cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ineffective motility is not a marker for gastroesophageal reflux disease

Abstract Objective Previous studies have suggested that ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) may be a marker for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly supraesophageal reflux disease. We evaluated the relationship between esophageal acid exposure and esophageal body motility in patients undergoing both esophageal manometry and 24-h pH metry in the absence of antisecretory therapy. Methods We conducted a retrospective database review of 84 patients (mean age 47 yr, 46% male) evaluated in our GI physiology laboratory. The indication for testing was recorded and characterized as esophageal or supraesophageal. Abnormal esophageal acid exposure was defined as a distal esophageal pH 6.3% upright, >1.2% supine) or a proximal esophageal acid exposure time of greater than 1.1% total (>1.3% upright, 0% supine). IEM was defined as more than two of 10 ineffective peristaltic waves. Results Seventy-two patients had esophageal-presenting symptoms, and 12 had supraesophageal symptoms. The prevalence of abnormal esophageal acid exposure was similar in patients with esophageal and supraesophageal symptoms (69% vs 92%, p = 0.17). Abnormal motility was identified in 26 patients (31%). IEM was the most common motility disturbance (77%, 20 patients). The frequency of motility disorders was similar in patients with and without abnormal esophageal acid exposure (30% vs 35%, p = 0.79), in patients with esophageal or supraesophageal symptoms (32% vs 25%, p = 0.75, for all patients; 30% vs 27%, p = 1.00, for patients with abnormal esophageal acid exposure), and among upright, supine, and combined refluxers (33%, 9%, and 35%, p = 0.26). Conclusions IEM does not stand alone as a significant marker for the presence of GERD in general or supraesophageal reflux disease in particular.
Small negative cloud-to-ground lightning reports at the NASA Kennedy Space Center and Air Force Eastern Range

[1] The NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Air Force Eastern Range (ER) use data from two cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning detection networks, the Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Surveillance System (CGLSS) and the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network™ (NLDN), and a volumetric lightning mapping array, the Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) system, to monitor and characterize lightning that is potentially hazardous to launch or ground operations. Data obtained from these systems during June–August 2006 have been examined to check the classification of small, negative CGLSS reports that have an estimated peak current, ∣Ip∣ less than 7 kA, and to determine the smallest values of Ip that are produced by first strokes, by subsequent strokes that create a new ground contact (NGC), and by subsequent strokes that remain in a preexisting channel (PEC). The results show that within 20 km of the KSC-ER, 21% of the low-amplitude negative CGLSS reports were produced by first strokes, with a minimum Ip of −2.9 kA; 31% were by NGCs, with a minimum Ip of −2.0 kA; and 14% were by PECs, with a minimum Ip of −2.2 kA. The remaining 34% were produced by cloud pulses or lightning events that we were not able to classify.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients With Long-QT Syndrome Treated With β-Blockers and Continuous Pacing

Background—The long-QT syndrome is associated with sudden cardiac death. Combination of β-blocker and pacing therapy has been proposed for treatment of drug-resistant patients. The purpose of this study was to summarize our long-term experience with combined therapy in patients with long-QT syndrome. Methods and Results—A total of 37 patients with idiopathic long-QT syndrome were treated with combined therapy consisting of continuous cardiac pacing and maximally tolerated β-blocker therapy and followed up for 6.3±4.6 years (mean±SD). The group consisted of 32 female and 5 male patients with a mean age of 31.6 years. The mean paced rate was 82±7 bpm (range, 60 to 100 bpm). On follow-up, recurrent symptoms caused by pacemaker malfunction were documented in 3 patients. Four patients died during the follow-up period: 2 adolescents stopped β-blocker therapy, 1 patient died suddenly while treated with combined therapy, and 1 patient died of unrelated causes. In addition, 3 patients had resuscitated cardiac arre...
The impact of smoking bans on alcohol demand

Abstract Although many studies find that smoking bans reduce cigarette demand, arguments can be made for smoking bans also affecting alcohol demand. Accordingly, in this paper we address the determinants of state-level alcohol demand, which we treat as a function of various economic and demographic variables, as well as smoking bans. Results reveal that smoking bans reduce the demand for beer and spirits. Furthermore, smoking bans tend to intensify the complementary relationship between cigarettes and alcohol, which suggests that smoking bans have altered consumer demographics in the alcohol market. We also find the nature of the smoking ban matters, as bans specific to restaurants and bars lead to larger reductions in beer and spirits consumption, but increase the demand for wine.
Energetics of Cyclic Dipeptide Crystal Packing and Solvation

