cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The amount of metastatic melanoma in a sentinel lymph node: does it have prognostic significance?

Background: The amount of metastatic disease in the sentinel lymph node (SLN) is examined as a prognostic factor in malignant melanoma. Methods: SLN mapping was performed on 592 patients with stage I and II malignant melanoma from March 1, 1994, through December 31, 1999. One hundred four patients were found to have 134 sentinel SLNs containing metastatic melanoma. The slides were reviewed, and the size of the metastatic melanoma in each SLN was measured. The size of the metastatic deposit was defined as macrometastasis (>2 mm), micrometastasis (≤2 mm), a cluster of cells (10–30 grouped cells) in the subcapsular space or interfollicular zone, or isolated melanoma cells (1 to ≥20 individual cells) in subcapsular sinuses. Results: The number of metastases in each SLN was isolated melanoma cells, n = 5 (3.7%); cluster of cells, n = 35 (26.1%); ≤2 mm, n = 45 (33.6%); and >2 mm, n = 49 (36.7%). Seventy-nine patients (76%) had a single positive SLN. The size of the largest nodal metastasis was used to stratify patients with multiple positive SLNs. The overall 3-year survival for patients with SLN micrometastases was 90%, versus 58% for patients with SLN macrometastases (P = .004). Conclusions: The amount of metastatic melanoma in an SLN is an independent predictor of survival. Patients with SLN metastatic deposits >2 mm in diameter have significantly decreased survival.
COMPARATIVE EVOLUTIONARY RATES OF INTRONS AND EXONS IN MURINE RODENTS

Analysis of DNA sequences of 132 introns and 140 exons from 42 pairs of orthologous genes of mouse and rat was used to compare patterns of evolutionary change between introns and exons. The mean of the absolute difference in length (measured in base pairs) between the two species was nearly five times as high in the case of introns as in the case of exons. The average rate of nucleotide substitution in introns was very similar to the rate of synonymous substitution in exons, and both were about three times the rate of substitution at nonsyn-onymous sites in exons. G+C content of introns and exons of the same gene were correlated; but mean G+C content at the third positions of exons was significantly higher than that of introns or positions 1-2 of exons from the same gene. G+C content was conserved over evolutionary time, as indicated by strong correlations between mouse and rat; but the change in G+C content was greatest at position 3 of exons, intermediate in introns, and lowest at positions 1-2 in introns.
Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Catalyst Layer Composition on the Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

The catalyst layer of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is a porous mixture of polymer, carbon, and platinum. The characteristics of the catalyst layer play a critical role in determining the performance of the PEM fuel cell. In this research, sample membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are prepared using various combinations of polymer and carbon loadings while the platinum catalyst surface area is held constant. For each MEA, polarization curves are determined at common operating conditions. The polarization curves are compared to assess the effects of the catalyst layer composition. The results show that both Nafion and carbon content significantly affect MEA performance. The physical characteristics of the catalyst layer including porosity, thickness, and apparent Nafion film thickness are investigated to explain the variation in performance. The results show that for the range of compositions considered in this work, the porosity and thickness have little effect on performance but the apparent Nafion film thickness is significant.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Usefulness of endogenous and exogenous nitric oxide to identify degrees of endothelial dysfunction in patients with stable angina pectoris.

Abstract These observations show that in a given patient with stable angina, the coronary artery is capable of a broad spectrum of responses to acetylcholine and nitroglycerin. These findings refute the notion that the endothelial functional response is a generalized “all-or-nothing” phenomenon.
Adenoviral vector tethering to metal surfaces via hydrolyzable cross-linkers for the modulation of vector release and transduction.

Abstract The use of arterial stents and other medical implants as a delivery platform for surface immobilized gene vectors allows for safe and efficient localized expression of therapeutic transgenes. In this study we investigate the use of hydrolyzable cross-linkers with distinct kinetics of hydrolysis for delivery of gene vectors from polyallylamine bisphosphonate-modified metal surfaces. Three cross-linkers with the estimated t 1/2 of ester bonds hydrolysis of 5, 12 and 50 days demonstrated a cumulative 20%, 39% and 45% vector release, respectively, after 30 days exposure to physiological buffer at 37 °C. Transgene expression in endothelial and smooth muscles cells transduced with substrate immobilized adenovirus resulted in significantly different expression profiles for each individual cross-linker. Furthermore, immobilization of adenoviral vectors effectively extended their transduction effectiveness beyond the initial phase of release. Transgene expression driven by adenovirus-tethered stents in rat carotid arteries demonstrated that a faster rate of cross-linker hydrolysis resulted in higher expression levels at day 1, which declined by day 8 after stent implantation, while inversely, slower hydrolysis was associated with increased arterial expression at day 8 in comparison with day 1. In conclusion, adjustable release of transduction-competent adenoviral vectors from metallic surfaces can be achieved, both in vitro and in vivo , through surface immobilization of adenoviral vectors using hydrolyzable cross-linkers with structure-specific release kinetics.
Branching of quasinormal modes for nearly extremal Kerr black holes

