cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of hospital surgical volume on complete gross resection (CGR) rates following primary debulking surgery for advanced stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Abstract Background To investigate the impact of hospital surgical volume on the rate of complete gross resection for patients with advanced stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma undergoing primary debulking surgery. Methods The National Cancer Data Base was used to identify patients undergoing between 2010 and 2014 for an advanced stage (III-IV) epithelial ovarian cancer. For analyses purposes facility surgical volume was divided into tertiles (high, intermediate and low). Patients with bulky stage III disease who underwent primary debulking surgery with known residual disease status were selected for further analysis. Results A total of 8894 patients with macroscopic peritoneal disease were included. Rates of complete gross resection for patients managed in low, intermediate and high-volume centers were 41.0%, 41.6% and 43.3% respectively (p = 0.20). After controlling for year of diagnosis, age, insurance status, presence of co-morbidities, histology, size of peritoneal implants, stage, and complexity of surgery, patients undergoing primary debulking surgery at low (OR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74, 0.97, p = 0.013) and intermediate (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.99, p = 0.043) volume centers had a lower likelihood of achieving complete gross resection compared to those managed in high volume centers. Conclusions After controlling for multiple potential confounders, patients receiving surgery in high volume centers had a higher likelihood of complete gross resection following primary debulking surgery for advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer.
Genetic Permissiveness and Dietary Glycemic Load Interact to Predict Type-II Diabetes in the Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus).

Objective: The Nile rat (Arvicanthis niloticus) is a superior model for Type-II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) induced by diets with a high glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GLoad). To better define the age and gender attributes of diabetes in early stages of progression, weanling rats were fed a high carbohydrate (hiCHO) diet for between 2 to 10 weeks. Methods: Data from four experiments compared two diabetogenic semipurified diets (Diet 133 (60:20:20, as % energy from CHO, fat, protein with a high glycemic load (GLoad) of 224 per 2000 kcal) versus Diets 73 MBS or 73 MB (70:10:20 with or without sucrose and higher GLoads of 259 or 295, respectively). An epidemiological technique was used to stratify the diabetes into quintiles of blood glucose (Q1 to Q5), after 2–10 weeks of dietary induction in 654 rats. The related metagenetic physiological growth and metabolic outcomes were related to the degree of diabetes based on fasting blood glucose (FBG), random blood glucose (RBG), and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 30 min and 60 min. Results: Experiment 1 (Diet 73MBS) demonstrated that the diabetes begins aggressively in weanlings during the first 2 weeks of a hiCHO challenge, linking genetic permissiveness to diabetes susceptibility or resistance from an early age. In Experiment 2, ninety male Nile rats fed Diet 133 (60:20:20) for 10 weeks identified two quintiles of resistant rats (Q1,Q2) that lowered their RBG between 6 weeks and 10 weeks on diet, whereas Q3–Q5 became progressively more diabetic, suggesting an ongoing struggle for control over glucose metabolism, which either stabilized or not, depending on genetic permissiveness. Experiment 3 (32 males fed 70:10:20) and Experiment 4 (30 females fed 60:20:20) lasted 8 weeks and 3 weeks respectively, for gender and time comparisons. The most telling link between a quintile rank and diabetes risk was telegraphed by energy intake (kcal/day) that established the cumulative GLoad per rat for the entire trial, which was apparent from the first week of feeding. This genetic permissiveness associated with hyperphagia across quintiles was maintained throughout the study and was mirrored in body weight gain without appreciable differences in feed efficiency. This suggests that appetite and greater growth rate linked to a fiber-free high GLoad diet were the dominant factors driving the diabetes. Male rats fed the highest GLoad diet (Diet 73MB 70:10:20, GLoad 295 per 2000 kcal for 8 weeks in Experiment 3], ate more calories and developed diabetes even more aggressively, again emphasizing the Cumulative GLoad as a primary stressor for expressing the genetic permissiveness underlying the diabetes. Conclusion: Thus, the Nile rat model, unlike other rodents but similar to humans, represents a superior model for high GLoad, low-fiber diets that induce diabetes from an early age in a manner similar to the dietary paradigm underlying T2DM in humans, most likely originating in childhood.
Modeling Steady-State Foam Flow: Hysteresis and Backward Front Movement

Foaming gaseous injectants is an attractive option because of the much lower gas mobility achieved in porous media. This paper reports an experimental and numerical investigation to improve our und...
Prevalence and clinical features of patients with concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBs: Evaluation of the hepatitis B research network cohort.

