cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time to Rehabilitation Admission and Associated Outcomes for Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Kunik CL, Flowers L, Kazanjian T. Time to rehabilitation admission and associated outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury. Objective To examine the association between time from injury to rehabilitation admission and outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Design Retrospective chart review. Setting One hundred–bed inpatient rehabilitation facility with a 20-bed brain injury unit. Participants Patients with TBIs discharged from initial inpatient rehabilitation between 2003 and 2004 (N=158). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Outcomes examined were functional independence at discharge (motor, cognitive, total FIM scores), rehabilitation length of stay (LOS), and rehabilitation cost. Results Significant linear trends were observed for time to admission and motor FIM scores, total FIM scores, rehabilitation LOS, and cost. All linear regression models contained time to admission as a significant predictor of rehabilitation outcomes. Over half of the variability in outcomes was explained by predictors including time to admission and case-mix group or individual FIM scores with the exception of discharge motor FIM score, for which only 45% of the variability was explained. Conclusions Patients who progress to rehabilitation earlier do better functionally and have lower costs and shorter LOSs. Furthermore, the time to rehabilitation admission is easily calculated and could be used by rehabilitation providers in adjunct with admission FIM scores to estimate resource utilization.
Metastatic Potential of Hyperplastic Alveolar Nodule Derived Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells Following Intravenous Inoculation

Abstract A comparison was made of the in vivo growth potential of tumor cells derived from mouse mammary adenocarcinomas arising in premalignant outgrowth lines D1 and D2. Twenty-one tumors were dissociated and cultured as cell monolayers in vitro. Three to four days later 50,000–100,000 cells were inoculated intravenously into syngeneic female BALBlc mice. Primary cultures of tumor cells which arose in D2 HAN outgrowths varied considerably in their ability to form tumor nodules in the lungs of syngeneic mice 4 weeks post-inoculation. An increase in either the number of cells inoculated or in the length of in vivo incubation influenced the extent of tumor growth observed in the lungs. Primary cultures of tumor cells which arose in D1 HAN outgrowths inoculated at the same cell number rarely formed tumor nodules in the lungs 4 weeks post-injection. If, however, twice as many cells were introduced, a small number of large nodules were observed within 4 weeks. An epithelial cell line (WAZ-2T) isolated from D1 tumor tissue produced small lung nodules by 4 weeks, but larger more numerous nodules arose when in vivo incubation was extended an additional 3 weeks. This study indicates that primary D2 tumor cells have a variable but higher degree of metastatic potential than primary D1 tumor cells following intravenous inoculation. Tumors which develop in the D2 and D1 premalignant lines may be useful for studies of chemotherapy and cell latency of tumor metastases and the identification of the specific cell subpopulations involved in these events.
A new method for strengthening gold

Metal-metal composites were first produced in a copper matrix in the 1970’s, and they have since been produced in several other binary metal systems. This strengthening technique reinforces a ductile metal matrix with a ductile metal second phase. In some binary systems, this technique confers extraordinarily high strength and hardness while still maintaining low electrical resistivity. This article reports on the first gold matrix metal-metal composite, which was produced by deformation processing a 90%Au-10%Ag powder compact. The Au-Ag specimen studied had an ultimate tensile strength of 550 MPa and an electrical resistivity only 8% higher than that of pure Au at a deformation processing true strain of 5.6. The 590 nm average Ag filament thickness in this composite was relatively coarse compared to other deformation processed composites, which suggests that substantially higher strengths would be possible in a gold matrix metal-metal composite using deformation processing to higher true strains to reduce the filament thickness.
Modeling Criteria for Extraction Regime Transitions for Microscale In-Situ Vapor Extraction Application

A major detriment of two-phase microscale flow systems is a relatively high pressure drop, as well as the potential for flow instabilities. A possible mechanism to overcome these disadvantages is vapor extraction through a hydrophobic porous wall in the channel to reduce vapor content and suppress vapor expansion. The vapor extraction may occur either as evaporation, bubble extraction or a mix of both. For the design of vapor extraction systems, it is important to accurately predict extraction regimes, extraction rates and the effect of extraction on the heat transfer and flow conditions. This study focuses on two parts: the development of physic-based models for the transition criteria among (i) the extraction mechanism regimes, and (ii) the extraction flow regimes for microscale flow boiling. The identification and conditions for the various extraction regimes are discussed and criteria for transition are developed based on physical concepts. Six potential extraction mechanism regimes are identified: (a) no extraction, (b) pure evaporation, (c) pure bubble extraction, (d) bubble extraction with partial liquid blockage, (e) bubble extraction with evaporation, and (f) liquid breakthrough. Based on the criteria for the extraction mechanism regimes, the rate of vapor extraction is modeled and used to analyze the effects of vapor extraction on the dynamics of two-phase flow boiling. The results show six extraction flow regimes for two-phase flow boiling: (i) single-phase evaporation, (ii) two-phase evaporation – bubble collapse, (iii) full extraction – stable, (iv) full extraction – unstable, (v) partial extraction – stable and (iv) partial extraction – unstable.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Three-Dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Modeling of Plasma Jets in the North Star Space Experiment

