cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the Use of Telemedicine in Endocrinology Clinic

The COVID-19 pandemic changed patient-physician interaction. As the need to reduce COVID-19 transmission, many clinic providers have converted their in-person visits to video or phone visits. Our endocrinology clinic initiated tele visits early on when the pandemic had just started. Telemedicine may help with patient’s compliance by decreasing various burdens. Some studies show that patients and providers hope telemedicine will continue after the crisis. In this study we evaluated benefits and challenges of telemedicine in our endocrinology clinic. Patients who had a telemedicine endocrinology visit after informed consent were surveyed on 10 questions regarding benefits and limitations of the tele visits compared to the clinic visit. Patient also responded if they want to continue with telehealth after COVID-19 pandemic. Providers also were surveyed about the benefits and limitations of telemedicine and responded if they want to continue with telemedicine after pandemic. We also analyzed no-show rate from January 2020 through May 2020 for 6 weeks before and after the implementation of telemedicine. Among 109 patients who were interviewed 65% declared that they would like to continue with telemedicine after pandemic. Total of 42% of patients prefer video visit and 37% prefer phone calls. Among Interviewers 45% report benefit of spending less time, however 54% stat the time of meeting, itself was about the same. 54% believe they spent less money with telemedicine. 37% of interviewers report no limitation for telehealth while 25% report connection difficulty. 63% of patients state they do not have any difficulty traveling to the hospital. 90% of the patients declare all their question and concerns were responded and 77% stated the quality of care with telemedicine is almost the same via clinic visit. Among providers 75% want to continue telehealth after COVID-19 pandemic. 50% of providers mention patient satisfaction and 25% notice time saving as benefits. 46% of the providers mention lack of physical exam and 40% mention technology connection as the limitation for video visit. 60% of providers believe lack of exam is the limitation of phone visit. 87% of the providers believe the quality of care via phone is not like in clinic visit while 75% of the providers believe the quality of care is similar in video visit compare to in clinic visits. No show rate decreased from 30% to 27% after the implementation of telemedicine in 6 weeks prior and after pandemic. Endocrinology clinic has significant number of patients who need long term close follow up for medication adjustments, symptom checks and counseling. Given patients and providers satisfaction rate, telemedicine can be incorporated as part of regular clinic visits after the Covid crisis ends. Telehealth can be more efficient for both patients and providers but there are challenges which needs to be addressed.
Pre-existing geriatric conditions in older adults with poor prognosis cancers.

12044Background: Older adults with poor prognosis cancers are more likely to experience toxicity from cancer-directed therapies. Although geriatric assessment (GA) reduces chemotherapy toxicity by ...
Abstract LB229: Environmentally-induced epigeneticinheritance of cancer: Paternal exposure to pesticides induces intergenerational programming of breast cancer predisposition via sperm small RNAs

