cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Estrogen and Progesterone on Uterine Prostaglandin Biosynthesis in the Ovariectomized Rat

The role of 17a-estradiol and progesterone in the in vivo synthesis of prostaglandins by the ovariectomized rat uterus was investigated. Seven days after ovariectomy, rats were treated with progesterone (2 mg X 2 days) then given a single injection of estradiol. Prostaglandin E (PGE) and F (PGF) were determined by RIA in uterine tissue and uterine vein plasma (UVP) at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after the administration of 1713-estradiol (10 Mg). PGF and PGE content (ng/uterus) remains constant from the time of estradiol administration to the latest time period studied. PGF and PGE concentrations (ng/100 mg uterine wt) show a gradual decline during the course of estrogen action which becomes significant only 12 and 24 h after estradiol administration and is correlated with the increase in uterine weight. Following progesterone administration, there is a significant increase in both uterine PGE content and concentration from ovariectomized levels. These results indicate that levels measured in UVP represent a true de novo synthesis of prostaglandins and could not be accounted for by the release of stored material into the uterine vein. PGF levels in UVP rose from control values of 2.42 ± 0.53 ng/ml to a maximum of 23.30 ± 4.96 ng/ml at 12 h and by 24 hhad returned to basal levels. A comparison with animals not treated with progesterone revealed low levels of PGF in UVP at all time periods studied (0.5-12 h). PGE levels in UVP after estradiol administration to progesterone-treated and untreated rats were similar, although at 12 h, levels in progesterone-treated rats were significantly greater than the untreated group. Determinations of estradiol in peripheral plasma by RIA revealed a sharp peak 1 h after administration followed by a rapid decline to control values by 12 h. Using the optimal conditions for prostaglandin biosynthesis as determined in the first part of this experiment (i.e.: 2 days of progesterone pretreatment and uterine cannulation 12 h after estradiol administration), the effect of estradiol doses between 0.001 and 100 g was investigated. Maximum UVP levels of PGE and PGF were obtained with doses greater than 1.0 Mg estradiol. The simultaneous administration of progesterone (2, 10 or 50 mg) with estradiol (10 Mg) significantly reduced PGF concentration in UVP, whereas only 50 mg progesterone was effective in significantly reducing PGE levels. Fifty mg of progesterone alone was without effect on PGE and PGF levels in UVP. It is concluded that estrogens are the predominant ovarian steroids involved in the regulation of uterine prostaglandin biosynthesis in the rat; however, important roles for progesterone in the expression of estradiol stimulated activity are indicated.
Abundance of the fir engraver, Scolytus ventralis, and the Douglas-fir beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae, following tree defoliation by the Douglas-fir tussock moth, Orgyia pseudotsugata

Fir engraver and Douglas-fir beetle numbers were monitored during and after an outbreak of the Douglas-fir tussock moth. The population behavior of the two species of bark beetles was similar. Number of emerged offspring/female was highest during the years of defoliation and declined afterward. Total number of beetle attacks peaked 1 to 2 years after defoliation ended and then declined. During and 1 year after defoliation, beetles generally infested trees that had greater than 90% defoliation. After this time infestations were not as strongly associated with heavily defoliated trees. Life tables were constructed for beetles within trees and for beetles per area of forest land. Key mortality factors acting on beetles within trees occurred during the larval and pupal stages. Mortality during adult dispersal was a key factor when beetle density per area of land was considered. Although beetle offspring emerging per dm2 of bark surface was relatively low in defoliated trees, defoliation appeared to reduce host resistance which enabled beetles to successfully attack at lower densities, reducing intraspecific competition, and resulting in increased emergence of offspring/female parent.
The Effects of Prestrain and Collagen Fibril Alignment on In Vitro Mineralization of Self-Assembled Collagen Fibers

Collagen fibers are under tension in most extracellular matrices both prior to and during normal loading. This tension not only provides mechanical advantages, but also appears to establish a loading basis for the stimulation of mechanochemical transduction processes. The presence of tensile loads applied to collagen fibers also results in physical alignment of the collagen fibrils along the tensile axis. This alignment may influence biological processes such as mineralization. In this study we report a comparison between elastic and viscous stress-strain curves and mineral contents of self-assembled collagen fibers that were strained to 30% of their original lengths and then mineralized, and self-assembled collagen fibers that were not strained before being mineralized. We concluded that the application of strain changes the organization of the collagenous matrix and alters the calcium phosphate nucleation and/or growth in the matrix. In addition, when the mechanical behavior of collagen fibers is compared with mechanical data from mineralized turkey tendon, the results indicate that collagen fibril-to-fibril interactions present in turkey tendon appear to be more organized compared with self-assembled aligned collagen fibers. We concluded that organized collagen-collagen interactions appear to be an important characteristic required for elastic energy storage in tendon.
Doublecortin is required in mice for lamination of the hippocampus but not the neocortex.

