cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavioral responses of a coastal flatfish to predation-associated cues and elevated CO2

Abstract The direct and indirect effects of ocean acidification (OA) on marine ecosystems are a growing concern. Studies with marine fishes suggest that elevated CO2 may affect behavior by interfering with an important brain neurotransmitter. OA effects on fish behavior are comparatively understudied in temperate and boreal species. In laboratory experiments, we first characterized speckled sanddab (Citharichthys stigmaeus) behavioral responses to potential predation cues (predator odor, damaged skin cues from injured conspecifics, and sight of a predator) under ambient CO2 levels (~400 μatm). Sanddab reduced conspicuousness and foraging at the sight of a predator, but increased activity and conspicuousness when exposed to damaged skin cues. We then examined the effects of elevated CO2 levels (~900 μatm and ~1500 μatm) on posture, activity, and foraging of sanddab, and the behavioral responses to damaged skin cues. Sanddab behavior appeared generally resilient to the effects of elevated CO2 levels, but there were non-significant trends of fish from the medium CO2 treatment exhibiting lower posture and activity scores, and reduced feeding activity. The resiliency of speckled sanddab to OA conditions may be related to their distribution in a coastal upwelling region with seasonally elevated CO2 levels. Alternatively, prolonged acclimation to elevated CO2 may have mitigated the effects observed in other fishes following shorter-term exposures. Additional studies of ecologically relevant behaviors across diverse species assemblages are necessary to evaluate the impact of ocean acidification on marine food webs.
Radiobiological Modeling Based On Track Structure

Since the interaction of beams of charged particles with targets in physics is customarily based on beam fluence and interaction cross section we have chosen the same logical structure for our radiobiological model.
Fuzzy Sets In Risk Analysis

A methodology is provided for the analysis of health risk from environmental contamination. The methodology uses new systems analysis tools: a combined probabilistic/fuzzy set approach to address uncertainties common to health risk analysis. A multicriterion decision making methodology, called Composite Programming, is recommended to trade-off cost of control and health risk.
Long-term use of continuous subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion therapy in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Background In a phase 2 short-term (6 months) study of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), continuous subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion (CSHI) was found to be a safe, effective and well-tolerated method of replacing cortisol with improved disease and patient-related outcomes. Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term CSHI. Design Single-centre, open-label, phase 2 extension study. Patients Five adults with classic CAH. Measurements Biomarkers of disease control, metabolic indices and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) estimates. Results Six of eight patients chose to continue on long-term CSHI therapy. Compared to baseline, eighteen months of CSHI resulted in decreased (P = 0.043) 0700-hour ACTH, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, androstenedione and progesterone; increased whole-body lean mass (P = 0.024); and improved HRQoL, especially symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (P = 0.003). Findings at six and eighteen months did not differ, and improvements achieved in androgen control, lean body mass and HRQoL after 6 months of CSHI were maintained at eighteen months. The hydrocortisone dose appeared to decrease with time [6 vs 18 months: 38.3 ± 8.8 vs 33.6 ± 12.2 mg/day (P = 0.062)], especially in women receiving oral contraceptives. Reduction of testicular adrenal rest and adrenal size observed at 6 months remained stable. In one patient, an adrenal adenoma continually decreased over time. Subjective improvement in hirsutism was reported. Conclusions Long-term use of CSHI is a safe and well-tolerated treatment option in a select set of adults with classic CAH. Improvements observed short term in disease control and subjective health status continued long term.
Traumatic cardiac arrest and resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA): a preliminary analysis utilizing high fidelity invasive blood pressure recording and videography

Aortic occlusion (AO) increases proximal perfusion and may improve rates of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). The objective of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic effects of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and AO by REBOA on patients in traumatic cardiac arrest. Patients admitted between February 2013 and May 2017 at a tertiary center who suffered traumatic arrest, had an arterial line placed during resuscitation, and received CPR and REBOA which were included. In-hospital CPR data were obtained from videography. Arterial waveforms were recorded at 240 Hz. 11 consecutive patients were included, 82% male; mean (± SD) age 37 ± 19 years. 55% suffered blunt trauma and the remaining penetrating injuries. 64% arrested out of hospital. During compressions with AO, the mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 70 ± 22 mmHg, mean arterial pressure (MAP) 43 ± 19 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 26 ± 17 mmHg. Nine (82%) had ROSC, with eight having multiple periods of ROSC and arrest in the initial period. In-hospital mortality was 82%. Cardiac ultrasonography was used during arrest in 73%. In two patients with arterial line data before and after AO, SBP (mmHg) improved from 51 to 73 and 55 to 96 during arrest after AO. High-quality chest compressions coupled with aortic occlusion may generate adequate perfusion pressures to increase the rate of ROSC. New technology capable of transducing central arterial pressure may help us to understand the effectiveness of CPR with and without aortic occlusion. REBOA may be a useful adjunct to high-quality chest compressions during arrest.
Small-Molecule Inhibitors for the Treatment of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) remains the most common non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in developed countries. Up to 30–40% of patients experience either refractory or relapsed disease following receipt of front-line chemoimmunotherapy, and the majority of these patients will not be cured following receipt of subsequent therapy. Small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) are an attractive class of therapeutics for patients with chemorefractory DLBCL, and early-phase studies with these agents have typically demonstrated prolonged periods of disease control in responding patients without significant toxicity. Later-phase studies have investigated the combination of SMIs with cytotoxic agents in hopes that exposure to SMIs in the treatment course may improve outcomes for patients who would otherwise develop chemorefractory disease. SMIs appear to be effective in the treatment of DLBCL. A greater understanding of the molecular features of cases of DLBCL will allow for the more rational and presumably successful utilization of these targeted agents.
Recharging Bandits