Background: DNA sequence accounts for the majority of disease heritability, including cancer. However, it is becoming clear that environmentally-induced epigenetic inheritance of disease can also occur. Epidemiological studies have shown that parental exposure to the pesticide DDT and other environmental toxicants is associated with increased tumor development, particularly breast cancer, in offspring. Here, we tested whether paternal exposure to DDT could lead to intergenerational increase in breast cancer development using a mouse model. We also investigated the mechanisms of intergenerational transmission.Methods: Male mice (c57bl/6) were exposed to DDT or to a control-vehicle (CO) solution and used for sperm collection or mating with unexposed females to produce the DDT or CO daughters. In another experiment, normal mouse embryos (zygote stage) were injected with purified sperm RNAs or synthetic miRNA-10b and implanted into surrogate mothers to produce RNA-injected offspring. DDT daughters or RNA injected females were used to study breast cancer development (carcinogen-induced or orthotopic models) and metabolic parameters. Paternal sperm was used for RNA-seq analysis and miRNA expression levels. Results: Pre-conception paternal DDT exposure altered the sperm small non-coding RNA load, with an increase in miRNAs and a specific surge in miRNA-10b levels. DDT offspring weighed less at birth and at weaning, but became overweight and showed metabolic dysfunction in adulthood compared to CO. DDT daughters also showed increased mammary tumorigenesis, developing more aggressive tumors that grew faster than in CO. This tumor phenotype was linked to suppression of the AMPK energy sensing pathway and mTOR activation in mammary tissues. Remarkably, embryonic injection of purified DDT sperm RNA or synthetic miRNA-10b recapitulated the mammary gland and tumor phenotypes observed in DDT daughters. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between paternal DDT exposure and breast cancer in offspring. Paternal DDT-induced programming of breast cancer development in daughters is mechanistically linked to sperm RNAs and, more specifically, miRNA-10b. The impact of DDT and other endocrine disrupting chemicals on sperm and programming of breast and other cancers in offspring needs to be evaluated in humans. Citation Format: Raquel Santana Da Cruz, Hong Cao, Camile C. Fontelles, Apsra Nasir, Alexandra K. Gonsiewski, M. Idalia Cruz, Lu Jin, Sonia de Assis. Environmentally-induced epigeneticinheritance of cancer: Paternal exposure to pesticides induces intergenerational programming of breast cancer predisposition via sperm small RNAs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr LB229.
A Diversity Outbred F1 mouse model identifies host-intrinsic genetic regulators of response to immune checkpoint inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have improved outcomes for a variety of malignancies; however, many patients fail to benefit. While tumor-intrinsic mechanisms are likely involved in therapy resistance, it is unclear to what extent host genetic background influences response. To investigate this, we utilized the Diversity Outbred (DO) and Collaborative Cross (CC) mouse models. DO mice are an outbred stock generated by crossbreeding 8 inbred founder strains, and CC mice are recombinant inbred mice generated from the same 8 founders. We generated 207 DOB6F1 mice representing 48 DO Dams and demonstrated that these mice reliably accept the C57BL/6 syngeneic B16F0 tumor and that host genetic background influences response to ICI. Genetic linkage analysis from 142 mice identified multiple regions including one within chromosome 13 that associated with therapeutic response. We utilized 6 CC strains bearing the positive (NZO) or negative (C57BL/6) driver genotype in this locus. We found that 2/3 of predicted responder CCB6F1 crosses show reproducible ICI response. The chromosome 13 locus contains the murine prolactin family, which is a known immunomodulating cytokine associated with various autoimmune disorders. To directly test whether prolactin influences ICI response rates, we implanted inbred C57BL/6 mice with subcutaneous slow-release prolactin pellets to induce mild hyperprolactinemia. Prolactin augmented ICI response against B16F0, with 5/8 mice exhibiting slowed tumor growth relative to controls. This study highlights the role of host genetics in ICI response and supports the use of F1 crosses in the DO and CC mouse populations as powerful cancer immunotherapy models. One Sentence SummaryUsing germline genetic analysis in Diversity Outbred and Collaborative Cross models, we identify prolactin as a host-intrinsic regulator of response to combined immune checkpoint inhibitors.
The Racial Roots of the Federal Administrative State

This brief essay, part of a 2020 symposium on Race and Administrative Law, locates the roots of today’s administrative state in the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. The implementation of that law laid the foundations of nearly all of modern U.S. administrative law.
Are racial/ethnic minorities recently diagnosed with diabetes less likely than white individuals to receive guideline-directed diabetes preventive care?

Background Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, the burden of disease is divided unevenly among different populations. Racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes care are pervasive, including the provision of care for prevention of complications. Prevention efforts should be focused on the time that immediately follows a diagnosis of diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess racial/ethnic differences in the receipt of guideline-directed diabetes care for complication prevention by individuals recently diagnosed with diabetes. Methods We used repeated cross-sections of individuals recently diagnosed with diabetes (within the past 5 years) from the National Health Interview Survey from 2011 to 2017. Multivariate regression was used to estimate the associations between race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic) and guideline-directed process measures for prevention of diabetes complications (visits to an eye and foot specialist, and blood pressure and cholesterol checks by a health professional - each in the prior year). We assessed effect modification of these associations by socioeconomic status (SES). Results In a sample of 7,341 participants, Hispanics had lower rates of having any insurance coverage (75.9 %) than Non-Hispanic Whites (93.2 %) and Blacks (88.1 %; p Conclusions Hispanics recently diagnosed with diabetes were less likely to receive some indicators of guideline-directed care for the prevention of complications. Lack of insurance and SES may partially explain those differences. Future work should consider policy change and providers' behaviors linked to racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes care.
Measuring the Effect of Oil Viscosity on Oil Film Thickness in Engine Journal Bearings

The minimum oil-film thickness in the front main bearing of a 3.8 L, V-6 engine was measured at 3,000 r/min, and 140 N.m using an electrical resistance technique. For a series of seven Newtonian, single-grade oils, film thickness correlated with oil viscosity measured either in a kinematic or in a high-shear-rate viscometer. For a series of fifteen polymer-containing, non-Newtonian, multigrade oils, however, no single measure of viscosity adequately correlated with film thickness for all of the oils. By eliminating four multigrade oils from the combined single and multigrade data sets, it was possible to correlate film thickness to the viscosity (of the remaining multigrade and Newtonian oils) measured at 150 deg C and 500,000/s, conditions which are believed to be representative of temperatures and shear rates in bearing oil films. Possible explanations for the lack of correlation with the entire set of twenty-two oils are discussed.
Periodic States in the Constrained Equilibrium of Vicinal Nb (011) Miscut along [100]