Doublecortin (DCX) is a microtubule-associated protein that is required for normal neocortical and hippocampal development in humans. Mutations in the X-linked human DCX gene cause gross neocortical disorganization (lissencephaly or “smooth brain”) in hemizygous males, whereas heterozygous females show a mosaic phenotype with a normal cortex as well as a second band of misplaced (heterotopic) neurons beneath the cortex (“double cortex syndrome”). We created a mouse carrying a targeted mutation in the Dcx gene. Hemizygous male Dcx mice show severe postnatal lethality; the few that survive to adulthood are variably fertile. Dcx mutant mice show neocortical lamination that is largely indistinguishable from wild type and show normal patterns of neocortical neurogenesis and neuronal migration. In contrast, the hippocampus of both heterozygous females and hemizygous males shows disrupted lamination that is most severe in the CA3 region. Behavioral tests show defects in context and cued conditioned fear tests, suggesting that deficits in hippocampal learning accompany the abnormal cytoarchitecture.
A perspective on software agents research

This paper sets out, ambitiously, to present a brief reappraisal of software agents research. Evidently, software agent technology has promised much. However, some five years after the word ‘agent’ came into vogue in the popular computing press, it is perhaps time the efforts in this fledgling area are thoroughly evaluated with a view to refocusing future efforts. We do not pretend to have done this in this paper—but we hope we have sown the first seeds towards a thorough first five-year report on the software agents area. The paper contains some strong views not necessarily widely accepted by the agent community.
Preschoolers, Computers, and School Readiness: Are We On to Something?

We've all heard of the digital divide: for example, the rural poor are much less likely than others to have access to information technology. Despite this, the authors of “Early Childhood Computer Experience and Cognitive and Motor Development”1 found that over half of a group of rural, poor preschoolers had a computer at home. Another stereotype-smashing finding was that boys and girls in this sample used computers with equal frequency. Whether …
A built in self test scheme for automatic interconnect fault diagnosis in multiple and single FPGA systems

Multiple-FPGA systems, comprising of several FPGAs, present a unique opportunity for self test. Past researchers in the area of FPGA testing have mostly focused on devising techniques for testing individual FPGAs; some focusing on testing Configurable Logic Blocks (CLBs), while others, on the interconnects. However, in many applications, multiple FPGA devices are present on the same board. In this paper, we focus on testing the interconnects of individual FPGAs in such an environment. Our research provides a unique technique for detecting the faulty FPGA in a multiple FPGA setting, and also for identifying the faulty interconnect(s) within the device. Four Xilinx XCV50 devices are used as a model for the multiple-FPGA system. Various global lines, long lines, local lines, and programmable switch matrices are tested for stuck-at and bridging faults. However, we do not attempt to test the physical inter-connections between the FPGAs which are outside the devices. A novel automatic diagnostic procedure for locating the faults is developed by producing, what we call, a 'faulty-word'. The various bits of this word provide the information on the location of the fault.
Prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced mitogenesis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts: role of protein kinase-C-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation

Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) stimulates DNA synthesis in osteoblasts through phospholipase-C-dependent increases in intracellular calcium and protein kinase-C (PKC) activity. We present evidence that stimulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation by PKC is an additional component of the signaling pathways involved in PGF2 alpha-stimulated DNA synthesis in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. Mitogenic doses of PGF2 alpha (42 nM) rapidly induced tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple substrates in these osteoblast-like cells. PGF2 alpha stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of new proteins with apparent mol wt of 87, 80, 50, 47, 36, and 33 kilodaltons and up-regulated phosphorylation of preexisting tyrosine components with mol wt of 123, 112, 68, and 56 kilodaltons. Stimulation of PKC by 1.6 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate mimicked the pattern of PGF2 alpha-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation, whereas PKC-deficient cells (induced by overnight pretreatment with 16 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-a...
Predicting the growth response to growth hormone in patients with intrauterine growth retardation

