cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection in Heart Transplant Recipients: The USC Experience

Purpose Heart transplant recipients may be at increased risk for infection and adverse outcomes from infection with coronavirus (Covid-19). Management of these patients is complex, with no standard of care. We sought to describe the incidence and outcomes of coronavirus infection in this unique population. Methods Retrospective review of 225 heart transplant patients at a large academic medical center identified 8 patients with laboratory confirmed Covid-19 infection. Laboratory and clinical data were collected from our institution as well as other local hospitals patients had been treated at. Outcomes were followed from March 15, 2020 to October 15, 2020. All data was deidentified. Results In a cohort of 225 heart transplant patients, 8 patients were identified after testing positive for Covid-19 infection. The mean and median age of patients was 49.8 and 42 years respectively. 63% of patients were male, and 37% of patients were female. The median and mean time from transplant to diagnosis was 4.1 and 4.5 years. The rate of infection for recently transplanted patients was 11%. Two patients (25%) had atherosclerosis, three patients (37.5%) had diabetes, and five patients (62.5%) had hypertension. Four of the patients (50%) were asymptomatic, 3 patients (37.5%) had acute hypoxic respiratory failure, and 1 patient (12.5%) had dyspnea not requiring oxygen at time of presentation. Four patients (50%) were admitted for treatment. Two patients were treated with remdesvir, one patient with tocilizumab, and one patient with lenrolimab. Immunosuppressive regimens were altered in five patients with decreased mycophenolate mofetil dosing, two patients with decreased tacrolimus dosing, and one patient with decreased cyclosporine dosing. Two patients (25%) had evidence of graft injury with mean AlloSure (donor derived cell free DNA) of 0.6%, the remainder were within normal limits. Overall our patient experience resulted in zero mortality, and all 4 admitted patients were discharged home safely. Conclusion In a single center case series 8 patients were identified with Covid-19 infection. 25% of the patients demonstrated evidence of graft injury, and nearly every patient had their immunosuppressive regimen decreased with 100% survival to date. Further investigation is needed to determine long term outcomes and ideal therapeutic regimen for Covid-19 in this unique population.
Corrigendum: Improvements on Clinical Status of Adolescents With Anorexia Nervosa in Inpatient and Day Hospital Treatment: A Retrospective Pilot Study.

Introduction: Medical and psychiatric complications and treatment compliance are important considerations in determining the treatment program for patients with severe anorexia nervosa (AN). Clinical practice guidelines agree that an outpatient program is the first choice for the treatment of most eating disorders, but vary in supporting these programs for AN. However, inpatient care is known to be costly and the risk of relapse and readmission is high. This pilot study aimed to describe the first data on an Italian partial hospitalization care program for AN adolescents [high-level care treatment (HLCT)], evaluating its impact on patients' clinical status, average hospitalization time, and the hospital costs compared to inpatient treatment (IP). Methods: For this retrospective pilot study, we have selected a group of 34 females with AN aged 11-18 years, divided between those who followed inpatient treatment and those who received HLCT treatment; they were matched for age and severity. We investigated the differences in treatment and outcomes between the two groups in terms of heart rate, length of treatment, weight gain, psychological characteristics, and hospital costs. Statistics for non-parametric distributions were used to compare the two groups. Results: No differences between the two groups were found at admission. At discharge, patients in the HLCT group presented a lower number of in-hospital treatment days, a higher increase of weight, and a significant improvement in outcomes compared to the inpatient group. No significant differences were found in heart rate and hospital costs. Conclusions: This study represents a first comparison between inpatient care and the HLCT treatment program, which suggests that day hospital treatment could represent a meeting point between inpatient and outpatient treatment, combining the merits of both forms of treatment. Further studies are needed in order to better investigate the different treatment programs for severe AN in adolescence.
Are advancements in screening technology contributing to breast cancer over-diagnosis?

