cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved Medical Student Satisfaction and Test Performance With a Simulation-Based Emergency Medicine Curriculum: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study objective We determine the effect of a simulation-based curriculum on fourth-year medical student test performance and satisfaction during an emergency medicine clerkship. Methods This was a randomized controlled study using a crossover design for curriculum format and an anonymous end-of-rotation satisfaction survey. Students were randomized into 2 groups. One group started the rotation with simulation and the other with group discussion. Midrotation, they each crossed over to the opposite format. All students subsequently completed the same multiple choice examination. We assessed paired samples of the number of questions missed for material taught in each format. Students rated satisfaction with a 5-point Likert scale framed as attitude toward simulation compared with group discussion. Scores ranged from 5, signifying strong agreement with a statement, to 1, signifying strong disagreement. Results Ninety students (99%) completed the multiple choice test. Significantly fewer questions were missed for material presented in simulation format compared with group discussion, with a mean difference per student of 0.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3 to 1.0; P=.006). This corresponds to mean scores of 89.8% for simulation and 86.4% for group discussion. Eighty-eight (97%) students completed the satisfaction survey. Students rated simulation as more stressful (mean 4.1; 95% CI 3.9 to 4.3), but also more enjoyable (mean 4.5; 95% CI 4.3 to 4.6), more stimulating (mean 4.7; 95% CI 4.5 to 4.8), and closer to the actual clinical setting (mean 4.6; 95% CI 4.4 to 4.7) compared with group discussion. Conclusion A simulation-based curriculum yielded measurable benefits. Students demonstrated a small improvement in learning and were more satisfied with the simulation-based curriculum compared with group discussion.
Differences Among Children Whose Mothers Have Been in Contact with the Criminal Justice System

Abstract In order to effectively help children whose mothers become involved with the criminal justice system, it is important to understand their differing needs. To that end, the analyses described in this article explore the heterogeneity in parent and family risks among a group of children whose mothers had contact with the criminal justice system. Using data from an epidemiologic study of youth, results showed that the two most prevalent problems in the backgrounds of this group of youth were poverty (61.5%) and maternal mental health problems (54.9%). But, results of cluster analyses suggest this group is actually made up of four meaningfully different subgroups: (1) children with only isolated risks, (2) children with histories of abuse, (3) children who have multiple parents/caregivers with histories of drug abuse and/or mental health problems, and (4) children whose parents have few problems, but who are living in economically deprived, single-parent households.
The Rising Tide of Estuary English: The Changing Nature Of Oral British Business Communication

Estuary English is a combination of nonregional and local southeastern English pronunciation and intonation that lies between R. P. English and London street speech and is sweeping across the United Kingdom, including its business community. This article identifies characteristics of Estuary English, documents the usage of Estuary English within the British business community, describes the milieu that causes Estuary English to be acceptable in the British business community, speculates about the future of Estuary English in the British business community, identifies the implications of Estuary English for business communicators, and discusses the implications of Estuary English for business communication teachers and consultants.
Recovery by mouse embryos following teratogenic exposure to ketosis.

Previous studies have shown that the ketone body D,L,-beta-hydroxybutyrate was teratogenic to mouse embryos exposed in culture during the period of neurulation. Inhibition of closure of the cranial and caudal neuropores was the most frequently occurring defect and these abnormalities were thought to be the forerunner of anencephaly and spina bifida, respectively. However, additional studies demonstrated that embryos could recover morphologically from these effects if the ketone body was removed from the culture medium and if the recovery period was of sufficient duration. In an attempt to define further the phenomenon responsible for this recovery and to determine the extent of the recovery process, the present study examining the cross-sectional area, cell number, and mitotic index of cranial neuroepithelial cells was conducted in mouse embryos cultured from the early somite stage under one of the following conditions: 1) control medium for 60 h; 2) medium containing 32 mmol/1 D,L,-beta-hydroxybutyrate for 24 h followed by culture in control medium for an additional 36 h (recovery group); 3) medium containing 32 mmol/1 D,L,-beta-hydroxybutyrate for 60 h (continuously exposed group). The results indicate that although neural tube closure occurred in the recovery group, complete recovery was limited to the ventral regions of the forebrain and that the remainder of the prosencephalon as well as the rhombencephalon failed to undergo complete catch-up growth. Thus, cell numbers in these areas were approximately 70% of control values. Therefore, while the gross anatomical disturbances produced by the ketone body may be compensated for, histological alterations in the affected tissues remain. Ultimately, these data suggest that neurological deficits may be an outcome of ketone body exposure during the early stages of embryogenesis.
Viability of oomycete propagules following ingestion and excretion by fungus gnats, shore flies, and snails.

