cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Penicillin Allergy Labels to Second-Line Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic Prescribing for Pediatric Respiratory Tract Infections

Antibiotic allergies are overdiagnosed. This may lead to unnecessary use of second-line broader-spectrum agents in place of narrower-spectrum guideline-recommended first-line therapies especially for uncomplicated respiratory tract infections. The extent to which this occurs for children with respiratory tract infections is unknown. We included outpatient encounters for patients < 18 years with acute respiratory tract infections (sinusitis, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis, otitis media). Patients were classified as penicillin allergic based on the presence of an allergy label in the electronic medical record. First-line guideline-recommended antibiotics included penicillin, amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate; all others were considered second line. The percentage of patients treated with first-line versus second-line antibiotics was compared between those with and without penicillin allergy. Additionally, we calculated the contribution of penicillin allergy to overall use of second-line antibiotics. Among 17,578 eligible encounters for respiratory tract infections, 1332 (8%) included patients with a penicillin allergy label. Overall, second-line antibiotics were prescribed in 15% of encounters. Second-line antibiotics were prescribed in 91% of encounters for penicillin-allergic patients, compared with 8% of encounters for non-allergic patients (P < 0.001). Patients with penicillin allergy labels accounted for 47% of all second-line antibiotic prescriptions. In a large population of pediatric outpatient encounters for acute respiratory tract infections, patients labeled with a penicillin allergy accounted for nearly half of second-line antibiotics, which are often broader spectrum. Efforts to de-label children with penicillin allergies have the potential to reduce broader-spectrum antibiotic use.
Variability of Voluntary Cough Airflow in Healthy Adults and Parkinson’s Disease

Cough is an important airway protective behavior responsible for ejecting material from the airway to prevent pneumonia, a leading cause of death in older adults and individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Variability of motor performance for both spinal and bulbar functions has been documented; however, there are no studies examining variability of cough motor control in PD and healthy controls. The present study examined the effects of age and PD on variability of voluntary cough performance. Twenty-five healthy younger adults (HYA), 26 healthy older adults (HOA), and 16 participants with PD completed three trials of sequential voluntary cough with spirometry. Coefficients of variation were used to examine variability between groups. Increased variability of cough expired volume (p = 0.012) and inspiratory volume (p = 0.006) was appreciated in HOAs compared to HYAs. Participants with PD demonstrated increased variability of cough expired volume (p = 0.029), peak expiratory flow rise time (p = 0.016), and cough volume acceleration (p = 0.034) compared to HOAs. Though participants with PD descriptively demonstrated increased peak expiratory flow rate compared to HOAs, this finding was statistically nonsignificant after adjusting for multiple comparisons (p = 0.072). This study identified that variability in cough airflow increases in healthy aging and Parkinson's disease. These motor control impairments may be attributed to age and disease-related sensorimotor changes in the peripheral and central nervous system. Future research will be necessary to examine the relationship between inconsistent cough motor output, airway invasion, and aspiration pneumonia in PD.
Positively Double Jeopardy - Dual Organ Transplantation in an HIV+ Patient

Intro : Solid organ transplantation (SOT) is uncommon in persons living with HIV infection (PLWHIV), as historically, HIV infection was a contraindication to transplantation. However, advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) and immunosuppression has led to successful organ transplantation, including heart, in PLWHIV. Here, we present a case of dual-organ transplant in a PLWHIV. Case Report : A 46 yo African American man with Stage D heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and longstanding HIV infection (CD4 726 cells/µl, HIV RNA less than 20 copies/mL) presented in cardiogenic shock. On hospital day 5, an axillary intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) was placed, and the patient was upgraded to a status 2 on the UNOS waitlist for heart-kidney transplantation. On hospital day 33, he received a heart transplant, followed the next day with a deceased donor renal transplant from the same donor. He underwent induction with basiliximab 20 mg, on POD#0 and #4, followed by immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil 1g BID, tacrolimus 3mg BID, and prednisone 10mg BID. The pre-transplant ART with dolutegravir/rilpivirine was resumed and he was initiated on standard anti-infective prophylaxis with valganciclovir, atovaquone, and clotrimazole. Hospital course was complicated by hospital-acquired pneumonia and delayed kidney graft function with acute tubular necrosis, initially requiring hemodialysis. There was no evidence of antibody mediated or acute cellular rejection on endomyocardial biopsies. Two months after transplant, the patient was found to have BK viremia, initiated on cidofovir. Four months post-transplant, he was no longer requiring dialysis, had preserved graft function on echocardiogram, and transitioned from atovaquone to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for a lifelong course. Most recent labs notable for sCr 1.66 mg/dL, eGFR 54 mL/min/1.73m2, CD4 890 cells/µl, HIV RNA less than 20 copies/mL, BK virus quantitative PCR 23,875 copies/mL. His current immunosuppressive regimen includes mycophenolate mofetil 250mg BID and tacrolimus 2mg BID. Summary Patients with advanced heart failure who are concomitantly HIV+ are a unique and growing population. Multi-organ transplantation involving heart and kidney in this patient population has not been reported in the literature. As demonstrated in this case, with special considerations to patient selection, immunosuppression, and anti-infective regimens, and collaboration of a multidisciplinary team of heart and kidney transplant physicians and surgeons, along with infectious disease specialists, a successful multi-organ heart-kidney transplant in PLWHIV is feasible with excellent outcomes early after transplant.
Effect of tilting on turbulent convection: cylindrical samples with aspect ratio