The Active Plasma Experiment (APEX) North Star mission involved the injection of two high-speed plasma jets. The first plasma jet with 30 x 10 - 3 kg of aluminum and kinetic energy of 6 MJ was injected at 360-km altitude nearly perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field. An air cloud was formed prior to the injection by releasing 12 x 10 - 3 kg of air. The jet, the air cloud, and the ambient constitute a partially ionized plasma modeled with a three-dimensional, single-fluid, unsteady, viscous, compressible magnetohydrodynamic formulation. The model equations are discretized with a finite volume implementation, and time integration is carried out with a multistep Runge-Kutta scheme. The simulation shows the deceleration of the jet, the induction of motion into the initially stationary ambient plasma and the formation of three-dimensional magntetohydrodynamic waves. The plasma density shows an enhancement over the ambient similar to Langmuir-probe measurements taken onboard the plasma diagnostics payload located approximately 468 m downstream the injection point. The simulation predicts the formation of a large diamagnetic cavity that almost excludes the ambient induction, in accordance with magnetometer measurements on the diagnostics payload. The numerical predictions of the components of the magnetic induction are also in good agreement with the measurements.
Signature of supernova neutrino flavor mixing in water C-caronerenkov detectors.

We study supernova neutrino burst signals in large water [hacek C]erenkov detectors, examining the effects of mixing between [nu][sub [ital e]] and either [nu][sub [mu]] or [nu][sub [tau]], and taking account of charged current [nu][sub [ital e]] capture on oxygen in the detector. We show that the characteristic count rates and angular distributions from supernova neutrino-induced events can depend sensitively on the degree of neutrino flavor mixing. This sensitivity results from the different average energies expected in supernova models for [nu][sub [ital e]] on the one hand and [nu][sub [mu]] and [nu][sub [tau]] on the other, the steep increase in the [sup 16]O([nu][sub [ital e]],[ital e][sup [minus]])[sup 16]F cross section with neutrino energy, and the backward-peaked nature of the exit channel electron in this reaction. Neutrino flavor-mixing effects would be identifiable in the super Kamiokande detector for the neutrino burst of a galactic supernova.
Does preoperative atrial fibrillation influence early and late outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting

Objective The study objective was to describe the independent effect of preoperative atrial fibrillation on the outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting, including the causes of death (cardiac vs noncardiac). Methods We analyzed the outcome of patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation who underwent on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting between 1993 and 2002 and compared them with matched controls in sinus rhythm; matching variables were age, gender, ejection fraction, and numbers of diseased coronary arteries and distal anastomoses. Direct patient follow-up focused on late complications and reinterventions, and we investigated causes for all deaths. Results Operative mortality (1.6% vs 1.9%, P = .79) was similar in patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation (n = 257) compared with patients in sinus rhythm (n = 269). The patients with atrial fibrillation had longer hospital stays (9 ± 6 days vs 8 ± 6 days, P = .0008) and a trend to more frequent early readmissions (13% vs 9%, P = .08). During follow-up (median 6.7 years, maximum 12 years), late hospital admission was more frequent in patients with atrial fibrillation (59% vs 31%, P P = 0.02), and the late cardiac death rate in the atrial fibrillation group was 2.8 times that of the sinus rhythm group ( P = .0004). Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 70% of patients with preoperative atrial fibrillation compared with 52% of patients in preoperative sinus rhythm ( P P = .0027). Conclusions Uncorrected preoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with increased late cardiac morbidity and mortality and poor long-term survival. These data support consideration of atrial fibrillation surgery at the time of coronary artery bypass grafting.
Phylogeny of Neotropical Lepidocyrtus (Collembola: Entomobryidae): first assessment of patterns of speciation in Puerto Rico and phylogenetic relevance of some subgeneric diagnostic characters