ABSTRACT Sporangia of Phytophthora capsici and P. nicotianae, as well as hyphal swellings of Pythium splendens, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum, were ingested by adult shore flies but none were viable after passing through the digestive tract. Oospores of Pythium aphanidermatum retained their viability following ingestion by adult shore flies. Larval stages of fungus gnats and shore flies ingested sporangia of Phytophthora capsici, P. nicotianae, and P. ramorum, but they were not viable upon excretion. In contrast, hyphal swellings of Pythium splendens, P. sylvaticum, and P. ultimum, chlamydospores of Phytophthora ramorum, and oospores of Pythium aphanidermatum, retained their viability after passage through the digestive tract of these larvae. Snails were capable of ingesting and excreting viable sporangia and chlamydospores of P. ramorum, which upon excretion infected detached leaves. Although the impact of larvae and snails in the rapid dissemination of pathogen propagules is unknown, this work does high...
Tricuspid Valve Thrombus and Pulmonary Embolus in an Infant with Homozygous Thermolabile Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase and Heterozygous Prothrombin G20210A Variant

We describe an unusual and interesting case of a full-term infant presenting at 7 days of life with HSV pneumonitis and a tricuspid valve thrombus ultimately requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The infant subsequently developed a pulmonary embolus. The infant was found to be heterozygous for the prothrombin G20210A mutation and homozygous for the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C667T mutation. The patient was treated with low molecular weight heparin for a total of 3 months and has not had a recurrent thrombosis. This case illustrates that a combination of congenital and acquired thrombophilic risk factors can contribute to a significant thrombotic event.
Identifying influencing wells for gradient estimation in the confined portion of the Gulf Coast aquifer near Kingsville, TX

Hydraulic gradient is a fundamental aquifer characteristic required to estimate groundwater flow and quantify advective fluxes of pollutants. Graphical and local estimation schemes using potentiometric head information from three or four wells are used to compute hydraulic gradients but suffer from imprecision and subjectivity. The use of linear regression is recommended when hydraulic head data from a groundwater monitoring network consisting of several wells are available. In such cases, statistical influence analysis can be carried out to evaluate how each well within the network impacts the gradient estimate. A suite of five metrics, namely—(1) the hat-values, (2) studentized residuals, (3) Cook’s distance, (4) DFBETAs and (5) Covariance ratio (COVRATIO) are used in this study to identify influential wells within a regional groundwater monitoring network in Kleberg County, TX. The hat-values indicated that the groundwater network was reasonably well balanced and no well exerted an undue influence on the regression. The studentized residuals and Cook’s distance indicated the wells with the highest influence on the regression predictions were those that were close to high groundwater production centers or affected by coastal-aquifer interactions. However, the wells in the proximity of the production centers had the highest impact on the estimated gradient values as ascertained using DFBETAs. The covariance ratio which indicates the sensitivity of a monitoring well on the estimated standard error of regression was noted to be significant at most wells within the network. Therefore, networks seeking to address changes in groundwater gradients due to climate and anthropogenic influences need to be denser than those used to ascertain synoptic gradient estimates alone. The magnitude of the groundwater velocity was greatly underestimated when the influential wells were excluded from the network. The direction of flow was affected to a lesser extent, but a complete gradient reversal was noted when the network consisted of only four peripheral wells. The influence analysis therefore provides a valuable tool to assess the importance of individual wells within a monitoring network and can therefore be useful when existing networks are to be pruned due to fiscal constraints.
Novel Assessment of Cortical Response to Somatosensory Stimuli in Children With Hemiparetic Cerebral Palsy

The brain's response to somatosensory stimuli is essential to experience-driven learning in children. It was hypothesized that advances in event-related potential technology could quantify the response to touch in somatosensory cortices and characterize the responses of hemiparetic children. In this prospective study of 8 children (5-8 years old) with hemiparetic cerebral palsy, both event-related potential responses to sham or air puff trials and standard functional assessments were used. Event-related potential technology consistently measured signals reflecting activity in the primary and secondary somatosensory cortices as well as complex cognitive processing of touch. Participants showed typical early responses but less efficient perceptual processes. Significant differences between affected and unaffected extremities correlated with sensorimotor testing, stereognosis, and 2-point discrimination (r > 0.800 and P = .001 for all). For the first time, a novel event-related potential paradigm shows that hemiparetic children have slower and less efficient tactile cortical perception in their affected extremities.
Self-Consistent-Field Kkr-Cpa Calculations in the Atomic-Sphere Approximations

We present a formulation of the Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker coherent potential approximation (KKPt-CPA) for the treatment of substitutionally disordered alloys within the KKR atomic-sphere approximation (ASA). This KKR-ASA-CPA represents the first step toward the implementation of a full cell potential CPA, and combines the accuracy of the KKR-CPA method with the flexibility of treating complex crystal structures. The accuracy of this approach has been tested by comparing the self-consistent-field (SCF) KKR-ASA-CPA calculations of Cu-Pd alloys with experimental results and previous SCF-KKR-CPA calculations.
Applying the principles of gestalt theory to teaching ethics

Teaching ethics poses a dilemma for professors of business. First, they have little or no formal training in ethics. Second, they have established ethical values that they may not want to impose upon their students. What is needed is a well-recognized, yet non-sectarian model to facilitate the clarification of ethical questions. Gestalt theory offers such a framework. Four Gestalt principles facilitate ethical clarification and another four Gestalt principles anesthetize ethical clarification. This article examines each principle, illustrates that principle through current business examples, and offers exercises for developing each principle.
Comparative Analysis of Genome Sequences of the Th2 Cytokine Region of Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) with those of Nine Different Species