The prevalence of concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBs in plasma of persons with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is variable and its clinical significance enigmatic. We examined the prevalence and clinical and virological features of concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBs in children and adults with chronic HBV infection living in North America. A total of 1462 HBsAg positive participants in the Hepatitis B Research Network paediatric and adult cohorts were included (median age 41 (range 4-80) years, 48% female, 11% white, 13% black, 73% Asians). Only 18 (1.2%) were found to be anti-HBs positive (≥10 mIU/mL) at initial study evaluation. Distributions of sex, race, HBV genotype and ALT were similar between participants with and without concurrent anti-HBs. Those who were anti-HBs positive appeared to be older (median age 50 vs 41 years, P = .06), have lower platelet counts (median 197 vs 222 × 103/mm3 , P = .07) and have higher prevalence of HBeAg (44% vs 26%, P = .10). They also had lower HBsAg levels (median 2.0 vs 3.5 log10 IU/mL, P = .02). Testing of follow-up samples after a median of 4 years (range 1-6) in 12 of the 18 participants with initial concurrent anti-HBs showed anti-HBs became undetectable in 6, decreased to <10 mIU/mL in 1 and remained positive in 5 participants. Two patients lost HBsAg during follow-up. In conclusion, prevalence of concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBs was low at 1.2%, with anti-HBs disappearing in some during follow-up, in this large cohort of racially diverse children and adults with chronic HBV infection living in North America. Presence of concurrent HBsAg and anti-HBs did not identify a specific phenotype of chronic hepatitis B, nor did it appear to affect clinical outcomes.
Copyright, Transformativeness, and Protection for internet Memes:

Internet memes have become popular artifacts of mass communication in digital culture. They are, by definition, reiterative as they remix already existing content to produce new communicative state...
Managed Care Pharmacy Research on Inappropriate Opioid Use Interventions.

DISCLOSURES: No funding contributed to the writing of this commentary. The authors have nothing to disclose.
Development of Generative Concern Across Mid- to Later Life.

Background and objectives The development of generativity, or investment in the next generation, has been theorized about for decades. Extant empirical findings regarding generativity's trajectory, however, are mixed. Thus, the current study modeled the development of generative concern, or the extent to which individuals care for the next generation, across adulthood. Research design and methods The current study followed an accelerated longitudinal design, modeling generative concern's trajectory across the overlapping ages of 861 age-heterogeneous participants from the 10-year Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being. Three models were fit to examine whether generative concern followed a linear, quadratic, or cubic trajectory across ages 40-84. The Final Model was tested for birth cohort effects to support the interpretation of developmental change. Results Generative concern followed an age-graded cubic trend across ages 40-84, and no birth cohort effects were apparent in this trajectory. Generative concern was highest at age 40. Although generative concern declined thereafter, it remained relatively stable across ages 50-70. Finally, generative concern declined after age 70. Discussion and implications Generative concern, indeed, develops over time. The step-like declines across ages 40-84 are informative for both basic and applied researchers in that knowledge of this developmental trend bolsters decade-old theory and informs the optimal timing for intervention work.
Court-Mandated Treatment Outcomes for Prescribed Opioid Use Disorder: A Gender Based Study:

This study provides empirical information suggesting court-mandated treatment may be a more effective treatment pathway for opioid use disorder (OUD). To examine the effects of mandated treatment f...
Trends in prescribing pattern of opioid and benzodiazepine substitutes among Medicare part D beneficiaries from 2013 to 2018: a retrospective study.

Objective Opioid and benzodiazepine co-prescribing is associated with a substantial increase in opioid overdose deaths. In this study, we examine the prescribing trends of substitutes of opioids and benzodiazepines alone or in combination, compared with opioids and benzodiazepines. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Data were collected using a 20% national sample of Medicare beneficiaries from 2013 to 2018. Participants 4.1–4.3 million enrollees each year from 2013 to 2018. Intervention None. Primary outcome We employ a generalised linear mixed models to calculate ORs for opioid use, benzodiazepine or Z-drug (benzos/Z-drugs) use, opioid/benzos/Z-drugs 30-day use, gabapentinoid use and (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)) use, adjusted for the repeated measure of patient. We then created two models to calculate the ORs for each year and comparing to 2013. Results Opioid and benzos/Z-drugs use decreased by 2018 (aOR 0.626; 95% CI 0.622 to 0.630) comparing to 2013. We demonstrate a 36.3% and 9.9% increase rate of gabapentinoid and SSRI/SNRI use, respectively. Furthermore, combined gabapentinoid and SSRI/SNRI use increased in 2018 (aOR 1.422; 95% CI 1.412 to 1.431). Conclusion Little is known about the prescribing pattern and trend of opioid and benzodiazepine alternatives as analgesics. There is a modest shift from prescribing opioid and benzos/Z-drugs (alone or in combination) towards prescribing non-opioid analgesics—gabapentinoids with and without non-benzos/Z-drugs that are indicated for anxiety. It is unclear if this trend towards opioid/benzos/Z-drugs alternatives is associated with fewer drug overdose death, better control of pain and comorbid anxiety, and improved quality of life.
Central Venous Catheter Salvage in Ambulatory Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections.

