cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Courage to Prevent

With Cowardly Lions: Missed Opportunities to Prevent Deadly Conflict and State Collapse, William Zartman has added yet another phrase (“cowardly lions”) to what may well be the most extensive collection of well-turned images and phrases that has been produced by any scholar in our field. Zartman (1989) gave us ‘ripeness’ as a measure of whether the conditions of a conflict were sufficiently conducive to resolution. He talked about a “hurting stalemate” to describe a situation in which the parties to the conflict become convinced that they can not win. “Putting humpty-dumpty together again” expressed much more effectively than such euphemisms as “postconflict reconstruction” the profound dilemmas left by conflicts that were not prevented. These phrases are not just clever and colorful, they convey powerful and deep concepts that provide rich and often unique insights into the dynamics of conflict and conflict resolution.
Generation of random hypersurfaces

A technique to generate multidimensional random hypersurfaces with given statistical properties numerically on a digital computer is discussed in this paper. The technique is based on the linear filter theory. Using this technique, two-dimensional random surfaces are generated to illustrate the procedure. Statistics of these two-dimensional random surfaces are presented. Possible applications of these random surfaces in various physical problems are discussed.
The fading amateur: William Lenhart and 19th-century American mathematics

Abstract William Lenhart was an American mathematician who was active in the first part of the 19th century. His biographer, Samuel Tyler, described him as the greatest Diophantine algebraist who ever lived. Lenhart was introduced to Diophantine analysis by Robert Adrain, who wrote the first article on this topic that was published in the United States. Lenhart often worked on mathematical problems as a distraction from pain that was caused by an accident that occurred when he was a young man. He was an amateur mathematician in a country where mathematics was undergoing the process of professionalization.
Decay of correlations in the regular Lorentz gas

The regular Lorentz gas on triangular lattice is studied numerically and analytically. The velocity correlation function is shown to decay exponentially in the number of collisions with a decay rate which vanishes as the scatterers approach close packing. The crossover to power law decay at close packing is described by a scaling function.
Early Prostate Cancer: Hedonic Prices Model of Provider–Patient Interactions and Decisions

Purpose To determine the relative influence of treatment features and treatment availabilities on final treatment decisions in early prostate cancer. Methods and Materials We describe and apply a model, based on hedonic prices, to understand provider–patient interactions in prostate cancer. This model included four treatments (observation, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and prostatectomy) and five treatment features (one efficacy and four treatment complication features). We performed a literature search to estimate ( 1 ) the intersections of the "bid" functions and "offer" functions with the price function along different treatment feature axes, and ( 2 ) the treatments actually rendered in different patient subgroups based on age. We performed regressions to determine the relative weight of each feature in the overall interaction and the relative availability of each treatment modality to explain differences between observed vs. predicted use of different modalities in different patient subpopulations. Results Treatment efficacy and potency preservation are the major factors influencing decisions for young patients, whereas preservation of urinary and rectal function is much more important for very elderly patients. Referral patterns seem to be responsible for most of the deviations of observed use of different treatments from those predicted by idealized provider–patient interactions. Specifically, prostatectomy is used far more commonly in young patients and radiotherapy and observation used far more commonly in elderly patients than predicted by a uniform referral pattern. Conclusions The hedonic prices approach facilitated identifying the relative importance of treatment features and quantification of the impact of the prevailing referral pattern on prostate cancer treatment decisions.
A new route to high-energy nonlinear fiber optics

Summary form only given, as follows: We present a new class of higher order mode fibers that decouple the dispersion-versus-mode-area trade-off in conventional fibers. This enables exploiting the multitude of nonlinear optical effects afforded by fibers, but at energy-levels potentially approaching bulk crystals.
PARENTS AND TEACHERS WORKINGZ TOGETHER TOWARD LITERACY: VIEWS FROM THE PAST AND GOALS FOR THE FUTURE

We chart the history of American educators’ attitude toward the family‐school relationship, showing how it has changed over time. Recent research showing that the family plays an important role in fostering children's literacy development is also reviewed.
Monitoring and sanctioning in the commons: An application to forestry

Abstract We examine theoretical determinants of monitoring and sanctioning at both the local community level and from external government agents using the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework. We then estimate a bivariate probit statistical model to test the theory using data from 100 forests in 14 countries collected by the International Forestry Resources and Institutions (IFRI) research program. Among other things, we find that a right to harvest some portion of the resource is an important determinant of local monitoring and sanctioning. The number of external aid agencies and NGOs is an important determinant of external monitoring and sanctioning.
Relationship of blood pressures with hair mineral concentrations in South Carolina adolescents.

