cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A sociocultural history of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has not only helped numerous alcoholics, it has also influenced the current generation’s view of, and response to, the alcoholic. This chapter describes the emergence of AA and analyzes its successful growth. During the period of reduced alternatives for helping the alcoholic, AA began and soon flourished, helped by favorable publicity, committed members, and AA publications. We argue that its founder, Bill W., played a crucial role as a charismatic leader and that AA found a unique organizational solution to the problem of charismatic succession, a solution that helped AA maintain growth and stability beyond the life of its founder. This chapter also reviews the social response to AA including early research on AA, the generally favorable response to AA, criticism of AA, and the widespread imitation of AA by other problem area groups.
The ectodomain of HIV-1 env subunit gp41 forms a soluble, alpha-helical, rod-like oligomer in the absence of gp120 and the N-terminal fusion peptide.

Abstract The human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein is composed of a soluble glycopolypeptide gp120 and a transmembrane glycopolypeptide gp41. These subunits form non-covalently linked oligomers on the surface of infected cells, virions and cells transfected with the complete env gene. Two length variants of the extracellular domain of gp41 (aa 21-166 and aa 39-166), that both lack the N-terminal fusion peptide and the C-terminal membrane anchor and cytoplasmic domain, have been expressed in insect cells to yield soluble oligomeric gp41 proteins. Oligomerization was confirmed by chemical cross-linking and gel filtration. Electron microscopy and circular dichroism measurements indicate a rod-like molecule with a high alpha-helical content and a high melting temperature (78 degrees C). The binding of monoclonal antibody Fab fragments dramatically increased the solubility of both gp41 constructs. We propose that gp41 folds into its membrane fusion-active conformation, when expressed alone.
Room Temperature Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Laser with Synthesized Monolayer Tungsten Disulfide

Lasing with a narrow linewidth is achieved from large area monolayer tungsten disulfide film synthesized by chemical vapor deposition after integrating onto silicon nitride heterostructure photonic crystal cavities.
Swampland conjectures and late-time cosmology

We discuss the cosmological implications of the string swampland conjectures for late-time cosmology, and test them against a wide range of state of the art cosmological observations. The refined de Sitter conjecture constrains either the minimal slope or the curvature of the scalar potential, and depends on two dimensionless constants. For constants of size one or larger, tension exists between observations, especially the Hubble constant, and the slope and curvature conjectures at a level of $4.5\ensuremath{\sigma}$ and $2.3\ensuremath{\sigma}$, respectively. Smaller values of the constants are permitted by observations, and we determine upper bounds at varying confidence levels. We also derive and constrain the relationship between cosmological observables and the scalar field excursion during the acceleration epoch, thereby testing the distance conjecture.
124) Perceived Injustice Mediates the Relationship between Chronic Pain Stigma and Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) Severity

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is among the most pervasive, painful conditions in the United States. For most patients with CLBP, the cause is “non-specific” – meaning, there is no clear association between pain and identifiable pathology of the spine or associated tissues. Research has shown that laypersons and providers alike are less inclined to help, feel less sympathy, dislike patients more, suspect deception, and attribute lower pain severity to patients whose pain does not have an objective basis in tissue pathology. Because of these stigmatizing responses from others, patients with CLBP may feel their pain is particularly unjust, which in turn could contribute to greater CLBP severity. Further, emerging evidence suggests that pain-related injustice perception is a risk factor for poor CLBP outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether perceived injustice mediates the relationship between chronic pain stigma and pain severity among individuals with CLBP. Study participants with CLBP (N = 44) completed the Internalized Chronic Pain Stigma Scale, the Injustice Experience Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiological Studies – Depression Scale, and the Brief Pain Inventory – Short Form. In a regression-based model adjusted for depressive symptoms, findings revealed that perceived injustice significantly mediated the association between chronic pain stigma and CLBP severity [Indirect Effect = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.06 to 3.08]. Specifically, greater chronic pain stigma was associated with greater perceived injustice (p = .0002), which in turn was associated with greater CLBP severity (p = .047). This study is the first to examine associations among chronic pain stigma, perceived injustice, and CLBP severity. Our findings suggest that injustice perception may be a mechanism through which stigma impacts CLBP severity. These findings reinforce the importance of further examining stigma and injustice appraisals as targets for intervention, especially among individuals with CLBP.
Simulation and Experimentation in Family Research

This chapter is concerned with two related observational methods: simulation and experimentation. As an introduction, consider the following study. Jacob and his colleagues (Jacob & Krahn, 1988; Jacob & Leonard, 1988) were interested in how alcohol consumption in families of alcoholics might influence family interaction, following two hypotheses raised by Steinglass, Tisenko, and Reiss (1985). Steinglass and co-workers argued (1) that intoxication could facilitate certain family interactions and inhibit others in such a way as to provide temporary solutions to chronic family problems, stabilizing an unstable family system; and (2) that this would differ for families where the alcoholic was a steady drinker and alcohol consumption provided an organizing principle to family life compared to families where the alcoholic member drank episodically and the family did not adjust its interaction to accommodate to drinking.
Analysis of an Interprofessional Experiential Learning Program Utilizing the Case of Henrietta Lacks

