cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined inhibition of glycolysis and AMPK induces synergistic breast cancer cell killing

Targeting glycolysis for cancer treatment has been investigated as a therapeutic method but has not offered a feasible chemotherapeutic strategy. Our aim was to examine whether AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a conditional oncogene, rescues the energetic stress and cytotoxicity induced by 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), a glycolytic inhibitor, and the related mechanisms. Luciferin/luciferase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) determination, Western analysis, qRT-PCR analyses, MTT growth assay, clonogenic assay, and statistical analysis were performed in this study. 2-DG decreased ATP levels and subsequently activated AMPK, which contribute to intracellular ATP recovery in MCF-7 cells thus exhibiting no apparent cytotoxicity. Compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, further potentiates 2-DG-induced decrease in ATP levels and inhibits their recovery. 2-DG, via AMPK activation, stimulated cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and activity and promoted nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1-beta (PGC-1β) and estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) protein expression, leading to augmented mitochondrial biogenesis and expression of fatty acid oxidation (FAO) genes including PPARα, MCAD, CPT1C, and ACO. This metabolic adaptation elicited by AMPK counteracts the ATP-depleting and cancer cell-killing effect of 2-DG. However, 2-DG in combination with AMPK antagonists or small interfering RNA caused a dramatic increase in cytotoxicity in MCF-7 but not in MCF-10A cells. Similarly, when combined with inhibition of CREB/PGC-1β/ERRα pathway, 2-DG saliently suppressed mitochondrial biogenesis and the expression of FAO genes, depleted ATP production, and enhanced cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Collectively, the combination of 2-DG and AMPK inhibition synergistically enhanced the cytotoxic potential in breast cancer cells with a relative nontoxicity to normal cells and may offer a promising, safe, and effective breast cancer therapeutic strategy.
Multiple Sclerosis and Rheumatic Disease

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Initial presentations of MS typically occur between ages 20 and 40 and include symptoms such as monocular visual impairment, double vision, numbness, paresthesias, or weakness. Fatigue, cognitive impairment, and bowel/bladder symptoms are also common. The pathologic hallmark of the disease is the presence of glial scars (or sclerosis) in the CNS. MS is diagnosed on the basis of clinical findings and supporting evidence from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ancillary tests such as evoked potentials and lumbar puncture are not routinely performed but aid in diagnostic evaluation.
Individual predictions matter: Assessing the effect of data ordering in training fine-tuned CNNs for medical imaging

We reproduced the results of CheXNet with fixed hyperparameters and 50 different random seeds to identify 14 finding in chest radiographs (x-rays). Because CheXNet fine-tunes a pre-trained DenseNet, the random seed affects the ordering of the batches of training data but not the initialized model weights. We found substantial variability in predictions for the same radiograph across model runs (mean ln[(maximum probability)/(minimum probability)] 2.45, coefficient of variation 0.543). This individual radiograph-level variability was not fully reflected in the variability of AUC on a large test set. Averaging predictions from 10 models reduced variability by nearly 70% (mean coefficient of variation from 0.543 to 0.169, t-test 15.96, p-value < 0.0001). We encourage researchers to be aware of the potential variability of CNNs and ensemble predictions from multiple models to minimize the effect this variability may have on the care of individual patients when these models are deployed clinically.
Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) [Book Review]

Richard Heeks (Ed.), Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D). Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 2018, 410 pp, US$ 25.38. ISBN 9781138101807 (Hardcover)/9781138101814 (Paperback).
Low-temperature synthesis of 2D anisotropic MoTe2 using a high-pressure soft sputtering technique

We demonstrate a high-pressure soft sputtering technique that can grow large area 1T′ phase MoTe2 sheets on HOPG and Al2O3 substrates at temperatures as low as 300 °C. The results show that a single Mo/Te co-sputtering step on heated substrates produces highly defected films as a result of the low Te sticking coefficient. The stoichiometry is significantly improved when a 2-step technique is used, which first co-sputters Mo and Te onto an unheated substrate and then anneals the deposited material to crystalize it into 1T′ phase MoTe2. A MoTe2−x 1T′ film with the lowest Te vacancy content (x = 0.14) was synthesized using a 300 °C annealing step, but a higher processing temperature was prohibited due to MoTe2 decomposition with an activation energy of 80.7 kJ mol−1. However, additional ex situ thermal processing at ∼1 torr tellurium pressure can further reduce the Te-vacancy (VTe) concentration, resulting in an improvement in the composition from MoTe1.86 to MoTe1.9. Hall measurements indicate that the films produced with the 2-step in situ process are n-type with a carrier concentration of 4.6 × 1014 cm−2 per layer, presumably from the large VTe concentration stabilizing the 1T′ over the 2H phase. Our findings (a) demonstrate that large scale synthesis of tellurium based vdW materials is possible using industrial growth and processing techniques and (b) accentuate the challenges in producing stoichiometric MoTe2 thin films.
Hematopoietic stem cells from pluripotent stem cells: Clinical potential, challenges, and future perspectives.

