cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Which Treatment Is Better? Ascertaining Patient Preferences With Crossover Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract Context The difference in patient-reported outcomes between study arms can often be difficult to ascertain in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using a parallel design because of wide interindividual variations in baseline characteristics and how patients interpret the outcome measures. Furthermore, the minimal clinically significant difference is often not available for many outcomes, and even when available, not individualized for each patient. Crossover RCTs are designed for intraindividual comparisons, which can address these issues by asking patients to directly compare the interventions with regard to effectiveness, adverse effects, and ease of use and to provide an overall choice. Objectives We discuss the key design elements for crossover trials, their advantages and disadvantages relative to parallel designs, and their utility in palliative care research using a number of case examples. Methods This is a narrative review. Results Crossover studies randomize patients to a sequence of treatments. In addition to facilitating intraindividual comparisons, they often require a smaller sample size for the same statistical power compared with parallel designs and are thus less costly. However, crossover studies are only feasible when the condition being studied is relatively stable and the intervention has a short-term effect. Crossover studies with inadequate washout periods may be difficult to interpret. The risk of attrition also may increase because of prolonged study duration. Conclusion By facilitating intraindividual comparisons and eliciting patient preferences, crossover studies can provide unique information on the superior intervention. Crossover designs should be considered for selected palliative care studies.
Serum lipid, lipoprotein and vascular tissue studies in cholesterol-fed horse.

SummaryA diet containing 1.7 ' 2% cholesterol did not alter serum lipid or lipoprotein levels when fed to a gelded horse for 3 months. When cholesterol supplementation was discontinued, significant increases in serum total and free cholesterol, lipid phosphorus, C/P ratio and high density -S1.21 0-20 (“alpha”) lipoproteins occurred which persisted until sacrifice 3 months later. Fecal lipid analyses indicated net cholesterol absorption in excess of 70%. Liver and aortic lipid analyses and histologic examination of myocardium, coronary arteries and aorta were not remarkable.
Investing in Leveraged Index Funds

Standard financial models predict that investors who are willing to hold an investment in the short‐run will hold the same investment for the long‐run. It is well known that a leveraged investment's expected excess return is equal to the unlevered excess return scaled by the leverage factor. Volatility is likewise scaled‐up by the leverage factor. It is not so well known, however, that the realized terminal wealth generated by the leveraged investment is very likely to be significantly lower than its expected value. This is true because leverage induces positive skewness into the distribution of long‐run wealth. The skewness and hence the probability of achieving a lower‐than‐expected terminal wealth increases with the length of time that a leveraged investment is held. Even for moderate leverage factors, this effect can be so dramatic that the leveraged investor will lag behind the unleveraged investor.
Frequency-dependent bursting in adaptive echo cancellation and its prevention using double-talk detectors

Echo cancellation in telephone communications can often be accomplished by using adaptive network echo cancellers. However, under certain circumstances, these generally effective echo cancellers can cause an undesirable bursting phenomenon. In this paper the essential driving force behind bursting is attributed to the correlation between the signal the near-end is to transmit and the signal the near-end receives from the far-end. This correlation and the subsequent potential for temporary destabilization arise as a result of the feedback loop structure of the four-wire telephone circuit. A new test signal which approximately measures this correlation is proposed for use in the double-talk detector scheme that is commonly used to halt adaptation before a mishap such as bursting occurs.
Sodium flux into the renal tubular lumen during saline loading.

SummaryExpansion of the extracellular fluid by saline infusion causes a decrease in net sodium reabsorption from the renal tubule and in net sodium absorption by the small intestine. The decreased net transport by the small intestine appears to be due to increased unidirectional flux of sodium from the extracellular fluid into the lumen, suggesting a similar mechanism in the renal tubule. Sodium-22 injected simultaneously with inulin into the renal artery appears in the urine before the inulin (“sodium precession”), demonstrating nonglomerular excretion of sodium via flux into the tubular lumen, and this method was used here to investigate this route of sodium excretion in dogs undergoing saline or water diuresis. A high degree of correlation was found between fractional excretion of 22Na+ in the precession peak and the rate of sodium excretion during saline loading. There was no correlation of fractional excretion of 22Na+ with urine flow rate during water diuresis. It is postulated that transtubular flu...
Does an August Singularity Exist in the Northern Rockies of the United States

Climatic singularities offer a degree of orderliness to notable meteorological events that are typically characterized by significant temporal variability. Significant deviations from normal daily maximum temperatures that occur following the passage of a strong mid-latitude cyclone in mid- to late August in the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States are recognized in the local culture as the “August Singularity.” Daily standardized maximum temperature anomalies for August–October were examined for eight climate stations in Montana and Idaho as indicators of major mid-latitude storms. The data indicate that a single-day negative maximum temperature singularity exists for 13 August. Further, a 3-day singularity event exists for 24–26 August. It is concluded that the concept of an August Singularity in the northern Rockies is valid, because the high frequency of recorded negative maximum temperature anomalies suggests that there are specific time intervals during late summer that are more likely to experience a major mid-latitude storm. The principal benefit to society for the August Singularity is that the reduced temperatures help in the efforts to control wildfires that are common this time of year in the northern Rockies.
Characterization of rutting performance of warm additive modified asphalt mixtures