We show that nearly extremal Kerr black holes have two distinct sets of quasinormal modes, which we call zero-damping modes (ZDMs) and damped modes (DMs). The ZDMs exist for all harmonic indices l and m≥0, and their frequencies cluster onto the real axis in the extremal limit. The DMs have nonzero damping for all black hole spins; they exist for all counterrotating modes (m<0) and for corotating modes with 0 ≤ μ ≲ μ_c = 0.74 (in the eikonal limit), where μ ≡ m/(l+1/2). When the two families coexist, ZDMs and DMs merge to form a single set of quasinormal modes as the black hole spin decreases. Using the effective potential for perturbations of the Kerr spacetime, we give intuitive explanations for the absence of DMs in certain areas of the spectrum and for the branching of the spectrum into ZDMs and DMs at large spins.
Production of Lithium Drifted Germanium Detectors by AC Drift

Thick planar detectors have been produced by ac drifting. Lithium is diffused on two opposite surfaces of a p-germanium block, thus producing an n+ pn+ structure with two diodes back to back. Drift then proceeds from the two surfaces on alternate half cycles of the ac field. When the two compensated regions meet, one n-contact is removed and replaced by a p-contact. Any remaining uncompensated regions are then compensated by a dc drift. The p-contact is produced by diffusing gallium-indium eutectic at 400°C. By this technique it is possible to drift as deep at 2 cm and thus to produce a large volume detector with low capacitance.
What did Medicare do? The initial impact of Medicare on mortality and out of pocket medical spending

Abstract We study the impact of the introduction of one of the major pillars of the social insurance system in the United States: the introduction of Medicare in 1965. Our results suggest that, in its first 10 years, the establishment of universal health insurance for the elderly had no discernible impact on elderly mortality. However, we find a substantial reduction in the elderly's exposure to out of pocket medical expenditure risk. Specifically, we estimate that the introduction of Medicare was associated with a 40% decline in out of pocket spending for the top quartile of the out of pocket spending distribution. A stylized expected utility framework suggests that the welfare gains from such reductions in risk exposure alone may be sufficient to cover almost two-fifths of the costs of Medicare. These findings underscore the importance of considering the direct insurance benefits from public health insurance programs, in addition to any indirect benefits from an effect on health.
A new probe of pore geometry: diffusive MASS NMR

NMR methods are widely used to probe the structure and fluid dynamics of porous materials, as they are uniquely suited to these studies since NMR records the correlation of changing local magnetic fields over a time scale of ns to seconds. The local magnetic fields are established by local variations in the bulk magnetic susceptibility of the sample (and so are directly tied to the sample's local structure). The fluctuation in field that a spin sees is due to molecular transport (including molecular diffusion) through these local fields, and so reports on the length scales of structures and impediments to transport. We have developed a new set of methods DIFFUSIVE-MASS to provide a means of systematically varying the effective time scale of the measurement and thus the effective length scale. This new handle permits a detailed, microscopic picture of the structure and dynamics. Diffusive MASS NMR methods will permit a systematic set of methods and analysis for characterizing the chemistry, structure and fluid dynamics of the mobile phase in porous materials. The approach will be applicable to any diamagnetic material. In particular, the industry of oil discovery depends on understanding heterogeneous porous media.
Diagnostic features of tuberculous peritonitis in the absence and presence of chronic liver disease: A case control study

Purpose To determine diagnostic features of tuberculous peritonitis (TBP) in the absence and presence of chronic liver disease. Patients and methods Thirty-four patients with TBP (13 without [Group I] and 21 with chronic liver disease [Group II]) and 26 controls with cirrhosis and uninfected ascites (Group III) were studied. Results The clinical features in Groups I and II were similar and all patients had elevated ascitic fluid total mononuclear cell count. In Groups I, II, and III, respectively, ascitic fluid protein was >25 g/L in 100% (13/13), 70% (14/20), and 0% (0/26); serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAAG) was >11 g/L in 0% (0/13), 52% (11/21), and 96% (25/26) (0% [0/13], 71% [15/21], and 96% [25/26] after correction for serum globulin); and ascitic fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level was >90 U/L in 100% (12/12), 84% (16/19), and 0% (0/20), respectively. In Groups I and II combined, ascitic fluid acid-fast stain was negative in all but Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture was positive in 45% (10/22); peritoneal nodules occurred in 94% (31/33), granulomas in 93% (28/30), and positive peritoneal M tuberculosis culture in 63% (10/16). Conclusions In patients with suspected TBP, ascitic fluid protein of >25 g/L. SAAG of 90 U/L have high sensitivity for the disease. With coexistent chronic liver disease, a lower protein level and higher SAAG are usually not helpful but LDH >90 U/L is a useful parameter for screening. Diagnosis is best confirmed by laparoscopy with peritoneal biopsy and M tuberculosis culture.
Structuring professional cooperation

