cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PRIMARY INTRAOSSEOUS SOFT TISSUE MYOEPITHELIOMA OF THE MANDIBLE: CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction Soft tissue myoepithelioma (STM) is a benign tumor composed of spindled and epithelioid cells arranged in various patterns within chondromyxoid stroma. While salivary gland myoepithelioma has been well-recognized as a variant of pleomorphic adenoma, the absence of normal myoepithelial cells within STM may be why STM was only recently-recognized. The occurrence of STM within the bone is rare with only 16 cases reported in the literature, none of which have been reported in the mandible. Case Report A 14-year-old female presented with a lobulated gingival nodule measuring 1.2 × 0.8 cm between teeth #20 and 21. Radiographically, the lesion was a well-circumscribed, non-corticated multilocular radiolucency between the roots of #20 and #21 measuring 1.4 × 1.0. cm, extending from the alveolar crest to close to the root apices. An incisional biopsy was performed. Microscopically, the lesion consisted of a non-encapsulated, multilobular tumor composed of a proliferation of spindle and epithelioid cells within a delicate myxochondroid stroma. Tumor cells were positive for S-100, vimentin, neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and negative for CAM5.2, AE1/3, SMA, SOX-10, CD57, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and p63. Ki-67 labeled less than 5% of the cells. These findings are suggestive of STM, and the bone and soft tissue consultant pathologist concurred with this diagnosis. Discussion The putative cell of origin for this tumor is a stem cell within the soft tissues that differentiates towards a cell with myoepithelial phenotype. Unlike salivary gland myoepithelioma which harbors PLAG1 and HMGA2rearrangements, STM harbors the EWSR1 rearrangement in up to 44% of the cases. Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor may represent the same entity since it has similar histomorphology and immunohistochemical profile but exhibits EWSR1 rearrangement in only 25% of cases. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a STM occurring in the mandible.
Adoption of Cost Effectiveness-Driven Value-Based Formularies in Private Health Insurance from 2010 to 2013

It is unclear whether private insurance benefit designs align with the most widely used ex-US definition of value, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). A large Pacific Northwest private insurance plan explicitly implemented a tiered formulary based on cost-effectiveness estimates of individual drugs in 2010, resulting in cost savings to the plan without negatively affecting patient health service utilization. Given the pressures of rising costs, we investigate whether employer-based private health insurance plans have adopted value-based cost-sharing approaches that are in line with cost-effectiveness estimates. At the drug level, we identified five drug tier designations (0–4) that are tied to increasing ICER ranges in a large claims dataset from 2010 to 2013. We used a random effects model to evaluate whether out-of-pocket (OOP) cost levels and trends were associated with drug value designation, controlling for generic status and list price, and whether the associations varied by insurance plan type and insurance market concentration, as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). We also estimated the weighted mean cost effectiveness of the drug claims in the sample by year and generic status using the formulary’s cost-effectiveness value ranges. The 2010 volume weighted mean OOP cost for a 30-day supply of drugs in tiers 0 through 4 were $US6.87, $US22.62, $US62.22, $US57.36, and $US59.85, respectively (2013 US dollars). OOP costs for cost-saving and preventive drugs (tier 0) decreased 5% annually from 2010 to 2013 (p < 0.01); OOP costs for drugs costing under $US10,000/quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) (tier 1) decreased 4.5% annually (p < 0.01) and OOP costs for drugs costing over $US50,000/QALY (tier 3) and $US150,000/QALY (tier 4) decreased by 2.4% and 2.2%, respectively (p < 0.01 and p = 0.046). OOP costs for drugs valued between $US10,000 and $US50,000/QALY did not change significantly (p = 0.31). Average ICER estimates increased for generic drugs and did not change for brand name drugs. OOP costs for prescription drugs are decreasing across value levels, with OOP costs for higher-value drugs generally decreasing at a faster rate than lower-value drugs. The relationship between cost sharing and value remains tenuous, however, particularly at higher ICER levels, likely reflecting the persistence of traditional formulary structures and increasing use of generic drugs over brand name drugs.
Image texture analysis to verify detection of sub-centimeter 18F-FDG lesions