The regions encoding the coordinately regulated Th2 cytokines IL5, IL4 and IL13 are located on chromosomes 5 of man and 11 of mouse. They have been intensively studied because these interleukins have protective roles in helminth infections, but may lead to detrimental effects such as allergy, asthma, and fibrosis in lung and liver. We added to previous studies by comparing sequences of syntenic regions on chromosome 3 of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) genome OryCun 2.0 assembly from a tuberculosis-susceptible strain, with the corresponding region of ENCODE ENm002 from a normal rabbit as well as with 9 other mammalian species. We searched for rabbit transcription factor binding sites in putative promoter and other non-coding regions of IL5, RAD50, IL13 and IL4. Although we identified several differences between the two donor rabbits in coding and non-coding regions of potential functional significance, confirmation awaits additional sequencing of other rabbits.
Is arginine/asymetric dimethylarginine ratio depletion an indicator of insufficient resuscitation in a porcine model of hemorrhage-reperfusion?

Background Hemorrhagic shock leads to a complex cascade of metabolic and hormonal processes that may result in hypoperfusion, end organ damage, and death even when blood pressure is restored. Studies have shown that morbidity and mortality could be attributable to a diminished availability of endothelial-derived nitric oxide (eNO). It is unclear whether adequate levels of citrulline (CIT) and arginine (ARG)—the precursors of eNO synthesis—are available to sustain the eNO needed to maintain adequate perfusion in severe shock. An indirect measure of eNO is the ratio between the levels of ARG and its inhibitor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ARG/ADMA). The purpose of the study was to identify the temporal impact of the ARG/ADMA ratio, ARG, CIT, and ADMA in response to hemorrhage and crystalloid fluid resuscitation by the use of a porcine model of severe hemorrhagic shock. Methods Hemorrhagic shock was induced in Yorkshire cross pigs by mimicking a bleeding pattern of rapid uncontrolled hemorrhage to achieve a shed volume of 30 mL/kg, a 50% decrease in mean arterial pressure, and an oxygen debt of >60 mL/kg. Normal saline, up to 2 times the shed blood volume, was started 1 hour after the start of hemorrhage with the goal of restoring mean arterial pressure to >50 mm Hg. Hemodynamics, blood gas measurements, and plasma samples were obtained at baseline, 1 hour after the start of hemorrhage, and 1 hour after resuscitation. Amino acids were measured by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Results During hemorrhage, a distinct subset of pigs was better able to tolerate ischemia than the rest. These pigs required less resuscitation, had evidence of better organ perfusion, and exhibited less of an increase in interleukin-6 (IL-6) after resuscitation. Compared with their less-tolerant counterparts, this group had a greater increase in CIT above baseline (analysis of variance, P P Conclusion Our results suggest that a sufficient decrease in MAP during hemorrhagic shock is associated with a subsequent increase in IL-6, persisting impairment of end organ perfusion, and evidence of ongoing eNO deficit and an increase in ADMA despite resuscitation. The ARG/ADMA ratio reflects both of these parameters and corresponds to the increase in IL-6 and persistent ischemia after resuscitation. We propose that the mechanism of IL-6 increase in trauma derives from eNO deficiency, and the ARG/ADMA ratio more accurately depicts the pathologic mechanism responsible for increased morbidity and mortality in trauma.
Predicting Dynamic Modulus of Asphalt Mixtures with Differential Method

ABSTRACT Dynamic modulus (/E*/) is one of the fundamental engineering properties of asphalt mixtures and has been selected as a basic material property input in the new American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Mechanicstic-Empirical (M-E) Design Guide. The M-E design guide either requires the direct laboratory testing for/E*/values or recommends using the Witczak model to estimate/E*/values. While laboratory testing is costly and time-consuming to conduct, the Witczak model is a purely empirical regression model in nature. Micromechanics approach provides another possible access to obtaining/E*/values. In this paper, the differential method was employed to predict the dynamic modulus and phase angle of asphalt mixtures. The predictive models were formulated from the differential method. The major characteristics of asphalt mixtures (viscoelastic effect, aggregate gradation, and air voids) were taken into account in the predicting procedures. Laboratory experiments were c...
Investigations of Azimuthal and Rapidity Effects at Multiparticle Production.