Calculations of the thermodynamics of transfer of the cyclic alanine-alanine (cAA) and glycine-glycine (cGG) dipeptides between the gas, water, and crystal phases were carried out using a combination of molecular mechanics, normal mode analysis, and continuum electrostatics. The experimental gas-to-water solvation free energy and the enthalpy of gas-to-crystal transfer of cGG are accurately reproduced by the calculations. The enthalpies of cGG and cAA crystal-to-water transfer are also close to the experimental values. A combination of experimental data and normal mode analysis of cGG provides an accurate estimate of the association entropy penalty (loss of rotational and translational entropy and gain in vibrational entropy) for “binding” in the crystalline phase of -14.1 cal/mol/K. This is a smaller number than most previous theoretical estimates, but it is similar to previous experimental estimates. Calculated entropies of the crystal phase under-estimate the experimental entropy by about 15 cal/mol/K because of neglect of longe-range lattice motions. Comparison of the intermolecular interactions in the crystals of cGG and cAA provides a possible explanation of the puzzling decrease in enthalpy, with increasing hydrophobicity seen previously for both cyclic dipeptide dissolution and protein unfolding. This decrease arises from a favorable long-range electrostatic interaction between dipeptide molecules in the crystals, which is attenuated by the more hydrophobic side chains.
Movement ecology of amphibians: A missing component for understanding population declines

Abstract Movement is a fundamental process of all organisms that has strong consequences for individual fitness, gene flow, natural selection, adaptation, population persistence, metapopulation dynamics, and species distributions. Yet, a lack of understanding about how different organisms move in relation to landscape structure and resource availability may prevent full understanding of species declines and extinctions. In this perspective, we introduce the concept of movement ecology for aquatic-breeding amphibians, summarize our knowledge on amphibian movement, identify critical gaps, and provide a context for how understanding movement will help develop solutions for more effective amphibian conservation. Juvenile amphibian movement is a multi-phase process during which individuals adjust movement speed, responsiveness to habitat features, and propensity of settling based on internal state and the external environment. Our review enables future studies to place amphibian movement data into a larger explanatory context and could help guide new avenues of research. Understanding juvenile responses to habitat features during dispersal will aid in developing realistic, predictive models of amphibian movement that could be used to further conservation and management efforts such as mitigation and restoration, and will also add to theory about how movement mechanisms during dispersal impact population persistence in altered landscapes.
Novel hormone "receptors".

Our concepts of hormone receptors have, until recently, been narrowly defined. In the last few years, an increasing number of reports identify novel proteins, such as enzymes, acting as receptors. In this review we cover the novel receptors for the hormones atrial naturetic hormone, enterostatin, hepcidin, thyroid hormones, estradiol, progesterone, and the vitamin D metabolites 1,25(OH)2D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 401–407, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Political Psychology of Religion in Plato's Laws .

This paper explains Plato's conception of the relation between politics and “political religion” (ideology) in a nonliberal participatory republican system. The discussion is in the form of a commentary on the drama of a part of Plato's Laws. The underlying methodological assumption is that Plato presented his political teaching not so much through the speeches as through the drama of the dialogue, and that he held this to be the most appropriate form for political science because in this way political science can most effectively stimulate thought about its subject matter, the psyche involved in social action.Following Plato, we focus first on the psychological needs such a political system generates and attempts to satisfy through civil religion. We then move to a consideration of how political “theology” serves to mediate between science and society, or the philosopher and the city.The essay is intended to contribute to the Montesquieuian project engaging the attention of more and more political theorists: the endeavor to help contemporary political science and psychology escape from the trammeling parochialism of exclusive attention to twentieth century theoretical categories and empirical experiences.
Cost and quality of life: Thrombolysis and primary angioplasty

In an era of limited health care resources, analyses of the cost-effectiveness of cardiac interventions are becoming increasingly important. By generally accepted cost-effectiveness methodologies, the incremental cost for thrombolysis with streptokinase in patients with acute myocardial infarction ranges from ∼$3,500 to ∼$21,000/year of life saved. The estimated incremental cost-effectiveness of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) compared with streptokinase ranges from ∼$16,000 to $60,000/year of life saved. Pooled results of three randomized trials suggest that primary angioplasty can reduce mortality by as much as 63% without any increase in cost. This potential benefit is substantially greater than the 10% to 15% relative mortality rate reduction for each hour earlier that thrombolytic therapy is administered or the 12% relative benefit suggested for accelerated t-PA compared with that for streptokinase. Large-scale randomized trials are encouraged to determine whether the cost and mortality of population-based strategies using primary angioplasty are better than strategies that rely on intravenous thrombolysis.
Vortex pinning and the non-Hermitian Mott transition

The boson Hubbard model has been extensively studied as a model of the zero temperature superfluid/insulator transition in Helium-4 on periodic substrates. It can also serve as a model for vortex lines in superconductors with a magnetic field parallel to a periodic array of columnar pins, due to a formal analogy between the vortex lines and the statistical mechanics of quantum bosons. When the magnetic field has a component perpendicular to the pins, this analogy yields a non-Hermitian boson Hubbard model. At integer filling, we find that for small transverse fields, the insulating phase is preserved, and the transverse field is exponentially screened away from the boundaries of the superconductor. At larger transverse fields, a ``superfluid'' phase of tilted, entangled vortices appears. The universality class of the transition is found to be that of vortex lines entering the Meissner phase at H_{c1}, with the additional feature that the direction of the tilted vortices at the transition bears a non-trivial relationship to the direction of the applied magnetic field. The properties of the Mott Insulator and flux liquid phases with tilt are also discussed.
Aplastic Anemia: What Have We Learned From Animal Models and From the Clinic