At a temperature of 1700 K the Nb (011) vicinal surface miscut along $[100]$ is observed by low energy electron microscopy to be almost ideal, with single step edges of unit height. Below 1560 K, step edges coalesce to form a surface entirely of ${110}$ facets. In between these temperatures we observe states in which facets and dissociated steps alternate, to form periodic structures. For a simplified model these states form a stable phase in the constrained equilibrium of the vicinal surface.
A Constructivist Critique of the Assumptions of Instructional Design

Any analysis of constructivism is difficult because there is a great range of ideas and a great variety of theoretical positions whose proponents call “constructivist”. The idea that is common to all these flavors of constructivism is that students construct knowledge for themselves. The divergence of opinion among constructivists arises from differences in perception of the instructional implications of this basic tenet. For some, knowledge construction requires little more than the addition of coaching or help systems to traditional instructional strategies. For others who take a more radical position, knowledge construction implies that each of us knows the world in a different way, that there is therefore no shared objective world to teach about, and that consequently instructional analysis and prescription make no difference to what and how students learn. I must also point out that there is great diversity in the opinions and theoretical stances of instructional designers. These range from hard-core behaviorism to a cognitive orientation which, adopting the same tenet of knowledge construction, coincides with the position of “moderate” constructivists, as Merrill (1991) has pointed out. Only at their extremes are the positions of constructivists and instructional designers truly adversarial.
Drosophila kinesin minimal motor domain expressed in Escherichia coli : purification and kinetic characterization

A truncated motor domain of the alpha subunit of Drosophila kinesin was obtained by expression in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity in the presence of MgATP. This domain (designated DKH340) extends from the N terminus to amino acid 340. The isolated protein contains a stoichiometric level of tightly bound ADP and has a low basal rate of ATP hydrolysis of 0.029 +/- 0.002 s-1 in the absence of microtubules. The rate of release of bound ADP is 0.026 +/- 0.003 s-1. The approximate equality of the ADP release rate and the steady state ATPase rate indicates that ADP release is the rate-limiting step in ATP hydrolysis in the absence of microtubules. The rate of ATP hydrolysis is stimulated 3000 fold-by addition of microtubules (MT) (kcat = 80 s-1; KMT0.5,ATPase = 160 nM for half-saturation of the ATPase rate by microtubules at saturating ATP levels; KMT0.5ATPase = 43 microns for half-saturation of the ATPase rate by ATP at saturating microtubule levels). Binding of DKH340 to MTs is biphasic in the presence of adenosine 5-(beta-gamma-imido)t-riphosphate. One DKH340 binds tightly per tubulin heterodimer, but greater than one DKH340/tubulin heterodimer can be bound at higher ratios of DKH340/microtubules. In the presence of MgATP, KMT0.5,Binding for physical binding of DKH340 to microtubules is weaker than KMT0.5,ATPase for stimulation of hydrolysis. These results are consistent with a model in which DKH340 cycles on and off the microtubule during hydrolysis of each ATP molecule. For this model, the kcat/KMT0.5,ATPase ratio of 5 x 10(8) M-1 s-1 is at least as large as the bimolecular rate constant for association with microtubules, and this value approaches the diffusion controlled limit. Nucleotide-free DKH340 can be produced by gel filtration in the absence of Mg2+, but it reforms tightly bound ADP slowly in the presence of MgATP (t1/2 > or = 10 min), and thus it is likely to be in a conformational state which is not produced during steady state ATP hydrolysis.
Identities of Migration in French-Speaking African Cinema

The focus of my presentation will be on the theme of migration in French-speaking African cinema. Ever since its beginnings with Sembenes first feature film La Noire de , African filmmakers have consistently addressed the questions of home, migration, emigration and immigration at multiple levels. I will first discuss West African filmmaking as migratory, and diasporic, since over the years, African filmmakers have been seeking to secure the funds for film production primarily in the West, and their films have often been circulating in Western film festivals and market before their exhibition at home. I will continue my analysis of the themes of migration, home, and the diasporic subject in films such as Sembenes La Noire de (1966), Mambetys Touki Bouki (1973) and Hyenas (1992), Tenos Clando (1996), Nganguras Pieces didentite (1998); my analysis will also outline the critical reappraisal of post-independence, and postcolonial investigations of migratory subject through the film narrative. These investigations that deeply characterize the first four decades of French-speaking African cinema opened new areas of focus on subjectivity for the filmmakers in the 21st century.
Defining the information security posture: an empirical examination of structure, integration and managerial effectiveness

