cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early subclinical tubulitis and interstitial inflammation in kidney transplantation have adverse clinical implications

This prospective observational cohort study compared the impact of subclinical tubulitis with or without interstitial inflammation to interstitial inflammation alone and to no inflammation in early post kidney transplant biopsies. A study cohort of 415 patients (living and deceased donor recipients) was divided into three groups on the basis of their three-month biopsy: 149 patients with No Inflammation (NI), 83 patients with Isolated Interstitial Inflammation (IIF), and 183 patients with Tubulitis [(with or without interstitial inflammation) (TIF) but not meeting criteria for Banff IA]. TIF was further divided into 56 patients with tubulitis without interstitial inflammation (TIF0) and 127 patients with tubulitis alongside interstitial inflammation (TIF1). TIF was significantly associated with higher incidence of subsequent T-cell mediated rejection (clinical or subclinical) at one year compared to IIF (31% vs 15%) and NI (31% vs 17%). Chronicity on one-year biopsy was significantly higher in TIF compared to IIF (22% vs 11%) and NI (22% vs 7%). De novo donor-specific antibody development was significantly higher in TIF compared to NI (6% vs 0.7%). Tubulitis subgroups (TIF0 and TIF1) revealed comparable effects on de novo donor-specific antibody and interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy development. However, tubulitis with interstitial inflammation had a significantly higher incidence of subsequent rejection and posed an increased hazard for the composite end point (subsequent acute rejection and death censored graft loss) compared to other groups [adjusted hazard 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.2-3.5)]. Thus, subclinical tubulitis is a marker of adverse immunological events, but tubulitis with interstitial inflammation has a worse prognosis. Hence, the Banff 1997 (TIF1) and Banff 2005 classifications (TIF) for borderline change may have different implications.
Evaluation of a Revised Home Medication Experience Questionnaire (HOME-Qv2)

The Home Medication Experience Questionnaire (HOME-Qv2) was developed to identify patient medication experience issues for pharmacist intervention. The study objectives were to (1) evaluate patient responses to the HOME-Qv2 medication experience questionnaire and (2) describe recommendations made by pharmacists in response to the identified medication experience issues and adoption of recommendations. The study sample was comprised of older adults, 55 years and above, who have one or more chronic illnesses for which they routinely take 4+ prescription medications. The HOME-Qv2 was administered to patients and a pharmacist made recommendations based on the responses. At 3 months, the research team followed up with participants via telephone, during which the HOME-Qv2 was again administered and participants shared their adoption of recommendations. Twenty-four patients completed the questionnaire, and twenty-one were available for follow-up. At 3 months, there was a significant decrease in patient self-reported HOME-Qv2 medication experience issues. There were 31 interventions/recommendations provided by the pharmacists, and 64.5% reported adopted. The HOME-Qv2 appears to facilitate patient disclosure of medication experience issues and informed targeted pharmacist recommendations.
Comparison of general anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care for sialendoscopy procedures.

Abstract Objectives The literature remains scarce in terms of comparing different anesthesia modalities in sialendoscopy. Due to the lack of a standard of care or guidelines to anesthetic care, it is generally accepted that surgeons perform these surgeries under the anesthetic modality in which they are most comfortable. In this study, we evaluate time spent on the day of surgery and post-surgical outcomes for patients receiving sialendoscopy under monitored anesthesia care versus general anesthesia. Materials and methods We retrospectively assessed patients who underwent sialendoscopy using a solely endoscopic approach for sialadenitis or sialolithiasis from March 2017 to December 2019. Anesthesia modality (monitored anesthesia care versus general anesthesia) was compared. Main outcomes included total time in hospital, operative time, total time in operating room, anesthesia time, and recovery time. Secondary outcomes included rate of resolution of symptoms, requiring further medical management, requiring further surgical intervention, and complications. Results A total of 172 procedures were included. Sialendoscopy under monitored anesthesia care center compared to general anesthesia decreased median hospital time (141 min reduction), anesthesia time (46 min reduction), operative time (24 min reduction), time in operating room (43 min reduction), and recovery time (56 min reduction). Utilizing monitored anesthesia care demonstrated similar rates of post-operative resolution of symptoms, complications, and further medical or surgical intervention compared to the general anesthesia cohort. Conclusion Sialendoscopy can be safely performed under monitored anesthesia care for appropriate sialadenitis or sialolithiasis cases while decreasing hospital time, operative time, time in operating room, anesthesia time, and recovery time while maintaining similar post-operative outcomes. Monitored anesthesia care should be considered for solely endoscopic cases as guided by surgeon and patient comfort.
Early Cognitive and Language Development: What Low-Income Parents of Newborns Know and Do