Aplastic anemia (AA) is currently perceived as an immune-mediated disease in which aberrant effector cells recognize and destroy primitive marrow elements, resulting in pancytopenia. The immune hypothesis is based on clinical observations of responsiveness of AA to immunomodulatory agents such as anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) and the requirement of cyclosporine to maintain response; evidence of an immune system in disarray provided by abnormal regulatory, TH1, TH17, and expanded CD8 + T-cell populations, and animal models of immune-mediated marrow destruction, where many of the observed clinical and in vitro alterations can be confirmed and expanded. Murine models mimicking AA have used exposure to agents that result in marrow destruction through a direct toxic effect, but models that explore antigenic disparities between strains have resulted in immune-mediated destruction of the marrow, more closely modeling human AA. Many experiments in mice have helped confirm and elucidate specific mechanisms of marrow destruction. However, clinical development of regimens in AA has not relied on establishing their success in murine model. Instead, drugs and their combinations investigated in AA were those shown clinically to be active in AA, in other hematologic diseases, or in other specialties such as in rheumatology, and solid and bone marrow transplantation. In this review, the evolution of murine models and their clinical relevance in AA are discussed.
Minireview: Limitations Of Interpretation Of Age-Related Changes In Hormone Levels: Illustration By Effects Of Thyroid Hormones On Cardiac And Skeletal Muscle

Studies on age-related changes in hormone secretion or circulation are frequently interpreted to indicate changes in the functions of target tissues for that hormone. Such interpretations are not necessarily correct. For instance, the levels of thyroid hormone change modestly with age, and responses to this change differ dramatically in cardiac and skeletal muscles. There is a substantial change in myosin isozyme content of the heart, but little or no change in skeletal muscle fiber type distribution in specific pathogen free (SPF) barrier-protected rats. These changes (or lack of them) are reflected in functional differences (or lack of them) in the target tissues. The most obvious difference between the recent studies showing no differences with age in skeletal muscle fiber distribution and previous reports of general decreases with age in content of fast fibers is in animal housing conditions; all of the animals showing an age-related change had been housed in conventional colonies, while those exhibiting little or no change were in SPF barrier-protected facilities.
Physical and chemical modification of the surface of Venus by windblown particles

The results of simulations of the Venusian surface environment involving windblown grains are presented which show that significant chemical and physical changes may occur even in the slow-moving winds recorded on Venus. The edges of grains beome worn and shed comminuted debris, which collects on weathered surfaces and grains alike. The resulting transfer of material from loose grains to bedrock surfaces (and vice versa) could yield misleading results on rock composition; moreover, the generation of comminuted debris would enhance chemical reactions that could affect the composition of the atmosphere. The results are thus relevant in assessing rates of surface degradation, the evolution of small-scale surface features as seen in images returned from the Soviet Venera missions, and in the interpretation of compositional data for surface materials.
The estimation of a nonlinear moving average model

Abstract We consider discrete-parameter stochastic processes that are the output of a nonlinear filter driven by white noise. For a simple model, we derive estimates of the unknown coefficients in the transfer function and the noise variance, and investigate their asymptotic properties. We prove some lemmas that can also be used to obtain rates of convergence in the weak and strong laws of large numbers, and central limit theorems, for estimates of more general nonlinear models.
Clinical Outcome Following ICD Removal

The Bilitch ICD Registry includes 1,869 patients from 13 medical centers enrolled between March 1982 and April 1992. of these, 95 patients had their units removed and not immediately replaced (77 maIes/18 females mean age 54.9 ± 13.0 years, range 10–76). The mean duration of implanted ICD was 19.5 ± 18.2 months, mean ejection fraction 30.1 ± 11.7%. Coronary artery disease was present in 55 patients, absent in 30, and unknown in 10. The presenting clinical event was sudden death in 35 patients, symptomatic ventricular tachycardia in 34, other causes in 6, and unknown in 20. Reasons for ICD removal were: infection in 33 patients, cardiac transplant in 32, elective in 20, following battery depletion in 7, lead system failure in 2, and inappropriate shock in 1. Of all groups who had their ICD removed, the patients who had removal for cardiac transplantation had the highest incidence of appropriate ICD discharges while the device was implanted (43.8%). Of the 63 nontransplanted patients seven were lost to follow-up while alive. Of the 56 remaining, 17 died (1 cause unknown, 6 noncardiac, 3 sudden, 1 arrhythmic, 6 nonsudden nonarrhythmic cardiac death), 7 had an ICD reimplanted, and 32 are alive and well without an ICD. Follow-up for the 32 cardiac transplant patients: 2 were lost to follow-up while alive, 2 died of nonsudden nonarrhythmic death, and 28 are alive and well. The survival of patients who had their ICD removed and not reimplanted was not different from that of patients who never had their ICD removed up to 2 years. Thereafter, the survival without a device fell below that of those who never had their device removed. Summary: There is a high incidence of ICD discharges in the group undergoing ICD removal for cardiac transplantation. The most common cause of ICD removal was infection. The need for device reimplantation increases at 2 years following device removal. The “elective” device reimplantation does not compromise overall survival.
Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins in adult gram-negative bacillary meningitis.