The discipline of information security management is still in its infancy as evidenced by the lack of empirical scholarly work in this area. Most research within the information security domain focuses on specific technologies and algorithms and how it impacts the principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. But, an important area receiving little attention is the antecedents of effective information security management at the organizational level (Stanton, Guzman, Stam & Caldera, 2003). The little empirical research that has been conducted in this area has shown that information security management in many organizations is poor (Baskerville, 1993; Shimeall & McDermott, 1999). Several researchers have identified the need for methods to measure the organization-wide information security posture of organizations (Eloff & Von Solms, 2000; James, 1996). This dissertation attempts to measure the organization-wide information security posture by examining benchmark variables that assess role, planning orientation, and performance structure within the organization. Through this conceptualization of an organization’s information security posture, a means is presented to measure overall information security and how it impacts the effective utilization of information security strategies. The presence of the dependent variable, effectiveness, gives academics and practitioners a success measure which can guide more effective decision making in the information security domain. An additional aim of this dissertation is to empirically examine the influence of management practices and decisions on effective use of information security strategies within the organization. The issues of centralization versus decentralization of information security activities will be evaluated along with its impact on information security posture of organizations and the effectiveness of the organization’s information security strategies. Data was collected from 119 IT and information security executives. Results show that how the organization structures information security activities is not correlated with more effective utilization of information security strategies. Meanwhile, the organization’s information security posture is significantly correlated with more effective utilization of information security strategies. The implications of this research is discussed.
Conformation, stability and interactions of the neurotrophins and the low-affinity neurotrophin receptor.

The neurotrophins are a family of small dimeric proteins involved in the development and survival of neurons in vertebrate nervous systems. At the time this project began, information pertaining to the structure of the neurotrophins and their receptor was limited to the primary structure and association of NGF as a noncovalent homodimer and the receptor sequence. With the availability recombinant expression systems for NGF and the extracellular domain of its low affinity receptor (RED), additional information was required for evaluating the structure of these proteins. Thus, thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies were initiated to provide additional information on the structure and interactions of the neurotrophins and RED. Chemical and thermal equilibrium denaturation studies were found consistent with two-state models for the denaturation of the dimeric neurotrophins (N{dollar}{bsol}sb2{dollar} = 2D) and monomeric RED (N = D). Conformational stabilities of NGF and RED were calculated from denaturation curves based on the two-state models. Denaturation studies were also applied to recombinant and chemically derived variants of NGF and revealed significant differences between the stability and folding of NGF and other members of the neurotrophin famil y. Circular dichroism (CD) measurements were made to estimate the secondary structures present in the neurotrophins and RED and to determine if conformational change accompanies the binding of the neurotrophins to RED. Differences in the CD spectra associated with the different neurotrophins were observed, but these spectra were consistent with proteins composed predominantly of {dollar}{bsol}beta{dollar}-sheet secondary structure. RED exhibited an unusual CD spectrum similar to the random coil signal of protonated polylysine, or the deconvoluted {dollar}{bsol}beta{dollar}-turn signal. Finally, binding of the neurotrophins to RED was accompanied by altered CD spectra, indicating that conformational changes accompany binding of the neurotrophins to their low affinity receptor. Receptor cross-linking competition assays were used to demonstrate that receptor occupancy by the neurotrophins is high under the conditions used in making the CD measurements, and indicated that heterodimer formation may occur between NGF and the other neurotrophins.
N‐Phosphinyl Imine Chemistry (I): Design and Synthesis of Novel N‐Phosphinyl Imines and their Application to Asymmetric aza‐Henry Reaction

Novel chiral N-phosphinamide and N-phosphinyl imines have been designed, synthesized and applied to asymmetric aza-Henry reaction to give excellent chemical yields (92%- quant.) and diastereoselectivity (91% to >99%de). The reaction showed a great substrate scope in which aromatic/aliphatic aldehyde- and ketone-derived N-phosphinyl imines can be employed as electrophiles. The chiral N-phosphinamide can be stored at room temperature for more than 2 months without inert gas protection, and chiral N-phosphinyl imines were also proven to be highly stable at room temperature for a long period under inert gas protection. The N-phosphinyl group enabled the product purification to be performed simply by washing crude product with EtOAc and hexane. This reaction joined other eight GAP (Group-Assistant-Purification) chemistry processes that were developed in our laboratories. The absolute configuration has been unambiguously determined by converting a β-nitroamine product into a known N-Boc sample.
Multipotent stromal cells for arthritic joint pain therapy and beyond

SUMMARY Multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) have been studied as a candidate for cell-based therapy for a variety of conditions including joint diseases. Clinical studies have used MSCs to treat arthritis and related joint diseases and generated encouraging results. There is improved joint cartilage tissues and functional activity, along with reduction of pain. MSCs may also possess intrinsic analgesic properties. Studies have shown MSC-induced pain relief in animal models and the opioids are involved in this effect. Beyond tissue repair, MSCs may not need to be grafted to the injury site to produce an effect. It is hypothesized that MSCs interact with the host immune cells and the relayed signal helps to produce and maintain a long-lasting therapeutic effect including pain relief.
Shared versus specific features of psychological symptoms and cigarettes per day: structural relations and mediation by negative- and positive-reinforcement smoking