Driven by the reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emission in producing and placing asphalt concrete, the warm technology has gained a lot of interests in the recent years in academia and/or industry. Warm additives are available both in a liquid and solid state; there are concerns over the rutting performance of WMA. The purpose of this study is to investigate and characterize the effects of various warm additives on the rutting performance of asphalt concrete with different binders and mixing temperature applications. The results showed that the lowered mixing temperature increases the rutting susceptibility due to reduced binder aging. The wax warm additives stiffen the binder, and can offset the rutting problem rendered by the lowered mixing temperature, while the chemical warm additives have the same rutting performance as the control mixtures.
The welding metallurgy of HASTELLOY alloys C-4, C-22, and C-276

The welding metallurgy (solidification and solid state transformations) of HASTELLOY* Alloys C-4, C-22, and C-276 has been determined. Varestraint hot-cracking tests performed on commercial alloys revealed a weldability ranking as follows: C-4 > C-22 > C-276. All alloys would be expected to have good weldability, with Alloy C-4 having a very low hot-cracking tendency, comparable to 304L stainless steel. Microstructures of gas-tungsten-arc welds of these alloys have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy and analytical electron microscopy. Intermetallic secondary solidification constituents have been found associated with weld metal hot cracks in Alloys C-276 and C-22. In Alloy C-276, this constituent is a combination ofP and ώ phases, and in Alloy C-22, this constituent is composed of σ,P, and ώ phases. With phase composition data obtained by AEM techniques and available ternary (Ni-Cr-Mo) phase diagrams, an equivalent chemistry model is proposed to account for the microstructures observed in each alloy's weld metal.
The effect of incubation temperature on the cell size of Tetrahymena pyriformis.

Abstract The growth of Tetrahymena pyriformis at three different incubation temperatures, 10 °, 20 ° and 30 °C, results in three classes of cell size having average volumes of 16,250 μ3, 12,350 μ3, and 9375 μ3 respectively. The frequency distributions of each class were determined, and they indicate that the differences in the averages are not merely the result of weighting the distribution with any one cell volume since there is a shift in the entire range of the volume distributions. The QO2 (106 cells) were also measured. The larger cells have the higher rate of oxygen consumption when measured at 20 °C, having QO2 (106 cells) of 66, 38 and 23 respectively. The surface to volume ratios were determined as this ratio was considered to be one factor which may govern the change in cell size with temperature. The ratios tend to remain constant. The size change cannot be entirely attributed to surface-dependent metabolism.
Salvage cryotherapy for recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy: the Columbia experience.

Abstract Objectives. Cryotherapy of the prostate represents a potential treatment for localized recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy. We report our experience and evaluate the predictive factors for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence. Methods. Between October 1994 and April 1999, 43 patients underwent salvage cryoablation. All patients had biopsy-proven recurrent prostate cancer without seminal vesicle invasion, negative bone scans, and negative lymph node dissection. Patients had received 3 months of combined hormonal therapy before cryosurgery. Biochemical recurrence-free survival (bRFS) was defined as a PSA value less than 0.1 ng/mL. Results. Complications included incontinence (9%), obstruction (5%), urethral stricture (5%), rectal pain (26%), urinary infection (9%), scrotal edema (12%), and hematuria (5%). The mean follow-up was 21.9 months (range 1.2 to 54). Twenty-six patients (60%) reached a serum PSA nadir less than 0.1 ng/mL, 16 (37%) had a PSA less than 4 ng/mL, and 1 (3%) had a PSA less than 10 ng/mL. The bRFS rate was 79% at 6 months and 66% at 12 months. The bRFS rate was higher for patients who had an undetectable postcryotherapy PSA than for patients who did not reach a PSA less than 0.1 ng/mL (73% versus 30%, P = 0.0076). Using multivariate analysis, a PSA nadir greater than 0.1 ng/mL was an independent predictor of PSA recurrence. Conclusions. Current salvage cryotherapy of the prostate can result in undetectable serum PSA levels with low morbidity. Our data support the current safety and efficacy profile. We believe that cryotherapy is a viable option in the treatment of patients who have biopsy-proven local failure after radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Further refinements in technique and equipment may enhance cryosurgical results.
A Multicenter Analysis of Distal Pancreatectomy for Adenocarcinoma: Is Laparoscopic Resection Appropriate?