OBJECTIVE Human GH treatment of short children who had intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) results in a highly variable growth response. The object of this study was to test the hypothesis that differences in responsiveness to exogenously administered GH might reflect differences in endogenous GH secretion or sensitivity. DESIGN Prospective study evaluating the growth response to GH therapy in short individuals with prior IUGR. PATIENTS Ten short, prepubertal children with prior IUGR were studied. Mean age was 6 years (3.39–8.61). Mean bone age was 4.6 years (2.3–8.3). Mean body mass index was 13.2 kg/m2 (9.9–14.0; normal 13.5–19.0). MEASUREMENTS Overnight spontaneous GH release was measured using a constant withdrawal pump and stimulated GH release was measured following clonidine (0.15 mg/m2) administration. IGF-I concentrations were measured at baseline and 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after sequential doses of GH (0.05 and 0.2 mg/kg/dose) given 48 hour apart. Patients were treated with GH (0.125 mg/kg three times a week) and growth response was assessed. In the second and third year, attempts were made to improve the growth rate by nutritional supplementation and increasing the dose of GH to 0.25 mg/kg three times a week. RESULTS All patients had normal integrated nocturnal GH secretion (>3 μg/l, 6mU/l) and normal peak GH secretion in response to clonidine (>7 μg/l). In the first year of the trial, mean growth velocity (GV) increased from 5.39 cm/year ± 0.29 to 7.32 cm/year ± 0.39 (P = 0.004). Changes in GV correlated inversely with integrated GH (r = − 0.69; P = 0038), baseline IGF-I concentration (r = − 0.88; P = 0.002) and baseline GV-SDS (r = − 0.68; P = 0.043). There was no correlation between change in GV and GH binding protein, baseline height SDS or age. The effect of GH waned in the second year, but tended to remain greater than the pretreatment growth rate (6.54 ± 0.49 vs 5.53 cm/year ± 0.29; P = 0.09). No significant advancement of bone age over chronological age was observed over the first 2 years. Increasing nutritional intake by 17% did not result in significant weight gain nor increase in height velocity. Doubling the dose of GH in the second or third year did not result in a significant increase in GV. CONCLUSION The variable response to GH therapy in short children with a history of intrauterine growth retardation may partly reflect relative sufficiency or insufficiency of GH. Baseline IGF-I levels and baseline growth velocity appear to be useful and practical predictors of response to GH.
Perceived predation risk as a function of predator dietary cues in terrestrial salamanders.

Prey often avoid predator chemical cues, and in aquatic systems, prey may even appraise predation risk via cues associated with the predator's diet. However, this relationship has not been shown for terrestrial predator-prey systems, where the proximity of predators and prey, and the intensity of predator chemical cues in the environment, may be less than in aquatic systems. In the laboratory, we tested behavioural responses (avoidance, habituation and activity) of terrestrial red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus, to chemical cues from garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis, fed either red-backed salamanders or earthworms (Lumbricus spp.). We placed salamanders in arenas lined with paper towels pretreated with snake chemicals, and monitored salamander movements during 120 min. Salamanders avoided substrates preconditioned by earthworm-fed (avoidanceX+/-SE=91.1+/-2.5%, N=25) and salamander-fed (95.2+/-2.5%, N=25) snakes, when tested against untreated substrate (control). Salamanders avoided cues from salamander-fed snakes more strongly (75.2+/-5.5%, N=25) than earthworm-fed snakes when subjected to both treatments simultaneously, implying that salamanders were sensitive to predator diet. Salamanders tended to avoid snake substrate more strongly during the last 60 min of a trial, but activity patterns were similar between salamanders exposed exclusively to control substrate versus those subject to snake cues. In another experiment, salamanders failed to avoid cues from dead conspecifics, suggesting that the stronger avoidance of salamander-fed snakes in the previous experiment was not directly due to chemical cues emitted by predator-killed salamanders. Salamanders also did not discriminate between cues from a salamander-fed snake versus a salamander-fed snake that was recently switched (i.e. <14 days) to an earthworm diet. Our results imply that terrestrial salamanders are sensitive to perceived predation risk via by-products of predator diet, and that snake predators rather than dead salamanders may be largely responsible for the release of such chemicals. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.
Understanding the cognitive impact of the contraceptive estrogen Ethinyl Estradiol: Tonic and cyclic administration impairs memory, and performance correlates with basal forebrain cholinergic system integrity

Ethinyl Estradiol (EE), a synthetic, orally bio-available estrogen, is the most commonly prescribed form of estrogen in oral contraceptives, and is found in at least 30 different contraceptive formulations currently prescribed to women as well as hormone therapies prescribed to menopausal women. Thus, EE is prescribed clinically to women at ages ranging from puberty to reproductive senescence. Here, in two separate studies, the cognitive effects of cyclic or tonic EE administration following ovariectomy (Ovx) were evaluated in young female rats. Study I assessed the cognitive effects of low and high doses of EE, delivered tonically via a subcutaneous osmotic pump. Study II evaluated the cognitive effects of low, medium, and high doses of EE administered via a daily subcutaneous injection, modeling the daily rise and fall of serum EE levels with oral regimens. Study II also investigated the impact of low, medium and high doses of EE on the basal forebrain cholinergic system. The low and medium doses utilized here correspond to the range of doses currently used in clinical formulations, and the high dose corresponds to doses prescribed to a generation of women between 1960 and 1970, when oral contraceptives first became available. We evaluate cognition using a battery of maze tasks tapping several domains of spatial learning and memory as well as basal forebrain cholinergic integrity using immunohistochemistry and unbiased stereology to estimate the number of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-producing cells in the medial septum and vertical/diagonal bands. At the highest dose, EE treatment impaired multiple domains of spatial memory relative to vehicle treatment, regardless of administration method. When given cyclically at the low and medium doses, EE did not impact working memory, but transiently impaired reference memory during the learning phase of testing. Of the doses and regimens tested here, only EE at the highest dose impaired several domains of memory; tonic delivery of low EE, a dose that corresponds to the most popular doses used in the clinic today, did not impact cognition on any measure. Both medium and high injection doses of EE reduced the number of ChAt-immunoreactive cells in the basal forebrain, and cell population estimates in the vertical/diagonal bands negatively correlated with working memory errors.
Arrest of endotoxin-induced hypotension by transforming growth factor beta1.