We report measurements of the properties of turbulent thermal convection of a fluid with a Prandtl number (Chilla et al., Eur. Phys. J. B, vol. 40, 2004, pp. 223–227; Sun, Xi & Xia, Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 95, 2005, p. 074502; Roche et al., New J. Phys., vol. 12, 2010, p. 085014), we see a very small increase of the heat transport for tilt angles up to about 0.1 rad. Based on measurements of properties of the LSC we explain this increase by a stabilization of the single-roll state (SRS) of the LSC and a destabilization of the double-roll state (DRS) (it is known from previous work that the SRS has a slightly larger heat transport than the DRS). Quantitative measurements of the strength and the orientation of the LSC show that its azimuthal diffusion is suppressed with increasing tilt whereas the torsional oscillation becomes more pronounced and its frequency increases.
Cerebral blood flow monitoring in subarachnoid hemorrhage patients with diffuse correlation spectroscopy

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a neurosurgical emergency that results from the rupture of an aneurysm in the subarachnoid space. One common complication of SAH is cerebral vasospasm, which can lead to a secondary stroke. Intrathecal (IT) Nicardipine holds promise in treating cerebral vasospasm through its direct vasodilatory effect on the cerebral vasculature. Here, we used diffuse correlation spectroscopy to continuously monitor microvascular cerebral blood flow changes in medium-high grade subarachnoid hemorrhage patients in response to the first dose of IT Nicardipine. To date, we have recruited 9 patients, 3 of whom developed a secondary stroke.
Contribution of Family History of Head and Neck Cancer and Associated Risk Factors: Analysis of an Internet Based Risk Assessment Tool

Purpose/Objective(s) Common risk factors for head and neck cancer (HNC) include tobacco and alcohol use, HPV and EBV infection, and certain occupational exposures, including radiation. Genetics also play a role, though these effects are multifactorial and are likely not well appreciated in the lay population. We sought to understand the association between family history (FH) of HNC and other personal risk factors for cancer and hypothesized that those with a FH of HNC would be more likely to use tobacco and alcohol. Materials/Methods Reduce My Risk is an online tool available on OncoLink.org. Voluntary participants input information related to demographics, FH, risk-factors, and risk-associated behavior and then receive personalized information regarding their cancer risk. Use of collected data was IRB approved. Differences between respondents with vs without FH of HNC were analyzed using chi-square test and adjusted via logistic regression. Results 25179 responses were analyzed; 580 (2.3%) reported FH of HNC. Of these, median age was 30 (Range 18 - 72), 66.7% were female, 79.5% from North America, 83.1% White, 78.4% had at least some college, and 68.0% household income > $45,000. Comparing those with FH of HNC to those without, there were no significant differences in education, household income, or home setting. Those with FH of HNC were more likely to be “light” drinkers (1-7 per week), obese, and to have significant secondhand smoke exposure (Table). There were no significant differences in cigarette, marijuana, or “exotic” smoking, or use of smokeless tobacco products. (Table). There were also no differences in UV, radiation, or occupational exposures, except for hydrocarbons (OR 1.7, CI 0.99-2.74, P = 0.041). Conclusion Those with a FH of HNC were more likely to have secondhand smoke exposure but were not more likely to use tobacco products themselves, suggesting differences in inter-generational behavior. Those with FH also reported increased non-modifiable risks. Limitations of this work include a convenience sample frame that is disproportionately white and high income, and results may not be applicable to a more diverse population. Future work should explore targeted intervention for those with a FH of HNC to educate on risk of external exposures and promote preventive behaviors.
Family Empowerment: Predicting Service Utilization for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often utilize a variety of services. Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between family empowerment and service utilization for this population. The present study investigated the relationship between family empowerment and service utilization in families of children with ASD from the Pacific Northwest. Family empowerment did not predict the use of behavioral services or established related services. However, higher family empowerment was reported for families who reported use of complementary and alternative medicine. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE Sentencing and Punishment: Permit Judicial Consideration of Certain Evidence and Testimony in Cases Where the Death Penalty May be Imposed