Summary A phylogenetic analysis of the Neotropical members of genus Lepidocyrtus was conducted to assess the pattern of speciation in Puerto Rico while testing the phylogenetic information content of two characters used to diagnose subgenera. The analysis included twenty-two species of Lepidocyrtus from the Neotropical Region for which information on the tergal chaetotaxy of the trunk was available, two species of Holarctic Lepidocyrtus, three species of Pseudosinella, two species of Metasinella used in outgroup analysis and ninety-two informative characters. The results do not support a monophyletic origin for the Puerto Rican Lepidocyrtus, suggesting the current fauna originated through repeated invasions from abroad. Three instances of endemic speciation can be inferred from the cladograms. The geographical distribution and diversity of colour forms suggest that L. caprilesi and L. paracaprilesi speciated sympatrically, whereas vicariance can explain speciation for L. lepargus and L. maldonadoi. The mode of speciation for L. dispar and L. biphasis remains unclear because the proportion of morphological variation between these species does not fit the proportions expected under the sympatric model suggested by their geographical distribution. The results support an early conclusion regarding appendicular scale distribution as a poor indicator of phylogenetic relationships. Taxa defined using this character are likely to be polyphyletic. The results disagree with a previous study in documenting low levels of homoplasy for the dental tubercle, implying that this character contains phylogenetic information useful in defining subgenera. However, the presence or absence of a dental tubercle is not diagnostic and should be used in combination with other characters. Comparisons of levels of homoplasy in Neotropical and Hawaiian Lepidocyrtus suggest that the relative position of two setae on the second abdominal tergum may be a better subgeneric character than other characters currently in use.
New model for ion structure in fluids

Abstract We revise the Atkins model of ion structure in fluids to improve self-consistency. Also, the effects of a small perturbing potential are calculated, and agreement is found with data on impurity ion mobility in liquid helium.
Estimation of the Parameters of Two Parameter Exponential Distributions from Censored Samples

In life testing a two parameter exponential distribution is often required to provide an adequate representation of the observed results. Sufficient statistics and interval estimates for the parameters are given for the case of censored data. Numerical examples are provided.
Effect of seizures on cerebral hypoxic–ischemic lesions in immature rats

Abstract The present investigation was designed to study the effect of chemically induced seizures on cerebral hypoxic–ischemic (HI) damage in immature animals. Accordingly, cerebral HI was produced in 7-day postnatal (p7) rats and p13 rats by combined unilateral common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia with 8% oxygen. Seizures were induced chemically by the subcutaneous injection of kainic acid (KA) or inhalation of flurothyl vapor. Three types of experiments were conducted in each age group and for each convulsant. In some animals (group 1), seizures were produced at 24 h and again at 6 h prior to HI. In groups 2 and 3, seizures were induced 2 h or 24 h post HI, respectively. The results indicate that in group 1 animals, the first seizure significantly reduced duration of the second seizure challenge 18 h later at both p7 and p13 (p=0.001). Histologic examination of brains of animals in group 1 subjected to seizures prior to HI and their HI-only controls showed that seizures prior to HI conferred protection against cerebral damage. This effect was significant for flurothyl seizures in p13 rats for all cerebral regions, especially hippocampal CA1 (p=0.0004), and in p7 rats for hippocampus (p=0.04) and particularly cerebral cortex (p=0.007). For KA seizures, the protective effect was only significant in p13 rats and was limited to hippocampal CA regions and subiculum (p=0.0009). Histologic assessment of cerebral lesions of p7 and p13 rats in the other two groups showed no significant difference between the animals subjected to seizures 2 h or 24 h post HI and their HI-only controls (p>0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study provide no evidence that seizures in early postnatal development aggravate pre-existing cerebral HI damage. They do suggest that seizures prior to HI or prior to a second seizure confer tolerance to both conditions.
Up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression in U937 cells by low-density lipoprotein-containing immune complexes requires the activator protein-1 and the Ets motifs in the distal and the proximal promoter regions.

Summary We reported previously that low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-containing immune complexes (LDL-IC) stimulated matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in U937 histiocytes through Fc gamma receptor (FcγR)-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway. The present study has explored the transcriptional mechanisms involved in the stimulation. Deletion analysis showed that LDL-IC stimulated MMP-1 promoter activity in cells transfected with the Construct 1 that contained a 4,334-bp MMP-1 promoter fragment, but had no effect in cells transfected with other constructs that had shorter MMP-1 promoter (2685-bp or less), suggesting that cis-acting elements located between −4334 and −2685 are required for the promoter stimulation. The mutation study further indicated that the activator protein-1 (AP-1) (−3471) or Ets (−3836) motifs in this distal region were essential for the LDL-IC-stimulated MMP-1 expression. Moreover, although above deletion analysis showed that LDL-IC did not stimulate MMP-1 promoter activity in cells transfected with constructs that contained the proximal AP-1 (−72) and Ets (−88) in the promoter fragments that are 2685-bp or less, the mutations of the −72 AP-1 or the −88 Ets motif in the construct 1 abolished the stimulation of MMP-1 expression by LDL-IC, suggesting that a long promoter sequence is required for the −72 AP-1 and −88 Ets motifs to be involved in the stimulation. Finally, electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that LDL-IC stimulated the activities of transcription factors AP-1 and Ets. In conclusion, the present study shows that both the distal and proximal AP-1 and Ets motifs are required for LDL-IC-stimulated MMP-1 expression in U937 histiocytes.
Creating and delivering augmented scenes

