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Introduction: Curiosity has encountered eolian Stimson formation, Siccar Point group sandstones [1-3] at several locations during ascent of Mount Sharp, Gale crater, at: 1) the Emerson and Naukluft plateaus; 2) on the northern Greenheugh pediment (GP); and most recently 3) on the eastern GP (Figure 1). The Siccar Point group unconformably overlies [4] the predominantly lacustrine, Mount Sharp group, which itself is considered to overlie the Bradbury group (Figure 2). Alpha Particle X-ray spectrometer(APXS) analyses acquired during recent investigations of the eastern GP have expanded the range of eolian Stimson formation compositions and provide further evidence for a relationship with Bradbury group sandstones and cap rocks encountered early in the mission. The Bradbury group includes alkaline composition sandstones, clasts within breccio-conglomerates, and float rocks interpreted to represent primary igneous and volcaniclastic rocks derived from mixing of multiple igneous source rocks [5-12]. We report the results of APXS analyses of the Stimson formation and discuss implications for provenance and timing of events within Gale crater. APXS results: Basaltic composition sandstones, related to average Mars sand and soil, were identified at all three Stimson locations (Figures 1,2). All compositions are discussed here, relative to typical basaltic Stimson chemistry. Sandstones with 3xK2O and >MnO concentrations are identified on the northern GP overlying basaltic composition sandstones (Figures 1,2) [13-14]. Most recently, on the eastern GP, APXS analyses have revealed sandstones with even >K2O concentrations that fall into two groups (Figures 1,2): 1) with ~4xK2O, trending to >Na2O concentrations, and 2) with ~5xK2O, trending to 2O, Al2O3, and Ni, ≫Zn and Ge, and ≈MgO concentrations. The eastern GP, high-K sandstones also overlie more typical basaltic chemistry sandstones. Compositional relationship to Bradbury group and other targets previously encountered on the mission: The higher-K, Stimson sandstones share many compositional characteristics with Bradbury group rocks as well as several float rocks encountered along the Mount Sharp group traverse [13-14] (Figures 3,4). The CCAM instrument has also detected similar relationships [15]. The Bradbury group targets include sandstones near the landing site, high-K Bathurst and Kimberley formation sandstones, and capping sandstones situated just prior to driving on to the Mount Sharp group. Related composition float rocks analyzed along the Mount Sharp traverse are typically associated with Stimson outcrops. The higher-K Stimson sandstones do not plot on the sorting trend defined by the varying grainsize, modern Gale crater sands, and the basaltic Stimson sandstones on an A-CN-K diagram (Figure 4b). Instead, they are offset parallel to the plagioclase–potassium feldspar join. Thus, we do not attribute the compositional differences between the basaltic and high-K pediment Stimson to be the result of eolian sorting. Instead, based on sedimentology [3], mineralogy [16], and composition [13-14], we invoke a change in provenance, with input of a more potassium feldspar-rich source. Given the compositional relationship to Bradbury group sandstones, we suggest that the high-K Stimson sandstones are also derived from the mixing of multiple, igneous source rocks including basaltic and more alkaline compositions [13-14]. Many of the Bradbury group sandstones, Mount Sharp float and higher-K, pediment sandstones are also texturally alike. They are all relatively smooth, resistant, and blockier in appearance than typical basaltic Stimson sandstone (Figure 5). The high-K pediment and Bradbury sandstones also share similar orbital characteristics; both are manifest as crater-retaining units. Timing Implications: The more alkaline composition Bradbury group sandstones near the landing site are >9 km lateral distance and 400 m of elevation from the high-K pediment sandstones. Therefore, we have found evidence along the entire traverse for the presence of alkaline igneous source rocks. These source rocks have provided sediment input to both fluvial (Bradbury) and eolian (Siccar Point) sandstones [13-14]. Based on the compositional and textural relationships between the Bradbury and Siccar Point groups we revisit the timing of events at Gale. The Bradbury group is generally considered to be older than both the Mount Sharp and Siccar Pt groups (Figure 1). This work raises the possibility that they could instead be contemporaneous, with both being younger than the Mount Sharp group. In this scenario, the Mount Sharp group represents relatively old lacustrine/fluvial deposits, which were buried, lithified, and eroded, before deposition of the Bradbury and Siccar Point groups onto that erosional surface, thus explaining differences in elevation between the two groups (Figure 6a). Alternatively, the Bradbury group alkaline sedimentary rocks are the oldest unit and would have been deposited prior to the Mount Sharp group. The Siccar Point group eolian sandstones (basaltic and alkaline) would then have been deposited on to the Mount Sharp group (Figure 6b). In this case, a more alkaline source area in the vicinity of, or within, Gale crater has been eroded by both water and wind at different times during the history of the evolution of the crater and its infill [13-14]. Both scenarios are consistent with widespread evidence at Gale crater for the presence of multiple igneous source rocks. Acknowledgements: MSL APXS is managed and financed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Thanks to the JPL engineers and MSL science team. References: [1] Banham, S.G., et al. (2018) Sedimentology, 65, 993–1042. doi.org/10.1111/sed.12469 [2] Banham, S.G., et al. (2021) JGR: Planets, 126 (4): e2020JE006554 [3] Banham, S.G., et al. (submitted) JGR: Planets [4] Watkins, J.A., et al. (2016) 47th LPSC, Abstract #2939 [5] Stolper, E.M., et al. (2013) Science 341 (6153), 1239463. doi:10.1126/science.1239463 [6] Schmidt, M.E., et al. (2014) JGR Planets, 119(1):64-81, doi:10.1002/2013JE004481 [7] Sautter, V., et al. (2015) Geoscience, 8(8), 605. [8] Thompson, L.M., et al. (2016) JGR Planets, 121(10):1981-2003, doi:10.1002/2016JE005055 [9] Treiman, A.H., et al. (2016) JGR Planets, 121(1), p.75 – 106. doi:10.1002/2015JE004932 [10] Cousin, A., et al. (2017) Icarus 288, 265-283. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2017.01.014 [11] Edwards, P.H., et al. (2017) MAPS, 52 2931-2410. doi.org/10.1111/maps.12953 [12] Bedford, C.C., et al., (2019) Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 246, 234-266. doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2018.11.031 [13] Thompson, L.M., et al., (submitted) JGR Planets 2021JE007178 [14] Thompson, L.M., et al., (2022) 53rd LPSC, 1475.pdf [15] LeDeit, L., et al. (this conference) [16] Thorpe, M.T., et al. (Submitted) JGR Planets 2021JE00709

