cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Endocrine Therapy Resistance in Breast Cancer

Abstract The most commonly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) subtype is characterized by estrogen receptor (ER) expression. Treatment of this BC subtype typically involves modalities that either suppress the production of estrogen or impede the binding of estrgen to its receptors, constituting the basis for endocrine therapy. While many patients have benefitted from endocrine therapy with clear reduction in mortality and cancer recurrence, one of the clinical hurdles that remain involves overcoming intrinsic (de novo) or acquired resistance to endocrine therapy driven by diverse and complex changes occurring in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, such resistance may persist even after progression through additional antiestrogen therapies thus demonstrating the importance of further investigation of mechanisms of ER modulation. Here, we discuss a number of advances that provide a better understanding of the complex mechanistic basis for resistance to endocrine therapy as well as future therapeutic maneuvers that may break this resistance.
W. S. Merwin on Ezra Pound

MY FAVORITE POETS, the two that I live with as talismans, are very remote in time and didn't write in English. I would feel even rather diffident about naming them, both out of superstition and awe: Fran?ois Villon and Dante ?not very far apart from each other in time, both medieval poets. And when I began I was fascinated with medieval poetry. I think some of that was due to Pound's influence; I had great ad miration for Pound when I was in college. That was partly it; a rebellious stage, because almost no one else admired Pound, and I used to walk around with a beard which I grew just like Pound's. There's one thing that we all owe him, the debt to his way of hearing. That incredible ear runs through much of the Cantos. I find them hard to read, not because of intellectual references, which are reason enough, but I keep getting ir ritated with what the man is saying, the stance, and that cornball Amer ican lingo that he keeps lapsing into. But my debt to him began very early. [The Iowa Review interview, 1982]
Effects of free radicals and leukocytes on increases in blood-brain barrier permeability during colitis.

This study examined the role of leukocytes and free radicals on increases in permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in rabbits with acute colitis. Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) was used to induce colitis in male New Zealand White rabbits. The extraction ratio of fluorescein was used as an index of the permeability of the BBB. The extraction ratio for fluorescein was 1.0 × 10−3 ± 2 × 10−4 ml/g and 1.1 × 10−3 ± 3 × 10−4 ml/g (mean ± se) for saline (N = 7) and ascorbic acid-treated (N = 8) rabbits with sham colitis. Conversely, TNBS-induced acute colitis increased the extraction ratio over 70% in saline (N = 8) and ascorbic acid-treated (N = 8) animals. Vinblastine significantly reduced the number of circulating leukocytes, whereas the permeability of the BBB was augmented by 54% in rabbits with TNBS-induced acute colitis (N = 8). Vinblastine had no effect on the permeability of the BBB in rabbits with sham colitis (N = 8). These data suggest that free radicals are not responsible for BBB disruption, and leukocytes may protect the BBB during acute colitis.
Dr. Truthlove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Bayesian Probabilities*

Dr. Truthlove loves believing things that are true, and hates believing things that are false. She has just written an extensively researched book, and she believes every claim in the body of the book. However, she is also aware of the history of other books on the same subject, and knows that every single one of them has turned out to contain some false claims, despite the best efforts of their authors. Thus, one of the claims she makes, in the preface of the book, is to the effect that the body of this book too, like all the others, surely contains at least one false claim. She believes that too. She notices a problem. At least one of her beliefs is false. Either some claim from the body of the book (all of which she believes) is false, or else the claim from the preface (which she also believes) is. So she knows that she’s doing something that she hates — believing a false claim. At the same time, she notices a benefit. At least one of her beliefs is true! Either the claim from the preface is true, or all of the claims in the body of the book are true. So she is doing something that she loves — believing a true claim. But none of this answers the overall question. Is she doing what she ought to do? There is something apparently uneasy about her situation, but she can’t be sure whether it’s good or bad.
Collisional electron detachment of H ~ : A connection to the three-particle coulomb problem

We have focused attention on several experimental and theoretical results on the study of the collisional detachment of H~ and have shown that the electron energy spectra at and near O° contains information on the dynamics of the detachment process. In particular, we drew attention to the fact that the low energy continuum states of H~ are undistorted by the rapidly receding target and that, because of this, the manifold of low energy three-particle continuum states seems to be an especially rich source of information on the dynamics of the three-body Coulomb problem. The experimental advantage provided by the fast moving H~ beam serves to make an interesting connection between fast atomic collisions and low energy final states.
Paradoxes in conditional probability

It is shown that paradoxes arise in conditional probability calculations, due to incomplete specification of the problem at hand. This is illustrated with the Borel and the Kac-Slepian type paradoxes. These are significant in applications including Bayesian inference. Also Renyi's axiomatic setup does not resolve them. An open problem on calculation of conditional probabilities in the continuous case is noted.
Seed Transmission of Dahlia mosaic virus in Dahlia pinnata.