An augmented scene delivery system (ASDS) creates and distributes annotated cartographic products in real time from captured still imagery. An ASDS applies augmented reality technology to the visualization of unrestricted exterior viewsheds through an adaptive, perspective‐based surface resampling model. This paper describes an ASDS testing platform, introduces a client/server model for distributing augmented scenes over the Internet, presents a linear‐time algorithm for resampling dense elevation models for perspective imaging and conducts an execution analysis of the algorithm's implementation, demonstrating that augmented scenes can be constructed and delivered efficiently. The paper also presents a migration path to mobile ASDS platforms with a discussion of the remaining technological problems associated with its implementation.
Structural and Functional Arrangements of Atrial Myocytes that Facilitate Excitation-Contraction Coupling

Rabbit atrial myocytes lack transverse tubules and only the peripheral sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is in contact with the surface membrane (junctional SR; j-SR) and exposed to Ca influx through voltage-gated sarcolemmal Ca channels that initiates Ca release which propagates centripetally by Ca-induced Ca release from non-junctional SR (nj-SR). In this study we examined the structural and functional characteristics of excitation-contraction coupling (ECC) unique to atrial myocytes. Subsarcolemmal (SS) Ca release from j-SR preceded release at central (CT) nj-SR regions, and SS release was of higher amplitude compared to CT release. Using simultaneous measurements of cytosolic ([Ca]i) and intra-SR ([Ca]SR) Ca, we show that depletions of SS [Ca]SR were smaller compared to CT [Ca]SR depletions during electrical stimulation. Atrial myocytes revealed an approximately 1-2 µm wide gap devoid of mitochondria and SR structures between the j-SR and the nj-SR that the Ca signal must traverse to activate release from nj-SR. The spread of Ca from the j-SR to the nj-SR occurred very rapidly and was aided by the absence of mitochondria which might buffer the diffusion of Ca. In contrast to SS release, the continuation of Ca release through the nj-SR to the cell center occurred much slower in a Ca wave-like fashion, and the rise of [Ca]i detected at individual release sites of the nj-SR preceded the depletion of [Ca]SR. During this latency period a transient elevation of [Ca]SR was observed that acted as an intra-SR Ca sensitization wave that may facilitate the spread of excitation through the nj-SR via the luminal Ca-sensitivity of the ryanodine receptor Ca release channel. In summary, we have identified key structural and functional characteristics of atrial myocytes that allow for efficient ECC in the intact heart.
An Afrocentric Cultural Awareness Program for Incarcerated African-American Males

This paper describes the Manning Cultural Awareness Program, a culturally relevant violence prevention and social rehabilitation model for incarcerated African-American male adolescents and adults. Unlike traditional violence prevention approaches, this program focuses on incarcerated males. More importantly, this program addresses the gender-specific social and psychological needs of African-American males. Coupled with literacy, vocational, and higher education programs and opportunities, this model has the best chance of reducing the intra-ethnic and intra-gender violence that currently permeates many African-American communities across the United States.
Dislocation etching of rough crystal faces

Abstract A model for the preferential dissolution near the outcrops of dislocations at rough (K, S or F faces above the roughening temperature) crystal faces has been developed. In contrast to F faces below the roughening transition, no lateral flow of steps from the etched dislocation centre occurs and therefore only small etch pits, either not or only barely visible by optical microscopy are expected to be formed. This was confirmed by etching of K, S and F faces of Bi4(GeO4)3, KH2PO4 and potash alum crystals.
Enhancing learning of low performing students in multi-section first year lecture/laboratory classes: Completion of a three year study

A common instructional model for first year engineering is the lecture/laboratory model. The most common implementation is lecture introducing material of a given "unit" followed by laboratory sections used to provide hands-on experience. An alternative implementation reverses the order. Students read assigned material, then attend laboratory sections, then at the end of the "cycle" attend lecture. Lecture is used to generalize from the specifics students have applied in lab, and to demonstrate common student mistakes. The pedagogically larger picture is that "lecture as wrap-up" requires students to take more responsibility for their own learning, and to be more actively engaged in their learning. In fall, 2004, and fall, 2005, we conducted preliminary studies to compare "lecture before" versus "lecture after" models; results seemed to be promising. In fall, 2006, and spring, 2007, we replicated the study before drawing conclusions. In the current report we display our final round of research, the results from it, and our summary for the three year study we have undertaken. Our final round of testing produced results that are not consistent with our earlier reported results. A call for others to replicate the study is made.
Preservation of Hopkins Street Bridge via externally bonded prestressed CFRP laminates