Background: Psoriasis is associated with vascular inflammation and increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. Platelet hyperactivity is implicated in impaired vascular health and CV disease (CVD). The association between platelet activity, psoriasis, and vascular health has not been fully explored. Objective: To measure platelet aggregation in patients with psoriasis and controls and explore the association with biomarkers of inflammation and vascular stiffness. Methods: Participants with psoriasis (n=33, age 51 ± 16 years, 61% male), affecting 7% ± 14 of their body surface area (BSA), were compared to healthy controls (n=15) (Table 1A). Platelet aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) agonists, epinephrine (Epi), and arachidonic acid (AA) was measured via light transmission aggregometry (LTA). Vascular stiffness was assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV), a metrics of arterial stiffness and biomarker of CV risk. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured in a clinical laboratory. Results: Enrolled psoriasis participants were older, were more frequently white, and had higher body mass index and elevated hs-CRP and PWV compared to controls (Table 1A). Platelet aggregation was higher in psoriasis patients after stimulation with ADP (p=0.01), Epi (p=0.05), and AA with ex vivo aspirin co-incubation (p=0.04) when compared with controls in multivariable models. Platelet aggregation to ADP trended to positive association with PWV (r=0.25, p=0.08), and hs-CRP (r=0.29, p=0.06) after adjustment for age and sex (Figure 1C). Conclusion: Platelet aggregation was increased in participants with psoriasis and trended towards positive association with biomarkers of vascular stiffness and inflammation. These findings have important implications for future clinical trials of targeting platelet activity to reduce CV risk in psoriasis.