We introduce a general model of bandit problems in which the expected payout of an arm is an increasing concave function of the time since it was last played. We first develop a PTAS for the underlying optimization problem of determining a reward-maximizing sequence of arm pulls. We then show how to use this PTAS in a learning setting to obtain sublinear regret.
StructOpt: A modular materials structure optimization suite incorporating experimental data and simulated energies

Abstract StructOpt, an open-source structure optimization suite, applies genetic algorithm and particle swarm methods to obtain atomic structures that minimize an objective function. The objective function typically consists of the energy and the error between simulated and experimental data, which is typically applied to determine structures that minimize energy to the extent possible while also being fully consistent with available experimental data. We present example use cases including the structure of a metastable Pt nanoparticle determined from energetic and scanning transmission electron microscopy data, and the structure of an amorphous-nanocrystal composite determined from energetic and fluctuation electron microscopy data. StructOpt is modular in its construction and therefore is naturally extensible to include new materials simulation modules or new optimization methods, either written by the user or existing in other code packages. It uses the Message Passing Interface’s (MPI) dynamic process management functionality to allocate resources to computationally expensive codes on the fly, enabling StructOpt to take full advantage of the parallelization tools available in many scientific packages.
A Novel, Versatile Speculum-free Callascope for Clinical Examination and Self-Visualization of the Cervix

Abstract Background Invasive cervical cancer is preventable, yet affects 500,000 women worldwide each year, and over half these women die. Barriers to cervical cancer screening include lack of awareness of cervical cancer and the cervix, fear of the speculum, and lack of women-centric technologies. We developed a low-cost (∼$50), cervix-imaging device called the Callascope, which comprises an imaging component, camera and inserter that eliminates the need for a speculum and enables self-insertion. We sought to assess the quality of physicians’ images of the cervix using the Callascope versus the speculum in live patients and study women’s willingness to independently use the Callascope to image their cervix. Methods We conducted two main studies: (1) a clinical study in which a physician imaged the cervix of patients using both the speculum and Callascope in a 2×2 crossover design; and (2) home-based self-cervix imaging with the Callascope. Results Participants of the clinical study (n=28) and home study (n=12) all indicated greater comfort and an overall preference for the Callascope over the speculum. The clinical study data indicated that the Callascope enabled similar visualization compared to the speculum while significantly improving patient experience. With physician insertion and manipulation, the Callascope enabled cervix visualization for 82% of participants. In the home-study, 83% of participants were able to visualize their cervix with the Callascope on the first try and 100% after multiple attempts. Conclusion The Callascope is more comfortable and provides similar visualization to the speculum. The Callascope can be used by medical providers for clinical exams while also enabling home self-screening for cervical cancer and promoting a better understanding of one’s cervix to increase awareness of cervical screening needs. The Callascope may increase cervical cancer screening rates through reducing barriers including cost, discomfort, lack of awareness and stigma.
Protein interaction disruption in cancer

Most methods that integrate network and mutation data to study cancer focus on the effects of genes/proteins, quantifying the effect of mutations or differential expression of a gene and its neighbors, or identifying groups of genes that are significantly up- or down-regulated. However, several mutations are known to disrupt specific protein-protein interactions, and network dynamics are often ignored by such methods. Here we introduce a method that allows for predicting the disruption of specific interactions in cancer patients using somatic mutation data and protein interaction networks. We extend standard network smoothing techniques to assign scores to the edges in a protein interaction network in addition to nodes. We use somatic mutations as input to our modified network smoothing method, producing scores that quantify the proximity of each edge to somatic mutations in individual samples. Using breast cancer mutation data, we show that predicted edges are significantly associated with patient survival and known ligand binding site mutations. In-silico analysis of protein binding further supports the ability of the method to infer novel disrupted interactions and provides a mechanistic explanation for the impact of mutations on key pathways. Our results show the utility of our method both in identifying disruptions of protein interactions from known ligand binding site mutations, and in selecting novel clinically significant interactions.Supporting website with software and data: https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mruffalo/mut-edge-disrupt/ .
Developing Instruments to Measure Montessori Instructional Practices