Several fascia beams of an existing prestressed concrete box-girder bridge, located in the City of Defiance, Ohio, USA were severely deteriorated due to the influence of de-icing salt applied during wintertime. An in-depth visual inspection and subsequent full-scale load tests were conducted to identify the extent of deterioration. A strengthening strategy was devised involving advanced carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite strips, post-tensioned via the Stress Head system that was developed and patented in Switzerland. The technique, the first of its type in the USA, offers numerous advantages over conventional repair and rehabilitation methods. The inherent attributes of this innovative approach include lighter weight for easy handling, lower loss of prestress due to higher initial tensile strain, corrosion resistance laminates, optimal use of high tensile strength of CFRP plates, optimal cost/performance ratio, and increased durability with reduction of crack width and tensile steel strain. ...
Very late antigen-4 in CD18-independent neutrophil emigration during acute bacterial pneumonia in mice.

This study tested the hypothesis that very late antigen (VLA)-4 mediates CD18-independent neutrophil emigration into the airspaces induced by either Streptococcus pneumoniae, a stimulus that induces primarily CD18-independent neutrophil emigration, or Escherichia coli, toward which only 20–30% of the total number of neutrophils emigrate through CD18-independent pathways. In wild-type (WT) mice, VLA-4 expression was less on neutrophils that emigrated into the airspaces than on circulating neutrophils. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mRNA, the major endothelial cell ligand for VLA-4, increased more in E. coli than in S. pneumoniae pneumonia. VCAM-1 protein expression was not detected in capillaries, the major site of neutrophil emigration. Neutrophil emigration during E. coli or S. pneumoniae pneumonia was similar in mice given antibodies against both CD18 and VLA-4 compared with mice given the anti-CD18 antibody and a control antibody. However, in hematopoietically reconstituted mice with both W...
Runaway in the Landscape

We consider flux compactifications of type IIB string theory on the mirror of a rigid Calabi-Yau. In special cases, these models are dual to the type IIA flux vacua with runaway direction in flux space. We show that new weak coupling AdS solutions can be found for large complex structure, while Minkowski solutions with all moduli stabilized are confined to be at strong coupling. The existence of these solutions, as found in a previous work, is nevertheless guaranteed by a nonrenormalization theorem of the type IIB flux superpotential. Based on our results, we are led to the conjecture that supersymmetric runaway directions in flux space are always accompanied by a spectrum of moduli masses reaching down to the AdS scale. This could be violated in a nonsupersymmetric situation.
Provitamin A and Ascorbic Acid Content of Fresh Pepper Cultivars (Capsicum annuum) and Processed Jalapeños

Alpha and beta carotene, provitamin A activity, dehydroascorbic acid, L-ascorbic acid and total ascorbic acid content of “jalapeno,”“bell,” long green/red “chile,”“serrano” and “yellow wax” peppers (Cupsicum annuum L.) at green and red stages of maturity were determined by HPLC. Effects of thermal processing on vitamin A and C retention in “jalapeno” peppers was also determined. Provitamin A activity ranged from 27.3 to 501.9 Retinol Equivalents (RE/100g). Ascorbic acid concentration ranged from 76.1 to 243.1 (mg/100g). Provitamin A activity and ascorbic acid content increased with maturity in all cultivars. Thermal processing of “jalapeno” cultivars resulted in a 25% decrease of total provitamin A activity and a 75% decrease in total ascrobic acid.
All‐valence‐shell molecular orbital calculations on the chiroptical properties of substituted and unsubstituted 2,5‐diketopiperazine structures

The chiroptical properties of L-3-methyl-2,5-diketopiperazine (L-alanylglycyl anhydride) are examined on a theoretical model in which the electronic wave functions are obtained from semi-empirical all-valence-shell molecular orbital calculations. The INDO molecular orbital model is used to perform SCF-MO calculations on the ground states of six conformation isomers of L-3-methyl-2,5-diketopiperazine and two chiral conformational isomers of unsubstituted 2,5-diketopiperazine. Excited-state wave functions are constructed in the virtual orbital-configuration interaction approximation. The rotatory strengths, dipole strengths, oscillator strengths, and dissymmetry factors of the first eight singlet–singlet transitions for each of the eight structures are calculated and reported. Additionally, ground-state dipole moments, net atomic charges, and the first four ionization potentials (calculated according to Koopman's theorem) are computed for each structure. The signs and the magnitudes of the rotatory strengths are found to be extremely sensitive to the conformation of the piperazine ring as well as to methyl substitution at the α carbon of the ring. Spectra–structure relationships based on the calculations reported here are discussed, and the available experimental CD data on dissymmetric 2,5-diketopiperazine are examined in terms of our theoretical results.
Induction of antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell anergy and deletion by in vivo viral gene transfer