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection, is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular complications like acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction, and stroke, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of gene expression in the immune response. RNA-seq of whole blood from hospitalized patients with COVID-19, influenza A virus and matched controls identified 190 lncRNAs deregulated in both viral infections. Among the top mutually upregulated lncRNAs, we noted CHROMR (alias CHROME ) , a primate-specific lncRNA previously identified as a competing endogenous RNA that regulates cholesterol efflux and fatty acid oxidation via microRNA sequestration. Here, we report a complementary role for CHROMR in coordinating the interferon (IFN) signaling response to respiratory viruses. CHROMR expression is induced in macrophages in response to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A infection and accumulates in the nucleus where it binds the transcriptional co-repressor IRF2BP2, a negative regulator of IFN-stimulated gene (ISG) expression. CHROMR is essential for mounting an anti-viral response, as its depletion in macrophages reduces histone acetylation at ISGs, activation of IRF signaling, and ISG expression. These findings suggest that CHROMR sequesters the nuclear IRF-2/IRF2BP2 repressor complex releasing its inhibitory effect on transcription of ISGs. Consistent with this, CHROMR expression is required to restrict influenza virus replication in macrophages. Notably, many viruses rewire host lipid synthesis and metabolism to facilitate replication, and thus, increased CHROMR expression in virus infected cells would both mitigate cellular lipid accumulation and increase ISG transcription to mount an anti-viral immune response. Collectively, our findings underscore the merit of investigating lncRNAs to decipher novel regulatory mechanisms that govern lipid metabolism and inflammation in humans.

Background: Patients with psoriasis who have severe enough disease to require biologic therapy have increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease and CV comorbidities. Complications of immune modulating therapy can include weight and lipid alterations, potentiation of heart failure, and athero or venoembolic events, which may also be race or gender dependent. Clinical trials of biologic therapy represent an opportunity to capture and study CV related events and important safety signals. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the public reporting of CV related adverse events in the psoriatic patient population. Methods: The prevalence of reporting of demographics, and adverse CV related events was obtained from clinicaltrials.gov from registered clinical trials leading to FDA approval of biologic medications. Results: In total, 39 clinical trials of biologic therapy ranging from 2011 through 2020 were included encompassing 27,693 participants. Median age was 46 (IQR; 45 - 48) years and 68% (IQR; 48 - 69) male. Nineteen (49%) of the trials reported race, of which whites constituted 89% (range 67 - 98) of the enrolled population. Randomization of Blacks (median 2.3%, range 0 - 3.9) and Hispanics (median 10.3%, range 0.3 - 17) was low. Thirty-two of 39 (82%) of trials reported acute coronary syndrome as a serious adverse event. Other adverse cardiovascular endpoints were less frequently reported (Figure 1). Conclusion: There is significant underreporting of minority populations in clinical trials of biologics in patients with psoriasis. When reported, there is low representation of minority groups. Furthermore, adverse event reporting of CV disease is poor and inconsistent. These data represent a missed opportunity to study important safety signals in this high CV risk patient population across a diverse generalizable population.

This article addresses the issue of safe injection sites (SIS) that municipalities in the United States and elsewhere in the world propose to save lives by curbing the instances of fatal overdoses and provide addicts with healthcare services and opportunities for detoxification and social rehabilitation. Drawing on current clinical science and the medical facts regarding substance abuse and addiction, widely accepted bioethical principles, Catholic social teaching, and the common good, it shows the administration and consumption of illicit recreational drugs in an SIS is not a suitable medical intervention and a violation of the core principles of Catholic social teaching and Catholic healthcare ethics. More importantly, municipal governing bodies and the clinicians who staff these facilities cooperate in the evil of illegal drug abuse. Summary: Safe injection sites are morally illicit.

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused an acute reduction in world supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) due to increased demand. To combat the impending shortage of equipment including N95 masks, the George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) developed a 3D printed reusable N95 comparable respirator that can be used with multiple filtration units. We evaluated several candidate prototype respirator models, 3D printer filaments, and filtration units detailed here. Our most recent working model was based on a respirator found on an open source maker website and was developed with PLA (printer filament), a removable cap, a removable filtration unit consisting of two layers of MERV 16 sandwiched between MERV 13, and removable elastic bands to secure the mask. Our candidate mask passed our own suction test protocol to evaluate leakage and passed a qualitative Bitrix N95 fit test at employee health at GWUH. Further efforts are directed at improving the current model for seal against face, comfort, and sizing. The 3D model is available upon request and in the supplement of this paper. We welcome collaboration with other institutions and suggest other facilities consider mask fit for their own population when exploring this concept.

