cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Schistosoma mansoni infections on the eosinophil level of adrenalectomized mice.

Abstract The influence of adrenalectomy on the eosinophil response of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni was determined by repeated eosinophil counts, with subsequent observations on gross pathology and the development of the parasite in the host. It was found that an eosinophilia developed at the same time and to the same degree in adrenalectomized mice as in sham adrenalectomized mice but was of shorter duration. In the adrenalectomized mice the eosinophil level rapidly returned to normal, indicating inablility to respond to prolonged eosinophil-producing stimuli. The gross pathology from S. mansoni infections appeared the same in the two groups of animals but non-adrenalectomized mice survived the infection for longer periods than did the adrenalectomized mice.
Hemopexin and aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction in the mouse and in cell culture

Abstract Plasma hemopexin levels in mice treated with polycyclic aromatic compounds such as 3-methylcholanthrene or β-naphthoflavone are increased 71–160 per cent in three inbred strains known to be “responsive” at the Ah locus (C57BL/6N. C3H/HeN and Balb/cAnN) and ranged from 14 to 60 per cent in three inbred strains known to be “nonresponsive” at the Ah locus (DBA/2N, NZB/BLN and NZW/BLN). Phenobarbital treatment causes increases in plasma hemopexin of similar magnitude in both aromatic hydrocarbon responsive and nonresponsive mice. In F 2 progeny from crosses between the C57BL/6N and NZW/BLN progenitor strains, a correlation between inducible hepatic hydroxylase and plasma hemopexin concentrations could not be demonstrated, principally because of the small magnitude in hemopexin induction. Data in this study show that plasma hemopexin rises later than the initiation of the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase induction process and, therefore, presumably in response to increased heme synthesis—whether it is the genetically regulated hemoprotein P 1 -450 induction by polycyclic aromatic compounds or hemoprotein P450 induction by pheno-barbital. An association between hemopexin and hydroxylase induction is not seen in H-4-II-E Reuber rat hepatoma cultures. Hemopexin synthesis and secretion into the growth medium occurs in H-4-II-E cells but is not detectable in HTC or Hepa-1 cultures. The rate of hemopexin appearance in the culture medium is the same in bcnz[a]anthracene-treated as in control H-4-II-E cells, whereas the hydroxylase induction occurs primarily in benz[a]anthracene-treated and not in control cultures. Daily changes in growth medium result in greater intracellular hemopexin levels and a greater rate of hemopexin secretion into the medium, compared with cells whose medium was changed less frequently or not at all.
Novel site-specific chemical delivery system as a potential mydriatic agent: Formation of phenylephrine in the iris-ciliary body from phenylephrone chemical delivery systems

The objective of this study was to test the three novel ester derivatives of phenylephrone (isovaleryl, phenylacetyl, and pivalyl esters) as potential site-specific chemical delivery systems. The mydriatic effect and ocular distribution/metabolism of these compounds were studied by topical application to the eyes of normal rabbits. It was assumed that a reduction-hydrolysis sequence could produce the active phenylephrine in the iris-ciliary body tissues. All the derivatives showed a more pronounced mydriatic effect than that of phenylephrine, whereas phenylephrone was completely devoid of any mydriatic activity. Phenylacetyl ester was the most potent drug, with short duration of action, and showed maximum activity in the presence of 0.01% benzalkonium chloride without causing any visible irritation to the rabbit eye. Administration of the novel compounds to the eyes of the rabbits showed no traces of phenylephrine in the systemic circulation, contrary to topical administration of phenylephrine. Phenylephrone was detected in different compartments of the eye, whereas phenylephrine was present only in the iris-ciliary body tissues following administration of phenylacetyl ester. The conversion of phenylephrone esters to the active drug, phenylephrine, and thus their subsequent activity was dependent on the physicochemical characteristics of the drugs. The results suggest the potential use of phenylacetyl ester as a potent short-term mydriatic agent without systemic side effects.
Pharmacokinetic Model for a Primary Antibody Response

Antigen distribution and clearance studied in vivo may be viewed as a pharmacokinetic problem complicated by the intervention of the immune response. A model characterizing the clearance of the simple antigen oΨ174 from the bloodstream of various experimental animals, as well as the subsequent serum antibody response, was developed. The present model is the simplest of the possible models and no doubt will have to be modified when considering more complex antigens, additional distribution modes, and differences in antibody reactivity. For the primary (IgM) immune response, however, early events in the immunological response can be adequately accounted for in a consistent and quantitative manner.
Apoptosis is an adaptive response in bovine preimplantation embryos that facilitates survival after heat shock.