Background As compared with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP), laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) affords improved perioperative outcomes. The role of LDP for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is not defined. Study Design Records from patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy (DP) for PDAC from 2000 to 2008 from 9 academic medical centers were reviewed. Short-term (node harvest and margin status) and long-term (survival) cancer outcomes were assessed. A 3:1 matched analysis was performed for ODP and LDP cases using age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, and tumor size. Results There were 212 patients who underwent DP for PDAC; 23 (11%) of these were approached laparoscopically. For all 212 patients, 56 (26%) had positive margins. The mean number of nodes (± SD) examined was 12.6 ±8.4 and 114 patients (54%) had at least 1 positive node. Median overall survival was 16 months. In the matched analysis there were no significant differences in positive margin rates, number of nodes examined, number of patients with at least 1 positive node, or overall survival. Logistic regression for all 212 patients demonstrated that advanced age, larger tumors, positive margins, and node positive disease were independently associated with worse survival; however, method of resection (ODP vs. LDP) was not. Hospital stay was 2 days shorter in the matched comparison, which approached significance (LDP, 7.4 days vs. ODP, 9.4 days, p=0.06). Conclusions LDP provides similar short- and long-term oncologic outcomes as compared with OD, with potentially shorter hospital stay. These results suggest that LDP is an acceptable approach for resection of PDAC of the left pancreas in selected patients.
Advantages and mechanisms of polarity and cell shape determination in Caulobacter crescentus

The tremendous diversity of bacterial cell shapes and the targeting of proteins and macromolecular complexes to specific subcellular sites strongly suggest that cellular organization provides important advantages to bacteria in their environment. Key advances have been made in the understanding of the mechanism and function of polarity and cell shape by studying the aquatic bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, whose cell cycle progression involves the ordered synthesis of different polar structures, and culminates in the biosynthesis of a thin polar cell envelope extension called the stalk. Recent results indicate that the important function of polar development is to maximize cell attachment to surfaces and to improve nutrient uptake by nonmotile and attached cells. Major progress has been made in understanding the regulatory network that coordinates polar development and morphogenesis and the role of polar localization of regulatory proteins.
The Secondary Circuit of Capital Reconsidered: Globalization and the U.S. Real Estate Sector1

The author examines the U.S. real estate sector to show how the state shapes global real estate flows and networks of activity through the creation and control of liquid resources. The analysis focuses on the role of state laws and regulations in the expansion of the mortgage‐backed securities markets and the development of real estate investment trusts (REITs). These institutional developments represent a series of ad hoc state efforts to “delocalize” residential and commercial property, and embed real estate financing within global capital markets. Rather than viewing globalization as weakening the state, the author argues that the U.S. state’s capacity to influence the degree and development of liquidity is a powerful mechanism of globalization.
Lidocaine uptake in isolated rat hepatocytes and effects of dl-propranolol.

Isolated hepatocytes were prepared from adult male rats and were incubated at 37°C in Krebs' bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4) containing trace amounts of [14C]lidocaine. Accumulation of lidocaine was demonstrable within 2 min following the addition of the labeled material. Prolongation of the incubation period did not result in an increase in tissue to medium (TM) ratio. The uptake was not affected by a reduced temperature (27°C). There was no saturation of uptake over a wide range of lidocaine concentration. Uptake of lidocaine was not inhibited by metabolic inhibitors. Thin-layer chromatography indicated that a portion of lidocaine was metabolized during the experimental period. Gel permeation chromatography showed that the majority of lidocaine was reversibly bound to cellular components, while one-third of the radioactivity was irreversibly associated with macromolecules. These results suggest that hepatic uptake of lidocaine is not mediated through a carrier system; binding to hepatic components may account for the observed accumulation. In addition, inclusion of dl-propranolol in the incubation medium caused a concentration-related decrease in lidocaine uptake and indicated a potential for clinically important interaction between lidocaine and propranolol.
Rehabilitation in limb deficiency. 1. Gait and motion analysis

Abstract This self-directed learning module highlights new advances in this topic area. It is part of the chapter on rehabilitation in limb deficiency in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article discusses normal gait, the influence of prosthetic alignment on amputee function, and the effects of prosthetic components on the metabolic costs and the biomechanical function of the amputee. The biomechanics of normalambulation are presented as a background to enable the practitioner to gain an understanding of the typical gait adaptations that occur in below-knee and above-knee amputees. The effects of newer prosthetic components and socket designs on the biomechanical adaptations are reviewed. The metabolic costs of amputee ambulation are significantly greater than normal. The theoretical mechanisms for this are discussed, and the effects of newer socket designs, ultra-light-weight components, and energy-storing prosthetic components are presented.
Using Mixed Integer Programming for Matching in an Observational Study of Kidney Failure After Surgery

This article presents a new method for optimal matching in observational studies based on mixed integer programming. Unlike widely used matching methods based on network algorithms, which attempt to achieve covariate balance by minimizing the total sum of distances between treated units and matched controls, this new method achieves covariate balance directly, either by minimizing both the total sum of distances and a weighted sum of specific measures of covariate imbalance, or by minimizing the total sum of distances while constraining the measures of imbalance to be less than or equal to certain tolerances. The inclusion of these extra terms in the objective function or the use of these additional constraints explicitly optimizes or constrains the criteria that will be used to evaluate the quality of the match. For example, the method minimizes or constrains differences in univariate moments, such as means, variances, and skewness; differences in multivariate moments, such as correlations between covari...
Semiconductor detector systems