An experiential interprofessional learning opportunity for university students was developed to demonstrate core competencies (CC) based on the Interprofessional Education Collaborative and to fost...
On the ecology and distribution of steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in California's Eel River

Preservation of life-history and other phenotypic complexity is central to the resilience of Pacific salmon stocks. Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) express a diversity of life history strategies such as the propensity to migrate (anadromy/residency) and the timing and state of maturation upon return to freshwater (run-timing), providing an opportunity to study adaptive phenotypic complexity. Historically, the Eel River supported upwards of one million salmon and steelhead, but the past century has seen dramatic declines of all salmonids in the watershed. Here we investigate life history variation in Eel River steelhead by using Rapture sequencing, on thousands of individuals, to genotype the region diagnostic for run-timing (GREB1L) and the region strongly associated with residency/anadromy (OMY05), as well as determine patterns of overall genetic differentiation. Our results provide insight into many conservation related issues. For example, we found distinct segregation between winter and summer-run steelhead correlated with flow dependent barriers in major forks of the Eel; that summer-run steelhead inhabited the upper Eel prior to construction of an impassable dam, and that both life-history and overall genetic diversity have been maintained in the resident trout population above; and no evidence of the summer-run allele in the South Fork Eel, indicating that summer run-timing cannot be expected to arise from standing genetic variation in this and other populations that lack the summer-run phenotype. The results presented in this study provide valuable information for designing future restoration and management strategies for O. mykiss in Northern California and beyond.
Stromal deactivation by CSF1: a new feature of the aggressive pancreatic cancer microenvironment

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with one of the poorest prognosis among all malignancies. The initiation and evolution of this kind of tumor depends on a complex interaction between cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). In an elegant study, Steins et al [1] used a combination of relevant disease models to show that mesenchymal subtype of PDAC shows a distinct deactivation of stellate cells in a CSF1-dependent fashion. This study shedding light on a new role for the stroma driving an aggressive PDAC subtypes shifts the current paradigm for the requirement of an activated TME to regulate PDAC growth and maintenance.
Assessing scaling effect in downscaling land surface temperature in a heterogenous urban environment

Abstract It is confirmed that there exists a scaling effect in downscaling land surface temperature (DLST) processes. However, a literature review indicates that quantifying and fully understanding scaling effect in DLST processing remains unclear. In this study, a main goal is to quantify, assess and understand scaling effect in downscaling LST product processes at different higher spatial resolutions and spatial extents. A machine leaning model and a traditional multivariate regression model were adopted with corresponding scaling factors extracted from ASTER 15–30 m optical multispectral data and Airborne Imaging Spectrometer for Different Applications (AISA) 2 m hyperspectral visible-near infrared data. MODIS 990 m LST and ASTER 90 m LST products were downscaled to high and very high resolution LST maps. In addition, ETM+ 60 m retrieved LST and Thermal Airborne Broadband Imager (TABI) 2 m retrieved LST and its upscaled LSTs were used to verify higher resolution DLST maps. The experimental results demonstrate that scaling effect in downscaling LST processes is significant, especially downscaling LST to high and very high resolution LST maps. One innovation point derived from findings by assessing the scaling effect in DLST processing is that when DLST processes are at spatial resolutions beyond a range (20–30 m in this study) measured from semivariograms, the processes are safe and their results are reasonable and reliable, and thus their scaling effect may be ignored, but when spatial resolutions and spatial extent lag distance within the range, the DLST processes are not safe, and their results are not reliable and thus the scaling effect has to be considered. Therefore, it is recommended that before conducting a DLST processing project, a range needs to be calculated by plotting semivariograms with high or very high resolution images (better to include three visible and one NIR bands), then DLST processes may be conducted at spatial resolutions lower than and equal to the range.
Competitive adsorption of anionic dyes onto DMOA modified MCM-41

The single and binary adsorption of two anionic dyes Acid Yellow 17 (AY17) and Naphtol Green B (NGB) onto N–N–Dimethyl-n-octylamine (DMOA) modified MCM-41 is investigated in this paper. Adsorption equilibrium isotherms, kinetics, curves were performed with the selected adsorbent and dyes. Kinetics of each dye in single and binary systems was found to follow pseudo-second-order rate kinetic model, with a good correlation (higher than 0.99).The experimental results indicated that the Langmuir model better describes the equilibrium than the Sips and Freundlich isotherm models. Additionally, the co-adsorption equilibrium of two dyes was well predicted by the extended form of the Langmuir model. The results showed that the adsorption of NGB onto the DMOA- 41/A is faster than with the AY17. In single system the obtained adsorbed equilibrium amounts through the breakthrough curves were 395,73, and 213,48 mg g−1 for the Naphtol Green B and Acid Yellow 17 dyes, respectively, in binary system the adsorbed amounts decrease to 279,41, and 135,09 mg g−1 for the Naphtol Green B and Acid Yellow 17 dyes, respectively. This fact demonstrates the feasibility of a potential adsorption based process to treat dyed effluents, with amine modified MCM-41. Moreover, an antagonistic effect could be found in the binary dye solute.
Transduction of electromagnetic signals into biological effects: Accounts of kinetics and energetics