62 Purpose: In evaluating 18F-FDG PET & PET/CT scans physicians rely on SUV values & also on subjective visual impressions of the presence of small lesions. The criteria for the latter may vary among observers. Our investigation used physical phantom simulations to determine whether any image texture analysis metric reliably corresponds to visual criteria used to identify lesions, & whether any metric differentiates counts of background regions from those of sub-centimeter simulated lesions. Methods: Routinely collected quarterly quality assurance test data were processed retrospectively for 13 different 18F-FDG PET scans performed of standardized phantoms for 4 different PET/CT systems. Phantoms included 4 cylinders ranging in size from 8 mm - 25 mm embedded in a cylindrical water bath. Cylinders were loaded with an activity concentration of 6 kBq/mL while background was loaded with 3 kBq/mL, to be consistent with counts acquired for typical whole body PET protocols for a 70 Kg man injected with 370 GBq 18F-FDG. Algorithms were written to automatically isolate regions containing cylinders, sample counts in cylinder regions & within similarly-sized multiple background regions, & to compute several classes of image metrics: quantile curve metrics derived from plotting quantiles of counts in cylinder regions against those in background regions, image texture analysis gray-level co-occurrence matrix metrics, image contrast metrics derived from polynomial fits of counts-versus-radii curves, & count histogram metrics that included signal-to-background (SBR) measured as SBR = ((mean cylinder counts - mean background counts)/mean standard deviation of multiple background count samples). For qualitative image scores, a physicist, who had no knowledge of quantified texture analysis metrics values, independently graded cylinder visibility on a 5-level scale (0 = definitely not visible to 4=definitely visible) & assigned dichotomous visibility scores. Results: The 3 largest cylinders were visible in 100% of cases with mean visibility score of 3.4±1.3, while the smallest 8-mm cylinder was visible in 38% of cases with significantly lower mean visibility score of 1.0±1.0 (p 1.69. The metric that agreed most closely with the observer’s dichotomous visibility readings for the 8-mm cylinders alone was image contrast with AUC = 70±16%; SBR was more accurate at discriminating background regions from those containing 8-mm cylinders with AUC, sensitivity & specificity all = 100%, for which the threshold for discrimination was SBR > 2%. Conclusion: Count quantile plots connect visual impression of simulated lesion visibility to quantified image metrics & count histogram metrics aid in verifying the presence of sub-centimeter simulated lesions. Therefore, image texture analysis metrics are potentially useful for 18F-FDG PET/CT studies.
Dosed Deficiency of Iron Restricts Terminal Maturation and Enucleation of Cultured Human Erythroblasts

Abstract 1041 In addition to reduced hemoglobin production, iron deficiency causes anemia though poorly understood defects in erythropoiesis that reduce the number of erythroid cells released from the marrow space. To study the negative effects of iron deficiency upon erythropoiesis, CD34+ cells from three healthy human donors were cultured in serum-free media supplemented with transferrin-bound iron. Dosed titrations of holo-transferrin (1.2, 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.1 mg/ml) were balanced by apo-transferrin supplementation to maintain total transferrin levels of 1.2 mg/ml in all cultures. Analyses were performed over the 21-day culture period that included assessment of proliferation, differentiation, enucleation and surface phosphatidylserine expression. Diminution of holo-transferrin in the culture medium caused a decrease in total cell counts and reduced cell divisions detected by CFSE analysis. During the first two weeks of culture, the progenitor cells differentiated into a glycophorin A positive population at all holo-transferrin doses. However, several iron-dependent changes were detected in the final stages of differentiation during culture days 14–21. Hemoglobin accumulation was reduced by 72% at the lowest holo-transferrin dose. Flow cytometry demonstrated a decrease in the loss of surface transferrin receptor in iron-deficient cultures. Thiazole orange analysis also demonstrated significantly lower levels of enucleation from 25.9±8.2% (1.2 mg/ml) to 4.4±4.2% (0.1mg/ml). Microscopic examination of the enucleated cells demonstrated a hypochromatic phenotype at lower holo-transferrin concentrations. Phosphatidylserine on the surface membrane (annexin V staining) increased with reduction of holo-transferrin from 6.3±2.6% (1.2 mg/ml) to 78.3±9.4% (0.1 mg/ml, p =0.003). The effects of iron on surface phosphatidylserine expression were limited to holo-transferrin concentrations of Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Structural Insights into Rational Design of Single-Domain Antibody-Based Antitoxins against Botulinum Neurotoxins

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is one of the most acutely lethal toxins known to humans, and effective treatment for BoNT intoxication is urgently needed. Single-domain antibodies (VHH) have been examined as a countermeasure for BoNT because of their high stability and ease of production. Here, we investigate the structures and the neutralization mechanisms for six unique VHHs targeting BoNT/A1 or BoNT/B1. These studies reveal diverse neutralizing mechanisms by which VHHs prevent host receptor binding or block transmembrane delivery of the BoNT protease domain. Guided by this knowledge, we design heterodimeric VHHs by connecting two neutralizing VHHs via a flexible spacer so they can bind simultaneously to the toxin. These bifunctional VHHs display much greater potency in a mouse co-intoxication model than similar heterodimers unable to bind simultaneously. Taken together, our studies offer insight into antibody neutralization of BoNTs and advance our ability to design multivalent anti-pathogen VHHs with improved therapeutic properties.
Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Integrating Population Health Principles into Practice