Abstract We present an element suitable to structure professional cooperation. This structuring element is independent of any domain or area of expertise, although it is biased towards design. The element describes modes of operation of a single expert and the cooperation between multiple experts. Based on this, aggregates representing complex project situations can be rendered. We offer several examples.
The Duration of Induced Ventricular Tachycardia as Related to Clinically Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia

Programmed electrical stimulation has been extremely useful in the management of patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia or cardiac arrest. However, the definition of sustained ventricular tachycardia is controversial, and the relationship between the duration of induced ventricular tachycardia and the risk for spontaneous ventricular tachycardia has not been adequately defined. Thus, we examined the records of 64 patients with at least three beats of induced ventricular tachycardia during EP studies using single and double premature stimuli in sinus rhythm and during ventricular paced rhythm (two sites, up to three drive cycle lengths) and using ventricular burst pacing to correlate maximum length of induced ventricular tachycardia with the nature of their spontaneous arrhythmias. Forty-nine patients (77%) had ventricular tachycardia requiring intervention to terminate it, which we called sustained. Nine patients (14%) had ten or fewer beats of ventricular tachycardia; four patients (6%) had 11 to 20 beats of ventricular tachycardia; and two patients (3%) had more than 20 beats of ventricular tachycardia which did not require intervention for termination. Inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia had a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 92% for identifying patients with clinical sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. More than 20 beats of inducible ventricular tachycardia had a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 92%. More than 10 beats of inducible ventricular tachycardia achieved a sensitivity of 98% and a specificity of 91% for identifying patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. The criteria used for the duration of inducible ventricular tachycardia are arbitrary and the interpretation of inducible nonsustained ventricular tachycardia must depend on the purpose of the test and the prior probability of each result.
Semantics-enabled knowledge management for global Earth observation system of systems

The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) is a distributed system of systems built on current international cooperation efforts among existing Earth observing and processing systems. The goal is to formulate an end-to-end process that enables the collection and distribution of accurate, reliable Earth Observation data, information, products, and services to both suppliers and consumers worldwide. One of the critical components in the development of such systems is the ability to obtain seamless access of data across geopolitical boundaries. In order to gain support and willingness to participate by countries around the world in such an endeavor, it is necessary to devise mechanisms whereby the data and the intellectual capital is protected through procedures that implement the policies specific to a country. Earth Observations (EO) are obtained from a multitude of sources and requires coordination among different agencies and user groups to come to a shared understanding on a set of concepts involved in a domain. It is envisaged that the data and information in a GEOSS context will be unprecedented and the current data archiving and delivery methods need to be transformed into one that allows realization of seamless interoperability. Thus, EO data integration is dependent on the resolution of conflicts arising from a variety of areas. Modularization is inevitable in distributed environments to facilitate flexible and efficient reuse of existing ontologies. Therefore, we propose a framework for modular ontologies based knowledge management approach for GEOSS and present methods to enable efficient reasoning in such systems.
Tracheoesophageal fistula from an indwelling endotracheal tube balloon: a report of two cases and review.

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of prolonged endotracheal intubation. Fewer than a dozen cases of cuff-induced TEF have been reported since 1975.1-6 Local tracheal mucosal irritation from the endotracheal tube balloon (ETB) occurs when balloon pressures exceed mean capillary perfusion pressure of 20 mm Hg.7-9 Indwelling rigid nasogastric tubes (NGT) have long been known to exacerbate esophageal mucosal degradation and necrosis with resultant fistula formation.7-11 The contributing factor for ETB-induced TEF include over-inflation of the ETB12-17 and prolonged intubation.8-11 We recently encountered 2 patients who developed a TEF from prolonged intubation for respiratory failure. Repetitive ventilator air leaks were noted to have occurred in both patients between the second and third week of intubation. These leaks were attributed to mechanical defects in the endotracheal tubes (ETTs) and were remedied by either re-inflating or adding volume to the already inflated ETB. Both patients developed GI bleeding that suggested an upper GI source for which they underwent endoscopy. It was discovered serendipitously in both cases that the ETB had eroded through the trachea and into the esophagus. Neither patient had evidence of active bleeding from the fistula site at the time of endoscopy.
Explicitly correlated Gaussian calculations of the 2P o Rydberg spectrum of the lithium atom

Accurate quantum-mechanical nonrelativistic variational calculations are performed for the nine lowest members of the 2Po Rydberg series (1s2np1, n = 2, …, 10) of the lithium atom. The effect of the finite nuclear mass is included in the calculations allowing for determining the isotopic shifts of the energy levels. The wave functions of the states are expanded in terms of all-electron explicitly correlated Gaussian functions. The exponential parameters of the Gaussians are variationally optimized with the aid of the analytical energy gradient determined with respect to those parameters. The calculated state energies are compared with the available experimental data.
Sensitivity of a frost heave model to the method of numerical simulation

Abstract A unifying numerical method is developed for solution of frost heave in a vertical freezing column of soil. Within one general computer code a single unifying parameter can be preselected to employ the commonly used Galerkin finite element, subdomain weighted residual, or finite difference methods as well as several other methods developed from the Alternation Theorem. Comparing results from the various numerical techniques in the computation of frost heave to measured frost heave in a laboratory column indicates there is little advantage of one numerical technique over another. One numerical technique, the subdomain method, was used to investigate discretization errors. The model is relatively insensitive to spatial discretization but is significantly sensitive to temporal discretization. The primary reason for this is that an updating procedure, rather than a more accurate iterative procedure, is used to evaluate nonlinear parameters that arise in the moisture transport and heat transport equations.
Bis-cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes as efficient singlet oxygen sensitizers.