Abstract Septic shock is a cytokine-mediated process typically caused by a severe underlying infection. Toxins generated by the infecting organism trigger a cascade of events leading to hypotension, to multiple organ system failure, and frequently to death. Beyond supportive care, no effective therapy is available for the treatment of septic shock. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator generated late in the sepsis pathway leading to hypotension; therefore, NO represents a potential target for therapy. We have previously demonstrated that transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 inhibits inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA and NO production in vascular smooth muscle cells after its induction by cytokines critical in the sepsis cascade. Thus, we hypothesized that TGF-beta1 may inhibit iNOS gene expression in vivo and be beneficial in the treatment of septic shock. In a conscious rat model of septic shock produced by Salmonella typhosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS), TGF-beta1 markedly reduced iNOS mRNA and protein levels in several organs. In contrast, TGF-beta1 did not decrease endothelium-derived constitutive NOS mRNA in organs of rats receiving LPS. We also performed studies in anesthetized rats to evaluate the effect of TGF-beta1 on the hemodynamic compromise of septic shock; after an initial 25% decrease in mean arterial pressure, TGF-beta1 arrested LPS-induced hypotension and decreased mortality. A decrease in iNOS mRNA and protein levels in vascular smooth muscle cells was demonstrated by in situ hybridization and NADPH diaphorase staining in rats treated with TGF-beta1. Thus these studies suggest that TGF-beta1 inhibits iNOS in vivo and that TGF-beta1 may be of future benefit in the therapy of septic shock.
Thrombolysis in a rabbit stroke model using liposomal-encapsulated streptokinase

Plasminogen activators have been used for years to treat thrombotic crises. While some have focused on the development of more fibrin-specific thrombolytics, the authors have chosen to examine alternative methods of delivering thrombolytic proteins to clots. Specifically, the authors and others have shown that plasminogen activators are more effective when encapsulated in liposomes than when infused as free proteins. In this study, the authors have explored the potential benefits of encapsulating streptokinase (SK) in the treatment of strokes by comparing the effects of free intravenous SK and liposomal-encapsulated SK (LESK). Following simulation of a stroke in a rabbit model, the authors infused comparable doses of either LESK or SK to determine the effect of each on reperfusion. LESK showed a significantly improved clot dissolving time over free SK [LESK: 19.3/spl plusmn/12.1 min.; free SK: 74.3/spl plusmn/41.4 min.]. Thus, the thrombolytic efficacy of SK is improved by encapsulation in liposomes for this experimental rabbit model, presumably by preventing premature inactivation of SK prior to LESK arrival and rupture at the clot.
Mortality in Pharmacologically Treated Older Adults with Diabetes: The Cardiovascular Health Study, 1989–2001

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) confers an increased risk of mortality in young and middle-aged individuals and in women. It is uncertain, however, whether excess DM mortality continues beyond age 75 years, is related to type of hypoglycemic therapy, and whether women continue to be disproportionately affected by DM into older age. Methods and Findings From the Cardiovascular Health Study, a prospective study of 5,888 adults, we examined 5,372 participants aged 65 y or above without DM (91.2%), 322 with DM treated with oral hypoglycemic agents (OHGAs) (5.5%), and 194 with DM treated with insulin (3.3%). Participants were followed (1989–2001) for total, cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), and non-CVD/noncancer mortality. Compared with non-DM participants, those treated with OHGAs or insulin had adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for total mortality of 1.33 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10 to 1.62) and 2.04 (95% CI, 1.62 to 2.57); CVD mortality, 1.99 (95% CI, 1.54 to 2.57) and 2.16 (95% CI, 1.54 to 3.03); CHD mortality, 2.47 (95% CI, 1.89 to 3.24) and 2.75 (95% CI, 1.95 to 3.87); and infectious and renal mortality, 1.35 (95% CI, 0.70 to 2.59) and 6.55 (95% CI, 4.18 to 10.26), respectively. The interaction of age (65–74 y versus � 75 y) with DM was not significant. Women treated with OHGAs had a similar HR for total mortality to men, but a higher HR when treated with insulin. Conclusions DM mortality risk remains high among older adults in the current era of medical care. Mortality risk and type of mortality differ between OHGA and insulin treatment. Women treated with insulin therapy have an especially high mortality risk. Given the high absolute CVD mortality in older people, those with DM warrant aggressive CVD risk factor reduction.
Long-wavelength metamorphic InGaAs detectors on GaAs substrates

In this paper we present the properties of metamorphic materials, fabrication process of photodiodes, and device results on long-wavelength InGaAs photodetectors with low leakage current and large bandwidth.
Assessing Electronic Reserves at the University of Denver: A Faculty Satisfaction Survey