Purpose of review Advancements in breast screening technology have increased the sensitivity of screening and thereby increased the detection rates of nonlethal cancers. Thus, improvements in breast screening technology may contribute to 'over-diagnosis', which refers to detection of cancers that pose no threat to life and that, in the absence of screening, might never have been detected. The purpose of this review is to draw attention to risks of over-diagnosis and provide a rationale for evaluating screening clinical breast examination (CBE) as an alternative to modern technology-based (mammography) screening. Recent findings Novel screening technologies have been adopted largely on the basis of their abilities to increase tumor-detection rates. However, as breast cancer treatments have improved, the mortality benefits of screening have declined. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that, in the modern era of effective adjuvant systemic therapies, the mortality benefit of screening CBE may now be comparable to that of modern screening mammography, but screening CBE carries less risk of over-diagnosis. Summary A randomized trial comparing modern mammography screening versus screening CBE is warranted. If confirmed that the mortality benefits of the two screening strategies are now comparable, then screening CBE might be considered a reasonable alternative to mammography screening.
Impact of initial chemotherapy regimen on outcomes for patients with double-expressor lymphoma: A multi-center analysis.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma featuring overexpression of MYC and B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (double expressor lymphoma, DEL) is associated with poor outcomes. Existing evidence suggesting improved outcomes for DEL with the use of more intensive regimens than R-CHOP is restricted to younger patients and based on limited evidence from low patient numbers. We retrospectively evaluated the impact of intensive frontline regimens versus R-CHOP in a multicenter analysis across 7 academic medical centers in the United States. We collected 90 cases of DEL, 46 out of 90 patients (51%) received R-CHOP and 44/90 (49%) received an intensive regimen, which was predominantly DA-EPOCH-R. Treatment cohorts were evenly balanced for demographics and disease characteristics, though the intensive group had a higher lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, 326 vs. 230 U/L p = 0.06) and presence of B-symptoms (50% vs. 22%, p = 0.01) compared to the R-CHOP cohort. There was no difference in PFS (median 53 vs. 38 months, p = 0.49) or overall survival (67 vs. not reached months, p = 0.14) between the R-CHOP and intensive therapy cohorts, respectively. On multivariate analysis, intensive therapy was associated with a hazard ratio of 2.35 (95% CI 0.74-7.41), though this was not statistically significant. Additionally, a subgroup analysis of intermediate high-risk lymphoma defined by IPI ≥3 did not identify a difference in survival outcomes between regimens. We conclude that in our multi-center cohort there is no evidence supporting the use of intensive regimens over R-CHOP, suggesting that R-CHOP remains the standard of care for treating DEL.
Cognitive abilities, self-efficacy, and financial behavior

Abstract This paper investigates the effect of cognitive abilities on financial behavior among older adults. Using the U.S. Health and Retirement Study, I find that cognitive abilities significantly affect financial behavior through two channels: ability and self-efficacy. People with higher cognition scores achieve better financial outcomes. This positive association is especially strong in tasks having high demand of cognitive abilities, which confirms the ability channel of the cognitive ability effect. In addition, there is evidence for the self-efficacy channel as a secondary source of cognitive influence. Lower cognitive abilities decrease people’s sense of self-efficacy, which, in turn, significantly decreases financial management efficiency. The findings have important policy implications, specifically that more effort is needed to assist the growing older population through the cognitive aging process and that noncognitive skills, as a secondary source of influence, also warrant attention.
Plant-based Diets in Kidney Disease: Nephrology Professionals' Perspective.

Objective Plant-based diets can delay the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and help manage complications and co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, acidosis, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. However, it is unclear how often plant-based diets are recommended to patients with kidney disease. The objective of this study was to understand nephrology professionals’ familiarity, perception, and recommendation of plant-based diets to people with kidney disease. Design and Methods A survey to understand perception of recommendation of plant-based diets for patients with CKD was developed. Nephrology professionals from the National Kidney Foundation's member directory were e-mailed a link to complete the survey online. This directory includes professionals who work in a variety of nephrology settings, including both CKD and end-stage renal disease care. Survey items were evaluated with descriptive statistics. Differences across items were determined using chi-square tests and t-tests. Results A total of 3,901 professionals were sent the survey, and 644 completed the survey. A majority were dietitians (58%) and worked in dialysis clinics (54%). Most (88%) had heard of using plant-based diets for kidney disease treatment, and a majority (88%) believed it could improve CKD management, cardiovascular disease (90%), hypertension (90%), diabetes (84%), high cholesterol (90%), and obesity (84%). Dietitians were more likely to report plant-based diets as beneficial for each health condition (P Conclusion Nephrology professionals who work in nondialysis-dependent CKD settings, and those who work with patients on dialysis, are aware of the benefits of plant-based diets in kidney disease. However, plant-based diets are not routinely being offered as a treatment option. Nephrology practices should work to increase dietitian referrals to offer patients support in transitioning to a plant-based diet.
Leveraging the Happy Meal Effect: Substituting Food with Modest Non-Food Incentives Decreases Portion Size Choice

Despite much effort to decrease food intake by altering portion sizes, “super-sized” meals are the preferred choice of many. This research investigated the extent to which individuals can be subtly incentivized to choose smaller portion sizes. Three randomized experiments (two in the lab and one in the field) established that individuals’ choice of full-sized food portions is reduced when they are given the opportunity to choose a half-sized version with a modest non-food incentive. This substitution effect was robust across different non-food incentives, foods, populations, and time. Experiment 1 established the effect with children, using inexpensive headphones as non-food incentives. Experiment 2 — a longitudinal study across multiple days — generalized this effect with adults, using the mere chance to win either gift cards or frequent flyer miles as non-food incentives. Experiment 3 demonstrated the effect among actual restaurant customers who had originally planned to eat a full-sized portion, using the mere chance to win small amounts of money. Our investigation broadens the psychology of food portion choice from perceptual and social factors to motivational determinants.
Strain-mediated voltage control of a Ni/NiO spontaneous exchange bias (SEB) system