Abstract Heat shock compromises development of preimplantation bovine embryos and the percentage of blastomeres labeled as TUNEL-positive. It was hypothesized that TUNEL labeling represents apoptosis and that apoptosis after heat shock is beneficial for continued embryonic development. To test these hypotheses, experiments were performed with z-DEVD-fmk, an inhibitor of group II caspases, on heat shock responses of embryos ⩾16-cell stage at day 4 after insemination. Heat shock of 41 °C for 9 h increased group II caspase activity and the proportion of TUNEL positive cells; z-DEVD-fmk blocked these effects. The reduction in development of embryos exposed to heat shock for 6–9 h was magnified in the presence of z-DEVD-fmk. Results indicate that group II caspases mediate heat-induced apoptosis in bovine embryos and that inhibition of these caspases has a detrimental effect on embryonic resistance to heat shock. Apoptosis can be viewed as an adaptative mechanism to allow embryonic survival and development following stress.
Lead Uptake and the Effects of EDTA on Lead-Tissue Concentrations in the Desert Species Mesquite (Prosopis spp.)

Experimental results have shown that the desert plant species mesquite (Prosopis spp.) is capable of accumulating high levels of lead in the roots, translocating it to the aerial portion of the pla...
Monoamine oxidase in neuropsychiatry and behavior.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of a number of biogenic amines, including the key neurotransmitters serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA) and the neuromodulator phenylethylamine (PEA). Two forms of MAO, designated “MAO A” and “MAO B,” have been identified on the basis of biochemical properties and, subsequently, by cloning the relevant genes. Of the two, MAO A exhibits a higher affinity for 5-HT and NE and for the inhibitor clorgyline (Johnston 1968), whereas MAO B has a higher affinity for PEA, benzylamine, and the inhibitor deprenyl (Knoll and Magyar 1972).
Protection from oxidant injury by sodium-dependent GSH uptake in retinal Müller cells.

Glutathione (GSH) is known to play an important role in regulating oxidative damage to cells. The present study was initiated to examine the effect of exogenous GSH on oxidative injury in a retinal Muller cell line and to characterize GSH transport in these cells. Rat Muller cells (rMC-1) were incubated with varying concentrations of t-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) to induce oxidative stress, and cell viability was measured after addition of GSH. In other studies, kinetics of GSH uptake and Na+-dependency were examined by incubating cells with35S-GSH in Na+-containing and Na+-free buffers. GSH uptake was studied with GSH at concentrations varying from 0. 05-10 m m in NaCl buffer. In the presence of sodium, extracellular GSH provided protection against t-BHP-induced oxidant injury to rMC-1 cells; in contrast, the amino acid precursors of GSH did not have any effect on cell viability. GSH was taken up by rMC-1 cells in a concentration- and sodium-dependent manner. Kinetic studies revealed both a high affinity (Km approximately 0.31 m m) and low affinity Km( approximately 4.2 m m) component. Furthermore, GSH depletion had no significant effect on the rate of GSH uptake. The results show that physiological concentrations of GSH can protect Muller cells from oxidative injury. Both Na+-dependent and Na+-independent transport systems for GSH exist in Muller cells, and the Na+-dependent GSH transporter may be involved in the protective role of GSH.
Open Access Journals: What’s the Problem?

1 This activity has increased significantly over the last 10 years, and The Directory of Open Access Journals now lists more than 8000 journals. Some represent online expan- sions by traditional print publishers and some repre- sent activities promoted and supported by institutions and organizations which have no prior history of print publications. Some appear to represent new business ventures by Internet entrepreneurs. Clearly, online publishing has created possibilities that would not ex- ist if journals depended solely on print publishers, and our Journal would not be possible if we needed to find a print publisher. We make use of the Open Journal System, which is open software for the management of academic journals created by the Public Knowl- edge Project. It provides the technical infrastructure to manage all aspects of work flow and is current- ly used by more than 10,000 journals worldwide. Martin Frank, PhD, discusses the cost of the academic publication and the potential approaches to open access. 2 These include immediate open ac- cess, which is referred to as a gold open access, and green open access which usually involves an em- bargo. These approaches both have costs, and ap- proximately 50% of journals now require an author fee. These fees may be paid by external grants, in- stitutional funds, and/ or authors using their personal resources. Dr. Frank is worried that the diversion of money from research grants will ultimately reduce research activity. In addition, he notes that research intensive institutions with good external funding will likely pay a disproportionate share of the overall cost of open access. We think that most authors and their academic departments are willing to pay reason- able fees for publication. We also suggest that insti- tutions have a lot to gain from the support of online journals. For example, health sciences centers could use academic publishing to support student and resident education, to support faculty development, and to support non-medical trainees in developing the technical skills necessary for work in information businesses and the editing skills necessary for tech- nical writing. If these activities were integrated into class work and into the job expectations of faculty, costs would remain low, and the overall cost would represent a very small fraction of the entire budget of most health sciences centers in the United States.
A 45-ns 256K CMOS static RAM with a tri-level word line