Purpose: Using the pediatric primary care setting to address early cognitive and socioemotional disparities has received increased attention. Towards that end, there have been a number of recent efforts to integrate parent-directed behavioral interventions in pediatric clinics. Developing effective behavioral interventions requires better understanding parent characteristics and needs. FQHCs are important healthcare networks reaching underserved communities. This study focused on parents of infants receiving well-child care at FQHCs, understanding their sources of childcare support/help, knowledge about early childhood cognitive and language development, and language behaviors towards their infants. Methods: English- …
A novel measure of matching categories for early development: Item creation and pilot feasibility study

Abstract Background Many cognitive tests assess a limited developmental span, making longitudinal measurement for trials aimed at improving cognition challenging. Tests targeting transitional skills, which integrate foundational abilities into complex schemas, may be amenable to assessment across a wide developmental span. Furthermore, tablet-based tests permit computer adaptive testing (CAT), which is psychometrically more efficient and could increase testing motivation, especially for children with developmental delays. Such measures may be useful for research and clinical practice. Aims Outline the creation of a novel, tablet-based concept formation test, and evaluate its feasibility in individuals with mental ages less than 24-months. Methods and procedures Item generation, user interface construction, and pre-piloting were conducted in consultation with subject matter experts. Item content and interface parameters underwent iterative revisions, resulting in the pilot test. Outcomes and results We created and piloted a tablet-based test of concept formation suitable for CAT-based administration with items of increasing difficulty based on target salience. We show feasibility in individuals with mental ages less than 24-months-old. Conclusions and implications Tablet-based assessment of concept formation may be a useful outcome measure of an aspect of cognitive ability in young children. Future work will address optimizing the user interface and developing CAT administration.
Case report: acute myocarditis following the second dose of mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Background The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to the development of the first mRNA vaccines used in humans. The vaccines are well tolerated, safe, and highly efficacious; however, post-marketing surveillance is revealing potential rare adverse effects. We report a case of symptomatic acute myocarditis following administration of the second dose of mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Case summary A 44-year-old man presented with chest pain and ST-segment elevation 4 days after receiving the second dose of mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine. Emergent coronary angiogram showed minimal coronary artery disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed acute myocarditis. Diagnosis of vaccine-associated myocarditis was made given the temporal relationship and supportive treatment initiated. Follow-up at 1 month confirmed complete symptomatic recovery and echocardiogram demonstrated normalization of cardiac function. Discussion Acute myocarditis should be considered in patients who present with chest pain or dyspnoea within days of receiving mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, especially after the second dose. This may be managed successfully with supportive therapies with complete recovery of cardiac function and symptoms. Further research is warranted to determine the mechanisms by which mRNA vaccines may cause myocarditis and for potential long-term cardiovascular injury.
Apparatus to measure the reflectivity of silver and rhodium mirrors at elevated temperatures [space power solar concentrators]

Solar thermal power and propulsion systems are being considered for spacecraft where sunlight is directed into the aperture of a heat receiver by first reflecting the sunlight off a large primary concentrator and then passing it through a much smaller secondary concentrator. Selection of materials and coatings for secondary concentrators is of importance owing to the high energy throughput of such optical systems. This paper addresses an apparatus to measure the reflectivity of mirror materials at the elevated temperatures expected for secondary concentrator applications.
Diffusion Tensor Field Registration in the Presence of Uncertainty

We propose a novel method for deformable tensor---to---tensor registration of Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data. Our registration method considers estimated diffusion tensors as normally distributed random variables whose covariance matrices describe uncertainties in the mean estimated tensor due to factors such as noise in diffusion weighted images (DWIs), tissue diffusion properties, and experimental design. The dissimilarity between distributions of tensors in two different voxels is computed using the Kullback-Leibler divergence to drive a deformable registration process, which is not only affected by principal diffusivities and principal directions, but also the underlying DWI properties. We in general do not assume the positive definite nature of the tensor space given the pervasive influence of noise and other factors. Results indicate that the proposed metric weights voxels more heavily whose diffusion tensors are estimated with greater certainty and exhibit anisotropic diffusion behavior thus, intrinsically favoring coherent white matter regions whose tensors are estimated with high confidence.
Abstract T P210: Budget Impact Analysis (BIA) of Telestroke in the Pacific Northwest