The Act amends Georgia law relating to the admissibility of victim impact evidence to include those cases in which life imprisonment or the death penalty may be imposed. The Act provides procedures for the introduction of evidence which demonstrates the emotional impact of the defendant's crime upon the victim, the victim's family, and the community. The evidence may be offered through the testimony of the victim, if living, or by a family member or other witness with personal knowledge of the characteristics of the victim and the emotional impact of the crime on the victim's family. The victim impact testimony shall be offered subject to cross examination and in the presence of the defendant and the jury. The admissibility of such victim impact evidence shall be at the discretion of the court and made in such a manner and degree as not to inflame or prejudice the jury.
Geographic Information Systems in Historic Preservation

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are a rapidly developing suite of computer based technologies that allow the storage, manipulation, display and integration of a wide range of spatially based data. This chapter reviews some of the more significant applications of these technologies in archaeology and historic preservation and suggests future trends. It is arguably the case that space and time are the two central dimensions of our record of the past. Science has fundamentally influenced our understanding of this record through the development and improvement of ways to measure and understand time. GIS and related methodologies present methodologies that are improving our abilities to measure and understand space.
CLOCKS AND TREES: ISOMORPHIC DUTCH AUCTIONS AND CENTIPEDE GAMES

We report an experiment on effects of varying institutional format and dynamic structure of centipede games and Dutch auctions. Centipede games with a clock format unravel, as predicted by theory but not reported in previous literature on two-player tree-format centipede games. Dutch auctions with a tree format produce bids close to risk neutral Nash equilibrium bids, unlike previous literature on clock-format Dutch auctions. Our data provide a new, expanded set of stylized facts which may provide a foundation for unified modeling of play in a class of games that includes centipede games and Dutch auctions.
The Variation of Economic Risk Premiums in Real Estate Returns

We examine the predictable components of returns on stocks, bonds, and real estate investment trusts (REITs). We employ a multiple beta asset pricing model and find that there are varying degrees of predictability among stocks, bonds, and REITs. Furthermore, we find that most of the predictability of returns is associated with the economic variables employed in the asset pricing model. The stock market risk premium is highly important in capturing the predictable variation in stock portfolios, the bond market risk premiums (term and risk structure of interest rates) are important in capturing the predictable variation in bond portfolios. For REITs, however, both the stock and bond market risk premiums capture the predictable variation in returns. REITs have comparable return predictability to stock portfolios. We conclude that there is an important economic risk premium for REITs that are not captured by traditional multiple-beta asset pricing models.
Stopping times and directed processes

Introduction 1. Stopping times 2. Infinite measure and Orlicz spaces 3. Inequalities 4. Directed index set 5. Banach-valued random variables 6. Martingales 7. Derivation 8. Pointwise ergodic theorems 9. Multiparameter processes References Index.
Toward every-citizen interfaces to the nation's information infrastructure: a National Research Council study

This paper gives an overview of the highlights from a National Research Council study as seen by its chairman. The aim of the study was to examine the state of the art in human-machine interfaces and the possibility of enabling all citizens to achieve access to the National Information Infrastructure. The report encourages the community to break away from 1960s technologies and paradigms and to seek ways to employ new modes and media for human-machine interaction.
Plasma lipids and diet of the Mvskoke Indians

Plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins were measured in 123 female and 57 male Mvskoke Indians, a population of American Indians with a high prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Dietary patterns were assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire. There were no differences in total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoproteins A-I or B in female Indians with and without diabetes. In males with diabetes, however, LDL-C was lower. Triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose were higher in subjects with diabetes. Total cholesterol and LDL-C were lower and HDL-C was higher than age and sex-matched Lipid Research Clinics values, especially for subjects with diabetes. This is surprising given that the diet of Mvskoke Indians contains foods high in total fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol. We may explain, in part, the low incidence of coronary heart disease in this population.
DECOMPOSING THE PEER EFFECT ON ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE USE: MEDIATION, NONLINEARITY, AND DIFFERENTIAL NONLINEARITY*

Although the correlation between peer delinquency and delinquency is one of the most consistently demonstrated findings in delinquency research, researchers have focused primarily on the direct, linear, and additive effects of peers in statistical models, rather than on empirically modeling mediating, nonlinear, and moderating processes that are specified by theory. To address these issues, we measure respondent delinquency and peer delinquency with illegal substance use and then decompose the effect of peer substance use on self-reported substance use. Logistic hierarchical models on a sample of adolescents from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) indicate that the effect of peer substance use on self-reported substance use is partially mediated by perceptions of the health risks of substance use. In addition, the direct statistical effect of peers is nonlinear: On average, the peer effect decreases at higher values of peer substance use, which is consistent with a “saturation” effect. We also find that the functional form of the peer substance use/substance use relationship is dependent on the neighborhood context. In neighborhoods with more opportunities for crime, the peer effect is initially strong but decreases as peer substance use increases, which is consistent with a saturation effect. Conversely, in neighborhoods with fewer opportunities for crime, the effect of peers is initially small, but as delinquent peer associations increase, the peer effect increases multiplicatively.
Analysis of halftone dot profile and aliasing in the discrete binary representation of images

