sutures which extend through the cloacal lip (ventrodorsally) (Figure 2), and are then tied over the area of the pygostyle. The ventral lip of the cannula fits just below the ureteral openings (Figure 2). The dorsal lip of the cannula unlike the ventral lip, is convex, toward the stem (Figure 1, C), and it is most important that the cannula be inserted with convex side upright (dorsally), if it is to fit properly. Diameter A (Figure 1) should be such that the …
Implications of surfactant-induced flow for miscible-displacement estimation of air-water interfacial areas in unsaturated porous media.

Surfactant miscible-displacement experiments represent a conventional means of estimating air–water interfacial area (AI) in unsaturated porous media. However, changes in surface tension during the experiment can potentially induce unsaturated flow, thereby altering interfacial areas and violating several fundamental method assumptions, including that of steady-state flow. In this work, the magnitude of surfactant-induced flow was quantified by monitoring moisture content and perturbations to effluent flow rate during miscible-displacement experiments conducted using a range of surfactant concentrations. For systems initially at 83% moisture saturation (SW), decreases of 18–43% SW occurred following surfactant introduction, with the magnitude and rate of drainage inversely related to the surface tension of the surfactant solution. Drainage induced by 0.1 mM sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, commonly used for AI estimation, resulted in effluent flow rate increases of up to 27% above steady-state conditions...
Inducible expression of antigen processing and antigen presentation molecules and cancer testis antigens in human prostate cancer

Defects in immune surveillance have been correlated with tumorigenesis and poor clinical outcomes in cancer patients. Given recent advances in vaccine therapies and checkpoint inhibition, therapeutic targeting of defective antigen processing may play a critical role in improving the broad utility of immunotherapies. Epigenetic alterations have been found to alter expression of genes involved in antigen processing and presentation. We evaluated the ability of epigenetic modifying agents to increase expression of antigen presentation machinery (APM) molecules ex vivo drug culture using primary human prostate tumor tissue biopsies. Prostate tissue biopsies were collected from patients with advanced, localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy. These tumor biopsies sectioned into 200uM slices and cultured with the hypomethylating agent decitabine (5AZA) and/or histidine-deacetylase inhibitor panobinostate (LBH589). After 72 hours of treatment, tissue slices were harvested and subjected to qRT-PCR analysis. 5AZA alone or in combination with LBH589 have increased expression of MHC Class I molecules (HLA-ABC, B2M) and APM elements including TAP2, Tapasin and LMP7. Increased expression of MHC class I molecules was identified in human prostate cancer treated with 5AZA and the combination of 5AZA and LBH589. Significant inter-patient heterogeneity was also observed, suggesting other mechanisms by which prostate cancer downregulates MHC class I expression. We further identify increased expression of Cancer-Testis Antigens in these samples, indicating multiple mechanisms by which epigenetic modifying agents may improve immune recognition of human prostate cancer. These include NY-ESO, SSX2 and NYSAR35. These results suggest novel therapeutic strategies that can be employed with other immune based therapies for men with localized and advanced prostate cancer.
Evidence and alternative medicine

The most important thing we have to decide about alternative therapies is whether to test them in a clinical trial format. In order to decide this, we need to compare the prior probabilities of alternative therapy hypotheses with the prior probabilities of conventional therapy hypotheses that end up in clinical trials. If the prior probabilities of the alternative therapy hypotheses are lower than the prior probabilities for their competing conventional hypotheses, we do not have a good reason to test them. There are basic science reasons, source reasons, and methodologic reasons for assigning low prior probabilities to typical alternative therapy hypotheses--indeed, hypotheses that the NIH Office of Alternative Medicine supports. Basic science reasons are of two types: whether the hypothesis agrees with a piece of basic science that does not have a good deal of support, and whether the hypothesis is logically incompatible with a well-supported piece of basic science. The source reasons are about the educational and other characteristics of the people who discover, pursue, and promote a therapy hypothesis. The methodologic reasons are about how well a therapy hypothesis satisfies methodologic criteria such as simplicity and modesty. Other things being equal, a hypothesis that is simpler and more modest than other is more plausible as well. Problems arise also about using positive cases in assigning a prior probability to an alternative-therapy hypothesis because virtually every alternative therapy has positive cases, but not every hypothesis is true. The NCI and OTA "best-case" review approach does not solve this problem because it does not include a rule for distinguishing (in a reliable way) between positive cases that show something about a therapy hypothesis being true and positive cases that show nothing of the kind. This paper (as long as it is) is no more than an introductory discussion of some basic points involved in making sensible estimates of the prior probabilities of hypotheses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Introduction to Part Three