Background: Assessed from the budget holder’s perspective over a short-term time horizon, a budget impact analysis (BIA) is an economic assessment that estimates the financial consequences on local budgets of adopting a new intervention. To date, BIA has not been published specific to telestroke. Objective: We conducted a BIA of a telestroke network using patient- and system-level data from the Providence Telestroke Network (PTN) to assess overall financial impact. Methods: We modeled the care of a patient with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) presenting to a spoke hospital. Patient-level inputs (IV tPA usage; spoke admission vs. transfer to hub; mortality; and discharge to a rehab facility, skilled nursing facility, or home) were used to populate a decision analytic model from before and after telestroke implementation. We used patient-level cost data by NIHSS to obtain mean costs by patient type, and modeled cost per patient from spoke and hub perspectives, if the spoke hospital was or was not part of PTN. We used the mean number of AIS patients seen at PTN spokes per year (n=14.4) and the number of PTN spokes (n=17) to generate the budget impact of telestroke on the individual spoke, all spokes combined, and the hub. Results: BIA results are presented in Table 1 by time period (12, 24, and 36 months) and proportions of telestroke implementation costs paid for by the spoke facility (0%, 50%, and 100%). Conclusions: Our results suggest that telestroke may lead to a decrease in overall cost from the spoke facility perspective even if the spoke facility is responsible for half of the telestroke implementation costs. While complementing prior telestroke cost-effectiveness analyses, the results from this BIA can assist decision makers at community hospitals who are considering joining a telestroke network by demonstrating the impact that it would have on the hospital’s bottom line. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Sexual Dimorphisms in Psychosis Risk: A Neurodevelopmental Perspective

Abstract Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder with early neurodevelopmental origins. Recent converging evidence points to sex differences among neurodevelopmental factors that give rise to, or reflect, compromises in central nervous system integrity, and play a role in risk for developing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. In this chapter we provide a cursory overview of sexual dimorphisms in clinical phenomenology, social cognition, social/role functioning (and their neurobiological underpinnings), and select key neurodevelopmental factors implicated in psychosis, as well as corresponding theoretical conceptualizations. Recent evidence also highlights the need for accurate early identification of persons at high risk for psychosis, during incipient stages prior to illness onset (the “psychosis prodrome”), with focus on preventive intervention. For this reason, we focus on the high-risk literature, toward maximizing our understanding of pathophysiology, and identifying sexually dimorphic putative biomarkers that precede illness onset. We briefly discuss clinical implications of the findings and bolster the case for additional carefully designed studies that directly and comprehensively investigate (sex-dependent and sex-specific) sexual variation in psychosis risk.
Serum Lactic Dehydrogenase Activity: An Analytical Assessment of Current Assays

Serum LDH activities assayed spectrophotometrically by the "forward" (lactate + DPN to pyruvate + DPNH + H) method have linear reaction rates, activity proportional to the amount of serum added, and a reproducibility of 1.3%. The reagent mixture can be stored frozen for 6 months and in the lyophilized state indefinitely. Poor separation of normal from abnormal serum LDH activities results from the nonlinear calibration curves and decreasing reaction rates of the "backward" spectro-photometric assay. The dinitrophenylhydrazine colorimetric assay is deemed unsuitable for clinical use because large variations in activity result from minor variations in the reagent calibration curve, and because colorimetric activities are inaccurate as compared to activities obtained with the "forward" spectrophotometric assay.
Four distinct nuclear proteins recognize in vitro the proximal promoter of the bean seed storage protein beta-phaseolin gene conferring spatial and temporal control.

Summary A proximal promoter (–422/–13) of the bean seed storage protein β-phaseolin gene contains cis-regulatory elements conferring spatial and temporal gene regulation. To correlate trans-acting elements with these cis-elements, we performed gel mobility shift and exonuclease III protection assays using bean seed nuclear proteins, and identified target sequences of four DNA-binding proteins associated with this promoter. Three CANNTG motifs, CACGTG (–248/–243), CACCTG (–163/–158), and CATATG (–100/–95), were determined as target sequences of the same DNA-binding protein designated CAN. Competition assays using oligonucleotides containing the wildtype or mutated CANNTG motif indicated that the CANNTG motif appears to be a preferred target sequence for CAN binding. Competition assays also demonstrated that DNA-binding protein AG-1 binds to AAAAAG(A/G)CAA (–356/–347, –191/–182), CA-1 binds to two CA-rich sequences (–201/–192, –175/–160), and that a TATA-box binding protein binds to either TATATAA (–43/–37) or TATAAA (–32/–27) or both. Based on these and other results, it is proposed that CACGTG motif (–248/–243) is a major cis-acting regulatory element conferring spatial and temporal control of the β-phaseolin gene.
Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. Report of a case with three monoclonal proteins derived from a single neoplastic clone

The unique case of a 60-year-old patient with a non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma of the lymphoplasmacytic type and three associated monoclonal proteins, is described. The patient also exhibited various autoimmune phenomena that were consistent with the diagnoses of Sjogren's syndrome and autoimmune thyroiditis. The evolution from production of a single monoclonal protein (IgM-kappa) to three monoclonal proteins (IgG-kappa, IgA-kappa, and IgM-kappa) suggested that the lymphoplasmacytic cells were at different stages of terminal differentiation within a single neoplastic clone. The chronic antigenic stress imposed on the immune system by the autoimmune disorder may have played a role in the development of lymphoma and in the heavy chain immunoglobulin switching that occurred during the patients' clinical course.
Development and characterization of carbon nanopaper-based nanocomposite materials

Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process was used to fabricate the nanocomposites through integrating carbon nanofiber paper into traditional glass fiber reinforced composites. The carbon nanofiber paper had a porous structure with highly entangled carbon nanofibers and short glass fibers. In this study, the carbon nanofiber paper was employed as an inter-layer and surface layer of composite laminates to enhance the damping properties. Experiments conducted using the nanocomposite beam indicated up to 200-700% increase of the damping ratios at higher frequencies. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization of the carbon nanofiber paper and the nanocomposites was also conducted to investigate the impregnation of carbon nanofiber paper by the resin during the VARTM process and the mechanics of damping augmentation. The study showed a complete penetration of the resin through the carbon nanofiber paper. The connectivities between carbon nanofibers and short glass fibers within the carbon nanofiber paper were responsible for the significant energy dissipation in the nanocomposites during the damping tests.
Improved precision of repeat image change measurement of pulmonary nodules using moment-based z-compensation on a zero-change dataset

CT scanners often have higher in-plane resolution than axial resolution. As a result, measurements in the axial direction are less reliable than measurements in-plane, and this should be considered when performing nodule growth measurements. We propose a method to measure nodule growth rates by a moment-based algorithm using the central second order moments for the in-plane directions. The interscan repeatability of the new method was compared to a volumetric measurement method on a database of 22 nodules with multiple scans taken in the same session. The interscan variability was defined as the 95% confidence interval of the relative volume change. For the entire database of nodules, the interscan variability of the volumetric growth method was (-52.1%, 30.1%); the moment-based method improved the variability to (-34.2%, 23.3%). For the 11 nodules with scans of the same slice thickness between scans, the variability of the volumetric growth method was (24.0%, 30.1%), compared to (-12.4%, 12.7%) for the moment-based method. The 11 nodules with scans of different slice thickness had a variability for the volumetric method of (-68.4%, 30.2%) and for the moment-based method, (-46.5%, 24.4%). The moment-based method showed improvement in interscan variability for all cases. This study shows promising preliminary results of improved repeatability of the new moment-based method over a volumetric method and suggests that measurements on scans of the same slice thickness are more repeatable than on scans of different slice thickness. The 11 nodules with the same slice thickness are publicly available.
Subjective well-being at work: Disentangling source effects of stress and support on enthusiasm, contentment, and meaningfulness

Abstract The experience of meaningfulness in one's work is an important predictor of individual and organizational outcomes. We advance a model of nonhedonic (i.e., meaningfulness) subjective well-being (SWB), to assess the potential impact of work role stress (specified by source) in this new model of SWB, and examine the direct and indirect effects of potentially supportive communication (specified by source and type of support). Item Response Theory (IRT) and Classical Test Theory (CTT) frameworks confirmed the proposed factor structure of SWB. Results suggest that positional status of the source of stress determines the magnitude of effect. Specifically, supervisors who are sources of role stressors have the largest negative impact on SWB. Alternatively, social support had the largest positive effect on SWB when the source was a supervisor and communication type was positive or non-work related. In addition, role stressors and communication from supervisors have the strongest direct effect on nonhedonic SWB. Unexpectedly, communication wherein content was negative had the strongest effect when source was a coworker, followed by the subordinate. Finally, positive communication with coworkers attenuated the effect of supervisor role stress on one dimension of SWB (enthusiasm). Overall, supervisors have a strong ability to affect subordinates' SWB, particularly in terms of meaningfulness.
The mode of synaptic linkage in the cerebro-ponto-cerebellar pathway investigated with intracellular recording from pontine nuclei cells of the cat.

1. Intracellular potentials of pontine nuclei (PN) cells were recorded in cats anesthetized with pentobarbitone sodium. 2. Stimulation of the cerebellar nuclear regions or the brachium pontis induced an antidromic action potential composed of IS-SD spikes, after-depolarization and after-hyperpolarization. 3. Cerebellar stimulation produced EPSPs only in a few PN cells. 4. Activation of the corticopontine or pyramidal tract produced in all PN cells an EPSP built up from the unitary components with variable amplitudes and time courses. Paired or repetitive activation revealed a property of the frequency potentiation of the EPSP. 5. Unitary EPSPs also occurred spontaneously. A great majority of these spontaneous EPSPs were cerebral in origin, and had amplitudes and time courses comparable with those evoked by stimulation of the corticopontine or pyramidal tract. 6. The half-width versus time to peak relationship of these unitary EPSPs suggested a dendritic location of the synapses with variable distances from the soma. It is assumed that large, proximal synapses serve for efficient relay of signals while small, distal synapses for their integration.
A philosopher looks at neuroscience

The last two centuries, and the last fifty years in particular, have seen a dramatic increase in our understanding of the brain. More recently, philosophers have rekindled the debate about the nature of the mind and have begun to ask how and to what extent the features of the conscious mind, of the self, can be described in solely neurobiological terms. This essay describes a few ways in which neuroscientific research has changed the way philosophers think about the mind and also suggests some ways in which the methods and questions of philosophers might affect neuroscience.
Consistency of Holland Code and Its Relation to Persistence in a College Major.