Abstract It is firmly established that very low energy electromagnetic fields pulsating at extremely low frequency influence a variety of biological phenomena. However, the mechanism of specific coupling of the signal with well identified biological and molecular or ionic entities is still unknown. In the search for such mechanistic information, one could benefit from the analysis of available kinetic and energetic data. Although one finds mention of a disproportion of at least 10 orders of magnitude between the small amount of energy put in by the signal and the extent of the biological effect, a detailed energetics balance has not yet been published. Among several, three introductory approaches may be considered: 1. the spectroscopic wave equation E = hf ; 2. the electrical energy equation E = Ult ; 3. the self-evident power 10 barrier in electric field between 10 −3 V/cm in the electromagnetic signal and 10 7 V/cm at the strongly electrified lipid water interface of biological membranes. Although the molecular and physical correlates of the electromagnetic coupling are not yet known, certain aspects of our analysis concur with the view that the signal works as a catalyst, which perturbs metastable equilibria so as to trigger a cascade of cooperative processes. The same analysis, however, opens new questions, which are now under investigation.
An Exploration of the Practice Orientations of Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Clinical Psychologists

ABSTRACT This study compares the similarities and differences of licensed clinical social workers and licensed clinical psychologists in a number of areas that include demographic characteristics, attitudes toward Medicaid, and their philosophical, theoretical, and political attitudes toward practice. The authors offei the implications of these findings for practice and policy.
Hypertension as a Risk Factor for Atherosclerosis

Hypertension represents an enormous health care burden in Western societies. Approximately 30% of the Western population and 70% of adults over 70 years of age are afflicted with this disease [1]. Another 30% of the population has prehypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure of 120–139 mm Hg, and these indi vid-uals commonly progress to have overt hyper-tension within 4 years [2]. While the overall prevalence of hypertension in the United States has remained constant over the past decade, its incidence in young adults (aged 18–39 years) has increased from 27.6% in 1999 to 49.1% in 2008. The overall annual healthcare cost of hypertension in the United States was recently estimated to be over $93.5 billion [3].The clinical sequelae of hypertension are largely related to end-organ insults including renal failure, stroke, myocardial hypertrophy, heart failure, and vascular disease. The vascular consequences of hypertension include alterations of vascular reactivity, vascular hypertrophy, fibrosis, dropout or rarefaction of smaller ves-sels, and a striking predilection to atheroscle-rosis. The mechanisms by which hypertension promotes atherosclerosis remain a matter of continued investigation. In this chapter, we will review the molecular, cellular, and hemodynamic factors that link hypertension with atheroscle-rosis and discuss future directions for research and potential therapeutic implications.
Existence of phase transitions in several molecular lattice gases

where H(~) is the generalized Hamiltonian for a configuration ~. H(~) contains the sum of the interaction energies of the molecules in configuration ~ minus the sum of their respective chemical potentials. In 1936 Peierls I gave a proof of the existence of a phase transition in the ferromagnetic Ising model, a model which was later shown by Yang and Lee 2 to be equivalent to a lattice gas with intermolecular attractions. The original Peierls argument was later made rigorous by Griffiths 3 and by Dobrushin. 4'5 One version of the argument goes as follows. If the border of a lattice A contains molecules in one ordered configuration, then regions within the border which contain molecules or vacant sites not consistent with the configuration at the border of A can be separated from the border by closed contours. Depending upon the model, a line segment, a segment of area, or an element of volume can be used as a contour segment. If N is the number of sites of A which are in the same ordered configuration ~ as is on the border of A, then
Social and psychological correlates of drug abuse. A comparison of addict and non-addict populations from the perspective of self-theory.

Abstract An examination of the literature relating to factors in the etiology of drug abuse suggests the value of an explanatory model based upon “self” theory. The results of a study comparing an addict group with a non-addict group were judged to be consistent with the following propositions: The social milieu of the addict increases the probability of experiences of interpersonal rejection and personal failure which are productive of a pervasive sense of self-devaluation; his environment is such that the potential addict is deprived of inner or external resources for effectively coping with his negative self-feelings or with the circumstances which produce them; lacking psychologically effective and socially acceptable defense mechanisms, and living in an environment which provides alternative and deviant adaptive modes, the individual is likely to adopt a deviant career; the consequences of this career are such that they reaffirm the sense of personal worthiness by stigmatizing the subject with a deviant identity thus reinforcing the need for deviant modes of adaptation. The study suggests the need for further verification of these hypotheses within the context of a longitudinal research design.
Gamow-Teller Strength Functions via (p,n) and the Ga Solar Neutrino Detector