Researchers who study any intervention must rule out potential alternative explanations for their results by establishing that the program being investigated is implemented with fidelity. Various instructional practices are attributed to the Montessori Method because the term is not legally protected, meaning any school can say it is Montessori regardless of the degree to which it adheres to practices generally understood to represent Montessori education. Researchers have used a variety of tools to measure the fidelity of Montessori environments they study, but most of these tools lack an extensive psychometric foundation or are labor intensive, requiring in-person observation. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of instruments that were developed to measure Montessori implementation through Early Childhood (EC) and Elementary (EL) teachers’ reported instructional practices. Findings supported three hypothesized dimensions of Montessori implementation (structure, curriculum, and freedom), which worked fairly well in describing practices. While the properties of these instruments are promising and provide preliminary supporting evidence, results of this analysis suggest further refinement of the items in these instruments is necessary with larger and more diverse samples. While we do not suggest that these are finalized tools, we believe they provide a valuable starting point that is a vast improvement over the requirement of investigators to develop their own instruments as part of each Montessori study they design. The authors hope other researchers will incorporate these instruments into their studies to help build a robust body of evidence supporting their use.
Very-High-Dose Prednisolone Before ACTH for Treatment of Infantile Spasms: Evaluation of a Standardized Protocol

Abstract Background There is ongoing debate regarding the comparative effectiveness of adrenocorticotropic hormone and prednisolone in the treatment of infantile spasms. With a large cohort and extended follow-up, we set out to evaluate a protocol in which adrenocorticotropic hormone is reserved for prednisolone nonresponders. Methods The following standardized hormonal therapy protocol was adopted. Patients initially receive prednisolone (8 mg/kg/day [maximum 60 mg/day], divided in three daily doses for 14 days). Prednisolone responders taper it over 14 days, whereas prednisolone nonresponders immediately transition to natural adrenocorticotropic hormone (150 U/m2/day, divided in two daily doses for 14 days). We evaluated short-term response, defined as video-electroenecphaloagraphy-confirmed resolution of both epileptic spasms and hypsarrhythmia on day 14, without relapse for 28 additional days. We then evaluated long-term relapse and calculated the rates of sustained response at six, 12, and 18 months. Results We identified 102 children with infantile spasms who were treated with prednisolone. Prior exposure to hormonal therapy and vigabatrin was observed among 12% and 35% of patients, respectively. Sixty (59%) patients responded to prednisolone, and 13 (33%) prednisolone nonresponders then responded to adrenocorticotropic hormone. Cumulative response to prednisolone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (if needed) was higher among treatment-naive patients (84%) than among patients with prior exposure to first-line treatment (51%), with P Conclusion Short-term response to prednisolone was favorable and higher among treatment-naive patients. These data suggest that prednisolone is a reasonable approach to initial therapy and that adrenocorticotropic hormone exhibits substantial efficacy after prednisolone failure.
Completing the Economic Union: The Different Paths Towards Stability

This chapter analyses the main proposals of reform of the economic union: finalisation of the banking union, creation of a capital market union, transformation of the European Stability Mechanism, establishment of an additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, creation of a debt restructuration mechanism and setup of a European Minister of Economy and Finance. After having described the main features of these proposals, the chapter will study the most relevant legal challenges, the process of completion of the economic union will present coming from both the process of fiscal centralisation and the restoration of the decentralised model of economic union.
Exiles of Empire: Criminals as Heroes at the End of History in Jiang Wen’s Let the Bullets Fly

A film inspired by the outlaws of early modern vernacular storytelling in China, in particular, the Ming Dynasty novel Water Margin, Jiang Wen’s 2010 film Let the Bullets Fly demands further critical attention as an example of a film that features criminality as a source of regeneration in postcolonial and postsocialist Chinese society. The film reaches a mass audience by beating the Hollywood film Western at its own game while fostering spaces for transgressive expressions of gender and sexuality. Described by critics as the first commercial blockbuster in Chinese cinema, Let the Bullets Fly revives the figure of a criminal hero that ultimately has origins in the early modern tales of Water Margin. Although the criminal heroes of the film do not present a clear moral imperative or viewpoint on history, they present a disruption to modernity that opens the popular imagination to new possibilities of social transformation.
Review of aviation safety databases to identify information discrepancies experienced on the flight deck: Implications for NextGen.

Abstract. Aeronautical decision-making on the flight deck requires pilots to reconcile and make decisions using information from a range of different sources, sometimes with limited knowledge of as...
Hybrid machine learning for human action recognition and prediction in assembly

Abstract As one of the critical elements for smart manufacturing, human-robot collaboration (HRC), which refers to goal-oriented joint activities of humans and collaborative robots in a shared workspace, has gained increasing attention in recent years. HRC is envisioned to break the traditional barrier that separates human workers from robots and greatly improve operational flexibility and productivity. To realize HRC, a robot needs to recognize and predict human actions in order to provide assistance in a safe and collaborative manner. This paper presents a hybrid approach to context-aware human action recognition and prediction, based on the integration of a convolutional neural network (CNN) and variable-length Markov modeling (VMM). Specifically, a bi-stream CNN structure parses human and object information embedded in video images as the spatial context for action recognition and collaboration context identification. The dependencies embedded in the action sequences are subsequently analyzed by a VMM, which adaptively determines the optimal number of current and past actions that need to be considered in order to maximize the probability of accurate future action prediction. The effectiveness of the developed method is evaluated experimentally on a testbed which simulates an assembly environment. High accuracy in both action recognition and prediction is demonstrated.
Pre-Service Teachers in the Outdoors: A Phenomenological Exploration