The field of palliative care (PC) has spent the past decade demonstrating that it improves outcomes for patients, clinicians, and health systems. Forward-thinking organizations preparing for a reimbursement system rooted in value have built robust inpatient PC programs and are rapidly moving toward the outpatient and community settings as well. As PC programs get larger and are increasingly tasked with leading a wide variety of diverse initiatives, population health principles can help to focus programs on high-value activities. This article, written by population health researchers and PC clinicians, seeks to provide PC teams nationally with a variety of population health strategies and tools to guide PC delivery throughout the health system and beyond.
Spatial Layout of Procedural Dungeons Using Linear Constraints and SMT Solvers

Dungeon generation is among the oldest problems in procedural content generation. Creating the spatial aspects of a dungeon requires three steps: random generation of rooms and sizes, placement of these rooms inside a fixed area, and connecting rooms with passageways. This paper uses a series of integer linear constraints, solved by a satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) solver, to perform the placement step. Separation constraints ensure dungeon rooms do not intersect and maintain a minimum fixed separation. Designers can specify control lines, and dungeon rooms will be placed within a fixed distance of these control lines. Generation times vary with number of rooms and constraints, but are often very fast. Spatial distribution of solutions tend to have hot spots, but is surprisingly uniform given the underlying complexity of the solver. The approach demonstrates the effectiveness of a declarative approach to dungeon layout generation, where designers can express desired intent, and the SMT solver satisfies this if possible.
Caustic Ingestion of the Esophagus

Children represent up to 80% of the population globally who are exposed to caustic ingestion injury. Caustic injury to the esophagus may be caused by alkalis and acids, both producing very different injury patterns. Initial management should prioritize respiratory and cardiovascular stability. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic grading of esophageal injury remains the mainstay of diagnosis and may aid management decisions. Further studies are necessary as there continues to be minimal evidence for the use of adjuvant medical therapy including antacids, antibiotics, and steroid use. Sequelae such as esophageal strictures may be managed initially with esophageal dilation, with surgical management reserved for failure of dilations. Long-term endoscopic screening is necessary for the development of esophageal cancer, which may occur decades later from the injury.
Characteristics and Spatially Defined Immune (micro)landscapes of Early-stage PD-L1–positive Triple-negative Breast Cancer

PURPOSE Programmed death ligand 1 [PD-(L)1]-targeted therapies have shown modest survival benefit in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). PD-L1+ microenvironments in TNBC are not well characterized and may inform combinatorial immune therapies. Herein, we characterized clinicopathologic features, RNA-based immune signatures, and spatially defined protein-based tumor-immune microenvironments (TIME) in early-stage PD-L1+ and PD-L1- TNBC. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN From a large cohort of chemotherapy-naive TNBC, clinicopathologic features, deconvoluted RNA immune signatures, and intraepithelial and stromal TIME (Nanostring GeoMX) were identified in subsets of PD-L1+ and PD-L1- TNBC, as defined by FDA-approved PD-L1 companion assays. RESULTS 228 of 499 (46%) TNBC were PD-L1+ (SP142: ≥1% immune cells-positive). Using PD-L1 22C3, 46% had combined positive score (CPS) ≥ 1 and 16% had CPS ≥10. PD-L1+ TNBC were higher grade with higher tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL; P < 0.05). PD-L1 was not associated with improved survival following adjustment for TILs and other variables. RNA profiles of PD-L1+ TNBC had increased dendritic cell, macrophage, and T/B cell subset features; and decreased myeloid-derived suppressor cells. PD-L1+ stromal and intraepithelial TIMEs were highly enriched in IDO-1, HLA-DR, CD40, and CD163 compared with PD-L1-TIME, with spatially specific alterations in CTLA-4, Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING), and fibronectin. Macrophage- and antigen presentation-related proteins correlated most strongly with PD-L1 protein. CONCLUSIONS In this early-stage TNBC cohort, nearly 50% were PD-L1+ (SP142 companion assay) while 16% were PD-L1+ with the 22C3 companion assay. PD-L1+ TNBC had specific myeloid-derived and lymphoid features. Spatially defined PD-L1+ TIME were enriched in several clinically actionable immune proteins. These data may inform future studies on combinatorial immunotherapies for patients with PD-L1+ TNBC.See related commentary by Symmans, p. 5446.
Stability and Convergence in Matching Processes for Shared Mobility Systems

Improvements in mobile information and communication technologies (ICT) and the increasing presence of innovative shared mobility services such as car-sharing, bike-sharing and ride-sourcing have required transportation modelers to forecast and consider matching processes between agents. The transportation modeling community increasingly views these scenarios as two-sided markets, where mobility service providers (suppliers) endogenously adjust their aspirations and behavior in relation to a dynamic traveler demand response. We adopt this two-sided market perspective in modeling the matching process for ridesourcing matching, where drivers match with riders through a bidding process. Through experiments from an agent-based simulation model, we investigate the convergence and matching stability under varying initial assumptions about system characteristics, such as potential payoff or profit and transaction price. These experiments also show that convergence towards a (relatively) stable state may be self-coordinating but is impacted by the total size of the market. Additionally, with respect to the optimal core matching solution and the nucleolus payoff allocations, systems have more difficulty reaching these states with increasing market size, across wider potential profits and across different transaction price mechanisms. Interestingly, by controlling and minimizing the range of the final transaction price, we can minimize the deviation from the nucleolus profit allocation. Designing and managing shared mobility systems must consider these conditions.
Primary pulmonary marginal zone lymphoma: an unusual cause of pulmonary infiltrates

