cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth inhibition of glioblastoma cells by human Pur(alpha).

Pur(alpha) is a multifunctional DNA- and RNA-binding protein implicated in a variety of biological events including transcription and replication. Further, this protein has the ability to form a complex with several cellular proteins which are important for cell proliferation including the transcription factor, E2F-1. Pur(alpha) has a modular structure highlighted by alternating three basic aromatic class I and two acidic leucine-rich class II repeats in the central region of the protein. Here, we demonstrate that ectopic overexpression of Pur(alpha) suppresses proliferation of a variety of transformed and tumor cells including human glioblastoma. By utilizing various deletion mutants of Pur(alpha) in colony formation assay, we identified the region spanning the first class II repeat (residues 107-131) and the second class I repeat (residues 148-170) of Pur(alpha) which participate in growth inhibitory action of Pur(alpha). Results from protein transduction experiments using the synthetic peptides representing residues 109-131 and 123-154 of Pur(alpha) in fusion with the arginine rich domain of HIV-1 Tat revealed cellular internalization and nuclear appearance of the Tat-Pur(alpha) fusion peptide after 2 h and its detection in nuclei up to 24 h after treatment. Glioblastoma cells treated with Tat-Pur(alpha) (109-131) and Tat-Pur(alpha) (123-154) exhibited 41 and 47% decrease, respectively, in proliferation. Altogether these results illustrate the efficacy of Pur(alpha) in suppressing glioblastoma cell growth and provide evidence for the potential use of this protein and its derivative(s) in blocking proliferation of tumor cells.
Expression of astrocytic markers aquaporin 4 and connexin 43 is altered in brains of subjects with autism.

Neuroanatomical studies have revealed extensive structural brain abnormalities in subjects with autism. Recently, studies have provided evidence of neuroglial responses and neuroinflammation in autism. The current study investigated whether two astrocytic markers: aquaporin 4 and connexin 43 are altered in brains from subjects with autism. Postmortem brain tissues from Brodmann's Area 40 (BA40, parietal cortex), Brodmann's Area 9 (BA9, superior frontal cortex), and cerebella of subjects with autism and matched controls were subject to SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Connexin 43 expression was increased significantly in BA9. Aquaporin 4 expression was decreased significantly in cerebellum. These data suggest that changes are apparent in markers for abnormal glial-neuronal communication (connexin 43 and aquaporin 4) in brains of subjects with autism.
EFFECT OF REPLACING GROUNDNUT CAKE WITH UREA FERMENTED BREWER’S DRIED GRAINS IN BROILER CHICKS DIETS

The effect of replacing groundnut cake with urea fermented brewer’s dried grains at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % graded levels in broiler chick starter diets was investigated. Five dietary treatments were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to provide 23 % crude protein and 2900 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. One hundred and ninety – five day-old broiler chicks (Anak breed) were randomly allotted to five treatments replicated thrice with 13 chicks per replicate, fed and watered ad libitum in battery cages for 35 days. Means of body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed: weight gain ratio of broiler chicks fed the control diet, 25 and 50 % urea fermented brewer’s dried grains diets were significantly (P < 0.05) better than those fed 75 and 100 % inclusion levels. Nitrogen and lipid retention, crude fibre and dry matter digestibilities of broiler chicks followed the same trend with the weight performance. Mortality was zero. Economically, it was more profitable to use urea fermented brewer’s dried grains in replacing groundnut cake in broiler chicks diets.
A comparison of the cost and financial returns for solar photovoltaic systems installed by businesses in different locations across the United States

Abstract Depending on what one reads, the cost of solar photovoltaic energy systems (solar PV systems) has already reached parity with grid produced electricity or, at the other extreme is far from parity. This leaves potential end users who are considering the installation of solar PV systems confused as to whether such an investment makes economic sense. These contrasting views are not surprising for several reasons. First, many analyses of the costs and financial returns of solar PV systems ignore important factors impacting the potential costs of such systems. Second, the factors impacting costs and financial returns such as levels of solar insolation, government and utility incentives, and the cost of grid produced electricity vary dramatically based on location. Finally, the cost of solar PV systems is declining rapidly over time. This study compares the costs and financial returns of solar PV systems installed by businesses, to grid produced electricity, in four specific locations across the US for 2012. The amounts are calculated after taking into account local solar insolation, and all available tax incentives and other available incentives and rebates. The results demonstrate that costs and financial returns of solar PV systems vary dramatically depending on the location where they are installed. The differences are primarily the result of variations in state incentives, electricity prices, and the level of solar insolation. This confirms that detailed, site specific, information about incentives, grid produced electricity rates, and levels of solar insolation is needed to determine whether the installation of a solar PV system makes economic sense in a particular location.
3-Hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine in patients with deficiency of 3-methylcrotonyl CoA carboxylase