With the migration from Docutek to Ares Course Reserves management system, the University of Denver's Penrose Course Reserves department reached out to faculty at the university through a mixed methods survey to determine their level of satisfaction. The Ares system, reserve-related improvements, and communication results are discussed.
Active fault hazard in southern California: Ground rupture versus seismic shaking

There are exceptions to the common assumption that surface rupture by faulting is always accompanied by a damaging earthquake. Near Ventura, California, faults of the Oak View—Ojai area and Orcutt and Timber Canyons displace late Pleistocene and/or Holocene alluvial materials and soils by several tens of metres. The movement is almost exclusively along bedding planes in response to flexural slip during folding. Therefore these faults constitute a ground-rupture hazard. However, because they do not extend downward to rocks of high shear strength which could store large amounts of elastic strain energy, they do not constitute a seismic-shaking hazard. In contrast, the Oak Ridge fault near the coast does not cut strata shallower than 1,250 to 1,500 m below the surface, although pressure ridges attest to recent activity. Similarly, the Newport-Inglewood fault between Long Beach and Inglewood oil fields in the Los Angeles basin is expressed at the surface as a line of anticlinal hills rather than a throughgoing fault. Historical faulting at Inglewood and possibly at Rosecrans and Dominguez oil fields may be related to oil-field development rather than earthquake-related displacement. Those portions of the Oak Ridge and Newport-Inglewood faults pose seismic-shaking hazard but not ground-rupture potential from earthquakes alone. For planning purposes, it is necessary to distinguish faults with only ground-rupture potential or with only seismic shaking potential from the well-known faults with potential for both.
5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) Specific Enrichment.

[Abstract] 5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) is a newly discovered DNA modification in mammalian genomes. This protocol is to be a highly efficient and selective chemical approach to label and capture 5-hmC, taking advantage of a bacteriophage enzyme that adds a glucose moiety to 5-hmC specifically, which could in turn be used for high-throughput mapping via next-generation sequencing.
Sex Differences in the Long Term Effects of Divorce on Children: Depression and Heterosexual Relationship Difficulties in the Young Adult Years

Abstract This study investigates the possibility that divorce has long term effects on children, and that these effects manifest themselves in increased heterosexual relationship difficulties and depression in young adulthood. Also, sex differences in heterosexual relationship difficulties and depression of divorced subjects were examined. Male {n = 33) and female (n = 38) young adult subjects from divorced and intact families were administered the Beck Depression Inventory and the Relationship Questionnaire (designed to measure heterosexual relationship difficulties). Females from divorced families reported higher levels of depression and relationship difficulties than females from intact families. No differences were found between males from divorced families and males from intact families on either measure. Females from divorced families reported higher levels of depression than males from divorced families, but similar levels of relationship difficulties. Finally, the data was analyzed to detect diffe...
ATP-dependent regulation of inwardly rectifying K+ current in bovine retinal pigment epithelial cells

Inwardly rectifying K+ current (I Kir) in freshly isolated bovine retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells was studied in the whole cell recording configuration of the patch-clamp technique. When cel...
The Influence of Romantic Partners on Women in STEM Majors

It has been widely suggested that women are under-represented in STEM fields because careers in these fields are perceived as incompatible with other traditionally feminine roles and life goals such as helping others or maintaining a marriage and family. Although a number of studies of women in STEM have examined the importance of the communal goal of helping others, few studies have examined another communal goal, maintaining a romantic relationship. To address this gap, we designed a two-part study to explore the impact of romantic relationships on relationship and career goals of college STEM majors. First, a survey was conducted that examined the impact of relationship status on 713 male and 409 female college STEM majors’ life goals and gender roles (82 % White). Although results indicated gender differences in goals and roles related to family and careers, interaction effects with relationship status that would suggest unique negative impacts on women’s education or career goals were not found. Next, a subsample of 59 female STEM majors (81 % White) and their male romantic partners participated in a study examining their investments in and beliefs about careers, family, and the balance between the two. Findings suggest that successful female STEM majors may seek and find partners who are supportive of their educational and careers goals, as evidenced by the partners’ investment and expectations for relationship and work roles. Overall, findings indicate that a supportive romantic partner may be a positive determining factor for women’s success in STEM.
Effects of PLGA Nano Patterns on the Responses of Healthy Osteoblasts

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) films with flat surfaces and with 27nm, 190nm, 300nm, 400nm, and 520nm surface features were synthesized using a template method with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds. The nano patterns were transferred from the self-assembled polystyrene beads to the PLGA films through PDMS molds. After synthesis, the nano patterns were confirmed by AFM height scans. In order to investigate the influence of the materials on bone cells, healthy human osteoblasts were cultured on the PLGA films. The 27nm PLGA surface showed the maximum osteoblast adhesion density and a significant increase compared with the other surface features. For these reasons, and since previous studies have highlighted that similar nanometer surface features on PLGA decreased functions of other cancer cells, this study suggests that PLGA with 27nm surface features should be further studied for bone cancer applications where healthy bone cell functions need to be promoted and cancerous bone cell functions inhibited.
Advanced Space Health Maintenance System: Technology Enabling Extended Manned Space Exploration