The generation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is an active and promising area of research; however, generating engraftable HSCs remains a major obstacle. ex vivo HSC derivation from renewable sources such as iPSCs offers an experimental tool for studying developmental hematopoiesis, disease modeling, and drug discovery, and yields tremendous therapeutic potential for malignant and nonmalignant hematological disorders. Although initial attempts mostly recapitulated yolk sac primitive/definitive hematopoiesis with inability to engraft, recent advances suggest the feasibility of engraftable HSC derivation from iPSCs utilizing ectopic transcription factor expression. Strategic development for de novo HSC generation includes further investigations of HSC ontogeny, and elucidation of critical signaling pathways, epigenetic modulations, HSC and iPSC microenvironment, and cell-cell interactions that contribute to stem cell biology and function.
Current Promises and Limitations of Combined Virtual Reality and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research in Humans: A Commentary on Huffman and Ekstrom (2019).

Real-world navigation requires movement of the body through space, producing a continuous stream of visual and self-motion signals, including proprioceptive, vestibular, and motor efference cues. T...
Testing coyotes in an object choice task following a human gesture

Interspecific communication is often studied by determining a species ability to respond to human gestures. Results emerging from pet versus free-roaming domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) elucidate ...
Analyzing Energy and Mobility Impacts of Privately-owned Autonomous Vehicles

The majority of research analyzing autonomous vehicle impacts focuses on an automated, connected, electrified, and shared future. Yet, conventional private vehicle ownership and its convenience can shape a future in which autonomous vehicles (AVs) are privately-owned. Such a future would bring in a wide range of impacts on traffic flow, overall transportation system performance, energy consumption characteristics, and travel demand. In this study, we present an optimization model framework coupled with a transportation simulation tool and assess energy and mobility implications under a variety of partial-and full-automation scenarios with different costs and states of the technology assumptions. We demonstrate that private AVs significantly influence the regional traffic congestion of a test area (Bloomington, Illinois) with a 74% increase in vehicle hours traveled (VHT) and 66% and 87% increase in fuel consumption under low and high technology adoption scenarios, respectively. However, we find that introducing $0.10 taxation per mile unoccupied travel could mitigate the influence by reducing VHT and fuel consumption 13% and 15-20%, respectively.
Deep Learning Prediction of Biomarkers from Echocardiogram Videos

Abstract Laboratory blood testing is routinely used to assay biomarkers to provide information on physiologic state beyond what clinicians can evaluate from interpreting medical imaging. We hypothesized that deep learning interpretation of echocardiogram videos can provide additional value in understanding disease states and can predict common biomarkers results. Using 70,066 echocardiograms and associated biomarker results from 39,460 patients, we developed EchoNet-Labs, a video-based deep learning algorithm to predict anemia, elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), troponin I, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and abnormal levels in ten additional lab tests. On held-out test data across different healthcare systems, EchoNet-Labs achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80 in predicting anemia, 0.82 in predicting elevated BNP, 0.75 in predicting elevated troponin I, and 0.69 in predicting elevated BUN. We further demonstrate the utility of the model in predicting abnormalities in 10 additional lab tests. We investigate the features necessary for EchoNet-Labs to make successful predictions and identify potential prediction mechanisms for each biomarker using well-known and novel explainability techniques. These results show that deep learning applied to diagnostic imaging can provide additional clinical value and identify phenotypic information beyond current imaging interpretation methods.
Initiation and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy among urban, insured American Indian/Alaska Native breast cancer survivors

BACKGROUND It has been shown that racial/ethnic disparities exist with regard to initiation of and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET). However, the relationship among American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals is poorly understood, particularly among those who reside in urban areas. We evaluated whether AET initiation and adherence were lower among AIAN individuals than those of other races/ethnicities who were enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente of Northern California (KPNC) health system. METHODS We identified 23,680 patients from the period 1997 to 2014 who were eligible for AET (first primary, stage I-III, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer) and used KPNC pharmacy records to identify AET prescriptions and refill dates. We assessed AET initiation (≥1 filled prescription within 1 year of diagnosis) and AET adherence (proportion of days covered ≥80%) every year up to 5 years after AET initiation. RESULTS At the end of the 5-year follow-up period, 83% of patients were AET initiators, and 58% were AET adherent. Compared with other races/ethnicities, AIAN women had the second-lowest rate of AET initiation (non-Hispanic Black [NHB], 78.0%; AIAN, 78.6%; Hispanic, 83.0%; non-Hispanic White [NHW], 82.5%; Asian/Pacific Islander [API], 84.7%), the lowest rate of AET adherence after 1 year and 5 years of follow-up (70.3% and 50.8%, respectively), and the greatest annual decline in AET adherence during the 4- to 5-year period of follow-up (a 13.8% decrease in AET adherence [from 64.6% to 50.8%]) after initiation of AET. In adjusted multivariable models, AIAN, Hispanic, and NHB women were less likely than NHW women to be AET adherent. At the end of the 5-year period, total underutilization (combining initiation and adherence) in AET-eligible patients was greatest among AIAN (70.6%) patients, followed by NHB (69.6%), Hispanic (63.2%), NHW (58.7%), and API (52.3%) patients, underscoring the AET treatment gap. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that AET initiation and adherence are particularly low for insured AIAN women.
Methamphetamine Overdose Deaths in the US by Sex and Race and Ethnicity.