Immune responses to the therapeutic gene product are a potentially serious complication in treatment of genetic disease by gene therapy. Induction and maintenance of immunologic hypo-responsiveness to the therapeutic antigen is therefore critical to the success of gene-based treatment of inherited protein deficiency. Here, we demonstrate induction of antigen-specific CD4+ T-cell tolerance to a secreted transgene product (ovalbumin, ova) in ova-specific T-cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice by hepatic adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene transfer. Transduced mice maintained stable circulating ova levels without evidence of an immune response. Lymph node cells and splenocytes were hypo-responsive to ova as early as day 10 after gene transfer. Numbers of TCR+CD4+ cells were reduced in secondary lymphoid organs and in the thymus by 1 to 2 months after vector administration. The remaining TCR+CD4+ cell population was anergic to ova antigen in vitro and enriched for CD25+ cells. These data provide direct evidence that transgene expression following in vivo viral gene transfer can induce CD4+ T-cell tolerance to the transgene product, involving anergy and deletion mechanisms.
Exception point applications for 15 points: an unintended consequence of the share 15 policy.

In 2005, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) adopted the Share 15 policy to improve organ allocation by facilitating transplantation for local and regional patients with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores of 15 or higher. There has been concern that the lack of standardization in the use of exception points is potentially diminishing the benefits of this policy. We reviewed all applications for 15 exception points submitted through UNOS from January 1, 2005 through March 14, 2011 (notably, there were only 5 applications for 15 MELD exception points submitted before the initiation of the Share 15 policy). Four hundred fifty-two applications were submitted for 301 patients. There was significant regional variability, with regions 3 and 10 submitting 72.1% of all applications. More than one-quarter of the applications (32.7%) specifically requested exception points to make a patient eligible for a local, regional, or higher risk organ. All applications were accepted for 74.1% of the patients, and 72.2% of these patients ultimately underwent transplantation; however, when all applications were denied, only 54.0% underwent transplantation (P = 0.006). Overall, 197 applicants (65.4%) underwent transplantation with a deceased donor organ, and 80.2% of these patients had a native MELD score at transplantation less than 15. In conclusion, these analyses demonstrate several important changes in practice that have occurred as a result of the implementation of the Share 15 policy. Since 2005, there has been a marked increase in the number of applications for 15 exception points, with significant regional variability in their use and a lack of standardization in their approval. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Vertical Coordination, Financial Structure, and the Changing Theory of the Firm

developments for evaluating these changes, including the relationships to financial structure. The theoretical developments include contributions from the economics of organizations (Stiglitz 1991), agency relationships (Jensen and Meckling), transactions cost economics (Williamson 1979, 1985), incomplete contracting (Hart 1988), asymmetric information, and financial contracting.1 These theoretical developments provide rich opportunities to apply new, interesting concepts toward understanding and evaluating the changing managerial and organizational environment in agriculture.
Alluvial-River Response to Neotectonic Deformation in Louisiana and Mississippi

Repeat geodetic surveys show uplift of the Monroe and Wiggins anticlines in Louisiana and Mississippi. There are deformed Quaternary terraces, which indicate long-term deformation in the valleys of the alluvial rivers that cross these structures, and there are floodplain and channel convexities that provide evidence of modern deformation. In addition, the channels show significant variations of morphology (sinuosity, gradient, and depth) and behavior appropriate to reaches of increased and decreased valley slope. These alluvial rivers are adjusting to modern deformation and their adjustment confirms two geodetic leveling anomalies.
A Data Sharing Story

From the early days of modern science through this century of Big Data, data sharing has enabled some of the greatest advances in science. In the digital age, technology can facilitate more effective and efficient data sharing and preservation practices, and provide incentives for making data easily accessible among researchers. At the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard University, we have developed an open-source software to share, cite, preserve, discover, and analyze data, named the Dataverse Network. We share here the project’s motivation, its growth and successes, and likely evolution.
Inhibition of protein synthesis and hormone-sensitive steroidogenesis in response to hydrogen peroxide in rat luteal cells.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is generated in the corpus luteum at functional luteal regression and produces rapid antigonadotropic effects in rat luteal cells. However, the mechanism by which peroxide interrupts LH- and cAMP-sensitive progesterone synthesis is unknown. The post-cAMP site of H2O2 action is due to the reduced cholesterol availability in mitochondria, and this process is well known to be dependent on protein synthesis. Therefore, we examined whether H2O2 may interfere with protein and RNA synthesis, and whether such responses may be associated with inhibition of steroidogenesis. Incorporation of radiolabeled amino acids into luteal proteins was inhibited in response to H2O2 in a time- and dose-dependent manner, and these doses are similar to those that inhibit progesterone synthesis, shown earlier in the identical paradigm. The inhibitory effect of H2O2 on amino acid incorporation was not due to increased protein degradation, impaired transport of amino acids, or depletion of cellular ATP levels...
The effect of interlamellar forces on the longitudinal acoustic mode of polyethylene crystals