The growing interest in the possible applications of semiconductor radiation detectors in nuclear medicine stems mostly from two features of these devices: high radiation energy resolution and small physical dimensions. Many of these applications utilize semiconductors in place of scintillation detectors in scintiscanners or gamma cameras; others allow techniques heretofore impractical or impossible, such as the tracing of high-atomic-number indicators by stimulating and detecting their characteristic X-rays or by the selective absorption of X-rays traversing the structures opacified by such indicators. Small semiconductor detectors are well suited for use as probes in the immediate vicinity of anatomical structures. In in-vitro studies, semiconductor detectors are unexcelled in a number of elemental analysis methods, as well as for the assay of radiochemical purity of radiopharmaceuticals.
On the presence of a novel covalently bound oxidation-reduction cofactor, iron and labile sulfur in trimethylamine dehydrogenase.

Abstract Trimethylamine dehydrogenase from a facultative methylotroph contains 4 g atoms each of Fe and S and an unknown, covalently bound, yellow coenzyme. The absorbance of the enzyme in the visible range (λmax=445 nm) is extensively bleached by dithionite. Reduction by substrate causes less extensive bleaching and the appearance of a three banded spectrum which may be representative of a free radical form. Denaturation liberates the FeS center(s) but not the organic coenzyme. The latter is covalently linked to the protein via an amino acid residue and is solubilized on proteolytic digestion in the form of the peptide. The coenzyme-peptide has been purified to a constant ratio of amino acid to coenzyme. The oxidized and reduced forms show maximal absorbance at 437 nm and 380 nm respectively. Based on dithionite titrations its molar absorbance at 437 nm is 12,300 in the oxidized and 4000 in the dithionite reduced form. The cofactor is very labile to photolysis giving rise to several products the predominant one of which shows fluorescence excitation and emission maxima at 394 and 500 nm, respectively. After cleavage of the hydrolyzable amino acids in HCl, the compound consumed 3 moles of periodate. Digestion with aminopeptidase M yields a compound with a single amino acid and ∼1 mole of organic P present. Acid phosphatase, but not nucleotide pyrophosphatase affects its mobility. These findings suggest that the coenzyme-peptide is isolated in the form of a mononucleotide, containing a 5-carbon alcohol. The physical and chemical properties of the compound do not agree with those of known flavin or pyridoxine derivatives but are not incompatible with a covalently linked pteridine (lumazine) derivative, although no proof for such a structure is so far available.
Use of grid computing for modeling virtual geospatial products

Earth science research and applications usually use Distributed Geospatial Information Processing (DGIP) services and powerful computing capabilities to extract information and knowledge from large volumes of distributed geospatial data. Conceptually, such processing can be abstracted into a logical model that utilizes geospatial domain knowledge to produce new geospatial products. Using this idea, the geo-tree concept and the proposed geospatial Abstract Information Model (AIM) have been used to develop a Grid workflow engine complying with geospatial standards and the Business Process Execution Language. Upon a user's request, the engine generates virtual geospatial data/information/knowledge products from existing DGIP data and services. This article details how to (1) define and describe the AIM in XML format, (2) describe the process logically with an AIM, including the geospatial semantic logic, (3) conceptually describe the process of producing a particular geospatial product step by step from raw geospatial data, (4) instantiate AIM as a concrete Grid-service workflow by selecting the optimal service instances and data sets, and (5) design a Grid workflow engine to execute the concrete workflows to produce geospatial products. To verify the advantages and applicability of this Grid-enabled virtual geospatial product system, its performance is evaluated, and a sample application is provided.
Gene transfer into rabbit keratocytes using AAV and lipid-mediated plasmid DNA vectors with a lamellar flap for stromal access