ABSTRACT Dahlia is an economically important ornamental crop in the United States and several other countries in the world. Among the viral diseases that affect dahlia, Dahlia mosaic virus (DMV) is considered to be the most widespread and to have the greatest impact on flower production. Using grow-out tests followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing of the seedlings, dahlia seed obtained from three different sources were shown to contain DMV. Additionally, the distribution of DMV in various parts of the dahlia seed was determined by PCR. Growout tests revealed a high rate of seed transmission. DMV was detected in cotyledons and, rarely, in the seed coat. The virus also was detected in pollen collected from infected plants. In addition to vegetative propagation, seedborne infection could be contributing to the spread of DMV in dahlia. Use of virus-free seed and vegetative material would result in reduced incidence of the disease.
Loop 2 of myosin is a force-dependent inhibitor of the rigor bond

Myosin’s actin-binding loop (loop 2) carries a charge opposite to that of its binding site on actin and is thought to play an important role in ionic interactions between the two molecules during the initial binding step. However, no subsequent role has been identified for loop 2 in actin-myosin binding. We used an optical trap to measure bond formation and bond rupture between actin and rigor heavy meromyosin when loaded perpendicular to the filament axis. We studied HMM with intact or proteolytically cleaved loop 2 at low and physiologic ionic strength. Here we show that the presence of intact loop 2 allows actomyosin bonds to form quickly and that they do so in a short-lived bound state. Increasing tensile load causes the transition to a long-lived state—the distinguishing behavior of a catch bond. When loop 2 was cleaved catch bond behavior was abrogated leaving only a long-lived state. These data suggest that in addition to its role in locating binding sites on actin, loop 2 is also a force-dependent inhibitor of the long-lived actomyosin complex. This may be important for reducing the duty ratio and increasing the shortening velocity of actomyosin at low forces.
Oxidation Behavior of Uranium Monophosphide

Oxidation of UP at moderate temperatures was studied using DTA, X-ray diffraction, TGA, and chemical analysis. Heating rates, atmosphere, and particle size were varied. Oxidation behavior of UP was significantly different from that of UC, UN, US, and UAs, all of which possess the NaCl-type crystal structure. The greater oxidation resistance of UP was attributed to surface formation of an amorphous phase containing P2O5 and UO2. Existence of this coating was thought to be responsible for the nontarnishing and generally nonpyrophoric nature of UP at room temperature.
Physician's Metered Dose Inhaler Technique After a Single Teaching Session

Background It is known that many house staff physicians are unable to demonstrate perfect metered dose inhaler (MDI) technique. Objective This study assessed whether a single teaching session for house staff physicians would significantly improve their MDI technique. Methods Thirty-eight pediatric house staff physicians were asked to demonstrate MDI technique with a placebo MDI. The physicians were evaluated on the follow-up seven steps: (1) shaking the MDI and removing the cap, (2) exhaling prior to MDI use, (3) holding the MDI upright, (4) proper timing of actuation, (5) a slow inspiratory effort, (6) one MDI actuation per breath, and (7) holding the breath ≥5 seconds. A 20-minute teaching session and demonstration of proper MDI technique was then given. At the end of this session all residents were eventually able to demonstrate proper technique. Two months following this educational session the same house staff physicians were reevaluated on their MDI technique. Results Initially, 10 participants (26%) demonstrated perfect technique. Two months postinstruction the same number of physicians (10) demonstrated perfect technique. Only 6 physicians demonstrated perfect technique at both evaluations. Three of the seven steps showed enough change from the first evaluation to the second to permit statistical analysis. Step 4 (timing of actuation) had 11 physicians' performances improve while 3 worsened (P = .03). Step 5 (a slow inspiratory effort) had 9 physicians' performances improve while 3 worsened (P = .073). For step 7 (holding the breath ≥ 5 seconds), 11 physicians improved while 2 worsened (P = .006). Comparing global performance, there were 17 physicians that improved, 8 that worsened, and 13 with no change (P = .054). Conclusions This study confirmed that many house staff physicians do not demonstrate optimal MDI technique. While one educational session may somewhat improve their future performance, it is not sufficient to guarantee perfect technique. This suggests that repeated education needs to be given to house staff physicians.
Effect of Wing Restraint on Postmortem Muscle Shortening and the Textural Quality of Broiler Breast Meat

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of wing restraint during rigor development on the physical properties of broiler breast meat. Four trials were conducted in the first experiment, using a total of 150 birds. Restraining treatments were applied post-mortem and consisted of an elbow (wing) fixing behind the carcass, lateral extension of the wings and attachment to a bar, and secure binding of the wings together behind the carcass. Results for the first two post-mortem restraints did not indicate significantly different shear values of the meat in comparison with that of the control. However, binding the wings securely behind the carcass toughened (P The second experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of ante-mortem wing restraint using treatments of lateral extension of the wings and a modified wing tie that appeared to reduce the severity of treatment on the live bird. In 2 trials using 60 birds, the results indicated longer (P
Voluntary alteration of visual evoked potentials.