Exchange bias refers to magnetic anisotropy from coupled antiferromagnetic — ferromagnetic (AFM-FM) systems due to interfacial exchange effects [1]. Electric control of exchange bias provides an additional degree of freedom for designing next-generation magnetic memory and logic devices. Control of conventional exchange bias (CEB), using both charge and strain mediated effects, has been previously demonstrated in the literature [2][3], but similar control of spontaneous exchange bias (SEB), a related phenomenon, has not been previously studied. The purpose of this presentation is to explore electrical control of SEB.
Policy Considerations Related to Further Intervention in the Farm Credit System

The Farm Credit System Is a major participant in extending credit to and brokering losses from the agricultural sector during the current adjustment process. This article focuses on the problems faced by the system as a cooperative lender with relatively little diversity in its loan portfolio. Assistance to the system should be accompanied by organizational and structural changes that address the fundamental reasons for its vulnerability. Conditions suggest three basic choices: (1) preservation of the system in recognizable form, (2) decentralization to the district level, or (3) a shift toward a wholesaling function. One realistic alternative would involve a combination of these approaches.
Time-Variant Aerodynamic Measurements in a Research Compressor

The fundamental mechanism for energy transfer in a turbomachine is the unsteady through-flow. However, current design systems consider either a timeaveraged flow field or assume a steady flow in the relative frame of reference. Hence, extensive empirical correlations are required to compensate for this inadequate understanding of the fundamental unsteady flow phenomena.
Utility of semiquantitative analysis of FDG brain PET/CT for differentiation between patients with normal cognition, MCI, and AD

2728 Objectives 1) To determine the ability of semiquantitative brain FDG PET/CT to differentiate between patients with a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and normal cognition (NC). 2) To determine if a particular cortical region may be more sensitive for differentiating between the three cognitive groups. Methods 60 brain FDG PET/CTs from consecutive patients with the clinical diagnosis of NC (20), MCI (20), and AD (20) were reviewed. PET/CTs were analyzed with a semi-quantitative application comparing age-matched control subjects to generate regional Z-scores for degrees of hypometabolism within the frontal, parietal, and occipital association cortices as well as the posterior cingulate gyrus. In addition, each PET/CT was reviewed by a blinded reviewer who examined the stereotactic shaded surface projection of the raw PET data and the Z-score data. PET/CT were classified by the reviewer as either consistent with AD or not. Results No statistically significant difference was seen in the age and gender between the three groups. For the association cortices, greater hypometabolism was seen in the AD group relative to the MCI and NC group. No difference in the degree of hypometabolism in these regions could be seen between the MCI and NC groups. The degree of hypometabolism in the posterior cingulate gyrus was statistically significant across all three groups. The blinded reviewer confirmed significant increase in the number of studies labeled as suggestive of Alzheimer’s disease in the AD group relative to the MCI group with no overlap with the NC group. Conclusions While patients with clinical AD often have an abnormal FDG brain PET/CT, differentiation between NC patients and MCI patients can be challenging on the basis of FDG PET/CT alone, as MCI tends to have normal glucose metabolism. The posterior cingulate gyrus is the most likely to be abnormal in MCI and AD patients with more profound hypometabolism in the AD group.
Absence of a radiation-induced first-cycle G1-S arrest in p53+ human tumor cells synchronized by mitotic selection

It is well known that normal human diploid fibroblasts undergo a significant, p53-dependent arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle after exposure to ionizing radiation. The presence and magnitude of a G1 arrest in human tumor cell lines, however, has been controversial, particularly in cells derived from solid tumors and irradiated during exponential growth. To examine this question more precisely, we synchronized cells by mitotic selection and irradiated them in very early G1 prior to any of the described G1 checkpoints. Progression of cells from G1 into the S phase was monitored by autoradiographic measurement of cumulative labeling indices and by flow cytometric analysis. Three different human tumor cell lines confirmed as expressing normal p53 function were examined, i.e., lines derived from an adenocarcinoma of the colon (RKO), a breast cancer (MCF-7), and a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC61). Following irradiation with 4-8 Gy, there was a transient delay in progression from G1 into S phase, lasting approximately 2 h, and in two of the three cell lines (RKO and MCF-7), a small fraction of cells (5-8%) never entered the first S phase. Although there was no evidence for a prolonged G1 arrest, the expected G2 delay was observed in all three cell lines. When irradiated RKO cells were resynchronized at the next mitosis, approximately 30% of the cells did not enter the second S phase. This latter finding is consistent with earlier reports on the kinetics of radiation-induced reproductive failure in mammalian cells. These results indicate that cells derived from human solid tumors that express normal p53 may respond to irradiation quite differently than do normal cells in terms of G1 checkpoint control.
Influence of phonotactic probability/neighbourhood density on lexical learning in late talkers.