Abstract Consistency of Holland code and persistence in a college major of 3612 subjects were studied using the ACT interest inventory and the World of Work Map score reporting instrument. Both consistency of individual interest scores and consistency of chosen environment were examined. Contrary to existing theoretical expectations, results indicate no difference in persistence based on consistency of interest profiles or consistency of environments.
New Siting Techniques for the ILS Glide Slope

The most recent innovations relating to the contemporary Instrument Landing System glide slope are discussed in the context of need, and consequently goals, for providing greater capability, availability, and quality. Capability refers to obtaining acceptable performance at sites that have previously been judged terribly difficult or impossible. Availability is crucial because history shows that the most negative impact on flight safety comes from the absence of a glide slope, not the existence of a malfunctioning one or one that is operating poorly. Higher-quality beam structures are desired because of more automatic flight operations using the glide slope.
Reduction in the electronic band gap of titanium oxide nanotubes

Abstract The structural and electronic properties of individual titanium oxide nanotubes have been studied using both empirical and ab initio calculations. Two different types of titanium oxide nanotubes (A-nanotube and B-nanotube) have been constructed and energy-minimized by molecular mechanics calculations. We found that the A-nanotubes are energetically more favorable than the B-nanotubes. The electronic band structure of the titanium oxide nanotubes was also calculated with respect to the tubule diameter and the tubule type using the ab initio method. The band gap of the A-nanotube was reduced by up to 60% as the tubule diameter decreases from 1.2 nm to 0.5 nm.
Effect of gastroduodenal juice and dietary fat on the development of barrett's esophagus and esophageal neoplasia: An experimental rat model

Background: Reflux of duodenal content into the lower esophagus of rats enhances the formation of nitrosamine-induced esophageal cancer and results in the induction of adenocarcinoma. We investigated the extent of the mucosal injury that was produced when the lower esophagus of rats was exposed to the reflux of gastroduodenal juice in the presence or absence of a carcinogen and tested the hypothesis that induction of esophageal cancer in this model would be influenced by the intake of dietary fat. Methods: Esophagoduodenostomy with gastric preservation was performed in 165 Sprague-Dawley rats in order to expose the lower esophagus to the reflux of gastroduodenal juice. Postoperatively selected groups of rats were treated with the carcinogen methyl-n-amylnitrosamine (MNAN). Subsequently, rats were fed diets of differing fat and calorie content for 20 weeks until they were put to death. Results: Refluxed gastroduodenal juice, in the absence of MNAN, induced esophageal inflammatory changes (diffuse papillomatosis and hyperkeratosis) in 38 of 39 rats (97%), specialized columnar metaplasia (Barrett's esophagus) in four of 39 (10%), dysplasia in three of 39 (8%), and squamous cell carcinoma in one of 39 (3%). Diet did not influence the incidence of neoplasia in the absence of MNAN treatment. In rats treated with MNAN, refluxed gastroduodenal juice induced inflammation in 110 of 111 rats (99%), columnar metaplasia in 14 of 111 (13%), and cancer in 63 of 111 (57%). Fifty-eight percent of esophageal tumors were squamous cell carcinoma and 42% were adenocarcinoma. The highest incidence of tumors was observed in rats fed the semipurified high-fat diet (24 of 29; 83%) compared with rats fed the semipurified control diet (13 of 29; 45%), semipurified, calorie-restricted diet (15 of 27; 55%), and chow diet (11 of 26; 42%), p<0.05. Conclusions: Reflux of gastroduodenal content into the lower esophagus of rats can induce both Barrett's metaplasia and neoplasia. Addition of a carcinogen increases the tumor yield and results in a proportion of the lesions being adenocarcinoma. This carcinogenic process is promoted by a diet with a high fat content.
Infrared spectra HCl and DCl in SF6 matrices

Abstract The fundamental infrared absorptions of HCl, DCl and CO in SF6 matrices have been observed at low temperatures and for several ratios of matrix to active species. The spectra of matrix-isolated single molecules of HCl and of DCl are interpreted in terms of hindered rotors based on the treatment by Devonshire of the rotational energy levels of linear molecules in octahedral fields. No structure attributable to rotation was observed in the spectrum of CO in SF6 matrix.
Nonlinearity of the left ventricular end-systolic wall stress-velocity of fiber shortening relation in young pigs: A potential pitfall in its use as a single-beat index of contractility