Development of gene transfer methods that can precisely deliver therapeutic genes to the localized or targeted tissue(s) would be highly beneficial in developing new gene therapy approaches and may also extend animal models for studying in vivo gene function and regulation at molecular levels in the selected tissues. We investigated lipid- and AAV-mediated gene transfer in rabbit cornea using a lamellar flap-technique. The goals of this study were to (1) analyze methods for in situ gene transfer into keratocytes, (2) identify efficient and suitable vectors for gene transfer into keratocytes, and (3) characterize times of first detectable expression, localization and duration of transgene expression in keratocytes with different vectors. A lamellar flap was produced in the rabbit cornea with a microkeratome. Recombinant adeno-associated viral vector (rAAV) expressing either beta-galactosidase (rAAV-beta-gal) or chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (rAAV-CAT) reporter genes, or plasmid-cationic lipid complexes expressing CAT (pMP6-CAT) or beta-galactosidase (pTR-beta-gal) were applied beneath the lamellar flap for two minutes. The flap was repositioned and eyelids sutured overnight. Corneas were removed at 4hr, 12hr, 36hr, 3 days, 7 days, or 10 days after application and either fixed in 2% formaldehyde, cryosectioned and stained for beta-galactosidase activity or homogenized and measured for CAT levels by ELISA. Corneas infected with rAAV-beta-gal vector showed positive beta-gal staining in the center and periphery of the flap interface in whole corneas and corneal beds at 3, 7, and 10 days, but not at earlier time points. Corneas treated with pTR-beta-gal plasmid vector showed positive beta-gal expression at the interface at 4, 12 and 36hr, but not at 3 or 7 days. The posterior surface of the lamellar interface where the vector was applied showed more expression than the overlying anterior surface with both plasmid and viral vectors. The level of gene expression was less with plasmid vector than viral vector monitored using beta-gal staining. CAT-ELISA confirmed expression of the CAT reporter gene with either the plasmid or rAAV vector. These results demonstrate that foreign genes can be introduced into keratocytes with plasmid or viral vectors using a lamellar flap to gain access to the stroma. The expression profile of the reporter genes depended on the vector. Transfection of keratocytes with plasmid vectors produced rapid expression of the reporter genes, but for a short duration. Reporter gene expression following transduction by rAAV vector was delayed several days, but was at higher levels and for a longer duration. This is the first report to demonstrate selective gene transfer into keratocytes and would be highly useful in studying function and regulation of genes in vivo and may eventually furnish a tool for the treatment of corneal dystrophies.
New approach to the treatment of selected retinal detachments secondary to vitreous loss at cataract surgery.

A typical retinal detachment may develop in some aphakic patients as a result of mas­ sive vitreous incarceration in the cataract wound. The lower half of the retina is ele­ vated, often including the nonpigmented ep­ ithelium of the pars plana, and there may be inferior breaks. Vitreous extends from its attached base below to the cataract wound above (Fig. 1). This sheet of vitreous appar­ ently shrinks gradually pulling the inferior retina into the pupillary area. The extent of the retinal detachment is determined by the location of associated retinal breaks. When a single strand of vitreous extends up to the wound, this has sometimes been cut and a conventional buckling procedure suc­ cessfully carried out, but a large sheet of vit­ reous pulling the retina to the wound above presents a much more difficult problem.' In the past, we have not attempted to cut the vitreous free from the wound. Rather, we have utilized a high segmental or encircling buckle to attempt to establish contact be­ tween the choroid and retina. In some suc­ cessful cases the buckle has been high enough to obstruct the function of the poste­ rior polar area. With the introduction of an instrument to cut and remove vitreous, in situ, via the pars
A Receptor/Cytoskeletal Movement Triggered by Costimulation During T Cell Activation

During T cell activation, the engagement of costimulatory molecules is often crucial to the development of an effective immune response, but the mechanism by which this is achieved is not known. Here, it is shown that beads attached to the surface of a T cell translocate toward the interface shortly after the start of T cell activation. This movement appears to depend on myosin motor proteins and requires the engagement of the major costimulatory receptor pairs, B7-CD28 and ICAM-1-LFA-1. This suggests that the engagement of costimulatory receptors triggers an active accumulation of molecules at the interface of the T cell and the antigen-presenting cell, which then increases the overall amplitude and duration of T cell signaling.
Patterns of Informal Reasoning in the Context of Socioscientific Decision Making.

The purpose of this study is to contribute to a theoretical knowledge base through research by examining factors salient to science education reform and practice in the context of socioscientific issues. The study explores how individuals negotiate and resolve genetic engineering dilemmas. A quali- tative approach was used to examine patterns of informal reasoning and the role of morality in these processes. Thirty college students participated individually in two semistructured interviews designed to explore their informal reasoning in response to six genetic engineering scenarios. Students demonstrated evidence of rationalistic, emotive, and intuitive forms of informal reasoning. Rationalistic informal re- asoning described reason-based considerations; emotive informal reasoning described care-based consi- derations; and intuitive reasoning described considerations based on immediate reactions to the context of a scenario. Participants frequently relied on combinations of these reasoning patterns as they worked to resolve individual socioscientific scenarios. Most of the participants appreciated at least some of the moral implications of their decisions, and these considerations were typically interwoven within an overall pattern of informal reasoning. These results highlight the need to ensure that science classrooms are environments in which intuition and emotion in addition to reason are valued. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed. 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 42: 112-138, 2005 The phrase ''socioscientific issues'' has come to represent a variety of social dilemmas with conceptual, procedural, or technological associations with science (Fleming, 1986; Kolsto, 2001; Patronis, Potari, & Spiliotopoulou, 1999; Zeidler, Walker, Ackett, & Simmons, 2002). Socioscientific issues typically involve the products or the processes of science and create social debate or controversy. Current socioscientific issues frequently stem from biotechnological advances such as cloning, stem cells, and genetically modified foods and environmental challenges such as global climate change, land-use decisions, and the introduction of exotic substances (both biotic and abiotic). The delineation of socioscientific issues should not imply that
Fetal wound healing using a genetically modified murine model: the contribution of P-selectin.