A 32K words by 8-bit static RAM fabricated with a CMOS technology is described. The key feature of the RAM is a tri-level word-line, in which an automatic power down by a pulsed word-line in the READ cycle and a power saving by a middle-level word-line in the WRITE cycle are combined. This circuit technique minimizes bitline swing, shortens the precharging time, and depresses the transient current. An improved address transition detection circuit reduces the chip select access time. The sense amplifier uses internally synchronized signals for improved operation. The RAM has a typical access time of 45 ns with an active power dissipation of 7 mW. The peak transient current is less than 40 mA. A double-level polysilicon technology with a 1.3-/spl mu/m design rule allowed layout of the NMOS memory cell in an area of 116.0 /spl mu/m/SUP 2/ and the die in 49.6 mm/SUP 2/.
A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF PROSTAGLANDIN E2 AND SALBUTAMOL BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ON THE AIRWAYS OBSTRUCTION OF PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA

1 The effects of intravenous infusion of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) were studied in ten asthmatic patients and compared with the effects of intravenous salbutamol. 2 PGE(2) at infusion rates of 5, 10 and 20 μg/min for three 15 min periods resulted in a small bronchodilator effect in four patients, bronchoconstriction in four, and had no measurable effect on FEV(1) in two patients; side effects were frequent and it was concluded that PGE(2) was unsuitable for use in the management of attacks of asthma. 3 In the same subjects bronchodilatation occurred during infusion of salbutamol at flow rates of 5, 10 and 20 μg/min (six patients), 10, 20 and 40 μg/min (two patients) and 20, 40 and 80 μg/min (two patients). Serious cardiovascular effects were not encountered at flow rates of less than 20 μg/minute.
Tornadoes: Mechanism and Control

If electrical energy is invoked to account for the high velocity of tornadoes, hydrodynamics restricts the possible mechanisms of energy exchange. In particular, the vortex is driven by a line sink of electrically heated air that must extend at least 5 kilometers high. In those rare cases where heroic measures may be justified to protect a city in the path of a major tornado, some possible control measures are discussed in terms of the electrical heating mechanism.
Topological solitons in Kaluza-Klein theories

The space of internal metrics of a Kaluza-Klein theory can inherit a complicated topology from the group of diffeomorphisms of the internal manifold. It is shown that this structure frequently gives rise to topological solitons, field configurations which cannot evolve into the vacuum in the distant future. A simple model with internal space ${S}^{2}$\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${S}^{1}$ is investigated in detail. It is found that the solitons in this model, like those in the Skyrme model, can be quantized as fermions. Kaluza-Klein theories may thus admit half-integral spin without elementary spinors.
The Physical Safety and Security Features of U.S. Hotels

The physical attributes or features that signal safety and security are a critical part of the overall “servicescape” of a hotel and help to define the service experience. An investigation of the s...
The effects of atrazine on dissolved oxygen and nitrate concentrations in aquatic systems

Abstract The effects of the herbicide atrazine, on nitrate-nitrogen (nitrate-N) and dissolved oxygen concentrations in aquatic microcosms were determined. Treatment levels consisted of a control, 50, 100, and 150 μg/1 atrazine with four replicates per treatment. From a stock atrazine solution serial dilutions were prepared for each treatment level. The serial dilutions were added as single daily doses in 150 mL increments to the appropriate treatment. Dissolved oxygen was measured twice daily for each ssytem. Nitrate-N concentrations were measured twice weekly for the duration of the experiment. Dissolved oxygen was not resistant to the atrazine perturbation and decreased to concentrations approximating 0.0 mg/L for all atrazine concentrations. However, dissolved oxygen concentrations were resilient to perturbation and recovered to pretreatment levels within 48 h following cessation of toxicant input. Nitrate-N concentrations also were not resistant to the atrazine perturbation and decreased to more than 90% of the pretreatment concentrations following atrazine introduction. Nitrate-N concentrations for atrazine treatments exhibited high resilience to the perturbation. Nitrate-N concentrations recovered to approximately 90% of the preperturbation nitrate-N concentrations 48 h after cessation of the toxicant. Although small amounts of atrazine may have a significant impact upon aquatic systems by reducing levels of dissolved oxygen and nitrate, there appears to be no permanent ecosystem damage since these systems recover rapidly when atrazine levels return to zero.
Freeze-drying as a potential mean for waste handling of animal carcasses containing radioactive material.

Freeze-drying was found to be an acceptable technique for converting radioactive animal carcasses into radioactive dry solid waste and radioactive aqueous by-product.
Initiation and early growth of fatigue cracks in high strength steel

Abstract The micromechanics of crack initiation and early growth in 4340 steel is studied using the SEM, and it is found that growth is discontinuous and transgranular, with the distance between growth steps corresponding to the prior austenite grain size spread. The lowest observed growth rate is approximately one lattice spacing per cycle. It is shown that cyclic growth of even the smallest cracks can be described using the fracture mechanics formalism, if the influence of debonded inclusions is taken into account.
Ab initio calculations of the rotational barriers in formamide and acetamide: The effects of polarization functions and correlation