Despite known pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD), the pathogenesis of peripheral and carotid artery disease (PAD, CAS) are poorly understood. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) offer an unbiased assessment of specific genetic variations, and can provide insight into the etiology of

Introduction: The American Heart Association (AHA) developed 7 health metrics to define “ideal cardiovascular health” in its 2020 Impact Goal. Sex-specific disparities in attainment of the 7 health metrics in patients undergoing elective percutaneous or peripheral interventions has not been well characterized. Methods: We interviewed 1,517 patients (1,127 males and 390 females) undergoing elective percutaneous coronary or peripheral intervention at a large tertiary care center between November 2010 and March 2015. Survey data was used to reconstruct the 7 health metrics (blood pressure, physical activity, cholesterol, diet, weight, smoking status, and metabolic control). Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify characteristics associated with ideal metric attainment in the overall cohort and when stratified by sex. Results: Overall, males were younger, less likely to be white, more likely to be married, and had higher levels of education and higher prevalence of prior coronary artery disease than females (p Conclusions: Attainment of the 7 AHA ideal health metrics is low in both males and females undergoing elective percutaneous coronary or peripheral intervention. Sex-specific disparities in risk factor control illustrate interesting areas for further exploration into the predictors of behavior that may guide future targeted interventions.

Background Peripheral artery disease is considered to be a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis with associated adverse cardiovascular and limb events. Data from previous trials have suggested that patients receiving clopidogrel monotherapy had a lower risk of cardiovascular events than those receiving aspirin. We wanted to compare clopidogrel with ticagrelor, a potent antiplatelet agent, in patients with peripheral artery disease. Methods In this double-blind, event-driven trial, we randomly assigned 13,885 patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease to receive monotherapy with ticagrelor (90 mg twice daily) or clopidogrel (75 mg once daily). Patients were eligible if they had an ankle-brachial index (ABI) of 0.80 or less or had undergone previous revascularization of the lower limbs. The primary efficacy end point was a composite of adjudicated cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. The primary safety end point was major bleeding. The median follow-up was 30 months. Results The median age of the patients was 66 years, and 72% were men; 43% were enrolled on the basis of the ABI and 57% on the basis of previous revascularization. The mean baseline ABI in all patients was 0.71, 76.6% of the patients had claudication, and 4.6% had critical limb ischemia. The primary efficacy end point occurred in 751 of 6930 patients (10.8%) receiving ticagrelor and in 740 of 6955 (10.6%) receiving clopidogrel (hazard ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92 to 1.13; P=0.65). In each group, acute limb ischemia occurred in 1.7% of the patients (hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.33; P=0.85) and major bleeding in 1.6% (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.43; P=0.49). Conclusions In patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease, ticagrelor was not shown to be superior to clopidogrel for the reduction of cardiovascular events. Major bleeding occurred at similar rates among the patients in the two trial groups. (Funded by AstraZeneca; EUCLID ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01732822 .).

Nonlinear evolution at small x was evaluated numerically with full dependence on impact parameter using the BK equation. several distinct behaviors were found and are presented for the leading logarithmic kernel in the BK evolution equation with both fixed and running coupling. The value of the saturation scale at various dipole sizes was found to agree with analytic expectations. Calculation of the F2structure function from the numerical solution of the evolution with running coupling were then compared to the HERA data and qualitative agreement found. The agreement is improved with inclusion of soft contributions and these are discussed.

The Caenorhabditis elegans UNC-45 protein contains tetratricopeptide repeats and a domain with similarity to fungal proteins, and it differentially colocalizes with myosin heavy chain B in the body wall muscles of adult worms. Although it is essential for normal myosin filament assembly in body wall muscle development, strong mutants show a previously unexplained maternal effect. We show here that the UNC-45 protein is maternally contributed and is present in all cells of the early embryo whereas zygotic UNC-45 expression is only detected in the developing muscle cells. Embryos produced from adults with reduced germline expression of UNC-45 exhibit cytokinesis defects suggesting that UNC-45 has a novel role in the early embryo in addition to muscle development. Yeast two-hybrid screens show that UNC-45 can directly interact with NMY-2, a non-muscle type II myosin, and UNC-45 and NMY-2 colocalize at cell boundaries in early embryos. Localization of UNC-45 at these boundaries is dependent upon the presence of NMY-2. Our results suggest that UNC-45 interacts with more than one type of myosin and functions in the embryo to regulate cytoplasmic myosin assembly and/or stability during cytokinesis.