Abstract Purpose During early gestation, fetal wounds heal with paucity of inflammation and absent scar formation. P-selectin is an adhesion molecule that is important for leukocyte recruitment to injury sites. We used a murine fetal wound healing model to study the specific contribution of P-selectin to scarless wound repair. Methods Linear excisional wounds were created on the dorsa of E15.5 and E17.5 gestation fetuses in wild-type and P-selectin (-/-) mice (term = 19 days). Wounds were harvested at various time-points after wounding and analyzed using histology and immunohistochemistry. Results The E15.5 wounds in both wild-type and P-selectin (-/-) fetuses healed scarlessly and with minimal inflammation, whereas E17.5 wounds healed with fibrosis and inflammation. However, the scars of the P-selectin (-/-) wounds appeared slightly different than wild-type. There were significantly more inflammatory cells in E17.5 wild-type wounds 6 hours after injury ( P Conclusions Absence of P-selectin delays inflammatory cell recruitment and reepithelialization of fetal wounds; however, scar formation still occurs in late gestation wounds. The contribution of specific molecules to fetal wound healing can be elucidated using murine knockout or transgenic models.
Regression of hypertrophy after Carpentier-Edwards pericardial aortic valve replacement

Abstract Background . The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant regression of left ventricular hypertrophy is seen after implantation of small sizes (19 to 23 mm) of the Carpentier-Edwards (CE) pericardial valve, a stented pericardial valve. Methods . Echocardiograms and electrocardiograms (ECGs) were performed at least 1 year after surgery (mean 18 months) in patients with 19-, 21-, and 23-mm CE pericardial aortic valves and compared with preoperative echocardiograms and ECGs. Results . A total of 41 patients, mean age 79 ± 9 years (range 46 to 93 years), were studied, including 7 19-mm, 22 21-mm, and 12 23-mm patients. The mean postoperative gradient was 22 ± 7 mm Hg for 19-mm valves, 18 ± 5 mm Hg for 21-mm valves, and 16 ± 4 mm Hg for 23-mm valves. The postoperative valve areas were 1.1 ± 0.3 cm 2 for the 19-mm, 1.3 ± 0.3 cm 2 for the 21-mm, and 1.5 ± 0.4 cm 2 for the 23-mm valves. Left ventricular end diastolic diameter, end systolic diameter, septal thickness, and posterior wall thickness all decreased significantly ( p p = 0.001). Left ventricular mass decreased significantly by echocardiography from 265 g preoperatively to 208 g postoperatively ( p = 0.004). Left ventricular mass decreased for each valve size, and the greatest absolute reduction in mass occurred in the 19-mm valve recipients. Conclusions . Implantation of the 19-, 21-, and 23-mm CE pericardial valves results in significant reductions in left ventricular mass. These findings suggest that stented pericardial valves can be used in the small aortic root without the need for aortic root enlargement procedures.
Further observations on the hematology and clinical biochemistry of the Irish thoroughbred horse

Abstract In a survey of 260 healthy Irish thoroughbred horses aged from one week or less to 3 years, at rest, significant differences (P
Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy blocks interleukin-1β-induced fever but does not reduce IL-1β levels in the circulation

Peripheral interleukin-1β has been implicated in the initiation of fever responses, yet the pathways by which it influences brain function are still unclear. Sectioning the abdominal vagus has been reported to inhibit fever after intraperitoneal administration of interleukin-1β, suggesting that vagal afferents participate in signaling the brain to mount a fever response to interleukin-1β. However, the inhibitory effect of subdiaphragmatic vagotomy could be due to alterations in pharmacokinetics such that the intraperitoneally injected cytokine does not reach the general circulation in sufficient quantities to activate the brain via blood-borne signaling. We measured both fever and plasma levels of interleukin-1β in vagotomized and sham-operated rats after intraperitoneal administration of 1 μg/kg human recombinant interleukin-1β to determine whether vagotomy reduces fever and levels of circulating interleukin-1β after intraperitoneal injection. Plasma levels of human recombinant and endogenous rat interleukin-1β were measured in separate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. While intraperitoneal administration of human recombinant interleukin-1β elevated plasma levels of this cytokine similarly in vagotomized and sham-operated animals, only sham-operated rats responded with fever. Plasma levels of endogenous rat interleukin-1β were unchanged by any treatment. These results demonstrate that the blockade of intraperitoneal interleukin-1β-induced fever after subdiaphragmatic vagotomy cannot be accounted for by alterations of interleukin-1β levels in the general circulation.
Suitable Policy Instruments for Monetary Rules