This cross-sectional study examines the extent to which methamphetamine overdose deaths vary by sex and race and ethnicity in the US.
Implementation and Assessment of a Novel Telehealth Education Curriculum for Undergraduate Medical Students

IntroductionDespite its healthcare advantages and expanded use during the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth is not included in many medical school curricula.MethodsIn this prospective mixed methods study (n=52), we created a novel Telehealth Education Curriculum (TEC) for the third year Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) rotation at New York Medical College during COVID-19. The TEC included supervised telehealth patient encounters via video conference [and a virtual Objective Structured Clinical Encounter (vOSCE)] designed to simulate a telehealth encounter (Zoom Video Communications, Inc.). We measured student perceptions of theTEC via two 4-point Likert surveys, which included free response questions, administered via SurveyMonkey between April and June 2020. Participation was voluntary and responses were deidentified. We computed means and response distributions across survey questions using SPSS; IBM version 19.ResultsThe response rate was 92% for both the Telehealth (33/36) and vOSCE (48/52) surveys. Seventy-six percent (25/33) strongly or moderately agreed that telehealth and in-person patientencounters have similar educational value. Eighty-three percent (40/48) strongly or moderately agreed the vOSCE provided a valuable patient interaction. Ninety-seven percent (32/33) stronglyor moderately agreed the telehealth encounters should continue during COVID-19 restrictions versus 82% (27/33) agreeing they should be incorporated into the curriculum post COVID-19.ConclusionAlmost all students responded that the TEC should continue during COVID-19 and most agreed it should be incorporated into the Ob/Gyn clerkship permanently, after COVID-19. We found vOSCEs to be an effective method for teaching telehealth to medical students. Key challenges identified by students included adjusting to a virtual format, lack of body language, and communicating empathy virtually. Positive takeaways included practice with telemedicine and an opportunity for continued clinical education during COVID-19.
Resource allocation method of agricultural information cloud platform based on packet cluster mapping

Limited by the resource characteristics of the agricultural information cloud platform, the existing resource allocation methods have higher energy consumption when the user density is high. Therefore, a resource allocation method based on cluster mapping is proposed for the agricultural information cloud platform. Based on the technology of cluster mapping, the resource allocation framework of agricultural information cloud platform is constructed, and then the dormancy allocation of cluster resources is proposed, and the coordination and optimization of resource allocation among clusters are carried out. The simulation results show that the resource allocation method of agricultural information cloud platform based on cluster mapping has good robustness and can reduce energy consumption.
Atypical Antipsychotics : From Bench to Bedside

Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs: Theories of Mechanism of Action Scott Filippino and John G. Csernansky Probing the "Receptorsome" Unveils the Receptor Pharmacology of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs Bryan L. Roth Neurophysiological Effects of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs Patricio O'Donnell Behavioral Models of Atypical Antipsychotic Drug Action in Rodents Mark E. Bardgett Metabolic Regulation and Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs Pierre Chue The Nosology of Psychosis: Schizophrenia, Affective Psychotic Disorders, and Drug-Induced Psychotic Disorders John Lauriello Acute Efficacy of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs Steve Marder Long-Term Efficacy of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs Robert Conley Assessing the Effects of Atypical Antipsychotics on the CNS Utilizing Neuroimaging Juan Bustillo Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs in Children and Adolescents Peter Buckley Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs for the Treatment of Affective Disorders Martha Sajatovic New Approaches to Drug Development Donald C. Goff Index
Cognition and Entrepreneurship: One View of the Entrepreneurial‐Expertise Approach

Since its beginnings in 1994, the entrepreneurial-expertise view of entrepreneurial cognition has evolved along a developmental pathway similar to the one mapped by the critical-thinking hierarchy now known as Bloom's Taxonomy. Under this framework, entrepreneurial-expertise research can be seen first to focus on knowledge and comprehension, then later upon application and analysis, and more-recently upon synthesis and evaluation. In this article, I track this developmental trajectory through the lens of my own research stream (as requested by the Editors). Three primary periods of research are analyzed and summarized: (1) knowledge and comprehension-focused: 1994–1999; (2) application and analysis-focused: 2000–2005; and synthesis and evaluation-focused: 2006 – to date of publication. I also suggest three possible future directions for entrepreneurial-expertise-based research: (1) incorporation of the dynamic view of entrepreneurial cognition into more fine-grained general cognitive explanations; (2) linkage of this stream to opportunity creation research; and (3) the exploration of a dynamic view of entrepreneurial expertise, in particular. I conclude, that on the basis of this research stream, entrepreneurial-expertise research contributes to explanations of why some but not others become entrepreneurs, and why entrepreneurial achievement varies across individuals. Keywords: entrepreneurial expertise; entrepreneurial cognition; transaction cognition theory
The ALARM Monitoring System: A Case Study with two Probabilistic Inference Techniques for Belief Networks