The process of neutrino absorption or capture via inverse beta decay requires a transition in which a neutron in the ground state of the detecting nucleus is transformed into a proton and an electron is emitted. If the transition is an allowed ΔL = 0, spin-independent one, the total transition strength which is not Pauli-blocked will be concentrated in the isobaric analog state (the IAS) of the final nucleus [1]. This total Fermi (F) strength function is characterized by the sharp IAS resonance located significantly higher in energy than the initial state due to the coulomb energy difference. Expressing the Fermi strength B(F) in units such that B(F) = 1 for a free neutron, we have B(F) = N - Z = 9 assigned to the IAS in 71Ge. However, only neutrinos above a threshold energy of 9.18 MeV could be captured into this IAS, which in turn is above the 7.4 MeV particle-emission threshold in 71Ge. It is therefore apparent that the Fermi strength function is not relevant to detectable neutrino capture by the proposed 71Ga detector.
Products of Cycles and the Todd Class of a Toric Variety

The purpose of this paper is to show that the Todd class of a simplicial toric variety has a canonical expression in terms of products of torus-invariant divisors. The coefficients in this expression, which are generalizations of the classical Dedekind sum, are shown to satisfy a reciprocity relation which characterizes them uniquely. We achieve these results by giving an explicit formula for the push-forward of a product of cycles under a proper birational map of simplicial toric varieties. Since the introduction of toric varieties in the 1970s, finding formulas for their Todd class has been an interesting and important problem. This is partly due to a well-known application of the Riemann-Roch theorem which allows a formula for the Todd class of a toric variety to be translated directly into a formula for the number of lattice points in a lattice polytope (cf. [Dan]). An example of this application is contained in [Pom], where a formula for the Todd class of a toric variety in terms of Dedekind sums is used to obtain new lattice point formulas. Danilov [Dan] posed the problem of finding a formula for the Todd class of a toric variety in terms of the orbit closures under the torus action. Specifically, he asked if it is possible, given a lattice, to assign a rational number to each cone in the lattice such that given any fan in the lattice, the Todd class of the corresponding toric variety equals the sum of the orbit closures with coefficients given by these assigned rational numbers. Morelli [Mor] showed that such an assignment is indeed possible in a natural way if the coefficients, instead of being rational numbers, are allowed to take values in the field of rational functions on a Grassmannian of linear subspaces of the lattice. However, if it is required that the coefficients be rational numbers invariant under lattice automorphisms, such an assignment is clearly impossible. For example, the nonsingular cone a in 22 generated by (1, 0) and (0, 1) when subdivided by the ray through (1, 1) yields two cones a, and o2 which are both lattice equivalent to a. By additivity, a consequence of the fact that the Todd class pushes forward, we deduce that the coefficient assigned to a must equal 0, which is absurd. In this paper, we show that there is a canonical expression for the Todd class of a simplicial toric variety in terms of products of the torus invariant divisors. Furthermore, this expression is invariant under lattice automorphisms. That is, the coefficient of each product depends only on the set of rays with multiplicities
Suprascapular Nerve Entrapment at the Spinoglenoid Notch in a Professional Baseball Pitcher

Suprascapular nerve injuries at the spinoglenoid notch are uncommon. The true incidence of this lesion is unknown; however, it appears to be more common in athletes who participate in sports involving overhead activities. When a patient is being evaluated for posterior shoulder pain and infraspinatus muscle weakness, electrodiagnostic studies are an essential part of the evaluation. Electromyography will identify an injury to the suprascapular nerve as well as assist in localizing the site of injury. In addition, imaging studies are also indicated to help exclude other diagnoses that can mimic a suprascapular nerve injury. The initial management should consist of cessation of the aggravating activity along with an organized shoulder rehabilitation program. If the patient fails to improve with 6 months to 1 year of nonoperative management, surgical exploration of the suprascapular nerve should be considered. Release of the spinoglenoid ligament with resultant suprascapular nerve decompression may result in relief of pain and a return of normal shoulder function.
Momentum sum rule for the Bjorken scaling function in heavy-quark systems.

A sum rule for the first moment of the Bjorken scaling function, which describes inclusive decays of hadrons with heavy quarks, is presented. The sum rule is derived from the heavy-quark effective Lagrangian. As an illustrative example, the result is discussed in the context of the 't Hooft model.
Chronic daily headache and the revised international headache society classification.