BACKGROUND Guidelines for treatment of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) recommend removing central venous catheters (CVCs) in many cases. Clinicians must balance these recommendations with the difficulty of obtaining alternate access and subjecting patients to additional procedures. In this study, we evaluated CVC salvage in pediatric patients with ambulatory CLABSI and associated risk factors for treatment failure. METHODS This study was a secondary analysis of 466 ambulatory CLABSIs in patients <22 years old who presented to 5 pediatric medical centers from 2010 to 2015. We defined attempted CVC salvage as a CVC left in place ≥3 days after a positive blood culture result. Salvage failure was removal of the CVC ≥3 days after CLABSI. Successful salvage was treatment of CLABSI without removal of the CVC. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to test associations between risk factors and attempted and successful salvage. RESULTS A total of 460 ambulatory CLABSIs were included in our analysis. CVC salvage was attempted in 379 (82.3%) cases. Underlying diagnosis, CVC type, number of lumens, and absence of candidemia were associated with attempted salvage. Salvage was successful in 287 (75.7%) attempted cases. Underlying diagnosis, CVC type, number of lumens, and absence of candidemia were associated with successful salvage. In patients with malignancy, neutropenia within 30 days before CLABSI was significantly associated with both attempted salvage and successful salvage. CONCLUSIONS CVC salvage was often attempted and was frequently successful in ambulatory pediatric patients presenting with CLABSI.
Development of novel AAV serotype 6 based vectors with selective tropism for human cancer cells

Viral vectors-based gene therapy is an attractive alternative to common anti-cancer treatments. In the present studies, AAV serotype 6 vectors were identified to be particularly effective in the transduction of human prostate (PC3), breast (T47D) and liver (Huh7) cancer cells. Next, we developed chimeric AAV vectors with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide incorporated into the viral capsid to enable specific targeting of integrin-overexpressing malignant cells. These AAV6-RGD vectors improved transduction efficiency approximately 3-fold compared with wild-type AAV6 vectors by enhancing the viral entry into the cells. We also observed that transduction efficiency significantly improved, up to approximately 5-fold, by the mutagenesis of surface-exposed tyrosine and threonine residues involved in the intracellular trafficking of AAV vectors. Therefore, in our study, the AAV6-Y705-731F+T492V vector was identified as the most efficient. The combination of RGD peptide, tyrosine and threonine mutations on the same AAV6 capsid further increased the transduction efficiency, approximately 8-fold in vitro. In addition, we mutated lysine (K531E) to impair the affinity of AAV6 vectors to heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Finally, we showed a significant increase in both specificity and efficiency of AAV6-RGD-Y705-731F+T492V+K531E vectors in a xenograft animal model in vivo. In summary, the approach described here can lead to the development of AAV vectors with selective tropism to human cancer cells.
Incorporating Psychosocial Variables Into Health Care Policy: A Behavioral Economic Examination of Medicaid Expansion

This paper incorporates a survey of psychosocial variables into a formal economic model of health care consumption. It suggests that consulting the literature in health psychology and intertemporal decision theory provides valuable material to explain certain findings in health econometrics. More significant, the lessons from this behavioral economic approach is particularly useful to Medicaid policymakers, who largely have neglected psychosocial variables in implementing a health insurance program that rests chiefly on orthodox economic assumptions. The paper's chief contributions include an expansion of the behavioral economic approach to include a host of variables in health psychology, a behavioral refinement of empirical health economics, and a behavioral critique of Medicaid policy.
Measuring quality in arthritis care: The Arthritis Foundation's quality indicator set for analgesics

Objective To develop systematically validated quality indicators (QIs) addressing analgesic safety. Methods A comprehensive literature review of existing quality measures, clinical guidelines, and evidence supporting potential QIs concerning nonselective (traditional) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and newer cyclooxygenase 2–selective NSAIDs was undertaken. An expert panel then validated or refuted potential indicators utilizing a proven methodology. Results Eleven potential QIs were proposed. After panel review, 8 were judged to be valid; an additional 10 were proposed by the panel, of which 7 were rated as valid. Quality indicators focused upon informing patients about risk, NSAID choice and gastrointestinal prophylaxis, and side effect monitoring. Conclusion The 15 validated indicators were combined, where appropriate, to yield 10 validated processes of care indicators for the safe use of NSAIDs. These indicators developed by literature review and finalized by our expert panel process can serve as a basis to compare the quality of analgesic use provided by health care providers and delivery systems.
Temsirolimus therapy and small bowel perforation in a pediatric patient with Clostridium septicum bacteremia

Abstract Temsirolimus has been demonstrated to result in significant disease stabilization in children with high-grade glioma, neuroblastoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. While mucositis has been reported as a common adverse effect of temsirolimus therapy in adult and pediatric patients, bowel perforation is an infrequent and life-threatening side effect of temsirolimus in adults and has not previously been reported in children. We present a child treated with temsirolimus for recurrent metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma who underwent ileocecectomy and small bowel resection for perforation with frank necrosis. His presentation was complicated by Clostridium septicum infection, a rare, frequently fatal, gastrointestinal pathogen associated with malignancy and bowel ischemia.
Phenol sulfotransferase: I. purification of a rat liver enzyme by affinity chromatography

Abstract A phenol sulfotransferase (3-phosphoadenylylsulfate:phenol sulfotransferase, EC 2.8.2.1) has been purified from rat liver using an affinity chromatography system consisting of a p -hydroxyphenylacetic acid-agarose conjugate. The ligand was separated from the insoluble matrix using a spacer of approx. 25 A°. When this affinity system was used in conjunction with other chromatography procedures, e.g., DEAE-cellulose and Sephacryl S-200, a 630-fold purification of the enzyme was achieved. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 69000 as determined by gel filtration and 70000 as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme readily sulfates p -nitrophenol, 2-naphthol, 1-naphthol, and salicylamide, as well as naturally occurring catecholamines. Using p -nitrophenol as the substrate, the pH optimum was determined to be in the range of 5.5 to 6.4. The K m value determined for p -nitrophenol was 3.6 μM, and that for 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate was 2.5 μM. Adenosine 3′,5′-bisphosphate was found to be a strong product inhibitor with K i = 0.4 μM .
Development of nanosomes using high-pressure homogenization for gene therapy.