Primary pulmonary extra-nodal marginal zone lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma), also known as bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT lymphoma), is the most common primary pulmonary lymphoma but is rare (<1%) among all non-Hodgkin lymphomas and among pulmonary neoplasms in general. We herein report the case of a 59-year-old male who presented with stable exertional dyspnoea and persistent lung infiltrates who was referred to our hospital for further assessment. A computed tomography (CT)-guided core biopsy was performed showing a dense lymphoid infiltrate, with further testing revealing the diagnosis of pulmonary MALT lymphoma. This uncommon lung tumour is usually seen in older adults and typically associated with a relatively indolent course. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 antibody, has been shown to be effective in up to 70% of cases.
Use of Telemedicine to Expedite and Expand Care During COVID-19.

Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) created challenges with access to care including increased burden on healthcare systems and potential exposure risks for vulnerable patients. To address these needs, Rush University Medical Center created a virtual, urgent care program specifically designed to address these challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a retrospective study analyzing adult patients with COVID-19-related telemedicine visits performed between March 1–June 30, 2020. COVID-19-related telemedicine visits refer to those who used the “Concern for Coronavirus” module. We assessed the total number of telemedicine visits using this module, percentage with a subsequent emergency department (ED) visit within seven days, and outcomes (ie, hospitalization status, intubation, and death) of patients who presented to the ED for evaluation. Data are presented using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 2,974 adult patients accessed the program via the COVID-19 module over the four-month period. Of those, 142 patients (4.8%) had an ED visit within seven days. Only 14 patients (0.5%) required admission. One patient was intubated, and there were no deaths among the telemedicine population. Conclusion: The data suggests that telemedicine may be a safe and effective way to screen and treat patients with possible COVID-19, while reducing potential burdens on EDs.
Agreement of Food Records and 24-Hour Urine Studies in Clinical Practice

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the level of agreement between 3-day food records obtained as part of clinical care with 24-hour urine collections specifically assessing sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, protein, and fluid intake. Design and Methods Data were collected from patients at a nephrology clinic in a metropolitan, academic medical center. Patients who completed both a 3-day food record and a 24-hour urine collection were analyzed. Food record and urine collection measurements were compared using a simple ratio, Pearson’s correlation, and general linear models. Results Patients (n = 85) were 47.9 ± 15.2 years of age, 54% were female, with a mean serum creatinine of 1.3 ± 0.7 mg/dL and estimated glomerular filtration rate of 64.2 ± 25.6 mL/min. Patients had autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (48.2%), nephrolithiasis (31.1%), chronic kidney disease (4.7%), or other genetic or cystic conditions impacting the kidney (12.9%). Nutrient intake was measured utilizing a 3-day food record. Food records and urine collections were compared using the values, correlations, and general linear models. Fluid intake demonstrated the highest agreement (ratio 1.01) and calcium demonstrated the least agreement (ratio 6.30). Significant correlations were demonstrated for phosphorus (r = 0.321, P = .003), magnesium (r = 0.256, P = .018), protein (r = 0.555, P Conclusion 3-day food records are useful tools to determine patient dietary patterns, but should be used with caution when assessing specific nutrient intake in clinical settings.
The invention of atmosphere

Abstract The word “atmosphere” was a neologism Willebrord Snellius created for his Latin translation of Simon Stevin's cosmographical writings. Astronomers and mathematical practitioners, such as Snellius and Christoph Scheiner, applying the techniques of Ibn Mu‘ādh and Witelo, were the first to use the term in their calculations of the height of vapors that cause twilight. Their understandings of the atmosphere diverged from Aristotelian divisions of the aerial region. From the early years of the seventeenth century, the term was often associated with atomism or corpuscular matter theory. The concept of the atmosphere changed dramatically with the advent of pneumatic experiments in the middle of the seventeenth century. Pierre Gassendi, Walter Charleton, and Robert Boyle transformed the atmosphere of the mathematicians giving it the characteristics of weight, specific gravity, and fluidity, while disputes about its extent and border remained unresolved.
Photodissociation of CS2 in the vacuum ultraviolet - Determination of bond dissociation energy from the lowest vibrational level of the ground state CS2.