Abstract Ab initio calculations have been used to determine the gas-phase rotational barrier about the CN bond in formamide and acetamide. The results indicate that the inclusion of polarization functions in the basis set leads to a substantial decrease (ca. 5 kcal mol −1 ) in the calculated barrier height at the SCF level. Electron correlation effects decrease the barrier by less than 1 kcal mol −1 , while the addition of zero point energy corrections changes the barrier height only slightly. Based upon the current calculations, the 0 K rotational barriers for isolated formamide and acetamide are predicted to be 14.2 and 12.5 kcal mol −1 , respectively.
Challenging times: advancing therapeutics in hematological malignancies

1 ISSN 2045-1393 10.2217/IJH.12.14 © 2012 Future Medicine Ltd Int. J. Hematol. Oncol. (2012) 1(1), 1–2 The launch of this journal marks a very exciting and challenging era for those of us who focus on the biology of hemato‐ logic malignancies and treat patients with these diseases. Over the past few years, there has been considerable progress in the field of molecular biology, and this has yielded new insights into the patho‐ genesis of human diseases. These insights have prompted novel drug development that has led to several treatments that have now really transformed many areas of medicine. Nowhere are these changes more prominent and important than in the field of hematologic oncology, where there are now many great examples of the transfer of knowledge from the bench to the bedside. In the area of lymphoma, in particu‐ lar, great progress has been made in better understanding diffuse large B‐cell lym‐ phoma, the most common type of non‐ Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Gene‐expression profiling has dissected, what was once understood to be one disease entity into at least three different molecular sub‐ types [1]. This is important as the outcome for patients with distinct subtypes is dif‐ ferent, and these advances have prompted the development of specific small‐molecule inhibitors that have already demonstrated differential activity across different sub‐ types [2]. Many of these novel agents are associated with very little toxicity and some may, in the future, become critical components in the upfront therapy of these diseases. This progress is not just confined to lymphoma, and many great strides and leaps in drug development have occurred in recent years in multiple myeloma and in various leukemias. In addition, in many hematologic diseases, recent years have seen the development of novel therapeutic approaches that reduce toxicity but main‐ tain high cure rates, and obviate the need for treatment modalities such as radiation treatment. The aim and scope of this journal will be to focus on and present the latest and most promising discoveries in the biology and treatment of hematologic malignancies. The International Journal of Hematologic Oncology plans to document compelling successes in the field of hematologic oncol‐ ogy and provide an exciting forum for the ana lysis and discussion of critical advances in lymphoma, myeloma and leukemia. We aim to provide selective snapshots of basic scientific and clinical breakthroughs and highlight ways that scientific discoveries are
The developmental toxicity of ethylene glycol diethyl ether in mice and rabbits.

Abstract Timed-pregnant CD-1 outbred Albino Swiss mice and New Zealand White rabbits were dosed by gavage with ethylene glycol diethyl ether (EGdiEE) in distilled water during major organogenesis. Mice were dosed on Gestational Days (gd) 6 through 15 (0, 50, 150, 500, or 1000 mg/kg/day) and rabbits on gd 6 through 19 (0, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day). Maternal clinical status was monitored daily during treatment. At termination (gd 17, mice; gd 30, rabbits), confirmed-pregnant females (22–24 per group, mice; 26–32 per group, rabbits) were evaluated for clinical status and gestational outcome; each live fetus was examined for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. In mice, no maternal mortality was observed, but maternal body weight gain during gestation and treatment, and at termination was reduced at 1000 mg/kg/day. The reduction of maternal body weight gain during gestation was secondary to embryo/fetal toxicity, i.e., reduced gravid uterine weight as a consequence of decreased litter size and fetal weight. The no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for developmental toxicity was 50 mg/kg/day. At ≥ 150 mg/kg/day the number of litters of mice with malformed fetuses was increased. At ≥500 mg/kg/day fetal bodyweight was reduced, and malformation incidence was significantly increased. Exencephaly and fused ribs were observed most often. In rabbits, maternal body weight was unaffected by treatment even though 6% maternal mortality was observed at 100 mg/kg/day. The developmental NOAEL was 25 mg/kg/day. Malformations were increased at ≥50 mg/kg/day; short tail, small spleen, fused sternebrae, and fused rib cartilage were observed most often. In summary, oral administration of EGdiEE to mice and rabbits during organogenesis produced profound adverse developmental effects even in the absence of significant maternal toxicity. Developmental effects in rabbits were more varied.
A 42-cm bore superconducting coil using pre-reacted Nb/sub 3/Sn

A superconducting magnet being built for the Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory Hybrid III system will contain both niobium-titanium and Nb/sub 3/Sn conductors in two separate coils later joined in a common assembly. Prereacted Nb/sub 3/Sn will be in layer-wound coil. A description is given of the coil winding equipment and process used for the proposed 42-cm-bore coil to be wound with 8 layers of high-field conductor and 10 layers of low-field conductor. Each layer will contain about 60 turns. The outside diameter will be 62 cm, and the length 57 cm. When operated at 1.8 K with 2300 A, it will add 4 T to the 9.3 T from a NbTi magnet which surrounds it. >
Switching of the Relative Dominance Between Feedback Mechanisms in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced NF-κB Signaling