Before the time of the operation of new accelerators at CERN in Geneva, Chicago m USA and Dubna iu USSR, most of the basic knowledge about the interaction of fundamental particles came from the studies of cosmic-ray physics. One of the interesting things studied was the angular distribution of the tracks of relativistic particles produced in the cosmic-ray primary jets. In those high-energy interactions it was noticed that in some of the individual interactions, secondary particles were not distributed in rotational symmetry around the direction of the incident nucleus but instead showed a tendency to cluster near a preferential plane and an azimuthal asymmetry was observed. But when wc consider the collective angular distribution of large number of primary events, the azimuthal asymmetry, observed in some individual events in a plane perpendicular to the collision axis, disappears due to the statistical fluctuations in the angular distribution. Among the different models used for the studies of the mechanism of high-energy particle production, the fireball model (1), proposed about 20 years ago, explained best the dynamics of ultra high-energy interactions. In fact the fireball idea was a very fruitful one. It provided the building blocks for many models of particle production. Indeed, almost any model o~ particle production was generated into a model of fireball production. Detection of the production of fireball is generally done through the angular distribution which is commonly plotted in terms of x variable where x ~ In tg 0~. and 0 L is the polar angle of the emitted particle with respect to the incident particle. This angular distribution helps one to understand whether the particles are produced from one fireball or two fireballs. The shape of the angular distribution determines the dispersion (a) which is a measure of the degree of auisotropy. For one center, we use a 0.90. In cosmic-ray studies (2) as well as in (~) P. CIOK, T. COGIIEN, 5. GIERULA, R. HOLYNSKI, A. 5UI~AK, ~r 1VIII~SOWICZ, T. SANIEWSKA an4 O. STXNISZ: NUOVO Cimento, 8, 166 (1958); 1O, 741 (1958); G. CocooN1: Phys. Rev., 111, 1699 (1958);
2 2 S 1 / 2 – 4 2 S 1 / 2 transition of atomic lithium by Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy

We have investigated the $2{}^{2}{S}_{1/2}--4{}^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ two-photon transition in atomic lithium by high resolution laser spectroscopy. The frequencies of the two-photon resonances have been measured with an accuracy of better than 1 MHz using a Fabry-P\'erot wavemeter. The centers of gravity of the $4{}^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ levels are 35 012.033 582 (26) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for ${}^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ and 35 011.544 497 (30) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for ${}^{6}\mathrm{Li}.$ The transition isotope shift is 14 662.4 (10) MHz. We have also determined the magnetic hyperfine splitting constant for the $4{}^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ state for both isotopes.
Large-area, high-aspect-ratio SU-8 molds for the fabrication of PDMS microfluidic devices

A relatively low-cost fabrication method using soft lithography and molding for large-area, high-aspect-ratio microfluidic devices, which have traditionally been difficult to fabricate, has been developed and is presented in this work. The fabrication process includes novel but simple modifications of conventional microfabrication steps and can be performed in any standard microfabrication facility. Specifically, the fabrication and testing of a microfluidic device for continuous flow deposition of bio-molecules in an array format are presented. The array layout requires high-aspect-ratio elastomeric channels that are 350 µm tall, extend more than 10 cm across the substrate and are separated by as little as 20 µm. The mold from which these channels were fabricated consisted of high-quality, 335 µm tall SU-8 structures with a high-negative aspect ratio of 17 on a 150 mm silicon wafer and was produced using spin coating and UV-lithography. Several unique processing steps are introduced into the lithographic patterning to eliminate many of the problems experienced when fabricating tall, high-aspect-ratio SU-8 structures. In particular, techniques are used to ensure uniform molds, both in height and quality, that are fully developed even in the deep negative-aspect-ratio areas, have no leftover films at the top of the structures caused by overexposure and no bowing or angled sidewalls from diffraction of the applied UV light. Successful microfluidic device creation was demonstrated using these molds by casting, curing and bonding a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. A unique microfluidic device, requiring these stringent geometries, for continuous flow printing of a linear array of 16 protein and antibody spots has been demonstrated and validated by using surface plasmon resonance imaging of printed arrays.
P300 Event-Related Potential Amplitude and Impulsivity in Cocaine-Dependent Subjects

Previous studies report reduced amplitude of the P300 event-related potential in cocaine-dependent individuals. Cocaine dependence is also associated with increased impulsivity, possibly due to deficits in cognitive function that are associated with reduced P300 amplitude. In the current study, the relationship between cocaine dependence, impulsivity, and P300 amplitude were examined. An auditory oddball event-related potential task along with self-report (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11) and behavioral laboratory (Immediate and Delayed Memory Task) measures of impulsivity were assessed in healthy controls (n = 14) and subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for current cocaine dependence (n = 17). P300 amplitude was reduced and self-reported and behavioral laboratory impulsivity scores were elevated among the cocaine-dependent group compared to controls. There was a positive correlation between the questionnaire and behavioral laboratory measures of impulsivity, and a negative correlation between impulsivity measures and P300 amplitude. The correlation between self-reported impulsivity scores and P300 amplitude remained after taking into account the number of childhood conduct disorder symptoms. This study supports the hypothesis that the basic neurophysiology responsible for the P300 amplitude in cocaine-dependent individuals is associated with impulsivity independent of a history of childhood conduct disorder symptoms.
Double Alfvén waves