The relationships of hair mineral concentrations to blood pressures in adolescents from the coastal portion of South Carolina are examined. Blood pressure was measured and hair samples were prepared for mineral analysis by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results show that higher hair zinc concentrations were associated with lower pulse pressures. Higher hair copper concentrations were associated with higher systolic pressures. Higher hair nickel was associated with lower systolic and pulse pressures. Hair cadmium concentrations were related to lower systolic and diastolic pressures. Higher lead concentrations were associated with higher systolic pressures and slightly lower diastolic pressures. Higher copper to zinc ratios were associated with slightly greater systolic and pulse pressures. (JMT)
Continuous-wave oscillation of thulium-sensitized holmium-doped silica fiber laser.

We have observed oscillation in a Tm3+ and Ho3+ codoped silica fiber from the 5I7 → 5I8 transition of Ho3+ in the 2-μm region, by pumping the fiber laser into a Tm3+ absorption between 800 and 830 nm. By a change in the cavity length, the laser was tunable between 2.037 and 2.096 μm. When the laser was pumped with a Ti:sapphire laser at 820 nm, an absorbed threshold power of 214 mW, a slope efficiency of 4.2%, and maximum extracted power of 12.5 mW were measured.
Phylogenic and Neurologic Aspects of the Vomiting Process

Hindbrain morphology is compared in a variety of animals representing species that vomit and those that do not. Special attention is given to the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) and its synaptic connections with surrounding structures. The role of the area postrema is examined from the standpoints of containing the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) for vomiting, of its functional relationship to the blood-brain barrier, and of its significance as part of the circumventricular organ system. A survey is made of the manifold behavioral contributions of NTS to cardiovascular and respiratory regulation, appetite control, arousal, water balance, and digestive and neuroendocrine functions. An overview is presented of neurochemical distribution in the brain stem with respect to aminergic, cholinergic, and peptidergic substances. Finally, causes and prevention of vomiting are discussed in light of the above considerations.
Phytohaemagglutin-induced changes in spin label reduction in lymphocytes from tumor-bearing rats.

Abstract Spin labeling techniques were utilized to investigate the rate of reduction of spin probes introduced into lymphocytes from normal and tumor-bearing animals. The response of the lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutin (PHA) stimulation was monitored by the spin labels Tempone (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-oxo-piperidinooxy), PCA (2,2,5,5,-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl-oxy-3-carboxylic acid), and TMPN (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinooxy). The EPR signal intensity of the nitroxide spin labels decreased according to first-order kinetics. For phytohaemagglutin challenged lymphocytes from tumor-bearing animals the Tempone signal loss was a factor of two less than the corresponding controls.
Non-Commutative Residuated Lattices

In the theory of non-commutative rings certain distinguished subrings, one-sided and two-sided ideals, play the important roles. Ideals combine under crosscut, union and multiplication and hence are an instance of a lattice over which a non-commutative multiplication is defined.† The investigation of such lattices was begun by W. Krull (Krull [3]) who discussed decomposition into isolated component ideals. Our aim in this paper differs from that of Krull in that we shall be particularly interested in the lattice structure of these domains although certain related arithmetical questions are discussed.
Generation of focused electron beam and X-rays by the doped LiNbO3 crystals

Abstract Generation of focused electrons beam with energies up to 100 keV from undoped LiNbO3 (LN) crystals have been observed [J.D. Brownridge, Nature 358 (1992) 287; J.D. Brownridge, S.M. Shafroth, Appl. Phys. Lett. 79 (2001) 3364] during heating–cooling cycles in a low-pressure environment. This paper reports about similar results that were observed in doped crystals of LN. Generation of electrons by crystals with thicknesses of 1 and 6 mm, was visualized by ZnS screen [ZSS] during heating–cooling cycles in a vacuum chamber (P = 1–10 mTorr). Generation of X-rays from both thin and thick crystals was evident from registered images from dental X-ray film [DXF]. The possibility of X-ray imaging was demonstrated, using different metal masks. Imaging of X-rays reveals that both focusing and wide-angle scattering modes of operation exist in the electron beams generation pattern during heating–cooling cycles.
The unreasonable effectiveness of physical intuition: Success while ignoring objections

The process of theory development in physics is a very complex one. The best scientists sometimes proceed on the basis of their physical intuition, ignoring serious conceptual or mathematical objections well known to them at the time.The results soon justify their actions: but the removal of these objections is often not possible for a very long time. Four examples are presented: Newton, Schrodinger, Dirac, Dyson. Some thoughts on this “unreasonableness≓ are offered.
The Decision-Making Process Underlying Curriculum Revision:

This study assessed influences on educators' intentions to add an undergraduate marketing course. Results indicated that curriculum revisions take advantage of present faculty's expertise and inter...
The clinical workstation as a means of improving laboratory use

Driven to make timely decisions, doctors may act with less than all of the relevant patient data. Sub-optimal use of clinical laboratory resources can result. Our clinicians' workstation (CWS) is meant to provide doctors and nurses ready access to laboratory results in a form that makes the data easy to review and use. In addition, the workstation provides immediate feedback regarding blood orders, to encourage appropriate clinical practice. Feedback is based on the medical staff's clinical guidelines that have been incorporated into an embedded expert system. CWS also helps blood bank physicians to monitor, review and control requests for special needs such as irradiated products. Challenges to system acceptance await those trying to bring functional decision support to the clinical environment. Among these are barriers to understanding and cooperation posed by departmental boundaries and interacting professional cultures as well as the politics of hospital-based information systems.
Etiology and incidence of the median maxillary anterior alveolar cleft.

Abstract An incidence of approximately one case of median maxillary anterior alveolar cleft in each 100 patients examined was noted in a sample population registered at the University of Maryland Dental Clinic. The data from sixty-six human fetal palates indicates that an epithelial proliferation in the area of the maxillary frenum's attachment to the developing alveolar ridge may serve as a source of epithelia rests. It is proposed that these rests may act to interfere mechanically with the closure of the premaxillary suture area, thereby creating a median maxillary anterior alveolar cleft. Furthermore, it seems possible that these rests could provide a source of epithelium for the formation of the rare median alveolar cyst.
Three-dimensional reproduction of shadowgrams

Abstract A method of generating a 3-D image of an object from its shadowgraphs is described. Unlike the previous techniques, this method involves a process of phase implantation into the shadowgrams by means of holography. We emphasize the reconstruction of a real image, so that precise measurements of its structure are possible. Results of the experiment are shown.
A mathematical theory for the harvest of natural animal populations when birth rates are dependent on total population size

Abstract Natural animal populations are considered in which members of the population are harvested for their own value, either esthetic or monetary. Population growth is assumed to be dependent on total population size. The parameters of population growth are allowed to be random variables whose joint distribution function is described by an associated Markovian distribution process. Revenue and cost structures are defined for these populations and harvesting policies are described that minimize the expected economic loss to be realized in the duration of time in which management of the system is anticipated.
A nonlinear nonstandard finite difference scheme for the linear time-dependent Schrödinger equation

We state and study the various limiting forms and their associated mathematical properties of a nonlinear finite difference scheme for the linear time-dependent Schrodinger partial differential equation (PDE). A formal solution to the full equation is given.
Characterizing the confluence of air pollution risks in the United States

The US National Research Council in 2004 recommended that the US Environmental Protection Agency “strive to take an integrated multipollutant approach to controlling emissions of pollutants that pose the most significant risks.” Several urban pilot studies have since explored the merits and feasibility of this technique. These studies found that such policies can achieve this policy goal but will confront both legal constraints and data limitations. The Clean Air Act prescribes certain requirements for air quality polices reducing common (or “criteria”) air pollutants including ground-level ozone and fine particles that differ from those affecting toxic air pollutants such as benzene; due in part to these requirements, policy makers have traditionally designed programs to characterize and mitigate risk on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis. Multipollutant policies are also greatly constrained by the emissions, air quality, and health data available to identify opportunities for reducing population risks across air pollutants. We introduce a novel approach to identify the confluence of particulate matter 2.5 μm and smaller (PM2.5), ozone, and toxic air pollutant risk throughout the USA. We account for the federal statutes governing air pollution policy targeting these pollutants and address differences in the health data used to characterize the risks of these pollutants. We demonstrate a proof-of-concept technique for identifying areas of the USA where there may be a confluence of these risks. We argue that planners could use this approach as a resource as they achieve the goals identified by the National Research Council in 2004.
GABA progenitors grafted into the adult epileptic brain control seizures and abnormal behavior

Impaired GABA-mediated neurotransmission has been implicated in many neurologic diseases, including epilepsy, intellectual disability and psychiatric disorders. We found that inhibitory neuron transplantation into the hippocampus of adult mice with confirmed epilepsy at the time of grafting markedly reduced the occurrence of electrographic seizures and restored behavioral deficits in spatial learning, hyperactivity and the aggressive response to handling. In the recipient brain, GABA progenitors migrated up to 1,500 μm from the injection site, expressed genes and proteins characteristic for interneurons, differentiated into functional inhibitory neurons and received excitatory synaptic input. In contrast with hippocampus, cell grafts into basolateral amygdala rescued the hyperactivity deficit, but did not alter seizure activity or other abnormal behaviors. Our results highlight a critical role for interneurons in epilepsy and suggest that interneuron cell transplantation is a powerful approach to halting seizures and rescuing accompanying deficits in severely epileptic mice.
Crystal Structure of Sapphirine