Ninety-three patients with gram-negative bacillary meningitis (GNBM) were identified at Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, over a period of 12 years. Among them, eight showed resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, accounting for 9% of the total GNBM cases and 29% of the postneurosurgical GNBM cases. The resistant pathogens includedAcinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii andMorganella morganii. These eight patients, six males and two females aged 18–61 years, all had nosocomially acquired meningitis associated with head trauma and/or postneurosurgical states. Six patients received imipenem/cilastatin treatment; five survived and one died. The other two expired because they did not receive appropriate antibiotic treatment. Although third-generation cephalosporin-resistant GNBM is rare, its incidence has been increasing over the past 5 years. In patients with nosocomially-acquired postneurosurgical GNBM, the presence of third-generation cephalosporin resistnace should therefore be highly suspected. The appropriate choice of antibiotic is essential for their survival.
Gastric myoelectrical activity in healthy children and children with functional dyspepsia.

The aim of this study was to investigateabnormalities in pediatric patients with functionaldyspepsia. Fifteen symptomatic pediatric patientsdiagnosed with functional dyspepsia and 17 aged-matchedhealthy controls were studied. Gastric myoelectricalactivity was recorded using surface electrogastrographyfor 1 hr in the fasting state and 1 hr after a testmeal. It was found that, in comparison with thecontrols, the children with functional dyspepsia had alower percentage of 2- to 4-cpm slow waves in bothfasting state (66.0 ± 4.7% vs 79.7 ± 3.1%,P < 0.07) and fed state (72.4 ± 5.4% vs 85.0± 2.9%, P < 0.04), and a significantly higherinstability of the dominant frequency in both fastingstate (0.50 ± 0.05 vs 0.31 ± 0.04, P <0.01) and fed state (0.39 ± 0.05 vs 0.25 ±0.03, P < 0.05). It was also found the postprandial increase inEGG dominant power in the patients was inverselycorrelated with the total symptom score (r = 0.63, P =0.03). It was concluded that abnormal gastricmyoelectrical activity may play a role in the pathogenesis ofpediatric functional dyspepsia.
REM sleep without atonia after lesions of the medial medulla

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is normally accompanied by a complete suppression of tone in the antigravity musculature. Pontine lesions have been shown to block this suppression, producing a syndrome of REM sleep without atonia. We now report that glutamate-induced lesions of the medial medulla, including the nucleus magnocellularis, caudal nucleus gigantocellularis and rostral nucleus paramedianus, produce REM sleep without atonia. These nuclei may function as part of a ponto-medullary system suppressing muscle tone in REM sleep.
Learning-based recovery from perceptual impairment in salt discrimination after permanently altered peripheral gustatory input

Rats lacking input to the chorda tympani (CT) nerve, a facial nerve branch innervating anterior tongue taste buds, show robust impairments in salt discrimination demonstrating its necessity. We tested the sufficiency of the CT for salt taste discrimination and whether the remaining input provided by the greater superficial petrosal (GSP) nerve, a facial nerve branch innervating palatal taste buds, or by the glossopharyngeal (GL) nerve, innervating posterior tongue taste buds, could support performance after extended postsurgical testing. Rats presurgically trained and tested in a two-response operant task to discriminate NaCl from KCl were subjected to sham surgery or transection of the CT (CTx), GL (GLx), or GSP (GSPx), alone or in combination. While initially reduced postsurgically, performance by rats with an intact GSP after CTx + GLx increased to normal over 6 wk of testing. Rats with CTx + GSPx consistently performed near chance levels. In contrast, rats with GSPx + GLx were behaviorally normal. A subset of rats subjected to sham surgery and exposed to lower concentrations during postsurgical testing emulating decreased stimulus intensity after neurotomy showed no significant impairment. These results demonstrate that CTx changes the perceptual nature of NaCl and/or KCl, leading to severe initial postsurgical impairments in discriminability, but a “new” discrimination can be relearned based on the input of the GSP. Despite losing ∼75% of their taste buds, rats are unaffected after GSPx + GLx, demonstrating that the CT is not only necessary, but also sufficient, for maintaining salt taste discrimination, notwithstanding the unlikely contribution of the small percentage of taste receptors innervated by the superior laryngeal nerve.
Trends in national and regional population concentration in the United States from 1790 to 1990: from the frontier to the urban transformation

Abstract The United States has undergone sizable changes in its population geography since 1790. A major component of these population shifts has been the rapid movement of the frontier westward as settled area increased. This research shows the population deconcentration effects of the great migration from relatively high densities along the eastern seaboard to the sparsely populated west. This dispersal was followed by concentration stemming from massive urbanization across most of the country after the general “closure” of the frontier during the first decade of the 20th century. This paper examines these levels of population deconcentration or dispersion and concentration in the nation and among regions from 1790 to 1990. Additionally, this research supports the argument for a 1910 date of frontier “closure” through evidence from national population concentration trends. A three-phase model of population concentration and dispersion at the regional and national levels is also proposed. The Hoover index is employed to measure population concentration using county-level population data and digital county maps aggregated at the regional and national levels from all decades from 1790 to 1990.
The American Welfare State, or States?