Fifteen normal adults had pattern-shift visual evoked potentials (PSVEPs) using monocular checkerboard pattern reversal. Subjects were instructed to concentrate on the pattern in the first set of trals and then to avoid perceiving it in the second set. Direct, continuous visual observation ensured that the eye remained open and fixed on the pattern. Nonetheless, a third of the subjects could spontaneously alter or obliterate the PSVEP using several maneuvers, including meditation, daydreaming, and convergence. Several could produce shifts in apparent PSVEP latency. With explicit instruction, most subjects could learn to alter their PSVEP by maneuvers that are inapparent even to an observant technician.
Bio-based composite roof structure: Manufacturing and processing issues

Abstract Bio-based composite materials were tested for suitability in roof structure. Structural beams were designed, manufactured and tested, yielding good results. Based on the beam results, large-scale composite structural panels were made. Soy oil-based resin and cellulose fibers, in the form of paper sheets made from recycled cardboard boxes, were successfully used to manufacture the composite structures. This recycled paper was previously tested in composite sheets and structural unit beams and gave the required stiffness and strength required for roof construction. The roof was designed and a 1/3 scale structure was manufactured. Following this 1/3 scale design, two composite panels of 2.59 m × 1.52 m × 0.089 m were manufactured to serve as the two sides of a pitched roof connected at the ridge. The depth of the panels and thickness of the composite skin were dictated by the design as a function if the two other dimensions to give the optimum strength and cost result. To test the manufacturing process for a full-depth roof structure, a 1.27 m × 0.53 m × 0.279 m panel was successfully manufactured. In the latter structure, a modified VARTM process was used to replace the solid mold surface with a bagging film. This enabled a visual inspection of the resin flow and provided a window for using additional vacuum and injection lines on the normally hidden bottom side. This bagging method was very successful without the need for mold modification or electronic sensors. Issues related to natural fibers composite processing such as moisture inhibition and drying are also discussed in this work.
Purification of γ-glutamyltransferase of rat kidney by affinity chromatography using concanavalin a conjugated with sepharose 4B

Abstract A procedure is presented for the purification of γ-glutamyltransferase (EC 2.3.2.2) of rat kidney by affinity chromatography using concanavalin A conjugated to Sepharose 4B. The enzyme is eluted from the conjugate by a solution of methyl α- d -mannoside. The enzyme, when bound to concanavalin A-Sepharose, is active in a suspended form, suggesting that the catalytic site is different from the site that binds to concanavalin.
Co‐operative inhibition by fluoride and zinc of glucosyl transferase production and polysaccharide synthesis by mutans streptococci in suspension cultures and biofilms

Fluoride and zinc, alone or in combination at concentrations of 0.2 mM, inhibited production-secretion of glucosyltranferases by Streptococcus mutans UA159 growing in suspension cultures. Inhibition did not involve growth inhibition or starvation. Fluoride and zinc also inhibited glucan production, especially insoluble glucan, in fed-batch biofilms. Inhibition of biofilms appeared to be associated with starvation as indicated by markedly decreased ATP pools and iodophilic polysaccharide levels in biofilm cells. As insoluble glucans are important for virulence of mutans streptococci, the inhibitory actions of fluoride and zinc could significantly affect cariogenicity.
Computed tomography appearance of subcutaneous endometrioma.

Abstract Endometriosis in the subcutaneous tissue is an finding, but one reported in association with surgical incisions and scars. The use of ultrasound, but not computed tomography, has been reported in the diagnosis of such lesions. Reported here is a case of abdominal subcutaneous endometrioma detected by CT in a patient with confusing symptoms.
Gaining competitive advantage in a knowledge‐based economy through the utilization of open source software

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to educate the knowledge worker on the benefits of using open source software, and to demonstrate how open source methodology promotes the collaborative and innovative attributes of knowledge management.Design/methodology/approach – The author lists the open source initiative's definition for open source products, licensing information, the value of open source in a global economy, misconceived barriers to open source adoption, a functional comparison of open source and commercial software products, and web sites where open source products may be obtained.Findings – Open source usage is prevalent throughout the world for governmental, business, educational, military, and space exploration purposes. Notwithstanding, some commercial enterprises such as the Microsoft Corporation have viewed the open source movement as a threat to profitability, citing alleged intellectual property infringement violations. However, other commercial entities such as IBM, Oracle, Novell, a...
Predictors of cortisol and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol responses in the acute aftermath of rape

Abstract Background: Prospective studies of trauma survivors can provide information about the relationship between rape characteristics and the development of subsequent symptoms. Methods: The present study examined the relationship of prior assault, rape severity, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following rape, and subsequent PTSD diagnosis, to the acute cortisol and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) response to this traumatic event in 20 women. Results: Women with a history of prior physical or sexual assault showed a significantly attenuated cortisol response to the acute stress of rape compared to women without such a history. MHPG appeared to be associated with injury-related rape characteristics, and symptoms of active avoidance, but not prior history. PTSD status at the 3-month follow-up was predicted by both a prior history of assault and high injury rape, but was not directly predicted by either cortisol or MHPG levels. MHPG and cortisol were not correlated in the sample as a whole, but were correlated among individuals who did not subsequently develop PTSD ( p = .04). Conclusions: The results suggest that different neuroendocrine systems may mediate different components of the response to traumatic stress.
Duality-symmetric supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory in three dimensions