SAPPHIRINE is a principal constituent of certain high grade silica-deficient metamorphic rocks at Fiskenaesset, West Greenland, where it occurs with cordierite, corundum, anorthite and biotite. A crystallo-chemical enigma, it is one of the few rock-forming minerals with unknown crystal structure.
A DESIGN FOR LOW FLOW CONTROLS

The determination of the total flow of an alluvial stream by rating a gaging station with a current meter may not be sufficiently accurate for a water yield study. If a large part of the total water yield consists of low flow, a means for accurate measurement must be employed. A technique for the design of a low flow control is described in this paper. Eight low flow controls have been designed on streams of the Southern Plains Watershed Research Center, Chickasha, Oklahoma. Field calibration measurements from these installations have been used to verify the design technique.
Western diet increases wheel running in mice selectively bred for high voluntary wheel running

Western diet increases wheel running in mice selectively bred for high voluntary wheel running
Employment and Mental Health Service Utilization in Washington State

This study examined employment among individuals utilizing publicly funded mental health services in Washington State during a 2-year period through the analysis of archival administrative data. The mean income found in this study was higher than that reported in the supported employment literature. This difference likely reflects the inclusion of individuals with less severe mental illness and ongoing employment who are typically excluded from studies of supported employment. Individuals in this study were employed in all industrial sectors in a distribution similar to the general population, although somewhat over-represented in service industries. Employment rates varied from 15% to 21% over a 3-year period and did not appear to increase after treatment. Employment rates tended to decline after the receipt of public support. Among individuals who lost employment, service utilization was found to increase prior to the loss of employment. Policy implications are discussed.
Effects of Stanger bath therapy on fibromyalgia.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Stanger bath on the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). Fifty women with FM were randomly divided into two groups. The first group (n=25) was treated with amitriptyline, 10 mg/day for 8 weeks, and Stanger bath, 20 min daily for ten sessions. The second group (n=25) only had amitriptyline, 10 mg/day for 8 weeks. In the first group the assessment parameters were measured before (t1), at the end (t2), and 2 months after the hydrotherapy (t3). In the second group these parameters were examined before (T1) and 2 months after the treatment (T2). Patients were evaluated by number of tender points and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores. There was significant improvement in number of tender points between t1 and t2 (P<0.01) and t1 and t3 (P<0.001) in the Stanger bath group. In addition, there was significant improvement in FIQ scores between t1 and t2 (P<0.001) and t1 and t3 (P<0.01) in the Stanger bath group. In the second group we observed significant improvement in FIQ scores and tender point numbers between T1 and T2 (P=0.00). We did not find any difference between groups in tender point number percent change (p=0.074). However, we observed statistically significant improvement in percent change of FIQ scores in Stanger bath group (−30±16.7) when compared to group 2 (−19.3±13) (p=0.016). We conclude that Stanger bath therapy when combined with amitriptyline has a long lasting effect and better outcome in FM patients.
Empirical analysis of factors affecting malware URL detection

Many organizations, from antivirus companies to motivated volunteers, maintain blacklists of URLs suspected of distributing malware in order to protect users. Detection rates can vary widely, but it is not known why. We posit that much variation can be explained by differences in the type of malware and differences in the blacklists themselves. To that end, we conducted an empirical analysis of 722 malware URLs submitted to the Malware Domain List (MDL) over 6 months in 2012-2013. We ran each URL through VirusTotal, a tool that allowed us to check each URL against 38 different malware URL blacklists, within an hour from when they were first blacklisted by the MDL. We followed up on each for two weeks following. We then ran logisitic regressions and Cox proportional hazard models to identify factors affecting blacklist accuracy and speed. We find that URLs belonging to known exploit kits such as Blackhole and Styx were more likely to be blacklisted and blacklisted quicker. We also found that blacklists that are used to actively block URLs are more effective than those that do not, and furthermore that paid services are more effective than free ones.
Restoration of impulse noise corrupted images based on gradients

A new filtering algorithm is presented which can remove impulse noise from corrupted images while preserving details. The algorithm is based on a new impulse detection technique that uses image gradients. The proposed impulse detector can effectively categorize all the pixels in an image into two classes -- noise pixels and noise-free pixels. The noise-free pixels are kept untouched while the noise pixels are filtered by a noise cancellor such as median filter. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm provides significant improvement over many existing techniques in terms of both subjective and objective evaluations. It also has the advantage of computational simplicity over those algorithms.
Antipsychotic combination therapy in schizophrenia. A review of efficacy and risks of current combinations