A fundamental goal in biology is to gain a quantitative understanding of how appropriate cell responses are achieved amid conflicting signals that work in parallel. Through live, single-cell imaging, we monitored both the dynamics of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling and inflammatory cytokine transcription in macrophages exposed to the bacterial product lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Our analysis revealed a previously uncharacterized positive feedback loop involving induction of the expression of Rela , which encodes the RelA (p65) NF-κB subunit. This positive feedback loop rewired the regulatory network when cells were exposed to LPS above a distinct concentration. Paradoxically, this rewiring of NF-κB signaling in macrophages (a myeloid cell type) required the transcription factor Ikaros, which promotes the development of lymphoid cells. Mathematical modeling and experimental validation showed that the RelA positive feedback overcame existing negative feedback loops and enabled cells to discriminate between different concentrations of LPS to mount an effective innate immune response only at higher concentrations. We suggest that this switching in the relative dominance of feedback loops (“feedback dominance switching”) may be a general mechanism in immune cells to integrate opposing feedback on a key transcriptional regulator and to set a response threshold for the host.
Improved ex vivo method for microbiocidal activity across vertebrate species

The field of ecoimmunology is currently undergoing rapid expansion, whereby biologists from a wide range of ecological disciplines are increasingly interested in assessing immunocompetence in their study organisms. One of the key challenges to researchers is determining what eco-immune measures to use in a given experiment. Moreover, there are limitations depending on study species, requirements for specific antibodies, and relevance of the methodology to the study organism. Here we introduce an improved ex vivo method for microbiocidal activity across vertebrate species. The utility of this assay is that it determines the ability of an organism to remove a pathogen that could be encountered in the wild, lending ecological relevancy to the technique. The applications of this microbiocidal assay are broad, as it is readily adaptable to different types of microbes as well as a wide variety of study species. We describe a method of microbiocidal analysis that will enable researchers across disciplines to effectively employ this method to accurately quantify microbial killing ability, using readily available microplate absorbance readers.
Overexpression of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Causes Long-Term Decrease in Blood Pressure in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

The rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) is a relay point that provides supraspinal excitatory input to sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the regulation of blood pressure. The importance of the RVLM is further highlighted by observations that an increase of RVLM sensitivity to angiotensin II and enhanced sympathetic activity are associated with hypertension. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been shown to be central in maintaining the balance between vasoconstrictor activity of angiotensin II with vasoprotective action of angiotensin-(1-7) in the peripheral system. However, its role in central control of blood pressure in the RVLM is yet to be investigated. Thus, our objective in this study was to compare ACE2 expression in the RVLM of Wistar-Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats and to determine whether RVLM ACE2 is involved in blood pressure control. ACE2 immunoreactivity was diffusely distributed in many cardiovascular regulatory neurons, including the RVLM. Western blot analysis revealed a 40% decrease in ACE2 in the RVLM of spontaneously hypertensive rat compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats. Lentiviral-mediated overexpression of ACE2 (lenti-ACE2) was used to determine whether a decrease in ACE2 in the RVLM is associated with hypertensive state. Bilateral injection of lenti-ACE2 resulted in a long-term expression of transgenic ACE2. This was associated with a decrease in mean arterial pressure exclusively in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (141+/-4 mm Hg in lenti-GFP versus 124+/-5 mm Hg in lenti-ACE2) and heart rate (304+/-7 bpm in lenti-GFP versus 285+/-5 bpm in lenti-ACE2). These observations demonstrate that overexpression of ACE2 overcomes its intrinsic decrease in the RVLM and decreases high blood pressure in the spontaneously hypertensive rat.
Spin and bias: the tip of the iceberg

Vera-Badillo et al. [1] have to be congratulated for uncovering a problem with reporting of trial results, a problem that distorts the record, impedes inference, and can lead to flawed medical decisions. It is important to note that the associated problems of biased reporting and spin remain problems no matter how often they occur; once is once too often. Hence, the proportions presented should be understood in this context, and we should not lose sight of the forest for the trees. Nevertheless, I would propose that the proportions presented should have been based on the subset of 30 trials with complete information (including the primary end point that was prospectively specified), either instead of or in addition to the proportions that were presented based on the full sample of 164 trials. We are told, for example, that 7 of the 30 trials reported a different primary end point, and we can only imagine that this switch would have occurred in a higher proportion of the other 134 trials, given that the authors of those trials did not need to worry about getting caught. This uncertainty undermines our ability to offer credible statements about how often these 134 trials were biased or spun. But we do see bias in at least 7 of the 30, and have to wonder how often there was bias and/or spin in the other 23 among these 30. This would be a rather telling statistic, arguably more telling than the one based on the full set of 164. Moreover, the problems reported, though certainly of substantial importance, may still represent only the tip of the iceberg, and not only because we can check for changes in the primary end point in only 30 of the 164 trials. Beyond this, we also have the fact that there are many more biases, far too many to list here, that may have gone into producing spurious statistical significance in the primary end point. So what we have here is a best-case scenario, and a comprehensive look at spin, plus bias as defined here, plus bias defined more broadly, might reveal a far worse state of affairs in the trial research record [2].
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH ENDOGENOUS POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