Highly elevated urinary acylcamitine levels (range: 27.1–1314.0; normal: <30 mmol/mol creatinine) combined with a generalized, severe decrease of free carnitine before treatment in six patients of two families with an isolated biotin-unresponsive deficiency of 3-methylcrotonyl CoA:carboxylase (3-methylcrotonyl-CoA:carbon dioxide ligase; EC 6.4.1.4) prompted the study to specify the acyl moities attached to the carrier molecule carnitine. Only traces of 3-methylcrotonyl carnitine (1.3–2.2% of total ester concentration) were found by high performance liquid chromatography, whereas the prominent species determined by fast-atom bombardment/tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry corresponded to a hydroxy five-carbon-acylcamitine. Crude urine samples were derivatized directly and the resulting N-demethylcamitine-propylester and trimethylsilylesters/ethers of intact acylcarnitines analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Mass spectra acquired by both chemical ionization and electron impact gave both the molecular weight and fragmentation patterns consistent with that expected for 3-hydroxyisovaleryl carnitine. In addition, acylcarnitines were extracted from urine, hydrolyzed and the trimethylsilyl-derivatives of the organic acids analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Free 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid found in the hydrolyzed sample and not in an unhydrolyzed one confirmed the suggested acyl group.
Risk of hypotony after primary trabeculectomy with antifibrotic agents in a black west African population.

Purpose: To evaluate the risk of hypotony and hypotony maculopathy following trabeculectomy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and mitomycin C (MMC) in a black West African population.Methods: One hundred and one eyes of black Ghanaian patients with advanced primary open-angle glaucoma received intraoperati
"Known to Be a Sinner": The Narrative Rhetoric of Luke 7:36--50

Rhetorical criticism analyzes interactions between literary and social/cultural dimensions within texts, recognizes their intertextuality, and inquires into their ideology. Recognizing rhetoric as the use of symbols for sharing access to knowledge and coordinating social action, rhetorical criticism of Luke 7:35-50 yields three conclusions. Jesus and the woman come to an assurance of God's forgiveness of her, whereupon Jesus initiates her into the community of God's reign (basileia), where members share benefactions. Simon misunderstands God's reign, which hinders his entry into it, but Jesus' rhetoric leaves it open to him. Luke's primary purpose is to show that through telling and retelling stories of God's work through Jesus, Christians become assured of salvation and show it through loving action.
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Experience, Training, and Confidence Levels of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists

Purpose To investigate the graduate training experiences of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working with children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Comparisons were made betwe...
Atomic spectroscopy and the photon mass: Effects on the 21 cm radiation

Abstract The effects due to a finite photon mass on atomic spectroscopy are explored, for the purpose of providing yet another approach for setting the upper limit of the photon mass. In particular, the hydrogen 21 cm radiation is recalculated using Proca electrodynamics for the description of the hyperfine interaction, as well as the Yukawa wave function for the ground state atom. The result shows that the leading order correction will be quadratic in the photon mass. With the current limitation of experimental techniques, it will be challenging for this spectroscopic approach to provide a more stringent upper limit for the photon mass.
A 125 BP REGION OF THE IG VH1 PROMOTER IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER LYMPHOCYTE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION IN TRANSGENIC MICE

Ig variable region (VH) promoters are active only in B cells and extinction experiments suggest that they are negatively regulated in non-B lineage cells. In contrast to the multiple transcription factor binding sites which occur in Ig enhancers, only a few functionally important transcription factor binding sites have been identified in VH promoters. In this study, we have used transgenic animals to test the functional importance of a 5' portion of the VH1 promoter which is known to contain a matrix attachment region as well as binding sites for the negative regulator NF-microNR and Bright, a protein complex which is induced upon stimulation of B cells with IL-5 and antigen. Our results show that none of these regions is required for VH1 promoter activity in the context of a rearranged micro gene. In fact, a truncated promoter extending only 125 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site was sufficient to confer strong expression in lymphocytes with negligible expression in any other tissue. These results define the smallest known region of a VH promoter which is capable of lymphoid-specific activity and establish the simplicity of the VH1 promoter element.
Association constants of hybridoma antibodies specific for α(1 → 6) linked dextran determined by affinity electrophoresis☆☆☆

Binding constants of monomers of seven BALB/c IgM, four BALB/c IgA, and one C57BL/6 IgA anti-α (1 → 6) dextran hybridoma antibodies with dextran B512 and with isomaltoheptaose were determined by affinity electrophoresis. Binding constants to dextran range from 1.52 × 105 to 4.43 × 105 ml/g for the five IgA monomers and from 1.70 × 103 to 6.10 × 104 ml/g for the seven IgM monomers. Antibody monomers containing both specific and nonspecific (derived from the myeloma cell that was used to generate the hybridomas) light chains are shown to have association constants with dextran 6 to 30-fold lower than monomers containing only specific light chain, suggesting that the association of specific heavy chain with nonspecific light chain does not result in an anti-dextran combining site. Binding constants with isomaltoheptaose range from 1.45 × 104 to 7.01 × 104/M for the IgA proteins and from 6.46 × 103 to 7.70 × 104/M for the IgM proteins. The binding constants with dextran and with isomaltoheptaose, and the electrophoretic, immunochemical and idiotypic characteristics of the hybridoma proteins are discussed.
912-41 Analysis of Activated Carbon Tip and Steroid Tip Pacing Leads During Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Implant Phases

