cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Braking the cell's cycle and invigorating T-cell immunity against pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has been an elusive target for immunotherapy. Redundant mechanisms of immune suppression have plagued efforts to elicit vigorous T-cell responses to this disease. Similar frustrations are evident in pancreatic cancer when considering efforts at targeting prominent oncogenic pathways. For example, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A is very frequently mutated, suggesting that inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) may be a viable strategy against these aggressive tumours.1 Unfortunately, resistance to targeting single oncogenic pathways typically prevails, necessitating a need for combination therapy. The choice of optimal combination approaches, however, is not a simple one. Of course, decisions must be carefully metered by preclinical efficacy data, on-target and off-target toxicities, patient selection and insight into mechanisms of action. These considerations may be even more relevant when combining tumour-directed, small molecule inhibitors with immunotherapy. The article by Knudsen et al 2 addresses these issues by employing a data-driven approach to identify novel combinatorial therapies for pancreatic cancer. Their strategy was to systematically define other agents that cooperate with CDK4/6 inhibitors using a live cell imaging-based in …
On the Morse–Bott property of analytic functions on Banach spaces with Łojasiewicz exponent one half

It is a consequence of the Morse–Bott Lemma (see Theorems 2.10 and 2.14) that a $$C^2$$ Morse–Bott function on an open neighborhood of a critical point in a Banach space obeys a Łojasiewicz gradient inequality with the optimal exponent one half. In this article we prove converses (Theorems 1, 2, and Corollary 3) for analytic functions on Banach spaces: If the Łojasiewicz exponent of an analytic function is equal to one half at a critical point, then the function is Morse–Bott and thus its critical set nearby is an analytic submanifold. The main ingredients in our proofs are the Łojasiewicz gradient inequality for an analytic function on a finite-dimensional vector space (Łojasiewicz in Ensembles Semi-analytiques, Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques, Bures-sur-Yvette, 1965) and the Morse Lemma (Theorems 4 and 5) for functions on Banach spaces with degenerate critical points that generalize previous versions in the literature, and which we also use to give streamlined proofs of the Łojasiewicz–Simon gradient inequalities for analytic functions on Banach spaces (Theorems 9 and 10).
Management of Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defects in the Era of Large-Bore Transcatheter Mitral Valve Therapies.

Abstract Several case reports described acute and subacute decompensations that were reversed after percutaneous interatrial septal defect (ASD) closure. At least 30% of patients post MitraClip will continue to have a persistent ASD at 1 year. Few retrospective studies described various echocardiographic associations with persistent ASD but there is no conclusive evidence that it is the cause of a poor outcome. Conclusion: At this time routine closure of ASD post MitraClip is not recommended unless there is hemodynamic decompensation that cannot be explained by other factors.
Saddle Pulmonary Embolism: Demographics, Clinical Presentation, and Outcomes.

Saddle pulmonary embolism is an uncommon type of venous thromboembolism that can lead to sudden hemodynamic collapse and death. Saddle pulmonary embolism can be difficult to recognize, and data on its presentation, clinical features, and associated complications are sparse. We sought to characterize patients with saddle pulmonary embolism. Design The Montage software (Nuance, Burlington, MA) was used to identify patients to create a retrospective cohort study. Setting Montefiore Medical Center from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2018. Patients All subjects diagnosed with saddle pulmonary embolism in above time period. Interventions Charts were reviewed for demographics, diagnostics, laboratory data, presenting vital signs, inhospital mortality, 6-month survival, and prevalence of recurrent venous thromboembolism. Measurements and main results About 120 patients with saddle pulmonary embolism were identified. Median age was 61 years and 57.5% were women. Events were provoked by a transient risk factor in 43.3%. On presentation, median mean arterial pressures were normal (93 mm Hg). Only five of 120 of patients (4.2%) presented with vitals concerning for massive pulmonary embolism. We found a 9.2% inhospital mortality; an additional 8.6% died within 6 months of discharge. Inhospital mortality was higher in women (11.6%), compared with men (3.9%), but this was not significant (p = 0.28). In 10 patients, both ventilation/perfusion scans and computed tomography pulmonary angiogram were performed. None of the ventilation/perfusion scans diagnosed saddle pulmonary embolism. Thrombus was visualized in the right heart in eight of 105 (7.6%), and this group had a higher inhospital mortality (37.5%). Recurrent venous thromboembolism occurred in 13 of 85 of survivors (15.3%). Conclusions Despite presenting without the accepted clinical criteria for massive pulmonary embolism, saddle pulmonary embolism has a very high inhospital mortality. Ventilation/perfusion scan is unable to diagnose saddle pulmonary embolism. Visualized right heart thrombi portend an even higher inhospital mortality.
The Next Generation's Voice: Community, Conflict, and Democracy

The Next Generation, Millennials and beyond (or NextGen), is now larger than the remaining Baby Boomers. Our democracy's future is in their hands. Are they receiving a democracy at risk? What do they face and what do they want? How can they shape public policy? The field of dispute resolution is about helping people exercise voice to resolve conflict; it is broad enough to encompass voice in all the important decisions we face. The NextGen has an array of choices for how it will exercise voice to influence key public policies; it can participate across the policy continuum through collaborative governance. This essay will explore the NextGen in collaborative governance through elections, public and civic engagement, and civil disobedience. It urges the NextGen to re-imagine the future, use the power its voice provides, and reclaim our democracy.
Congenital cecal diverticulitis in a pediatric patient.