We report the singlet oxygen sensitization properties of a series of bis-cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes (i.e., (bt)2Ir(acac), (bsn)2Ir(acac), and (pq)2Ir(acac); bt = 2-phenylbenzothiazole, bsn = 2-(1-naphthyl)benzothiazole, pq = 2-phenylquinoline, and acac = acetylacetonate). Complexes with acetylacetonate ancillary ligands give singlet oxygen quantum yields near unity (ΦΔ = (0.7−1.0) ± 0.1), whether exciting the ligand-based state or the lowest energy excited state (MLCT + 3LC). The singlet oxygen quenching rates for these β-diketonate complexes were found to be small [(5 ± 2) × 105 to (6 ± 0.2) × 106 M-1 s-1], roughly 3 orders of magnitude slower than the corresponding phosphorescence quenching rate. Similar complexes were prepared with glycine or pyridine tethered to the Ir(III) center (i.e., (bsn)2Ir(gly) and (bt)2Ir(py)Cl; gly = glycine and py = pyridine). The glycine and pyridine derivatives give high singlet oxygen yields (ΦΔ = (0.7−1.0) ± 0.1).
Electrocatalytic Activity of Ordered Intermetallic Phases for Fuel Cell Applications

The electrocatalytic activities of a wide range of ordered intermetallic phases toward a variety of potential fuels have been studied, and results have been compared to those of a pure polycrystalline platinum (Ptpc) electrode. A significant number of the ordered intermetallic phases exhibited enhanced electrocatalytic activity when compared to that of Pt, in terms of both oxidation onset potential and current density. The PtBi, PtIn, and PtPb ordered intermetallic phases appeared to be the most promising electrocatalysts tested thus far for fuel cell applications. PtPb, in particular, showed an onset potential that was 100 mV less positive and a peak current density ∼40 times higher than those observed for Pt in the case of methanol oxidation. The ability to control the geometric and electronic structures of the electrocatalytic material by using ordered intermetallic phases has been shown to be a promising direction of inquiry in the search for superior electrocatalysts for fuel cell applications.
Ectopic feather follicles in a chicken teratoma or malformation.

Abstract At necropsy of an 8-week-old pullet a 0.75 × 5.0 cm. yellowish, moderately firm cigar-shaped object was seen in the greater abdominal air sac lying parallel to the border of the right hepatic lobe. A capsule of 5 tissue layers (from inside outward-stratified squamous epithelium, fibrous tissue, longitudinal muscle, fibrous tissue, and circular muscle) enclosed featherlike structures which had developed from the stratified squamous epithelial layer. This combination of tissue components constituted ectopic follicles and feathers in a malformation or teratoma.
Haplo graft engineering: sculpting to a T.

In this issue of Blood , [Airoldi et al][1] find that γδ T cells can provide critical antiviral and antileukemia effects after HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic transplants depleted of αβ T cells.[1][2] ![Figure][3] Putative antileukemia anti-CMV activities of human γδ TCR-bearing T
Elevation of plasma radioimmunoassayable growth hormone in the rat induced by porcine hypothalamic extract.

The administration of estradiol benzoate, 50 μg, and progesterone, 25 mg, daily for three days has been found to “sensitize” rats to the growth hormone (GH) releasing activity of hypothalamic extracts. At ten minutes following the injection of 90% methanol extracts of 10 porcine hypothalamic fragments, a significant rise in radioimmunoassayable GH was detected (mean increase in pentobarbital anesthetized rats was 28.5 ng/ml ± 12.3 (SE) VS control of 1.6 ng/ml ± 7.9, p < 0.05). The equivalent of 25 hypothalamic fragments gave a significantly larger response. In a series of animals anesthetized with either pentobarbital or ether, 25 or 10-20 hypothalamic equivalents caused significant elevations of RIA-GH and had no depleting effect on pituitary GH concentration. Without steroid pretreatment, significant effects on plasma GH were not observed even with twenty-five hypothalamic equivalents. In steroid pretreated animals, large doses of vasopressin (5 U) and oxytocin (2 U) also induced GH discharge. TRH at a ...
Dispelling myths, motivating action: rhetorical complexities and information challenges in the heart healthy advocacy website, go red for women