The fold periods and longitudinal acoustic modes [LAMs] for isothermally crystallized polyethylene (PE) single crystals were determined in the dried state and in the presence of decalin and silicone oil. Upon swelling with decalin, the fold period increased by 7% while the LAM peak frequency decreased by approximately 1 cm−1. Several possible explanations for the change in LAM frequency are discussed but the exact interpretation is open to question. No change in fold period was observed upon soaking a dried crystal mat in silicone oil. This fold period invariance along with the fact that silicone oil has no effect on the melting point of PE crystals indicates that there is no significant interaction between the oil and the methylene groups on the crystal surface. The effect of suspending crystals (which have never been dried down) in silicone oil should only be to increase the average interlamellar distance and, therefore, to reduce any interlamellar forces. It is shown that the LAM peak frequency for crystals suspended in silicone oil is the same as that for the dried crystals, indicating that interlamellar forces do not exert a significant perturbing influence on the LAM of polyethylene crystals.
Gender differences in ground reaction force following perturbations in subjects with low back pain

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate whether gender differences exist in postural reaction when examining response time and amplitude of normalized ground reaction force (GRF) in subjects with low back pain (LBP). Alterations in GRF following sudden perturbations have led to an increased awareness of the postural compensatory mechanism. Although no specific perturbations have been shown to elicit gender differences, GRF can indirectly measure body sway increases more in subjects with LBP. Eighteen male and eighteen female subjects with LBP participated in this study. Subjects were exposed to sudden perturbations (unexpected and expected) by dropping a weighted ball onto a hand-held pan while subjects stood on the force plate. The amplitude of the normalized GRF and response time were calculated from the instance of perturbation to the first peak of the GRF response measured at the force plate. For the female subjects, the amplitude of the normalized GRF significantly decreased during expected perturbations (F(1,33)=4.23, p<0.04). However, the amplitude for the male subjects did not change during either type of perturbation. The response time was not significantly different between genders (F(1,33)=0.25, p=0.61). The male subjects were better able to stabilize their postural stability after an unexpected perturbation, which reveals postural integrity of compensatory mechanisms. These results indicated that gender differences exist when examining the amplitude of the normalized GRF following sudden perturbations for subjects with LBP.
Academic Departments and Student Attitudes toward Different Dimensions of Web-based Education.

In order to determine student attitudes toward various aspects of network-based instruction, 234 individuals voluntarily participated in research to ascertain their tendencies that will likely facilitate, or interfere with, interacting and learning from this innovative technology. Participants were requested to respond anonymously to 60 items of a survey designed to assess their attitudes toward distinct facets of network-based instruction. Student responses to survey items were analyzed using a number of multivariate and univariate statistical techniques. Students sampled from distinct academic departments disclosed significantly different attitudes toward different dimensions of Web-based education: Computer Science and Executive Management Education exhibited the most agreeable attitudes, and Oceanography, Physics, and Operations Research the least agreeable attitudes, concerning expectations of, learning from, beliefs about, and design of network-based instruction and hypermedia. Systems Management an...
A Dot Immunobinding Assay (Dot-ELISA) for the Rapid Serodiagnosis of Salmonella Enteritidis Infection in Chickens

A dot immunobinding assay (DIA) was developed for the detection of antibodies to Salmonella enteritidis. Western blot analysis of outer membrane proteins from SE identified 2 polypeptides of molecular masses 43 and 46 kD that were specific for S. enteritidis. These 2 polypeptides were utilized as antigens in the DIA. The DIA was tested on sera from chickens experimentally infected with S. enteritidis. Results of the DIA were compared with that of conventional microagglutination and serum plate tests. The DIA was a highly specific and sensitive test that can be useful for screening birds to determine if they are infected with S. enteritidis. Its simplicity, reliability, reproducibility, and speed in interpreting the assay results makes it a useful screening test for flock monitoring.
Refreshing one of several active representations: Behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging differences between young and older adults

We explored age-related differences in executive function during selection of a target from among active representations. Refreshing (thinking briefly of a just-activated representation) is an executive process that foregrounds a target relative to other active representations. In a behavioral study, participants saw one or three words, then saw a cue to refresh one of the words, saw one word again and read it, or read a new word. Increasing the number of active representations increased response times (RTs) only in the refresh condition for young adults but increased RTs equally in all conditions for older adults, suggesting that they experienced interference from activated irrelevant information during perception and reflection. Consistent with this interpretation, in a functional magnetic resonance imaging study, young adults showed two areas of the left dorsolateral frontal cortex and a medial area of frontal cortex, including anterior cingulate, that were relatively more sensitive to number of active representations during refresh than read trials; for older adults these areas were equally sensitive to number of active items for refresh and read trials. Young and older adults showed activity associated with refreshing on trials requiring selection in left mid-ventral frontal cortex (an area associated with selection from active representations); older adults also showed activity in left anterior ventral frontal cortex (an area associated with controlled semantic activation). Our results support the hypothesis of an age-related decrease in ability to gate out activated but currently irrelevant information, and are consistent with a dissociation of function between eft mid-ventral and left anterior ventral frontal cortex.
Analysis of turnaround times in pathology: an approach using failure time analysis.