Previous studies of the American welfare state have proceeded in two different directions, one specializing in developments at the national level and one at the state level. The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate the nature of this gap and why it is problematic. Specific suggestions are offered for narrowing the gap to produce a richer and more coherent understanding of the American welfare state.
A distributed impairment aware QoS framework for all-optical networks

Different physical impairments can occur in optical transmission systems. Impairments such as fiber nonlinear effects are dependent on network state and vary with traffic and topology changes. In all-optical networks, impairments can accumulate along a lightpath and cause significant signal degradations. It is important to consider these impairments and the corresponding degradations in the routing algorithm design to provide quality of service (QoS). We propose a distributed QoS framework to achieve traffic engineering and QoS assurance for all-optical networks. Analytical models and new algorithms are designed in the framework to predict lightpath signal quality in dynamic network environments. The framework has also been used to compare performance of several routing and wavelength assignment algorithms with impairments taken into account.
Mutagenic effects of restriction enzymes in Chinese hamster cells: evidence for high mutagenicity of Sau3AI at the hprt locus

Abstract CHO cells were exposed to seven different restriction endonucleases by electroporation and thier cytotoxicity and mutagenicity measured. Cell killing as determined by a colony formation assay occured in a concentration-dependent manner for each enzyme. The D0 of the survival curves were: MspI = 24U; AluI = 31U; Sau3AI = 106U; HaeIII = 46U; HinfI = 30U; PvuII = 35U; BamHI = 163U. BamHI and Sau3AI were particularly ineffective in cell killing. For the 6-base recognition sequence enzymes, PvuII (a blunt-ended cutter) was much more cytotoxic per unit electroporated than BamHI (a sticky-ended cutter). Among the 4-base cutters, Sau3AI and HaeIII were generally less cytotoxic than HinfI or PvuII. Cell killing appeared to depend on the nature of the recognition sequence and cutting sites rather than on the cutting frequency. The mutagenic effects of these restriction endonucleases were investigated by measuring the induced frequencies of hprt gene mutations. The mutagenicity of Sau3AI was dramatically higher than the other enzymes, increasing linearly with dose up to 35U. When normalized for survival, the mutagenicity of Sau3AI relative to the other enzymes was even greater. The mutagenic effect of BamHI, which has the same 5′ protruding site as Sau3AI, was much lower at similar dose and survival levels. MspI, BamHI, and PvuII which have no recognition sites within the hprt coding sequence were marginally- or non-mutagenic. Based on these results and the distribution of cutting sites within the hprt cDNA for the enzymes studied, the hypothesis is discussed that a region in exon 4 is highly sensitive to the induction of mutants by DNA double-strand breaks.
Deportation and Massacres in the Cipher Telegrams of the Interior Ministry in the Prime Ministerial Archive (Başbakanlik Arşivi)

Despite attempts at cleansing the Ottoman archives, after the armistice of 1918, of material incriminating the Young Turk government in planning to annihilate the Armenians, the prime ministerial archive (Basbakanlik Arsivi, or BOA) in Istanbul still contains invaluable documentation on the Armenian Genocide. Contrary to the common belief, which suggests that the Ottoman documents in the BOA were created solely in order to obscure the actions of the Ottoman government, the author argues that this archive contains information that runs completely counter to the official Turkish denial thesis and actually elucidates both the intent of Ottoman authorities and how the genocide was organized. Based solely on Ottoman materials, the author demonstrates that the treatment of the Armenian population during World War I was different from that of other minorities at the time.
Glucose deprivation activates AMPK and induces cell death through modulation of Akt in ovarian cancer cells