Forty-two patients, 23 had activated carbon tip (ACaTi) and 19 had steroid tip (ST) ventricular leads. Bipolar (B) and Unipolar (U) voltage capture thresholds (VCT), energy CT (ECT), and impedance (imp) were followed for 6 months since implant. Results Lead Polarity Implant 2 Days 1 wk 1mo 2 mo 3mo 6mo ACaTi VCT B 0.92 1.17 2.09 2.33 2.17 2.01 1.80 U 0.78 1.03 1.71 1.98 1.85 1.78 1.57 ECT B 0.88 1.15 2.00 2.29 2.08 2.02 1.20 Imp B 715 623 593 681 645 645 661 ST VCT B 0.56 0.66 0.85 0.83 0.85 0.89 0.89 U 0.60 0.60 0.74 0.76 0.81 0.79 0.87 ECT B 0.24 0.22 0.55 0.57 0.65 0.69 0.65 imp B 584 538 520 530 523 551 515 ACaTi CT (VCT and ECT) increased peaking at 1 wk-l mo whereas ST CT had a slight increase by 1 wk then plateaued. The ST CT (U and B) were significantly lower than ACaTi CT (P l 0.001 at all times). There was no significant difference between U and B CT in each individual lead in both ST and ACaTi. Mean ECT and VCT were highly correlated Ir = 0.97 for both ACaTi and ST, P l 0.001 for both). Lead imp and ECT had weak negative correlation (r = -0.57). Conclusions 1) During lead evaluation VCT is an adequate descriptive value of ECT in spite of slight imp changes with time and slight imp difference among different leads. 2) ST CT is superior and not associated with substantial acute rise when compared to ACaTi lead CT (whether in U or B configuration).
Extracting the Optic Disk Endpoints in Optical Coherence Tomography Data

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses backreflected light to provide micron-resolution, cross-sectional scans of biological tissues useful in diagnosing, monitoring, and studying glaucoma. The ratio of the area of the central portion of the optic nerve (the cup) to that of the complete nerve (the disk) is an indicator of ocular health. Measuring this cup-to-disk ratio accurately requires precise detection of the cup and disk limits in scans traversing the optic nervehead. A hybrid edge-supported boundary detector first finds the contour separating the retina and optic nervehead (on one side) from the vitreous humor on the other. We then partition this boundary using a model-based technique to identify the optic cup. The lower retinal-choroid boundaries are extracted using Markov models first derived by Koozekanani et al.. The endpoints of these lower boundaries represent the limits of the optic disk. Points along the Markov path are then represented in a feature space comprising two low order unitary transform coefficients and a measure of differential edge strength. By minimizing the trace of the within-class scatter matrices for optic nerve and retina, optimal estimates of the nervehead extent are found. We present thorough experimental results to establish the stability and robustness of the technique, as well as its performance limitations.
Transgenic Bt corn varietal resistance against the Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and implications to sugarcane

Abstract The Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar), attacks crops including corn, Zea mays L., rice, Oryza sativa L., sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and sugarcane, Saccharum spp. Strongly resistant varieties of any kind, native or otherwise, have not been identified. A field plot corn variety test using two transgenic Bt varieties, Pioneer 31G71, expressing the Cry1F insecticidal protein, and Golden Acres 28V81, expressing the Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2, and Cry3Bb1 insecticidal proteins, and two non- Bt controls, Dekalb DKC 69-72 and BH Genetics 9050, all four commonly grown in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas, showed that, although oviposition preference was not affected, 28V81 resisted larval stalk boring to the extent that Mexican rice borer injury was almost non-existent. Pioneer 31G71 was infested nearly as much as the controls, but larval development to adulthood was reduced by ≈70%. Rearing larvae on 5, 50, 500, and 5000 μg of corn leaf tissue per ml of artificial diet showed that, while the three lowest concentrations did not affect larval growth and development, the high concentration of 28V81 reduced survivorship to the pupal stage, decreased weight of 4-wk-old larvae, and prolonged development to pupation. Lower numbers of pheromone trap-captured adults at the edges of commercial Bt and non- Bt corn fields showed that populations were lower at the Bt cornfields, suggesting a lesser rate of adult production. Because corn is a preferred host plant over sugarcane, sorghum or rice, use of resistant transgenic Bt corn varieties will likely protect the crop from the substantial injury that can be caused by the pest. This study also suggests that Bt genes might result in similarly strong resistance when inserted in other vulnerable crops such as sugarcane.
An investigation of the chemical stability of arsenosugars in basic environments using IC-ICP-MS and IC-ESI-MS/MS