President Bush has recently announced an ambitious plan calling for the return to the Moon and a manned mission to Mars. However, a wide variety of significant obstacles must be overcome to accomplish these lofty goals, including the deleterious effects of microgravity on the human body. This project focused on addressing a subset of these problems: the effect of a reduced gravity environment on the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems. The groundwork is proposed for a modular system of devices and exercise equipment that will have the adaptability to maintain this facet of human health during extended missions in any reduced-gravity environment. Each component of the system targets specific risks; however, the use of this module based system allows for a multifaceted approach to addressing physical health prevention, diagnosis, and, if necessary, treatment. Additional advantages of the proposed system include lightweight, portable, and relatively cost-effective designs. This project proposes and discusses a set of six devices, including previously developed countermeasure devices as well as several novel devices. The working principle behind the proposed system is the application of acoustic vibration as a diagnostic, treatment, and exercise tool. The feasibility of the project is demonstrated by the assessment of a developed prototype of one of the new devices in addition to ongoing research for a second component. The successful construction and initial round of testing on the limited budget of an undergraduate senior design team suggest the ease with which this system may be adopted by NASA for implementation in upcoming missions. The entire project is forecasted to be completed over the course of five years and at a cost of $20 million, well within the timetable and budget allotted for future missions beyond our solar system. The adaptation of this project represents an important step towards the enablement of ongoing space exploration.
Acute Vascular Access: New Advances

Dual lumen central venous hemodialysis catheters have become the preferred form of acute vascular access. Although they provide rapid angioaccess, these catheters are associated with a number of serious insertion complications. Furthermore, prolonged use can lead to late complications including infection and central venous stenosis. Recent advances in catheter construction as well as new techniques for line placement should reduce the incidence and severity of catheter-related problems.
Effect of Internal Parasite Control on Weaned Calf Performance1

Abstract Four hundred and thirty crossbred steer and heifer calves born in 2 yr from two preweaning sources were assigned to treatment groups to study the effect of internal parasite control on post- weaning performance. Half the calves received 5 mg/kg bodyweight of a 10% fenbendazole suspension. Heifers were fed hay-based diets designed to produce gains of .4 kg/d and steers were fed higher energy diets to produce .7 kg/d gain. Fecal egg counts were obtained on a sample of the calves in each source, year, treatment, and sex group. Weights and fecal samples were obtained at weaning, midtest (80 d) and end test (150 days). Livestock Center (LC) calves had higher (Pc.01), but moderate, egg counts in 1 -yr pretreatment than other source-year subgroups. Control LC calves continued to have higher (P
Laryngeal Chondrosarcoma: Diagnosis and Management:

Chondrosarcoma of the larynx is a rare malignancy accounting for 0.5% of all laryngeal tumors. We report our approach to laryngeal chondrosarcoma and review the recent literature on the subject. Our review supports the previously held opinions about sites of origin, but draws new conclusions about symptoms. In addition, we examine the controversy of conservative surgery vs. total laryngectomy.
Epidemiologic study of decubital ulcers in sows.

OBJECTIVE To determine prevalence and risk factors for decubital ulcers of the shoulder in sows. DESIGN Descriptive cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION All females of breeding age in a large confinement swine facility. PROCEDURE 1,916 females were examined for lesions of the skin over the tuber of the spine of the scapula and for body condition scoring. Observational data were combined with sow data (parity, date of farrowing, litter size) contained in computerized records. RESULTS Decubital ulcers were observed in 8.3% of females, predominantly lactating sows. Ulcer prevalence was strongly associated with time after farrowing. Lesions apparently healed rapidly after weaning. Ulcer prevalence was associated with low body condition scores, but was not associated with parity. IMPLICATIONS Decubital ulcers are a multifactorial condition. Housing on concrete floors per se did not result in ulcers. Prolonged recumbency during parturition, reduced activity in early lactation, periparturient illness, thin body condition, moist skin, and floor type are potential risk factors.
Internationalising Nursing Education from the Ground Up

Globalisation continues to shape and define the human experience and human institutions in multiple ways and on many levels. Higher education has not been immune to this ubiquitous and revolutionary force.
The Relationship between Ethanol and Aggression: Studies Using Ethological Models

Sociological and criminological research has consistently demonstrated a strong positive relationship between alcohol consumption, violence, and violent crime, both in the street and in the family (Pernanen 1976; Shupe 1954; Straus et a1. 1980; Wolfgang and Strohm 1956). This relationship is not consistent over all cultural groups, but appears to be largely complexly related to factors of social stress (Levinson 1981) and individual affective and cognitive changes produced by alcohol (Williams 1966).
Rapid Corticosteroid Actions on Behavior: Cellular Mechanisms and Organismal Consequences