Abstract The performance of different policy instruments is examined in counterfactual simulations using McCallum’s adaptive rule. Three different macroeconomic models are used, respectively, to simulate values of nominal GDP from 1964:Q1–1995:Q4. In comparison with historical, discretionary monetary policy, rules using M2 as the policy instrument produce substantial reductions in the variability of GDP around a fixed trend—even with money control error. M2 performs well, despite the presence of money control error, because the feedback term in McCallum’s rule, in combination with the relative stability of the linkage between M2 and GDP, successfully counteracts most of the impacts of undesired quarterly changes in money growth.
Juror Perceptions in a Rape Trial: Examining the Complainant's Ingestion of Chemical Substances Prior to Sexual Assault

This study examined the impact of a rape complainant's willingness to ingest a chemical substance and the type of ingested substance on the decisions of 229 mock jurors. Jurors were influenced by the type of substance used by the complainant, the complainant's willingness to use a substance, and rape myths. The complainant's ingestion of alcohol (compared to gamma-hydroxybutrate [GHB] and marijuana) led to the highest guilt ratings for the defendant. The complainant who willingly ingested a substance was viewed as less credible and more to blame for the rape compared to one who unwillingly used a substance. The complainant was perceived as the most credible when she unwillingly ingested GHB or marijuana. Jurors high in rape myth acceptance gave lower ratings of guilt to the defendant compared to jurors with lower rape myth acceptance. Overall, the results highlight several juror and case factors that might bias jurors in actual rape trials.
Effects of Diet Composition and Trophic Structure on Mercury Bioaccumulation in Temperate Flatfishes

The summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus and winter flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus support valuable fisheries along the northeastern United States. The importance of these flatfish as a human dietary resource indicates they are potential sources of mercury (Hg) to fish-consuming citizens. In this study, summer flounder (SF) and winter flounder (WF) were collected from the Narragansett Bay (Rhode Island, USA) and were measured for total Hg burden in whole-body or dorsal muscle tissue. Interspecies differences in Hg contamination were analyzed relative to flounder body size, age, and Hg content of preferred prey. Stable isotope signatures were also used to elucidate the effect of trophic processes on Hg accumulation in the estuarine food web. The mean Hg content of SF exceeded concentrations measured in WF across multiple life-history stages (0.039–0.100 and 0.016–0.029 mg Hg/kg wet weight for SF and WF, respectively), and observed values for both species were lower than the US Environmental Protection Agency regulatory threshold of 0.3 mg Hg/kg wet weight. Total Hg concentrations were also positively correlated with flounder age and length, verifying that both flatfish bioaccumulate Hg. SF accumulate Hg at an accelerated rate, however, owing to this species consuming Hg-enriched prey (teleosts, squid, and macrocrustaceans; mean Hg content = 0.023 mg Hg/kg wet weight), whereas WF feed on prey with low Hg levels (amphipods and polychaetes; mean Hg content = 0.013 mg Hg/kg wet weight). The positive correlation observed between mean biota Hg content and stable nitrogen (δ15N) isotope signatures further indicates that Hg is trophically transferred through the food web, and higher trophic level organisms (i.e., enriched δ15N) have increased Hg concentrations. Therefore, results from this study suggest that dietary preference and trophic structure are the main factors affecting Hg bioaccumulation in the estuary. Total Hg concentrations of flatfish from the Narragansett Bay, however, do not necessarily reflect coastwide contamination patterns. This reinforces the importance of having research conducted at sufficiently small spatial scales, including the local assessment of Hg contamination for the purpose of issuing state consumption advisories.
Enhancement of cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine-seeking in rats by yohimbine: sex differences and the role of the estrous cycle

Rationale Previous studies have shown that female rats exhibit enhanced cocaine-seeking across several phases of the addiction cycle when compared to males. Drug-seeking in females is also estrous cycle dependent and inversely associated with plasma progesterone. Although sex and estrous cycle-dependent differences have been reported in the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking triggered by cocaine injections or drug-paired cues, it is not yet known what role the estrous cycle may have on stress-induced reinstatement, either alone or in combination with drug-paired cues.
Neutrino Geophysics Conference Introduction

Long distance detection of electron anti-neutrinos from reactors at distances of order 200 km has been achieved with the 1000 ton liquid scintillator-based KamLAND instrument in Japan. In summer 2005 the KamLAND group reported the first detection of anti-neutrinos from the natural radioactivity of the earth. These measurements are due to uranium and thorium decays dominantly from the nearby crust in Japan, and are expected to have only a small contribution from the earth’s mantle (and core). Several new detectors are under consideration around the world for measurements which when taken together can reveal the location of these heavy elements, which are expected to contribute a major share of the internal earth’s heating via their radioactivity. This heating is of course associated with providing the power to drive the geomagnetic field and plate tectonics. Geologists have only indirect evidence about the deep earth, mostly from seismic wave velocity and inferences from a few meteorites. Anti-neutrino detection, on the other hand, yields direct information about earth’s interior. The location and magnitude of the earth’s uranium and thorium are crucial to understanding the origin and evolution of the earth and present day activity.
SATB1-mediated functional packaging of chromatin into loops