Screening techniques are widely used in the binary display of continuous-tone images by digital output devices. The quality of the halftone image resulting from such a nonlinear transformation is dependent on the dot profile employed. In the Fourier domain, aliasing degrades the halftone image. The relationship between image quality and dot profile is studied from this point of view. For a well-known dot profile, it is shown analytically how aliasing is suppressed, and that quantization contouring may be eliminated without an appreciable increase in aliasing.
See me, hear me: Using film in health-care classes

This essay argues that film deserves a place within the medical humanities curriculum and demonstrates effective strategies for employing it within medical ethics and humanities classrooms. Part One of the article emphasizes how and why medical ethics teachers can utilize documentary and fictional films, such as “Thomas Szasz and the Myth of Mental Illness,” “The Deadly Deception,”Whose Life Is It Anyway? and “Voices From the Front” in their courses. Such films encourage students to move beyond abstract debates and confront the human pain inherent in all ethical dilemmas. Part Two focuses on documentary and fiction film in the medical humanities classroom. In this section, the author details how to incorporates films, such asThe Doctor, The Waterdance andHospital, into the humanities classroom, juxtaposing them with various literary works, such asOther Women's Children, Borrowed Time, andCeremony. Part Three of the essay presents a detailed discussion ofThe Elephant Man andFrankenstein, illustrating how visual and literary texts compliment each other within the humanities classroom. Overall, the author demonstrates how films function as engaging and complex visual texts providing unique insights in the particularities of American health care and, as such, can become valuable components within medical ethics and humanities classrooms.
A study of the suitability of videophones for psychometric assessment

In order to determine whether videophones are appropriate communication tools for psychometric assessments, we need to determine whether the quality of videophones is adequate to enable this type of assessment or whether it places a burden on the communication. The purpose of this study is to measure the subjective quality of video and audio features of commercially available videophones in the context of a psychometric assessment session. We recruited 52 subjects who used the videophone to participate in a psychometric assessment using the Perceived Stress Scale. After each session, participants filled out the ITU-T P.920 that assesses the context-specific quality of the video-call. Findings indicate that the overall audio and image quality of the video-call was satisfactory and participants perceived the videophones as useful in the context of psychometric assessment. These findings strengthen the call for use of video mediated communication in home and hospice settings and disease management.
Toward More Precise Photometric Redshifts: Calibration Via CCD Photometry

We present the initial results from a deep, multiband photometric survey of selected high Galactic latitude redshift fields. Previous work using the photographic data of Koo and Kron demonstrated that the distribution of galaxies in the multidimensional flux space U, B, R, and I is nearly planar. The position of a galaxy within this plane is determined by its redshift, luminosity, and spectral type (Connolly et al. 1995). Using recently acquired deep CCD photometry in existing, published redshift fields, we have redetermined the distribution of galaxies in this four-dimensional magnitude space. Furthermore, from our CCD photometry and the published redshifts, we have quantified the photometric-redshift relation within the standard AB magnitude system. This empirical relation has a measured dispersion of σz ≈ 0.02 for z < 0.4. With this work we are reaching the asymptotic intrinsic dispersions (σz ≈ 0.016 for z < 0.4) that were predicted from simulated distributions of galaxy colors. This result will prove useful in providing estimated redshifts for large photometric surveys, as well as improve the sampling of specific redshift regions for spectroscopic surveys through the use of an estimated redshift selection criteria.
Computing the minimum recombinant haplotype configuration from incomplete genotype data on a pedigree by integer linear programming.

We study the problem of reconstructing haplotype configurations from genotypes on pedigree data with missing alleles under the Mendelian law of inheritance and the minimumrecombination principle, which is important for the construction of haplotype maps and genetic linkage/association analyses. Our previous results show that the problem of finding a minimum-recombinant haplotype configuration (MRHC) is in general NP-hard. This paper presents an effective integer linear programming (ILP) formulation of the MRHC problem with missing data and a branch-and-bound strategy that utilizes a partial order relationship and some other special relationships among variables to decide the branching order. Nontrivial lower and upper bounds on the optimal number of recombinants are introduced at each branching node to effectively prune the search tree. When multiple solutions exist, a best haplotype configuration is selected based on a maximum likelihood approach. The paper also shows for the first time how to incorporat...
Pancreatitis associated with remote traumatic brain injury in children.