Abstract Diverticulitis in the pediatric population is a very rare cause of abdominal pain. When present in the cecum or ascending colon, it is often incorrectly diagnosed preoperatively as acute appendicitis. This is especially true in Western countries where right-sided diverticulitis is less common. Here we detail a case of a pediatric patient with complicated congenital cecal diverticulitis and review the literature on pertinent management. An extensive work up with imaging and endoscopy was completed and definitive surgical treatment with diverticulectomy an appendectomy was performed. As the incidence of diverticular disease in younger individuals increases, right sided diverticulitis is worthy of consideration on the differential diagnosis.
Problematic internet use in adolescents and implementation of a social media hygiene protocol.

Abstract Purpose This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate whether a social media hygiene education intervention designed for adolescents with problematic internet use (PIU) receiving treatment at a pediatric outpatient mental health clinic reduced PIU and/or improved mental health outcomes in adolescents. Methods Participants were 28 adolescents (71.4% females, mean age = 14.2 years) with PIU seeking outpatient mental health treatment. The most common associated diagnoses were anxiety (42.9%) and attention-deficit activity disorder (28.6%). A within-adolescent pre-post design was used to evaluate changes in PIU severity measured by the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale-2 (GPIUS-2), depression and anxiety severity was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS), and screen time defined as the average hours/day during past 7-days recorded of the adolescent's smartphone. The practice change was an ad hoc social media hygiene education intervention conducted by their provider over five, once-a-week, one-hour telehealth sessions. Results A significant reduction in screen time (paired t = 10.14, df = 27, p Conclusion The findings suggest administration of a social-media hygiene protocol conducted via telehealth may reduce the severity of PIU and improve mental health outcomes in adolescents seeking outpatient mental health treatment.
Understanding engagement behaviors and rapport building in tobacco cessation telephone counseling: An analysis of audio-recorded counseling calls

Abstract Introduction Though telephone counseling is a modality commonly used to promote health behavior change, including tobacco cessation, specific counselor and participant behaviors that indicate engagement and therapeutic alliance remain poorly characterized in the literature. We sought to explore smokers' and counselors' engagement and rapport-building behaviors in telephone counseling for smoking cessation and patterns of these behaviors by smokers' psychiatric symptoms. Methods The study team transcribed, audio-recorded tobacco cessation counseling calls for the presence of engagement and rapport-building behaviors among recently hospitalized participants enrolled in a smoking cessation randomized controlled trial (RCT). The study used baseline data from the RCT to explore frequencies of counselors' and smokers' behaviors among smokers who had reported more (vs. fewer) symptoms of depression (PHQ8 ≥ 10) or anxiety (GAD7 ≥ 10) at study entry. Results Participants (n = 37) were mostly female (23/37), White (26/37), with a median age of 58. At study entry while hospitalized, moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression (18/37) and anxiety (22/37) were common. Participant-led engagement behaviors included referencing past quit attempts, asking questions, elaborating response to yes/no questions, expressing commitment to behavior change, and assigning importance to nonautomated calls. Counselor-led behaviors included building off prior interaction, empathy, normalizing challenges, reframing and summarizing, validating achievements, and expressing shared experience. Both participants and counselors engaged via general discussion and humor. Participant-led engagement behaviors appeared more often in call transcripts among patients with higher baseline depression and anxiety symptoms compared to those with lower symptom scores. Conclusions This study classified participant-led, counselor-led, and shared engagement behaviors during tobacco cessation counseling calls. Increased engagement via telephone counseling may be important for individuals with psychiatric symptoms identified at the start of treatment.
The effects of diet and exercise on blood lipid levels in adolescent males

Notaro, James Vincent, M.S., June 1977 Health, Physical Education and Recreation The Effects of Diet and Exercise on Blood Lipid Levels in Adolescent Males ( 2 pp.) Director: Brian Sharkey/'' v The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diet and exercise on lipid concentrations in junior high males. Of specific concern were the changes that occur in cholesterol and triglyceride levels with either exercise or diet, or a combination of both. Sixteen boys participated and were divided into exercise, exercise and diet, diet, and control groups. The exercise groups used an "aerobic type" training regime and the diet groups were placed on a strict cholesterol free diet. Blood samples were drawn initially and at the conclusion of the project to determine lipid concentrations. The results of this study showed no significant changes in cholesterol or triglyceride levels. There were statistically significant changes in aerobic capacity within the exercise groups.
Posterior versus anterior circulation strokes: differences at a community level. (P4.312)