We formulate a duality-symmetric N=1 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory in three dimensions. Our field content is (A{sub {mu}}{sup I},{lambda}{sup I},{phi}{sup I}), where the index I is for the adjoint representation of an arbitrary gauge group G. Our Hodge duality symmetry is F{sub {mu}{nu}}{sup I}=+{epsilon}{sub {mu}{nu}}{sup {rho}D}{sub {rho}{phi}}{sup I}. Because of this relationship, the presence of two physical fields A{sub {mu}}{sup I} and {phi}{sup I} within the same N=1 supermultiplet poses no problem. We can couple this multiplet to another vector multiplet (C{sub {mu}}{sup I},{chi}{sup I};B{sub {mu}{nu}}{sup I}) with 1+1 physical degrees of freedom modulo dim G. Thanks to peculiar couplings and supersymmetry, the usual problem with an extra vector field in a nontrivial representation does not arise in our system.
The Effect of Sulfur Dioxide on the Formation of Molecular Chlorine during Co-Combustion of Fuels

This project was designed to evaluate the combustion performance of and emissions from a fluidized bed combustor during the combustion of mixtures of high sulfur and/or high chlorine coals and municipal solid waste (MSW). The effect of sulfur dioxide on the formation of molecular chlorine during co-combustion of fuels was examined in this study. Sulfur dioxide was shown to be an effective inhibitor for the formation of molecular chlorine through the Deacon Reaction and, subsequently, the formation of chlorinated organics. Theoretically, co-firing high sulfur coals with MSW will decrease the possibility of polychlorodibenzodioxin/furan (PCDD/F) formation during the combustion process. A mixture of coal and PVC pellets was burned in a 0.1 MWth bench-scale fluidized bed system at WKU and no detectable amounts of chlorinated organics were found in the flue gas and bed ash. The results from this study indicated the practical effects of using coal as a combustion support fuel when burning MSW.
Model of an automotive power steering system via the linear graph technique

The linear graph technique is used to derive an equivalent electrical circuit diagram (involving capacitances, inductances, resistances, transformers, gyrators and transducers), of the hydro-mechanical automotive power steering system. The model includes six independent lumped energy storage elements: 1.(1) The inertia of the steering wheel and column. 2.(2) The rotary stiffness of the steering column. 3.(3) The inertia of the spool valve slider assembly. 4.(4) The retaining spring of the spool valve slider assembly. 5.(5) The mass of the hydraulic actuator and steering link assembly. 6.(6) The return springs in the steering link assembly. The order of the system is therefore six, corresponding to the number of lumped independent energy storage elements. The six first-order ordinary differential equations are then derived from the linear graph model.
PTEN redundancy: overexpressing lpten, a homolog of Dictyostelium discoideum ptenA, the ortholog of human PTEN, rescues all behavioral defects of the mutant ptenA-.

Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene PTEN are associated with a significant proportion of human cancers. Because the human genome also contains several homologs of PTEN, we considered the hypothesis that if a homolog, functionally redundant with PTEN, can be overexpressed, it may rescue the defects of a PTEN mutant. We have performed an initial test of this hypothesis in the model system Dictyostelium discoideum, which contains an ortholog of human PTEN, ptenA. Deletion of ptenA results in defects in motility, chemotaxis, aggregation and multicellular morphogenesis. D. discoideum also contains lpten, a newly discovered homolog of ptenA. Overexpressing lpten completely rescues all developmental and behavioral defects of the D. discoideum mutant ptenA−. This hypothesis must now be tested in human cells.
Estimating the functional form of the independent variables in probit models

Researchers estimating probit models often face the choice of expressing the right-hand-side variable(s) in either natural units or in logarithms. The Box–Cox transformation familiar in classical regression analysis is simple to apply to the regressors in a probit model to distinguish whether xor log(x) is sufficiently close to the optimal, as judged by a likelihood ratio test. A numerical example is provided based on a model of student loan default.
Modeling Case Study of a Subsalt Exploration Concept

A modeling study of a subsalt exploration problem was used to help understand imaging issues and to help plan solutions to those issues. By comparing images from various acquisition geometries ranging from wide (WATS) to narrow (NATS) one can say WATS and certain XWATS geometries should resolve most of the subsalt imaging problems for the area of interest. Despite these improvements subsalt illumination remains an issue for all types of acquisition geometries as demonstrated by interpreting images and creating amplitude maps. WATS geometries seem to be more robust when faced with velocity model inaccuracies.
Collaboration and Connectedness in Two Teacher Educators' Shared Self-Study

