cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair is financially viable at a high-volume medical center with positive hospital contribution margins and physician payment

Abstract Objective To examine hospital finances and physician payment associated with fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR) for complex aortic disease at a high-volume center and to compare the costs and reimbursements for FEVAR with open repair, and their trends over time. Methods Clinical and financial data were collected retrospectively from electronic medical and administrative records. Data for each patient included inpatient and outpatient encounters 3 months before and 12 months after the primary aneurysm operation. Results Between 2007 and 2017, 157 and 71 patients were treated with physician-modified endograft (PMEG) and Cook Zenith Fenestrated (ZFEN) repair, respectively. Twenty-one patients who were evaluated for FEVAR underwent open repair instead. The 228 FEVAR patients provided a total positive contribution margin (reimbursements minus direct costs) of $2.65 million. The index encounter (the primary aneurysm operation and hospitalization) accounted for the majority (90.6%) of the total contribution margin. The largest component (50.3%) of direct cost for FEVAR from the index encounter was implant/graft expenses. The average direct costs for FEVAR and for open repair from the index encounter were $34,688 and $35,020, respectively. The average contribution margins for FEVAR and for open repair were approximately $10,548 and $21,349, respectively, attributable to differences in reimbursement. The average direct cost for FEVAR trended down over time as cumulative experience increased. Average reimbursement for FEVAR increased after Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved payments with the Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) trial for PMEG in 2011, and a new technology add-on payment for ZFEN in 2012. These factors transitioned the average contribution margin from negative to positive in 2012. The average physician payments for PMEG increased from $128 to $5848 after the start of the IDE trial. The average physician payments for ZFEN and for open repair between 2011 and 2017 were $7597 and $7781, respectively. Conclusions FEVAR can be performed at a high-volume medical center with positive contribution margins and with comparable physician payments to open repair. At this institution, hospital reimbursement and physician payments improved for PMEG with participation in an IDE trial, while hospital direct costs decreased for both PMEG and ZFEN with accumulated experience.
A Rare Case of Ixazomib-Induced Cutaneous Necrotizing Vasculitis in a Patient with Relapsed Myeloma.

Ixazomib is the only oral proteasome inhibitor used in relapsed/refractory myeloma. Cutaneous side effects due to ixazomib have been documented in the literature; however, cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis is extremely rare. We describe a case of a 74-year-old man with relapsed multiple myeloma who was started on ixazomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone. He developed several skin lesions that were biopsied and revealed cutaneous necrotizing vasculitis. Ixazomib was held with resolution of the vasculitic lesions and restarted with dexamethasone to 20 mg on the day of treatment and 20 mg dose the day after treatment.
The Year the World Stood Still: Lessons and The Unquantifiable Consequences of the COVID-19 Outbreak, The Social Pandemic

In its recent March report, two particularly note worthy observations are made in relation to the OECD’s projections and predictions about possible outcomes of the recent COVID-19 outbreak (See Le Figaro, 2020): “The OECD put forward two main possible scenarios: The first, the basic one, which considers that the epidemic will peak in the first quarter following, and that its distribution in the rest of the world will be relatively contained…” The COVID-19 has not only impacted on a social, unprecedented magnitude as never before seen, with the cancellation of major sports tournaments and events, the deferral of the 2020 Olympics, but also highlights the importance of never under estimating a potentially devastating – and particularly unknown unprecedented unchartered phenomenon. Whilst the magnitude and consequences of the outbreak can certainly not be compensated – at least for many, or even quantified, it is hoped that greater cooperation between global economies, will be fostered in the ongoing efforts to find a solution to address the outbreak. This paper is aimed at contributing to the literature on a topic on which previous literature, at least prior to December 12 2019, practically and literally, in respect of COVID-19, did not exist. Many major economies and global economies have extended shut downs from excluding essential workers, to 80-90% of its citizens being ordered to stay at home. Whilst it is certainly crucial to ensure that the outbreak is contained, it appears that certain economies, given uncertainties associated with the nature, scope of recent developments, are willing to take risks at salvaging their economies. At what stage does a government decide that prevailing restrictive social distancing measures should be relaxed? What are possible mental, long term consequences associated with, and attributable to a protracted economic shut down? What options exist for monetary policy and central banks in particular, given less options available amidst historically low interest rate levels? These constitute some of the questions which this paper aims to address.
Reduced GABA/glutamate in the thalamus of individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis.