Objective: We sought to investigate whether initial clinical factors might lead to less frequent intravascular tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) administration in posterior circulation strokes (PCS) by examining data from the Stroke Treatment Alliance of Rochester (STAR). Background: PCS represent less than a quarter of all acute ischemic strokes (AIS), and are less commonly identified on admission due to less sensitive initial clinical workup (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS], which mainly captures anterior circulation stroke [ACS] symptoms). Methods: We retrospectively searched the STAR database from July 2011 - Dec 2013 for all patients presenting with AIS, and recorded demographics, door-to-metrics, and whether IV-tPA was given. Diagnosis of PCS was based upon review of clinical notes and final imaging. Univariate and multivariate analyses were run using SAS. Results: Of 1761 AIS patients, 1415 (80.4[percnt]) had an ACS and 346 (19.6[percnt]) had a PCS. Compared to PCS patients, ACS patients were older (72.2 vs. 67.6, p=<0.0001), had higher mean admission NIHSS scores (9.3 vs 4.1, p=<0.0001), and had shorter median symptom-to-door time (3.6 vs. 4.7 hours, p=0.0212). Significantly more ACS patients received IV-tPA than PCS patients (16.9[percnt] vs 4.9[percnt], OR=3.9, CI = 2.4-6.5). Similar results were found on logistic regression after age, admission NIHSS and symptom-to-door time were added to the model. Patients with ACS were 2.95 (CI = 1.5-5.6) times more likely to receive IV-tPA compared to PCS. Conclusion: After controlling for age, NIHSS, and time of arrival, PCS patients appear to be less likely to receive IV-tPA than ACS patients. Further studies are necessary to confirm this in other populations, and to determine whether improved methods of identifying PCS in the emergency department and enhancing community recognition of PCS symptoms may improve IV-tPA use in this patient population. Disclosure: Dr. Kung has nothing to disclose. Dr. Damania has nothing to disclose. Dr. Liew has nothing to disclose. Dr. Benesch has received research support from AGA Medical. Dr. Jahromi has nothing to disclose.
Biotechnology: Safety Assessment of Biotherapeutics and Agribiotechnology‐Derived Foods

The advent of recombinant DNA (rDNA) technologies has accelerated progress in developing large proteinaceous molecules with therapeutic properties. Such development has resulted in alternative sources for hormones (e.g. insulin, growth hormone), for immunomodulators, selected neurological disease therapies and for human monoclonal antibodies (Mab). Not only have advances occurred in human therapies, but considerable progress has been made in designing genetically modified (GM) food crops(e.g. soy beans, corn, etc.) that require the use of less chemical herbicides, can be grown with high yields, and are often more nutritious. These advances in rDNA have provided both medicine and agriculture with new avenues for therapeutic agents and food crops. Many of the safety evaluation protocols involving rDNA products necessitate a battery of pre-clinical tests that include protein allergenicity and immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and other specific assays. Keywords: biotherapeutics; rDNA technologies mabs; antisense drugs; agribiotechnology; GM foods; herbicide tolerance; plant-derived vaccines
Multi‐modal imaging for assessment of tissue‐engineered bone in a critical‐sized calvarial defect mouse model

Tissue-engineered bone (TEB) analysis in vivo relies heavily on tissue histological and end-point evaluations requiring the sacrifice of animals at specific time points. Due to differences in animal response to implanted tissues, the conventional analytical methods to evaluate TEB can introduce data inconsistencies. Additionally, the conventional methods increase the number of animals required to provide an acceptable statistical power for hypothesis testing. Alternatively, our non-invasive optical imaging allows for the longitudinal analysis of regenerating tissue, where each animal acts as its own control, thus reducing overall animal numbers. In our 6 month feasibility study, TEB, consisting of a silk protein scaffold with or without differentiated mesenchymal stem cells, was implanted in a critical-sized calvarial defect mouse model. Osteogenesis of the TEB was monitored through signal variation, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging with IRDye® 800CW BoneTagTM (800CW BT, a bone-specific marker used to label osteogenically differentiated mesenchymal stem cells and mineralization). Histological endpoint measurements and computed tomography (CT) were used to confirm imaging findings. Anatomical MRI revealed decreased signal intensity, indicating mineralization, in the TEB compared to the control (i.e. silk scaffold only) at various growth stages. NIR optical imaging results demonstrated a signal intensity increase of the TEB compared to control. Interpretation of the imaging results were confirmed by histological analysis. Specifically, haematoxylin and eosin staining revealing de novo bone in TEB showed that 80% of the defect was covered by TEB, while only 40% was covered for the control. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential of multi-modal non-invasive imaging to visualize and quantify TEB for the assessment of regenerative medicine strategies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DHTML accessibility checking based on static JavaScript analysis