In this self-study we examine our collaborative practice across two undergraduate early childhood education methods courses. Framed by our larger question of how teachers and teacher educators do school, we drew on multiple data sources to investigate how we were modeling teaching, listening, and learning to and with these students in our science and literacy courses. Through our analysis, we identified three categories of connectedness that define our collaborative approach: (1) collaboration as intellectual connectedness, (2) community as emotional connectedness, and (3) integrated disciplines as pedagogical connectedness. In this paper we address these areas of connectedness across disciplines and model our approach using reconstructed dialogue and analysis of our collaborative process to illustrate our actual practice. Through our discussion and joint narrative we hope to highlight the value inherent in small moments of communication.
Microbricks for Three-Dimensional Reconfigurable Modular Microsystems

This paper explores the design of “microbricks”-interlocking microscale building blocks that can be used to assemble and reconfigure 3-D structures on a regular lattice. We present the design and fabrication of a space-filling rotation and flip-invariant 500-μm microbrick architecture suitable for 3-D assembly. We describe the design considerations used to optimize mechanical, fabrication, and assembly properties of the components and the finished structures. The final brick geometry was fabricated using two different fabrication techniques: Silicon bricks were micromachined out of silicon, and SU-8 polymer tiles were built up in a three-layer process. The resulting bricks were characterized, and proof-of-concept structures comprising ten bricks were assembled to demonstrate the physical interlocking and compatibility between the two materials. We suggest that the presented interlocking geometry could serve in the future to fabricate passive and active modular macroscale structures from microscale components.
Fixing ryanodine receptor Ca2+ leak – a novel therapeutic strategy for contractile failure in heart and skeletal muscle

A crucial component in regulating cardiac and skeletal muscles contractility is the release of Ca2+ via ryanodine receptor (RyR) Ca2+ release channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). In heart failure and myopathy, the RyR has been found to be excessively phosphorylated or nitrosylated and depleted of the RyR-stabilizing protein calstabin (FK506 binding protein 12/12.6). This remodeling of the RyR channel complex results in an intracellular SR Ca2+ leak and impaired contractility. Despite recent advances in heart failure treatment, there are still devastatingly high mortality rates with this disease. Moreover, pharmacological treatment for muscle weakness and myopathy is nearly nonexistent. A novel class of RyR-stabilizing drugs, rycals, which reduce Ca2+ leak by stabilizing the RyR channels due to preservation of the RyR-calstabin interaction, have recently been shown to improve contractile function in both heart and skeletal muscles. This opens up a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of contractile failure in cardiac and skeletal muscle.
Lagrangian chaos, Eulerian chaos, and mixing enhancement in converging–diverging channel flows

A study of Lagrangian chaos, Eulerian chaos, and mixing enhancement in converging–diverging channel flows, using spectral element direct numerical simulations, is presented. The time‐dependent, incompressible Navier–Stokes and continuity equations are solved for laminar, transitional, and chaotic flow regimes for 100≤Re≤850. Classical fluid dynamics representations and dynamical system techniques characterize Eulerian flows, whereas Lagrangian trajectories and finite‐time Lagrangian Lyapunov exponents identify Lagrangian chaotic flow regimes and quantify mixing enhancement. Classical representations demonstrate that the flow evolution to an aperiodic chaotic regime occurs through a sequence of instabilities, leading to three successive supercritical Hopf bifurcations. Poincare sections and Eulerian Lyapunov exponent evaluations verify the first Hopf bifurcation at 125<Re<150 and the onset of Eulerian chaos at Re≊550. Lagrangian trajectories and finite‐time Lagrangian Lyapunov exponents reveal the onset of...
Structure of polymerizable lipid bilayers: water profile of a diacetylenic lipid bilayer using elastic neutron scattering.

Abstract Elastic neutron scattering experiments have been used to study the hydration of multibilayers of 1,2- bis (10,12-tricosadiynol- sn -glycero-3- phosphocholine (DC 8,9 PC). Previously published FTIR spectroscopic data had suggested, based on shifts in the carbonyl (CO) stretch frequencies, that the phosphocholine headgroup in these polymerizable lipid bilayers was much less hydrated than that of saturated phosphatidylcholines. Our results demonstrate that the DC 8,9 PC headgroup is at least as well hydrated as that of dpalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), a saturated lipid, under the same conditions.
Changing Worldwide Epidemiology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Developed countries have better systemic lupus erythematosus survival rates than developing countries, or countries with lower economic performance. This is in part because of a higher human development index, defined by standard of living (a marker for gross domestic product), literacy rates, and life expectancy, with contribution from ethnic variations within individual countries, and unique environmental factors.
Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Bacteroides Species Can Shield Other Members of the Gut Microbiota from Antibiotics

Antibiotics disrupt the intestinal microbiota, rendering patients vulnerable to colonization by exogenous pathogens. Intermicrobial interactions may attenuate this effect. Incubation with ceftriaxone-resistant, ccrA-positive, β-lactamase-producing Bacteroides strains raised the minimum bactericidal concentration of ceftriaxone required to kill a susceptible Escherichia coli strain (mean change, <0.25 to 29 mg/liter; P = 0.009); incubation with ceftriaxone-resistant but non-β-lactamase-producing Bacteroides strains had no effect. The production of β-lactamase by common members of the intestinal microbiota (Bacteroides) can protect susceptible fellow commensals from β-lactams.
Optimization of Systems Reliability