Background: Prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients with severe peripheral artery disease (SPAD) has been well established, and both are known determinants of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We sought to determine why MACE is elevated in SPAD patients with CAD.

International audience; The Curiosity rover discovered fine-grained sedimentary rocks, which are inferred to represent an ancient lake and preserve evidence of an environment that would have been suited to support a martian biosphere founded on chemolithoautotrophy. This aqueous environment was characterized by neutral pH, low salinity, and variable redox states of both iron and sulfur species. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, and phosphorus were measured directly as key biogenic elements; by inference, phosphorus is assumed to have been available. The environment probably had a minimum duration of hundreds to tens of thousands of years. These results highlight the biological viability of fluvial-lacustrine environments in the post-Noachian history of Mars.

International audience; The Radiation Assessment Detector (RAD) on the Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover began making detailed measurements of the cosmic ray and energetic particle radiation environment on the surface of Mars on 7 August 2012. We report and discuss measurements of the absorbed dose and dose equivalent from galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles on the martian surface for similar to 300 days of observations during the current solar maximum. These measurements provide insight into the radiation hazards associated with a human mission to the surface of Mars and provide an anchor point with which to model the subsurface radiation environment, with implications for microbial survival times of any possible extant or past life, as well as for the preservation of potential organic biosignatures of the ancient martian environment.

Objective Thrombotic and bleeding complications during the perioperative period are a major concern during the postoperative period. However, the relationship between perioperative myocardial necrosis and major bleeding with long-term mortality is uncertain. Methods In a retrospective study, we analyzed data from 289 consecutive patients during a one-year period between 2009-2010 who underwent open major vascular surgery (carotid endarterectomy, above/below knee amputation, open aneurysm repair, extremity bypass, and embolectomy). Myocardial necrosis was defined as any cardiac troponin T value ≥ 0.1 ng/ml and major bleeding was defined as requiring ≥2 units of blood within 24 hours of the operation. Lower threshold cutoffs (troponin >0.04 ng/ml and any transfusion) were also investigated. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by logistic regression. Results During a mean follow-up period of 1.8 years, there were 46 deaths (15.9%). Myocardial necrosis and major bleeding occurred in 25.2% and 14.9% of subjects, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and coronary artery disease, both myocardial necrosis (OR 4.24, 95% CI 1.82-9.87) and major bleeding (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.28-5.46) were associated with long-term death. Similarly, lower threshold cutoffs of troponin >0.04 ng/ml and any transfusion independently predicted a 6.27-fold and a 6.44-fold increase in long-term mortality (p Conclusions Perioperative myocardial necrosis and major bleeding, even at low cutoff levels, are independent and complementary predictors of long-term mortality following major vascular surgery.

Members of the Clinical Ethics Consultation Affairs Standing Committee of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities present a collection of insights and recommendations developed from their collective experience, intended for those engaged in the work of healthcare ethics consultation.

The process of exclusive elastic vector meson production in deep inelastic scattering is investigated within the dipole model framework supplemented by the small $x$ evolution. The dipole-proton amplitude is obtained from the nonlinear Balitsky-Kovchegov evolution equation with impact parameter dependence. This dipole amplitude is used to compute the differential cross section for exclusive production of J/\Psi, \phi, and \rho, vector mesons. These numerical calculations are compared with the wide range of experimental data from HERA. Good agreement between the experimental data and the calculations is found., Comment: 21 pages, 13 figures

The nonlinear Balitsky-Kovchegov equation at small x is solved numerically, incorporating impact parameter dependence. Confinement is modeled by including effective gluon mass in the dipole evolution kernel, which regulates the splitting of dipoles with large sizes. It is shown, that the solution is sensitive to different implementations of the mass in the kernel. In addition, running coupling effects are taken into account in this analysis. Finally, a comparison of the calculations using the dipole framework with the inclusive data from HERA on the structure functions F2 and FL is performed., Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures. Minor revision. One reference added, two figures updated

The nonlinear evolution equation at small $x$ with impact parameter dependence is analyzed numerically. The saturation scales and the radius of expansion in the impact parameter are extracted as functions of rapidity. Running coupling is included in this evolution, and it is found that the solution is sensitive to the infrared regularization. Kinematical effects beyond the leading logarithmic approximation are taken partially into account by modifying the kernel which includes the rapidity-dependent cuts. These effects are important for the nonlinear evolution with the impact parameter dependence.