DHTML accessibility is being standardized by W3C, which provides metadata for UI widgets commonly implemented by HMTL and JavaScript. However it is difficult to check that webpages always have correct metadata according to the standards of DHTML accessibility since UI widgets can be updated by JavaScript programs. Thus we propose a technique for checking accessibility of UI widgets. In this check, we use static program analysis techniques so that we can check accessibility without executing a program. In addition, we developed a prototype system based on the proposed technique and applied it to a simple DHTML application.
Systems of differential equations

In addition to harmonic functions, which were considered at length in chapter II, it is also of interest to consider harmonic vectors H; i. e., vector fields satisfying the pair of equations (1) such a field is termed harmonic because each of its three components is a harmonic function and the components are connected by generalized anti-Cauchy-Riemann equations. We shall obtain for such fields an integral representation which is a natural generalization of the representation (II. 3.1) of harmonic functions. If we denote a vector field H by means of its cartesian components, H = (H 1, H 2, H 3), we readily see that if one of its components, say H 1, is a given harmonic function, the equations (1) constitute a system of first-order partial differential equations which must be satisfied by the other two components. However, this system of equations does not completely determine the remaining two components. In fact, the following lemma holds:
Stream temperature-equilibrium temperature relationship

[1] Equilibrium temperature is the water temperature at which the sum of all heat fluxes through the water surface is zero. It can be calculated from weather data. Mean weekly stream temperature was found to be linearly related to mean weekly equilibrium temperature above 0°C. The slopes and intercepts of the linear relationship were used to identify effects of shading, sheltering, cold water inputs (groundwater, meltwater, and deep reservoir releases) and warm water inputs (wastewater, cooling water, and lake surface water). The linearity hypothesis was confirmed for data from 596 U.S. Geological Survey stream gaging stations in the eastern and central United States. For approximately 15% (89 of 596, NSC ≥ 0.90) of stream gaging stations, weekly equilibrium temperature was a good estimator of weekly stream temperature with zero wind sheltering and sun shading. With sheltering and shading the number rose to 26% (156 of 596). For these streams the heat exchange through the water surface has the most controlling effect on stream temperatures. For the remaining 74% of streams the relationship between weekly stream temperature and weekly equilibrium temperature was also linear, but its slope was significantly less than 1.0 (even after calibration for shading and sheltering), indicating that processes other than surface heat exchange have an influence. Cold water inflows were dominant for 8% (46 of 596) of stream gaging sites. Less than 5% of all stream gaging stations showed evidence of unnatural heat inputs. Fitting an equilibrium temperature linearly to recorded stream temperatures, e.g., at a weekly timescale, can be of use to project stream temperatures under different weather-climate scenarios or to identify both natural and anthropogenic heat and hydrologic inputs to streams.
Metacognition, Abilities, and Developing Expertise: What Makes an Expert Student?

The main argument of this chapter is that metacognition is an important part of human abilities, which are in turn forms of developing expertise. To the extent that our goal is to understand the bases of individual differences in student academic success, we need to understand metacognition as representing part of the abilities that lead to student expertise, but only as part.
Integrating The Three Domains Of Employee Commitment: An Exploratory Study

Previous research examining employee commitment has focused primarily on organizational commitment, with a limited number of studies investigating professional and professional association commitment. In the present study, the effects of satisfaction with human resource practices and employee empowerment on organizational, professional, and professional association commitment were examined. Overall, the findings support the distinctiveness of each domain. Satisfaction with human resource practices and employee empowerment exhibited a strong relationship with organizational commitment. Employee empowerment was more strongly related to professional association commitment than satisfaction with human resource practices. Professional commitment more closely resembled the pattern of results found with organizational commitment, but fewer significant relationships existed. Several avenues for future research are discussed.
Molecular weight and galloylation affect grape seed extract constituents' ability to cross-link dentin collagen in clinically relevant time.

Abstract Objective To investigate the relationship between the structures of polyphenolic compounds found in grape seed extract (GSE) and their activity in cross-linking dentin collagen in clinically relevant settings. Methods Representative monomeric and dimeric GSE constituents including (+)-catechin (pCT), (−)-catechin (CT), (−)-epicatechin (EC), (−)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (−)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), (−)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), procyanidin B2 and a pCT–pCT dimer were purchased or synthesized. GSE was separated into low (PALM) and high molecular weight (PAHM) fractions. Human molars were processed into dentin films and beams. After demineralization, 11 groups of films ( n = 5) were treated for 1 min with the aforementioned reagents (1 wt% in 50/50 ethanol/water) and 1 group remained untreated. The films were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) followed by a quantitative mass spectroscopy-based digestion assay. Tensile properties of demineralized dentin beams were evaluated ( n = 7) after treatments (2 h and 24 h) with selective GSE species that were found to protect dentin collagen from collagenase. Results Efficacy of GSE constituents in cross-linking dentin collagen was dependent on molecular size and galloylation. Non-galloylated species with degree of polymerization up to two, including pCT, CT, EC, EGC, procyanidin B2 and pCT–pCT dimer were not active. Galloylated species were active starting from monomeric form, including ECG, EGCG, PALM, GSE and PAHM. PALM induced the best overall improvement in tensile properties of dentin collagen. Significance Identification under clinically relevant settings of structural features that contribute to GSE constituents’ efficacy in stabilizing demineralized dentin matrix has immediate impact on optimizing GSE's use in dentin bonding.
The Moral Opacity of Utilitarianism