In this paper, the design challenges inherent in achieving Kenneth Burke's consubstantiality---shared identification between people and/or organizations achieved through the practice of rhetoric---is explored in the branded heart health awareness and advocacy website of the Go Red for Women Movement. Nelson et al identify a two-stage process for health communication: an awareness stage which pushes messages for an audience to contemplate often via television and social media, and a pull phase where the audience pulls health information from mediated sources such as a website. A consubstantial site has effective navigation, design and content. The American Medical Association's guidelines for health information (HI) sites urges the inclusion of a robust search engine, FAQs, a site map and accessibility statement and text accessible to a wide audience (i.e. sixth grade reading level) which when adopted further consubstantiality. From a semiotics perspective, the modality and salience of photographs that accompany text on an HI site are also vital to enhance inclusivity and consubstantiality, as is promotional graphics such as the logo. Information designers need to resist branding demands which often sacrifice above-the-fold space to photographs without high information value. In this instance, without culturally relevant photographs and images, the HI site remains stuck in a push phase with HI seekers being contemplators of rather than actors in their own heart health. By practicing consubstantiality, information designers can help HI seekers become engaged actors.
“I Am Super Straight and I Prefer You be Too” Constructions of Heterosexual Masculinity in Online Personal Ads for “Straight” Men Seeking Sex With Men

The theory of online disembodiment, which suggests sexual identity online may be incongruent with real-life self-presentation, is problematized by new dating technologies that may lead to meeting i...
Performance Appraisal in Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines: A Cultural Perspective

Performance appraisal is a particularly controversial management practice. In spite of the controversy, however, appraisal has been embraced by civil services around the world as a means of monitoring the performance of government employees. This paper looks at the experiences of the Singaporean, Thai and Filipino civil services in appraising the performance of senior government employees. It provides some description of the broader context in which appraisal operates, and a sketch of employment arrangements in the three administrations, before describing the methods by which senior government employees are appraised. The paper attempts to draw attention to the concept of ‘culture’ and its effects upon administrative practice, and argues that performance appraisal provides an excellent example of a practice which bears culture’s influence.
A Method for Designing Collaborative Products With Application to Poverty Alleviation

Collaborative products are created when physical components from two or more products are temporarily recombined to form another product capable of performing additional tasks. In this paper, a method for designing collaborative products is introduced. The method identifies a set of products capable of being recombined into a collaborative product. These products are then designed to allow for this recombination. Collaborative products are particularly useful in reducing the cost, weight, and size of poverty-alleviating products—reductions that are valued in the developing world. A simple example of a cabinet maker’s tool shows that a collaborative block plane created from a chisel and sanding block can account for reductions in cost, weight, and size of 44%, 38%, and 44% respectively, when compared to a typical wooden block plane, chisel, and sanding block. Additionally, an example of a collaborative apple peeler is provided to demonstrate scalability of the method. The authors conclude that the method introduced herein provides a new and useful tool to design collaborative products and to assist in engineering-based poverty alleviation.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Taxon-specific recruitment of enzymes as major soluble proteins in the corneal epithelium of three mammals, chicken, and squid.

Abstract Studies of others have shown that class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase is a major component of the epithelial cells of the mammalian cornea. Here we demonstrate by peptide sequencing that other major proteins of the corneal epithelium are also identical or related to enzymes in the human, mouse, kangaroo, chicken, and squid. Aldehyde dehydrogenase class 3 was found to be the major protein of human, mouse, and kangaroo corneal epithelial cells. Peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase (cyclophilin) or a homologue thereof is strikingly abundant in the corneal epithelial cells of chicken, but not mammals, and appears to be absent from the cornea of squid. By contrast, enolase or its homologue is relatively abundant in both the mammalian and chicken corneal epithelial cells. In some instances, abundant enzymes are common to cornea and lens in the same species--for example, arginino-succinate lyase/delta 1-crystallin in the chicken and glutathione S-transferase-like protein in the squid; in other cases, the abundant proteins in the cornea have not been found as lens crystallins in any species--for example, aldehyde dehydrogenase class 3 and cyclophilin. These data suggest that enzymes and certain enzyme-crystallins have been recruited as major corneal proteins in a taxon-specific manner and may serve structural rather than, or as well as, enzymatic roles in corneal epithelial cells.
Improved protein crystallization by vapor diffusion from drops in contact with transparent, self-assembled monolayers on gold-coated glass coverslips

The surfaces of glass coverslips of the type typically used for protein crystallization were modified with four types of transparent, chemically distinct self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). The SAM-functionalized surfaces exhibit a much higher degree of order and chemical uniformity than silanized glass, as judged by contact angle measurements. These characteristics lead to a marked increase in the range of solution conditions under which large crystals of lysozyme, α-lactalbumin, ribonuclease, hemoglobin, thaumatin, and catalase are observed to form. The results are rationalized in terms of a marked reduction in the rate of non-productive nucleation relative to the rate of crystal growth.
Uterine artery embolization to treat hemorrhage following second-trimester abortion by dilatation and surgical evacuation