This paper evaluates the chemical stability of four arsenosugars using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) as an extraction solvent. This solvent was chosen because of the near quantitative removal of these arsenicals from difficult to extract seafood (oysters and shellfish). Four arsenosugars (3-[5′-deoxy-5′-(dimethylarsinoyl)-β-ribofuranosyloxy]-2-hydroxypropylene glycol—As(328), 3-[5′-deoxy-5′-(dimethylarsinoyl)-β-ribofuranosyloxy]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid—As(392), 3-[5′-deoxy-5′-(dimethylarsinoyl)-β-ribofuranosyloxy]-2-hydroxypropyl hydrogen sulfate—As(408), and 3-[5′-deoxy-5′-(dimethylarsinoyl)-β-ribofuranosyloxy]-2-hydroxypropyl-2,3-hydroxypropyl phosphate—As(482)) were evaluated. The stability of these four arsenosugars were studied independently in a solution of 2.5% TMAOH at 60 °C over a period of up to 8 h. Two arsenosugars, As(328) and As(392), were found to be relatively stable in this solution for up to 8 h. However, As(408) and As(482) formed detectable quantities of dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) and As(328) within 0.5 and 2 h, respectively. It was found that 97% of As(408) degrades after 8 h of treatment producing 3.4 times as much DMAA as As(328). This is contrary to As(482), which produces 13 times as much As(328) as DMAA and only 37% of the As(482) was converted by the 8 h treatment at 60 °C. These degradation products led to the investigation of weaker TMAOH extraction solvents. Three different concentrations (2.5%, 0.83% and 0.25%) were used to determine the effect of TMAOH concentration on the degradation rate of As(408). By reducing the TMAOH concentration to 0.83%, the conversion of the arsenosugar to As(328) and DMAA is nearly eliminated (less than 5% loss). Arsenosugars, As(408) and As(482), were also studied in 253 mM NaOH to verify the degradation products. The NaOH experiments were conducted to investigate a possible hydroxide based reaction mechanism. Similar degradation plots were found for each arsenosugar when compared to the 2.5% TMAOH data. A mechanism has been proposed for the formation of As(328) from As(408) and As(482) in base via an SN2 reaction (hydroxide attack) at the side chain carbon adjacent to the inorganic ester. The formation of DMAA is observed in all arsenosugars after prolonged exposure. This probably occurs via an SN2 attack at the arsenic atom.
Consultative psychiatry in both private and public general hospitals

Abstract Most psychiatric patients obtain care in the non-psychiatric units of general hospitals. Two groups of 100 psychiatric consultation patients in a private hospital setting and in a public hospital were compared. Significant differences were found. Patients in the public hospital were medically, psychiatrically, and socioeconomically more disabled. In the private setting, psychiatric consultants were usually seen as members of a treatment team. The public facility expected consultants to function as psychiatric triage officers. However, both patient groups had a similar frequency of psychiatric illness and had an equal need for psychiatric services.
The adsorption of nucleotides and polynucleotides on montmorillonite clay.

The binding of adenine derivatives to Na+-montmorillonite increases in the order 5′-AMP, 3′-AMP, 5′-ADP<adenosine<purine, adenine. With the exception of cytosine, cytosine derivatives bind less strongly than the corresponding adenine derivatives in the order 5′-CMP<cytidine<cytosine. There is little difference in the binding of uracil derivatives and these compounds bind less strongly than the corresponding adenine analogs. It is concluded that the adenine ring in adenine derivatives is protonated by the acidic montmorillonite surface and binding is a consequence of the electrostatic interaction between the protonated base and the negative charges on the surface of the montmorillonite. Different binding trends were observed with Cu2+-montmorillonite with AMP binding more strongly than adenosine and UMP binding more strongly than uridine. It is concluded that ligation to the Cu2+ is a major force in the binding of nucleotides to Cu2+-montmorillonite. RNA homopolymers exhibit strong adsorption to Na+- and Cu2+-montmorillonite and are not readily washed from the clay. Factors contributing to the binding are discussed. Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding of 5′-AMP to poly(U) and 5′-GMP to poly(C) was observed when the homopolymers are bound to the surface of the clay. No association of 5′-UMP to poly(U) bound to clay was detected. The possible role of montmorillonite clays in the prebiotic formation of RNA is discussed.
Effects of low dissolved oxygen on organisms used in freshwater sediment toxicity tests