A previous genome-wide search with a moderate density 10K marker set identified many marker associations with twinning rate, either through single-marker analysis or combined linkage-linkage disequilibrium (LLD; haplotype) analysis. The objective of the current study was to validate putative marker associations using an independent set of phenotypic data. Holstein bulls (n = 921) from 100 paternal half-sib families were genotyped. Twinning rate predicted transmitting abilities were calculated using calving records from 1994 to 1998 (Data I) and 1999 to 2006 (Data II), and the underlying liability scores from threshold model analysis were used as the trait in marker association analyses. The previous analysis used 201 bulls with daughter records in Data I. In the current analysis, this was increased to 434, providing a revised estimate of effect and significance. Bulls with daughter records in Data II totaled 851, and analysis of this data provided the validation of results from analysis of Data I. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected to validate previously significant single-marker associations and LLD results. Bulls were genotyped for a total of 306 markers. Nine of 13 LLD regions located on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 22, 23(2) and 26 were validated, showing significant results for both Data I and II. Association analysis revealed 55 of 174 markers validated, equating to a single-marker validation rate of 31%. Stepwise backward elimination and cross-validation analyses identified 18 SNPs for use in a final reduced marker panel explaining 34% of the genetic variation, and to allow prediction of genetic merit for twinning rate.

Background: Relief of regional, non-appendicular pain, particularly low back pain, through spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has proven challenging. Recently, peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), also known as peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) depending on the stimulation area, has demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of well-localized, small areas of pain involving the abdomen, inguinal region, pelvis, face, occipital area, and low back. More widespread application of peripheral nerve stimulation has been limited by its narrow field of coverage in a larger group of patients with diffuse or poorly localized pain. Objectives: To determine if cross talk (the creation of an electrical circuit and therefore electrical stimulation between separate subcutaneously placed PNS leads [i.e. inter-lead stimulation]) was clinically possible across large painful areas, assess the breadth of stimulation coverage via cross talk, evaluate the clinical efficacy of peripheral nerve stimulation cross talk (PNSCT), and confirm the existence of cross talk across a large area in a cadaveric model. Study Design: Case series observational report and cadaveric experimentation. Setting: A private, comprehensive interventional pain management practice with pain medicine fellowship training in the United States. Methods: Eighteen consecutive patients with non-appendicular, regional pain were included in the study. Data collection for the implanted patients included the presence or absence of stimulation between the PNS leads, stimulation tolerability, stimulation region, lead orientation, lead montage, inter-lead distance, and pain relief from PNSCT compared to PNS without cross talk. A cadaveric analysis was performed to determine the presence or absence of an electrical circuit with 2 subcutaneously PNS leads to confirm or refute the existence of electrical stimulation from on lead to the other within subcutaneous fat with the leads placed at a significant distance apart from one another. Results: All 18 patients experienced significant pain relief, reduction of pain medication, and functional improvement. Cadaveric experimentation confirmed the presence of an electrical circuit with PNS leads placed at a distance far apart from one another and verified that interlead stimulation (cross talk) does occur in subcutaneous fat over a great distance. Limitations: This study was limited by its small sample size, and the short-term follow-up after implantation. Conclusions: The use of the PNSCT technique allows for significant analgesia for large painful areas that have been poorly captured using traditional SCS techniques and not considered as an option with the current application of peripheral nerve stimulation. Key words: Peripheral nerve stimulation, peripheral nerve field stimulation, cross talk, spinal cord stimulation, neuromodulation, low back pain, failed back surgery syndrome, abdominal pain, neck pain, post herpetic neuralgia, occipital headaches

The purpose of this study was to determine the association of production factors with stayability to parity 4 (STAY 4), defined as the ability of a sow to reach 4th parity. Data was from the National Pork Producers Council Maternal Line National Genetic Evaluation Program, which included 6 genetic lines and consisted of 3,283 female pigs. Factors significant for STAY 4 included: farm, entry date, age at first farrowing, average daily gain, gilt backfat, and lactation prior to removal, feed intake, number born alive, and lactation length. Age at first farrowing and lactation feed intake in the lactation prior to removal had the greatest phenotypic relationships with sow longevity across genetic lines. A younger age at first farrowing under a uniform environment was positively related to length of productive life. Genetically, selection for a reduced age at first farrowing should increase sow longevity. However, a sow that is older at first farrowing may also be favorable for sow longevity. Commercial producers should strive to increase lactation feed intake through good management to ensure sow longevity.