While a child’s sense of wonder is thought to come naturally, less is known about how adults foster or connect with their sense of wonder. For the purposes of this exploration, wonder is the openness that comes when one dwells with the present moment, allowing questions to arise, rather than using wonder as a tool to answer a question (Gadamer, 2004; van Manen, 2014). Spending time in the outdoors is a common way to engage wonder, but there may be differences in the ways adults experience their surroundings compared to children. If teachers or parents aim to foster a child’s sense of wonder then it is important to understand how adults experience and connect to the outdoors so they can model and promote the connection for children. This paper explores the experiences of adults in the outdoors in order to better understand the barriers and paths that may lead to wonder. Five anecdotes from outdoor experiences are phenomenologically analyzed to better understand the lived experience of adults in the outdoors. Themes from the anecdotes are discussed, as well as the implications for teacher education programs.
The steric effect in lysogenization by bacteriophage lambda. I. Lysogenization of a partially diploid strain of Escherichia coli K-12.

Abstract A strain of Escherichia coli K12 has been isolated which is diploid for the chromosomal region containing the gal gene and the lambda attachment site. This diploidy is not related to the presence or absence of the F factor. The two potential sites for lambda prophage attachment are distinguishable from each other by their linkage with gal + and gal − , respectively, in a strain heterozygous for gal . This linkage can be seen either by examining haploid segregants (which arise at a rate of 4 × 10 −2 per generation) or in bacterial crosses. The two sites are lysogenized with equal ease.
Evaluation of surgical procedures employed following the failure of irradiation therapy in cancer of the cervix

Abstract 1. 1. One hundred and twenty patients, including 80 who had previously been irradiated, were subjected to definitive surgery. 2. 2. Surgical injuries were three times as common in the previously irradiated patients. 3. 3. Mortality rates were in direct proportion to the magnitude of the surgery undertaken. 4. 4. When the lesion is clearly localized to the cervix the prognosis for 5 year survival is excellent. 5. 5. The 2 to 5 year salvage in all types of exenteration was determined as 23.5 per cent. 6. 6. The 2 to 5 year salvage rate in cases treated by extirpation of the genital organs alone was 74.3 per cent. 7. 7. The hospital mortality rate in 51 exenteration cases was 33.3 per cent. 8. 8. The status and recovery of the upper urinary tract profoundly influence survival rates.
Thermodynamics of the disproportionation of adenosine 5'-diphosphate to adenosine 5'-triphosphate and adenosine 5'-monophosphate. II, Experimental data

High-pressure liquid-chromatography and microcalorimetry have been used to determine equilibrium constants and enthalpies of reaction for the disproportionation reaction of adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) to adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP). Adenylate kinase was used to catalyze this reaction. The measurements were carried out over the temperature range 286 to 311 K, at ionic strengths varying from 0.06 to 0.33 mol kg(-1), over the pH range 6.04 to 8.87, and over the pMg range 2.22 to 7.16, where pMg = -log a(Mg2+). The equilibrium model developed by Goldberg and Tewari (see the previous paper in this issue) was used for the analysis of the measurements. Thus, for the reference reaction: 2 ADp(3-) (ao) AMp(2-) (ao)+ ATp- (ao), K degrees = 0.225 +/- 0.010, DeltaG degrees = 3.70 +- 0.11 kJ mol (-1), DeltaH degrees = -1.5 +/- 1. 5 kJ mol (-1), degrees S degrees = -17 +/- 5 J mol(-1)K(-1), and ACP(p) degrees approximately = -46 J mo1l(-1)K(-1) at 298.15 K and 0.1 MPa. These results and the thermodynamic parameters for the auxiliary equilibria in solution have been used to model the thermodynamics of the disproportionation reaction over a wide range of temperature, pH, ionic strength, and magnesium ion morality. Under approximately physiological conditions (311.15 K, pH 6.94, [Mg2+] = 1.35 x 10(-3) mol kg(-1), and I = 0.23 mol kg(-1)) the apparent equilibrium constant (KA' = m(SigmaAMP)m(SigmaATP)/[ m(SigmaADP)]2) for the overall disproportionation reaction is equal to 0.93 +/- 0.02. Thermodynamic data on the disproportionation reaction and literature values for this apparent equilibrium constant in human red blood cells are used to calculate a morality of 1.94 x 10(-4) mol kg(-1) for free magnesium ion in human red blood cells. The results are also discussed in relation to thermochemical cycles and compared with data on the hydrolysis of the guanosine phosphates.
From Description to Explanation: An Empirical Exploration of the African-American Pipeline Problem in STEM.