Chronic daily headache (CDH) is surprisingly common. It is best defined as a primary headache disorder with head pain on most days. There are a number of possible secondary causes of persistent headache, including traumatic, vascular, neoplastic, and infectious processes, all of which must be ruled out when the patient with frequent headache is evaluated. However, most patients with CDH seem to have a primary neurophysiologic disorder. This category of primary CDH does not seem to be a homogeneous disorder, but rather one with important subtypes. Several authors have proposed subdivisions of primary CDH such as chronic migraine, evolved migraine, transformed migraine, chronic tension-type headache, new daily persistent headache, and hemicrania continua. The International Headache Society (IHS) Classification published in 1988 did not address CDH other than to define a category “chronic tension-type headache.rd The revised IHS Classification (ICHD II) attempts to characterize CDH more thoroughly with the addition of chronic migraine and new daily persistent headache diagnoses, but this complex issue continues to defy easy categorization. This article provides a review of thinking about the nature of primary CDH and how ICHD II attempts to organize this category for much needed research purposes.
Assessment of the ethanol withdrawal state in the rat by means of repeatedly elicited audiogenic seizures

This study explored the feasibility of using the probability and strength of elicited audiogenic seizures for assessing the severity of the withdrawal state of alcohol-addicted rats at various points in alcohol withdrawal. Results indicate that both seizure probability and seizure strength vary systematically and appropriately with time in withdrawal, with duration of prior alcoholization, and with diazepam treatment, but they are independent of the number of prior seizure tests that have been administered to a particular subject.
Neutrophils, differentiated macrophages, and monocyte/macrophage antigen presenting cells infiltrate murine epidermis after UV injury

We asked whether, as in humans, a population of antigen-presenting macrophages infiltrates the epidermis of ultraviolet (UV)-exposed BALB/c mice. Using three-color flow cytometry on cell suspensions plus in situ immunofluorescence microscopy, the phenotype of normal Langerhans cells was class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC+), CD11b+, NLDC-145+, BM8+ CD45+ and homogeneous. By contrast, in epidermal cells harvested 3 d following UV (UV-EC), there were two subsets of class II MHC+ cells: 1) class II MHChi CD11b+, and 2) class II MHClo CD11b-. Neither expressed the Langerhans cell markers BM8 and NLDC-145. In addition, there were two major populations of class II MHC- CD11b+ cells; half of these expressed the GR-1 neutrophil marker. Langerhans and dendritic epidermal T cells were markedly reduced after UV injury. By electron microscopy, immunomagnetic bead-purified CD11b+ cells in UV-EC were comprised of neutrophils, differentiated macrophages, and mononuclear cells with prominent lysosomes, but no Birbeck granules; the class II MHC+ subset resembled a monocytic cell in between differentiated macrophages and indeterminate dendritic cells. Functionally, immediately following in vivo UV exposure, the allogeneic antigen-presenting cell capacity of UV-EC was reduced to 21 +/- 6% of control epidermal cells (C-EC); by 3 d, antigen-presenting cell activity of UV-EC had recovered to 59 +/- 11% of C-EC, although at this time NLDC-145+ Langerhans cells had reached their lowest number. The recovered antigen-presenting cell activity was critically dependent upon the class II MHChiCD11b+ cells. Sensitization of BALB/c mice through skin that contained these antigen-presenting cells (3 d after UV) resulted in tolerance to dinitrofluorobenzene. By contrast, sensitization through UV-exposed skin immediately after the exposure resulted in unresponsiveness without tolerance, demonstrating temporal association of tolerance with leukocytic infiltration. In summary, murine epidermis responds to an acute UV injury in vivo with an initial abrogation of antigen-presenting activity followed by epidermal infiltration with neutrophils, differentiated macrophages, and monocytic antigen-presenting cells that are distinct from Langerhans cells with regard to expression of Langerhans cell markers and ultrastructure.
Late Cenozoic sedimentation in California Continental Borderland basins as revealed by seismic facies analysis

The California Continental Borderland began to form during late Miocene time. Only the latest Miocene and younger sediments are ponded in the contemporary basins. Upper Miocene strata are characterized by widespread diatomaceous deposits that conformably drape all of the underlying topographic irregularities. The Pliocene-Quaternary sediments occur as flat-lying ponded clastic sequences that fill the contemporary basins. A seismic facies analysis has defined facies patterns in the Pliocene-Quaternary basin-fill sequences of each basin. In the offshore basins (Patton, Tanner, Santa Cruz, and San Nicolas), fine-grained mass-flow and hemipelagic sediments derived from the local insular sources dominate the basin-fill sequences. Santa Catalina Basin is a transitional basin filled with fine-grained turbidites and hemipelagic sediments derived from both continental and local insular sources. The nearshore basins (Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, and San Pedro Basins and San Diego Trough) are filled by thick sequences of continental sediments that form prominent deep-sea fans. The borderland was dominated by biogenic pelagic sedimentation in the late Miocene and by detrital-sediment-gravity-flow deposition in the Pliocene and Quaternary. Accumulation rates estimated from Pliocene-Quaternary sediment thickness for each basin show that in the offshore basins, as well as in San Diego Trough, rates have remained fairly constant since the Pliocene. In contrast, the nearshore basins exhibit an increasing rate of accumulation versus time that is related to the progradation of continent-derived sediments. Outer- and intermediate-basin accumulation data indicate decreasing contributions with time from offshore highs because of erosion and regional subsidence. Intermediate basins show an increase in mass-wasting deposits (slope facies) with time, which is the result of increasing fine-suspension slope deposition and eventual failure.
Is reduction of tumor burden sufficient for the 21st century