The guiding utilitarian idea (GUI) is that "the final ground of moral assessment ... must lie in effects on people's well-being" (or welfare). The GUI calls (in some sense) for welfare to be promoted as much as possible. It is natural to suppose that act utilitarianism (AU) is the most faithful moral expression of the GUI, for AU requires one to promote welfare as much as possible. This paper first reviews the reasons we have to doubt that assumption--reasons to believe that conforming our behavior to AU does not guarantee that we shall maximize welfare. The question arises whether there is a better interpretation of utilitarianism--a better representative within moral theory of the GUI. This paper suggests that welfare would be better promoted by conformity to a "multiple-influence" principle, which refers directly to more than one factor (to, e.g., rules and behavioral dispositions as well as acts). As we have no clear idea of what such a principle would be like, it follows that utilitarianism is morally opaque. The paper concludes by suggesting that utilitarianism is not merely opaque but morally ambiguous, as there is no determinate criterion for identifying the moral principle that best represents the GUI.
Direct Angioplasty for Acute Occlusion of Intracranial Artery

We read with interest the article “Intracranial Angioplasty: Experience and Complication” by Takis et al [(1)][1] in the October 1997 issue of the American Journal of Neuroradiology. The authors performed angioplasty in intracranial arteries in 10 patients with TIA or minor stroke and reported a
Impact of a nurse-managed heart failure clinic: a pilot study.

Background One approach to optimize clinical and economic management of congestive heart failure is the use of multidisciplinary outpatient clinics in which advanced practice nurses coordinate care. One such clinic was developed in 1995 at a southeastern university hospital to enhance management of patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Objectives To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary outpatient heart failure clinic on the clinical and economic management of patients with congestive heart failure. Methods Data on hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, length of stay, charges, and reimbursement from the 6 months before 15 patients joined a heart failure clinic were compared with data from the 6 months after the patients joined the clinic. Results The patients had a total of 38 hospital admissions (151 hospital days) in the 6 months before joining the clinic and 19 admissions (72 hospital days) in the 6 months afterward. The mean length of stay decreased from 4.3 days in the 6 months before joining to 3.8 days in the 6 months afterward, and the number of emergency department visits also decreased, although neither decrease was statistically significant. Mean inpatient hospital charges decreased from $10,624 per patient admission to $5893. Reimbursements were $7751 (73% collection rate) and $5138 (87% collection rate), respectively. Conclusions Patients seemed to benefit from participation in the heart failure clinic. If a healthcare provider is available to manage early signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure, hospital readmissions may be decreased and patients' outcomes may be improved.
The torpedo (DER) receptor tyrosine kinase is required at multiple times during Drosophila embryogenesis

The torpedo (DER) gene of Drosophila, which encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase of the EGF receptor subfamily, is essential for oogenesis, embryogenesis and imaginal disc development. To gain insight into the nature of the signals transduced by the torpedo product, we have characterized the gene's loss-of-function phenotype in the embryo. Through the induction of germline clones, we provide a genetic demonstration that maternal torpedo product does not contribute to zygotic development. Thus, the embryonic lethal phenotypes examined accurately reflect the consequences of eliminating all gene activity from the zygote. Temperature-shift experiments with the conditional allele topIF26 show that torpedo is required at two distinct times during embryonic development: the gene is first needed for germband retraction and for the production of anterior, posterior and ventral cuticle, then later for the secretion of ventral denticles. Since denticle formation can be severely disrupted in topIF26 animals without affecting cuticle production, the early and late requirements for torpedo appear to be functionally unrelated. torpedo, therefore, is required at multiple times in the development of the ventral epidermis, and may transduce qualitatively different signals. Since the early requirement for torpedo correlates with the first visible defect in embryonic development, increased cell death in the amnioserosa, cephalic ectoderm and ventral epidermis, the abnormalities in cuticle production and germband shortening seen in the mutant may be secondary consequences of a primary defect in cell viability. Given that the onset of cell death in torpedo embryos is not preceded by any obvious defects in mitogenesis, the establishment of cell identities or the maintenance of gene expression, it is possible that torpedo transduces a signal necessary for cell survival per se during early embryogenesis. During late embryogenesis, torpedo may mediate the reception of a second signal which regulates ventral epidermal cell differentiation.
INFLUENCE OF LIGHT AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS ON ALKALOID CONCENTRATION IN LARKSPUR