Abstract Objectives Upregulation of glycolysis has been demonstrated in multiple tumor types. Glucose deprivation results in diminished intracellular ATP; this is counteracted by AMPK activation during energy deficiency to restore ATP levels. We sought to determine whether glucose deprivation could induce cytotoxicity in ovarian cancer cells through activation of AMPK, and whether AMPK activators could mimic glucose deprivation induced cytotoxicity. Methods Sensitivity to 2DG induced cytotoxicity and glucose deprivation was determined in a panel of ovarian cancer cells. Cellular growth rate, rate of glucose uptake, and response to glucose deprivation were determined. Expression of Glut-1, HIF1-α, AMPK and Akt was determined by immunoblotting. Results Incubation of ovarian cancer cells with glucose-free media, 2-DG and AMPK activators resulted in cell death. The glycolytic phenotype of ovarian cancer cells was present in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions, and did not correlate with HIF1-α expression levels. Sensitivity to glucose deprivation was independent of growth rate, rate of glucose uptake, and appeared to be dependent upon constitutive activation of Akt. Glucose deprivation resulted in activation of AMPK and inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. Treatment with AMPK activators resulted in AMPK activation, Akt inhibition, and induced cell death in ovarian cancer cells. Conclusions Ovarian cancer cells are glycolytic as compared to normal, untransformed cells, and are sensitive to glucose deprivation. Because ovarian cancer cells are dependent upon glucose for growth and survival, treatment with AMPK activators that mimic glucose deprivation may result in broad clinical benefits to ovarian cancer patients.
Determination of anisotropy constants of protein encapsulated iron oxide nanoparticles by electron magnetic resonance

Abstract Angle-dependent electron magnetic resonance was performed on 4.9, 8.0, and 19 nm iron oxide nanoparticles encapsulated within protein capsids and suspended in water. Measurements were taken at liquid nitrogen temperature after cooling in a 1 T field to partially align the particles. The angle dependence of the shifts in the resonance field for the iron oxide nanoparticles (synthesized within Listeria-Dps, horse spleen ferritin, and cowpea chlorotic mottle virus) all show evidence of a uniaxial anisotropy. Using a Boltzmann distribution for the particles’ easy-axis direction, we are able to use the resonance field shifts to extract a value for the anisotropy energy, showing that the anisotropy energy density increases with decreasing particle size. This suggests that surface anisotropy plays a significant role in magnetic nanoparticles of this size.
Generations of Taiwanese

Mannheim (1952:283) noted that "Different generations live at the same time. But since experienced time is the only real time, they must all in fact be living in qualitatively quite different subjective eras." This paper tests the following hypothesis derived from Mannheim: the extent to which a generation unit "creates new collective impulses original to itself" and distinct from an earlier or later generation is a positive function of the rate of social change. Since the rate of social change has been rapid in Taiwan for several decades, it is hypothesized that, controlling for age, there will be significant differences between three generations of Taiwanese in their family and kinship patterns, stratification, class and mobility, and attitudes toward life chances and political participation. My data come from two independently drawn sample surveys of the Taiwanese (Min-nan and Hakka) population of Taipei. The first survey was conducted in 1963, the second in 1991. Respondents in each survey were between 20 and 69 years old. The identical questions about kinship, stratification, etc., were asked in each survey. The duration of a generation is conventionally defined as between 20 and 30 years. Combining the 507 respondents in the 1963 sample with the 545 in the 1991 sample, I then divided them into three successive generations, each of 24-25 years' duration. Generation 1 consists of those born between 1894 and 1917 (N = 253), generation 2, those born between 1918 and 1941 (N = 399), and generation 3, those born between 1942 and 1967 (N = 397). The empirical findings largely support the hypothesis stated above: controlling for age, the three generations differ significantly in the directions hypothesized by neo-modernization theory in most, but not all respects.
General purpose measurement interface for physics experiments

Characteristics and capabilities of a measurement interface are proposed. The primary goal is that the interface be able to do virtually all instructional physics experiments while maintaining portability to a variety of host computers and while giving users the ability to develop their own applications. Three specific approaches to implementing the interface are outlined.
Longitudinal Gradients for Endothelium-Dependent and -Independent Vascular Responses in the Coronary Microcirculation

Background Coronary microvessels (<300 μm in diameter) have been demonstrated to be important in the regulation of local resistance and flow. Recent studies also suggest that these microvessels are more responsive to physiological and pharmacological stimuli than conduit vessels. However, little is known regarding the relative sensitivity of different microvascular segments in response to flow (shear stress) and agonists. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that a longitudinal gradient for shear stress– and agonist-induced dilation exists in the coronary microcirculation. Methods and Results Experiments were performed in four different sizes of porcine subepicardial coronary arterial microvessels: small arterioles (40±1-μm ID with resting tone); intermediate arterioles (60±1 μm); large arterioles (106±4 μm); and small arteries (179±9 μm). Vessels were isolated and cannulated to allow luminal pressure and flow to be independently controlled. All vessels developed active tone (to ≈65% to 75% o...
Value of mobile monitoring for diabetes in developing countries

Mobile phones are becoming a new platform to offer health services throughout the world, particularly in developing countries where the health sector experiences serious shortages. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that refers to the condition created by the body's inability to regulate glucose levels. It has been labeled the "silent epidemic" for its insidious and chronic nature. The medical profession has postulated that patients could benefit from a system providing continuous glucose readings and that the predicted explosion of diabetes in the developing parts of the world could be averted using mobile health solutions. In remote areas where healthcare workers are scarce and patients have high travel cost it might be the only way to monitor the condition. We define a model that evaluates a mobile health solution to monitor diabetes and explore the influence of two factors on the model: the discount rate and the cost of a telecom service. We test the model on data from three countries with a considerable health-care burden associated with the disease: the USA, Brazil and India.
Impact of the North Dakota Growing Location on Canola Biodiesel Quality