Vomitting, abdominal distension, and feeding intolerance are common findings following brain injury in children, and are usually attributed to the brain injury or to delayed gastric emptying: a specific cause is usually not sought. We report six children who developed mild to moderate pancreatitis at least 7 days following apparently isolated brain injury, a previously unreported association. Five of the six patients received drugs that are known or suspected pancreatotoxins; all recovered without changes in the medications. When children develop feeding intolerance or upper gastrointestinal symptoms following traumatic brain injury, pancreatitis should be suspected.
Osteoblast hydraulic conductivity is regulated by calcitonin and parathyroid hormone

It is our hypothesis that osteoblasts play a major role in regulating bone (re)modeling by regulating interstitial fluid (ISF) flow through individual bone compartments. We hypothesize that osteoblasts of the blood-bone membrane lining the bone surfaces are capable of regulating transosseous fluid flow. This regulatory function of the osteoblasts was tested in vitro by culturing a layer of rat calvarial osteoblasts on porous membranes. Such a layer of osteoblasts subjected to 7.3 mm Hg of hydrostatic pressure posed a significant resistance to fluid flow across the cell layer similar in magnitude to the resistance posed by endothelial monolayers in vitro. The hydraulic conductivity, the volumetric fluid flux per unit pressure drop, of the osteoblast layer was altered in response to certain hormones. Hydraulic conductivity decreased approximately 40% in response to 33 nM parathyroid hormone, while it exhibited biphasic behavior in response to calcitonin: increased 40% in response to 100 nM calcitonin and decreased 40% in response to 1000 nM calcitonin. Further, activation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin dramatically increased the hydraulic conductivity, while elevation of intracellular calcium, [Ca2+]i, by the calcium ionophore A23187 initially decreased the hydraulic conductivity at 5 minutes before increasing conductivity by 30 minutes. These results suggest that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and [Ca2+]i may mediate changes in the osteoblast hydraulic conductivity. The increase in hydraulic conductivity in response to 100 nM calcitonin and the decrease in response to PTH suggest that the stimulatory and inhibitory effects on bone formation of calcitonin and parathyroid hormone, respectively, may be due in part to alterations in bone fluid flow.
Experimental demonstration of data traffic grooming of a single 10-Gbit/s TDM tributary channel between two 160-Gbit/s WDM channels

We demonstrate tributary channel data grooming of high-speed signals using second-order nonlinearities in a PPLN waveguide. 16 TDM tributary channel data traffic grooming/exchange between two 160-Gbit/s WDM signals is shown with a penalty of ∼4dB.
Towards an endogenous automated music

Chronochroma, a compositional language introduced in a previous article (Interface, vol. 8 (1979), 73–90), is extended to an automated system from both the compositional and the performance standpoint. Transformations within a diapason ranging from the purely stochastic to the purely deterministic, and patterned according to the basic principles of evolution are discussed, as well as the basics of a digital sound synthesis program which accommodates this system. Special attention is given to the aesthetic, philosophical and symbolic implications of this system and of automation in music generally.
Religious attendance and the health behaviors of Texas adults.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to test whether religious involvement is associated with a broad range of health behaviors. Method We employ data from the 2004 Survey of Texas Adults, a statewide probability sample of 1504 Texas adults. Using these data, we estimate a series of logistic regression models to assess the net effects of religious attendance on 12 health behaviors. Results Our results show that regular religious attendance (especially weekly attendance) is associated with a wide range of healthy behaviors, including preventive care use, vitamin use, infrequent bar attendance, seatbelt use, walking, strenuous exercise, sound sleep quality, never smoking, and moderate drinking. Conclusion If religious involvement is associated with healthy behaviors, additional studies are needed to account for these associations. Future research might also consider health behaviors other than drinking and smoking as potential mechanisms through which religious involvement might benefit health and prolong life.
Urticarial vasculitis: a report of nine cases and review of the literature.

SUMMARY Urticaria may be the only cutaneous manifestation of a leukocytoclastic vasculitis. We have studied nine patients with urticarial vasculitis. The spectrum ranged from limited cutaneous disease (six cases) to severe systemic disease with renal failure (one case). The individual urticarial lesions were of long duration (over 4 h) in all patients and in seven cases an ecchymotic stain was left when the urticaria resolved. All patients complained of moderate to severe pruritus. Associated findings included arthralgia (two cases), fever (one case) and glomerulonephritis (one case), but none had neurological disease, abdominal pain or arthritis. Therapy was difficult in seven patients, and these cases were controlled only with systemic corticosteroids. This disorder falls within the larger group of vasculitides. It is distinguished only by its skin lesions, which cannot always be distinguished clinically from common urticaria.
The Rehnquist Court and Indigenous Rights: The Expedited Diminution of Native Powers of Governance