The purpose of this paper is to obtain an optimum redundancy of the parallel system by a variational technique. The objective function is to maximize the system profit. A simple computational procedure is obtained for the optimum design of the multistage parallel systems by this method. Two numerical examples are given in detail.
Atomic Photoelectric Effect Above 10 keV

The current understanding of the theory of the atomic photoelectric effect is reviewed for incident photon energies above 10 keV, complementing the earlier review of Fano and Cooper (1968) at lower energies. The theoretical developments of the last two decades are of two types: (1) analytic results giving insight into many aspects of the photoelectric process and (2) exact numerical cross sections calculated with high speed electronic computers. The basic assumptions underlying the photoeffect calculations are described, and pertinent atomic models are discussed. In the energy range considered, satisfactory results are obtained with the process described as the ejection of an electron moving in a relativistic Hartree-Fock-Slater potential. Exchange, correlation, and other effects are discussed. Many features of the process can be understood with the realization that the important regions in configuration space in the photoeffect matrix element are of the order of an electron Compton wave length. This leads to the predictions that the photoeffect cross section in a screened potential can be obtained from a point-Coulomb result by a simple normalization, that angular distribution shapes and polarization correlations are the same in the two cases, and that results for photoeffect from different subshells of the same angular momentum are similarly related. The numerical methods, achieving total cross sections accurate to 1%, are described and compared with experiment. Different self-consistent atomic models yield cross sections which differ by 3%-8%; these agree with experiments of similar accuracy. New and more accurate cross section tabulations that have recently become available are discussed and recommendations are made concerning their use.
Ethical challenges in neonatal research: Summary report of the ethics group of the newborn drug development initiative.

Abstract Background: The Newborn Drug Development Initiative (NDDI) was established to address the lack of substantive data supporting efficacy and safety of drugs in the neonate. Objective: This commentary summarizes some of the ethical issues involved in neonatal drug development. Methods: At the NDDI workshop held March 29 and 30, 2004, in Baltimore, Maryland, members of the Ethics Group were dispersed among the subspecialty groups before convening to discuss common ethical themes. The Ethics Group then met together to identify and discuss those ethical themes that were both important and shared among the groups. These themes are discussed and illustrated with the other NDDI group reports. This workshop was cosponsored by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the US Food and Drug Administration. Results: Neonatal drug research is scientifically and ethically necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of drugs widely used in newborn medicine. However, research involving neonates must be carefully designed to balance potential risks and benefits, with consideration given to the component analysis of risk. The protocols proposed by the NDDI groups would be considered greater than minimal risk and offering prospect for direct benefit, thus adhering to the Department of Health and Human Services' pediatric research regulations (Subpart D). The NDDI groups all proposed randomized controlled clinical trials, with careful attention to scientifically and ethically appropriate control groups. Multiple regulatory bodies have affirmed that in the absence of proven effective treatment or when a proven treatment offers marginal benefits, study designs with placebo controls are ethical. Obtaining parental permission is a complex issue, with a paucity of evidence describing the feasibility of informed and voluntary consent under conditions of duress and a short therapeutic window. The Subpart D regulations offer sufficient protection to critically ill neonates. The application of the revised Subpart B regulations would restrict the use of a waiver of consent for minimal risk research and for emergency research, and would not allow research that offers no direct benefit and no more than a minor increase over minimal risk. Conclusions: Multisite collaboration involving standards of care and institutional review board procedures may be important for establishing scientific and ethical consistency. Ongoing dialogue among researchers, clinicians, parents, and other interested parties is essential to promoting ethically and scientifically sound neonatal clinical research.
Measurement and relevance of neuroblastoma DNA copy number changes in the post-genome era

Abstract The completion of the human genome sequence and the development of high throughput technology present exciting opportunities for the study of cancer cells. High-resolution analysis of chromosomal aberrations provides a global framework for understanding complex patterns in cancer cells, allowing us to ask hypothesis-driven questions. Genome-wide analysis of amplification and deletion of genomic regions is a critical step to resolving the mechanisms of neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. We used a high-resolution aCGH system that has over 4000 human BAC clones, resulting in an average coverage of 1 Mb across the genome, to define whole genome copy number aberrations (CNAs) in a panel of human neuroblastoma-derived cell lines. By combining the aCGH data with meticulous regional validation studies, we showed that array CGH could reliably detect known aberrations including single copy gain or loss, that data correlate well with standard techniques used for the detection of these genetic changes, and that this technique can be used to identify novel regions of genomic imbalance.
Limonoid glucosides in citrus