Currently, animal models are used to test the efficacy of tumor treatment. A significant reduction of tumor mass is lauded as great improvement. As we begin the 21st century, one wonders if this is sufficient and acceptable for cancer treatment. Although the presence of cancer stem cell (CSCs) is not a new phenomenon, their role in the initiation of the tumor for clinical resurgence is mostly ignored when testing drugs. The current treatment then poses a major limitation to aggressively target the cells most responsible for tumor initiation and resurgence. The review does not trivialize the problem since it is acknowledged that the tumors and cells within the tissue microenvironment would interact through complex mechanisms. It is quite possible that the interaction by CSCs and the microenvironment will vary, depending on the tissue, e.g., bone marrow versus brain. Research studies are needed to investigate if CSCs from the same organ differ after migrating to other tissues. If so, this will pose an economic dilemma for targeted drug development. It will not be feasible to develop drugs for each organ. Besides, the cost, there could be problems to effectively deliver the drugs to all organs, problems to assess drug distribution to particular tissues and toxicity for specific drugs. If multiple drugs are required to eradicate CSCs in different tissues, there is a problem of possible untoward effect for the simultaneous delivery of multiple drugs to a single cancer patient. As new drugs are developed, the investigators will need to pay attention for dedifferentiation of non-CSCs to CSCs. The metabolic pathways will have to be given equal attention as the stem cells genes since their pathways might show major differences rather than the stem cells genes, which are shared by the normal stem cells.
Striking a balance in communicating pharmacogenetic test results: promoting comprehension and minimizing adverse psychological and behavioral response.

Abstract Objective Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing can provide information about a patient's likelihood to respond to a medication or experience an adverse event, and be used to inform medication selection and/or dosing. Promoting patient comprehension of PGx test results will be important to improving engagement and understanding of treatment decisions. Methods The discussion in this paper is based on our experiences and the literature on communication of genetic test results for disease risk and broad risk communication strategies. Results Clinical laboratory reports often describe PGx test results using standard terminology such as ‘poor metabolizer’ or ‘ultra-rapid metabolizer.’ While this type of terminology may promote patient recall with its simple, yet descriptive nature, it may be difficult for some patients to comprehend and/or cause adverse psychological or behavioral responses. Conclusion The language used to communicate results and their significance to patients will be important to consider in order to minimize confusion and potential psychological consequences such as increased anxiety that can adversely impact medication-taking behaviors. Practice implications Due to patients’ unfamiliarity with PGx testing and the potential for confusion, adverse psychological effects, and decreased medication adherence, health providers need to be cognizant of the language used in discussing PGx test results with patients.
The Future of the IMF and the World Bank

The Bretton Woods sisters, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (henceforth the World Bank) and the Inter? national Monetary Fund (IMF), were set up in 1944. The original purpose of the former was to help post-World War II reconstruction; the purpose of the latter was to help revive global trade while averting the "beggar-thy-neighbor" exchange rate policies that characterized the interwar years. Over the years, the World Bank has refocused on helping poor countries grow, while the Fund broadly attempts to foster coun? try policies that ensure macroeconomic stabil? ity and limit adverse spillovers to the rest of the world. It still is in the world's self-interest to reduce
The distribution of pollen in the surface sediments of Lake Malawˆi, Africa, and the transport of pollen in large lakes

Abstract Fifty-four surface sediment samples from Lake Malawˆi and twelve from its catchment were analyzed to determine the patterns of pollen and spore distribution and transport to and within the lake. Riverine input of pollen and spores is important, particularly around river deltas, and the spore to pollen ratio decreases with distance from river inflows. High pollen concentrations in the middle of the lake probably result from a lack of clastic sediment input. The primary transport vector differs among pollen types. Pollen of Gramineae and montane forest taxa (e.g. Podocarpus and Olea) seem to be primarily wind transported, whereas pollen of evergreen forest taxa (e.g. Macaranga, Myrica and Mimusops), woodland taxa (e.g. Brachystegia, Uapaca, and Acacia), Typha and Cyperaceae seem to be transported primarily by water. As a result of variation in transport vectors, no single pollen source area can be defined for the pollen spectra in the lake sediments: it is likely that vegetation types in the catchment are represented to different degrees in different parts of the lake and vegetational variations in the catchment are reflected in the lake only at the coarsest scale. This conclusion is supported by detrended correspondence analysis. Because of the lack of a definable geographical relationship between pollen source areas and distribution patterns of pollen in the surface sediments in the lake, multivariate statistical techniques calibrated to local, habitat-level pollen samples are not valid in large lakes and marine systems.
Postoperative hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy for Graves' disease.