The U.S. Supreme Court has long played a prominent role in defining, critiquing, and, in some cases, rearranging the political relationship between indigenous peoples and the states and the federal government, and in enlarging or reducing the inherent sovereign status of native peoples. This article assesses the most recent Supreme Court opinions that are systematically, and without reference to judicial precedent, redefining the political status of tribal nations by reducing their heretofore acknowledged sovereign authority from an internal perspective and especially from an intergovernmental standpoint. Although the U.S. Congress still adheres to a policy of tribal self-determination, the Court is dramatically and permanently minimizing the rights of tribes to practice political, economic, and cultural self-determination because in the opinion of a majority of the justices, there are only two sovereigns in the United States: states and the federal government. Copyright 2003, Oxford University Press.
Nucleation of lead chromate from homogeneous solution

Abstract On the basis of the Christiansen-Nielsen model for nucleation, the nucleus of lead chromate precipitated from homogeneous solution has been found to consist of about five ions. The critical supersaturation values of solutions of lead chromate are dependent upon the method of filtration; however, a change in supersaturation of about 25 % is without effect on the size of the critical nucleus.
Storage cost considerations in secondary index selection

This paper is concerned with the combined problem of selecting secondary indices for a large relational data base and placing data files and index files in multileveled storage. It is shown that if storage cost consideration is explicitly incorporated, then the optimization becomes nontrivial. An algorithm is presented for minimizing the expected query time under arbitrary storage cost constraints. The formulation includes the consideration that a physical storage block (rather than a single tuple) is the smallest unit of data transfer and that block size is level dependent.
RAPID MULTIPLEX PCR ASSAY FOR SIMULTANEOUS DETECTION OF MAJOR ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE DETERMINANTS IN CLINICAL ISOLATES OF BACTEROIDES FRAGILIS

ABSTRACT This study developed a rapid and cost-effective multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay (M-PCR) for simultaneous detection of major clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes in Bacteroides fragilis. The M-PCR optimized amplification conditions with primers designed for detection of five resistance genes: carbapenems (cfiA) and cephalosporins (cepA), clindamycin (ermF), metronidazole (nimA-F) and tetracycline (tetQ), plus a set of primers for the B. fragilis 16S rRNA gene (positive control). An initial single PCR was performed for each gene, followed by a gradient PCR to determine the optimal PCR conditions for each primer set. This was followed by several test M-PCRs using the Qiagen multiplex PCR kit (Valencia, CA) with 60 ng of a template DNA mastermix containing all genes of interest and 0.2 µM of each primer set. Multiplex PCR products were detectable at annealing temperatures ranging from 53–57C for 30–35 cycles. The final optimized M-PCR was then used to evaluate 21 different B. fragilis isolates from various patients. Eleven different M-PCR genotypes were obtained, which correlated with phenotypic antibiograms and nitrocefin β-lactamase production assays. This M-PCR provides an accurate, rapid, sensitive and cost-effective tool for detecting clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes in B. fragilis, and owing to its high sensitivity, it could also be used to investigate the prevalence of such genetic determinants in mixed bacterial specimens. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The current study provides an easy and rapid method for detecting antibiotic resistance determinants in bacteria. This will in turn enhance treatment methods and development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Mutagenic response of the endogenous hprt gene and lacI transgene in benzo[a]pyrene-treated Big Blue B6C3F1 mice

Big Blue (BB) and generic B6C3F1 mice were given one to three i.p. injections of 50 mg/kg benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) in DMSO every other day to achieve cumulative doses of 50 to 150 mg/kg. Three weeks after treatment, the mutation frequency at the endogenous hprt gene and lacI transgene was measured in splenic T cells. Generic mice given 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg B[a]P displayed induced hprt frequencies (observed hprt frequency minus control frequency) of 5.5 +/- 1.0, 11 +/- 2.0, and 19 +/- 2.6 x 10(-6), respectively (average +/- SEM). In contrast, BB mice given 50 and 150 mg/kg B[a]P displayed induced hprt frequencies of 0.9 +/- 0.6 and 9.1 +/- 1.5 x 10(-6). 32P postlabelling revealed that the lower hprt response in BB mice correlated with lower amounts of BP-DNA adducts in spleen, liver, and lung 24 hours after B[a]P exposure. Western blot analysis of liver samples from B[a]P-treated mice suggests that the reduced adduct load in turn may be due to lower P450 1A1 levels in BB mice. The frequency of induced, nonsectored blue plaques (observed blue plaque frequency minus control frequency) in BB mice receiving 50 and 150 mg/kg B[a]P was 41 +/- 9 and 134 +/- 10 x 10(-6) (15- to 40-fold higher than the induced hprt frequency in the same treated animals). Sectored plaques were observed in both control and B[a]P groups but their frequency showed no relationship to dose (sectored frequency in all groups was approximately 20 x 10(-6)). To test whether persistent DNA adducts in the packaged lambda vector were contributing to the observed blue plaque frequency, purified lambda-LIZ DNA was treated in vitro with B[a]P diol epoxide (BPDE), packaged, and plated on E. coli lawn cells. Treatment with BPDE did not produce significant increases in homogeneous blue plaques, suggesting that the majority of mutants obtained from B[a]P-treated BB mice occurred in vivo. These results indicate that B[a]P exposure produces many more mutations at the lacI transgene than at the endogenous hprt locus.
Abscisic acid drenches can reduce water use and extend shelf life of Salvia splendens