Objectives The aim of this project was to develop a novel lipid-based formulation suitable for gene therapy. Methods Novel nanosize liposome (nanosome) formulations containing pDNA (plasmid DNA) were developed using high-pressure homogenization (HPH). The effect of lipid concentration was studied at two levels: 3 mm and 20 mm. The preformed nanosomes were incubated for 18–20 h with pDNA or pDNA/protamine sulfate (PS) complex. The physical properties of the pDNA nanosomes were compared by particle size distribution and zeta-potential measurements. Their biological properties were also compared by pDNA efficiency of encapsulation/complexation, integrity, nuclease digestion, transfection efficiency and cell cytotoxicity. Key findings pDNA nanosomes prepared with 20 mm lipid (nanosomes : pDNA : PS at a ratio of 8.6 : 1 : 2) had particle sizes of 170–422 nm (90% confidence). The zeta-potential of the formulation was 49.2 ± 1.5 mV, and the pDNA encapsulation/complexation efficiency was ∼98%. pDNA nanosomes prepared with 3 mm lipid (nanosomes : pDNA : PS at a ratio of 2.09 : 1 : 2) had particle sizes of 140–263 nm (90% confidence). The zeta-potential of this formulation was 36.4 ± 1.2 mV, and the pDNA encapsulation/complexation efficiency was ∼100%. However, a comparison of the efficiency of transfection indicated that pDNA nanosomes prepared with low-concentration lipids (3 mm) showed significantly higher transfection efficiency compared with the pDNA nanosomes prepared with high-concentration lipids (20 mm), as well as those prepared with Fugene-6 (a commercially available transfection reagent). This particular formulation (pDNA nanosomes, 3 mm lipids) also showed significantly less cytotoxicity compared with the other pDNA nanosome formulations. Conclusions To conclude, these results indicate that condensing pDNA with PS followed by subsequent complexation with low-concentration nanosomes generated from HPH can produce a pDNA nanosome formulation that will boost transfection efficiency, while minimizing cytotoxicity. This new technology appears to be an efficient tool for future commercial or large-scale manufacture of DNA delivery systems for gene therapy.
Neutron-radiation-induced flux pinning in Gd-doped YBa2Cu3O7-x and GdBa2Cu3O7-x.

The critical current density {ital J}{sub {ital c}} in Y{sub 0.9}Gd{sub 0.1}Ba{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{ital x}} was found to increase relative to the unirradiated value following neutron irradiations in a mixed-spectrum reactor (total neutron fluences ranged between 1{times}10{sup 17} and 2{times}10{sup 18} {ital n}/cm{sup 2}). Additional neutron irradiations of structurally similar GdBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7{minus}{ital x}} were carried out in either a highly thermalized or a pure fast-neutron environment (in the same reactor). This was done to determine whether enhancements in {ital J}{sub {ital c}} are to be attributed to defects arising from interactions with thermal neutrons ({ital E}{sub {ital n}}{similar to}0.025 eV) or with fast neutrons ({ital E}{sub {ital n}}{gt}0.1 MeV). Magnetic-hysteresis measurements on these samples indicate that flux pinning (and thereby {ital J}{sub {ital c}}) is enhanced by fast-neutron irradition, but not by thermal-neutron irradiation. On the other hand, the critical temperature {ital T}{sub {ital c}} is significantly altered by exposure both to thermal and fast neutrons. It is proposed that thermal neutrons induce the formation of Frenkel pair defects on the rare-earth sublattice, but that these point defects do not serve as effective flux-pinning centers.
Longitudinal case-based evaluation of diagnostic competency among pathology residents: a statistical approach.

Abstract Context.—Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education guidelines require the evaluation of residents in 6 competencies. Pathology residents demonstrate medical knowledge, patient care, communication, and practice-based learning competencies in their attainment of competency in surgical pathology diagnosis. Objective.—To implement a prospective case-based approach to longitudinally evaluate the acquisition of competency in surgical pathology diagnosis by trainees. Design.—Each resident made his or her surgical pathology diagnosis on cases before faculty review of the cases. Faculty members scored each resident diagnosis as to whether they agree, partially agree, or disagree with the diagnosis. Forty-three months of surgical pathology reports (August 2001 through January 2005) and 22 252 surgical pathology cases were analyzed. Setting.—Pathology residency program. Participants.—Thirteen faculty members and 21 trainees. Main Outcome Measure.—Time and training year trends for the number of ca...
How Smart is Smart Growth? the Case of Austin, Texas