Background Toddlers who are late talkers demonstrate delays in phonological and lexical skills. However, the influence of phonological factors on lexical acquisition in toddlers who are late talkers has not been examined directly. Aims To examine the influence of phonotactic probability/neighbourhood density on word learning in toddlers who were late talkers using comprehension, production and word recognition tasks. Methods & Procedures Two-year-olds who were late talkers (n = 12) and typically developing toddlers (n = 12) were exposed to 12 novel pseudo-words for unfamiliar objects in ten training sessions. Pseudo-words contained high or low phonotactic probability English sound sequences. The toddlers’ comprehension, speech production and detection of mispronunciation of the newly learned words were examined using a preferential looking paradigm. Outcomes & Results Late talkers showed poorer performance than toddlers with typical language development in all three tasks: comprehension, production and detection of mispronunciations. The toddlers with typical language development showed better speech production and more sensitivity to mispronunciations for high than low phonotactic probability/neighbourhood density sequences. Phonotactic probability/neighbourhood density did not influence the late talkers’ speech production or sensitivity to mispronunciations; they performed similarly for pseudo-words with high and low phonotactic probability/neighbourhood density sound sequences. Conclusions & Implications The results indicate that some late talkers do not recognize statistical properties of their language, which may contribute to their slower lexical learning.
Mesothelioma cells breaking bad: loss of integrin α7 promotes cell motility and poor clinical outcomes in patients

Mesothelioma is a disease of pleural cells lining the lungs which is often caused by exposure to asbestos. The molecular mechanism(s) that regulate the transformation of pleural mesothelioma cells to a migratory and malignant phenotype are unclear. In recent work published in this journal, Laszlo et al performed a set of elegant experiments to identify a key molecular mechanism that may explain the aggressive nature of this disease. Using patient-derived mesothelioma cells with high versus low migratory activity, the authors conducted a genome-wide expression analysis. They identified a significant reduction in ITGA7 expression only in highly migratory malignant pleural mesothelioma cells and showed that loss of ITGA7 expression was associated with methylation of the promoter. Forced expression of integrin α7 reversed the migratory phenotype of these cells. Finally, the authors identified a strong correlation between ITGA7 expression and patient survival. Together, these results identify expression of integrin α7 as a molecular mechanism for the aggressive migratory transformation of mesothelioma and identify a potentially novel diagnostic and therapeutic target.
Toward Understanding the Changing Politics of U.S. Cities: A Political Development Approach

This paper addresses the question of where we are politically in a trajectory that begins in the mature industrial city and brings us today well into a post-industrial age. It uses a political development approach to compare the political order of present-day cities with the earlier order that gave priority to redevelopment as a centerpiece in transitioning to post-industrialism. In line with a political development emphasis on political discord, the paper also shows how black political mobilization intersected the redevelopment regime and challenged the “good government” idea of color-free expertise. The post-industrial urban order is characterized by a less active role for corporate business, a greater role for philanthropic foundations, a prominent place for the “ed & med” sector, and a continuing struggle over lay-professional relationships and claims of expertise.
Preparing dance notation scores with a computer

Abstract Labanotation is a two-dimensional graphic notational system for recording movement. It has been used in preparing scores (analogous to musical scores) of a wide repertoire of dances. An interactive graphics system is presented which significantly aids such score preparation. Considerations for the proper hardware configuration and software design are discussed, and an evaluation of the use of the system thus far is offered.
Specialized bat tongue is a hemodynamic nectar mop

Nectarivorous birds and bats have evolved highly specialized tongues to gather nectar from flowers. Here, we show that a nectar-feeding bat, Glossophaga soricina, uses dynamic erectile papillae to collect nectar. In G. soricina, the tip of the tongue is covered with long filamentous papillae and resembles a brush or mop. During nectar feeding, blood vessels within the tongue tip become engorged with blood and the papillae become erect. Tumescence and papilla erection persist throughout tongue retraction, and nectar, trapped between the rows of erect papillae, is carried into the mouth. The tongue tip does not increase in overall volume as it elongates, suggesting that muscle contraction against the tongue’s fixed volume (i.e., a muscular hydrostat) is primarily responsible for tip elongation, whereas papilla erection is a hydraulic process driven by blood flow. The hydraulic system is embedded within the muscular hydrostat, and, thus, intrinsic muscle contraction may simultaneously increase the length of the tongue and displace blood into the tip. The tongue of G. soricina, together with the tongues of nectar-feeding bees and hummingbirds, which also have dynamic surfaces, could serve as valuable models for developing miniature surgical robots that are both protrusible and have highly dynamic surface configurations.
Use of criteria for appointment of land use planning commissioners