Abstract Objectives. We sought to evaluate in the young heart the primary assumptions on which the current use of the mean “velocity of fiber shortening corrected for heart rate” as a noninvasive index of contractility are based. Background. End-systolic wall stress-velocity of fiber shortening relation has been applied as a single-beat, load-independent index of contractility in children. This use is based on poorly validated assumptions of linearity, parallel shifts with changing contractile state and inotropic sensitivity of the end-systolic wall stress-velocity of fiber shortening relation. Methods. In eight anesthetized young piglets, 5F micromanometric catheters were placed in the ascending aorta and balloon occlusion catheters in the descending aorta. End-systolic wall stress and velocity of fiber shortening were calculated from aortic pressure and M-mode echocardiography under six conditions: in three contractile states 1) baseline, 2) increased contractility during dobutamine infusion (10 μg/kg per min), and 3) decreased contractility after propranolol injection (1 mg/kg), each at two afterload states (normal and increased load by partial aortic occlusion). Results. Dobutamine increased and propranolol decreased afterloadd-matched velocity of fiber shortening corrected for heart rate significantly to 140% aid 77% of baseline, respectively. However, the slope of end-systolic wall stress-velocity of fiber shortening was (251% of baseline) during dobutamine infusion, which also significantly decreased wall stress, and was much less (27% of baseline) after propranolol injection, which increased wall stress. Conclusions. The velocity of fiber shortening corrected for heart rate did change predictably with changes in contractility and as such can be ued noninvasively in the temporal evaluation of individual patients undergoing therapeutic interventions or to define the natural history of a disease process. However, the relation on which it is based is not defined by parallel straight lines across contractile states, so that abnormal single measurements may reflect only the nonlinearity of the relation rather than in contractility. Thus, we recommend that the end-systolic wall stress-velocity of fiber shortening relation should not be used as a single-beat index of contractility.
The Krypton Yellow-Green Laser for the Treatment of Facial Vascular and Pigmented Lesions

There has been a bewildering increase in the number and types of lasers available to the modern surgeon for the treatment of a variety of lesions. Pigmented and vascular lesions lend themselves to laser therapy and are common presentations in the cosmetic practice. While many different lasers may be effective for the treatment of these lesions, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. A detailed understanding of the specific properties and the applicability of the different lasers is vital if one is to successfully incorporate these lasers into one's practice. In this article, we discuss the different types of lasers available for the treatment of these lesions, discuss the specific indications and limitations and present our experience with the krypton laser.
Automation of data collection for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using a correlative analysis algorithm.

Automation of data collection in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry using a correlative analysis algorithm is demonstrated. This algorithm was employed to compensate for mass spectral jittering in MALDI data collection (e.g., peak shifts along the m/z axis, signal intensity deviations, etc.). Several important parameters for performing correlative analysis, such as the minimum correlation coefficient to be used and number of mass spectra to acquire prior to correlation, have been investigated and optimized. In addition, the correlation algorithm improved mass resolution of low- and high-molecular-weight compounds by as much as a factor of 4. Signal reproducibility in MALDI quantitative analysis also is improved when correlation is employed for data collection. This data collection algorithm can be used in conjunction with other instrumental optimization programs to allow for fully automated MALDI analysis, which is required for the routine applications carried out in man...
GENITIC VARIABILITY IN TOXIN POTENCIES AMONG SEVENTEEN CLONES OF GAMBIERDISCUS TOXICUS (DINOPHYCEAE)1

Seventeen clones of the ciguatera-causing dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus Adachi and Fukuyo were acclimated to the same environments over several months. Significant variance components were detected between non-acclimated and acclimated cultures for cell potencies, yields and reproduction rates. The resultant variance in acclimated potencies among clones was statistically significant (P < 0.0001), indicating that potency can be used for genetic comparisons. However, cell potency differences for a clone of G. toxicus in the acclimated vs. non-acclimated phases can exceed genetic differences between clones. This stresses the need for a rigorous acclimation process. Caribbean isolates of G. toxicus were inherently more toxic than isolates from other areas. One Caribbean clone yielded 55 × 10−4 mu (mouse units)·cell−1 whereas clones Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Florida ranged from only 1.8 × 10−4 mu·cell−1 to a maximum of 19.8 × 10−4 mu·cell−1. Toxicity decreased with increasing latitude (r =–0.819, P < 0.01), indicating that environmental differences probably influenced the potencies. A comparison of acclimated reproduction rates at four light intensities also indicated that genetic differences among clones existed. The resulting reproduction rate/light slopes overlapped, indicating that the clones may be adapted to specific light regimes.
Individual and Breed Differences in Approach and Withdrawal in Dogs

The study was concerned with measuring patterns of approach and withdrawal in four breeds of dogs; namely: beagles, wire-haired fox terriers, basenjis and Shetland sheep-dogs. Each dog was exposed to a variety of stimuli including : a black rubber snake, a bone, a life-sized head of a clown, a mirror, a live puppy, etc. Behaviors of approach or withdrawal in relation to each stimulus were rated, and in addition, contact time, gridcrossings, latency and urinations were also recorded. Marked breed and sex differences were found on almost all measures. The beagles appeared to withdraw the most and the terriers were the most active and approachful. Most of the measures were found to show high retest reliability. The data support the view that temperamental differences may be determined to a considerable degree by hereditary factors, and that multiple measures are necessary for unambiguously assessing the behavior of organisms.
INHIBITION OF Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY NATURALLY OCCURRING HYDROXYCINNAMATES