Abstract Minimum dissolved oxygen requirements are part of standard guidelines for toxicity testing of freshwater sediments with several benthic invertebrates, but the data underlying these requirements are somewhat sparse. We exposed three common test organisms to ranges of dissolved oxygen concentrations to determine their responses in 10-d exposures, relative to published guidelines for sediment toxicity tests. The oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus , showed 100% survival in all exposures down to the lowest concentration tested, 0.7 mg O 2 l −1 . Midge ( Chironomus dilutus ) larva showed a more pronounced response; while survival was less than 90% only below 1.0 mg O 2 l −1 , the biomass endpoint showed EC 50 , EC 20 , and EC 10 values of 1.00 (0.91–1.10), 1.41 (1.16–1.71), and 1.67 (1.25–2.24) mg O 2 l −1 . The amphipod, Hyalella azteca , showed no adverse effects at concentrations as low as 2.12 mg O 2 l −1 . The combination of these data with other literature data suggest that DO minima in current North American 10-d sediment test guidelines are reasonable.
Quality of the oral screening exam to predict lesion persistence is dependent on examiner experience and may be marginally improved with fluorescence visualization.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Influence of fluorescence on screening decisions for oral mucosal lesions in community dental practices. Laronde DM, Williams PM, Hislop TG, Poh C, Ng S, Bajdik C, Zhang L, MacAulay C, Rosin MP. J Oral Pathol Med 43(1):7-13. Reviewer Lauren L. Patton, DDS Purpose/Question The purpose was to determine the utility of a hand-held device measuring direct fluorescence visualization (FV) used by trained community dental practitioners as an aid in decision-making during clinical evaluation for cancer and other oral lesions and to test the hypothesis that FV is useful in facilitating the clinical decision to refer forward suspect lesions. Source of Funding This investigation was supported by USPHS grants R01DE13124 and R01DE17013 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA, and a Senior Graduate Studentship from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research/BC Cancer Foundation, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Type of Study/Design Cohort study Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable
Amplification of spin waves in ferromagnetic semiconductors

Abstract We have investigated the interaction of spin waves with conduction electrons in ferromagnetic semiconductors and have found that the spin waves can be amplified when a d. c. electric field is applied. The spin waves are amplified when the drift velocity of the electrons exceeds the phase velocity of the spin waves.
Hemoglobin adsorption to three polymer surfaces.

Abstract Protein adsorption to artificial surfaces implanted in the cardiovascular system is believed to play an important role in thrombosis induced by these materials. Previously, hemoglobin adsorption has not been considered important because very little of this protein is usually present outside of red cells. However, the highly preferential adsorption of hemoglobin to polyethylene was recently reported (22). In this study, the adsorption of hemoglobin, albumin, fibrinogen and γ-globulin from plasma to three polymers were quantitatively measured. The polymers were polyethylene; the hydrogel, polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate; and its hydrophobic homolog, polyethylmethacrylate. Hemoglobin adsorption to these surfaces from plasma was also detected electrophoretically. The adsorbed protein layer on these surfaces was found to be greatly enriched in hemoglobin relative to the bulk plasma composition. The high affinity of hemoglobin for these diverse polymer surfaces suggests the prime role of fibrinogen in adsorption from plasma should be re-evaluated.
Interpretation of the potentiodynamic response during the underpotential deposition of silver on polycrystalline gold

Abstract A potentiodynamic study was made of the underpotential deposition (UPD) of silver on gold using the rotating ring-disk electrode technique. The implications of analyzing the potentiodynamic data without subtracting the residual charging currents are examined. Our interpretation of the dynamic electrosorption valency data is consistent with a simple relationship between the negative shift in point of zero charge, UPD coverage and the underpotential shift. Furthermore, under equilibrium conditions, the charging current accompanying potential scan can be related quantitatively to this predicted pze shift. The potentiodynamic disk current peak structure can be interpreted in terms of the adsorption isotherm by making use of concurrent mass flux data obtained from ring electrode shielding data. Generally, complicating factors such as deposition kinetics, double layer changes and parallel chemisorption processes prevent the analysis of current-potential data obtained at a single electrode in the absence of independently obtained mass flux data. Kinetic models that involve the coupling of mass transport, adsorption and charge transfer are analyzed. A mixed control model involving charge transfer, adsorption and mass transport agrees with experimental results.
ORDER FROM VIRTUAL STATES: A DIALOGUE ON THE RELEVANCE OF QUANTUM THEORY TO RELIGION

. Lothar Schafer has written a poetic tribute pointing out the relevance of quantum theory to religious beliefs. Two items in his article trouble me greatly. First are the excessive claims about the relevance of quantum mechanisms for the creation and evolution of life. Schafer's claim that “everything that can happen must happen” can be dangerously misleading. The quantum rules predict that most outcomes have a near-zero chance of occurring. Although “anything can happen” can be a wonderful metaphor for living life, it can be dangerous if taken literally. It can also be misleading when applied to Darwinian mechanisms. My second trouble was with Schafer's desire to extract moral values from quantum principles in a literalist manner. Extracting ethics from science has always been problematic. Luckily, Schafer provides balance to these objections by including many wonderful passages that in my opinion correctly point out how quantum theory should change the way we conceive of our place in the universe. I list twelve points in which the quantum ontology differs from our normal Newtonian ontology. Awareness of these aspects is typically missing from our usual appreciation of nature, so Schafer's poetry on a number of these points is well appreciated.
Neurotensin stimulates inositol phospholipid metabolism and calcium mobilization in murine neuroblastoma clone N1E-115