This study examined the extent to which shared versus specific features across multiple manifestations of psychological symptoms (depression, anxiety, ADHD, aggression, alcohol misuse) associated with cigarettes per day. Subsequently, we investigated whether negative- (i.e., withdrawal relief) and positive- (i.e., pleasure enhancement) reinforcement smoking motivations mediated relations. Adult daily smokers (N = 338) completed self-report measures and structural equation modeling was used to construct a 3-factor (low positive affect-negative affect-disinhibition) model of affective and behavioral symptoms and to test relations of each latent factor (shared features) and indicator residual (specific features) to smoking level. Shared dimensions of low positive affect, negative affect, and disinhibition associated with smoking rate. Negative-reinforcement smoking mediated the link between latent negative affect and heavier daily smoking. Specific features of psychological symptoms unique from latent factors were generally not associated with cigarettes per day. Features shared across several forms of psychological symptoms appear to underpin relations between psychological symptoms and smoking rate.
A simple laboratory model for the oceanic circulation

A linear theory is developed for the motion of a viscous, incompressible fluid in a rotating cylinder with a sloping bottom.An analysis of the normal modes of oscillation reveals that the presence of the bottom slope introduces a new set of low frequency inertial oscillations to replace the purely geostrophic modes which are not allowed in this geometry. The new waves possess mean circulation and are the mechanism by which the fluid adjusts to changes in the rotation rate of the container, a process discussed in detail.The steady motion produced in the cylinder when the cylinder's upper surface rotates at a different rate than the bottom surface is studied. It is shown that the presence of the bottom slope inhibits the steady fluid motion in the body of the cylinder and introduces a non-symmetric, high velocity side wall boundary layer.Experimental evidence, presented to validate the theory, reproduces certain important features of the oceanic circulation.
Contact lens fitting over intrastromal corneal rings in a keratoconic patient.

Background Intrastromal corneal ring segments have been used as a refractive surgery method for treatment of myopia. More recently, attempts have been made to use this surgical procedure in patients with keratoconus. Case Report A 51-year-old man with keratoconus came to the clinic for a contact lens refit. He had undergone surgical insertion of intrastromal corneal rings in his right eye 7 months earlier in an attempt to obtain acceptable vision without contact lenses. At the time of presentation, the patient was not satisfied with his vision in the right eye and requested an attempt to improve his vision with a contact lens. The resulting corneal shape after surgery presented some complications, but the patient was able to achieve 20/25– vision and adequate comfort in his right eye with a piggyback contact lens system. Conclusions Insertion of intrastromal corneal rings may be beneficial in patients with early keratoconus or who are contact lens-intolerant. However, patients with more-advanced keratoconus are not likely to achieve adequate vision after the surgery and will require a contact lens. In addition, changes in the corneal anatomy created by the intrastromal rings may make contact lens fitting more challenging. The corneal irregularity may be exacerbated due to drastic variations in corneal elevation over the intrastromal ring and directly adjacent to the ring. This irregularity in elevation leads to difficulty in centering the lens on the eye and problems with bubbles forming under the contact lens over areas of corneal depression. When successfully fitted, contact lenses over intrastromal corneal rings can improve vision significantly.
Pheromone 3kPZS evokes context-dependent serotonin sexual dimorphism in the brain of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

Mature male sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) release a sex pheromone, 3-keto-petromyzonol sulfate (3kPZS), that induces sexually dimorphic behavioral responses in conspecifics. However, the neural mechanism of such responses is mostly unknown. We examined the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and the expression of 5-HT1A receptors in the forebrain and brainstem of sea lamprey exposed to the vehicle (0.91 ppm methanol) or 10(-10) M 3kPZS for 2 h using high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Exposure to 3kPZS for 2 h increased 5-HT concentration in the forebrain of adult females, whereas 5-HT was not detected in the forebrain of adult males. On the contrary, 3kPZS exposure decreased 5-HT concentration in the brainstem of adult females and had no effect in adult males. Pheromone exposure evoked context-dependent sexual dimorphism in brain 5-HT1A receptor immunoreactivity, but had no effect on 5-HT1A mRNA concentrations in the brain with 2 h exposure time. It appears that in sea lamprey pheromone 3kPZS affects the 5-HT system in the brain in a context-dependent, sexually dimorphic manner.
Correlation of spine deformity, lung function, and seat pressure in spina bifida.

Background Spinal deformity, a common problem in children with myelodysplasia, is associated with alterations in pulmonary function and sitting balance. Sitting imbalance causes areas of high pressure in patients already at high risk for developing pressure ulcers due to insensate skin.
Effects of varying O2 concentration on the X-ray sensitivity of transforming DNA.