Experiments were conducted to determine whether group discussion of criteria, political or technical emphasis in decision making, and the use of other judges’ opinions would result in differential selection of candidates for three openings on a city’s land use planning commission. Results indicated that there was a significant difference in how the planning commissioners were selected when the judges (N=244) made their selections after reviewing criteria and emphasizing either the political or technical aspects of their decision. The top six candidates were the same regardless of the manipulation, but the top three candidates changed after manipulation of experimental procedures. The criteria did not change in perceived relative importance as a result of discussion before or after selecting the planning commissioners (N=295). There was no significant difference in how participants (N=78) evaluated candidates, regardless of whether they were supplied with information on how other participants judged the same candidates.
Spatiotemporal patterns in a porous catalyst during light-off and quenching of carbon monoxide oxidation

Abstract A detailed numerical model was used to simulate the behavior of carbon monoxide oxidation within a porous platinum/alumina catalyst during temperature ramps. The model was validated in previous work by fitting step-response experiments which were performed over a range of temperatures and in which concentration gradients over the catalyst layer were directly measured. As a result of the low CO and O 2 concentrations used, the catalyst layer could be considered isothermal. The numerical experiments performed with the model in this work reveal complex spatial patterns of species and local reaction rate which change with time and temperature. As temperature is increased, CO desorbs and reaction rapidly increases, reacting adsorbed CO off the Pt surface and producing a peak in CO 2 production during catalyst light-off. Over a nonporous surface of the same material, the reaction rate would be an order-of-magnitude lower and no CO 2 peak would be produced. At steady state after reaction light-off has been obtained, reaction occurs in a narrow zone below the external face of the layer which is exposed to the constant feed gas composition. As temperature is then decreased, the CO 2 production rate decreases gradually as the front of the region covered with adsorbed CO penetrates further and pushes the reaction zone deeper into the catalyst layer. When the adsorbed CO front reaches the internal face, the CO 2 production rate drops abruptly as the reaction “quenches”. Catalyst layer thickness was changed over the range 0.06–1.0 mm at constant total Pt content. As the layer thickness was decreased, the steady-state CO 2 production rate after light-off increased, however the range of temperatures in which the catalyst was active decreased. Three qualitatively different sets of spatiotemporal patterns were obtained as the layer thickness was changed from relatively thin, to medium, to thick. Analysis of the patterns provides understanding of the temperature-dependent behavior of the catalyst and how this behavior varies with catalyst layer thickness.
Kinetics of strain-induced morphological transformation in cubic alloys with a miscibility gap

Morphological evolutions controlled by a transformation-induced elastic strain during a solid state precipitation are systematically investigated using a prototype binary alloy as a model system. A computer simulation technique based on a microscopic kinetic model including the elastic strain effect is developed. Without any a priori assumptions concerning shapes, concentration profiles and mutual positions of new phase particles, various types of coherent two-phase morphologies such as basket-weave structures, sandwich-like multi-domain structures, precipitate macrolattices and GP zones are predicted. A wide variety of interesting strain-induced kinetic phenomena are observed during development of the above microstructures, including selective and anisotropic growth, reverse coarsening, particle translational motion, particle shape transition and splitting. In spite of all simplifications of the model, most of the simulation results are confirmed by experimental observations in various alloy systems, indicating that this kinetic model can be efficiently used for understanding, interpreting and predicting structural evolutions in real alloys.
TH‐B‐224C‐04: Feasibility of Calibrating Elongated Brachytherapy Sources Using a Well Type Ionization Chamber

Purpose: TG‐43 recommended parameters of a brachytherapy source require calibration of the source using the WAFAC system by the NIST. However, the presently available NIST standard system is limited for calibration of sources with active lengths ⩽1 cm. A new procedure has been introduced for calibration of elongated brachytherapy sources (i.e. active lengths > 1 cm) as an interim solution to the calibration standards by the NIST. This procedure is based on commercially available well type ionization chambers.Materials and Methods: The variation of the source calibrator response as a function of the source position along the longitudinal axis of the chamber was measured to determine the relative correction factor (RCF). Then the NIST calibrated source was used to calibrate the response of the source calibrator. A train of the 1 cm source segments were used to create elongated sources with different active‐lengths ranging from 1 cm to 7 cm. The measured air kerma strength were compared with the total source strengths calculated as the sum of the individual 1 cm source segments utilized to compose the source. Results: The results of these investigation have indicated that the response of the Capintec CRC was nearly constant (within 0.5 %) for distances ranging from 4.9 cm to 14.9 cm from the bottom of the chamber. With this information and a calibration factor of 4.881 Reading/U, air kerma strengths of RadioCoil™ Pd‐103 sources with active length of 1 to 7 cm were measured. The results of these measurements were found to be within ± 0.4% of the values calculated by addition of the 1cm source segments used in creating the sources. Conclusion: A well type chamber with the calibration for the 1 cm long RadioCoil™ 103Pd source segment can be utilized for calibrating of an elongated source with different active lengths sources.
Dual directional coupler design with transformers