Abstract Background This study was conducted to review cases of second-trimester postabortal hemorrhage (PAH) occurring at a private women's health facility that were treated with uterine artery embolization (UAE). Methods A retrospective review was conducted on all second-trimester terminations performed at a private women's health facility between 1999 and 2006. Cases of PAH treated with UAE were reviewed in detail, reviewing progress, operative and discharge notes along with anesthesia records. Results Fifteen cases of PAH were identified among 3936 second-trimester terminations that were performed. Seven cases were identified in which UAE was used to treat PAH. Etiologies leading to hemorrhage varied in the seven cases as did the presence of coexisting factors such as infection and anatomic lesions. All cases were successfully treated by UAE, requiring no additional surgical intervention. Conclusion Given the success of embolization, we offer this as an alternative to exploratory surgery and hysterectomy and as a first-line approach in cases of PAH after conservative management strategies have failed.
Differentiation of mucinous from non-mucinous pancreatic cyst fluid using dual-stained, 1 dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Pancreatic cysts are being increasingly identified in patients. Mucinous cysts have malignant potential whereas non-mucinous cysts do not. Distinguishing potentially malignant cysts from harmless ones by the characterization of cyst fluid contents remains a difficult problem. This study was undertaken to determine whether cyst fluid mucin glycoprotein analysis could differentiate mucinous from non-mucinous pancreatic cysts. Cyst fluid from 28 patients who underwent resection of a pancreatic cyst was used for the study. In each case the type of cyst was histologically identified. One dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D-SDS PAGE) was performed on cyst fluid samples. For the detection of the separated proteins, we employed a novel dual staining technique. The gel was first stained with periodic acid Schiff (PAS), a mucin histochemical stain followed by a secondary protein staining with Simply Blue Safestain (Invitrogen). Visual scoring (based on the presence of mucins) gave a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 88% for prediction of mucinous histology. One dimensional SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of pancreatic cyst fluid, followed by mucin (PAS) and protein (Simply Blue Safestain) staining, provides a means of concentrating and visualizing mucins, which allows the accurate differentiation of mucinous from non-mucinous histology in pancreatic cysts.
N-Ethylmaleimide-Sensitive Factor Regulates β2 Adrenoceptor Trafficking and Signaling in Cardiomyocytes

Recycling of G protein-coupled receptors determines the functional resensitization of receptors and is implicated in switching beta2 adrenoceptor (beta2AR) G protein specificity in cardiomyocytes. The human beta2AR carboxyl end binds to the N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF), an ATPase integral to membrane trafficking machinery. It is interesting that the human beta2AR (hbeta2AR) carboxyl end pulled down NSF from mouse heart lysates, whereas the murine one did not. Despite this difference, both beta2ARs exhibited substantial agonist-induced internalization, recycling, and Gi coupling in cardiomyocytes. The hbeta2AR, however, displayed faster rates of agonist-induced internalization and recycling compared with the murine beta2AR (mbeta2AR) and a more profound Gi component in its contraction response. Replacing the mbeta2AR proline (-1) with a leucine generated a gain-of-function mutation, mbeta2AR-P417L, with a rescued ability to bind NSF, faster internalization and recycling than the mbeta2AR, and a significant enhancement in Gi signaling, which mimics the hbeta2AR. Selective disruption of the mbeta2AR-P417L binding to NSF inhibited the receptor coupling to Gi. Mean-while, inhibiting NSF with N-ethylmaleimide blocked the mbeta2AR recycling after agonist-induced endocytosis. Expressing the NSF-E329Q mutant lacking ATPase activity inhibited the mbeta2AR coupling to Gi in cardiomyocytes. Our results revealed a dual regulation on hbeta2AR trafficking and signaling by NSF through direct binding to cargo receptor and its ATPase activity and uncovered an unprecedented role for the receptor binding to NSF in regulating G protein specificity that has diverged between mouse and human beta2ARs.
Short communication: Characteristics of student success in an undergraduate physiology and anatomy course

Abstract Several factors affect the success of students in college classes. The objective of this research was to determine what factors affect success of undergraduate students in an anatomy and physiology class. Data were collected from 602 students enrolled in the Agriculture and Life Sciences (ALS) 2304 Animal Physiology and Anatomy course from 2005 through 2012. The data set included 476 females (79.1%) and 126 males (20.9%). Time to complete exams was recorded for each student. For statistical analyses, students’ majors were animal and poultry sciences (APSC), agricultural sciences, biochemistry, biological sciences, dairy science, and “other,” which combined all other majors. All analyses were completed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Gender, major, matriculation year, major by year interaction, gender by year interaction, and time to complete the exam affected final course grade. The significant gender effect was manifested in the final grade percentage of 75.9 ± 0.4 for female students compared with 72.3 ± 0.6 for male students. Junior males had final course grades comparable with those of females, but sophomore and senior males had lower final course grades than other combinations. Biology majors had a final grade of 82.4 ± 0.6 and this grade was greater than all other majors. Students classified as “other” had a final score of 74.4 ± 0.8, which was greater than agricultural science majors (69.5 ± 0.9). The APSC grade (72.6 ± 0.5) was higher than the agricultural science majors. Junior students had significantly greater final grades (76.1 ± 0.5) than sophomores (73.3 ± 0.6) and seniors (72.9 ± 0.9). All biology students had greater final grades than all other majors, but biochemistry juniors had greater final course grades than APSC, agricultural science, and dairy science juniors. “Other” seniors had greater final course grades than agricultural science seniors. The regression for time to complete the exam was curvilinear and suggests that highest exam scores were at about 90-min completion time. It may be that some male students need better preparation for anatomy and physiology and their educational preparation should mimic that of female students more in terms of advance-placement biology in high school. These results suggest that biology majors might be better prepared for animal anatomy and physiology than other students.
Time-Resolved Film-Cooling Flows at Low and High Density Ratios