ALARM (A Logical Alarm Reduction Mechanism) is a diagnostic application used to explore probabilistic reasoning techniques in belief networks. ALARM implements an alarm message system for patient monitoring; it calculates probabilities for a differential diagnosis based on available evidence. The medical knowledge is encoded in a graphical structure connecting 8 diagnoses, 16 findings and 13 intermediate variables. Two algorithms were applied to this belief network: (1) a message-passing algorithm by Pearl for probability updating in multiply connected networks using the method of conditioning; and (2) the Lauritzen-Spiegelhalter algorithm for local probability computations on graphical structures. The characteristics of both algorithms are analyzed and their specific applications and time complexities are shown.
Is informed consent for extracorporeal life support even possible

Because of their serious medical conditions and the nature of the treatments, patients who are candidates for extracorporeal life support may not be able to give properly informed consent for the treatment.
Philosophical meditations on Zen Buddhism

1. Textuality: the 'dependent origination' of Huang Po 2. Reading: the practice of insight 3. Understanding: the context of enlightenment 4. Language: the sphere of immediacy 5. Rhetoric: the instrument of meditation 6. History: the genealogy of mind 7. Freedom: the practice of constraint 8. Transcendence: 'going beyond' Huang Po 9. Mind: the 'Great Matter'of Zen 10. Enlightenment: the awakening of mind Conclusion: Zen in theory and practice.
The mass culture of Porphyridium cruentum.

Abstract A study was made of the effect of temperature, detention period, light intensity, and salinity on the growth rate and over-all light energy conversion efficiency of Porphyridium cruentum cultured on a medium consisting of concentrated sea water and sewage enriched with urea, chelated iron, and other additives. It was found that the optimal temperature was within the range of 21 to 26 C. Growth was retarded at temperatures less than 13 C, and completely inhibited above 31 C. Over-all light energy conversion efficiency increased from 2.24% at the 4-day detention period to 2.76% at the 10-day period. Conversion efficiency ranged from 5.8% at a light energy absorption rate of 8.2 cal:liter:min to 2.3% at 35 to 39 cal:liter:min. At salt concentrations less than 3.5%, Porphyridium could not successfully compete with other algae in open cultures. Salt concentrations as high as 4.6% had no inhibitory effect on its growth. In studies on nutrition, it was found that growth on a medium of salts used in formulating synthetic sea water dissolved in sewage was equal to that on a control medium consisting of concentrated sea water and sewage (see above). They showed that sewage contains a substance or substances essential for optimal growth. Vitamin B12 alone could not substitute for it.
A re-examination of the BeOH2 complex

Abstract Ab initio molecular orbital calculations using large basis sets and Moller—Plesset perturbation theory to fourth order have been used to re-examine the BeOH 2 complex. The potential energy surface is found to have inner and outer minima separated by a barrier of about 2 kcal/mol. The inner minimum (BeO distance of 1.74 A) has a well-depth of about 1 kcal/mol and the outer minimum (BeO distance of about 3.2 A) has a well-depth of about 0.5 kcal/mol.
Retrieving Positive Freedom and Why It Matters

Freedom has fallen out of favor in contemporary political philosophy. The reasons for this are certainly complex: among them, the increased attention paid to theories of justice and democracy that has displaced the narrower focus on liberty; and politically, the egregious misuse of the notion of liberty or freedom by figures like former President George W. Bush, along with the triumph (until very recently) of neoliberalism and its emphasis on “free markets,” which have pushed alternative notions of freedom to the sidelines. Additionally, the growing recognition of the need to take seriously other cultures and their diverse theoretical perspectives, with the greater emphasis they tend to place on the values of community and of social interdependence, may have contributed to the marginalization of discussions of individual liberty and its various interpretations. Given the centrality of freedom to political thought, however, it is helpful to revisit the notion of freedom on the occasion the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Isaiah Berlin’s “Two Concepts of Liberty,” and to consider the contemporary significance of this conception.
Stressors and coping mechanisms associated with perceived stress in Latinos.

Objective : To evaluate the relationship between causes of perceived stress and the coping mechanisms used by Latino adults with perceived stress. Design, Setting, Participants: This crosssectional survey was conducted on a convenience sample of 200 Latino adults (aged > 18 years). They were recruited from clinics, migrant camps, community events, and churches located in Charleston, S.C. This survey included questions regarding causes of perceived stress, perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale 10), coping mechanisms (Brief COPE), and depression (Perceived Health Questionnaire 9). Measures: High perceived stress (PSS > 15) was the primary outcome measure. Coping mechanisms and stressors were secondary outcomes. Results: Most (92%) of the sample was born outside the United States, and 66% reported high perceived stress. Stressors associated with high perceived stress included discrimination ( P =.0010), lack of insurance ( P =.0193), health problems (P5.0058), and lack of money ( P= .0015). The most frequently utilized coping mechanisms were self-distraction (54.77%), active coping (69.85%), positive reframing (56.78%), planning (63.82%), acceptance (57.87%), and religion (57.79%). Latinos with higher perceived stress were more likely to report discrimination (OR: 3.401; 95%CI 1.285–9.004) and health problems (OR: 2.782; 95%CI 1.088–7.111) as stressors, and to use denial as a coping mechanism (OR: 2.904; 95%CI 1.280–6.589). Conclusion: An increased prevalence of perceived stress among the Latinos evaluated in this study was associated with using denial as a coping mechanism, and encountering discrimination and health problems as sources of perceived stress. Most individuals responded to stressors by utilizing a variety of both adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms. ( Ethn Dis. 2015;25[1]:78–82)
GlideScope vs. C-MAC for Awake Upright Laryngoscopy