Youth at clinical high risk (CHR) are a unique population enriched for precursors of major psychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia (SCZ). Recent neuroimaging findings point to abnormalities in the thalamus of patients with SCZ, including chronic and early course patients, as well as in CHR individuals relative to healthy comparison groups, thus suggesting that thalamic dysfunctions are present even before illness onset. Furthermore, modeling data indicate that alteration between excitatory and inhibitory control, as reflected by alteration in GABAergic and glutamatergic balance (i.e., GABA/Glu), may underlie thalamic deficits linked to the risk and development of psychosis. There is, however, a lack of in vivo evidence of GABA/Glu thalamic abnormalities in the CHR state. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) 7 Tesla (7 T) provides enhanced resolution to quantify GABA and Glu levels in the thalamus of CHR individuals. In this study, we performed 7 T MRSI in 15 CHR and 20 healthy control (HC) participants. We found that GABA/Glu was significantly reduced in the right medial anterior and right medial posterior thalamus of CHR relative to HC groups. The GABA/Glu reduction was negatively correlated with general symptoms in the right medial anterior thalamus, as well as with disorganization symptoms in the right medial posterior thalamus. Altogether, these findings indicate that GABA/Glu abnormalities are present in the thalamus before the onset of full-blown psychosis and are associated with symptom severity, thus providing putative molecular and neuronal targets for early interventions in youth at CHR.
Tackling market distortions to rise productivity: a study using firm-level manufacturing sector data from Morocco

This paper studies the effect of market distortions in the manufacturing sector in Morocco. Recent microdata are used to calculate the extent of resource misallocation associated to these distortio...
Osteolineage depletion of mitofusin2 enhances cortical bone formation in female mice.

Abstract Mitochondria are essential organelles that form highly complex, interconnected dynamic networks inside cells. The GTPase mitofusin 2 (MFN2) is a highly conserved outer mitochondrial membrane protein involved in the regulation of mitochondrial morphology, which can affect various metabolic and signaling functions. The role of mitochondria in bone formation remains unclear. Since MFN2 levels increase during osteoblast (OB) differentiation, we investigated the role of MFN2 in the osteolineage by crossing mice bearing floxed Mfn2 alleles with those bearing Prx-cre to generate cohorts of conditional knock out (cKO) animals. By ex vivo microCT, cKO female mice, but not males, display an increase in cortical thickness at 8, 18, and 30 weeks, compared to wild-type (WT) littermate controls. However, the cortical anabolic response to mechanical loading was not different between genotypes. To address how Mfn2 deficiency affects OB differentiation, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from both wild-type and cKO mice were cultured in osteogenic media with different levels of β-glycerophosphate. cKO MSCs show increased mineralization and expression of multiple markers of OB differentiation only at the lower dose. Interestingly, despite showing the expected mitochondrial rounding and fragmentation due to loss of MFN2, cKO MSCs have an increase in oxygen consumption during the first 7 days of OB differentiation. Thus, in the early phases of osteogenesis, MFN2 restrains oxygen consumption thereby limiting differentiation and cortical bone accrual during homeostasis in vivo.
Bandwidth Extension is All You Need

Speech generation and enhancement have seen recent breakthroughs in quality thanks to deep learning. These methods typically operate at a limited sampling rate of 16-22kHz due to computational complexity and available datasets. This limitation imposes a gap between the output of such methods and that of high-fidelity (≥44kHz) real-world audio applications. This paper proposes a new bandwidth extension (BWE) method that expands 8-16kHz speech signals to 48kHz. The method is based on a feed-forward WaveNet architecture trained with a GAN-based deep feature loss. A mean-opinion-score (MOS) experiment shows significant improvement in quality over state-of-the-art BWE methods. An AB test reveals that our 16-to-48kHz BWE is able to achieve fidelity that is typically indistinguishable from real high-fidelity recordings. We use our method to enhance the output of recent speech generation and denoising methods, and experiments demonstrate significant improvement in sound quality over these baselines. We propose this as a general approach to narrow the gap between generated speech and recorded speech, without the need to adapt such methods to higher sampling rates.
Innovation to what end? Exploring the dynamic landscape of Texas teacher preparation pathways

The teacher education and preparation marketplace is a complex mix of traditional and alternative programs. Though prior studies have identified a great deal of variation across these programs, an analysis of innovation has been limited. Drawing on theories of organizational innovation, and specifically, dimensions of innovation related to organizational structure, processes, and outcomes, we conduct an exploratory study of innovation in Texas’ teacher preparation marketplace. This descriptive study of teacher preparation programs includes an analysis of state and national data across three years (2014-2017). Data also include results from a content analysis of 30 sample program websites. Although most programs met accountability requirements, we found few programs signaled innovation related to program, teacher, and workforce characteristics. Rather, we identified organizational assimilation as programs adopted similar features to remain competitive. Our analysis suggests programs should critically unpack what it means to be innovative in a dynamic and competitive teacher preparation marketplace.
Should Universities Mandate the COVID-19 Vaccine?