We conducted a mixed-methods study of matriculation issues for African-Americans in the STEM pipeline. The project compares the experiences of students currently majoring in science (N = 304) with the experiences of those who have succeeded in earning science degrees (N = 307). Participants were surveyed about their pipeline experiences based on theories that are commonly used to explain matriculation issues. The results of the study revealed that although both groups recognized the major role of race in their experiences, the primary factor distinguishing between students and professionals was their sense of Alignment with their respective community and their different experiences with subtle forms of racism (Microaggressions). African-American scientists were far more likely to report a weak sense of belonging to their community and were far more likely to report subtle encounters with racism. By contrast, African-American science students were more likely to feel comfortable with the science community and less likely to report subtle racist encounters. The findings of this study are indicative of the pervasive impact of racial bias and conflict as a gatekeeper in providing access to science careers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach
Bringing Public Engagement into an Academic Plan and Its Assessment Metrics.

This article describes how public engagement was incorporated into a research university’s current Academic Plan, how the public engagement metrics were selected and adopted, and how those processes led to subsequent strategic planning. Some recognition of the importance of civic engagement has followed, although there are many areas in which further research and support are needed. These experiences are shared in the interest of generating ideas about the roles of leadership, planning, data, and recognition in promoting and strengthening a university’s commitment to civic engagement.
Development of a Novel Phase Separation Technique for the Encapsulation of AZT in a Biodegradable Polymer

AZT is effective in prolonging survival and reducing the frequency and severity of opportunistic infections, but no preparation of the compound is available for sustained delivery. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microcapsules containing AZT have been prepared by a novel phase separation technique. Poly(dl-lactic/glycolic acid) (PLGA) was dissolved in dichloromethane; the drug was added to the solution which was then sonicated for 30 s. The polymer-drug mixture was added dropwise to a solution of silicone oil in dichloromethane with continuous stirring using a magnetic stirrer. Stirring was maintained until the dichloromethane had completely evaporated to give microcapsules which were then washed with cold petroleum ether, filtered, and freeze-dried to give a free-flowing powder. The microcapsules prepared by this method were smooth, spherical, and agglomerated; the particle size was between 25 and 300 μm. The efficiency of encapsulation was more than 90%. An in-vitro drug-release study showed that the microcapsules were free from any initial “burst effect”. An excellent sustained release was observed from the microcapsules up to 17 days followed by a burst effect between 17 and 22 days. Drug release, however, continued over a 60-day period. The phase separation method significantly improved the efficiency of encapsulation of AZT in PLGA. Although the microcapsules prepared by this method showed no initial burst effect, significant dose dumping was observed between the second and third week as a result of the rapid degradation of PLGA.
(RS)‐(+)‐2‐Methyl‐2‐propanesulfinamide

(1S,2R)-(−)-cis-1-Amino-2-indanol 3,5,-Di-tert-butyl salicyladehyde (1S,2R)-1-[(2-Hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzylidiene)amino]indan-2-ol (RS)-(+)-tert-Butyl-tert-butanethiosulfinate Vanadyl bis-acetylacetonate Di-tert-butyl disulfide Hydrogen peroxide Ammonia Iron(III) nitrate nonahydrate Lithium Chloroacetic acid (RS)-(+)-2-Methyl-2-propanesulfinamide Keywords: tert-butanesulfinamide; hydrogen gas; chiral amines; oxidation; natural gas odorant; thiol odor
Density-Related Volatile Emissions and Responses in the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Intraspecific attraction depends both on the cues provided by the attracting individual and the response of the attracted individual. These attracting cues are related not only to current conditions, but also are a reflection of individual and population life history. These relationships were examined by placing red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst.), adults in flasks at increasing densities and monitoring the changes in volatile chemical emission over time. Only certain chemicals were quantified: methyl benzoquinone, ethyl benzoquinone and 4,8-dimethyldecanal, all of which are known to impact the biology of T. castaneum. The flasks were used as sources for both quantification of the chemicals and for bioassays. Additional bioassays were conducted with synthetic 4,8-dimethyldecanal, a known aggregation pheromone component, to evaluate attraction with respect to population density. Tribolium castaneum density affected both the release of volatile chemicals and the responses of conspecifics to those chemicals. The results indicated that while there were important effects of beetle density on chemical emission and response, none of the chemicals evaluated emerged as promising synergists to the current aggregation pheromone 4,8-dimethyldecanal. The benzoquinones released in response to stress and density acted as anti-aggregation pheromones along with their accepted defensive function.
Cancer incidence in the Love Canal area

Data from the New York Cancer Registry show no evidence for higher cancer rates associated with residence near the Love Canal toxic waste burial site in comparison with the entire state outside of New York City. Rates of liver cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia, which were selected for special attention, were not consistently elevated. Among the other cancers studied, a higher rate was noted only for respiratory cancer, but it was not consistent across age groups and appeared to be related to a high rate for the entire city of Niagara Falls. There was no evidence that the lung cancer rate was associated with the toxic wastes buried at the dump site.
A Scheme for Determining the Prevalence of Alcoholism in Hospitalized Patients