Photolysis in the vacuum ultraviolet results almost exclusively in the production of S(super-3)P atoms, which is in apparent violation of spin conservation. The threshold energy of incident photons required to produce fluorescence was used to calculate the bond dissociation energy (from the lowest vibrational level of the ground state), and the result agrees with the value previously derived from the photoionization of CS2. The fluorescence excitation spectrum shows peaks corresponding to Rydberg series I and II, indicating that the observed photodissociation of CS2 in the vacuum ultraviolet is mainly the result of predissociation from Rydberg states. The absorption coefficient of CS2 was measured in the region of 1200 to 1400 A.
Power analysis of the t-private logic style for FPGAs

The goal of t-private circuits is to protect information processed by the circuit. This work presents the first practical power analysis evaluation of t-private logic style for FPGAs. Following the synthesis technique introduced at HOST 2012, a t-private S-box of the Present block cipher is synthesized and analyzed with respect to side channel leakage. The analysis is performed on simulated power traces as well as real power measurements taken from an implementation on a Virtex 5 FPGA. Classical Correlation power analysis and Correlation enhanced collision analysis are applied to detect first order leakages. Our results reveal a remaining first-order side channel attack vulnerability.
Ligand effects on the protein ensemble: unifying the descriptions of ligand binding, local conformational fluctuations, and protein stability.

Abstract Detailed description of the structural and physical basis of allostery, cooperativity, and other manifestations of long‐range communication between binding sites in proteins remains elusive. Here we describe an ensemble‐based structural‐thermodynamic model capable of treating explicitly the coupling between ligand binding reactions, local fluctuations in structure, and global conformational transitions. The H+ binding reactions of staphylococcal nuclease and the effects of pH on its stability were used to illustrate the properties of proteins that can be described quantitatively with this model. Each microstate in the native ensemble was modeled to have dual structural character; some regions were treated as folded and retained the same atomic geometry as in the crystallographic structure while other regions were treated thermodynamically as if they were unfolded. Two sets of pKa values were used to describe the affinity of each H+ binding site. One set, calculated with a standard continuum electrostatics method, describes H+ binding to sites in folded parts of the protein. A second set of pKa values, obtained from model compounds in water, was used to describe H+ binding to sites in unfolded regions. An empirical free energy function, parameterized to reproduce folding thermodynamics measured by differential scanning calorimetry, was used to calculate the probability of each microstate. The effects of pH on the distribution of microstates were determined by the H+ binding properties of each microstate. The validity of the calculations was established by comparison with a number of different experimental observables.
Longitudinal analysis of children's internal states language and posttraumatic stress symptoms following a natural disaster

Summary Disclosure of internal states terms (e.g., emotions, cognitions, and perceptions) in traumatic event descriptions is thought to be associated with physical and mental health in adults, but studies with children have been mixed, and the interpretation of many findings is complicated by the lack of longitudinal data. Using data collected from 568 students (ages 7–12 years) attending schools in Miami-Dade County, Florida, this study examined the internal states language in participant's written descriptions of the ‘worst things that happened during the hurricane’ collected 3 and 7 months after Hurricane Andrew. Associations between these internal states and their posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) 3, 7, and 10 months post-hurricane were evaluated using structural equation modeling. Patterns of association suggest that PTSS were not affected by internal states disclosure; rather, internal states language seemed to be a manifestation of PTSS. Implications for risk assessment, theory building, and treatment of PTSS in children are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photomorphogenesis and nucleic acid metabolism in fern gametophytes.

Publisher Summary Sporophytes, which are recognizable fern plants, have been utilized in morphogenetic studies and have yielded important results bearing on apical organization, cellular totipotency, phyllotactic pattern, stelar morphology, vascular tissue initiation, leaf and bud development, and embryogenesis. Gametophytes (prothalli) are morphologically insignificant in comparison to the sporophyte, they have not been utilized for experimental studies. However, the simplicity of prothallial development and organization make these plants ideal for studying certain aspects of cellular differentiation. The transition from a simple filamentous prothallus to a gametophyte with biplanar morphology provides a useful experimental system for investigating mechanisms controlling the planes of cell division, which contribute to the development of form. The chapter reviews the literature on the control of growth in the filamentous prothalli and the causal factors promoting the transition to the two-dimensional gametophyte. It focuses on the effects of light quality and nucleic acid metabolism; the survey includes not only recent accomplishments in these areas but also provides a critical assessment of the outstanding problems.
Differential effects of GTP gamma S on acid and pepsinogen secretion by permeable gastric glands.

Gastric glands isolated from rabbit stomach were permeabilized with Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. Acid secretion by parietal cells, as measured by the accumulation of weak base, was inhibited by incubation with alpha-toxin but could be restored by addition of exogenous ATP (1 mM). The permeable glands were found to retain acid secretory responses to receptor-linked secretagogues, histamine and carbachol, as well as to intracellular mediators, forskolin and 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate, indicating the presence of intact, functional intracellular coupling mechanisms. Both basal and stimulated acid secretion by the permeable glands were blocked by the Mg2+ chelator, trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (CDTA; 5 mM), whereas CDTA had no effect on nonpermeabilized glands. These results are interpreted to show that alpha-toxin permeabilizes parietal cells to moderate sized molecules without causing a loss of critical intracellular components. The acid secretory responses t...
Relationships among production traits and estimates of sex drive and dominance value in yearling beef bulls.