SummaryThe X-ray-induced inactivation of the biological activity of Bacillus subtilis transforming DNA in dilute aqueous solution has been studied over a wide range of O2 concentrations in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms involved in O2 action. When the DNA is irradiated in the presence of 100 per cent O2 there is a protection of the transforming DNA compared to the sensitivity in N2-saturated or in N2O-saturated solutions. When the equilibrating gas contains intermediate concentrations of O2 (1 per cent 90 per cent) in N2 or in N2O, the DNA sensitivity is equivalent to that in pure N2 or N2O respectively. At low O2 concentrations (∼ 0·14 per cent O2 in N2 or in N2O) there is a sensitization of the DNA and this sensitization can be prevented by ·OH scavengers. Possible mechanisms for these actions of O2 on the radiation sensitivity of transforming DNA are discussed.
Telomeres in the '80s : a few recollections

Elizabeth Blackburn, Carol Greider and Jack Szostak were recently recognized with the Lasker award for their work on telomerase and the role of this enzyme in cellular proliferation. Vicki Lundblad reflects on the excitement as these experiments were unfolding.
Policing the beat: The impact of organizational scale on patrol officer behavior in urban residential neighborhoods

Abstract Analysis of police organization and activity in 42 urban residential neighborhoods shows some support for the hypothesis that small-scale police organization is more likely to engender service-style policing is more ambiguous in high violence neighborhoods than low violence neighborhoods, and the effects in all cases are modest.
Management of refractory congestive heart failure with prazosin

Abstract The cardiocirculatory actions of prazosin (PZN) orally were evaluated by cardiac catheterization, forearm plethysmography, echocardiography, treadmill exercise, and symptoms in patients with advanced long-standing congestive heart failure (CHF). PZN orally (2 to 7 mg) reduced forearm venous tone and decreased forearm vascular resistance. Concomitantly mean systemic arterial pressure declined, left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) decreased, and cardiac index (CI) was raised. These effects of a single dose of PZN on LV function were rapid in onset, maximal at 1 hour, and sustained for the entire 6 hours of observation. After 2 weeks of outpatient therapy with 2 to 7 mg PZN four times daily, echographic LV end-diastolic dimension decreased and the duration of treadmill exercise increased. Symptoms (dyspnea, fatigue, angina) were diminished throughout the course of PZN therapy, and New York Heart Association functional class improved from III to II. Thus PZN possesses sustained nitroprusside-like balanced dilator actions on the systemic arterial and venous beds, which are effectively translated into beneficial hemodynamics of augmenting lowered cardiac output and relieving excessive LVFP. Delayed vasodilator tolerance, occurring in 30% of patients, is prevented by prior use of aldosterone antagonists and is easily treated. Subacute hemodynamic suppression of beneficial PZN vasodllator actions is translent and does not preclude successful sustained PZN therapy of severe chronic CHF.
Phase Transition from Two Z′ = 1 Forms to a Z′ = 2 Form of a Concomitant Conformational Polymorphic System

Differential scanning calorimetry and hot-stage microscopy revealed two solid−solid phase transitions from two Z′ = 1 polymorphs to a Z′ = 2 form in a concomitant conformational polymorphic system of 2-(mesitylamino)nicotinic acid. Neat grinding and solvent-drop grinding experiments also confirmed that the high Z′ form is thermodynamically stable. The finding adds to a few cases where a high Z′ form is the most thermodynamically stable, apparently running contrary to a common notion that incomplete crystallization tends to produce metastable high Z′ structures. The high Z′ form of 2-(mesitylamino)nicotinic acid may be due to the combination of iso-energetic conformations and better packing. Lattice and conformational energy calculations were performed to provide further information about the intermolecular interactions of the polymorphs. Conformational search is in agreement with the conformers found in the three forms.
Rarity-Weighted Richness: A Simple and Reliable Alternative to Integer Programming and Heuristic Algorithms for Minimum Set and Maximum Coverage Problems in Conservation Planning

Here we report that prioritizing sites in order of rarity-weighted richness (RWR) is a simple, reliable way to identify sites that represent all species in the fewest number of sites (minimum set problem) or to identify sites that represent the largest number of species within a given number of sites (maximum coverage problem). We compared the number of species represented in sites prioritized by RWR to numbers of species represented in sites prioritized by the Zonation software package for 11 datasets in which the size of individual planning units (sites) ranged from <1 ha to 2,500 km2. On average, RWR solutions were more efficient than Zonation solutions. Integer programming remains the only guaranteed way find an optimal solution, and heuristic algorithms remain superior for conservation prioritizations that consider compactness and multiple near-optimal solutions in addition to species representation. But because RWR can be implemented easily and quickly in R or a spreadsheet, it is an attractive alternative to integer programming or heuristic algorithms in some conservation prioritization contexts.
Type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome in Japanese Americans

Japanese Americans have experienced a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than in Japan. Research conducted in Seattle suggests that lifestyle factors associated with 'westernization' play a role in bringing out this susceptibility to diabetes. These lifestyle factors include consumption of a diet higher in saturated fat and reduced physical activity. A consequence of this is the development of central (visceral) adiposity, insulin resistance, and other features associated with this insulin resistance metabolic syndrome, such as dyslipidemia (high triglycerides, low HDL-cholesterol, and small and dense LDL particles), hypertension, and coronary heart disease. We have postulated that the superimposition of insulin resistance upon a genetic background of reduced beta-cell reserve results in hyperglycemia and diabetes among Japanese Americans. This article reviews evidence that support this view.
Systematic evaluation of validated type 2 diabetes and glycaemic trait loci for association with insulin clearance

Aims/hypothesis Insulin clearance is a highly heritable trait, for which few quantitative trait loci have been discovered. We sought to determine whether validated type 2 diabetes and/or glycaemic trait loci are associated with insulin clearance.
Present status of drug therapy of depression in late life.