In the second part of this book we saw evidence of the reaction to late nineteenth and early twentieth century philosophy where religious thought had been undertaken in many cases by philosophers and theologians influenced by the Hegel or Kant. Philosophers and theologians alike turned from the ideal and the metaphysical to the real and the empirical, and the expectation that either God or human persons would bring about the perfection of civilization was called into question by events that threatened life on the globe. In many cases, however, science gained the upper hand in defining experience and knowledge and theologians often cooperated in removing religion from the realm of human experience and the knowable. Perhaps it should not be surprising that some theologians blamed what appeared to be the collapse of western civilization upon a loss of the transcendence of God, and looked to a wholly transcendent God for the salvation of humankind. These developments led eventually to a breakdown of the close relationship between philosophy and theology that had characterized much western thinking in the early part of the century. The spirit of the time is captured well in H.J. Paton’s Gifford Lectures (1949/1950) in which he challenges what he calls a theological and a philosophical veto of all natural knowledge of God. The theological veto is associated in particular with Karl Barth, and the so-called positivists of revelation, and the philosophical veto is associated in particular with A.J. Ayer and the logical positivists, whose work will be discussed in this part of the book.
Release of ANF, proANF 1-98, and proANF 31-67 from isolated rat atria by atrial distension.

The purpose of the present study was to determine if ANF and the NH2-terminus of the ANF prohormone are secreted simultaneously in response to atrial distension in isolated perfused rat atria. The ...
Upper vs lower extremity arterial function after spinal cord injury

AbstractBackground/Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine whether arterial diameter, flow- mediated dilatation (FMD), and arterial range are affected by spinal cord injury (SCI). We assessed arm (radial) and leg (posterior-tibial) arteries that are comparable in size and function to determine whether (a) arterial function is reduced in individuals with SCI vs nondisabled subjects and (b) decrements to SCI arterial function are greater in the legs vs arms.Participants: Eighteen men with chronic (9.8 ± 6.3 years) SCI (T2 to Til; American Spinal Injury Association A) and 13 nondisabled subjects matched for age (33.1 ± 4.8 vs 29.8 ± 8.2 years old, respectively), height, and weight (BMI = 25.3 ± 5.8 vs 26.6 ± 5.5 kg/m2, respectively).Methods: Radial and posterior tibial artery B-mode ultrasound images were continuously captured to measure resting diameter, occluded diameter, and postischemic diameters. Hierarchical linear modeling accounted for the nested experimental design.Results: Individuals ...
A 5-item frailty index based on NSQIP data correlates with outcomes following paraesophageal hernia repair

Frailty is a measure of physiologic reserve associated with increased vulnerability to adverse outcomes following surgery in older adults. The ‘accumulating deficits’ model of frailty has been applied to the NSQIP database, and an 11-item modified frailty index (mFI) has been validated. We developed a condensed 5-item frailty index and used this to assess the relationship between frailty and outcomes in patients undergoing paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair. The NSQIP database was queried for ICD-9 and CPT codes associated with PEH repair. Subjects ≥60 years who underwent PEH repair between 2011 and 2013 were included. Five of the 11 mFI items present in the NSQIP data on the most consistent basis were selected for the condensed index. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to determine the validity of the 5-item mFI as a predictor of postoperative mortality, complications, readmission, and non-routine discharge. A total of 3711 patients had data for all variables in the 5-item index, while 885 patients had complete data to calculate the 11-item mFI. After controlling for competing risk factors, including age, ASA score, wound classification, surgical approach, and procedure timing (emergent vs non-emergent), we found the 5-item mFI remained predictive of 30-day mortality and patients being discharged to a location other than home (p < 0.05). A weighted Kappa was calculated to assess agreement between the 5-item and 11-item mFI and was found to be 0.8709 (p < 0.001). Frailty, as assessed by the 5-item mFI, is a reasonable alternative to the 11-item mFI in patients undergoing PEH repair. Utilization of the 5-item mFI allows for a significantly increased sample size compared to the 11-item mFI. Further study is necessary to determine whether the condensed 5-item mFI is a valid measure to assess frailty for other types of surgery.
The effectiveness of cooling conditions on temperature of canine EDTA whole blood samples