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the rapid corticosteroid actions on behavior. Corticosteroids, specifically corticosterone (CORT) and cortisol, are rather unique hormones in that they have a ubiquitous distribution of target tissues, and their circulating levels fluctuate acutely and unpredictably. While gonadal steroids influence an impressive array of neurophysiological and behavioral processes, one can still make a primary assignment of gonadal steroids to some aspect of reproductive physiology or behavior, broadly defined. In contrast, designating a primary behavioral or physiological role for corticosteroids is considerably more difficult. The term "glucocorticoid" is misleading; corticosteroids are not the primary mediators of carbohydrate metabolism, and the metabolic actions of corticosteroids are not simply glucogenic.
Computer Simulation Methods as Applied to Site-Specific Mutations

In parallel with the revolution in molecular biology, which has enabled the production and characterization of enzymes and their site-specific mutants in large quantities, there has been a revolution in computer technology. This has led to powerful new tools for computer graphics visualization of complex molecules, data base analysis, artificial intelligence approaches to analyze the structural principles in complex molecular systems, and numerical simulations of the properties of complex molecules. This chapter focuses on numerical simulation methods, which include quantum mechanical solutions of molecular energy and molecular mechanical and dynamical simulation.
Centros , the Freedom of Establishment for Companies and the Court’s Accidental Vision for Corporate Law

In consequence of the three ECJ cases in Centros (1999), Uberseering (2002), and Inspire Art (2003), EU member states can no longer effectively apply the real seat theory to companies from other Member States or take other measures to avoid the circumvention of their own laws by foreign incorporation. Founders of companies can – in principle – “pick and choose” the best legal form from all Member States, a result that many policymakers and legal scholars had sought to avoid for decades. This chapter attempts to tell a short intellectual history of the debate. In the early years of the EEC, it was thought that company law would be harmonized to such a strong degree that the free movement of corporations would no longer raise any concern. When the harmonization program stalled, Member States felt justified in maintaining protectionist measures impeding free choice of corporate law. Many saw dicta in the Daily Mail case of 1988 as providing a justification for the real seat theory, whereas few observers paid attention to the Segers case of 1986, which seemed to be saying the opposite. The triad of Centros, Uberseering and Inspire Art thus was a particularly disruptive surprise. The ECJ, was seen as opening the door to regulatory competition in European corporate law, and in particular to English Private Limited Companies flooding the continent. In the end, there was little “offensive” regulatory competition, since no Member State had the incentive to capture a large part of the market for incorporation. Member States did, however, engage in “defensive” regulatory competition by eliminating requirements in their laws that seemed to drive founders to the UK (even if it does not appear to be the reason why the popularity of the English Private Limited Company on the Continent ended after a few years). In consequence, the ECJ thus unwittingly nudged Member States toward a certain vision of corporate law that had never been intended by policymakers.
Technology variability and product design implications

Summary form only given. Scaling laws of laboratory imbibition experiments are very important to be used to predict oil recovery from matrix blocks. The importance of this concept being the oil recovery from reservoir matrix blocks in the field can be predicted experimentally from tests on small samples in laboratory. Laboratory results of oil recovery are commonly represented as a function of dimensionless time which in turn is a universal parameter including several physical parameters of fluids and rocks. It is considered as a good scaling group if the measured oil recovery is represented in a single universal curve with sharing less primary physical parameters. In the present work, we introduce a new dimensionless time formula in terms of characteristic velocity (e.g. injection velocity) which in turn is very important of some enhanced oil recovery (EOR) mechanisms such as water injection stage. We derive a power-law formula for dimensionless time that reduces the number of complexities in characterizing two-phase imbibition through a porous medium. The theory and characteristic velocity function is tested against some oil recovery experimental data for oil-water system from the literature. Through a comprehensive evaluation of available time scaling formulas, a simplified tool is provided for characterizing two-phase flow, through the use of a reference capillary number. In this context, we introduce a theoretical analysis and numerical computations of the counter-current imbibition. The one-dimensional macroscopic governing equation is transformed into a non-dimensional form which includes the dimensionless physical parameters (capillary number Ca and Darcy number Da). Additionally, numerical experiments are performed for wide ranges of values of capillary and Darcy numbers to illustrate their influences on water saturation as well as r
Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae

Intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulae (dAVFs) are typified by pathological anastomoses between meningeal arteries and dural venous sinuses or cortical veins. These fistulae frequently reside within the dural leaflets surrounding a venous sinus, characteristically at the transverse-sigmoid junction but also at the cavernous sinus (CS), superior sagittal sinus, anterior cranial fossa, tentorium, and other locations. dAVFs are distinguished from their pial counterparts (eg, arteriovenous malformations) by their arterial supply from vessels that perfuse the dura mater and lack of a parenchymal nidus.1 dAVFs are rare lesions, accounting for 10% to 15% of all intracranial vascular malformations: 6% of supratentorial and 35% of infratentorial vascular malformations.2 Most frequently, dAVFs affect patients in their middle-to-later years of life (eg, 50–60 years of age).3 Less commonly, dAVFs occur in younger age groups, including children. There is neither a clear sex predilection nor genetic component to these lesions. Clinical manifestations vary widely and depend on both the hemodynamic properties and location of the fistula. Multiple classification systems have been proposed in an effort to predict which dAVFs are at high risk for new neurological events. Most of these schemes stratify risk based on angiographic appearance of the dAVFs, in particular involvement of a venous sinus and presence or absence of retrograde cortical venous drainage (CVD). Other schemes combine angiographic appearance with mode of presentation, given the impact symptoms related to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and nonhemorrhagic neurological deficits (NHND) have on dAVF natural history.4–6 In the following review and synthesis, the authors describe the pathophysiology, classification, mode of presentation, imaging characteristics, natural history, and therapeutic armamentarium for intracranial dAVFs. Particular attention will be given to recent evidence that certain clinical and angiographic features of dAVFs can be used to help stratify risk of future ICH and NHND in an effort …
Incorporating age-related special populations into a pharmacy skills laboratory course sequence.