Abstract Background Combining video laryngoscopy with awake upright intubation may provide an alternative modality of endotracheal intubation (ETI) that avoids pitfalls associated with traditional ETI. Objective We compared laryngoscopic views and time intervals between the GlideScope (GVL) and C-MAC video laryngoscopes using a face-to-face technique in awake, upright volunteers. Methods We performed a prospective, randomized, crossover study performing awake upright laryngoscopy on healthy volunteers. Under local anesthesia, participants had awake upright laryngoscopy performed by a resident and attending physician, both operating GVL and C-MAC in random order. We recorded times to first view of the glottis and best view of the glottis, percentage of glottic opening (POGO) score, Cormack-Lehane grade, and number of attempts needed to visualize the glottis. Results We enrolled 26 subjects, 10 male and 16 female (mean age of 31.9 years). GVL had shorter time to first view of the glottis than the CMAC (median 7 s; interquartile range [IQR]: 6.5–18 s vs. 9 s; IQR: 8–13; p = 0.005). However, time to best view of the glottis was similar between devices (GVL 10.25 s; IQR: 8.5–15 s; CMAC 13 s; IQR: 10–16 s; p = 0.238). GVL had higher POGO median scores (61.25; IQR: 45.5–87.5) compared to C-MAC (5; IQR: 2.5–20.5) ( p p = 0.001). Number of attempts were similar across devices (median 1; IQR, 1–1.5) for both GVL and C-MAC ( p = 0.764). Conclusions GlideScope provides superior views to C-MAC in awake upright laryngoscopy in healthy volunteers.
Relative contributions of mercury bioavailability and microbial growth rate on net methylmercury production by anaerobic mixed cultures

Monomethylmercury (MeHg) is produced in many aquatic environments by anaerobic microorganisms that take up and methylate inorganic forms of Hg(II). Net methylation of Hg(II) appears to be correlated with factors that affect the activity of the anaerobic microbial community and factors that increase the bioavailability of Hg(II) to these organisms. However, the relative importance of one versus the other is difficult to elucidate even though this information can greatly assist remediation efforts and risk assessments. Here, we investigated the effects of Hg speciation (dissolved Hg and nanoparticulate HgS) and microbial activity on the net production of MeHg using two mixed microbial cultures that were enriched from marine sediments under sulfate reducing conditions. The cultures were amended with dissolved Hg (added as a dissolved nitrate salt) and nanoparticulate HgS, and grown under different carbon substrate concentrations. The results indicated that net mercury methylation was the highest for cultures incubated in the greatest carbon substrate concentration (60 mM) compared to incubations with less carbon (0.6 and 6 mM), regardless of the form of mercury amended. Net MeHg production in cultures exposed to HgS nanoparticles was significantly slower than in cultures exposed to dissolved Hg; however, the difference diminished with slower growing cultures with low carbon addition (0.6 mM). The net Hg methylation rate was found to correlate with sulfate reduction rate in cultures exposed to dissolved Hg, while methylation rate was roughly constant for cultures exposed to nanoparticulate HgS. These results indicated a potential threshold of microbial productivity: below this point net MeHg production was limited by microbial activity, regardless of Hg bioavailability. Above this threshold of productivity, Hg speciation became a contributing factor towards net MeHg production.
The action of a carminative on the lower esophageal sphincter.

The effect of essence of peppermint on the lower esophageal sphincter was studied manometrically in 27 subjects. In 25 subjects, within 1 to 7 min following the introduction of the peppermint, a decrease in intrasphincteric pressure was noted. When intrasphincteric pressure approximated intragastric pressure, there was an increase in intraesophageal pressure to levels to that recorded from the stomach, indicating a relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and the establishment of esophageal reflux.
Drawing as an investigation of perception.

DRAWING AS AN INVESTIGATION OF PERCEPTION Nicholas Croghan April 7, 2008 My recent work juxtaposes dualities such as natural/artificial, macro/micro, instantaneous/changing, and conscious/unconscious. As a process oriented artist, I enjoy creating tactile, illusionistic surfaces by building translucent layers through calligraphic gestures. This includes drawings on stone, mushrooms, wood panel, and paper using silverpoint, copperpoint, prismacolor, acrylic, ink, watercolor, graphite, charcoal, tusche, clay, eggshells, coffee, and tea. From afar, the background washes appear random and chaotic, but as one approaches intricate details engage the curious in multiple surprises. The silverpoint, which will tarnish and darken over time, is most evident against the white gesso ground as synthesized forms representing images the viewer can interpret in a myriad of ways. These visual combinations of opposites can be seen as mechanical animals, artificial skeletal joints, or more conceptually as a mirror for the logical aspect of consciousness operating in the act of interpretation. The representational elements serve as a form of traction for the logical mind to enter into the nonobjective and find a relaxed state not unlike in meditation. These springboard images are furthermore derived from mechanical devices such as pulley systems, camming devices, tackles, ancient knots that can equalize or provide mechanical advantages, and finally a
Reducing Recidivism in Adolescent Sexual Offenders by Focusing on Community Reintegration