Film-cooling is one of the most prevalent cooling technologies that is used for gas turbine airfoil surfaces. Numerous studies have been conducted to give the cooling effectiveness over ranges of velocity, density, mass flux, and momentum flux ratios. Few studies have reported flowfield measurements with even fewer of those providing time-resolved flowfields. This paper provides time-averaged and time-resolved particle image velocimetry data for a film-cooling flow at low and high density ratios. A generic film-cooling hole geometry with wide lateral spacing was used for this study, which was a 30° inclined round hole injecting along a flat plate with lateral spacing P/D = 6.7. The jet Reynolds number for flowfield testing varied from 2500 to 7000. The data indicate differences in the flowfield and turbulence characteristics for the same momentum flux ratios at the two density ratios. The time-resolved data indicate Kelvin-Helmholtz breakdown in the jet-to-freestream shear layer.© 2013 ASME
Black Community Involvement and Subjective Well-Being

This qualitative study examined subjective perceptions of personal rewards associated with Black community involvement. A purposeful community sample of 50 adults of African descent congregated within the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States offered written responses to the question, ―What, if any, are the personal rewards/benefits associated with Black community involvement?‖ Quota recruitment was employed so that equal numbers of men and women, and young adults, middle-aged adults, and elders were represented in the sample. Responses to the question of rewards associated with Black community involvement reflected four dimensions of well-being, including social well-being, psychological well-being, emotional well-being, and spiritual well-being. The majority of perceived rewards reflected manifestations of social wellbeing. Significance of these findings is discussed.
Carnivorous pitcher plant species (Sarracenia purpurea) increases root growth in response to nitrogen addition

Nitrogen (N) deposition from anthropogenic sources can facilitate the encroachment of plant species with high-N demands into nutrient-poor ecosystems such as sphagnum bogs. Prior research has demonstrated that altered leaf morphology of the carnivorous pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea L. can serve as a biological indicator of increased bog nitrification. Our objective was to assess the effect of N addition on the root morphology of S. purpurea. To make this assessment, nine S. purpurea plants were grown in microcosms with their roots positioned on transparent acrylic tubes so that root growth could be monitored. Three replicate microcosms received either a high-N treatment (1.0 mg NH4-N·L−1), low-N treatment (0.1 mg NH4-N·L−1), or no additional N. After 7 weeks, we scanned the roots with WinRhizo Pro software, recorded leaf dimensions, and measured the dry mass of the roots and leaves. The high-N treatment had significantly greater root length, surface area, and dry biomass than the controls. In contrast...
The cost of natural selection revisited

In a constantly changing environment, organisms must continuously adapt or face extinction. J. B. S. Haldane argued that the "cost of natural selection" (also called the cost of substitution) puts an upper limit on the rate of adaptation, and showed that the cost (C) was a decreasing function of the initial frequency of the beneficial alleles. Based on mutation-selection balance and 10% selective mortality, he suggested that the limit to adaptive evolution was about one allelic substitution per 300 generations. I have tested Haldane's results using simulations of a population limited by density-dependent regulation and subject to a constantly changing environment that affects n (= 1-7) independent survival traits, each controlled by a single locus. I investigated the influence of carrying capacity (K), mutation rate (u), number of beneficial mutations per generation (approximated by M = 2Ku) and net reproductive rate (R). Of these, M has the predominant influence. The effect of large changes in R was relatively small. The cost of selection (C) was measured as the shortest number of generations between an allelic substitution at all loci under selection that was consistent with population persistence. The results differed from Haldane's solution. Across a range of conditions, the cost of simultaneous selection at n loci was determined by the linear relationship C = C 0 (M) + nC 1 (M), where C 0 (M) is the intercept and C 1 (M) is the slope of the linear regression of C on n, for a given M. The intercept defined a positive fixed cost of substitution, that appears to reflect genetic deaths occurring during the stochastic phase when the beneficial alleles are rare. For M > ½, the cost of natural selection is substantially less than Haldane's estimate; however, when M < ½, the cost (and particularly the fixed cost) increases in an accelerating fashion as M is lowered. This result has important implications for conserved populations, since for u 5 x 10 - 6 the carrying capacity of the population must be 50 000 for M = ½. To avoid low M, smaller populations should be linked together into a large metapopulation whenever possible. This large unit would be capable of adapting when the isolated parts could not. It also suggests that if M « 1, small gains in K through increases in habitat can have a very large positive influence on the future survival of the population in a changing environment.
Solubilization of Organic Particles Collected in Sediment Traps: Effect on Export Production Estimates