Background: It is believed that patients who undergo thyroidectomy for Graves' disease are more likely to experience postoperative hypocalcemia than patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for other indications. However, no study has directly compared these two groups of patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an increased incidence or severity of postoperative hypocalcemia in patients who underwent thyroidectomy for Graves' disease. Methods: An institutional review board-approved database was created of all patients who underwent thyroidectomy from 1998 to 2009 at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. There were a total of 68 patients with Graves' disease who underwent surgery. Fifty-five patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were randomly selected and served as control subjects. An analysis was conducted that examined potential covariates for postoperative hypocalcemia, including age, gender, ethnicity, preoperative alkaline phosphatase level, size of goiter, whether parathyroid ti...
Initial clinical experience with an erbium:YAG laser for vitreoretinal surgery

Purpose We tested the efficacy of an erbium:YAG laser for maneuvers in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery. Methods An erbium:YAG laser equipped with a flexible fiberoptic and interchangeable 20-gauge endoprobes of various tip configurations ranging from 100 to 365 μm was used for specific maneuvers in 13 patients referred for vitreoretinal surgery for diabetic traction detachment, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, retinal detachment with posterior break, and epimacular membrane. The following maneuvers were performed: (1) transection of elevated vitreous membranes, (2) incision of epiretinal membranes, (3) drainage and relaxing retinotomy, (4) transection of subretinal membranes, (5) noncontact ablation of epiretinal membranes in air-filled eyes, (6) ablation of lens remnants, (7) posterior capsulotomy, (8) iris surgery, and (9) retinal vascular coagulation. Results Forty-eight defined maneuvers were performed with energy levels ranging from 0.2 to 5.0 mJ and repetition rates of 2 to 30 Hz. Transection of elevated membranes, subretinal membranes, and retinotomies were easily performed. Fourteen incisions into vascularized epiretinal membranes in diabetic traction detachment surgery demonstrated a fine margin of coagulation that permitted hemostatic incision. Retinal breaks were created during one of these incisions. Lens remnant ablation, posterior capsulotomy, and iris tissue removal were successful, with a single complication consisting of damage to the posterior surface of an intraocular lens during a pars plana posterior capsulotomy accomplished by means of a side-firing probe. Epiretinal membrane ablations in air-filled eyes were effectively performed in a gradual fashion without hemorrhage. Conclusions The erbium:YAG laser offers precise and effective tissue cutting and removal in vitreoretinal maneuvers. Further study will determine the role of this technology in vitreoretinal surgery.
Intracellular trafficking of adeno-associated viral vectors

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has attracted considerable interest as a gene therapy vector over the past decade. In all, 85% of the current 2052 PubMed references on AAV (as of December 2004) have been published in the last 10 years. As researchers have moved forward with using this vector system for gene delivery, an increased appreciation for the complexities of AAV biology has emerged. The biology of recombinant AAV (rAAV) transduction has demonstrated considerable diversity in different cell types and target tissues. This review will summarize the current understanding of events that control rAAV transduction following receptor binding and leading to nuclear uptake. These stages are broadly classified as intracellular trafficking and have been found to be a major rate-limiting step in rAAV transduction for many cell types. Advances in understanding this area of rAAV biology will help to improve the efficacy of this vector system for the treatment of inherited and acquired diseases.
Low-temperature specific heat of the metallic glasses Fe x Ni 8 0 − x P 14 B 6 with x = 0 , 20 , 40 , 60 , 80

The specific heat of amorphous ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{80\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{P}}_{14}{\mathrm{B}}_{6}$ (for $x=0,20,40,60,80$) has been measured between 0.6 and 30 K. The dependence of ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{D}(0)$, ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{D}(T)$, and $N({E}_{F})$ on composition has been determined. In addition the paramagnetic sample ($x=0$) has a large temperature-independent contribution to the specific heat. The ferromagnetic samples ($x=40,60,80$) have spin-wave terms consistent with the results of M\"ossbauer and neutron-diffraction studies. The specific heat of the $x=20$ alloy shows an enhanced linear contribution as well as an exponential contribution at low temperatures raising questions as to its magnetic state.
Critical stimulus durations for some verbal and nonverbal stimuli.

Summmy.-Durations of stimulus exposures in visual backward masking are determined with reference to critical stimulus durations. These are defined as the minimum, undisrupted, durations of exposure for 100% accuraq for a predetermined number of trials. These durations are shown to vary 'both within and between classes of stimuli for 10 normal adults with a mean age of 26.40 yr. The verbal stimuli employed (letters of the alphabet) were significantly easier to discern than the nonverbal stimuli (arrows). Although some letters were more readily identified than others, differences were not significant. The results suggest that type of stimuli, nature of response, and the ease with which stimuli can be discerned be considered in the selection of target stimuli for experiments using masking. Visual backward masking, a relatively new, experimental technique, has been used successfully with such diverse groups as schizophrenics, retarded persons, and the geriatric population to assess the speed of visual information processing (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7). The durations of stimulus exposure employed in backward masking are usually determined with reference to the Critical Stimulus Duration, defined as the minimum, undisrupted, duration of stimulus exposure for 100% accuracy for a predetermined number of trials (5). The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether the durations for symmetric letters such as "A and "T," which have previously been employed, differ from those for arrows, which are currently being employed by some (D. L. Braff & D. P. Saccuzzo, 1982, personal communication) as alternatives. Seven women and three men, with a mean age of 26.40 yr. (SD = 4.22) participated in the experiment. Selection of subjects was random and not restricted for age so as to permit broader generalization. There was no history of neurologic or psychiatric problems among subjects. All had at least 20/20 visual acuity (corrected or uncorrected). A Gerbrands GI135 four-field tachistoscope was employed for stimulus presentation. Stimuli were Futura Bold 14-point (approximately 0.4 cm. in length) uppercase letter black paratype, mounted in the center of white cards. Four groups of stimuli were employed-A's and Ts, A's and V's, M's and W's, and vertical arrows pointing up or down. The arrows were 0.5 un. in length, with a wing span of 0.3 cm. Stimuli were selected for symmetry to avoid difficulties in mirror-imaging in the tachistoscope. Within each stimulus group, there were equal numbers of each symbol randomly arranged. Luminance of the stimulus field was set ar 5.8 cd/m2. Luminance of the fixation field was set at 0.5 cd/m2. Following 10 practice trials, subjects were asked to report which of two stimuli had been presented. A forced-choice paradigm was employed. Critical stimulus durations were obtained by exposing target stimuli for 1 msec., and increasing the duration by 1-msec. increments for each incorrect response, until nine consecutive stimuli were
Wittgenstein, Korsgaard and the Publicity of Reasons