This paper combines two approaches to the relationship between economics and politics. The first, standard in the economic literature, takes political arrangements as exogenous and examines the way in which different political regimes influence economic performance. A second approach, normally followed by political scientists, takes economic performance as exogenous and analyzes the way in which the political structure of society responds to it. I integrate both approaches in a simple model that provides a framework to think about the observed correlations between income per capita and political participation. Extensions to the basic model show the possibility of multiple equilibria, and are used to analyze totalitarianism and the role of urbanization.
Review of quality assessment tools for the evaluation of pharmacoepidemiological safety studies

Objectives: Pharmacoepidemiological studies are an important hypothesis-testing tool in the evaluation of postmarketing drug safety. Despite the potential to produce robust value-added data, interpretation of findings can be hindered due to well-recognised methodological limitations of these studies. Therefore, assessment of their quality is essential to evaluating their credibility. The objective of this review was to evaluate the suitability and relevance of available tools for the assessment of pharmacoepidemiological safety studies. Design: We created an a priori assessment framework consisting of reporting elements (REs) and quality assessment attributes (QAAs). A comprehensive literature search identified distinct assessment tools and the prespecified elements and attributes were evaluated. Primary and secondary outcome measures: The primary outcome measure was the percentage representation of each domain, RE and QAA for the quality assessment tools. Results: A total of 61 tools were reviewed. Most tools were not designed to evaluate pharmacoepidemiological safety studies. More than 50% of the reviewed tools considered REs under the research aims, analytical approach, outcome definition and ascertainment, study population and exposure definition and ascertainment domains. REs under the discussion and interpretation, results and study team domains were considered in less than 40% of the tools. Except for the data source domain, quality attributes were considered in less than 50% of the tools. Conclusions: Many tools failed to include critical assessment elements relevant to observational pharmacoepidemiological safety studies and did not distinguish between REs and QAAs. Further, there is a lack of considerations on the relative weights of different domains and elements. The development of a quality assessment tool would facilitate consistent, objective and evidence-based assessments of pharmacoepidemiological safety studies.
"I Think I'm Reaching My Potential": Students' Self-Determination Experiences in an Inclusive High School.

Through a 5-year qualitative case study of an inclusive high school, we examined students’ experiences of self-determination. We conducted analyses of multiple interviews with students, parents, teachers, guidance staff, and administrators using grounded theory methods and guided by self-determination conceptual frameworks. Explicit expectations for student agency, a network of caring autonomy-supportive adults, and integrated academic supports emerged as primary features of the students’ school experiences. We describe the participants’ perspectives about the school structures that supported those experiences and highlight three students who represented a range of responses to the school’s model of inclusive learning supports. Implications for fostering self-determination of adolescents with disabilities within general education school settings are considered.
Digital route panoramas

Route panorama is a new image medium for digitally archiving and visualizing scenes along a route. It's suitable for registration, transmission, and visualization of route scenes. This article explores route panorama projection, resolution, and shape distortion. It also discusses how to improve quality, achieve real-time transmission, and display long route panoramas on the Internet.
Characterization of Insoluble Protein Fractions of Mitochondria from Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Saccharomyces cerevisiae was grown in a chemostat in the presence of excess oxygen. Cells harvested from fully derepressed and strongly repressed steady states show typical promitochondria-like structures under conditions of strong repression. Insoluble membrane proteins were extracted from highly purified mitochondria and submitted to isoelectric focusing in 6% polyacrylamide gels. Some 20 protein bands were obtained from derepressed cells. The pattern was clearly different (quantitatively and possibly qualitatively) from repressed mitochondria. In contrast to ribosomal proteins, insoluble membrane protein fractions were found in the acid section (pH 4 to 6.8) of the ampholyte gels. It can be concluded that glucose repression plays a prominent role in the synthesis of the functional mitochondrial membranes.
Community-University Collaborations for Youth Development From Theory to Practice

This commentary addresses the article titled, "Building the Capacity of Youth and Families Through University-Community Collaborations: The Development-In-Context Evaluation (DICE) Model. " The article provides scholars with guidance in conducting community outreach and evaluation. The DICE model offers community stakeholders a means for integrating needs assessment, program planning and evaluation. There are some key community realities, however, that will have to be addressed by DICE staff to move the modelfrom theory to effective practice. Three recommendations are offered. First, DICE staff will need to offerfurther clarity to community stakeholders regarding goals, purposes, and representation before it can be replicated successfully. Second, it might be usefulfor staff to more strongly orient the DICE model toward youth development and career preparation rather than toward the prevention of youth problems. Finally, it will be usefulfor staff to engage community stakeholders in discussions and consen...
High-dose spatially-fractionated radiation (GRID): a new paradigm in the management of advanced cancers.