Sinking organic particles may be a source of DOM to subeuphotic zone waters through particle solubilization or via particle grazing. If solubilization is significant, then particulate organic carbon and nitrogen flux into sediment traps could be underestimated, resulting in underestimates of export production. VERTEX-style sediment traps were deployed at 5 depths, ranging from 60 to 210 m, in Monterey Bay, CA, and DOC and DON accumulation in the supernatant of the traps was determined by high-temperature catalytic oxidation techniques. Our results show that by considering accumulated particles only, the export flux of carbon and nitrogen may be significantly underestimated at the. base of the euphotic zone. The increase in the DOC concentration of the trap supernatant was equivalent to a 57% increase in the organic carbon sedimentation flux at 60 m, while nitrogen export increased 94% when DON and NH4 + were considered. The contribution of dissolved components to total flux decreased with depth such that the particle flux was a much better indicator of total flux at 210 m.
Heart disease leaves its mark: Proteomics-based biosignatures in acute coronary syndromes*

In 1990, the Human Genome Project officially began with a goal to sequence the entire human genome in 15 years. With progressive technologic advancements and the contributions made by international groups and private industry, a draft of the human genome was published in 2001, well ahead of
Purification and Biologic Characterization of Plasma-Derived Megakaryocyte Growth and Development Factor

The isolation and cloning of the ligand for the cytokine receptor, Mpl, have been recently described. In this report we present details of the purification of this novel cytokine (megakaryocyte growth and development factor [MGDF]) from aplastic canine plasma. Two forms of canine MGDF, with apparent molecular weights of 25 kD and 31 kD and sharing a common N-terminal amino acid sequence, were isolated. The sole contaminant detected in purified 25-kD or 31-kD MGDF was canine Ig. Canine MGDF is characterized as a human megakaryocyte colony- stimulating factor that acts synergistically with human recombinant stem cell factor but not interleukin-3. MGDF also appears to be physiologically regulated in response to platelet demand. In canine and murine models, serum levels of MGDF activity peak during the thrombocytopenic periods after irradiation, 5-fluorouracil, or antiplatelet antisera injections. These data indicate that the megakaryocyte-stimulating activity that accumulates in plasma in response to platelet losses is a novel cytokine that functions through an interaction with the Mpl cytokine receptor.
Inhibition of brain interleukin-1 attenuates sleep rebound after sleep deprivation in rabbits

It is hypothesized that interleukin-1 (IL-1) is involved in physiological sleep. If this hypothesis is correct, inhibition of IL-1 should attenuate sleep responses after sleep deprivation. We tested the effect of intracerebroventricular or intravenous injection of an IL-1 inhibitor, an IL-1 receptor fragment (IL-1RF), on sleep rebound after sleep deprivation in rabbits. Six hours of total sleep deprivation significantly increased non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) and enhanced electroencephalogram slow-wave activity during NREMS. Intracerebroventricular treatment with the IL-1RF (50 micrograms) significantly attenuated the sleep responses after sleep deprivation. Furthermore, 1.0 mg/kg i.v. injection of the IL-1RF significantly suppressed spontaneous NREMS in rabbits that were not sleep deprived. However, intravenous administration of the IL-1RF (1.0 mg/kg) failed to attenuate the sleep responses following the 6-h sleep deprivation period. These results support the hypothesis that central pools of IL-1 are important for physiological sleep regulation.
Local Development Impact Fees: An Externality-Based Economic Rationale

The author analyzes impact fees on developers and suggests that their true incidence may be different from that intended by local governments. The fees may not force new homebuyers to bear the burden of infrastructure improvement costs associated with their homes, which is the result intended by local governments.
A FLOOD CLIMATOLOGY OF THE LOWER ROANOKE RIVER BASIN IN NORTH CAROLINA

Flooding processes in the lower Roanoke River Basin (RRB) exert a strong control on the distribution of forest-community types and geomorphic landforms across the floodplain. Since the early 1950s, the flow of the river has become regulated as a series of dams have been built upstream of the lower RRB. As a consequence, the variability of the discharge has been reduced dramatically; extended periods of low-magnitude flooding now replace the transient high-magnitude floods that characterized the unregulated regime. In this study, regression analysis is used to model long-term trends in the unregulated flow regime (i.e., no dams upstream). Comparisons of the observed flows before damming with the predicted flows after damming (i.e., no flow regulation) provide estimates of flow alterations resulting from climate change. By comparing the modeled flows with observed flows after damming, the impacts of damming on the river are isolated (i.e., climate held constant). The constructed empirical model indicates th...