Double Alfven wave solutions of the magnetohydrodynamic equations in which the physical variables (the gas density ρ, fluid velocity u , gas pressure p , and magnetic field induction B ) depend only on two independent wave phases ϕ 1 ( x , t ) and ϕ 2 ( x , t ) are obtained. The integrals for the double Alfven wave are the same as for simple waves, namely, the gas pressure, magnetic pressure, and group velocity of the wave are constant. Compatibility conditions on the evolution of the magnetic field B due to changes in ϕ 1 and ϕ 2 , as well as constraints due to Gauss's law ∇ · B = 0 are discussed. The magnetic field lines and hodographs of B in which the tip of the magnetic field B moves on the sphere | B | = B = const . are used to delineate the physical characteristics of the wave. Hamilton's equations for the simple Alfven wave with wave normal n (ϕ), and with magnetic induction B (ϕ) in which ϕ is the wave phase, are obtained by using the Frenet–Serret equations for curves x = X (ϕ) in differential geometry. The use of differential geometry of 2D surfaces in a 3D Euclidean space to describe double Alfven waves is briefly discussed.
Diffusion of aerosols in laminar flow in a cylindrical tube

Abstract Presented herein is the problem of mass transfer of aerosols with axial diffusion in laminar flow through a cylindrical tube. Two cases are studied. In the first case all particles enter the channel inlet and none form within the channel; and in the second case, no particles enter the channel, and “formation in flight” occurs within the channel. For each case, analyses are made for both slug and Poiseuille flows. The effects of axial diffusion on the particle concentration and the fraction of aerosols arriving at any cross-section downstream from the tube inlet are studied for various diffusion Peclet numbers, Pe. It was found that, for Pe ≤ 100, the effect of axial diffusion is still significant at μ
Stimulation of the onset of sporulation of Clostridium perfringens type A by netropsin and distamycin.

The basic peptide antibiotics, netropsin and distamycin, previously shown to inhibit sporulation ofBacillus subtilis, stimulated low levels of sporulation ofClostridium perfringens strain NCTC 8798 at concentrations of 1.0 and 0.1 μg/ml respectively. Most sporulating cells produced in the presence of the antibiotics were defective. These were blocked at Stage III of sporulation, and many possessed forespores exterior to the sporangium. The same antibiotics could also inhibit the caffeine-induced stimulation of sporulation of this strain.
Information on Black-Footed Ferret Biology Collected Within the Framework of Ferret Conservation

ABSTRACT. Once feared to be extinct, black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) were rediscovered near Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981, resulting in renewed conservation and research efforts for this highly endangered species. A need for information directly useful to recovery has motivated much monitoring of ferrets since that time, but field activities have enabled collection of data relevant to broader biological themes. This special feature is placed in a context of similar books and proceedings devoted to ferret biology and conservation. Articles include general observations on ferrets, modeling of potential impacts of ferrets on prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.), discussions on relationships of ferrets to prairie dog habitats at several spatial scales (from individual burrows to patches of burrow systems) and a general treatise on the status of black-footed ferret recovery.
βSubunits Promote K+ Channel Surface Expression through Effects Early in Biosynthesis

Voltage-gated K+ channels are protein complexes composed of ion-conducting integral membrane alpha subunits and cytoplasmic beta subunits. Here, we show that, in transfected mammalian cells, the predominant beta subunit isoform in brain, Kv beta 2, associates with the Kv1.2 alpha subunit early in channel biosynthesis and that Kv beta 2 exerts multiple chaperone-like effects on associated Kv1.2 including promotion of cotranslational N-linked glycosylation of the nascent Kv1.2 polypeptide, increased stability of Kv beta 2/Kv1.2 complexes, and increased efficiency of cell surface expression of Kv1.2. Taken together, these results indicate that while some cytoplasmic K+ channel beta subunits affect the inactivation kinetics of alpha subunits, a more general, and perhaps more fundamental, role is to mediate the biosynthetic maturation and surface expression of voltage-gated K+ channel complexes. These findings provide a molecular basis for recent genetic studies indicating that beta subunits are key determinants of neuronal excitability.
Weak boson production measured in PbPb and pp collisions by CMS

The unprecedented center-of-mass energy available at the LHC offers unique opportunities for studying the properties of the strongly interacting QCD matter created in PbPb collisions at extreme temperatures and very low parton momentum fractions. Electroweak boson production is an important benchmark process at hadron colliders. Precise measurements of Z production in heavy-ion collisions can help to constrain nuclear PDFs as well as serve as a standard candle of the initial state in PbPb collisions at the LHC energies. The inclusive and differential measurements of the Z boson yield in the muon decay channel will be presented, establishing that no modification is observed with respect to next-to-leading order pQCD calculations, scaled by the number of incoherent nucleon–nucleon collisions. The status of the Z measurement in the electron decay channel, as well as the first observation of W → μν in heavy ion collisions will be given. The heavy-ion results will be presented in the context of those obtained in pp collisions with the CMS detector.
Complete regression of local cancer using temperature-sensitive liposomes combined with ultrasound-mediated hyperthermia