At the time this article was written, May 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted many aspects of life, including higher education, for more than a year. At the start of the pandemic, universities, including professional healthcare programs, were faced with the challenge of adopting virtual learning formats with the expectation of returning to face-to-face delivery in the nearest possible future. Some restrictions, guided by social distancing and masking requirements, have remained in effect long past what was initially anticipated, and virtual instruction remains the predominant delivery method, limiting the opportunities for hands-on instruction. Many aspects of education, including enrollment, fiduciary stability, faculty engagement, assessment options, and technological competence, have been affected by the extended interruption. As universities and programs prepare for the Fall 2021 semester, there is strong advocacy for a return to campus. This is especially desirable in healthcare education as many aspects of these programs benefit from face-to-face engagement, including hands-on skills preparation in the areas of physical exam and therapeutic options and retention strategies. In order to return to predominantly in-person education, steps need to be taken to ensure the safety of the student body and the faculty. One such action that would reduce the possibility of transmission of the virus would be to mandate that all students receive the COVID-19 vaccine in order to participate in classroom, in-person instructional delivery. The question is: Can or should the vaccine be mandated?
Providing Ancillary Services with Photovoltaic Generation in Multi- Timescale Grid Operation

With penetration levels of photovoltaic (PV) generation substantially increasing, electric power systems need more flexible resources that can provide ancillary services to mitigate the variability and uncertainty of the PV. On one hand, the increase in PV generation necessitates more flexible resources; on the other hand, because of its low operation cost, PV generation has been replacing conventional generation, which is currently the main flexible resource. Consequently, there is a trend to require renewable generation, including PV, to provide flexible ancillary services. This paper proposes a multi-timescale grid operation model considering the various control strategies of PV providing different ancillary services. Numerical case studies demonstrate that with PV providing both regulation reserve and primary frequency reserve, the system operating costs and PV curtailment will be reduced significantly. Results show that not only the system reliability can be improved but also PV profitability with PV providing more ancillary services.
'Magic' or Smoke and Mirrors? The Gendered Illusion of Jus Cogens

International law scholars have referred to the “magic” of jus cogens norms: their exalted status in terms of legal effects, symbolic impact and ability to shape the international legal order. The doctrine’s “magic,” however, is belied by the smoke and mirrors of the prevailing approach to norm identification. This paper explores how the positivist identification process creates an illusion of methodological soundness that serves to marginalize gender. The paper begins by demonstrating that the positivist approach to jus cogens identification, epitomized by the recent work of the U.N. International Law Commission (ILC), is irredeemably lacking in the rigor and objectivity to which positivism lays claim. The ILC’s methodology fails to set forth clear benchmarks for attaining jus cogens status; cherry-picks evidentiary items relevant to each norm, in lieu of comprehensive assessments; provides minimal guidance regarding how evidentiary items are to be weighted; and draws from an unreliable pool of evidence. Next, the paper reveals that, as a result of these methodological deficiencies, judicial and non-judicial decision-makers have unfettered discretion in selecting which norms do and do not qualify as jus cogens. They may elect to make decisions based on instinct (“I know it when I see it”), assorted normativist theories (including natural law) or self-interest (as State actors are wont to do). The true bases of their decision-making are unknown, and a sense of jus cogens agnosticism is appropriate. The paper then explains how the discretionary selection process is cloaked and obscured by the positivist promise of an objective, rigorous evaluation — such is the illusion of jus cogens. This illusion facilitates the marginalization of gender, consistent with structural and pervasive biases within international law. The paper concludes with a reflection on potential alternatives to positivism that could yield a more inclusive jus cogens. The novelty of this paper is three-fold. First, although not the first to lament the methodological failings of jus cogens positivism, it seems to be the first to identify and detail these failings. Second, the paper exposes the discretionary basis of jus cogens decision-making, which is obfuscated by the promise of a rigorous evidentiary calculus. This understanding disrupts the positivism-normativism binary that characterizes much of jus cogens scholarship. Third, the paper shows how the positivist illusion results in the exclusion of feminist priorities. Despite the voluminous scholarship on jus cogens, there appears to be a stunning paucity of feminist literature addressing the doctrine; the paper seeks to fill this lacuna.
Progression and Resolution of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Golden Syrian Hamsters.

To catalyze SARS-CoV-2 research including development of novel interventive and preventive strategies, we characterized progression of disease in depth in a robust COVID-19 animal model. In this model, male and female golden Syrian hamsters were inoculated intranasally with SARS-CoV-2 USA-WA1/2020. Groups of inoculated and mock-inoculated uninfected control animals were euthanized at 2, 4, 7, 14 and 28 days post-inoculation to track multiple clinical, pathology, virology, and immunology outcomes. SARS-CoV-2-inoculated animals consistently lost body weight during the first week of infection, had higher lung weights at terminal timepoints, and developed lung consolidation per histopathology and quantitative image analysis measurements. High levels of infectious virus and viral RNA were reliably present in the respiratory tract at days 2 and 4 post-inoculation, corresponding with widespread necrosis and inflammation. At day 7, when infectious virus was rare, interstitial and alveolar macrophage infiltrates and marked reparative epithelial responses (type II hyperplasia) dominated in the lung. These lesions resolved over time, with only residual epithelial repair evident by day 28 post-inoculation. The use of quantitative approaches to measure cellular and morphologic alterations in the lung provides valuable outcome measures for developing therapeutic and preventive interventions for COVID-19 using the hamster COVID-19 model.
On the consistency of the maximum likelihood estimator for the three parameter lognormal distribution