Average daily gain (ADG) and final test weight (FTW) were compared with libido score (L), serving capacity score (SC), reaction time to first mount (RTM), reaction time to first service (RTS) and dominance value (DV) in 90 purebred yearling beef bulls which had just completed an 140-day performance test. The bulls represented 15 breeding lines (12 Hereford, 2 Black Angus and 1 Red Angus) and nine sires within lines. Libido and serving capacity assessments were applied to randomly selected groups of two bulls which were tested for 10-minutes with nonestrous heifers restrained in service crates. RTM and RTS were recorded for both tests. Social dominance was assessed during randomized observations of social interactions between bulls within their pen groups (comprising 9 to 10 bulls) over four days. Two methods of determining social dominance (DV1 and DV2) were employed initially. Differences occurred among both lines and sire/lines in mean and best libido scores (P < .05). Sire/lines differed in L1, while both lines and sire/lines differed in L2 (P < .05). These differences were not reflected in either reaction times or serving capacity scores. Sires and sire/lines both differed in FTW (P < .05 and P < .01 respectively), while DV1 differed with sire/lines (P < .01). DV1 and DV2 were highly correlated (r = .84). Those sex-drive estimates which correlated with DV1 were the mean and best libido scores, mean serving capacity score, L2 and RTS 1 (P < .05). All correlations were negative, indicating that dominance and sex-drive may be unfavourably related in yearling beef bulls. ADG and FTW showed negative correlations with the mean and best serving capacity scores and with SC2 (P < .05). The only positive correlations between the two production traits and a sex-drive estimate was with RTM 2 (P < .05). This indicates that ADG and FTW may be unfavourably related to sex-drive in yearling beef bulls.
Development of a composite measure for assessing alcohol treatment outcome: operationalization and validation.

This article operationally describes and empirically validates a composite outcome measure developed for use in a multisite alcohol treatment matching study. Using empirically based clinical guidelines to establish alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems criteria, 1,726 subjects were classified as abstinent, moderate drinking without problems, heavy drinking or problems, or heavy drinking and problems at intake and 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 months postintake. Subjects with poorer composite outcome also had poorer outcomes related to quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption, alcohol-related problems, serum γ-glutamyltranspeptidase and other nonalcohol-related measures assessing psychiatric dysfunction, psychosocial functioning, and purpose or meaning in life. Differences in the present composite measure relative to other categorical measures used in research to date and the potential for incorporating nonalcohol-specific variables into composite measures are discussed.
Protection of Ground-Water Monitoring Wells Against Frost Heave

Frost heave damage to grout seals around ground-water monitoring wells for hazardous and solid waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities can present severe environmental as well as expensive remedial problems. For instance, influent surface drainage along the annular well space can contaminate the ground water and mask the actual water quality that the engineering geologist or hydrogeologist is attempting to monitor. Moreover, repairing damaged wells or reinstallation of new wells can be very expensive. Therefore, protection of the grout integrity around the monitoring wells is of paramount importance! Predisposing conditions which promote frost heave include the following: Depth and duration of frost penetration affect the degree of frost activity. The soils must be susceptible to frost action, primarily clayey fine sands and silts. There must be a source of moisture close enough to supply capillary water to the frost line. When these conditions are right, monitoring wells, grouted with concrete, can be subject to damage from frost heave. Frost damage is not a new phenomenon, however, many workers have not immediately recognized the problem in the past. The author has observed frost damage around wells installed in the northern tier States and mountainous areas. The damage noted was crumbling, shearing and separation of the concrete apron and annular seal around the well casing. The steel protective casings and sometimes the wells themselves were dislodged vertically, destroying the integrity of the well which promoted influent drainage of potentially contaminated runoff to the ground water. The standard well design recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and employed by most engineers and hydrogeologists, works well under conditions not subject to frost heave. However, the concrete apron which mantles the ground surface and forms a pile around the casing is the focal point of the full force of the heaving soil. To prevent frost heave damage of the monitoring wells, consider abandonment of the concrete aprons in frost susceptible areas. As an alternative to the traditional concrete mixtures, bentonite has proved successful as a grout seal around monitoring wells. Therefore, before the project officer installs ground-water monitoring wells, he should consider the following: Evaluate monitoring well sites for history and/or geologic conditions which promote frost heave. Be sure the design for the monitoring wells accounts for measures to prevent frost heave. Consider the use of bentonite clay for grout seals in frost susceptible areas.
La boca de la sierpe, la quijada del león: (in)moralidad, verdad intraverbal y diseminación en los Sueños de Quevedo

Dreams and Discourses (1627) by Francisco de Quevedo is a Baroque satirical work composed by five dreamlike narrations that criticize the moral decadence of seventeenth-century Spanish society. Traditionally, it has been read as a conservative Catholic text that conveys an official view of truth and morality. This article attempts to question that reading by addressing the use of subversive strategies, such as wordplay and ambiguity. Through an analysis of the paratext, the narrative voices, and the satire of popular trades—e.g., bankers—the article sheds light on the text's self-erosion of established moral and epistemological values. It concludes that behind its apparent religious correctness, the work reflects on the fundamental opacity of language. Theoretically, Quevedo's satire is understood as a disseminatory artifact following Derrida in Dissemination.
Angiotensin II signal transduction pathways.