Abstract Citrus contained high concentrations of limonoid glucosides. Four new glucosides, isolated from grapefruit seeds, were identified as limonin 17- O -β- d -glucopyranoside, nomilin 17- O -β- d -glucopyranoside, deacetylnomilin 17- O -β- d -glucopyranoside and obacunone 17- O -β- d -glucopyranoside. Grapefruit seeds contained about 0.8% of limonoid glucoside derivatives.
A history and overview of the Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS, Flora of China, Chinese edition, 1959–2004)

The Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae (FRPS) is one of the largest floristic projects in the world. The final product, 80 volumes in 126 parts, represents work by four generations of Chinese plant taxonomists during 45 years (1959-2004) and treats 31,180 species (300 families, 3,434 genera) on over 40,000 pages. More than half of the species (54%) are endemic to China. This monumental flora has not yet been thoroughly reviewed. The history of the project is described with comments on outline, statistics, largest families and genera, names of authors and editors, quality, species concept, new taxa, specimens, and proofing and indexing.
Field-resolved coherent Raman spectroscopy of high frequency vibrational resonances.

Electric fields of coherent Raman signals are resolved with sensitivity for high-frequency vibrational resonances utilizing a four-pulse, trapezoidal beam geometry in a diffractive optic-based interferometer. Our experiments show that the heterodyne detected signal phase is stabilized for particular terms in the third-order response function by the cancellation of inter-pulse phases. The C−H stretching modes of cyclohexane and benzene are studied under two polarization conditions. The temporal profiles of signal fields for cyclohexane exhibit a low-frequency recurrence due to the interference between the signals associated with the symmetric and asymmetric C−H stretching modes. In contrast, the electronically nonresonant polarizability response of benzene gives rise to a significant broadband signal component in addition to that associated with its C−H vibrational resonance. Time−frequency shapes of the Raman signal fields are strongly dependent on the properties of the liquid and the polarizations of the...
The differential effects of procedures to eliminate an injurious self-stimulatory behavior (digito-ocular sign) in blind retarded twins*

This study investigated the effectiveness of four procedures in eliminating the eye-gouging behavior (digito-ocular sign) of blind retarded twin girls in an institutional setting. The first procedure, time out from auditory stimuli, reduced the twins eye gouging in about 4 days but was difficult to maintain. The second, response interruption, was not effective in significantly reducing the eye-gouging behavior. The third treatment, auditory time out plus differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), eliminated the self-injury in about 5 days, and a zero rate was maintained for 2 months. Finally, overcorrection with a DRO was employed approximately 1 year after the first experiment and resulted in the elimination of the eye gouging of both subjects within 2 weeks. In addition, reports from the hospital staff about 1 year later indicated the eye-gouging behavior was no longer a problem.
Graph connectivity, partial words, and a theorem of Fine and Wilf

The problem of computing periods in words, or finite sequences of symbols from a finite alphabet, has important applications in several areas including data compression, string searching and pattern matching algorithms. The notion of period of a word is central in combinatorics on words. There are many fundamental results on periods of words. Among them is the well known and basic periodicity result of Fine and Wilf which intuitively determines how far two periodic events have to match in order to guarantee a common period. More precisely, any word with length at least p+q-gcd(p,q) having periods p and q has also period the greatest common divisor of p and q, gcd(p,q). Moreover, the bound p+q-gcd(p,q) is optimal since counterexamples can be provided for words of smaller length. Partial words, or finite sequences that may contain a number of ''do not know'' symbols or holes, appear in natural ways in several areas of current interest such as molecular biology, data communication, DNA computing, etc. Any long enough partial word with h holes and having periods p,q has also period gcd(p,q). In this paper, we give closed formulas for the optimal bounds L(h,p,q) in the case where p=2 and also in the case where q is large. In addition, we give upper bounds when q is small and h=3,4,5,6 or 7. No closed formulas for L(h,p,q) were known except for the cases where h=0,1 or 2. Our proofs are based on connectivity in graphs associated with partial words. A World Wide Web server interface has been established at www.uncg.edu/mat/research/finewilf3 for automated use of a program which given a number of holes h and two periods p and q, computes the optimal bound L(h,p,q) and an optimal word for that bound (a partial word u with h holes of length L(h,p,q)-1 is optimal if p and q are periods of u but gcd(p,q) is not a period of u).
On polarization in heavy ion reactions

Abstract Simple expressions are obtained for polarizations in heavy ion reactions by using the Strutinsky model and asymptotic forms for Clebsch-Gordan coefficients to give the weighting for the near side, far side and interference terms. The model is discussed and examples are given which show that it can reproduce many of the features of exact calculations.
Failure initiation during impact of metal spheres onto ceramic targets

Abstract A combined analytical/numerical framework is developed for ascertaining the critical impact velocities required to initiate failure in flat, back-supported ceramic targets when impacted by spherical metal projectiles. Four inelastic modes are considered: yielding, microcracking followed by comminution, cone cracking, and radial cracking. The time histories of contact pressure and contact force for a wide range of projectile yield strength and impact velocity are obtained through finite element analyses (FEA). The results are used to assess and calibrate analytic models for peak values of contact stress and force. Additionally, temporal and spatial evolutions of subsurface stresses computed by FEA are analyzed. Within the velocity range of present interest (
Texture development in polyethylene. I. Uniaxial extension and uniaxial compression

Mesure par diffraction RX des distributions de poles apres extension et compression uniaxiale pour les reflexions (100), (200), (020) et (011). Les textures sont decrites par les orientations monocristallines ideales avec les figures de pole inverses. En compression, la texture consiste en composantes fortes pres de (100) et plus faibles pres de (110)
Influence of atrial mechanoreceptors upon the sympathetic efferent activity elicited during a cardiogenic chemoreflex in the dog.