Background Preanalytic factors such as time and temperature can have significant effects on laboratory test results. For example, ammonium concentration will increase 31% in blood samples stored at room temperature for 30 min before centrifugation. To reduce preanalytic error, blood samples may be placed in precooled tubes and chilled on ice or in ice water baths; however, the effectiveness of these modalities in cooling blood samples has not been formally evaluated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various cooling modalities on reducing temperature of EDTA whole blood samples. Methods Pooled samples of canine EDTA whole blood were divided into two aliquots. Saline was added to one aliquot to produce a packed cell volume (PCV) of 40% and to the second aliquot to produce a PCV of 20% (simulated anemia). Thirty samples from each aliquot were warmed to 37.7 °C and cooled in 2 ml allotments under one of three conditions: in ice, in ice after transfer to a precooled tube, or in an ice water bath. Temperature of each sample was recorded at one minute intervals for 15 min. Results Within treatment conditions, sample PCV had no significant effect on cooling. Cooling in ice water was significantly faster than cooling in ice only or transferring the sample to a precooled tube and cooling it on ice. Mean temperature of samples cooled in ice water was significantly lower at 15 min than mean temperatures of those cooled in ice, whether or not the tube was precooled. By 4 min, samples cooled in an ice water bath had reached mean temperatures less than 4 °C (refrigeration temperature), while samples cooled in other conditions remained above 4.0 °C for at least 11 min. For samples with a PCV of 40%, precooling the tube had no significant effect on rate of cooling on ice. For samples with a PCV of 20%, transfer to a precooled tube resulted in a significantly faster rate of cooling than direct placement of the warmed tube onto ice. Discussion Canine EDTA whole blood samples cool most rapidly and to a greater degree when placed in an ice-water bath rather than in ice. Samples stored on ice water can rapidly drop below normal refrigeration temperatures; this should be taken into consideration when using this cooling modality.
Late-onset hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH) due to mutation of SLC34A3/NPT2c.

Abstract Objective To identify a genetic basis for markedly reduced bone density and multiple fractures in an adult patient with hypophosphatemia and hypercalciuria. Subjects A 54-year-old Vietnamese man, his unaffected two daughters and wife. Methods We performed biochemical studies and sequenced the SLC34A3 gene using genomic DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results Biochemical evaluation of the proband revealed hypophosphatemia with increased renal phosphate wasting, hypercalciuria, low serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and an elevated serum 1,25(OH)2D level. Mutation analysis of SLC34A3 gene revealed that the patient was a compound heterozygote for two nonsynonymous nucleotide substitutions: a novel c.571G > A (p.G191S) damaging mutation and the previously reported c.200G > A (p.R67H) polymorphism, consistent with the clinical diagnosis of late-onset hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets with hypercalciuria (HHRH). His wife and older daughter both carried the p.R67H polymorphism, while his younger daughter was compound heterozygous for p.R67H and p.G191S. Conclusions HHRH is an uncommon autosomal recessive disease that generally manifests in childhood as rickets or nephrolithiasis, but an adult onset phenotype may occur in heterozygous carriers of SLC34A3 mutations. The severe presentation of this proband in adulthood with marked nephrolithiasis, multiple fractures and low bone density emphasizes the importance of measuring the serum phosphorus level in patients with suspected but unexplained osteoporosis and/or recurrent renal stones. The recognition of late-onset HHRH facilitates timely institution of appropriate therapy.