Abstract Purpose: With the advent of megavoltage radiation, the concept of spatially-fractionated (SFR) radiation has been abandoned for the last several decades; yet, historically, it has been proven to be safe and effective in delivering large cumulative doses (> 100 Gy) of radiation in the treatment of cancer. SFR radiation has been adapted to megavoltage beams using a specially constructed grid. This study evaluates the toxicity and effectiveness of this approach in treatment of advanced and bulky cancers. Methods and Materials: From January 1995 through March 1998, 71 patients with advanced bulky tumors (tumor sizes > 8 cm) were treated with SFR high-dose external beam megavoltage radiation using a GRID technique. Sixteen patients received GRID treatments to multiple sites and a total of 87 sites were irradiated. A 50:50 GRID (open to closed area) was utilized, and a single dose of 1,000–2,000 cGy (median 1,500 cGy) to D max was delivered utilizing 6 MV photons. Sixty-three patients received high-dose GRID therapy for palliation (pain, mass, bleeding, or dyspnea). In 8 patients, GRID therapy was given as part of a definitive treatment combined with conventionally-fractionated external beam irradiation (dose range 5,000–7,000 cGy) followed by subsequent surgery. Forty-seven patients were treated with GRID radiation followed by additional fractionated external beam irradiation, and 14 patients were treated with GRID alone. Thirty-one treatments were delivered to the abdomen and pelvis, 30 to the head and neck region, 15 to the thorax, and 11 to the extremities. Results: For palliative treatments, a 78% response rate was observed for pain, including a complete response (CR) of 19.5%, and a partial response (PR) of 58.5% in these large bulky tumors. A 72.5% response rate was observed for mass effect (CR 14.6%, PR 52.9%). The response rate observed for bleeding was 100% (50% CR, 50% PR) and for dyspnea, a 60% PR rate only. A relatively higher response rate (CR 23.3%, PR 60%) was observed in patients who received GRID treatment in the head and neck area. No grade 3 late skin, subcutaneous, mucosal, GI, or CNS complications were observed in any patient in spite of these high doses. In the 8 patients who received GRID treatment for definitive treatment, a clinical CR was observed in 5 patients (62.5%) and a pathological complete response was confirmed in the operative specimen in 4 patients (50%). Conclusion: The efficacy and safety of using a large fraction of SFR radiation was confirmed by this study and substantiates our earlier results. In selected patients with bulky tumors (> 8 cm), SFR radiation can be combined with fractionated external beam irradiation to yield improved local control of disease, both for palliation and selective definitive treatment, especially where conventional treatment alone has a limited chance of success.
Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous: congenital malformation of the eye

Persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV), also known as persistent fetal vasculature, is a rare congenital developmental malformation of the eye, caused by the failure of regression of the primary vitreous. It is divided into anterior and posterior types and is characterized by the presence of a vascular membrane located behind the lens. The condition can be of an isolated type or can occur with other ocular disorders. Most cases of PHPV are sporadic, but it can be inherited as an autosomal dominant or recessive trait. Inherited PHPV also occurs in several breeds of dogs and cats. In a limited number of cases, Norrie disease and FZD4 genes are found to be mutated in unilateral and bilateral PHPV. These genes when mutated also cause Norrie disease pseudoglioma and familial exudative vitreoretinopathy that share some of the clinical features with PHPV. Mice lacking arf and p53 tumour suppressor genes as well as Norrie disease pseudoglioma and LRP5 genes suggest that these genes are needed for hyaloid vascular regression. These experiments also indicate that abnormalities in normal apoptosis and defects in Wnt signalling pathway may be responsible for the pathogenesis of PHPV. Identification of other candidate genes in the future may provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of the condition that may lead to a better therapeutic approach and better management.
Spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic radiation portal applications to border security

Countries around the world are deploying radiation portal monitor (RPM) systems and other radiation detection instrumentation to interdict the illegal shipment of radioactive material crossing international borders. These efforts include deployments in the U.S. and in a number of other countries by governments and international organizations. Because of their high efficiency for gamma-ray detection, most deployed RPM systems are based on plastic scintillators. Such systems, however, are largely non-spectroscopic in capability. Fully capable spectroscopic portal monitor (SPM) systems are undergoing engineering development for deployment in the near term. These SPM systems are mostly based upon NaI(Tl) gamma ray detector technology and include the ability to identify the detected radioisotopes under many conditions. This identification capability may allow improved operational handling of radiation alarms, particularly those arising from the normal cargo stream of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), commercial radioactive sources, and individuals treated with medical radiopharmaceuticals. The goal for improved RPM systems, whether they are spectroscopic or non-spectroscopic, is to increase the sensitivity to threats while reducing the impact that nuisance alarms have on operations. Four hypotheses about radiation screening at borders are conjectured
Reverse Engineering Method Stereotypes