Abstract It has been 100 years since the discovery of renin by Tigerstedt and Bergman. Since that time, numerous discoveries have advanced our understanding of the renin–angiotensin system, including the observation that angiotensin II is the effector molecule of this system. A remarkable aspect of angiotensin II is the many different physiological responses this simple peptide induces in different cell types. Here, we focus on the signal transduction pathways that are activated as a consequence of angiotensin II binding to the AT 1 receptor. Classical signaling pathways such as the activation of heterotrimeric G proteins by the AT 1 receptor are discussed. In addition, recent work examining the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in angiotensin II-mediated signal transduction is also examined. Understanding how these distinct signaling pathways transduce signals from the cell surface will advance our understanding of how such a simple molecule elicits such a wide variety of specific cellular responses.
Structural motifs and potential a homologies in the large subunit of human general transcription factor TFIIE

THE general transcription factor TFIIE has an essential role in eukaryotic transcription initiation together with RNA polymerase II and other general factors1,2. Human TFIIE consists of two subunits of relative molecular mass 57,000 (TFIIE-α) and 34,000 (TFIIE-β)3–5 and joins the preinitiation complex after RNA polymerase II and TFIIF (ref. 5). Here we report the cloning and structure of a complementary DNA encoding a functional human TFIIE-α. TFIIE-α is necessary for transcription initiation together with TFIIE-β, and recombinant TFIIE-α can fully replace the natural subunit in an in vitro transcription assay. The sequence contains several interesting structural motifs6 (leucine repeat, zinc finger and helix-turn-helix) and sequence similarities to bacterial a factors that suggest direct involvement in the regulation of transcription initiation.
Morphine-induced conditioned place preference and effects of morphine pre-exposure in adolescent and adult male C57BL/6J mice.

Given the increasing abuse of prescription opioids, particularly in adolescents, surprisingly few preclinical studies have explored effects of opioids in adolescents (versus adults). This study compared the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine, without (experiment 1) and with morphine pre-exposure (experiment 2), in adolescent and adult male mice. Experiment 1: On each of three consecutive days, one of the two conditioning sessions was preceded by an injection of a particular dose of morphine (0.1, 0.32, 1, 3.2, 10, 32, or 100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) and the other by saline; place preference was tested on day 4. Experiment 2: Mice received once daily injections of saline or a particular dose of morphine (17.8 or 56 mg/kg) for 4 days, and 3 days later, place conditioning with morphine (0.32, 1, 3.2, or 10 mg/kg) began. In both experiments, morphine induced conditioned place preference along similar inverted U-shaped dose–response curves in adolescent and adult mice, with maximal effects between 0.32 and 10 mg/kg. Morphine pre-exposure did not sensitize morphine-induced conditioned place preference; instead, tolerance occurred, but only in adults. Adolescents were more sensitive than adults to morphine-induced locomotor stimulation. Response to novelty predicted the locomotor stimulating effects of morphine in adolescents, but not its rewarding effects. The rewarding effects of morphine were similar in adolescent and adult mice but showed differential tolerance after morphine pre-exposure. Adolescents were more sensitive than adults to the acute locomotor stimulating effects of morphine, consistent with dopamine systems involved in locomotor activity being overactive during adolescence.
Granular computing: examples, intuitions and modeling

The notion of granular computing is examined. Obvious examples, such as fuzzy numbers, infinitesimal number and access control model, (pre-) topological spaces are examined. A general models are proposed; localized multi-level granulation can be modeled by generalized topological spaces, called neighborhood systems. For most general granulation are modeled by Tarski type relational structures.
Secondary school physics teachers' conceptions of scientific evidence: An exploratory case study

This article describes an exploratory case study of secondary school physics teachers' conceptions of scientific evidence. The nature of teachers' conceptions of evidence was derived from an analysis of data collected from 1 preservice and 2 in-service teachers. Each teacher responded to a series of research prompts in multiple interviews and handwritten tasks. In these research prompts, the teachers thought aloud while designing experiments and critically evaluating student-collected data as presented in hypothetical classroom scenarios. Spoken and written data were recorded. The data set was coded and analyzed using standard qualitative analysis techniques. Data from this study suggest that, while contemplating the reliability and validity of hypothetical student-generated scientific evidence, the teachers frequently intertwined conceptions of evidence with subject matter concepts centrally relevant to the hypothetical investigation. Data also indicate that the relationship between subject matter knowledge and conceptions of evidence was more pronounced for some conceptions of evidence than for others. Results suggest that a fuller study is warranted. Suggestions for future research include exploring such relationships in other physics content areas as well as other scientific disciplines. Implications for science teacher education suggest that science and science methods courses should encourage preservice teachers to engage in original scientific research, as well as participate in peer review and critique. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 40: 721–736, 2003
Inference Generation and Story Comprehension Among Children with ADHD