The antifungal activities of caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and chloro-genie acids against Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated. Caffeic acid was found to exhibit little inhibition of growth, although the lag period was extended in the presence of 1000 ppm. Chloro-genie acid had no effect on the organism. In contrast, p-coumaric acid at 100 ppm increased the lag phase of S. cerevisiae, and above 250 ppm, inhibition after 72 hr growth was proportional to the concentration present. Ferulic acid caused an increase in lag phase at 50 ppm, while as little as 250 ppm resulted in complete inhibition. These results suggest that naturally occurring hydroxycinnamates may interfere with the fermentation of fruits by this yeast.
Acquisition, affinity and rewards: Do they stay or do they go?

Customer relationship management seeks to understand how to generate profitable customers who enter into a long-term relationship with a firm. In this paper, we examine the role of modes of acquisition and retention programmes on customer lifetime in the context of a credit card issuing bank. While other papers have studied retention programmes such as loyalty card and reward card, there is no published study in the credit card context. Using a rich data set on nearly 5,000 customers observed over a three-year period, we are able to provide detailed insights about the efficacy of these strategies. We show that affinity cards customers and customers acquired through direct mail have longer lifetimes. We also find that reward card programmes generate customers with a shorter lifetime. Finally we re-examine the link between long-life customers and profitability and find that the relationship is weak, consistent with recent findings.
Dopaminergic stimulation disrupts sensorimotor gating in the rat.

Prepulse inhibition is a cross-species phenomenon in which reflex responses to discrete sensory events are modified by weak prestimulation. In experiments designed to investigate the neuropharmacological mechanism of this form of information processing, and its relevance to schizophrenic psychopathology, apomorphine (0.125–4.0 mg/kg) and d-amphetamine (0.5–4.0 mg/kg) were administered to rats in an attempt to modify prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle response. Rats were presented with 40 ms, 118 dB[A] acoustic pulses which were intermittently preceded by a weak 80 dB[A] acoustic prepulse. Both apomorphine and d-amphetamine induced a significant loss of prepulse inhibition, as reflected by increased pulse-preceded-by-prepulse versus pulse-alone startle magnitudes. Haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg), a specific D2 dopamine receptor antagonist, prevented the effects of 2.0 mg/kg apomorphine on prepulse inhibition, while having little effect by itself. An additional study investigated the effects of chronic intermittent administration of 2.5 mg/kg d-amphetamine. Rats given amphetamine for 8 consecutive days also displayed a loss of prepulse inhibition, with no evidence of tolerance. Finally, prepulse inhibition was examined under high- and low-intensity startle stimulus conditions; apomorphine (1.0 mg/kg) induced a loss of prepulse inhibition under both intensity conditions in approximately equal proportion. The results of these studies suggest a connection between sensorimotor gating, as measured by prepulse inhibition, and dopaminergic overactivity, supporting suggestions that information processing deficits in schizophrenia may be responsible for some psychotic symptoms and their effective treatment by antipsychotic D2 dopamine antagonists.
A New Small Molecule Inhibitor of Estrogen Receptor α Binding to Estrogen Response Elements Blocks Estrogen-dependent Growth of Cancer Cells

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) plays an important role in several human cancers. Most current ERα antagonists bind in the receptor ligand binding pocket and compete for binding with estrogenic ligands. Instead of the traditional approach of targeting estrogen binding to ER, we describe a strategy using a high throughput fluorescence anisotropy microplate assay to identify small molecule inhibitors of ERα binding to consensus estrogen response element (cERE) DNA. We identified small molecule inhibitors of ERα binding to the fluorescein-labeled (fl)cERE and evaluated their specificity, potency, and efficacy. One small molecule, theophylline, 8-[(benzylthio)methyl]-(7CI,8CI) (TPBM), inhibited ERα binding to the flcERE (IC50 ∼ 3 μm) and inhibited ERα-mediated transcription of a stably transfected ERE-containing reporter gene. Inhibition by TPBM was ER-specific, because progesterone and glucocorticoid receptor transcriptional activity were not significantly inhibited. In tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells that overexpress ERα, TPBM inhibited 17β-estradiol (E2)-ERα (IC50 9 μm) and 4-hydroxytamoxifen-ERα-mediated gene expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed TPBM reduced E2·ERα recruitment to an endogenous estrogen-responsive gene. TPBM inhibited E2-dependent growth of ERα-positive cancer cells (IC50 of 5 μm). TPBM is not toxic to cells and does not affect estrogen-independent cell growth. TPBM acts outside of the ER ligand binding pocket, does not act by chelating the zinc in ER zinc fingers, and differs from known ERα inhibitors. Using a simple high throughput screen for inhibitors of ERα binding to the cERE, a small molecule inhibitor has been identified that selectively inhibits ERα-mediated gene expression and estrogen-dependent growth of cancer cells.
QRAC-the-Code A Comprehension Monitoring Strategy for Middle School Social Studies Textbooks