Murine neuroblastoma cells (clone N1E-115) possess neurotensin receptors that mediate cyclic GMP synthesis. Because of the hypothesized relationship between phospholipid metabolism, intracellular Ca2+, and cyclic GMP synthesis, we determined with these cells the effects of neurotensin on 32P labeling of phospholipids, release of inositol phosphates, and intracellular Ca2+ (as determined with the use of Quin-2, a fluorescent probe sensitive to free Ca2+ levels). Neurotensin stimulated incorporation of 32P into phospholipids, especially phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidate. Neurotensin also stimulated the release of [3H]inositol phosphates with an EC50 of about 1 nM. Mean basal Ca2+ concentration in these cells was 134 nM and this level was increased in a rapid and dose-dependent manner by neurotensin, with an EC50 of 4 nM. Since the EC50 for neurotensin in stimulating cyclic GMP synthesis is 1.5 nM and the KD for binding of [3H]neurotensin at 0 degrees C is 11 nM, all these different effects appear to be shared proximal consequences of neurotensin receptor activation.
Hospitalists and officists.

To the Editor—I would like to applaud Dr. Daniel Bryant's recent article titled “Hospitalists and ‘Officists.’”1 I strongly concur with his conclusion that there is a real risk to the profession of internal medicine in marginalizing and isolating office-based internists. Not only will they lose the interaction with their colleagues and the education provided by being a daily participant in hospital activities, but they also may lose their ability and willingness to care for very sick patients—clearly a characteristic of internists in the past. Much of the social culture of medicine grows from the daily coming together of the community of physicians in the hospital. However, I believe there is another strong disadvantage to the profession of internal medicine that was not articulated in that piece—the hospitalist movement again creates physicians who are hourly workers. They do not take their professional identity from developing long-term relationships with a cohort of patients, and their work is basically shift work. Job mobility and control of lifestyle will be dominant characteristics of a hospitalist career choice. I believe that there is an enormous risk if the hospitalist movement spreads outside academic medical centers. A “blue collar” mentality will be institutionalized within the field of internal medicine that may deprofessionalize the specialty. We may be left with office-based practitioners who are isolated and demoralized, having lost the skills to take care of very sick patients. If this change occurs, these practitioners will not be part of the social fiber that rejuvenates internal medicine by daily contact at the hospital, and they will be replaced by hospitalists who are basically hourly workers. We need to safeguard our specialty aggressively and work to never allow it to be deprofessionalized by solutions to market forces or clinical efficiency.
Charge density wave fluctuations, heavy electrons, and superconductivity in KNi 2 S 2

Understanding the complexities of electronic and magnetic ground states in solids is one of the main goals of solid-state physics. Materials with the canonical ThCr${}_{2}$Si${}_{2}$-type structure have proved particularly fruitful in this regard, as they exhibit a wide range of technologically advantageous physical properties described by ``many-body physics,'' including high-temperature superconductivity and heavy fermion behavior. Here, using high-resolution synchrotron x-ray diffraction and time-of-flight neutron scattering, we show that the isostructural mixed valence compound KNi${}_{2}$S${}_{2}$ displays a number of highly unusual structural transitions, most notably the presence of charge density wave fluctuations that disappear on cooling. This behavior occurs without magnetic or charge order, in contrast to expectations based on other known materials exhibiting related phenomena. Furthermore, the low-temperature electronic state of KNi${}_{2}$S${}_{2}$ is found to exhibit many characteristics of heavy-fermion behavior, including a heavy electron state (${m}^{*}/{m}_{e}\ensuremath{\sim}$ 24), with a negative coefficient of thermal expansion, and superconductivity below ${T}_{c}=0.46(2)$ K. In the potassium nickel sulfide, these behaviors arise in the absence of localized magnetism, and instead appear to originate in proximity to charge order.
Saline contrast enhancement of tricuspid regurgitant jets detected by Doppler color flow imaging.

Abstract Contrast techniques have been used to improve detection of peak velocities by Doppler spectral analysis. To define the effect of contrast enhancement on the tricuspid regurgitation (TR) jet area and length, 29 patients were studied (25 transthoracic, 4 transesophageal) with 2-dimensional color flow Imaging. Three- to 5-ml of agitated saline was injected and images were obtained from 4-chamber views at 12- or 16-cm depth setting. Color gain was optimized to display TR jet at baseline and then reduced to minimal settings before injection. Measurements of TR jet area and length were made in 3 to 5 consecutive cycles. A ratio of TR jet area to 2-dimensional area was derived. TR jet area at baseline was 4.7 ± 3.6 cm 2 and increased significantly (p 0.20 in 18 of 28 patients after enhancement. Increases in jet area and length were not associated with changes in TR jet or diastolic inflow velocities measured by continuous wave Doppler at baseline and after contrast. Thus, contrast enhancement increases the amplitude of Doppler signals responsible for transvalvular and regurgitant flow. By reducing the effect of attenuation and improving signal-to-noise ratio, it improves delineation of the TR jet using color flow imaging.
The nature of market visioning for technology‐based radical innovation