Canola biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters, FAME) may have superior cold flow properties when compared to other biodiesel feedstocks, which is attributed to canola’s high unsaturated and low saturated fat content. The objective of this study was to evaluate canola biodiesel fatty acid composition, cloud point (CP) and oil stability index (OSI) among several ND locations and production years. In Experiment 1, bulked canola varieties from seven growing seasons (2003–2009) were analyzed and in Experiment 2 a single canola variety (Interstate Hyola 357RR) harvested at two locations (2003–2005, and 2007) were analyzed. FAME was produced directly from seed via in situ alkaline transesterification methods. CP ranged from −0.1 to −2.4 °C and was significantly impacted by year and location. FAME generally met the ASTM B100 specification for OSI (3 h), but increased seed storage decreased stability. No significant differences were detected in FAME composition, and iodine value ranged from 108 to 123 g I2/100 g. A significant relationship between fat saturation and location with CP and stability was not detected among the samples in this study. Variation in fatty acid composition was small; thus, the significant variability in CP and OSI suggests either differences in minor constituents (antioxidants, waxes) or environmental seed stress impacted biodiesel quality. Our study supports the value of examining biodiesel quality in a canola breeding program.
Man - Machine Collaboration in the Analysis of Bubble Chamber Photography for High - Energy Physics

A high-resolution, high-precision mechanical flying spot digitizer (FSD) operating on-line to an IBM 7094 computer makes available to the computer some 20,000-50,000 coordinate pairs describing a bubble chamber picture in a time of a few seconds. The computer is guided by humans in its selection of relevant data -- normally by a few rough coordinates recorded in punched cards during a pre-scan, but also by a manual over-ride at the 7094 console in the event of failure in recognition at the time of precision measurement. The system is capable of transition to purely machine recognition as computer programs acquire sufficient subtlety and reliability. The Mark II FSD at Brook-haven is capable of 10 micron resolution and 1-2 micron accuracy over a 2" x 6" area of the photographic negative. Completed systems at Brookhaven and at the University of California in Berkeley are each processing strange-particle events at about the rate of 10 conventional measuring machines, with a further expansion in rate by about an order of magnitude envisioned. Similar systems are under construction at eight other laboratories in the United States and Eurone.
Investigations on the interaction of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and MK-771 with central noradrenergic mechanisms.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and a structurally related analogue of TRH, MK-771, administered IP or orally, restored flexor reflex activity in rats with acute spinal transections. The effect of MK-771 in this test was not modified by pretreatment with reserpine plus α-methyl-p-tyrosine but was antagonized by the α-adrenergic blocking agent, phenoxybenzamine. However, another α-adrenergic blocking agent, HEAT, was ineffective in this regard. Additionally, TRH and MK-771 restored the anticonvulsant actions of methazolamide in mice pretreated with reserpine or picolinic acid. These data, along with the findings that MK-771 and TRH enhance depletion of brain norepinephrine induced by α-methyl-p-tyrosine, indicate that these agents may affect central noradrenergic mechanisms. Whether the mechanism of their proposed effect upon noradrenergic systems is direct or mediated by an interaction with another neurotransmitter system which influences noradrenergic function cannot be determined on the basis of the present studies.
Endovascular treatment of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction

The treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) has been a fascination involving multiple medical specialities over the past century with urologic, cardiac and surgical experts all contributing knowledge toward this multifactorial disease. With the well-described association between ED and cardiovascular disease, angiography has been utilized to identify vasculogenic impotence. Given the success of endovascular drug-eluting stent (DES) placement for the treatment of coronary artery disease, there has been interest in using this same technology for the treatment of vasculogenic ED. For men with inflow stenosis, DES placement to bypass arterial lesions has recently been reported with a high technical success rate. Comparatively, endovascular embolization as an approach to correct veno-occlusive dysfunction has produced astonishing procedural success rates as well. However, after a thorough literature review, arterial intervention is only recommended for younger patients with isolated vascular injuries, typically from previous traumatic experiences. Short-term functional outcomes are less than optimal with long-term results yet to be determined. In conclusion, the hope for a minimally invasive approach to ED persists but additional investigation is required prior to universal endorsement.
The P genes of human parainfluenza virus type 1 clinical isolates are polycistronic and microheterogeneous.