Since the publication of the Costs of Sprawl by the Real Estate Research Corporation in 1974, scholars and policy makers have been debating the pros and cons of suburban urban sprawl (Kunstler 1993, 1996; Ewing 1997; Gordon and Richardson 1997; Burchell et al. 1998; Katz and Bradley 1999; Duany et al. 2000). Although a wide spectrum of opinions regarding the economic, social, and environmental impacts of sprawl have been reported in the literature, a general consensus seems to be emerging around three kernel points on the urban-sprawl debate: (1) the environmental, social, and fiscal costs outweigh the benefits of the urban sprawl; (2) ultimately, urban sprawl is not a sustainable form of development; and (3) the nation can’t cease to grow and new growth will require more urban development. To combat the problems of urban sprawl and, at the same time, allow new urban development to accommodate the demands of a growing urban population, a variety of plannedgrowth initiatives have been tried across the nation during the past two decades. They include, but are not limited to, growth management, new urbanism, regionalism, urban-growth boundaries, and the promotion of more compact city forms (Gillham 2002).
The role of azithromycin in healthcare-associated pneumonia treatment.

Summary What is known and objective Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) is an important presentation among hospitalized patients. Standardized definitions of this entity are almost a decade old, and practice patterns have shifted from published guidelines to include empiric coverage with a macrolide, such as azithromycin. Azithromycin is oftentimes included in the empiric treatment regimen for HCAP because of the importance of appropriate empiric antimicrobial coverage, the perceived concern regarding atypical organisms, potential anti-inflammatory effects of the medication, and positive clinical data among patients with Streptococcal bacteremia. Methods In this review, we systematically investigate data for each of these topics along with clinical data examining the role of azithromycin in HCAP. Results and discussion Our findings indicate that atypical organisms are rare in HCAP, that the anti-inflammatory actions of azithromycin – although promising – have not produced consistently positive effects in many chronic or acute conditions, and that the data available for azithromycin use in bacteremia are of low quality. A single-centre cohort indicated that the clinical benefits of azithromycin did not extend to HCAP compared to community-acquired pneumonia. What is new and conclusion Additionally, there are newer data emphasizing the potential cardiotoxicity of azithromycin, particularly among patients at high risk. All of these data indicate that azithromycin should not be part of the standard empiric treatment for HCAP.
Formation and Bleaching of X-ray induced F-centers in CaF2☆

Abstract Results are presented on the formation and optical bleaching of X-ray induced F-centers in CaF2 at liquid nitrogen temperature. The data indicate that the F-center vacancies are created by the irradiation. After optical bleaching the vacancies can easily be refilled with electrons. A possible model for the absorption band at 225 nm is discussed.
Adrenal magnetic resonance imaging in addison’s disease

Magnetic resonance imaging of the adrenal glands was performed in 9 patients with Addison’s disease to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance (MR) in this entity. All patients had bilateral adrenal masses demonstrated by computed tomography (CT); etiologies included adrenal hemorrhage (2 patients), granulomatous disease (1 patient), adrenal lymphoma (3 patients), and adrenal metastases (3 patients). Spin-echo axial images were obtained at repetition times (TR) 0.5, 2.0 s and TE 28, 56 ms, using a Diasonics superconducting magnet operating at 0.35 T. In the patients with lymphoma, metastases, and granulomatous disease, the adrenal masses appeared hypointense or isointense with liver on the T1-weighted images (TR 0.5 s, TE 28 ms). In cases of adrenal hemorrhage, areas of hyperintensity were seen on TR 0.5, TE 56 ms sequences, due to shortening of T1 values. In both groups of patients the masses were hyperintense on T2 weighted sequences. Mean calculated T1 of the hemorrhagic glands was 449 ms, compared with a mean of 782 ms for mestastases and lymphoma. While MR is not capable of distinguishing between acute inflammatory and metastatic disases of the adrenal glands, it may be equally efficacious as CT in suggesting the diagnosis of adrenal hemorrhage in patients with Addison’s disease.
The Impact of Status Differences on Coalitional Agreements: An Experimental Study

This experiment investigated the impact of status differences between subordinates and face-to-face coalition negotiations on insurgent coalitional action. The effects of these variables were examined in stratified groups, where a leader established inequitable pay-rates, and subordinates could coalesce and destroy a portion of the leader's outcomes. The results showed that status differences (as opposed to status similarity) undermined the sense of common interests between subordinates and reduced the severity of coalitional action against the leader. Face-to-face negotiations engendered a more cautious approach to coalition negotiations and also reduced the severity of insurgent action. The results suggest that status differences pose an "organizational problem" for subordinates attempting to mobilize action against a leader.
Transcriptional Enhancers in Protein-Coding Exons of Vertebrate Developmental Genes