Abstract The three parameter log-normal distribution is a popular non-regular model, but surprisingly, whether the local maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) for parameter estimation is consistent or not has been speculated about since the 1960s. This note gives a rigorous proof for the existence of a consistent MLE for the three parameter log-normal distribution, which solves a problem that has been recognized and unsolved for 50 years. Our results also imply a uniform local asymptotic normality condition for the three parameter log-normal distribution. In addition, we give results on the asymptotic normality and the uniqueness of the local MLE.
Coral injuries observed at Mesophotic Reefs after the Deepwater Horizon oil discharge

Abstract Pathologies in over 400 octocoral and antipatharian colonies were quantified in the aftermath of the DWH oil discharge. Observations were made in September 2011 at water depths of 65–75 m in the Pinnacle Reef trend area offshore from Mississippi and Alabama, Gulf of Mexico, using a digital macro camera deployed from an ROV to examine the coral populations for injury at two principal sites: Alabama Alps Reef (AAR) and Roughtongue Reef (RTR). Taxa observed to exhibit injury included gorgonian octocorals Hypnogorgia pendula , Bebryce spp., Thesea nivea , and Swiftia exserta , the antipatharian Antipathes atlantica, and the sea whips Stichopathes sp., and Ellisella barbadensis . The most common type of injury was a biofilm with a clumped or flake-like appearance covering sea-fan branches. Extreme injuries were characterized by bare skeletons, broken and missing branches. Comparing the 2011 results to previous photo surveys of the same study sites between 1997 and 1999, we found significantly more occurrences of injury in 2011 among taxa with growth forms >0.5 m. We hypothesize that Tropical Storm Bonnie facilitated and accelerated the mixing process of dispersant-treated hydrocarbons into the water column, resulting in harmful contact with coral colonies at mesophotic depths. Analysis of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (tPAH) concentrations in sediments at AAR and RTR found levels elevated above pre-discharge values, but orders of magnitude below toxicity thresholds established for fauna in estuarine sediments. The tPAH concentrations measured in octocoral and echinoderm tissue samples from AAR and RTR were detectable (mean values ranged from 51 to 345 ppb); however, bioeffect thresholds do not currently exist with which to evaluate the potential harm these levels may cause. Our findings indicate that coral injuries observed in 2011 may have resulted from an acute, isolated event rather than ongoing natural processes.
"To Judge Harshly": The Troubled Legacy of America's Struggle with Poverty

About Thomas Kiffmeyer Thomas Kiffmeyer received his undergraduate degree from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) in 1985 and his PhD from the University of Kentucky in 1998. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of History at Morehead State University. His publications include Reformers to Radicals: The Appalachian Volunteers and The War on Poverty (University Press of Kentucky) and We Are Ordered To Do Everything: The National Advisory Commission on Rural Poverty and American Social Thought (Register of the Kentucky Historical Society). Thomas Kiffmeyer
American Society of Diagnostic and Interventional Nephrology Section Editor: Stephen Ash: Cutting Balloon Angioplasty for Resistant Venous Anastomotic Stenoses

Conventional angioplasty of stenoses at the venous anastomosis has been demonstrated to be an important endovascular adjunct to mechanical thrombectomy of clotted arteriovenous dialysis grafts. In some cases, however, severe venous anastomosis stenosis is resistant to angioplasty. Cutting balloon angioplasty may have an advantageous role in these difficult situations in order to avoid surgical revision. In this series of 350 patients receiving percutaneous, endovascular declotting procedures, 9 patients had high-grade venous anastomotic stenoses (opening less than 2 mm) that could not be remedied with either conventional or high-pressure noncompliant peripheral angioplasty balloons. These nine patients had the lesions opened with the use of 4 mm x 10 mm cutting balloons and placement of self-expanding nitinol stents at the venous anastomosis during the same angiography procedure. Patients were followed for patency and functionality of the graft. In all cases, immediate technical success occurred. Among these patients, the vessels have remained patent for as long as 20 months of follow-up and grafts have remained functional. Cutting balloon angioplasty may have a potential therapeutic role in resistant venous anastomotic stenoses.
In Time of War: Understanding American Public Opinion from World War II to Iraq, by Adam J. Berinsky

What the public believes about foreign intervention policy is a long-standing topic of fascination among publics, pundits, and professors. In Time of War pushes the exploration back in history and ...
Single-plane-wave Larkin -Ovchinnikov -Fulde -Ferrell state in BCS-BEC crossover

We study the single-plane-wave Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrell (LOFF) states for BCS-Bose-Einstein condensation crossover at general temperatures $T$. Because we include the important effects of noncondensed pairs, our $T\ensuremath{\ne}0$ phase diagrams are different from those reported in earlier work. We find that generalized LOFF phases may be the ground state for a wide range of (weak through moderately strong) interactions, including the unitary regime. However, these LOFF phases are readily destroyed by nonzero $T$.
Two variations of certainty control