As a part of an on-going effort to assess the prevalence of alcoholism among hospitalized patients, a structured technique was devised to document the prevalence of alcoholism in a large teaching hospital. A system of inpatient chart audit classification was developed to assess direct evidence of patient alcoholism. In addition, the reported prevalence of alcoholism as a discharge diagnosis was determined. An assessment of the degree of alcoholism was used to classify patients into severity levels. A determination was made of the relationship of hospital chart data classification level to other medical problems or treatments directly addressed by the physician(s) that would indicate that the alcohol abuse, if present, was considered. A retrospective chart audit was conducted for 809 consecutive adult admissions to a 350-bed urban university teaching hospital using a specific classification scheme for determining evidence of alcoholism. This technique revealed a reported prevalence of alcoholism in 4.3% of all nonobstetric admissions to this university hospital. However, a chart review technique using specific criteria for the diagnosis of probable alcoholism raised the estimated prevalence to 15.9%. When the chart contained a primary diagnosis of alcoholism, physicians' responses reflected treatment plans that addressed acute management of alcohol related medical complications but often did not document efforts to assist the patient with the underlying alcoholism/substance abuse.
Mammalian Ste20-like Kinase (Mst2) Indirectly Supports Raf-1/ERK Pathway Activity via Maintenance of Protein Phosphatase-2A Catalytic Subunit Levels and Consequent Suppression of Inhibitory Raf-1 Phosphorylation

Many tumor suppressor proteins act to blunt the effects of mitogenic signaling pathways. Loss of function mutations in the merlin tumor suppressor underlie neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a familial autosomal dominant cancer syndrome. Studies of Drosophila suggest that Hippo (hpo) is required for inhibition of cell proliferation mediated by dMer, the orthologue of human merlin. Mammalian sterile 20-like kinase-2 (Mst2) is a mammalian Hpo orthologue, and numerous studies implicate Mst2 as a tumor suppressor. Mst2 is negatively regulated by the proto-oncoprotein Raf-1 in a manner independent of the kinase activity of Raf-1. We sought to determine whether, in mammalian cells, merlin could positively regulate Mst2. We also sought to determine whether Mst2, in addition to being negatively regulated by Raf-1, might itself reciprocally regulate Raf-1. In contrast to findings from Drosophila, we find no evidence that mammalian merlin positively regulates mammalian Mst2. Instead, surprisingly, RNA interference silencing of Mst2 leads to elevated inhibitory phosphorylation of Raf-1 at Ser-259 and impaired Raf-1 kinase activity. Consequent to this, ERK pathway activation and cell proliferation are attenuated. Phosphatase-2A (PP2A) dephosphorylates Raf-1 Ser-259 in response to mitogens. Interestingly RNA interference silencing of Mst2 triggers a striking proteasome-dependent decrease in the levels of the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2A-C). A similar effect is achieved upon silencing of large tumor suppressor (LATS)-1 and LATS2, direct substrates of Mst2. Our studies reveal a more complex role for Mst2 than previously thought. The Mst2 → LATS1/2 pathway, by maintaining PP2A-C levels, may, in some situations, positively affect mitogenic signaling.
Thyroid hormones are corequisites for estradiol-17β in vitro induction of Xenopus vitellogenin synthesis and secretion

Abstract Estradiol-17β administered to male frogs induces liver synthesis and secretion of vitellogenin, the precursor protein of the major egg yolk proteins. Estradiol-17β alone failed to induce this protein in cultures of liver tissue maintained for 1–2 weeks prior to addition of the hormone. If a “complex” defined culture medium, such as Coon's modified Ham's F12 medium, is used, efficient primary and secondary induction of vitellogenin synthesis and secretion occurs in the presence of estradiol-17β, triiodothyronine, and dexamethasone. Using Coon's medium we investigated the role of both triiodothyronine and dexamethasone as corequisites of estradiol-17β induction of secreted vitellogenin. Control cultures given no hormones showed a gradual decrease in the level of secreted albumin and fibrinogen. Addition of dexamethasone, alone, induced increased synthesis of secreted albumin and fibrinogen as well as other proteins. Cultures given thyroid hormones, alone, showed an increased level of secreted albumin and fibrinogen at early time points in the culture period. Thus, at early times thyroid hormones appear to enhance the activity of endogenous glucocorticoids. Independent of their interaction with glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones also enhance the activity of estrogens. Long-term cultures given estradiol-17β, alone, failed to synthesize and secrete vitellogenin. In contrast, cultures given the estrogen together with thyroid hormones showed vitellogenin synthesis. These results imply that similar interactions of several hormones occur in vivo in adult animals treated with estrogens. In the accompanying paper the interaction of dexamethasone with estradiol-17β and triiodothyronine is described (L. J. Wangh, 1982, Develop. Biol. 89, 294–298) .
Vocalization Development in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Purpose In this study, the authors aimed to examine the vocalizations of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the second year of life and their relationship to other areas of development...
Utilization of Time-Dependent Data in Running Solution of Initial Value Problems

Abstract A method is proposed to update forecasts by optimum utilization of meteorological data received from fixed or moving observation stations at regular or irregular intervals. It involves the application of corrections to the forecast in such a way that differences between observations and predictions are smoothed in the least-mean-square sense. Formulas are developed for the corrections and the results of some numerical experiments are reported.
PARASITES FROM THE BIG BROWN BAT, EPTESICUS FUSCUS (BEAUVOIS), IN WESTERN MARYLAND (ACARINA AND SIPHONAPTERA).