Many conserved noncoding sequences function as transcriptional enhancers that regulate gene expression. Here, we report that protein-coding DNA also frequently contains enhancers functioning at the transcriptional level. We tested the enhancer activity of 31 protein-coding exons, which we chose based on strong sequence conservation between zebrafish and human, and occurrence in developmental genes, using a Tol2 transposable GFP reporter assay in zebrafish. For each exon we measured GFP expression in hundreds of embryos in 10 anatomies via a novel system that implements the voice-recognition capabilities of a cellular phone. We find that 24/31 (77%) exons drive GFP expression compared to a minimal promoter control, and 14/24 are anatomy-specific (expression in four anatomies or less). GFP expression driven by these coding enhancers frequently overlaps the anatomies where the host gene is expressed (60%), suggesting self-regulation. Highly conserved coding sequences and highly conserved noncoding sequences do not significantly differ in enhancer activity (coding: 24/31 vs. noncoding: 105/147) or tissue-specificity (coding: 14/24 vs. noncoding: 50/105). Furthermore, coding and noncoding enhancers display similar levels of the enhancer-related histone modification H3K4me1 (coding: 9/24 vs noncoding: 34/81). Meanwhile, coding enhancers are over three times as likely to contain an H3K4me1 mark as other exons of the host gene. Our work suggests that developmental transcriptional enhancers do not discriminate between coding and noncoding DNA and reveals widespread dual functions in protein-coding DNA.
The CBFβ Subunit Is Essential for CBFα2 (AML1) Function In Vivo

The CBFbeta subunit is the non-DNA-binding subunit of the heterodimeric core-binding factor (CBF). CBFbeta associates with DNA-binding CBFalpha subunits and increases their affinity for DNA. Genes encoding the CBFbeta subunit (CBFB) and one of the CBFalpha subunits (CBFA2, otherwise known as AML1) are the most frequent targets of chromosomal translocations in acute leukemias in humans. We and others previously demonstrated that homozygous disruption of the mouse Cbfa2 (AML1) gene results in embryonic lethality at midgestation due to hemorrhaging in the central nervous system and blocks fetal liver hematopoiesis. Here we demonstrate that homozygous mutation of the Cbfb gene results in the same phenotype. Our results demonstrate that the CBFbeta subunit is required for CBFalpha2 function in vivo.
Is the Spinal Muscular Atrophy gene found

Abstract Three articles claim to have identified the spinal muscular atrophy gene, yet they do not appear to have enough in common to identify the same gene.
Mechanisms that Regulate Stem Cell Aging and Life Span

Mammalian aging is associated with reduced tissue regeneration, increased degenerative disease, and cancer. Because stem cells regenerate many adult tissues and contribute to the development of cancer by accumulating mutations, age-related changes in stem cells likely contribute to age-related morbidity. Consistent with this, stem cell function declines with age in numerous tissues as a result of gate-keeping tumor suppressor expression, DNA damage, changes in cellular physiology, and environmental changes in tissues. It remains unknown whether declines in stem cell function during aging influence organismal longevity. However, mechanisms that influence longevity also modulate age-related morbidity, partly through effects on stem cells.
WE-E-224C-06: Differential Smoothing IMRT Planning for Head and Neck Cancer Patients with Mediastinal Involvement

Purpose: Head and neck cancer patients with mediastinal involvement present a planning challenge. The superior fields are ideal for IMRT but possible interplay effects between leaf and mediastinal motion makes IMRT less desirable for the inferior fields. A new, differential smoothing IMRT technique is compared to matched and extended field IMRT plans. Materials and Methods: The differential smoothing IMRT technique treated the superior portion of the target with 7 fixed, low smoothing rate (LSR) beams while the inferior portion was treated by 3–4 highly smoothed, fixed beams with an overlap region. All beams existed in a single IMRT plan and were optimized simultaneously. This technique was used to plan treatments for three head and neck cancer patients with mediastinal involvement. These patients were also planned using two alternative techniques: (1) A matched field technique, with conformal radiation therapy used for the inferior portion, and an LSR IMRT plan used for the superior portion; (2) An extended field LSR IMRT plan treating the full extent of the disease. The plans were compared dosimetrically.Results: The differential smoothing technique provided homogenous, continuous coverage throughout the target volume while the matched field plan demonstrated discontinuous coverage in the match region. The extended field IMRT plan had coverage comparable to the differential smoothing plan. However, patient and leaf motion could compromise coverage in practice. The average MLC leaf opening in the inferior differentially smoothed beams was 1.5–2 times greater than the average opening in any of the LSR beams (1.55cm for LSR beams verses 3.04cm for highly smoothed beams) thereby potentially reducing the impact of patient motion. Lung DVH's were similar for all three techniques. Conclusion: The differential smoothing technique offers continuous, more homogenous coverage than the matched field method and is probably less susceptible to patient motion than the extended field technique.
Using Scaffolding Techniques to Teach a Social Studies Lesson about Buddha to Sixth Graders.

When scaffolding is done correctly, students are encouraged to develop their own creativity, motivation, and resourcefulness. How teachers interact with students and how students interact with one another as they complete a task is important to students' ability to perform the activity. This article shows how scaffolding can be effectively applied in the teaching of a lesson on Buddha to four sixth-grade social studies classes. The author demonstrates that using scaffolding as an instructional technique helps model the desired learning strategies or tasks for the students throughout the lesson.
An analytical investigation of the effect of a first order chemical reaction on the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere.