Abstract Two different cardiogenic reflexes were studied for their effects upon the activity recorded from the thoracic cardiac nerves of 7 chloralose-anesthetized dogs. Sympathetic efferent activity in 5 right and 7 left anterior ansa multifiber preparations was quantitatively analyzed. A cardiogenic hypertensive chemoreflex was induced by administration of serotonin (100 μg/ml, 2 ml) into the left atrium before, during and after inflation of balloons in the right and/or left atrial appendages. Balloon inflations alone resulted in heart rate increases of 5–20 bpm but arterial blood pressure, pulse pressure and end diastolic pressure were not significantly affected. Control serotonin-induced efferent discharges were 174 ± 10% (mean ± S.E.M.) of resting activity with a duration of 5.2 ± 0.4 s. During inflation of both atrial balloons, the serotonin-induced efferent discharges were 165 ± 14% (N.S.) of resting activity with a duration of 7.8 ± 0.7 s ( P
Modal expansion approach to optical-frequency-comb generation with monolithic whispering-gallery-mode resonators

We describe a general framework based on modal expansion for the study of optical-frequency combs generated with monolithic whispering-gallery-mode resonators. We obtain a set of time-domain rate equations describing the dynamics of each mode as a function of the main characteristics of the cavity, namely, Kerr nonlinearity, absorption, coupling losses, and cavity dispersion (geometrical and material). A stability analysis of the various side modes is performed, which finds analytically the threshold power needed for comb generation. We show that the various whispering gallery modes are excited in a nontrivial way, strongly dependent on the value of the overall cavity dispersion. We demonstrate that the combs are not simply generated through a direct transfer of energy from the pumped mode to all their neighbors but rather through complex intermediate interactions. Anomalous cavity dispersion is also demonstrated to be critical for these cascading processes, and comb generation is thereby unambiguously linked to modulational instability. This theory accurately describes the emergence of spectral modulation and free spectral-range tunability in the comb. It also enables a clear understanding of the various phenomena responsible for the spectral span limitation. Our theoretical predictions are in excellent agreement with the numerical simulations, and they successfully explain the internal mechanisms responsible for the generation of hundreds of Kerr modes in monolithic whispering-gallery-mode resonators.
“Getting value from strategic planning”: The conference board's 1989 strategic planning conference

Last year's conference focused on the some of the ways in which corporate planning experts can add value to their line organizations. The theme was so well received that the conference planners decided to offer an encore this year. Once again I will approach this review essay from the perspective of a planning executive looking for new ways to add value to his or her firm.
Structure of the Cmr2 Subunit of the CRISPR-Cas RNA Silencing Complex

Cmr2 is the largest and an essential subunit of a CRISPR RNA-Cas protein complex (the Cmr complex) that cleaves foreign RNA to protect prokaryotes from invading genetic elements. Cmr2 is thought to be the catalytic subunit of the effector complex because of its N-terminal HD nuclease domain. Here, however, we report that the HD domain of Cmr2 is not required for cleavage by the complex in vitro. The 2.3A crystal structure of Pyrococcus furiosus Cmr2 (lacking the HD domain) reveals two adenylyl cyclase-like and two α-helical domains. The adenylyl cyclase-like domains are arranged as in homodimeric adenylyl cyclases and bind ADP and divalent metals. However, mutagenesis studies show that the metal- and ADP-coordinating residues of Cmr2 are also not critical for cleavage by the complex. Our findings suggest that another component provides the catalytic function and that the essential role by Cmr2 does not require the identified ADP- or metal-binding or HD domains in vitro.
Modeling and experimental imaging of arrhythmias in cardiac cell networks

Rigorous mathematical formulations are now available to model cardiac cells. Computer simulations are used to model the activity of networks of cells and to simulate the mechanisms of arrhythmias. Parallel developments of the electrophysiologic techniques of patch clamp and single channel recording, in situ microelectrode recording, and optical fluorescence imaging using voltage sensitive dyes have provided the experimental data and validation. The current state of the art in modeling and experimentation of cardiac cells and cell networks are reviewed.
Cyclic and negacyclic codes over finite chain rings

The structures of cyclic and negacyclic codes of length n and their duals over a finite chain ring R are established when n is not divisible by the characteristic of the residue field R~. Some cases where n is divisible by the characteristic of the residue field R~ are also considered. Namely, the structure of negacyclic codes of length 2/sup t/ over /spl Zopf//sub 2//sup m/ and that of their duals are derived.