This article introduces the use of failure time analysis methods for studying turnaround times in pathology. The key to understanding the approach is to view a laboratory specimen like a living patient. When the specimen enters the laboratory, the time is analogous to the time of diagnosis for a patient. When the specimen’s analysis is completed, the event is analogous to a patient who has died. To illustrate the approach, I use data previously published and data generated at the Durham, NC, Veterans Affairs Medical Center. I demonstrate that the Kaplan-Meier plotting method, the log-rank test, and the Cox model can all be applied to turnaround times and provide useful results. The decision to perform a biopsy on a patient most often is driven by a clinician’s uncertainty about the presence or extent of malignancy, and, as a result, clinicians and their patients expect not only accurate, but also rapid surgical pathology reports. Additional pressures for short turnaround time (TAT) in surgical pathology come from economic issues that involve striving to reduce the lengths of hospital stays and to finalize bills shortly after discharge. Thus, an important measure for the quality of a surgical pathology laboratory is its TAT. 1-5 TATs also are important in clinical pathology. 6-15 For example, rapid TATs for tests such as troponin and creatinine kinase-MB significantly assist the early diagnosis and treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction, 11 and, in general, rapid TATs for laboratory tests reduce the length of stay for patients in emergency departments. 14
Justice and identity

This paper discusses the relationship between justice and identity. While it is widely agreed that justice requires us to go beyond loyalty to our simplest identity – being just oneself – there is less common ground on how far we must go beyond self-centredness. How relevant are group identities to the requirements of justice, or must we transcend those too? The author draws attention to the trap of confinement to nationality and citizenship in determining the requirements of justice, particularly under the social-contract approach, and also to the danger of exclusive concentration on some other identity such as religion and race. He concludes that it is critically important to pay attention to every human being's multiple identities related to the different groups to which a person belongs; the priorities have to be chosen by reason, rather than any single identity being imposed on a person on grounds of some extrinsic precedence. Justice is closely linked with the pursuit of impartiality, but that pursuit has to be open rather than closed, resisting closure through nationality or ethnicity or any other allegedly all-conquering single identity. Christian List
The Future of Coproducts From Corn Processing

Increased demand for ethanol as a fuel additive has resulted in dramatic growth in ethanol production. Ethanol is produced from corn by either wet milling or dry-grind processing. In wet milling, the corn kernel is fractionated into different components, resulting in several coproducts. Wet-milling plants are capital intensive because of equipment requirements; they produce large volumes of ethanol and are corporate owned. In dry-grind processing, the corn kernel is not fractionated and only one coproduct, distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS), is generated. Dry-grind plants require less equipment and capital than wet mills. They generate smaller volumes of ethanol, are producer owned, and add direct benefits to rural economies. Most of the increase in ethanol production during the past decade is attributed to growth in the dry-grind industry. The marketing of coproducts provides income to offset processing costs. For dry-grind plants, this is especially important, because only one coproduct is available. Several issues could affect DDGS marketing. The increasing volume of DDGS accompanying ethanol production could reduce market value; high phosphorous content could limit the use of DDGS, because of animal waste disposal issues. Water removal is a costly processing step and affects the economics of ethanol processing. Technologies to remove germ and fiber from DDGS could produce a new coproduct suitable for feeding to nonruminants; this would expand the markets for DDGS. Reducing phosphorus in DDGS would sustain markets for conventional DDGS. The development of more efficient methods of water removal would increase the efficiency of ethanol processing and reduce the costs of processing. New technologies could contribute to greater stability of dry-grind plants.
The distribution of thyroxine in rat liver cell fractions.

introduction EARLY information related to the distribution of iodine, iodinecontaining substances, and thyroxine derivatives in the tissues and organs of a variety of animals has been summarized by Salter (1940). More recently Gross and Leblohd (1947) have studied the distribution of administered I131-labeled thyroxine in the tissues and organs of the rat. The localization of the iodine or thyroxine within the cell has not been investigated. The application of the method of Hogeboom, Schneider and Pallade (1948) and Schneider and Hogeboom (1950) for the differential fractionation of cellular constituents, in conjunction with the use of labeled thyroxine, has made possible a study of the distribution of thyroxine in the rat liver cell. Although the thyroxine concentration was found to vary in different fractions of the liver cell, the ratio of thyroxine concentration to dry weight was approximately the same for each of the fractions studied.