Abstract The ability to link advanced technologies to market opportunities is a crucial aspect of radical innovation. When markets do not yet exist, it is difficult to persevere, given organizational pressures for immediate profit. To study this problem, eleven radical innovation projects are examined in nine large, mature organizations in a real-time field setting. The sample is augmented by interviews of four additional individuals who have repeated experiences in linking advanced technologies to markets. From results that are qualitative in nature, four themes emerge. First, vision is built and sustained through a variety of mechanisms that may operate in combination or serially. Second, there are a number of roles that individuals play in creating and evangelizing a vision through an organization. Third, there exist a few tools and methods for aiding in developing visions that are not dependent strictly on individual initiative, but these are not systematically employed by organizations. Finally, visions undergo a process of validation and internal acceptance that may depend heavily on reaching out beyond the familiar customer/market set of the firm. Building on these themes, we derive two sets of insights. The first identifies three different ways that visions might develop. We did not discover a singular process across firms or even within a single firm by which visions develop. Second, we identify three elements that occur when a vision is formulated and utilized in organizations: Motivation, Insight and Elaboration. Thus a vision does not arise through a single creative leap, but develops over time and requires focus, discipline, energy, and the involvement of many people. Awareness of this conceptual underpinning of visioning may help managers understand how to encourage this activity and help sustain long-term growth and renewal in their organizations.
Work in Progress - Computer-based Instruction a Web-based Tutorials: Effectiveness and Applications

Computer-based tutorials are playing an ever increasing role in education and in the field of e-learning. Advantages of Web-based learning modules include the ability to reach a much wider and diverse population, learner control of pacing and approach, flexibility in instructional methodology, and assessment. However, the effectiveness of e-learning hinges on its adherence to proper educational theory and should be validated with rigorous experimental testing. This paper describes the authors' ongoing work with the development, testing, and implementation of an interactive Web-based tutorial for the instruction of orthographic multiview drawing principles, including a unique interactive drawing program and feedback mechanism. Preliminary analysis of tutorial testing are reported, along with a description of future related Web-based module development and testing plans. The authors anticipate that continued efforts in this area will provide a novel and effective educational aid and foundation for application in other topic areas
Combination Vitamin D Therapy in Stage 5 Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective:To review the data supporting combination therapy with vitamin D and vitamin D receptor activators (VDRAs) in patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD).Data Sources:Literature was searched using PubMed and EMBASE using the terms kidney disease, kidney failure-chronic, and vitamin D. Limits applied included humans, adults (19 years or older), and clinical trials (and related), with publication dates between January 1, 1980, and May 16, 2011.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All English-language publications were analyzed for relevance. Studies appropriate to the objective were evaluated, including 3 prospective observational studies, 1 prospective cohort study, and 1 retrospective study.Data Synthesis:To our knowledge, there have been no randomized controlled trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in combination with VDRA therapy in patients with stage 5 CKD. Relatively small observational studies have demonstrated improvements in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25...
The role of input revisited: Nativist versus usage-based models

This article examines the role of input in two contrasting theories of language acquisition: nativist (UG) theory and the usage-based (emergentist) approach. Although extensive treat- ments of input are available for first language acquisition (cf. Gathercole & Hoff, 2007), such research rarely incorporates findings from second language acquisition. Accordingly, this paper examines a range of linguistic phenomena from both first and second language contexts (e.g., yes-no question formation, constraints on want-to contraction) in order to illustrate how each theory might explain their acquisition. The discussion of input presented here addresses various constructs, including the problem of the poverty of the stimulus, the lack of negative evidence, the role of indirect (missing) evidence, recovery from overgener- alization, and frequency effects. The article concludes with a reappraisal of the poverty of the stimulus problem in SLA from a usage-based perspective.
The medicinal chemistry of 5-HT6 receptor ligands with a focus on arylsulfonyltryptamine analogs.

Arylsulfonyl analogs of aminopyrimidines (e.g. Ro 04-6790; 2), aminopyridines (e.g. Ro 63-0563; 3), 1- phenylpiperazines (e.g. SB-271046; 4), and tryptamines (e.g. MS-245; 5) were described as the first examples of selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonists only ten years ago. Today, hundreds of compounds of seemingly diverse structure have been reported. The early antagonists featured an arylsulfonyl group leading to the widespread assumption that an arylsulfonyl moiety might be critical for binding and antagonist action. With respect to the arylsulfonyltryptamines, it seems that neither the “arylsulfonyl” nor the “tryptamine” portion of these compounds is essential for binding or for antagonist action, and some such derivatives even display agonist action. The present review describes many of the currently available 5-HT6 receptor ligands and, unlike prior reviews, provides a narrative of the thinking (where possible) that led to their design, synthesis, and evaluation. The arylsulfonyltryptamines are also used as the structural basis of attempts to relate various structure-types to one another to afford a better understanding of the overall structural requirements for 5- HT6 receptor binding.
Facilitating Patient‐Centered Cancer Research and a New Era of Drug Discovery