The possible role of bats as reservoirs of disease transmissible to man makes an understanding of the composition of their parasite fauna highly desirable. A recent trip to some small caves in western Maryland afforded the opportunity of collecting parasites from the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus (Beauvois), which was hibernating in the caves at that time. We take this opportunity to present our findings, and gratefully acknowledge the assistance of our congenial companion, Mr E. Corristan, who directed us to the caves and aided in the collection of the hosts. The collection data for all the parasites is as follows: Caves on Roundtop Mt, approximately 2 km SW of Hancock. Maryland; 20 Jan. 1964 ex Eptesicus fuscus (Beauvois); C. Mitchell, J. Hitchcock &E. Corristan. Approximately 10 bats were examined, some in the field and some in the laboratory, and the parasite collections were pooled without consideration for the number of parasites per host.
Metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site: Analysis of 245 patients seen at the johns hopkins hospital from 1965‐1979

A retrospective review of 245 patient with metastatic adenocarcinomas of unknown primary site (ACUP) seen at The Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1965--1979 was undertaken. The median survival was 3.1 months. Age, sex, race, and year of diagnosis did not appear to influence survival. Patients having their major site(s) of disease above the diaphragm experienced a significantly longer survival than patients whose disease was below the diaphragm (5.3 versus 2.3 months, P less than 0.05). As a group, patients treated with chemotherapy had no improvement in survival. However, the small number of patients treated with either cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin or both drugs had a median survival of greater than 9 months compared to 2.6 months for untreated or local radiotherapy-treated patients and 3.2 months for patients treated with 5-fluorouracil.
Emulsion Stability in the Presence of Nonionic Surfactant Micelles: Role of Micellar Ordering and Ostwald Ripening†

The phenomenon of surfactant micelle ordering (i.e., stratification) in emulsion films was investigated using the reflected-light microinterferometric technique. In thinning films formed from a nonionic micellar solution of ethoxylated alcohol (1 wt %), it was found that the small droplets (i.e., less than 5 µm) are separated by thick (>0.1 µm) stable films containing surfactant micelles in multilayers that prevent droplet flocculation and coalescence. The Ostwald ripening process governs emulsion stability over a long-term. The direct microscopic observations of the evolution of the drop size distribution over time of hexadecane drops (∼25 vol %) dispersed in an aqueous micellar solution (≈ 120 times critical micellar concentration) was compared with that calculated from the Ostwald ripening model.
A stereological analysis of the effect of adriamycin on the ultrastructure of rat myocardial cells in culture

Abstract Adriamycin is an effective anti-cancer agent which produces a dose-dependent, irreversible cardiomyopathy of unknown etiology in a significant number of cancer patients. The effect of adriamycin on the ultrastructure of cultured mammalian myocardial cells was examined with light and electron microscope stereological analysis. Cell surface/cell volume, nuclear volume/cellular volume, and nuclear volume/sarcoplasmic volume ratios did not change after adriamycin treatment, showing that the cell volume and sarcoplasm volume were not altered. The nuclear surface area relative to both the nuclear volume and cellular volume was greater in adriamycin-treated cells, implying increased nuclear pleomorphism. The percent of myocardial sarcoplasm occupied by the mitochondria increased very significantly subsequent to adriamycin treatment. That the mitochondria increased in size was indicated by the unchanged mitochondrial surface/cell volume ratio and the decrease in the mitochondrial surface/volume ratio. A significant decrease in glycogen content after exposure to adriamycin as revealed by electron microscope stereological analysis was also observed with the light microscope. Subsequent to adriamycin treatment a small fraction of the cells died and detached from the plate.
On the Alleged Connection between Moral Evil and Human Freedom: A Response to Trakakis’ Third Critique

In this essay, I respond to Nick Trakakis’ “A Third (Meta-)Critique.” This critique is directed against my argument concerning the inadequacy of the traditional theistic argument from free will. I contend that the argument from free will does not adequately explain the distribution of moral evil in the world. I maintain that the third critique, like Trakakis’ earlier critiques, is unconvincing. I remain convinced that my original argument regarding the inadequacy of the traditional argument from free will is compelling. The argument from freedom of the will, considered in itself, is unpersuasive.
The preparation of a phosphorus doped silicon film from phosphorus containing silicon nanoparticles