The increasing proportion of elderly to the general population and the relatively high prevalence rate of depression in this age group justifies concern for specific clinical indications for antidepressant selection. Of the numerous agents that possess antidepressant activity, some have a more narrow therapeutic window for the old (lithium), while others may be more efficacious for the old than traditional tricyclics (stimulants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors). Stimulants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors require close monitoring to obviate complications, and this limits their use in this population. Prescription of the more common reuptake inhibitors in this age group can be based on consideration of efficacy and especially predictable incidence of side effects. Efficacy of all the reuptake inhibitors is essentially equivalent over 4 weeks, if the patient can tolerate treatment. Antidepressants with many side effects are, thus, less efficacious if we consider only whether the patient will be better 4 weeks after we start treatment since drop outs must be considered treatment failures for that particular treatment. Side effects are more clearly different among the antidepressants with demonstrably fewer cardiac effects (i.e. ECG changes, orthostatic hypotension) for buproprion, mianserin, nomifensine, and trazodone in the geriatric group compared to older agents such as amitriptyline and imipramine. Further, anticholinergic effects in the periphery (dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and urinary hesitancy) and centrally (confusion, sedation, decreased memory recall) are substantially less with several of the newer antidepressants: buproprion, maprotiline, nomifensine and trazodone.
The artificial nutrition debate: still an issue... after all these years

Debate over withdrawal or withholding of artificial nutrition appeared a distant discussion until the furor over the Schiavo case and a Papal Allocation reignited this ethical dilemma. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the bioethical opinion regarding artificial nutrition, as published in the Hastings Center Report from 1971 until 2007. A clinical and religious history of the evolution and use of artificial nutrition prefaces the review containing common themes and categories framed within a chronology of bioethical and legal events. Finally, an interpretative philosophical discussion is offered on the resurgence of the ethical dilemma concerning withdrawal or withholding of artificial nutrition. Through a combination of classic content analysis and grounded theory, 8 inductively derived categories emerged from a sample of 63 articles/letters with a primary focus on artificial nutrition, enteral nutrition or parenteral nutrition. These categories included illness/treatment trajectory, personhood, family, provider, cost, religion, legal, and ethics and morality. In more than 35 years, surprisingly little has changed with regard to withdrawal or withholding of artificial nutrition. As the Schiavo case revealed, despite a sense in bioethics of a firm consensus about handling the withdrawal of food and water, many are still searching for answers to this dilemma.
A Note on Shadow Prices in Linear Programming

Using convex analysis and a characterization of the entire family of optimal solutions to an L.P., we show that in order to obtain shadow prices, one has to solve a much smaller L.P. derived from any optimal tableau. We then show that positive as well as negative shadow prices for any constraint or for any combination of constraints can easily be computed by parametric linear programming. Some examples exhibiting the method are also included.
Law enforcement versus battered women: The conflict over the lautenberg amendment

Since the early 1970s, law enforcement agencies have made great strides in improving their response to domestic violence. However, attempts to reform the 1996 Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban Act (P.L. 104-208, section 658, 1997) pitted law enforcement against the battered women’s movement. Contra predictions of system equilibrium, in this competition—between the victims of the new law (law enforcement officers) and the victims whom the new law intended to protect (battered women)—decision makers chose battered women over law enforcement officers. This article examines why this conflict developed, identifies the strategies that won in this conflict, and considers the impact of this conflict on domestic violence.
Technical note: evaluating mandibular ramus flexure as a morphological indicator of sex

Described as a highly reliable method of sex identification, mandibular ramus flexure is a morphological trait expressed on the posterior border of the ramus at the occlusal plane (Loth and Henneberg [1996] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 99:473-485). In a blind test, 158 mandibles were examined for the presence of flexure as defined by Loth and Henneberg, resulting in 79.1% accuracy, which is well below the reported 91-99% accuracy. Twenty-five of these mandibles were assigned the ambiguous score of 0, an outcome of a +1 score for one side, and a -1 score for the other. Seventeen mandibles were examined twice to measure intraobserver error. Only 64.7% of the scores were duplicated in the second session, suggesting difficulty in consistent identification of flexure. Low overall accuracy, an invalid scoring system, and high intraobserver error indicate that mandibular ramus flexure is an unreliable technique for estimation of sex.
Performance Metric Selection for Autonomic Anomaly Detection on Cloud Computing Systems