Abstract : Two variations of certainty control are presented. The original certainty control formulation produced a shrinking sphere about the predicted impact point with the surface being a function of estimated error. The first variation of this formulation introduces a control effectiveness ratio to regulate thrusting time. The second formulation replaces the shrinking sphere with a shrinking ellipsoid; if the predicted miss is inside or touching the ellipsoid, thrusting is not necessary. Variational performances in lateral thrusting are examined for a hypervelocity, exoatmospheric, orbital vehicle in the final 30 seconds of flight while it is attempting to intercept a boosting missile. Neither variation simultaneously reduces maneuvering cost and miss distance, indicating that the original formulation effectively uses the state error estimates.... Thrust control, Terminal guidance, Guided missiles, Weapon control, Control theory, Hypervelocity rockets, Kinetic energy
Comparative biology of mouse versus human cells: modelling human cancer in mice

Laboratory mice have represented a powerful experimental system for understanding the intricacy of human cancer pathogenesis. Indeed, much of our current conceptualization of how tumorigenesis occurs in humans is strongly influenced by mouse models of cancer development. However, an emerging body of evidence indicates that there are fundamental differences in how the process of tumorigenesis occurs in mice and humans. What are these species-specific differences and how do they affect the use of mice as models of human tumour pathogenesis?
A new sulfene synthesis

Abstract Treatment of trimethylsilylmethanesulfonyl chloride with cesium fluoride in acetonitrile at room temperature has been found to produce sulfene which can be trapped in good yield.
Invariants of Domains under the Actions of Restricted Lie Algebras

Abstract The goal of this paper is to examine the relationship between a domain R and its subring of invariants R L , under the action of a finite-dimensional restricted Lie algebra L . We first show that there exists a nondegenerate ( R L , R L )-bimodule "trace-like" map g : R → R L and therefore I ∩ R L ≠ 0, for every ideal I ≠ 0 of R . Next, we show that there exists a right R L -module embedding φ of R into a finite direct sum of copies of R L . Using the maps g and φ, we obtain the following, which is a combination of several of the main results of this paper.
Variable patch sizes for normalized cross correlation in image pairs

Image registration plays an important role in many image understanding applications, such as stereo vision for depth recovery and biometric recognition. Correlation-based matches are often used in such registration applications. The performance of correlation-based matching algorithms such as the Normalized Cross Correlation (NCC) depends on the image patch size used in the computation. We present an algorithm that adapts the patch size so that the patch is distinguishable from other patches from the same image. The new method seeks the best balance point between matching performance and computational cost in NCC computation. Experimental results demonstrate the performance of our method.
Inverted repeat domains in membrane proteins

With the upsurge in known membrane protein structures, common structural themes have started to emerge. One of these is the inverted repeat, a tandem of α-helical domains that have similar tertiary folds but opposite membrane orientations. In all previously known examples, both repeat units were encoded in a single continuous polypeptide. Recent structures of a bacterial multidrug transporter, EmrE, revealed an inverted repeat membrane protein wherein the two repeat units are assembled from two polypeptides with the same primary sequence. Here, we speculate on some of the implications of the EmrE structure with regards to our understanding of membrane protein evolution and topogenesis.
State-Variable Steady-State Analysis of a Controlled Current Induction Motor Drive

The exact equations defining steady-state operation of a controlled current induction motor drive system are derived by solving the system state equations in the stationary reference frame. These equations, which assume ideal current filtering, eliminate the difficulties involved in taking derivatives of discontinuous currents by defining a pair of pseudocurrent variables. Effects of saturation are included by using the slope ratio method. Electromagnetic torque and current pulsations are computed for various load conditions, and experimental confirmation of the calculated results is made. Similarities and differences to voltage controlled characteristics are presented. It is shown that normal open-loop operation occurs on the unstable side of the torque-slip characteristic necessitating the use of feedback control for stable operation.
Democratic Dreams Neglected in the Land of the Pharaohs: US Democracy Assistance in Egypt

This paper examines the Obama Administration’s approach to democracy promotion in Egypt. After a brief discussion of the motivation for promoting democracy, this essay compares the Obama Administration to its predecessor and analyzes the changes that were spurred by the Arab Awakening. Did the Obama Administration, during and after the 2011 Revolution, fully support democratic change in Egypt not only with rhetoric but also with the financial and programmatic support necessary to help a transitioning country? Did the Obama Administration offer a consistent message on the importance of democratic policies? Or did the administration allow other policy objectives to trump democratic efforts? This paper explores the language, policies, and funding employed by the Obama Administration in Egypt to see what the impact has been.
Soil moisture controls on temperature sensitivity of soil organic carbon decomposition for a mesic grassland