The development of treatment protocols that result in a complete response to chemotherapy has been hampered by free drug toxicity and the low bioavailability of nano-formulated drugs. Here, we explore the application of temperature-sensitive liposomes that have been formulated to enhance stability in circulation. We formed a pH-sensitive complex between doxorubicin (Dox) and copper (CuDox) in the core of lysolipid-containing temperature-sensitive liposomes (LTSLs). The complex remains associated at neutral pH but dissociates to free Dox in lower pH environments. The resulting CuDox-LTSLs were injected intravenously into a syngeneic murine breast cancer model (6 mg Dox/kg body weight) and intravascular release of the drug was triggered by ultrasound. The entire tumor was insonified for 5 min prior to drug administration and 20 min post drug injection. A single-dose administration of CuDox-LTSLs combined with insonation suppressed tumor growth. Moreover, after twice per week treatment over a period of 28 days, a complete response was achieved in which the NDL tumor cells and the tumor interstitium could no longer be detected. All mice treated with ultrasound combined with CuDox-LTSLs survived, and tumor was undetectable 8 months post treatment. Iron and copper-laden macrophages were observed at early time points following treatment with this temperature sensitive formulation. Systemic toxicity indicators, such as cardiac hypertrophy, leukopenia, and weight and hair loss were not detected with CuDox-LTSLs after the 28-day therapy.
Clinical Manifestations and Outcomes of West Nile Virus Infection

Since the emergence of West Nile virus (WNV) in North America in 1999, understanding of the clinical features, spectrum of illness and eventual functional outcomes of human illness has increased tremendously. Most human infections with WNV remain clinically silent. Among those persons developing symptomatic illness, most develop a self-limited febrile illness. More severe illness with WNV (West Nile neuroinvasive disease, WNND) is manifested as meningitis, encephalitis or an acute anterior (polio) myelitis. These manifestations are generally more prevalent in older persons or those with immunosuppression. In the future, a more thorough understanding of the long-term physical, cognitive and functional outcomes of persons recovering from WNV illness will be important in understanding the overall illness burden.
Mathematical model of PAR1-mediated activation of human platelets

Thrombin, one of the major proteases in the coagulation cascade, activates protease activated receptors 1 and 4 (PAR 1 and PAR4) to generate a network of intracellular signals that lead to stable platelet aggregation. Abnormal platelet activation could lead to either thrombosis or bleeding disorders, thus a predictive model of platelet activation would be an invaluable tool for the study of platelet function. In this work, we developed a computational model of PAR1-stimulated human platelet activation fully based on experimental observations. The model is represented by a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) describing the kinetics of the interacting components. The model is able to reproduce experimental dose responses and time-courses of cytosolic calcium (Ca2+), phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), diacylglycerol (DAG), GTP-bound Ras-proximate-1 (Rap1GTP), secretion of dense-granules, and activation of integrin α2bβ3 (GPIIbIIIa). Because of the inherent complexity of such a model, we also provide a simple way to identify and divide the system into interlinked functional modules to reduce the number of unknown parameters. Both the full and the reduced kinetic models are shown to predict platelet behavior in response toPAR1 activation.
Intraneuronal enzymic inclusions in the histological diagnosis of scrapie

Abstract Cumulative results are presented of histopathological and enzyme histochemical findings in sheep naturally or experimentally infected with scrapie compared with healthy controls or animals with other diseases. Two hundred and sixtyeight sheep were examined, including 210 cases of clinical or suspected scrapie. According to the nature and distribution of histopathological changes, especially neuropil vacuolation and neuronal vacuoles, scrapie-affected sheep were classified into groups. In particular, examination of medulla oblongata revealed a consistently different pattern of lesions between natural scrapie (type A) and experimental scrapie (type B). Cytoplasmic enzymic inclusions demonstrated by methods for β-glucuronidase and for acid phosphatase were regularly found in neurones from scrapie sheep but not from control animals. They appeared to be more prevalent in type B than in type A scrapie and were demonstrable even in tissue affected by post-mortem autolysis. The distribution of enzymic inclusions ranged from Betz cells of cerebral cortex to grey matter of the lumbar region of spinal cord. The detection of enzymic inclusions is a useful diagnostic criterion and has been incorporated into histological diagnostic procedures for scrapie.
Linearity Characterization and Optimization of Millimeter-Wave GaN HEMTs

This paper presents the first comprehensive study of the linearity characteristics of GaN/SiC high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) at millimeter-wave (mmW). Similar size devices from three sources are compared using AM-AM, AM-PM, two-tone, and 16-quadrature-amplitude modulation (16QAM) modulated waveforms measurements at 31.5 GHz. Additionally, error vector magnitude (EVM) and spectrum regrowth [adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR)] data are also presented. The results were measured, using a unique digital waveform system integrated with a mmW (50-GHz) load-pull system, for HEMTs at different classes of operation: A, AB, and B. In all devices, it is observed that a “balanced AB” (b-AB) class of device bias condition where linearity and efficiency are simultaneously optimized. A linearity figure of merit FOMlinearity, based on single-tone power measurements, is defined and calculated for each class. The FOMlinearity closely correlates with linearity performance of the HEMT under two-tone and digitally modulated drive conditions. Compared with class A, at a fixed output power, a b-AB class showed a 5-10-dB improvement in intermodulation distortions, combined with 1.2 × to 1.9 × enhancement in drain efficiency. The characterization methodology and derived FOMlinearity should benefit monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) designers to optimize the operation of GaN HEMTs. The results also indicate that GaN HEMTs can provide linearity characteristics suitable for applications such as satellite communications, while maintaining high efficiency and power density.
Criminalizing Behaviour to Protect Human Dignity