An approach to automatically identify the stereotypes of all the methods in an entire system is presented. A taxonomy for object-oriented class method stereotypes is given that unifies and extends the existing literature to address gaps and deficiencies. Based on this taxonomy, a set of definitions is given and method stereotypes are reverse engineered using lightweight static program analysis. Classification is done solely by programming language structures and idioms, in this case C++. The approach is used to automatically re-document each method by annotating the original source code with the stereotype information. A demonstration of the accuracy and scalability of the approach is given.
On the Superiority of the Negative Binomial Test Over the Binomial Test for Estimating the Bit Error Rate

This paper examines the binomial and negative binomial tests for estimating the bit error rate using Monte Carlo simulations. Whereas the estimator error variances and simulation times do not recommend one test over the other, confidence interval analysis and test design criteria recommend the negative binomial test for estimating a small bit error rate based on a limited number of error events. The Clopper-Pearson interval length is much more consistent for the negative binomial test in the small bit error rate case. The logarithmically centered confidence interval is introduced and analyzed. For a given confidence interval length and confidence probability, the negative binomial test requires fewer error events than the binomial test. The asymptotic analyses of the Clopper-Pearson and logarithmically-centered confidence intervals yield useful design criteria for the negative binomial test in a way that is not possible for the binomial test.
Incorporating detection probability into northern Great Plains pronghorn population estimates

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) abundances commonly are estimated using fixed-wing surveys, but these estimates are likely to be negatively biased because of violations of key assumptions underpinning line-transect methodology. Reducing bias and improving precision of abundance estimates through use of detection probability and mark-resight models may allow for more responsive pronghorn management actions. Given their potential application in population estimation, we evaluated detection probability and mark-resight models for use in estimating pronghorn population abundance. We used logistic regression to quantify probabilities that detecting pronghorn might be influenced by group size, animal activity, percent vegetation, cover type, and topography. We estimated pronghorn population size by study area and year using mixed logit-normal mark-resight (MLNM) models. Pronghorn detection probability increased with group size, animal activity, and percent vegetation; overall detection probability was 0.639 (95% CI ¼0.612-0.667) with 396 of 620 pronghorn groups detected. Despite model selection uncertainty, the best detection probability models were 44% (range ¼8-79%) and 180% (range ¼139-217%) greater than traditional pronghorn population estimates. Similarly, the best MLNM models were 28% (range ¼3-58%) and 147% (range ¼124-180%) greater than traditional population estimates. Detection probability of pronghorn was not constant but depended on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. When pronghorn detection probability is a function of animal group size, animal activity, landscape complexity, and percent vegetation, traditional aerial survey techniques will result in biased pronghorn abundance estimates. Standardizing survey conditions, increasing resighting occasions, or accounting for variation in individual heterogeneity in mark-resight models will increase the accuracy and precision of pronghorn population estimates. 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Strong influence of periodic boundary conditions on lateral diffusion in lipid bilayer membranes

The Saffman-Delbruck hydrodynamic model for lipid-bilayer membranes is modified to account for the periodic boundary conditions commonly imposed in molecular simulations. Predicted lateral diffusion coefficients for membrane-embedded solid bodies are sensitive to box shape and converge slowly to the limit of infinite box size, raising serious doubts for the prospects of using detailed simulations to accurately predict membrane-protein diffusivities and related transport properties. Estimates for the relative error associated with periodic boundary artifacts are 50% and higher for fully atomistic models in currently feasible simulation boxes. MARTINI simulations of LacY membrane protein diffusion and LacY dimer diffusion in DPPC membranes and lipid diffusion in pure DPPC bilayers support the underlying hydrodynamic model.
Parents' Attitudes Toward Pediatric Genetic Testing for Common Disease Risk

OBJECTIVE: To describe parents9 attitudes toward pediatric genetic testing for common, adult-onset health conditions and to identify factors underlying these attitudes. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Parents (n = 219) enrolled in a large, group-practice health plan were offered a “multiplex” genetic test for susceptibility to 8 common, adult-onset health conditions and completed an online survey assessing attitudes and beliefs about the risks and benefits of the test for their child, their willingness to consider having their child tested, and other psychosocial variables. RESULTS: Parents viewed the benefits of pediatric testing to outweigh its risks (positive decisional balance) and were moderately interested in pediatric testing. Variables associated with positive decisional balance included greater interest in knowing about gene-health associations in their child, anticipation of less difficulty understanding their child9s genetic health risks, and more positive emotional reactions to learning about their child9s decreased health risks (adjusted R2 = 0.33, P CONCLUSIONS: As genetic susceptibility testing for common, adult-onset health conditions proliferates, pediatricians should anticipate parents9 interest in testing children and be prepared to facilitate informed decision making about such testing.