Concentrations of toxic norditerpenoid alkaloids vary greatly in tall larkspur (Delphinium barbeyi) and may be influenced by environmental stress. We evaluated the effect of shade, darkness, and inhibition of photosynthesis on toxic alkaloid concentration. In plants treated with metribuzin to inhibit photosynthesis, alkaloid concentration increased, but dry weight of the plants decreased as growth ceased, leaving absolute alkaloid content similar to that of control plants. Short-term shade (70% reduction in sunlight for three days), dark treatments from leaves collected at night, and aluminum foil covered leaves all increased alkaloid concentration in comparison to untreated control plants. It appears that absolute amounts of alkaloids remained the same, but the mass of stressed plants declined as nonstructural carbohydrates were depleted, thus increasing the relative concentration of alkaloids. We conclude that norditerpenoid alkaloids in larkspur do not respond to short-term light stress. Alkaloid concentration was lower in larkspur plants growing beneath forest canopy and in potted plants in a long-term shade study (70% reduction in sun light for 21 days) than plants growing in open sunlight. Long-term shade may have reduced synthesis of norditerpenoid alkaloids, particularly in the earlier developmental stages of the plant. Shade stress or photosynthesis inhibition apparently did not increase norditerpenoid alkaloid synthesis, which contrasts with the carbon/nutrient balance theory of plant defense.
Comparing student and faculty perceptions of online and traditional courses

Abstract The use of online courses on college campuses has grown substantially in recent years, despite limited information on how these courses are perceived by faculty and students, compared to traditional (classroom) classes. In this study, two separate, but equivalent, surveys were developed to compare the perceptions of faculty and students. Comparisons were made between the perceptions of faculty who have taught the same course using online and traditional formats to the perceptions of students who have taken online and traditional courses using a series of 7-point Likert scales. Both surveys measured: 1) perceptions of online versus traditional courses, 2) perceptions of students who take online courses and students' motivations for taking online courses, 3) perceptions of faculty members who teach online courses; and 4) demographic characteristics. Analysis of data included the comparison of mean values between faculty and students and Pearson correlation analysis to determine relationships between questions. Of the 25 questions investigated in this study, 12 showed significant differences in means between faulty and student perceptions (p
Some Electrical and Radiation Hazards in the Laboratory

Some electrical and radiation hazards which are present in the laboratory are discussed. A constant reminder concerning some of the common dangers is worthwhile since even experienced workers may forget about them and injury or death can result.
Brief paper: Decentralized estimation and control of graph connectivity for mobile sensor networks

The ability of a robot team to reconfigure itself is useful in many applications: for metamorphic robots to change shape, for swarm motion towards a goal, for biological systems to avoid predators, or for mobile buoys to clean up oil spills. In many situations, auxiliary constraints, such as connectivity between team members or limits on the maximum hop-count, must be satisfied during reconfiguration. In this paper, we show that both the estimation and control of the graph connectivity can be accomplished in a decentralized manner. We describe a decentralized estimation procedure that allows each agent to track the algebraic connectivity of a time-varying graph. Based on this estimator, we further propose a decentralized gradient controller for each agent to maintain global connectivity during motion.
Effect of meaningfulness on judgments of computability

The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 After memorizing a set. of four equations, subjects were given problem frames specifying an unknown variable and two, three, or four given variables. The task on each item was to judge whether the presented variables corresponded to a problem that could be computed. (No values were given and no computation was carried out.) The main finding was a strong interaction: With formulas consisting of uninterpreted letters, judgments of uncomputable items were much slower than judgments of computable items; however, the difference between positive and negative items was much smaller when formulas consisted of meaningful concepts. Attempts to remove the interaction by presenting the nonsense formulas as an integrated network or by using a format allowing easy chunking of the variables in each formula did not succeed. At this point it appears most promising to investigate effects of meaningfulness on basic component processes, such as decisions about whether pairs of items come from the same formula.
Standards of Social Behavior Among School Children in Four Cultures

Abstract Normes de conduite sociale chez des enfants de quatre cultures differentes.—Cette etude fait partie d'une vaste enquěte interculturelle sur les divers systemes de socialisation, dans le but d'explorer quelie est la part d'universalite transcendante aux frontieres des nations et la part de particularisme national dans les normes ethiques. Les AA. ont cherche a mettre en evidence l'effet du sexe, du cadre educatif (collectif ou familial), de l'[acaron]ge et du statut professionnel des parents sur l'importance attribuee aux normes de conduite sociale par des enfants d'environ 12 ans, aux USA, en Grande-Bretagne, en URSS et en Suisse (N = 1450). Ils ont utilise un questionnaire comportant 18 exemples de conduite dont la signification est idcntique d'une culture a l'autre. L'analyse factorielle des reponses faites par les garcons et les filles en Grande-Bretagne d'une part, en URSS d'autre part, fait appara[icaron]tre deux groupements des exemples qui correspondent a deux facteurs, ≪ bonnes manieres ≫...
Causality and dispersion relations for the scattering of mesons by fixed nucleons