The purpose of this article is to discuss the criminalization of conduct based on human dignity arguments. It proposes a modest version of integrating human dignity into discussions about criminalization. After a critical examination of both the notion of “human dignity as an objective value” and the assumption that the meaning of human dignity can be explained by referring to Kant’s moral philosophy, human dignity violations are characterized as severe humiliations.
Regulation of a Thyroid Hormone-Dependent Protein by Growth Hormone: The Induction of Hepatic α2uGlobulin and Its Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in Adult Male Hypothyroid Rats

Studies in the adult male hypothyroid rat, a known GH-deficient animal, have shown hepatic α2u-globulin mRNA to be dependent on thyroid hormones. To study the effects of GH on α2u-globulin synthesis in the absence of thyroid hormones, adult male rats were rendered hypothyroid before hormone treatment.The relative effects of bovine GH or T3 were studied by RIA of α2u-globulin in hepatic cytosol in rats 6 weeks after thyroid ablation. α2u-Globulin levels in vehicle-treated controls were 1.3 ± 0.7 ng (±SD) α2u-globulin/mg protein. After 2 days, GH (200 Mg/100 g-day) resulted in an increase to 5.7 ± 1.0 ng α2u-globulin/mg (P < 0.05), and T3 50 μg/100 g-day) resulted in an increase to 11.5 ± 3.6 μg/mg (P < 0.01). After 7 days, GH resulted in an increase to 12.4 ± 4.6 ng/mg (P < 0.01), and T3 resulted in an increase to 28.7 ± 8.7 μg/mg (P < 0.01). After 4 months of thyroid ablation, baseline hepatic aα2u-globulin levels fell to 4.8 ng α2u-globulin/mg protein. Hepatic α2u-globulin was determined 4 and 8 h after ...
Insights from a failure of selective adaptation: syllable-initial and syllable-final consonants are different.

Selective adaptation with a syllable-initial consonant fails to affect perception of the same consonant in syllable-final position, and vice versa. One account of this well-replicated result invokes a cancellation explanation: with the place-of-articulation stimuli used, the pattern of formant transitions switches according to syllabic position, allowing putative phonetic-level effects to be opposed by putative acoustic-level effects. Three experiments tested the cancellation hypothesis by preempting the possibility of acoustic countereffects. In Experiment 1, the test syllables and adaptors were /r/-/1/ CVs and VCs, which do not produce cancelling formant patterns across syllabic position. In Experiment 2, /b/-/d/ continua were used in a paired-contrast procedure, believed to be sensitive to phonetic, but not acoustic, identity. In Experiment 3, cross-ear adaptation, also believed to tap phonetic rather than acoustic processes, was used. All three experiments refuted the cancellation hypothesis. Instead, it appears that the perceptual process treats syllable-initial consonants and syllable-final ones as inherently different. These results provide support for the use of demisyllabic representations in speech perception.
Genetic analysis of dPsa, the Drosophila orthologue of puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase, suggests redundancy of aminopeptidases.

The Drosophila genome contains a single orthologue of mammalian puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidases, dPsa. Even though dPsa was expressed in many tissues during development, animals lacking dPsa activity were viable. Ubiquitous overexpression of dPsa during embryonic or larval development resulted in lethality and overexpression in isolated tissues during development resulted in localized lesions. These results suggest that even though dPsa function was not essential for viability, dPsa expression must be tightly regulated for normal development. By screening the Drosophila genome we found 43 predicted aminopeptidases and generated a phylogenetic tree of aminopeptidases related to dPsa by sequence. We discuss possible functions of dPsa and the idea that other Drosophila aminopeptidases might perform redundant functions with dPsa for regulating protein turnover.
N2 disease in T1 non-small cell lung cancer.

Background The optimal management strategy for mediastinal staging in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not clearly defined. The true prevalence of mediastinal lymph node metastases (N2 disease) in resected pathologic T1 (pT1) NSCLC must be known to define the role of invasive mediastinal staging in these patients. Methods Data of patients with pT1 lesions resected at Mayo Clinic between 1998 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with N2 disease were identified from pathology and operative reports. We reviewed demographics, radiologic data, and surgical procedures for those with pathologic T1 N2 NSCLC. Results We identified 968 cases of pT1 lesions, 59 with pN2 disease (6.1%). For those with T1 N2 disease, the primary lung lesion was peripheral in 18 (31%) and central in 41 (69%). Of these, 36 had negative non-invasive mediastinal staging (3.7%) and were incidentally discovered. The most frequently affected lymph node station was 7 in 22 patients (37%), followed by 5,6 in 18 (31%). Mediastinoscopy found positive lymph nodes in 3 of 16 patients (19%) in which it was performed. Overall 5-year survival for pT1 N2 incidentally discovered during mediastinal lymph node dissection at the time of lung resection was 46% (95% confidence interval, 31% to 68%). Conclusions True pT1 NSCLC harbors a relatively low rate of N2 disease. The rate of occult N2 disease not observed on noninvasive preoperative mediastinal staging is even lower. For patients with T1 NSCLC and negative mediastinal imaging, routine mediastinoscopy results in a low yield of occult N2 disease discovery.
A field study of the relationship between bioindicators of maternal contaminant exposure and egg and larval viability of english sole (Parophrys vetulus)