The effect residential treatment outcomes have on recidivism rates for children and adolescents lack attention in the research literature. More importantly, literature is scant as it pertains to community reintegration for adolescent sexual offenders who are discharged from residential treatment programs to community based treatment services. This reintegration process will further build self-esteem and a sense of belonging, thus reducing the likelihood of adolescent sexual offenders isolating from their peer group, becoming frustrated with finding their place in society, and consequently relying on criminal behaviors as a social outlet. Many of the young male adolescent sexual offenders report feeling isolated from their peer group; most internalized phobias and feelings associated with societal labels and stereotypes about individuals who commit sexual crimes. Other important information collected during the qualitative interview process included the adolescent feelings associated with family conflict. ...
Why No Red Tide Was Observed on the West Florida Continental Shelf in 2010

Abstract Over the past two decades, the two most anomalous years for water properties on the west Florida continental shelf were 1998 and 2010. In both instances, the shelf was ventilated by relatively cold, nutrient-rich waters of deep ocean origin, which reset the background state underlying shelf ecology. The ventilation in both of these years derived from prolonged interactions of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current with the shelf slope near the Dry Tortugas located on the southwest corner of the shelf. By contacting relatively shallow isobaths, the boundary current interactions there set the entire shelf into motion, facilitating upwelling across the shelf break, even to DeSoto Canyon some 500 km away, and then across the shelf to the near shore. Such prolonged and intense upwelling of nutrient-rich water in 2010 contrasted with the more typically occurring locally wind driven upwelling conditions, whereby waters upwelled at the near shore are from the inner shelf, versus the deep ocean. Thus not all upwelling scenarios have similar consequences. Whereas the typical wind driven upwelling scenario is necessary for Karenia brevis red tide blooms to manifest along the coastline, the rarer, deep ocean induced upwelling scenario (as occurred in 1998 and particularly in 2010) acts to suppress K. brevis red tides because of the elevated inorganic nutrient conditions that they facilitate. Hence, minimal cell counts above background were observed in 1998, and no cell counts above background were observed in 2010. We conclude that the lack of red tide along the west coast of Florida in 2010 was due to anomalously large and protracted upwelling of nutrient-rich waters of deep ocean origin caused by Loop Current and eddy interactions with the shelf slope.
Spacing of faults at the scale of the lithosphere and localization instability: 2. Application to the Central Indian Basin

(1) Tectonic deformation in the Central Indian Basin (CIB) is organized at two spatial scales: long-wavelength (� 200 km) undulations of the basement and regularly spaced faults. The fault spacing of order 7-11 km is too short to be explained by lithospheric buckling. We show that the localization instability derived by Montesi and Zuber (2003) provides an explanation for the fault spacing in the CIB. Localization describes how deformation focuses on narrow zones analogous to faults. The localization instability predicts that localized shear zones form a regular pattern with a characteristic spacing as they develop. The theoretical fault spacing is proportional to the depth to which localization occurs. It also depends on the strength profile and on the effective stress exponent, ne, which is a measure of localization efficiency in the brittle crust and upper mantle. The fault spacing in the CIB can be matched by ne �� 300 if the faults reach the depth of the brittle- ductile transition (BDT) around 40 km or ne �� 100 if the faults do not penetrate below 10 km. These values of ne are compatible with laboratory data on frictional velocity weakening. Many faults in the CIB were formed during seafloor spreading. The preexisting faults near target locations separated by the wavelength of the localization instability were preferentially reactivated during the current episode of compressive tectonics. The long- wavelength undulations may result from the interaction between buckling and localization. INDEX TERMS: 8010 Structural Geology: Fractures and faults; 8020 Structural Geology: Mechanics; 8159 Tectonophysics: Evolution of the Earth: Rheology—crust and lithosphere; KEYWORDS: faults, Central Indian Basin, fault spacing, folds, strength envelope, diffuse plate boundary
Evaluation of timestamp-based concurrency control mechanisms incorporating livelock avoidance

Abstract A simulation model of a distributed database system is defined; it is then used to analyze the behavior of various concurrency control mechanisms based on timestamp ordering. The model can reflect different network configurations, different data distribution/replication schemes, and different users' activity characteristics. Various concurrency control algorithms are accepted, and their relative performance can be compared. This model is used to show that the standard transaction restart policy used by time-stamp-based algorithms leads to infinite cyclic restarts of transactions. To remedy this problem, three alternative restart techniques are defined and are formally shown to guarantee the absence of cyclic restarts. Simulation is used to determine the relative advantages of the resulting robust concurrency control mechanisms.
Speculations on the ataxia-telangiectasia defect