Abstract The effect of a first order or pseudo-first order chemical reaction on the turbulent diffusion from a steady-emitting point or infinite line source is analytically studied. The effect of a temperature inversion aloft is also included. The results are presented in terms of dimensionless plots. The concentrations of the reactants and products can be determined from the results presented. One of the principal conclusions is that the concentration of the reactant is everywhere decreased as a result of the reaction. However, at some value of the reaction rate constant, consideration must be shifted from the reactant to the reaction product as the ground level pollutant of primary concern. From the graphs presented, the maximum ground level concentration of the reactant and the point at which it occurs can be easily determined.
An analysis of Mek1 signaling in cell proliferation and transformation.

The Mek1 dual specificity protein kinase phosphorylates and activates the mitogen-activated protein kinases Erk1 and Erk2 in response to mitogenic stimulation. The molecular events downstream of Mek and Erk necessary to promote cell cycle entry are largely undefined. In order to study signals emanating from Mek independent of upstream proteins capable of activating multiple signaling pathways, we fused the hormone-binding domain of the estrogen receptor (ER) to the C terminus of constitutively activated Mek1 phosphorylation site mutants. Although 4-OH-tamoxifen stimulation of NIH-3T3 cells expressing constitutively activated Mek-ER resulted in only a small increase in specific activity of the fusion protein, a 5–10 fold increase in total cellular Mek activity was observed over a period of 1–2 days due to an accumulation of fusion protein. Induction of constitutively activated Mek-ER in NIH-3T3 cells resulted in accelerated S phase entry, proliferation in low serum, morphological transformation, and anchorage independent growth. Endogenous Erk1 and Erk2 were phosphorylated with kinetics similar to the elevation of Mek-ER activity. However, elevated Mek-ER activity attenuated subsequent stimulation of Erk1 and Erk2 by serum. 4-OH-tamoxifen stimulation of Mek-ER-expressing fibroblasts also resulted in up-regulation of cyclin D1 expression and down-regulation of p27Kip1 expression, establishing a direct link between Mek1 and the cell cycle machinery.
Powder Processing of Ceramic matrix Composites

Abstract Powder processing of ceramic matrix composites is reviewed with emphasis on (1) forming powder compacts containing reinforcements, (2) the effect of the reinforcement network on the shrinkage and strengthening of the powder matrix during a heat treatment, (3) a novel method for producing a metal-reinforced ceramic composite and (4) a novel method for producing a laminar ceramic composite containing brittle fibers. Preliminary properties for the two new composite-processing methods are given.
Erratum to ‘Charles Agustus Leale and the resuscitation of Abraham Lincoln’

Erratum Erratum to ‘Charles Agustus Leale and the resuscitation of Abraham Lincoln’ [Resuscitation 45 (2000) 3–5] George L. Sternbach , Joseph Varor , Robert E. Fromm Jr. c a Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford Uni6ersity Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA b Pulmonary and Critical Care Section, Department of Emergency Ser6ices, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA c Cardiology, Pulmonary and Critical Care Sections, Department of Emergency Ser6ices, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA Accepted 6 July 2000 www.elsevier.com/locate/resuscitation
Relief and shortening in detachment folds

We present new thickness-relief methods for determining shortening S(z), mean shortening SðzÞ and curvimetric shortening Sc(z) as a function of height in well-imaged structures. Thickness-relief measurements allow us to constrain the fractions of the deformation that are layer-parallel pure shear, simple shear, and flexural, and to measure the excess area Ae of fold cores caused, for example, by flow of evaporites. The key measurements are made in the thickness domain, which allows for more certain determination of regional stratigraphic gradients, which is required for reliable separation of structural relief from primary stratigraphic thickness variations. We apply these methods to a diverse set of active detachment folds from the fronts of the Nankai trough Japan, Cascadia accretionary wedge Oregon, southern Tianshan China and Agbami anticline deep-water Niger delta. Three of these folds can be approximated by pure-shear detachment fold models because more than 95% of the shortening is by layer-parallel heterogeneous pure shear plus horizontal compaction. For this reason curvimetric shortening is one to two orders of magnitude less than total shortening. In contrast, Agbami anticline shows layer-parallel stretching above the excess area of the fold core. In all examples the layer-parallel simple-shear component is negligible or absent. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Farmers' time allocation between farm work and off-farm work and the importance of unobserved group effects: evidence from Israeli cooperatives