The complete analytical model for dual or six port directional coupler is developed, and closed form equations using operational parameters are presented for the first time using transformers. Six-port coupler using the model developed is designed and simulated with frequency domain simulator Ansoft Designer for verification. Final design is implemented and measured with network analyzer. Analytical, simulation and measurement results are compared and agreement has been values. Matlab GUI to design six-port directional couplers has been developed for academic and commercial use with implementation of the analytical model developed in this paper.
The Idea of Justice from a Rawlsian Perspective

Often in his intriguing The Idea of Justice, Amartya Sen acknowledges the huge intellectual debt he owes to John Rawls. Nonetheless, Sen finds many flaws with the Rawlsian project and devotes much ...
MDMA produces a delayed and sustained increase in the extracellular concentration of glutamate in the rat hippocampus.

Abstract The neurochemical effects of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) on monoaminergic and cholinergic systems in the rat brain have been well documented. However, little is known regarding the effects of MDMA on glutamatergic systems in the brain. In the present study the effects of multiple injections of MDMA on extracellular concentrations of glutamate in the striatum, prefrontal cortex, and dorsal hippocampus were examined. Two or four, but not one, injections of MDMA (10 mg/kg, i.p. at 2 h intervals) resulted in a 2–3 fold increase in the extracellular concentration of glutamate in the hippocampus; no increase was evident in the striatum or prefrontal cortex. Reverse dialysis of MDMA (100 μM) into the hippocampus also elicited an increase in extracellular glutamate. Treatment with the 5-HT reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine prevented the increase in extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus following the systemic administration of MDMA, as did treatment with the serotonin 5-HT2A/C receptor antagonist ketanserin. Moreover, reverse dialysis of the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin did not prevent the increase in extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus. These data support the view that stimulation of 5-HT2A/2C receptors on non-neuronal cells by 5-HT released by MDMA promotes glutamate efflux in the hippocampus.
Mössbauer and EPR Characterization of the S = 9/2 Mixed-Valence Fe(II)Fe(III) Cluster in the Cryoreduced R2 Subunit of Escherichia coli Ribonucleotide Reductase

Low-temperature (77 K) radiolytic reduction of the diferric cluster in the met R2 subunit of Escherichia coli ribonucleotide reductase yields an antiferromagnetically coupled mixed-valence Fe(II)Fe(III) cluster ([R2met]mv1/2). Annealing the radiolytically reduced sample at 180 K converts the mixed-valence cluster in [R2met]mv1/2 into a ferromagnetically coupled cluster having an S = 9/2 ground state (R2mv9/2). We have used Mossbauer and EPR spectroscopy to study the electronic and magnetic properties of R2mv9/2. The Mossbauer data, recorded over wide ranges of temperature and applied field, indicate that the mixed-valence cluster in R2mv9/2 is valence localized. The spectra can be deconvoluted into two spectral components, of which analysis yields parameters (δ = 1.25 mm/s, ΔEQ = −2.80 mm/s, η = 1.30, and a/gnβn = −(13.5, 10.8, 20.3) T for site 1; and δ = 0.53 mm/s, ΔEQ = −0.57 mm/s, η = −3, and a/gnβn = −(22.1, 22.0, 22.0) T for site 2) that are characteristic of high-spin ferrous (site 1) and high-spin ...
Odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein (ODAM) and amelotin: Major players in hypermineralization of enamel and enameloid

Abstract Odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein (ODAM) and amelotin (AMTN) both belong to the secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein family, which is critical to biomineralization in vertebrates. In mammals, both ODAM and AMTN are expressed by ameloblasts in the maturation stage, when immature enamel grows into a hypermineralized inorganic tissue. At the onset of this stage, ameloblasts produce a specialized basal lamina (BL), over which both ODAM and AMTN are distributed. Enameloid is a different hypermineralized tissue that is found on the tooth surface of most ray-finned fish. Unlike amelogenesis, no such BL is produced during the maturation of enameloid. Nevertheless, ODAM is also found in ray-finned fish, and the expression of this gene has been detected in inner dental epithelial cells, which correspond to ameloblasts, after the enameloid is considerably mineralized. This specific gene expression suggests that ODAM is not a constituent of the BL but is still involved in the hypermineralization of enameloid. Both ODAM and AMTN are unusually rich in Pro and Gln, and they have 1 or 2 clusters of phospho-Ser residues. These characteristics suggest that ODAM and AMTN associate with weak interactions between relatively hydrophobic regions and further bind calcium phosphate via phospho-Ser clusters, similar to milk caseins that are evolutionary descendants of ODAM. Based on these considerations, I hypothesized that ODAM and AMTN generate and maintain the interface between unmineralized and hypermineralizing domains through weak protein–protein interactions and associations with calcium phosphate. This interface presumably facilitates hypermineralization, efficient removal of degraded proteins from the matrix, and the transfer of calcium phosphate to the matrix.
Evaluation of abnormal vaginal bleeding with the Gravlee Jet Washer