Phosphorus containing and octyl-terminated silicon nanoparticles (NPs) are generated by a solution reduction route under room temperature conditions for the first time and characterized by TEM, HRTEM, EDX, 1H/13C/31P NMR, EPR, and PL spectroscopy, then annealed to form a thin film with phosphorus doping confirmed by microprobe elemental analyses.
A description of farmland investor expectations

We consider how best to characterize agricultural real estate market participants' expectation formation mechanism. The expectation formation mechanism links current agricultural policies to asset prices and tells us how current policies change expectations for future transfers. We examine behavior of real estate prices and returns using the present value model. We derive estimable equations incorporating two rival expectation formation mechanisms: rational and adaptive expectations. Assuming rational expectations, the present value model yields parameter estimates that imply the model should be rejected. Instead of rejecting the present value model while maintaining the rational expectations hypothesis, we let the data reveal which expectations hypothesis best fits the data. When we assume the rival hypothesis, the model yields parameter estimates that conform to adaptive expectations.
Influence of pH and Temperature on Kinetics of Ceftiofur Degradation in Aqueous Solutions

The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of ceftiofur (1 mg mL(-1)) in aqueous solutions at various pH (1, 3, 5, 7.4 and 10) and temperature (0, 8, 25, 37 and 60 degrees C) conditions. The ionic strength of all these solutions was maintained at 0.5 M. Ceftiofur solutions at pH 5 and 7.4 and in distilled water (pH = 6.8) were tested at all the above temperatures. All other solutions were tested at 60 degrees C. Over a period of 84 h, the stability was evaluated by quantifying ceftiofur and its degradation product, desfuroylceftiofur, in the incubation solutions. HPLC was used to analyse these compounds. At 60 degrees C, the rate of degradation was significantly higher at pH 7.4 compared with pH 1, 3, 5 and distilled water. At both 60 degrees C and 25 degrees C, degradation in pH 10 buffer was rapid, with no detectable ceftiofur levels present at the end of 10 min incubation. Degradation rate constants of ceftiofur were 0.79+/-0.21, 0.61+/-0.03, 0.44+/-0.05, 1.27+/-0.04 and 0.39+/-0.01 day(-1) at pH 1, 3, 5, 74 and in distilled water, respectively. Formation of desfuroylceftiofur was the highest (65%) at pH 10. The rate of degradation increased in all aqueous solutions with an increase in the incubation temperature. At pH 7.4 the degradation rate constants were 0.06+/-0.01, 0.06+/-0.01, 0.65+/-0.17, and 1.27+/-0.05 day(-1) at 0, 8, 25, 37 and 67 degrees C, respectively. The energy of activation for ceftiofur degradation was 25, 42 and 28 kcal mol(-1) at pH 5, 7.4 and in distilled water, respectively. Desfurylceftiofur formation was the greatest at alkaline pH compared with acidic pH. Ceftiofur degradation accelerated the most at pH 7.4 and was most rapid at pH 10. The results of this study are consistent with rapid clearance of ceftiofur at physiological pH.
Hepatic and Gastrointestinal Effects in an Occupational Cohort Exposed to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin

Objective. —To examine the effect of occupational exposure to substances contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) on the liver and gastrointestinal system. Design. —A medical survey. Participants. —The exposed participants were employed at two chemical plants more than 15 years earlier in the manufacture of sodium trichlorophenol and its derivatives. The reference group consisted of individuals with no occupational exposure to phenoxy herbicides and who lived within the communities of the workers. A total of 281 workers and 260 unexposed referents participated in the medical study. Measurements and Main Results. —The workers had substantial exposure to substances contaminated with TCDD, as evidenced by a mean serum TCDD level, lipid adjusted, of 220 pg per gram of lipid compared with a mean of 7 pg per gram of lipid in the referents. Compared with the unexposed reference group, workers had a statistically significantly elevated risk for an out-of-range γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level (odds ratio, 2.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 4.39 [unadjusted for confounders]). In multivariate analyses run with logistic regression, a statistically significant interaction was found between TCDD exposure and lifetime alcohol consumption, indicating that the elevated risk for an out-ofrange GGT was confined to those workers with a history of alcohol consumption and that the risk among the alcohol-consuming workers for an out-of-range GGT increased with increasing TCDD level. No difference was found between workers and referents for any of the other liver and gastrointestinal outcomes of interest. Conclusions. —This study found no evidence of an elevated risk for clinical hepatic or gastrointestinal disease in a group of workers with high exposure to TCDD. However, TCDD-exposed workers with a history of sufficient alcohol consumption were found to have a statistically significantly elevated risk for an out-of-range GGT compared with referents. ( JAMA . 1992;267:2209-2214)
Non‐Cartesian Explanations Meet the Problem of Mental Causation

L'A. etudie les limites du modele cartesien d'explication psychologique et souligne la richesse des autres modes d'explication cognitive qui apparaissent dans le debat contemporain sur la causation mentale. L'A. montre qu'il existe des proprietes psychologiques dont le contenu semantique manifeste un engagement explicatif