Abstract Inadequate watering of potted ornamental plants during retail can cause a decline in quality as well as plant death. Abscisic acid (ABA) is the main phytohormone controlling plant responses to drought stress, including regulation of stomatal opening and closure. ABA may become available for the greenhouse industry in 2010. The objective of this study was to determine whether exogenous ABA applications can be used to induce stomatal closure and reduce water loss from the substrate. We drenched salvia (Salvia splendens F. Sellow. ex Roem & Shult.) ‘Bonfire Red’ with 50 mL of ABA solutions at concentrations of 0, 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg L−1, after which plants were no longer irrigated. ABA drenches slowed down substrate water loss by reducing transpiration in a dose-dependent manner. Stomata closed within 3 h after ABA treatment, decreasing transpirational water loss. However, ABA drenches also caused abscission of lower leaves, resulting in approximately 60% leaf loss with 2000 mg L−1 ABA. ABA drenches with 250 mg L−1 and 500 mg L−1 increased the shelf life of salvia ‘Bonfire Red’ by 3 days, without excessive leaf abscission. ABA can be used to increase the shelf life of salvia, but the lowest effective concentration should be used to minimize leaf abscission.
Some computational improvements in process system reliability and safety analysis using dynamic methodologies

An algorithmic approach is presented that leads to reduction in the computational requirements for process system dynamic reliability and safety analysis using discrete state transition models through the utilization of vector processing and a sparse matrix technique. The new algorithm is demonstrated on an example system taken from boiling water reactors. The results show reduction in random access memory requirements by a factor of 20 and reduction in the computational time by a factor of 7 with respect to the original algorithm.
Methodology, consetvation criteria and performance evaluation for archaeological site shelters

AbstractThe many intersecting issues that arise when deciding whether to shelter an archaeological site should be approached using a values-based methodology, one that has demonstrated its validity arid practical worth in conservation over recent decades. Nonetheless, pitfalls abound in the decision-making process and in establishing effective conservation criteria which should be based principally on a thorough understanding of the threats to the resource and the specific deterioration mechanisms operating, with the objective of creating a shelter that will preserve the site's identified values. An aspect that has received almost no attention in the past is evaluation of a shelter's performance, both qualitative and quantitative, in preserving the site. It is urged that this receive priority when establishing the conservation criteria during the initial phases of a sheltering project. Issues are illustrated from a range of diverse sites, including a number of published shelters. The paper first looks at ...
The Political Offender Exception in International Extradition Law: Terrorism Versus Human Rights

Abstract The political offense exception in the law of international extradition is one of the issues over which the justifiability of terrorist violence is being debated. The evolution of the political offender exception is sketched and the provisions of the 1986 Supplementary Treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom, which effectively eliminated the political offender exception for violent offenders, are outlined. The debate over the merits of the Treaty then is summarized. A concluding analysis suggests that limited violence is justified in defense of democracy and fundamental human rights and that the political offender exception should be interpreted so as to promote these values.
Recurring gastric volvulus in a dog.

A successful prophylactic permanent gastropexy was performed on a dog that had previously experienced four gastric volvulus procedures, one prophylactic pyloroplasty, and two subsequent gastric volvulus repairs. Radiographic evaluation of the previous pyloroplasty and the final permanent gastropexy are illustrated.
The effect of a steep high-frequency hearing loss on growth-of-masking functions in simultaneous masking for fm < fs

In normal-hearing subjects, the slope of the growth-of-masking (GOM) function obtained in simultaneous masking when the masker frequency (f(m)) is much less than the signal frequency (f(s)) often changes from a value near 2.0 to a value near 1.0 at high levels. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether this change in slope reflects a basal shift in the peak of the signal's basilar-membrane vibration pattern. To discourage the use of basally shifted peak excitation, GOM functions were obtained in seven subjects with a precipitously sloping high-frequency hearing loss. The signal was located at the normal-hearing edge of the loss, and the masker was located 3 equivalent rectangular bandwidths below f(s). In addition, GOM functions for an f(s) of 2000 Hz were obtained in four subjects with normal hearing, either "in quiet" or in the presence of a restrictor tone with a frequency of 2400 or 2600 Hz and a level of 90 dB SPL. Overall, the results generally are not consistent with the change in slope at high levels being due to a basal shift in the peak of the signal's basilar-membrane vibration pattern. Instead, the results are consistent with a decrease in compression at high input levels at the place corresponding to f(s).
Monoclonal Antikeratin Antibody: Production, Characterization, and Immunohistochemical Application