Abstract Experience with the Gravlee Jet Washer is described. While employed in 131 cases, the instrument could not be inserted into the canal in 15. In 85 of the remaining cases histologic material was available for comparison with cytologic material. The Gravlee Jet Washer proved to be reliable in detecting malignancy. It further detected a case of peritoneal carcinomatosis in which the endometrium was not involved. It was less accurate in diagnosing hyperplasia or other benign abnormalities. Sources of error are discussed.
Cuerpo y nación a través del poema "Su cuerpo es una isla en escombros" de Domingo de Ramos

This article is devoted mainly to one poem, "Su cuerpo es una isla en escombros," by Domingo de Ramos (1960), and its relationship to the Peruvian armed conflict that lasted from 1980 to 2000. The article focuses on one incident, the Peruvian prison massacre of June 1986. As part of the analysis, poetry by Alejandro Romualdo (1926-2008) and the Andean myth of the Inkarri are also used. The article shows how Domingo de Ramos's poetry, like similar work by other Peruvian poets, participates in a long tradition that uses the body as a space to represent sociohistorical processes.
Glacier Changes in Southeast Alaska and Northwest British Columbia and Contribution to Sea Level Rise

[1] The digital elevation model (DEM) from the 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) was differenced from a composite DEM based on air photos dating from 1948 to 1987 to determine glacier volume changes in southeast Alaska and adjoining Canada. SRTM accuracy was assessed at ±5 m through comparison with airborne laser altimetry and control locations measured with GPS. Glacier surface elevations lowered over 95% of the 14,580 km2 glacier-covered area analyzed, with some glaciers thinning as much as 640 m. A combination of factors have contributed to this wastage, including calving retreats of tidewater and lacustrine glaciers and climate change. Many glaciers in this region are particularly sensitive to climate change, as they have large areas at low elevations. However, several tidewater glaciers that had historically undergone calving retreats are now expanding and appear to be in the advancing stage of the tidewater glacier cycle. The net average rate of ice loss is estimated at 16.7 ± 4.4 km3/yr, equivalent to a global sea level rise contribution of 0.04 ± 0.01 mm/yr.
The Conception/Birth of Jesus as a Christological Moment

This paper is intended as a critique of Professor Raymond Brown's thesis that the Christology expressed in the birth narratives /1/ developed by a process of pushing back the post-resurrection Christology of Jesus' enthronement as Son of God first to the baptism and finally to his conception/birth. The argument is that the conception/birth was a christological moment with the Son of David Christology. It remains such in the sending of the Son pattern (which we argue should be distinguished from the pre-existence Christology), whence it provided the background for the Christology of the virginal-pneumatic conception.
Mixing of a dye tracer in the Delaware plume: Comparison of observations and simulations

[1] In April 2003 we injected Rhodamine-WT fluorescent dye into the halocline at the base of the Delaware River plume during an upwelling event. The dye immediately bifurcated: One third of the dye moved offshore with a portion of the plume, while the other 2/3 remained within the halocline, near the coastline. This behavior has not been previously observed, and it presents a strong challenge to contemporary coastal ocean models. Here we employ a numerical model of Delaware Bay and the adjacent coastal region that incorporates the Mellor-Yamada Level 2.5 turbulence closure scheme to simulate the observed dye injection event. Comparison between the simulation and observations reveals that the model is able to successfully reproduce the flow field, simulating the separation and subsequent advection of the dye. Consequently, the simulation is used to examine the relative effects of wind- and buoyancy-driven transport on mixing and advection of the dye. Comparison of simulated and observed plumes reveals that the model accurately reproduces the observed mixing and accompanying vertical salt flux within the offshore plume. Examination of the simulation reveals a unique combination of wind- and buoyancy-driven flow that results in the dye remaining in the halocline of the onshore plume despite significant vertical mixing due to winds. The strong stratification within the inshore plume causes the closure scheme to shut off the vertical diffusivities, leaving the circulation model with arbitrarily chosen constant background values. Varying these values reveals only a weak dependence of the salt flux within the highly stratified regions due to the highly localized nature of the salt flux.
Bile pigment composition and hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity in the fetal and adult dogfish shark, Squalus acanthias.