The derivation of dispersion relations for meson-nucleon scattering is reexamined. So far, all proofs given require the assumption that the Fourier representation of the scattering amplitude exists in the unphysical energy region. In this note it is shown that in the limit of fixed nucleons the causality condition and the properties of the spectrum are already sufficient to derive dispersion formulae for the forward scattering amplitudes. With the same assumptions one can also derive dispersion relations for the derivative amplitudes. The complete relativistic case is discussed briefly in the appendix.
Three-Phase Intersection Points in Monolayers

Some phospholipid/dihydrocholesterol Langmuir monolayers form coexisting liquid phases. Gas domains form at the interface between the phospholipid-rich and dihydrocholesterol-rich liquid phases when these monolayers undergo expansion to low surface pressure. Analysis of the domain shapes thus formed yields the relative line tensions of the gas/phospholipid, gas/dihydrocholesterol, and phospholipid/dihydrocholesterol phase interfaces.
Estimating the parameters of a truncated normal distribution

Let o(x) be a truncated normal pdf over the interval [a,b], that is, assume o(x)=exp[-([email protected])^2/[email protected]^2]/@K^b"aexp[-([email protected])^2/[email protected]^2]dx for - ~
Amphibian alkaline phosphatase—II The influence of parathyroid extract on alkaline phosphatase in tissues of Rana pipiens☆

Abstract 1. 1. Alkaline phosphatase activity is influenced by parathyroid hormone in amphibian bone, plasma, kidney and urine. 2. 2. The enzymatic response to hormone is tissue-specific, varying in time, magnitude and direction of change. 3. 3. Bone shaft and metaphyseal activity are increased maximally at 2–10 hr after hormone-treatment; plasma, kidney and urine activities sequentially reach maximal increases at 10, 24 and 48 hr. Epiphyseal activity progressively declines. 4. 4. Cold-acclimation depresses the normal enzymatic response to hormone.
Women are not as unique as thought by some: comment on "Hormonal predictors of sexual motivation in natural menstrual cycles", by Roney and Simmons.

In female mammals, sexual interest is modulated by estradiol andin many cases progesterone. Even in those species where females usetestosterone (T), such as the musk shrew, T must be aromatized toestradiol to modulate female sexuality (Rissman et al., 1990). Theview concerning hormones and women's sexuality is quite different.The notion that women's sexual desire is modulated not by estradiol,but by testosterone is commonly held and makes women uniqueamong mammalian females. The emphasis on T as the modulator ofwomen's sexual desire has led to the notion of androgen deﬁciency(Davis, 2001) as an explanation for low sexual desire in women,even though no speciﬁc level of testosterone reliably predicts themagnitude of women's sexual desire (Davis et al., 2005). Still, theview of T as the primary modulator of women's sexual desire remainspopular in the face of evidence that testosterone treatment for lowsexualdesireinwomenhaslittleeffect—typicallynotincreasingsexu-al desire signiﬁcantly above that resulting from placebo treatment(Alexander et al., 2004). These limited effects require concurrent es-trogen therapy (Alexander et al., 2004). In addition, estradiol itselfcan restore sexual desire if given at doses that mimic mid-follicularserum estradiol levels (>100 pg/ml; Alexander et al., 2004). Thus es-tradiol is clearly important for testosterone's therapeutic effect and iscapable of increasing women's sexual desire if given in high physio-logical doses. Evidence of endogenous testosterone or estradiol's in-ﬂuence on women's sexual desire is unclear.Studies of ovarian cycle variation in women's sexual desire, usingthe post-ovulatory rise in basal body temperature to align ovariancycles, showed a striking periovulatory peak in the number of womenreporting increased sexual desire (Stanislaw and Rice, 1988). Thissuggested that changes in ovarian hormones modulated women'ssexual interest but gave no indication of which ovarian hormoneswere important. Waxenberg et al. (1959) had previously argued, onthe basis of a study of the effects of ovariectomy and adrenalectomyon women's sexuality, that ovarian hormones were irrelevant and
An analysis of the mechanism of flame extinction by a cold wall

The process of laminar flame extinction by a cold wall is studied because of its relation to the wall-quenching phenomenon in the internal combustion engine. The theoretical analysis is performed assuming a one-dimensional transient process and a simple one-step chemical reaction. A series solution valid in a limited time domain is obtained employing the method of inner and outer expansions. The results are further extended in time by means of numerical integration of the governing equations. It is found that the amount of unreacted fuel near the wall depends significantly on the value of the Lewis number and only weakly on the value of the activation energy. The comparison with experimental results is made on the basis of several characteristic quantities defined in terms of steady-state burning velocity. The estimated amounts of unreacted fuel and the quench zone thickness in an engine are found to be several times lower than the corresponding experimental values. It appears that the present idealized model gives a lower limit for the amount of unreacted fuel at the wall.
Successful treatment of suspected erysipelas septicemia in a beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)

A 20-year-old male beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) was diagnosed with suspected acute septicemic erysipelas. Physical examination was unremarkable and no skin lesions were evident. Hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities included mild anemia, a marked leukocytosis, an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and moderate elevations of total protein, gamma globulins, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. Microtitration agglutination testing for Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae antibodies revealed seroconversion and elevated antibody titers associated with the clinical illness, presumptive evidence of an active E. rhusiopathiae infection. Treatment consisted of oral fluids, cimetidine, and a 25-day course of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride. The whale made a rapid and uneventful recovery. None of the three female beluga whales that shared the pool with the ill male, nor male and female beluga whales maintained in a separate pool, became ill or showed serologic evidence of E. rhusiopathiae exposure. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Gas adsorption gates based on ultrathin composite polymer films.