Abstract Agricultural cooperatives differ in many attributes which affect members' farm and off-farm earnings in different ways. As a result, time allocation patterns between farm work and off-farm work will vary significantly across cooperatives. Participation equations in farm work and off-farm work of farmers who are members of Israeli moshavim are estimated jointly, including a cooperative-specific factor in each equation. The fixed effects are found to be significant and important, but can be only partly explained by observed cooperative attributes. This provides another support to the Monte Carlo results of Borjas and Sueyoshi, that controlling for group effects is superior to alternative models. The results also imply that unobserved factors have considerable effects on farmers' time allocation, and hence should be controlled for whenever possible.
Doppler echocardiographic determination of the pressure gradient in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Abstract The continuous wave Doppler ultrasound signal across the left ventricular outflow tract in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has a characteristic pattern that is in keeping with the dynamic nature of the pressure gradient in this condition. To determine the accuracy and reliability of the peak Doppler flow velocity signal for measuring the peak pressure gradient in this condition, 340 beats were analyzed from five consecutive patients studied with simultaneous continuous wave Doppler ultrasound and dual catheter pressure recordings across the left ventricular outflow tract. Each patient was studied at steady state and during physiologic and pharmacologic manipulations of the pressure gradient. Peak velocity and calculated peak gradient were determined by two independent observers who did not know the catheter measurements. In addition, 18 beats with well defined flow velocity envelopes were digitized for analysis of the magnitude, timing and contour of the instantaneous Doppler ultrasound and catheter gradients throughout systole. Peak catheter gradient in the 340 beats ranged from 12 to 245 mm Hg. The correlations between the Doppler-derived and catheter peak gradients were close (r = 0.96, SEE = 4 mm Hg for Observer 1 and r = 0.97, SEE = 11 mm Hg for Observer 2). Interobserver variability for measurement of peak flow velocity was small (mean ± SD 0.16 ± 0.15 m/s). An interobserver difference >0.3 m/s occurred in 25 of the 340 beats analyzed. By retrospective analysis, this was due to contamination of the outflow tract signal by mitral regurgitation. The peak flow velocity and characteristic pattern of the continuous wave Doppler ultrasound signal accurately reflect the peak magnitude as well as the timing and contour of the dynamic pressure gradient across the left ventricular outflow tract in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Although the Interobserver variability of the peak flow velocity measurement is small, substantial error may occur when even a minimal signal of mitral regurgitation is superimposed on a seemingly well defined outflow tract contour.
An experimental determination of the cross section of the Swings band system of C3

The spectral absorption cross section of the Swings band of C3 was determined from measurements behind incident shock waves that heated a gas mixture of argon and acetylene. These measurements spanned the spectral region between 300 and 540 nm, and were obtained at temperatures between 3200 and 4000 K. An electronic oscillator strength of 0.033 was deduced from the measurements.
Selected R&D requirements in the computer and information sciences

Under the provisions of the Brooks Bill, PL 89-306, enacted in 1966, the Center for Computer Sciences and Technology of the National Bureau of Standards has been authorized to sponsor and to conduct research and development work in the computer and information sciences and technologies, especially where the problems are unique to Government or where the results are likely to have wide applicability in Government operations. In addition the CCST attempts to:(1) maintain awareness of advances in the field of automatic data processing and related sciences and technologies (a truly broad interdisciplinary spectrum); (2) disseminate information on advanced developments, especially with a view toward the cross-fertilization of ideas, and, (3) identify areas where breakthroughs, either theoretical or pragmatic, are needed in order to achieve more effective or efficient use of ADP techniques or in order to anticipate future requirements for standardization efforts.
Identification of critical IgG binding epitopes on the neonatal Fc receptor

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) binds maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG) during the acquisition of passive immunity by the fetus or newborn. FcRn also binds IgG and returns it to the bloodstream, thus protecting IgG from a default degradative pathway. Biosensor assays have been used to characterize the interaction of a soluble form of rat FcRn with IgG, and demonstrate that FcRn dimerization and immobilization are necessary to reproduce in vivo binding characteristics. Here, we report the identification of several FcRn amino acid substitutions that disrupt its affinity for IgG and examine the effect of alteration of residues at the FcRn dimer interface. The role of these amino acids is discussed in the context of the previously reported structures of rat FcRn and a complex of FcRn with the Fc portion of IgG.
Human aldehyde dehydrogenase: mechanism of inhibition of disulfiram

Disulfiram labeled with carbon-14 reacts specifically with human liver aldehyde dehydrogenase E1 with loss of catalytic activity and no incorporation of label. Carbon-14-labeled diethyldithiocarbamate is formed and the number of enzyme sulfhydryl groups decreases from 34 to 30 during this process. Activity is recovered by-mercaptoethanol but not by glutathione, the physiological reducing agent.
Pyrethroid toxicology: Mouse intracerebral structure-toxicity relationships

Abstract Mouse intracerebral (ic) toxicity studies with 29 pyrethroids confirm earlier mouse intraperitoneal (ip) and rat oral and intravenous findings in three respects: α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl esters produce choreoathetosis, convulsions, and salivation, whereas compounds lacking the α-cyano group yield tremors and convulsions; high stereospecificity is involved in inducing both poisoning syndromes; large toxicity differences for (1 R,trans ) vs (1 R,cis ) resmethrin and permethrin do not extend to ethanomethrin and the cyanophenoxybenzyl esters. The ic investigations further establish that: profuse salivation is not unique for pyrethroids with the α-cyano group; the inactivity of (1 R,trans ) resmethrin in the brain is not due to detoxification; pyrethroids acting most rapidly in the brain are those with the highest knockdown activity for insects; the cyanophenoxybenzyl esters, in comparison with the non-cyano pyrethroids, have a high ic toxicity relative to their synergized ip toxicity indicating the importance of the brain in the Type II poisoning syndrome.
Labial fusion causing upper urinary tract obstruction

An infant with dense and nearly complete labial fusion had marked hydroureteronephrosis which resolved after incision of the adherent labia. Although this is an unusual consequence of labial fusion, it argues for upper urinary tract screening in these children.