Abstract 1. 1. Bile pigments from adult and fetal spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) were separated and quantitated by high pressure liquid chromatography. 2. 2. In order of relative abundance, bilirubin monoglucuronide, unconjugated bilirubin, bilirubin diglucuronide and bilirubin monoglucoside were present in adult bile and in fetal bile and meconium. 3. 3. All bile pigments were of IXα configuration. 4. 4. Specific hepatic microsomal UDP-glucuronate glucuronosyl transferase activity towards bilirubin and p- nitrophenol were comparable in fetal and adult dogfish.
Relationships for predicting magnetic cloud-related geomagnetic storm intensity

Abstract Studying geomagnetic storm activity during 135 interplanetary magnetic cloud periods from 1965 to 1998, Wu and Lepping (J. Geophys. Res. 107 (2002b) 1346) found that the storm Dst index correlated well with both the interplanetary magnetic field z-component ( B z ) and the “rectified” electric field VB s but did not correlate well with solar wind speed. It is shown that the role of magnetic cloud speed in predicting storm intensity is a minor one. It also was found that the correlation coefficient for Dst vs. B z increases dramatically when the solar wind speed exceeds 600 km/s. This implies that solar wind speed is also important indirectly for predicting the storm intensity when using B z (or VB s ) as a direct predictor. Using the same data set of 135 magnetic cloud-associated storms, two Dst prediction-relationships were developed: one is velocity independent and the other is velocity dependent. In this study, (i) both Dst prediction-relationships will be presented and (ii) some recent storm events will be presented and discussed by (as examples) using both Dst prediction-relationships. The results of this study also show: (1) The intensity of a magnetic storm which is associated with a magnetic cloud is predictable. (2) The prediction relationships for storm intensity, Dst min are: Dst min = 0.83 + 7.85 × Bz min and Dst min = - 16.48 – 12.89 × ( VB s ) max . (3) The velocity dependence of the Dst min prediction relationship will improve the accuracy for a Bz -base prediction result. (4) For the VB s max -based prediction relationship, the prediction accuracy of Dst min becomes worse when a velocity-dependent prediction relationship is used.
Mechanisms for in-the-bag uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome

We propose 2 mechanisms of uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema (UGH) syndrome in 2 patients with intracapsular or in-the-bag single-piece acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs). In the first case, pseudophacodonesis secondary to zonular laxity from pseudoexfoliation syndrome caused chafing of the posterior iris by the square-edged haptic. In the second case, focal capsular fibrosis around the square-edged haptics combined with anteriorly rotated ciliary processes in plateau iris configuration caused points of chafing. Extensive capsular fibrosis of the haptic in both cases precluded IOL exchange. In the first case, a capsular tension ring redistributed zonular tension and reduced symptoms. In the second case, endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation relieved areas of chafing and resolved symptoms. In-the-bag square-edged haptics of single-piece acrylic IOLs are a potential source of iridociliary chafing in certain situations. The mechanisms observed here should be considered to promptly diagnose and treat UGH.
Molecular-Level Characterization of the Breathing Behavior of the Jungle-Gym-type DMOF-1 Metal–Organic Framework

Fundamental insights into the molecular mechanisms that determine the breathing behavior of the jungle-gym-type DMOF-1 metal–organic framework upon adsorption of benzene and isopropyl alcohol are gained from computer simulations. In all cases, good agreement is obtained between the calculated and experimental structural parameters. In the case of benzene adsorption, DMOF-1 is predicted to exist in a narrow pore configuration at high loadings and/or low temperature. A structural transition into a large pore configuration is then observed as the temperature increases and/or the loading decreases, which is directly related to the spatial distribution and molecular interactions of the benzene molecules within the pores. The isopropyl alcohol adsorption simulations indicate that DMOF-1 undergoes two distinct structural transitions (from large pore to narrow pore and then back to large pore) as the number of adsorbed molecules increases, which is explained in terms of the formation of hydrogen bonds between the...
Epithelium: At the interface of innate and adaptive immune responses

Several diseases of the airways have a strong component of allergic inflammation in their cause, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, polypoid chronic rhinosinusitis, eosinophilic bronchitis, and others. Although the roles played by antigens and pathogens vary, these diseases have in common a pathology that includes marked activation of epithelial cells in the upper airways, the lower airways, or both. Substantial new evidence indicates an important role of epithelial cells as both mediators and regulators of innate immune responses and adaptive immune responses, as well as the transition from innate immunity to adaptive immunity. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent studies that bear on the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which epithelial cells help to shape the responses of dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells and inflammatory cell recruitment in the context of human disease. Evidence will be discussed that suggests that secreted products of epithelial cells and molecules expressed on their cell surfaces can profoundly influence both immunity and inflammation in the airways.
Ellipsoidal mirrors as modular elements in the design of off-axis optical systems

The motivation for this work was the need for an unusual optical system satisfying unusual design requirements. In conventional parlance it was to be a telescope attachment the features of which resemble those of an eyepiece and a camera assessory. It was to operate over a wide range of infrared wave lengths split into three disjoint wave length domains each acted upon by a different optical subsystem forming images on three distinctly different detector arrays. These three subsystems were to operate simultaneously. In addition. the overa I 1 system was to have two distinct modes of operation. By switching a minimal number of optical elements the power of the overall system was to be changed by a factor of four.