A monoclonal antikeratin antibody, EKH4, was produced from a hybridoma cell line which was established by fusing P3X63SAg8 mouse myeloma cells with spleen cells of mice immunized with human trichilemmoma cells. Immunoblot analysis showed that EKH4 antibody reacts predominantly with 50 kilodalton keratin polypeptide in normal epidermis. By indirect immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques, EKH4 antibody reacted with the lower 2–3 cell layers of the epidermis as well as most cells of pilosebaceous follicle of human and animal skin. Tumor cells of human basal cell epitheliomas and squamous cell carcinomas were also stained with this antibody. The staining was much more regular and intense compared with an available monoclonal antikeratin antibody, AE1. In the lesion of epidermal proliferative disorders, such as psoriasis and actinic keratosis, the entire epidermis instead of the lower layers was stained with EKH4 antibody. Normal skin overlying or adjacent to epithelial tumors also showed positive staining in the entire epidermis. By using indirect immunoperoxidase technique, EKH4 also stained alcohol-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections.
Fourier amplitude spectra of strong motion acceleration: Extension to high and low frequencies

SUMMARY It is shown how the empirical equations for scaling the Fourier amplitude spectra in the frequency band from - 0.1 to 25 Hz can be extended to describe the strong motion amplitudes in a much broader frequency range. At long periods, the proposed equations are in excellent agreement with (1) the seismological and field estimates of permanent ground displacement (near field) and (2) the independent estimates of seismic moment (far field). At high frequencies, f > 25 Hz, the spectral amplitudes can be described by exp (- nkf), where k ranges from 0.02 (near source) to about 0.06 at an epicentral distance of about 200 km. It is also shown how amplification by local soil and geological site conditions can be defined to apply in the same broad frequency range.
Anti-HER2/Neu passive-aggressive immunotherapy

Preclinical studies have established that CD8+ T cells are necessary for efficient immunotherapeutic regimens targeting v-erb-b2 avian erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog 2 (ERBB2, best known as HER2/Neu). Recently, we extended upon these findings by demonstrating that anti-HER2/Neu therapy also requires CD4+ T cells and CD40/CD40L signaling within the tumor microenvironment. Our results add to mounting evidence demonstrating that adaptive immunity is crucial to the efficacy of conventional and targeted anticancer chemotherapeutics.
Structural Identification and Cardiovascular Activities of Oxidized Phospholipids

Free radical-induced oxidation of membrane phospholipids generates complex mixtures of oxidized phospholipids (oxPLs). The combinatorial operation of a few dozen reaction types on a few dozen phospholipid structures results in the production of a dauntingly vast diversity of oxPL molecular species. Structural identification of the individual oxPL in these mixtures is a redoubtable challenge that is absolutely essential to allow determination of the biological activities of individual species. With an emphasis on cardiovascular consequences, this Review focuses on biological activities of oxPLs whose molecular structures are known and highlights 2 diametrically opposite approaches that were used to determine those structures, that is, (1) the classic approach from bioactivity of a complex mixture to isolation and structural characterization of the active molecule followed by confirmation of the structure by unambiguous chemical synthesis and (2) hypothesis of products that are likely to be generated by lipid oxidation, followed by synthesis, and then detection in vivo guided by the availability of authentic standards, and last, characterization of biological activities. Especially important for the application of the second paradigm is the capability of LC-MS/MS and derivatizations to selectively detect and quantify specific oxPL in complex mixtures, without the need for their isolation or complete separation. This technology can provide strong evidence for identity by comparisons with pure, well-characterized samples available by chemical syntheses. Those pure samples are critical for determining the biological activities attributable to specific molecular species of oxPLs in the complex mixtures generated in vivo as a consequence of oxidative stress.
Standardized Single-Disc Method for Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing of Anaerobic Bacteria

A method was developed for determination of the antibiotic susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria by use of a single-disc diffusion technique and incorporation of the inoculum in pour plates. The method was standardized by correlation of zone diameters with minimal inhibitory concentrations determined in broth. Zone diameters could be used to approximate the minimal inhibitory concentrations of the seven antibiotics tested: ampicillin, bacitracin, carbenicillin, cephalothin, clindamycin, penicillin, and tetracycline.