Cancer is a complex set of diseases that involve not only the transformed morphologically unique cells of the tumor, but also genetically reprogrammed, otherwise normal appearing, supporting connective tissue cells, inflammatory cells, and endothelial cells of the tissue surrounding the tumor. This “organ-like,” dynamic process is characterized by altered genes and altered transcriptional regulation, resulting in abnormal networks of intraand extracellular communication that support disease progression. As a result of a logarithmic expansion in technology and knowledge, cancer research is rapidly changing the opportunities and, therefore, approaches to the development of novel anticancer agents. The identification of specific molecular targets within the cells of the tumor and of the tumor microenvironment is providing the option to develop highly specific drugs for treating and, one hopes, preventing cancer. The goal of this molecularly targeted approach to managing the cancer patient is to change what is all too often a lethal disease into one that, if not eliminated from the body, can be controlled, as a chronic illness. To reach this goal and to effectively intervene in the steps of tumor initiation, invasion, and spread to distant organs, anticancer therapy of the future will be highly specific to the individual patient’s tumor and will involve multiple agents combating both multiple targets and network complexity. As a result, the new era of drug discovery will require a very different approach to early-phase translation. The development of anticancer drugs in the past involved the use of chemicals that targeted the more rapidly dividing cancer cells. With their use, normally dividing cells of the body were subject to significant toxicity. In determining efficacy for such broadly active, nonspecific agents, the established approach was to test a new drug against the standard of care. Later, after safety and efficacy had been demonstrated, the new drug would be added to previously established drugs, looking for added benefit through combination chemotherapy. The accepted endpoint was a longer survival time within the limits of acceptable toxicity. In the new era of highly characterized patients and their tumors, the testing of a new agent will no longer be driven by maximum-tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity. Instead, translational science will rely on very different strategies to ascertain the effectiveness and safety of the agents being tested. Advances in subcellular imaging and the availability of specific molecular biomarkers, for example, will allow us to determine, at the level of the protein target and in real time, if we have the right dose to the right target—and if the function of that target is changed. New ap-
Tribological characterization of gradient monolayer films from trichlorosilanes on silicon

Abstract We report a simple and effective approach to assemble single- and dual-component gradient monolayer films of silane precursors onto a silicon substrate under ambient conditions. Characterization of these gradient films with water contact angles and ellipsometric thicknesses has been performed to confirm gradient formation with a high degree of repeatability. Tribological testing of these gradient films was also performed to determine the role that surface energy and dispersive forces within the monolayer have on the frictional performance of the resulting films. Our results show that the tribological properties of single-component gradient monolayer films prepared from octadecyl trichlorosilane on silicon are dependent upon the surface coverage and surface energy of the gradient monolayer. We also demonstrate that the coverage of a hydrocarbon monolayer is a critical aspect of the frictional response of the film by relating the tribological performance of gradient monolayers to that of pure monolayers with known thicknesses. Sparse monolayer regions are more prone to frictional failure by exposing more of the underlying substrate and further enabling the probe tip to impart the normal load to fewer adsorbed molecules to greatly increase the pressure per adsorbate. Two-component monolayers with methyl and hydroxyl termini offer much greater stabilities to prolonged cycling due to stronger intermolecular interactions that prevent probe–substrate interactions.
Evaluation of a ship-based unoccupied aircraft system (UAS) for surveys of spotted and ribbon seals in the Bering Sea pack ice1

The remote pack ice of the arctic and subarctic seas is challenging to access, yet extremely important to understand and monitor. The pack ice holds the key to understanding ecosystem responses to ...
Characterization of the Meteoroid Spatial Flux Density during the 1999 Leonid Storm

The November 18, 1999 Leonid storm was rich in meteors and well observed by airborne intensified video cameras aimed low in the sky which enabled enhanced meteor counts over ground-based observations. The two- and three-dimensional distribution of meteoroids was investigated for signs of clustering that could provide evidence of meteoroid fragmentation shortly after lift-off from the parent comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle, or much later due to space weathering. Analysis of the video tapes yields a refined estimation of the mass ratio during the peak of s = 1.65 and spatial flux density of 0.5 particles/km2 greater than those causing visual magnitude +6.5 during the 5 min centered around the peak of the storm. Furthermore, the projection of the individual trails into three-dimensional Heliocentric coordinates, shows non-homogeneity of the stream on spatial scales from hundreds to thousands of kilometers.
Acute right ventricular pressure overload compromises left ventricular function by altering septal strain and rotation

While right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has long been known to affect the performance of left ventricle (LV), the mechanisms remain poorly defined. Recently, speckle-tracking echocardiography has ...