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is inherited as an monogenetic autosomal recessive disease. Ataxia appears around 1 year of age and progresses until the patient becomes wheelchair-bound, usually by age 10. This progress correlates with deterioration of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. Sinopulmonary infections are common in patients from some countries but not others. One-third of the patients develop a neoplasm, usually lymphoid, sometime during their shortened lives. Conventional doses of radiation therapy for such cancers are contraindicated since A-T patients are hypersensitive to ionizing radiation. Five complementation groups have been described, based on correction of radioresistant DNA synthesis of fused fibroblasts from pairs of patients. Chromosomal translocations are found in 5-10% of peripheral T cells from most patients and the translocation breakpoints involve sites of normal somatic DNA rearrangement. Thus, the A-T gene(s) effects several cell lineages, suggesting that it is a "housekeeping" gene. Other speculations on "candidate genes" are considered. Recent progress localizing A-T to chromosome 11q23 is reviewed.
Study of helix-coil transition of DNA by dielectric constant measurement.

The thermal helix–coil transition of DNA was studied by means of dielectric constant measurements. The dielectric dispersion of native helical DNA is characterized by a large dielectric increment and a large relaxation time, whereas that of denatured coil DNA is characterized by a small dielectric increment and a small relaxation time. The dielectric dispersion of partially denatured DNA is of particular interest. At the intermediate stage of the helix–coil transition, dispersion curves which are different from either that of helix DNA or that of coil DNA appear. This is particularly pronounced for large DNA. This indicates the presence of an intermediate form of DNA. Flow birefringence measurements were carried out simultaneously. The negative birefringence of helical DNA diminishes as the helix–coil transition proceeds. However, the extinction angle remains constant, as long as it can be measured. These results indicate the absence of intermediate forms during the helix–coil transition. The discrepancy between dielectric and birefringence measurements can be resolved by assuming that the intermediate forms are not birefringent. The size distribution of native DNA and of the indicated intermediate form of DNA was studied. It is found that a logarithmic normal distribution function explains the distribution of size of DNA reasonably well.
Effectiveness of mentor training of elementary colleague teachers

This study reports the results of one phase of a project, funded in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation, which was designed to make hands-on science the predominant mode of instruction in the elementary schools of a large metropolitan district. A two-part questionnaire was developed and administered as a pretest/posttest focusing on the effectiveness of mentor/colleague inservice workshops. Results indicated significant changes in teachers' beliefs about teaching science, their understanding of the nature of science, the type of instruction they used in teaching science, and their anxiety toward science teaching as a result of workshop participation.
Managerial Moral Strategies—In Search of a Few Good Principles

The goal of this article is to help managers, students, and scholars contend with moral business problems by urging efforts to develop an adequate “managerial moral strategy.” Integrative social contract theory (ISCT) is arguably the most promising candidate available, but a critical analysis reveals a shortcoming: it lacks sufficient moral content. Alleviating this weakness requires the formulation of the moral principles applicable to management. Doing so will elevate the usefulness and the influence of ISCT and the business ethics enterprise generally.
Factors affecting success of equine embryo transfer

Summary The production of a live foal via embryo transfer is dependent upon collection of a viable embryo, transfer of the embryo into an appropriate recipient and successful establishment and maintenance of a pregnancy within the recipient. Several factors have been identified that affect embryo recovery. These include age of embryo, reproductive status of the donor and number of detected ovulations. Pregnancy rates have been shown to be influenced by the method of transfer, the technician involved, the time of year, the age and size of embryo and the synchrony of donor and recipient. Data on each of these factors as they affect embryo recovery and transfer are presented and discussed.
Subaortic Membrane in the Adult

A 47-year-old white woman with a history of congestive heart failure and aortic stenosis had been admitted to an outside hospital several times within the preceding few weeks with multiple episodes of congestive heart failure. An echocardiogram performed at the outside facility was reported to depict severe aortic stenosis. She was transferred to the University of Chicago for aortic valve replacement. On arrival, she had mild dyspnea on exertion, …
The effect of ligation on tanning in the larva of a tachinid parasite, Lespesia archippivora

Abstract When single ligations are made behind the brain of third instar larvae of Lespesia archippivora , subsequent tanning occurs posterior to the ligations. Double-ligated larvae only exhibit tanning posterior to the second ligature (from the anterior end). This suggests that ecdysone may be produced and/or secreted from an area in the abdominal region of the larva. This hypothesis as well as neural inhibition of puparium formation is discussed in the light of the results obtained in this study.
Detection of low-density cell-surface molecules using biotinylated fluorescent microspheres

Biotinylated fluorescent microspheres have been developed as a reagent for studying antigens and receptors expressed at the cell surface. Labeling of antigen or receptor was accomplished by crosslinking biotinylated microspheres through streptavidin to corresponding biotinylated antibodies or ligands. Detection of labeled cells by flow microfluorimetry provided an extremely sensitive means for the analysis and potential manipulation of heterogeneous cell populations. The data indicate that cells bearing fewer than 200 surface antigen-antibody complexes per cell are readily detectable by this approach. Crosslinked to a selected biotinylated peptide immunogen, biotinylated fluorescent microspheres also allowed the labeling and detection of hybridoma cells bearing antigen-specific surface immunoglobulin.
Cytotoxicity of alveolar macrophages for virus-infected cells.