Academic difficulties are well-documented among children with ADHD. Exploring these difficulties through story comprehension research has revealed deficits among children with ADHD in making causal connections between events and in using causal structure and thematic importance to guide recall of stories. Important to theories of story comprehension and implied in these deficits is the ability to make inferences. Often, characters' goals are implicit and explanations of events must be inferred. The purpose of the present study was to compare the inferences generated during story comprehension by 23 7- to 11-year-old children with ADHD (16 males) and 35 comparison peers (19 males). Children watched two televised stories, each paused at five points. In the experimental condition, at each pause children told what they were thinking about the story, whereas in the control condition no responses were made during pauses. After viewing, children recalled the story. Several types of inferences and inference plausibility were coded. Children with ADHD generated fewer of the most essential inferences, plausible explanatory inferences, than did comparison children, both during story processing and during story recall. The groups did not differ on production of other types of inferences. Group differences in generating inferences during the think-aloud task significantly mediated group differences in patterns of recall. Both groups recalled more of the most important story information after completing the think-aloud task. Generating fewer explanatory inferences has important implications for story comprehension deficits in children with ADHD.
Meristic and Morphometric Variation in Black Sea Bass North of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Abstract The hypothesis was tested that black sea bass Centropristis striata north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, were morphologically homogeneous and therefore constituted a single stock. Meristic and morphometric data were analyzed with multivariate analysis of variance and principal components analysis. Significant differences were found throughout the geographic region, most notably between samples from Virginia and Massachusetts. The meristic comparisons provided greater separation between geographic areas than did morphometrics. Results of the analysis can be attributed to environmentally induced phenotypic differences, but further research on spatial and temporal segregation will be necessary to determine if these local groups constitute separate genotypic entities.
A comparison of the volatile oils of mature versus young leaves of Juniperus scopulorum: Chemosystematic significance

Abstract The volatile oils of leaves of clonal, greenhouse grown trees of J. scopulorum cv. platinum were examined from young (juvenile or whip leaves) and mature (adult or scale leaves) foliage. Of 36 compounds subjected to analysis of variance, 19 showed significant differences between young and old leaves. In general, the hydrocarbon terpenoids were higher in concentration in new leaves while the oxygenated compounds were higher in the older leaves. This same pattern has been reported in several other gymnosperms. Numerical taxonomy using data on the volatile oils from young and mature leaves yielded the same relative similarities among the five trees examined. Surprisingly, the plants were more similar in the volatile oil from the young leaves than from the mature leaves. The mixing of different ages of leaves in samples for chemosystematic studies is, however, to be discouraged
The effect of environmental stress on the activity of malate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase in Neanthes arenaceodentata (Annelida: Polychaeta)

Abstract 1. 1. The activity of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) was over four times greater than lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the polychaete Neanthes arenaceodentata . 2. 2. Experimentally lowered dissolved oxygen concentrations caused an increase in MDH activity and a decrease in LDH activity. 3. 3. Decrease and increase in salinity concentrations caused a sharp decrease in LDH activity. Cytosol MDH dropped slightly at both hypo- and hypersalinities, whereas mitochondrial MDH increased slightly at hyposalinities and almost doubled at hypersalinities.
On the Persistent Properties of Solutions to Semi-Linear Schrodinger Equation

We study persistent properties of solutions of the semi-linear Schrodinger equations in weighted spaces.
Selective processing of trauma-relevant words in posttraumatic stress disorder

Abstract This study investigated Stroop color-naming of trauma-related words in male Vietnam combat veterans with (n = 42) and without (n = 15) posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The anxiety connotations of the words were either very specific to the Vietnam experience (point, lead), general but still Vietnam-related (medevac, bodybags), or general and not specifically related to Vietnam (crash, grief). All three categories of words slowed color-naming compared to neutral control words. This was true for all subjects, but the effect was more pronounced in veterans with PTSD. The generally negative but still Vietnam-related words caused more interference in colornaming than did the other categories of words, which was attributed to their ability to access Vietnam combat memories more efficiently. There was a free recall and recognition memory advantage for the emotion words, suggesting that the Stroop interference effect was mediated by an attentional bias towards the anxiety-related material rather than avoidance of it. Veterans with PTSD were slower in color-naming overall, an effect that could not be attributed to group differences in psychiatric medication, depression, or anxiety.