Abstract We examined relationships between soil moisture and the temperature sensitivity of decomposition of labile soil organic carbon at a central North American grassland. For soils collected from shallow, xeric uplands, temperature sensitivity was greatest at intermediate soil moisture. For soils collected from the deeper, mesic lowlands, temperature sensitivity increased with increasing soil moisture. For example, lowland soils incubated at 75% WHC exhibited an apparent activation energy (E a ) that was 15 kJ mol −1 greater than soils incubated at 30% WHC, the equivalent of a Q 10 of 2.8 vs. 2.3. Although further research is still needed to understand why moisture–temperature sensitivity relationships would differ between topographic positions, the magnitude of the soil moisture effect is large enough to alter soil C budgets and should be considered explicitly when predicting ecosystem responses to global change scenarios.
Cell‐cycle‐dependent expression of human melanoma membrane antigen analyzed by flow cytometry

Knowledge of tumor antigenic expression is crucial to the design of therapeutic strategy. A murine monoclonal antibody (BE4) against a human melanoma membrane antigen, was used to study the in vitro expression of this antigen. By membrane immunofluorescence, BE4 reacted against 5 of 8 melanoma lines as compared to zero of 13 other cell populations. Using flow cytometry, the antigenic M14 CEM melanoma cells consisted of 40% to 60% of the total cell population. Dual-parameter measurements of DNA content and membrane antigen demonstrated that the nonantigenic cells were predominantly in G0/G1 phase, whereas the antigenic cells were distributed throughout the cell cycle. Within one passage, the sorted and recultured nonantigenic population demonstrated a similar proportion of antigenic cells as the unsorted original population. It was concluded that the expression of human melanoma antigen was cell-cycle-dependent. Understanding factors that turn off the expression of antigen in G0/G1 phase may lead to better immunotherapeutic strategies.
■ FEATURED POSTERA comparison of do-it-yourself ultrasound-guided biopsy and vascular access phantoms

Learning Objectives 1. Recognize the need for easily made, inexpensive ultrasound-guided biopsy and vascular access phantoms for use by trainees. 2. Learn which materials are suitable for ultrasound tissue simulation. 3. Identify the different options for do-it-yourself (DIY) phantoms, how they are made, and their respective strengths and weaknesses. Background Free-hand ultrasound-guided biopsy and vascular access often provoke anxiety for inexperienced radiology residents when performed on patients for the first time and may result in greater patient discomfort. Such tension can be eased by first practicing on phantoms to gain familiarity and even comfort with ultrasound-guided procedures. Commercially available phantoms are prohibitively expensive with a finite life. Alternatively, comparable phantoms can be made cheaply and easily. Our mission was to explore the different options for DIY biopsy and vascular access phantoms to compare and contrast each. Clinical Findings/Procedure Details Following a literature and general internet search, multiple variations of DIY phantoms were found, usually with gelatin used as the “tissue” medium. Silicon caulking was also referenced. Additionally, animal tissue such as turkey breast or beef liver has been used with success. Objects used to simulate lesions for biopsy included olives, potatoes, small water balloons (made from glove fingertips), and playdough. Vessels were simulated with long thin latex balloons filled with water and by creating water filled channels in gelatin itself. Once the phantoms were created, each was scored on several different measures. These measures included cost, difficulty/time to manufacture, sonographic tissue simulation, tissue tactile simulation or "feel", and durability/shelf-life. Residents and faculty scored each phantom and the results compiled in chart format for ease of comparison. Conclusion and/or Teaching Points Several different options exist for DIY ultrasound-guided biopsy and vascular access phantoms, each with inherent strengths and weaknesses. Our pictorial essay outlines and compares these different options with directions on their manufacture and use.
Protein A assay for mouse mammary tumor virus gp52 determinants on murine and human mammary tumor cells.

Abstract An isotopic staphylococcal protein A test (ISPAT) has been used to detect determinants of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) envelope antigen (gp52) on murine mammary tumor cells and to search for an immunologically related protein on the surface of established human mammary tumor cell lines. The substitution of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated staphylococcal protein A (SPA) in assay for iodinated SPA demonstrated that gp52 detected on murine cells by adherent cell assay was predominantly membrane associated rather than cytoplasmic in nature. Swiss mouse embryo cells producing a C-type retrovirus (Moloney murine leukemia virus) were negative when assayed for gp52. Comparative assays (ISPATs) for gp52 cell surface determinants on human and murine mammary tumor cells did not demonstrate gp52-specific binding on five cell lines derived from human breast tumors and one derived from the milk of a lactating woman; however, parallel control GR mammary cultures, assayed on the same day, demonstrated the capability of the assay to detect gp52 determinants. Results indicated that this assay could have detected gp52 determinants on human cells at levels 1/11th to 1/60th of the amounts detected on murine cells.
Defective arachidonate release and PGE2 production in Giα2‐deficient intestinal and colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts

BACKGROUND: Mice lacking the pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein subunit Gi alpha2 spontaneously develop colitis and colon cancer. In the gut, arachidonate-derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) modulates intestinal immune responses and epithelial restitution and is derived largely from subepithelial myofibroblasts. METHODS: We tested whether known decreases in arachidonate release in cells lacking Gi alpha2 would result in decreased PGE2 production and tissue PGE2 levels. PGE2 levels were significantly decreased in the colon of Gi alpha2-/- mice. RESULTS: Gi alpha2-/- myofibroblasts from the small intestine and colon both released asymptotically equal to 50% less arachidonate and 3- to 7-fold less PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1alpha in response to adenosine triphosphate, thrombin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, or lipopolysaccharide, in a partially cyclooxygenase (COX)-2-dependent manner. Decreased arachidonate release did not appear to be caused by a defect in cPLA2 translocation in the absence of Gi alpha2. Basal myofibroblast COX-1 and COX-2 expression was downregulated in Gi alpha2-/- cells. No differences in proliferation rates were found between serum-starved or serum-activated wild-type (WT) and Gi alpha2-/- myofibroblasts. Finally, treatment of Gi alpha2-/- mice with the EP4-specific PGE2 receptor agonist ONO-AE1-329 significantly decreased the severity of established colitis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm a requirement for Gi alpha2 in intestinal and colonic myofibroblast-derived prostanoid production and confirm the importance of mucosal PGE2 in the suppression of colitis.
Comparison of universal chromatographic detectors for trace gas analysis

Various performance parameters of three detector systems used in trace level gas analysis, helium ionization detection (HID), discharge ionization detection (DID), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), have been compared. The detectors were compared for sensitivity, sample matrix effects, and stability. While detection limits were roughly comparable for all three detectors, both GC-MS and DID out-performed HID in various matrix effects and stability tests. Furthermore, HID demonstrated non-linear behavior over a relatively small concentration range.
Mu-opioid receptors in the ventral tegmental area are targeted to presynaptically and directly modulate mesocortical projection neurons.

Mesocorticolimbic projections originating from dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) play a critical role in opiate addiction. Activation of mu-opioid receptors (MOR), which are located mainly within inhibitory neurons in the VTA, results in enhanced dopaminergic transmission in target regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We combined retrograde tract-tracing and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry to determine if neurons in the VTA that project to the mPFC contain MOR or receive input from MOR-containing terminals. Rats received unilateral injections of the retrograde tracer Fluoro-Gold (FG) into the mPFC. Tissue sections throughout the VTA were then processed for electron microscopic examination of FG and MOR. Immunoperoxidase labeling for FG was present in VTA cell bodies that contained immunogold-silver particles for MOR that often were contacted by profiles exclusively immunoreactive for MOR, including somata and axon terminals. The majority of dually labeled profiles were dendrites that received convergent input from unlabeled axon terminals forming either symmetric or asymmetric type synapses. Within retrogradely labeled cell bodies and proximal dendrites, MOR immunoreactivity was mainly sequestered within the cytoplasm. In contrast, distal retrogradely labeled dendrites contained MOR gold particles located along the plasma membranes. These data suggest that opiates active at MOR in the VTA modulate cortical activity through 1) presynaptic actions on MOR in terminals contacting mesocortical cell bodies, and 2) direct activation of MOR in distal dendrites of projection neurons.
Voices from the Battlefield: Reports of the Daily Experiences of Urban Black Mothers

There are persistent disparities in maternal child health in the United States. In this study I used an ethnographic design to portray the everyday lives of 130 Black, low-income, urban mothers. The women described daily battles related to a lack of material and human resources. To deal with these challenges, they assumed the role of soldiers, developed new tactical maneuvers, trusted in God for justice, shared their resources with their comrades, took short-lived breaks when they were wounded in action, and used escape mechanisms. Public health interventions are needed to deal with infrastructural deficits and support the women's defenses.
Effect of substituting groups on the reduction of the Δ4 bond of steroids

Abstract We have previously reported that bovine blood albumin contains an enzyme system which is capable of reducing the 4–5 double bond of several biologically active steroids in the presence of a TPNH-generating system. One hundred micrograms of steroid at pH 6.4 is incubated with 5% bovine blood albumin under nitrogen for 24 hr. The steroid is extracted from the incubation medium by solvents. The 4–5 double bond of androst-4-ene-3β,17β-diol was not reduced by the enzyme system, suggesting the requirement of a ketone or α-hydroxyl at carbon 3 for the reduction. When androst-4-ene-17β-ol, androst-4-ene-3α, 17β-diol and 2α-fluoro-androst-4-ene-3α, 17β-diol were incubated, the 4–5 double bond was not reduced. Incubation of their corresponding 3-keto derivatives resulted in complete reduction of the 4–5 double bond. Androst-5-ene-3β, 17β-diol, 3β-hydroxy-pregn-5-ene-20-one, 3β-hydroxy-androst-5-ene-17-one, and their corresponding 3-keto derivatives were not reduced by the enzyme system. Thus the enzyme system appears to be highly specific in that a 3-ketone is required and the 4–5 double bond is reduced while the 5–6 is not. The 5β orientation is always produced. Chromatography of the extremely crude enzyme preparation on a cabunite column resulted in a 240-fold purification. Paper electrophoresis of the enzyme resulted in only one peak which migrated similar to γ-globulins.
Tumors potentiating catecholamine-induced hypertension.