Mammalian genomes are organized into multiple layers of higher-order chromatin structure, and in this organization chromatin looping is a striking and crucial feature that brings together distal genomic loci into close spatial proximity. Such three-dimensional organization of chromatin has been suggested to be functionally important in gene regulation. Many important questions need to be addressed, such as what types of nuclear proteins are responsible for folding chromatin into loops, whether there are any genomic marks that serve as the core sites of chromatin folding events, how distal genomic sites are brought together, and what are the biological consequences for interactions between distal genomic loci. In order to address these fundamental questions, it is essential to devise and employ methods that can capture higher-order structures formed by specific nuclear proteins at high resolution. In this article, in order to describe methods of analyzing protein-mediated chromatin interactions, we will use as an example a global genome-organizer protein, SATB1, which mediates chromatin looping.
Influence of Salt on the Development of Acid by Lactic Starters in Skimmilk and in Curd Submerged in Brine

Abstract Typical commercial lactic cultures were grown at 100°F. in reconstituted nonfat dry milk containing varied concentrations of salt up to 5%. Acid development was stimulated by small amounts of salt, but was definitely inhibited at levels of 2.5% salt and over. When comparable starters were used in making curd by the Dariworld process, the curd was taken at dipping at pH 6.1 to 6.0 and covered with brine at 100°F. Acid development continued more rapidly in brines with 3% salt than in identical curd covered with water. Most rapid acid development in the curd was found at salt concentrations approximating 2%.
A Feasibility Study to Determine Cooling Time and Burnup of Advanced Test Reactor Fuel Using a Nondestructive Technique and Three Types of Gamma-ray Detectors

The goal of this work was to perform a feasibility study and establish measurement techniques to determine the burnup of the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) fuels at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Three different detectors of high purity germanium (HPGe), lanthanum bromide (LaBr3), and high pressure xenon (HPXe) in two detection system configurations of below and above the water pool were used in this study. The last two detectors were used for the first time in fuel burnup measurements. The results showed that a better quality spectra can be achieved with the above the water pool configuration. Both short and long cooling time fuels were investigated in order to determine which measurement technique, absolute or fission product ratio, is better suited in each scenario and also to establish what type of detector should be used in each case for the best burnup measurement. The burnup and cooling time calibrations were established using experimental absolute activities or isotopic ratios and ORIGEN burnup calculations. A method was developed to do burnup and cooling time calibrations using fission isotopes activities without the need to know the exact geometry.
Gender Differences in Lunar‐related Scientific and Mathematical Understandings

This paper reports an examination on gender differences in lunar phases understanding of 123 students (70 females and 53 males). Middle‐level students interacted with the Moon through observations, sketching, journalling, two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional modelling, and classroom discussions. These lunar lessons were adapted from the Realistic Explorations in Astronomical Learning (REAL) curriculum. Students’ conceptual understandings were measured through analysis of pre‐test and post‐test results on a Lunar Phases Concept Inventory (LPCI) and a Geometric Spatial Assessment (GSA). The LPCI was used to assess conceptual learning of eight science and four mathematics domains. The GSA was used to assess learning of the same four mathematical domains; however, the GSA test items were not posed within a lunar context. Results showed both male and female groups to make significant gains in understanding on the overall LPCI test scores as well as significant gains on five of the eight science domains and on...
Risk and trust in public health: a cautionary tale.

*The views expressed are the author's own. This article should not be construed as representing policies of the American Medical Association.
Cell surface components participating in aggregation: evidence for a new cell particulate.

Abstract The sponge aggregation factor has been shown to be a uniform-sized particle of about 100 S. A general hypothesis that the surface coat, which appears on nearly all cells [13], consists of 100 to 200 A cell organelles unifies this observation with several others. In the case of sponge aggregation factor these organelles were isolated and assayed by their function of binding cells to one another. In the other observations discussed, their function was not assayed; but, in certain cells the organelles probably have properties which make the surface of those cells non-adhesive, and in other cells they may be responsible for other cell surface properties such as antigenicity of the erythrocyte, transplantation antigenicity of tissue cells, and malignant transformation of cells by viruses.
Higher-order operator splitting methods for deterministic parabolic equations

The Sheng-Suzuki theorem states that all exponential operator splitting methods of order greater than 2 must contain negative time integration. There have been claims in the literature that higher-order splitting methods for deterministic parabolic equations are unstable due to this fact. We show stability for a class of higher-order splitting methods for integrating deterministic parabolic equations. We note that problems with backwards time integration will still exist for stochastic integration methods for which information is lost and backward timesteps become ill-defined. Therefore, completely positive splitting methods, such as those developed by Chin, still have an important place. We present numerical results from first-, second-, third-and fourth-order methods showing that the error becomes increasingly small as the order increases.