Abstract Our studies have shown that early stages of the reproductive process in female English sole (Parophrys vetulus) are disrupted by contaminant exposure. To determine the potential for contaminants to affect later stages of the reproductive cycle, we examined the effects of maternal contaminant exposure on egg and larval viability in this species, in a field study conducted on running ripe fish collected for two consecutive years from spawning grounds. Maternal contaminant exposure was assessed by several methods. Stepwise multiple regression of the data showed that contaminant exposure was only a minor factor in determining egg and larval viability. However, because the range of contaminant exposure in the spawning fish did not encompass the high levels seen in non-spawning fish captured from contaminated areas, it can be hypothesized that female English sole exposed to substantial levels of contaminants might be at least partially excluded from the spawning population.
Kinetics of milling of polymers

Abstract Parameters pertaining to polymer chain degradation have been defined and related to energy provided to the material by external mechanical means such as milling. The ratio R of the number of bonds broken to the number of bonds originally present is an experimentally accessible quantity in terms of changes of the number-average molecular weight M as a fraction of the degradation time t. A relation between R and t has been derived. The equation has been tested against the accurate experimental data of van der Hoff and Chopra for cold milling of polyisobutylene at several shear rates, and was found to give very good results in all cases. Some puzzling aspects of earlier interpretation of these data have now been explained.
Creating Transient Cell Membrane Pores Using a Standard Inkjet Printer

Bioprinting has a wide range of applications and significance, including tissue engineering, direct cell application therapies, and biosensor microfabrication.1-10 Recently, thermal inkjet printing has also been used for gene transfection.8,9 The thermal inkjet printing process was shown to temporarily disrupt the cell membranes without affecting cell viability. The transient pores in the membrane can be used to introduce molecules, which would otherwise be too large to pass through the membrane, into the cell cytoplasm.8,9,11 The application being demonstrated here is the use of thermal inkjet printing for the incorporation of fluorescently labeled g-actin monomers into cells. The advantage of using thermal ink-jet printing to inject molecules into cells is that the technique is relatively benign to cells.8, 12 Cell viability after printing has been shown to be similar to standard cell plating methods1,8. In addition, inkjet printing can process thousands of cells in minutes, which is much faster than manual microinjection. The pores created by printing have been shown to close within about two hours. However, there is a limit to the size of the pore created (~10 nm) with this printing technique, which limits the technique to injecting cells with small proteins and/or particles. 8,9,11 A standard HP DeskJet 500 printer was modified to allow for cell printing.3, 5, 8 The cover of the printer was removed and the paper feed mechanism was bypassed using a mechanical lever. A stage was created to allow for placement of microscope slides and coverslips directly under the print head. Ink cartridges were opened, the ink was removed and they were cleaned prior to use with cells. The printing pattern was created using standard drawing software, which then controlled the printer through a simple print command. 3T3 fibroblasts were grown to confluence, trypsinized, and then resuspended into phosphate buffered saline with soluble fluorescently labeled g-actin monomers. The cell suspension was pipetted into the ink cartridge and lines of cells were printed onto glass microscope cover slips. The live cells were imaged using fluorescence microscopy and actin was found throughout the cytoplasm. Incorporation of fluorescent actin into the cell allows for imaging of short-time cytoskeletal dynamics and is useful for a wide range of applications.13-15
Anchoring Ethinylestradiol Induced Gene Expression Changes with Testicular Morphology and Reproductive Function in the Medaka

Environmental estrogens are ubiquitous in the environment and can cause detrimental effects on male reproduction. In fish, a multitude of effects from environmental estrogens have been observed including altered courting behavior and fertility, sex reversal, and gonadal histopathology. However, few studies in fish assess the impacts of estrogenic exposure on a physiological endpoint, such as reproduction, as well as the associated morphologic response and underlying global gene expression changes. This study assessed the implications of a 14 day sub-chronic exposure of ethinylestradiol (EE2; 1.0 or 10.0 µg/L EE2) on male medaka fertility, testicular histology and testicular gene expression. The findings demonstrate that a 14 day exposure to EE2 induced impaired male reproductive capacity and time- and dose-dependent alterations in testicular morphology and gene expression. The average fertilization rate/day following the exposure for control, 1.0 and 10.0 µg/L EE2 was 91.3% (±4.4), 62.8% (±8.3) and 28.8% (±5.8), respectively. The testicular morphologic alterations included increased germ cell apoptosis, decreased germinal epithelium and thickening of the interstitium. These changes were highly associated with testicular gene expression changes using a medaka-specific microarray. A pathway analysis of the differentially expressed genes emphasized genes and pathways associated with apoptosis, cell cycle and proliferation, collagen production/extracellular matrix organization, hormone signaling, male reproduction and protein ubiquitination among others. These findings highlight the importance of anchoring global gonadal gene expression changes with morphology and ultimately with tissue/organ function.