Abstract Background and purpose The purpose was this study was to evaluate the incorporation of geriatric and pediatric therapeutic concepts into a pharmacy skills laboratory (PSL) course sequence. Secondary outcomes were to describe the incorporation and evaluate the assessment effectiveness of these topics. Educational activity and setting Teaching materials and assessment data from the PSL course were evaluated for inclusion of content regarding age-related special populations. Findings Materials reviewed from 205 PSL sessions held over four years demonstrated 89 (41.5%) sessions incorporated age-related topics using a variety of methods. Quiz and exam item performance was acceptable with an average difficulty index of 77.2% ± 21.3 and 85.8% ± 12.8, respectively. The average objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) score was also satisfactory at 83.2% ± 3. Discussion and conclusions Age-related topics were included in several PSL sessions. These incorporation strategies were deemed to be effective as students performed well on written assessments and OSCEs. Additional PSL sessions were identified as potential targets for incorporating age-related special populations into future PSL offerings.
Entrepreneurial Teams in New Venture Creation: A Research Agenda:

Although new ventures are commonly started by entrepreneurial teams, relatively little has been written about the process of effectively assembling and maintaining them. Systematic, descriptive research is needed to define the dimensions of entrepreneurial teams, to identify the costs and problems of assembling teams, and to identify successful strategies for resolving the problems.
Danish secondary schools 1880–1950: national legislative framework and local implementation

This article analyses and compares local people’s and communities’ strategies when implementing a national legislative framework in secondary schools in Denmark, 1880–1950, focusing particularly on...
Case 8: To Tell or Not to Tell

The employee of a nonprofit community hospital is put in a tough spot when her personal connections get in the way of her professional ethics. This case deals with the ethical dilemma that arises when individuals must determine whether to disclose privileged or private information to protect the organization’s integrity, even if it means compromising personal loyalties. Handy and Russell urge readers to consider the ethical challenges that arise when employees allow personal entanglements to get too close to their professional life, and how to navigate, mitigate, and—hopefully—avoid such situations, using ethical frameworks and the road map to ethical decision-making as a guide.
Long-term Natural History of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Following Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: A Prospective 15-Year Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE To provide insights into the long-term impact of radical retro-pubic prostatectomy (ORRP) on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) which are age and prostate dependent and adversely impact quality of life. METHODS 1995 men undergoing ORRP enrolled in a prospective longitudinal outcomes study. The American Urological Association Symptom Index was self-administered before ORRP and at predetermined time-points after surgery. A multivariate generalized linear model was used to evaluate the association of time since ORRP with American Urological Association symptom score (AUASS). McNemar's test and paired sample t-tests were used to assess whether the proportion of men with clinically significant LUTS (CSLUTS) defined by an AUASS >7 or mean AUASS differed significantly between the time-dependent assessments, respectively. RESULTS The 15-year mean adjusted AUASS was similar to baseline (7.00 vs 6.85, P = .66). Throughout the 15 years of follow-up, the proportion of men with CSLUTS was lower than baseline with the exception of the 3 month and 15 year assessments. Among men with baseline clinically insignificant LUTS (CILUTS), the mean adjusted AUASS at 15 years was significantly greater than baseline (6.09 vs 3.19, P < .001). Among men with baseline CSLUTS, ORRP led to a significant decrease in mean adjusted AUASS between baseline and 15 years (13.26 vs 8.67, P < .001). CONCLUSION ORRP favorably affects the long-term natural history of LUTS. The long-term economic and quality of life benefits of ORRP on LUTS should inform the risks and benefits of RP for treatment of localized prostate cancer.
Visual Pigment Regeneration Rate and Susceptibility to Photic Damage

A number of animals are known to undergo photoreceptor degeneration when kept under conditions of constant, low-level illumination, including rats (1), rabbits (2), monkeys (3) and lobsters (4). However, a far greater number show little, if any, harmful effects from long-term exposure even at intensities equal to that of sunlight. For example, flesh flies kept under constant, approximately 82,000 1x white light showed no signs of photoreceptor damage after 30 days of treatment (personal observation), whereas lobsters exposed for less than 5 minutes to approximately 300 lx showed complete photoreceptor degeneration.