This continuation of the derivation of general beam-referenced stage-two spin-correlation functions is for the analysis of top-antitop pair-production at the Tevatron and at the Large Hadron Collider. Both the gluon-production and the quark-production contributions are included for the charged-lepton-plus-jets reaction p p or p bar{p} --> t bar{t} --> (W^+ b)(W^- bar{b}) --> (l^{+} nu b)(W^- bar{b}). There is a simple 4-angle beam-referenced spin-correlation function for determination of the relative sign of, or for measurement of a possible non-trivial phase between the two dominant helicity amplitudes for t --> W^{+} b decay. There is an analogous function and tests for bar{t} --> W^{-} bar{b} decay. This signature requires use of the (t bar{t}) c.m.-energy of the hadronically decaying W-boson, or the kinematically equivalent cosine of the polar-angle of W-boson emission in the anti-top (top) decay frame. Spinors and their outer-products are constructed so that the helicity-amplitude phase convention of Jacob & Wick can be used throughout for the fixing of the signs associated with this large W-boson longitudinal-transverse interference effect., Continuation of hep-ph/0506240 to include gluon-production contribution; 3 "postscript" figures. Equation numbers as in published-on-line EPJC

Most of this paper consists of the derivation of general beam-referenced stage-two spin-correlation functions for the analysis of top-antitop pair-production at the Tevatron, at the Large Hadron Collider, and/or at an International Linear Collider. However, for the charged-lepton-plus-jets reaction $q \bar{q} \to t \bar{t} \to (W^+ b) (W^- \bar{b}) \to (l^{+} \nu b) (W^- \bar{b})$, there is a simple 3-angle spin-correlation function for determination of the relative sign of, or for measurement of a possible non-trivial phase between the two dominant $\lambda_b = -1/2 $ helicity amplitudes for the $t\to W^{+}b$ decay mode. For the CP-conjugate case, there is an analogous function and tests for $\bar{t} \to W^{-} \bar{b}$ decay. These results make use of W-boson longitudinal-transverse interference., Comment: Version 4 as to appear in EPJC. Minor editing includes resequencing and renumbering eqs. 117-120

A comprehensive analysis of perinatal mortality for Holsteins in the upper Midwest was recently completed. Results showed that the incidence of perinatal mortality or calf losses near birth has been increasing since 1985; from 9.5% in 1985 to 13.2% in 1996 for virgin heifers; 5.3 to 6.6% in multiparous cows over the same time period. Replacement value of calves lost to perinatal mortality in the United States is about $125.3 million per year. Sufficient data exist to permit identification of those sires whose daughters have a higher than average incidence for perinatal mortality with the birth of their calves. Further research is in progress to more completely establish the mode of inheritance for perinatal mortality. Other quantitative traits associated with early calfhood diseases, e.g., gestation length, dystocia, and incidence of twins are being examined.

A 16-year-old man developed heat stroke during football practice when the temperature was 33.8 degrees C (heat index, 44.4 degrees C). Resuscitation with ice water lavage, external cooling, and intravenous fluids was initially successful, but the patient again became obtunded. Liver chemistry tests and the prothrombin time and serum ammonia increased markedly, and rhabdomyolysis and renal failure became evident, necessitating hemodialysis. He underwent liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure approximately 72 hours after admission. Rhabdomyolysis with renal failure and severe electrolyte disturbances continued despite aggressive hemodialysis and the patient had a cardiopulmonary arrest and died 10 days after transplantation. This case shows that liver transplantation cannot always overcome the generalized toxic effects of heat stroke. More aggressive hemodialysis or combined liver/kidney transplantation might result in a positive outcome in selected cases.