High surface area alumina coatings were prepared on surface acoustic wave (SAW) mass balances. These coatings were fabricated by anodic etching of evaporated aluminum films. The coatings consisted of roughly collinear pores penetrating through the monolithic alumina film. The nanoporous (NP) coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the pore number density and diameter were found to be (3.8 ± 0.5) × 103 pores/μm2 and 6.8 ± 4.8 nm, respectively. The mass of volatile organic compounds that adsorbed onto naked and chemically modified NP alumina coatings was measured using SAW mass balances and compared to the mass absorbed onto SAW devices having planar aluminum coatings. Thirty-four times more heptane adsorbed to the naked NP coating than to the planar coating. The mass loading response was also measured after modification with organic thin films (3−12 nm thick) that spanned the pores of the NP coating. These organic thin films were composed of sixth-generation, amine-terminated poly(...
Short-time windowed covariance: a metric for identifying non-stationary, event-related covariant cortical sites.

Background Electrocorticography (ECoG) signals can provide high spatio-temporal resolution and high signal to noise ratio recordings of local neural activity from the surface of the brain. Previous studies have shown that broad-band, spatially focal, high-frequency increases in ECoG signals are highly correlated with movement and other cognitive tasks and can be volitionally modulated. However, significant additional information may be present in inter-electrode interactions, but adding additional higher order inter-electrode interactions can be impractical from a computational aspect, if not impossible.
Peripheral odontogenic fibroma

Peripheral odontogenic fibroma (WHO type) is an uncommon lesion of the gingiva; 18 well-documented cases have been published. It is considered to be the extraosseous counterpart of the central odontogenic fibroma. Because of the paucity of reported cases, the full histomorphologic spectrum of this lesion has not yet been established. This article presents nine cases of peripheral odontogenic fibroma that illustrate the variety of its histopathologic findings. The connective tissue ranged from loose (almost myxomatous) to markedly cellular to relatively acellular and well-collagenized. Islands and/or strands of odontogenic epithelium were present in all lesions. Matrix of mineralized material was present in three cases, and juxtaepithelial hyalinization was seen in one case. To avoid the introduction of additional diagnostic terms, we suggest that all these lesions be considered a spectrum of the peripheral odontogenic fibroma (WHO type). We also suggest that the term WHO type be used to distinguish peripheral odontogenic fibromas from the peripheral ossifying fibroma with which they have often been confused.
Characterizing the I/O behavior of scientific applications on the Cray XT

Scientific applications use input/output (I/O) for obtaining initial conditions and execution parameters, as a persistent way of saving program output, and for safeguarding against system unreliability. Although system sizes are expected to continue increasing, I/O performance is not expected to keep pace with system computation and communication performance. Understanding application I/O demands and system I/O capabilities is the first step toward bridging this gap between them. In this paper, we present our approach for characterizing the I/O demands of applications on the Cray XT. We also present preliminary case studies showing the use of our I/O characterization infrastructure with climate studies and combustion simulation programs.
Coal combustion studies in a fluidized-bed test facility

Abstract A fluidized-bed combustor has been designed, constructed, installed, and tested for the combustion of coal. A cylindrical (0.152 m i.d.) fluidized-bed, equipped with a specially designed propane burner to preheat the inert bed of sand and ignite an Illinois Basin coal sample (IBC-103), was employed in the test runs. The flue-gas composition is established by using a Cole-Parmer KM 9004 electronic combustion analyzer. A methodology is developed to compute the percentage utilization efficiency of carbon and the fuel-combustion efficiency, based on knowledge of fuel and flue-gas compositions and operating conditions of the combustor. Thirteen combustion-test results are reported, emphasizing the quality and efficiency of combustion for different coal-feed rates (0.66–1.58 g/s), bed temperatures (1003–1216 K), fractional excess air values (0.48–1.52), and gas-fluidization numbers (1.25–3.26). In addition, the hydrodynamic fluidization quality of the bed has been investigated on the basis of a series of measurements relating the calming-section pressure drops through the gas-distributor plates, pressure drops across the total bed and across its two sections, and the pressure-drop fluctuation history for various temperatures as functions of the fluidizing air velocity. These data provide bed-property parameters such as the minimum fluidization velocity, bed voidage, variance in bed pressure-drop fluctuation, and variations of these properties with operating conditions. The results are compared with limited related experimental data in the literature.