Requirements for reading and ascertaining information from text increase as students advance through the educational system, especially in content-rich classes; hence, monitoring comprehension is especially important. However, this is a particularly challenging skill for many students who struggle with reading comprehension, including students with learning disabilities. A randomized pre–post experimental design was employed to investigate the effectiveness of a comprehension monitoring strategy (QRAC-the-Code) for improving the reading comprehension of 323 students in Grades 6 and 7 in inclusive social studies classes. Findings indicated that both general education students and students with learning disabilities who were taught a simple comprehension monitoring strategy improved their comprehension of textbook content compared to students who read independently and noted important points. In addition, students in the comprehension monitoring condition reported using more reading strategies after the int...
A Creative Approach to Development: The Case for Active Engagement of African Diaspora in Ghana

As globalization intensifies and economic competition grows fiercer, African countries are seeking new avenues to be relevant in the world economy. Through the adoption of new economic development ...
On Hermite-Birkhoff interpolation☆

Let k and n be riatural numbers and let $$ E = \left\| {{ \in _{ij}}} \right\|,\quad \left( {i = 1, \ldots k;j = 0,1, \ldots ,n - 1} \right), $$ be a matrix with k rows and n columns having elements $$ { \in _{ij}} = 0\quad or\quad 1, $$ which are such that $$ \sum\limits_{i,j} {{ \in _{ij}}} = n. $$ .
The International Society for Developmental Psychobiology 39th Annual Meeting Symposium: Alcohol and Development: Beyond Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

As has been repeatedly demonstrated, alcohol can exert deleterious morphological and physiological effects during early stages in development. The present review examines nonteratological links existing between alcohol and ontogeny. Human and animal studies are taken into consideration for the analysis of fetal, neonatal, infantile, adolescent, and adult responsiveness to the drug. Sensitivity to alcohol’s chemosensory and postabsorptive properties, as well as learning and memory processes mediated by such properties, are examined from this developmental perspective. The studies under discussion indicate that, within each stage in development, we can trace alcohol-related experiences capable of determining or modulating alcohol seeking and intake patterns.
WHY PROGNOSE IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGES

Author's summary.— Let us not throw out students on the basis of prognosis tests, but rather reorganize our language courses to suit them to the average pupil.
100 GHz bandwidth planar GaAs Schottky photodiode

In the letter we report the development and characterisation of a planar-structure GaAs Schottky-barrier photodiode whose response to a mode-locked laser pulse of 600 nm wavelength has a full-width half-maximum of 5.4 ps and a 3 dB bandwidth of 100 GHz.
Genome sequencing of lymphoid malignancies

Our understanding of the pathogenesis of lymphoid malignancies has been transformed by next-generation sequencing. The studies in this review have used whole-genome, exome, and transcriptome sequencing to identify recurring structural genetic alterations and sequence mutations that target key cellular pathways in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and the lymphomas. Although each tumor type is characterized by a unique genomic landscape, several cellular pathways are mutated in multiple tumor types-transcriptional regulation of differentiation, antigen receptor signaling, tyrosine kinase and Ras signaling, and epigenetic modifications-and individual genes are mutated in multiple tumors, notably TCF3, NOTCH1, MYD88, and BRAF. In addition to providing fundamental insights into tumorigenesis, these studies have also identified potential new markers for diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapeutic intervention. Several genetic alterations are intuitively "druggable" with existing agents, for example, kinase-activating lesions in high-risk B-cell ALL, NOTCH1 in both leukemia and lymphoma, and BRAF in hairy cell leukemia. Future sequencing efforts are required to comprehensively define the genetic basis of all lymphoid malignancies, examine the relative roles of germline and somatic variation, dissect the genetic basis of clonal heterogeneity, and chart a course for clinical sequencing and translation to improved therapeutic outcomes.
Bribery and Endogenous Monitoring Effort: An Experimental Study

We present the findings of an experimental game of bribery based on Mookherjee and Png's model where inspectors are hired to find evidence against firm owners who have violated some regulation. Inspectors choose costly effort that determines the probability of finding evidence and allows them to fine the owner. Bribes may occur before or after the inspector has exerted effort and found evidence. Inspectors consistently demanded bribes below the Nash equilibrium prediction and exerted effort below the payoff-maximizing level. These results raise questions about the robustness of theoretical results regarding the efficiency of using bribes to motivate inspections.