Abstract The nucleotide sequence of the P gene of human parainfluenza virus type 1 (hPIV1) strain C35 was determined directly from genomic viral RNA and by molecular cloning. The gene contained 1893 nucleotides. Four open reading frames (ORF) capable of encoding a P protein (568 amino acids; M r = 64,784), a C′ protein (219 amino acids; M r = 25,997), a C protein (204 amino acids; M r = 24,237), and a Y1 protein (182 amino acids; M r = 21,471) were identified. The latter three ORFs are in a + 1 reading frame relative to P. The sequencing data are consistent with the hPIV1 C′ protein being initiated at a GUG codon (nt 68–70), in contrast to the ACG initiation of the Sendai virus (SV) C′ protein. Unlike SV, there is no evidence of a hPIV1 ORF capable of encoding a cysteine-rich V protein. Also, there is no ORF capable of encoding a protein analogous to the SV Y2 protein. In vitro transcription, translation, and immunoprecipitation showed that the hPIV1 P gene is polycistronic. Comparison of the P gene with those of two other distinct clinical isolates confirmed the coding potential of the hPIV1 P gene but also revealed genetic heterogeneity among the isolates. Our results indicate that the hPIV1 P gene uses some coding strategies similar to and others that are different from those of other paramyxovirus P genes.
Reducing the Harm and Risk of Violent Victimization: How to Help a Coworker

The purpose of this article is to present a model that discusses how coworkers can safely intervene to support survivors of violence and reduce their risk of further victimization. There are many employees who are traumatized by the devastating physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and quality of life consequences of violent crime victimization, yet remain vulnerable for future attacks. They may be unwilling to contact criminal justice and corporate officials but may feel more comfortable discussing these matters with friends at work. These coworkers may be more willing to help if they know what they can and should do. The H-E-L-P -A- C-O-W-O-R-K-E-R model provides specific suggestions on how to listen, express concern, and connect survivors to caregivers. It proposes ways they can help survivors minimize the risk of repeat victimization by encouraging and assisting them in developing safety plans, contacting security professionals, reducing vulnerabilities, and identifying dangerous warning signs.
Mesoscale and submesoscale zoo observed with HF radar in Monterey Bay

Shore-based high-frequency Doppler radar observations collected in Monterey Bay between 1999 and 2001 are utilized for the reconstruction of high-resolution surface currents: mesoscale and submesoscale ageostrophic spiral eddies, eddy dipoles, eddy tripoles and multi-eddy systems with lifetimes about 4-12 hours (sub-inertial periods). Our analysis demonstrates topography nature of all these eddies because of rectification of tides in the submarine canyon system. Spiral mesoscale eddies generated in the head of Monterey and Soquel Canyons have induced strong alongshore water transport qualified as Stokes drift
Modeling electrostatic effects in proteins.

Electrostatic energies provide what is perhaps the most effective tool for structure–function correlation of biological molecules. This review considers the current state of simulations of electrostatic energies in macromolecules as well as the early developments of this field. We focus on the relationship between microscopic and macroscopic models, considering the convergence problems of the microscopic models and the fact that the dielectric ‘constants’ in semimacroscopic models depend on the definition and the specific treatment. The advances and the challenges in the field are illustrated considering a wide range of functional properties including pKa's, redox potentials, ion and proton channels, enzyme catalysis, ligand binding and protein stability. We conclude by pointing out that, despite the current problems and the significant misunderstandings in the field, there is an overall progress that should lead eventually to quantitative descriptions of electrostatic effects in proteins and thus to quantitative descriptions of the function of proteins. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Impact of low-cost mammography screening on nearby mammography practices.

Data derived from the first 30 months of operation of a low-cost mammography screening program demonstrate the impact of the introduction of low-cost screening on nearby mammography practices. Low-cost screening attracts a very different group of women than traditionally populate existing practices, and 93% represent "new business" rather than established mammography patients seeking examination at a lower price. Although low-cost screening does divert some women away from more expensive nearby practices, it also generates an approximately equal number of breast imaging cases for these neighbor practices, including problem-solving examinations to further evaluate screening-detected abnormalities and subsequent screening examinations for women who prefer more full-featured albeit costlier screening. Finally, a survey of nearby practices indicates that the introduction of low-cost screening had no measurable impact on the steadily increasing mammography case loads observed during the study period. Low-cost ...
Applications of hydrologic information automatically extracted from digital elevation models

Digital elevation models (DEMs) can be used to derive a wealth of information about the morphology of a land surface. Traditional raster analysis methods can be used to derive slope, aspect, and shaded relief information; recently-developed computer programs can be used to delineate depressions, overland flow paths, and watershed boundaries. These methods were used to delineate watershed boundaries for a geochemical stream sediment survey, to compare the results of extracting slope and flow paths from DEMs of varying resolutions, and to examine the geomorphology of a Martian DEM.
Health Care Reform and Social Movements in the United States

Because of the importance of grassroots social movements, or "change from below," in the history of US reform, the relationship between social movements and demands for universal health care is a critical one. National health reform campaigns in the 20th century were initiated and run by elites more concerned with defending against attacks from interest groups than with popular mobilization, and grassroots reformers in the labor, civil rights, feminist, and AIDS activist movements have concentrated more on immediate and incremental changes than on transforming the health care system itself. However, grassroots health care demands have also contained the seeds of a wider critique of the American health care system, leading some movements to adopt calls for universal coverage.