With ever-growing complexity and dynamicity of cloud computing systems, dependability assurance has become a major concern in system design and management. In this paper, we propose a framework for autonomic anomaly detection in the cloud. Mutual information is exploited to quantify the relevance and redundancy among the large number of performance metrics. An incremental search algorithm is presented for metric selection. We apply principal component analysis to further reduce the metric dimension, while keeping the variance in the health- related data as much as possible. A detection mechanism with semi-supervised decision tree classifiers works on the reduce metric dimensionality and identifies anomalies. We have implemented a prototype of our autonomic anomaly detection framework and evaluated its performance on an institute-wide cloud computing system.
Long-term storage of frozen lenticules for cryorefractive surgery

We studied freezing rates, cryoprotectants, and storage times on keratocyte viability, using rabbit corneal buttons incubated in either KM-26, CPTES, K-Sol, or TC 199 for 30 minutes at 4 degrees C. Using a controlled freezing rate (2 degrees/min to -40 degrees C), viabilities were 69 +/- 7% for KM-26, 113 +/- 21% for CPTES, 0.1 +/- 0.08% for K-Sol, and 0 +/- 0% for TC 199. The KM-26 and CPTES were further studied in corneas stored one to 30 days at -80 or -196 degrees C; CPTES had a better cryoprotective efficacy over one, three, and seven days of -80 degrees storage, and at liquid nitrogen storage temperature (-196 degrees) over one, 14, and 30 days storage. The findings demonstrate the superiority of CPTES. It provides better viability than KM-26 under similar conditions, and may enable long-term frozen storage of lenticules for later use in cryorefractive surgeries, with minimal loss of keratocyte viability.
Taylor diffusion in time-dependent flow

Abstract In this paper, we consider the problem of calculating the axial concentration profile of a solute transported by a time-dependent flow in a rigid straight pipe. This generalizes the result that Taylor derived in 1953 for calculating the axial concentration profile of a solute in a steady flow. Using asymptotic analysis, we derive a time-dependent diffusion equation for the mean concentration profile along the axial-direction in a pipe. In the special case of time-independent flow, our result reduces to that of Taylor.
Relationship of running economy, ventilatory threshold, and maximal oxygen consumption to running performance in high school females.

Abstract The purpose of the study was to relate three determinants of distance running success, (a) maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), (b) ventilatory threshold (VT), and (c) running economy (RE), to actual running time in a 5-km race (ART). Twenty-four female runners (M age = 15.9 years) from four high school teams that competed at the Massachusetts All-State 5-km Cross Country Championship Meet and placed 1st, 7th, 19th, and 20th were tested in the laboratory. The mean VO2max of these runners was 61.7 ml·kg−1·min−1, HRmax 201 b·min−1, VEmax 100 L·min−1, and RER 1.10. The VT occurred at 79% of the VO2max, an HR of 184 b·min−1 (92% of HRmax). The velocity at VT (vVT) and velocity at VO2max (vVO2max) was correlated with ART, r(22) = .78 and .77 (p .05. It was concluded that either of the derived ...
Single Collision Events of Conductive Nanoparticles Driven by Migration

We report that conductive single nanoparticle (NP) collisions can involve a significant component of the mass transport to the electrode of the charged NPs by migration. Previously, collision events of catalytic NPs were described as purely diffusional using random walk theory. However, the charged NP can also be attracted to the electrode by the electric field in solution (i.e., migration) thereby causing an enhancement in the collision frequency. The migration of charged NPs is affected by the supporting electrolyte concentration and the faradaic current flow. A simplified model based on the NP transference number is introduced to explain the migrational flux of the NPs. Experimental collision frequencies and the transference number model also agreed with more rigorous simulation results based on the Poisson and Nernst–Planck equations.
Evidence for a central Eurasian source area of Arctic haze in Alaska

During winter when the polar oceans are frozen, air masses entering Alaska from the Arctic are charged with suspended submicrometre particles whose chemical signatures show evidence of being derived from man-made sources of pollution1–3. Occasionally, the aerosol loading is large enough to reduce visibility and thus the phenomenon has come to be referred to as ‘Arctic haze’. We report here three strong episodes of Arctic haze in Alaska which were examined during February–April 1982 and which were found to be possibly associated with air emissions in central Eurasia.
Further validation of the AIDS Attitude Scale

The AIDS Attitude Scale (AAS) is a self-report measure of attitude toward persons with AIDS. Since its introduction in 1992, the AAS has been used in over 30 research studies. Initial psychometric estimates of reliability and validity for the scale were supportive. This report summarizes emerging psychometric data from a broad range of samples. These data offer additional support for the internal consistency and stability of the two dimensions underlying the scale, as well as documenting the factorial and construct validity of the AAS.