MANY studies have emphasised the importance of cell-mediated immunity in virus infections1–4 and this has been measured in vitro by leukocyte-mediated killing of virus-infected target cells5–8. Although several investigators have concluded that the active cells in vitro are specifically sensitised T lymphocytes6,9, a similar activity for peritoneal macrophages has been suggested5. The role of alveolar macrophages in virus infections of the respiratory tract has, however, received little attention. Therefore, in a study of immunity to respiratory disease of cattle, the activity of cells washed from the lungs was investigated. This report describes experiments demonstrating the ability of such cells to kill parainfluenza virus-infected cells.
Fluidized-bed enrichment of marine ammonia-to-nitrite oxidizers and their ability to degrade chloroaliphatics

Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria from marine sediment (Puget Sound, WA) were selectively enriched in a fluidized-bed system (FBS). The enrichment culture converted ammonia stoichiometrically to nitrite. During continuous feed, steady-state ammonia removal was 0.20 mmol/l/h. In a batch fed FBS, at an initial 3.4 mM ammonia concentration, ammonia removal rate was 12 mmol/h/g protein. The enrichment culture degraded cis-1,2-dichloroethene, trichloroethene, methylene chloride and chloroform. Allylthiourea, a specific ammonia monooxygenase inhibitor, prevented degradation suggesting catalysis by nitrifiers. Other compounds, including 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 4-mono-, 2,4,6-trichloro-, 2,3,4,6-tetrachloro-, and pentachlorophenol were not removed. Immunofluorescence assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods showed that the enrichment culture contained a marine Nitrosomonas species. Extracted DNA from the culture was amplified using 16s rRNA PCR primers designed for the autotrophic ammonium oxidizers of the β-subgroup including marine Nitrosomonas spp., but not with primers designed for Nitrosococcus oceanus. Transmission electron micrographs of the enrichment culture showed bacteria with internal membranes that were similar to those of Nitrosomonas.
Rota’s umbral calculus and recursions

Umbral Calculus can provide exact solutions to a wide range of linear recursions. We summarize the relevant theory and give a variety of examples from combinatorics in one, two and three variables.
Identification of a new C3 structure and evidence for the coexistence of two (benzene)13 cluster isomers in free jet expansions: A Monte Carlo study

Low-temperature Monte Carlo computations have been carried out to investigate minimum-energy structures of the (C6H6)13 cluster. The simulations have identified a new cluster structure of C3 symmet...
Critical issues in chemotherapy with tiazofurin.

Abstract Some of the current critical issues in the tiazofurin treatment of end-stage leukemia were presented and discussed. 1. 1.|Tiazofurin infusions (daily × 10 to 15) provided remissions in 50% of end-stage leukemic patients. The remissions, of 1 to 10 months' duration, varied from antileukemic effect or hematologic improvement to complete response and complete remission. The total survival of the responding patients was from about 1 to 15 months. 2. 2.|Our administration of tiazofurin in a 60-min infusion by pump decreased the incidence and severity of toxicity. 3. 3.|It was shown that tiazofurin dose does not need to be escalated at each relapse. Depending on the biochemical and hematological response in this novel protocol, 2,200 to 4,400 mg/m2 tiazofurin appeared to be sufficient to provide remissions. 4. 4.|A new role was identified for allopurinol, originally given to decrease uric acid in the plasma. Allopurinol markedly increased plasma hypoxanthine concentrations which competitively inhibited the activity of the salvage enzyme, guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, in the blast cells. Thus, the elevated hypoxanthine plasma levels inhibited guanine salvage. To maintain high hypoxanthine levels allopurinol (100 mg) was given every 4 to 6 hr. This provided combination chemotherapy with tiazofurin which inhibited IMP dehydrogenase activity and blocked the de novo biosynthesis of guanylates in the blast cells. 5. 5.|Preliminary evidence was obtained in the patients that tiazofurin induced differentiation of the bone marrow. Recent studies also showed that tiazofurin down-regulated the expression of the c-Ki-ras oncogene in K562 erythroleukemic cells. Therefore, tiazofurin treatment provides an impact by chemotherapy, induced differentiation, and, if applicable, through down-regulation of the ras oncogene. 6. 6.|Novel aspects of tiazofurin treatment include rational targeting and a continuously monitored trial by measurement of the activity of IMP dehydrogenase and of GTP and TAD concentrations in blast cells and of tiazofurin and hypoxanthine in plasma. 7. 7.|Since tiazofurin has not yet achieved lasting remissions in patients nor terminal differentiation of leukemic cells it probably will be advantageous to combine tiazofurin with other drugs to provide synergism. In preclinical tissue culture studies in HL-60 cells synergy was observed with retinoic acid. This may be of interest because retinoic acid also caused differentiation and down-regulation of the myc oncogene.