Abstract Baseline blood pressures were greater in rats bearing transplantable or spontaneous tumors than in non-tumor bearing animals. The 100,000 x g supernate of tumor homogenates when given intraperitoneally to normal rats potentiated the hypertensive effect of catecholamines. The potentiating factor was non-dialyzable and inactivated by heat.
Dual-phase lag effects on thermal damage to biological tissues caused by laser irradiation

A dual-phase lag (DPL) bioheat conduction model, together with the broad beam irradiation method and the rate process equation, is proposed to investigate thermal damage in laser-irradiated biological tissues. It is shown that the DPL bioheat conduction model could predict significantly different temperature and thermal damage in tissues from the hyperbolic thermal wave and Fourier's heat conduction models. It is also found that the DPL bioheat conduction equations can be reduced to the Fourier heat conduction equations only if both phase lag times of the temperature gradient (@t"T) and the heat flux (@t"q) are zero. This is different from the DPL model for pure conduction materials, for which it can be reduced to the Fourier's heat conduction model provided that @t"[email protected]"T. Effects of laser parameters and blood perfusion on the thermal damage simulated in tissues are also studied. The result shows that the overall effects of the blood flow on the thermal response and damage are similar to those of the time delay @t"T.
Cell-Autonomous Recognition of the Rust Pathogen Determines Rp1-Specified Resistance in Maize

The Rp1 gene of maize determines resistance to the leaf rust pathogen Puccinia sorghi. X-ray treatment of heterozygous (Rp1 Oy/rp1 oy) maize embryos generated seedlings with yellow sectors lacking. Rp1. Yellow sectored seedlings inoculated with rust spores gave rust pustule formation in yellow (Rp1-lacking) sectors and hypersensitive resistance in green tissues, thereby demonstrating that the Rp1 gene product is cellautonomous in its action. In cases where the hypersensitive reaction was initiated in green (Rp1) tissue next to a yellow sector, the hypersensitive response appeared to be propagated poorly, if at all, through Rp1-lacking cells.
Multiple tyrosine residues in the cytosolic domain of the erythropoietin receptor promote activation of STAT5.

Abstract Signaling through the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R) is crucial for proliferation, differentiation, and survival of erythroid progenitor cells. EPO induces homodimerization of the EPO-R, triggering activation of the receptor-associated kinase JAK2 and activation of STAT5. By mutating the eight tyrosine residues in the cytosolic domain of the EPO-R, we show that either Y343 or Y401 is sufficient to mediate maximal activation of STAT5; tyrosine residues Y429 and Y431 can partially activate STAT5. Comparison of the sequences surrounding these tyrosines reveals YXXL as the probable motif specifying recruitment of STAT5 to the EPO-R. Expression of a mutant EPO-R lacking all eight tyrosine residues in the cytosolic domain supported a low but detectable level of EPO-induced STAT5 activation, indicating the existence of an alternative pathway for STAT5 activation independent of any tyrosine in the EPO-R. The kinetics of STAT5 activation and inactivation were the same, regardless of which tyrosine residue in the EPO-R mediated its activation or whether the alternative pathway was used. The ability of mutant EPO-Rs to activate STAT5 did not directly correlate with their mitogenic potential.
Temperature acclimation in the mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus): Changes in metabolic rate and the response to norepinephrine

Abstract 1. 1. Metabolic rates (MR) and body temperatures (Tb) of adult Mongolian gerbils, acclimated for 6 weeks at 5 ± 1, 24 ± 1 and 35 ± 1°C, were measured at several ambient temperatures (Ta) between 4 and 38°C. 2. 2. Thermoneutral zones (TNZ) for the 3 groups were as follows: controls, 32–34°C; cold-acclimated, 30–36°C; heat-acclimated, 32–38°C. This is narrower than the TNZ previously reported for this species. 3. 3. At all temperatures within their respective TNZs, cold-acclimated gerbils had higher MRs and heat-acclimated gerbils lower MRs than controls. 4. 4. Although the gerbil was originally native to desert and semiarid regions, the animals studied here did not have the relatively low TbS ( 5. 5. All three groups of gerbils showed a significant increase in MR and Tb following NE injection, suggesting a significant capacity for NST even prior to cold acclimation.
Endosonographic appearances of Brunner's gland hamartomas.

Brunner's gland hamartoma is an uncommon intestinal tumor, most frequently located in the duodenal bulb. We report the endoscopic sonographic (EUS) appearances in 2 cases of Brunner's gland hamartoma. In 1 case, EUS revealed a heterogeneous hypoechoic pedunculated mass, 1.7 cm in diameter, arising from the mucosal and submucosal layers of the wall of the duodenal bulb. Multiple anechoic large and small cystic areas were demonstrated in the tumor. In the other case, EUS revealed a 1.4- x 0.9-cm pedunculated mass with an echogenicity higher than that of the muscular layer and lower than that of the mucosa, arising from the submucosal layer of the duodenal bulb wall. Multiple small anechoic areas were demonstrated in the tumor. We believe that both EUS patterns are typical for Brunner's gland hamartomas.