AbstractIn The Sources of Normativity (Korsgaard, Christine. The Sources of Normativity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996), Christine Korsgaard tried to argue against what she called the ‘privacy’ of reasons, appealing to Wittgenstein's argument against the possibility of a private language. In recent work she continues to endorse Wittgenstein's perspective on the normativity of meaning, although she now emphasizes that her own argument was only meant to be analogous to the private language argument. The purpose of the present paper is to show that the Wittgensteinian perspective is not only not useful in support of Korsgaard's general project, but that it is positively inimical to it, in two ways. First, Wittgenstein opposes views on which principled or rule-following behavior requires that one be guided by anything like a mental representation of a rule or principle. But for Korsgaard, human action essentially requires this. Second, Wittgenstein systematically attempts to de-emphasize the imp...
Emerging Strategies for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

IASP Press, Seattle, WA, USA 2006 J. N. Campbell, A. I. Basbaum, A. Dray, R. Dubner, R. H. Dworkin, and C. N. Sang (eds.) Pages: 514; indexed; illustrated Price: $80 ISBN: 0-931092-61-2 Neuropathic pain is a complex entity, not only clinically but also physiologically, when one begins to examine the abundance of pain generators, receptors, mediators, neurons, and pathways involved. Emerging Strategies for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain is an excellent comprehensive in-depth report examining the multitude of physiologic factors that make likely therapeutic targets. The book evolved from a novel conference held in April 2005 fashioned after the “Dahlem” style conferences in Germany. These conferences are characterized by fairly strict sequestration of the participants without access to the outside world (i.e., email or cell phones) in order to create an intense scholarly environment. In this environment, an interdisciplinary cast of scholars spent 5 days examining the complexities of neuropathic pain physiologic processes to guide targeted therapies. The financial support for the conference and its participants was provided by a collection of pharmaceutical companies. The sections of …
Effects of [1-desamino-8-D-arginine]vasopressin and papaverine on rabbit renal pelvis

The effects of [1-desamino-8-D-arginine]vasopressin (DDAVP) (V2 receptor agonist) and papaverine on four continuous circular smooth muscle strips in rabbit renal pelvis were studied by an isometric tension recording methods. DDAVP suppressed spontaneous contractions in a dose-dependent and region-dependent way. Papaverine suppressed these contractions in a dose-dependent way simultaneously in all four portions. These results suggest that there may be distribution differences of V2 receptors in the renal pelvis. Together with its anti-diuretic action, DDAVP may merit consideration for the treatment of renal colic.
Grasped object stiffness detection for adaptive force control of a prosthetic hand

A force controller and an adaptive controller are presented for a prosthetic hand. The adaptive controller modulates the force feedback gain based on the detected stiffness of the grasped object. The results from benchtop experiments indicate statistically significant improvements in the system response when using the adaptive controller as well as a reduction of oscillatory behavior.
Copolymerization of 1,6‐anhydroglucose and 1,6‐anhydromaltose derivatives

The copolymerization of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-(p-methyl-benzyl)-β-D-glucopyrnose [TXGL, M1] with 1,6-anhydro-2,3-di-O-benzyl-4-O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranose [HBMA, M2] has been studied as a method of producing dextrans of controlled composition with a linear backbone and randomly distributed single glucose units as side chains. Copolymers of intrinsic viscosities ranging from 0.51 to 0.05 dl/g are produced. The copolymerization appears to follow classical copolymerization theory but is affected adversely by the low reactivity of the maltose derivative. Reactivity ratios have been calculated for runs catalyzed by 10 mole-% and 20 mole-% phosphorus pentafluoride (PF5): r1 = 1.91 ± 0.35, r2 = 0.28 ± 0.25 and r1 = 2.21 ± 0.15, r2 = 0.21 ± 0.10, respectively.