Objective: To review the literature on efficacy and risks of combining antipsychotics (atypical with atypical or conventional) and suggest a rationale and strategies for future clinical trials. Method: A computerized Medline search supplemented by an examination of cross-references and reviews was performed. Results: Empirical evidence for the efficacy of combining antipsychotics is too limited to draw firm conclusions. The practice of augmenting clozapine with more ‘tightly bound’ D2 receptor antagonists as exemplified by risperidone augmentation of clozapine has some empirical and theoretical support. The risks of augmentation strategies have not been studied systematically. No study has examined the economic impact of combination treatment. Conclusion: Further trials of antipsychotic combination therapies are needed before this currently unsupported practice can be recommended. Rationales for combination treatment include a broadening of the range of receptor activity or an increase in D2 receptor occupancy with certain atypical agents. Trial methodology needs to take into account subject characteristics, duration of treatment, optimization of monotherapy comparators, and appropriate outcome measures.
Evaluation of the proportionate mortality index in the presence of multiple comparisons

We investigate the frequency in occupational studies of falsely identifying significantly elevated cause-specific mortality in the presence of multiple comparisons. When one investigates a standard battery of causes of death, use of a standardized mortality ratio as a summary index results in an excessive experimental error rate, but one can control the error rate with use of standard procedures that limit the type I error. When a major disease category for an occupational cohort has a lower rate than expected, then with use of a proportionate mortality ratio as a summary index, the standard procedures for control of the type I error are inadequate. In this situation, use of a proportionate mortality ratio as a summary index is likely to result in the false identification of an excess cause-specific mortality more often than previously acknowledged.
Minimalist Approaches to Protein Labelling: Getting the Most Fluorescent Bang for Your Steric Buck

Fluorescence methods allow one to monitor protein conformational changes, protein–protein associations, and proteolysis in real time, at the single molecule level and in living cells. The information gained in such experiments is a function of the spectroscopic techniques used and the strategic placement of fluorophore labels within the protein structure. There is often a trade-off between size and utility for fluorophores, whereby large size can be disruptive to the protein’s fold or function, but valuable characteristics, such as visible wavelength absorption and emission or brightness, require sizable chromophores. Three major types of fluorophore readouts are commonly used: (1) Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET); (2) photoinduced electron transfer (PET); and (3) environmental sensitivity. This review focuses on those probes small enough to be incorporated into proteins during ribosomal translation, which allows the probes to be placed on the interiors of proteins as they are folded during synthesis. The most broadly useful method for doing so is site-specific unnatural amino acid (UAA) mutagenesis. We discuss the use of UAA probes in applications relying on FRET, PET, and environmental sensitivity. We also briefly review other methods of protein labelling and compare their relative merits to UAA mutagenesis. Finally, we discuss small probes that have thus far been used only in synthetic peptides, but which have unusual value and may be candidates for incorporation using UAA methods.
Phenylalanine residues at the carboxyl terminus of the herpes simplex virus 1 UL20 membrane protein regulate cytoplasmic virion envelopment and infectious virus production.

ABSTRACT The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) UL20 gene encodes a 222-amino-acid nonglycosylated envelope protein which forms a complex with viral glycoprotein K (gK) that functions in virion envelopment, egress, and virus-induced cell fusion. To investigate the role of the carboxyl terminus of the UL20 protein (UL20p) in cytoplasmic virion envelopment, a cadre of mutant viruses was constructed and characterized. The deletion of six amino acids from the carboxyl terminus of UL20p caused an approximately 1-log reduction in infectious virus production compared to that of the wild-type virus. Surprisingly, a phenylalanine-to-alanine replacement at amino acid position 210 caused a gain-of-function phenotype, increasing infectious virus production up to 1 log more than in the wild-type virus. In contrast, the replacement of two membrane-proximal phenylalanines with alanines caused drastic inhibition of infectious virion production and cytoplasmic virion envelopment. Prediction of the membrane topology of UL20p revealed that these two amino acid changes cause retraction of the carboxyl terminus of UL20p from the intracellular space. Confocal microscopy revealed that none of the engineered UL20 mutations affected intracellular transport of UL20p to trans -Golgi network membranes. In addition, a proximity ligation assay showed that none of the UL20 mutations affected UL20p colocalization and potential interactions with the UL37 protein recently found to interact with the gK/UL20 protein complex. Collectively, these studies show that phenylalanine residues within the carboxyl terminus of UL20p are involved in the regulation of cytoplasmic virion envelopment and infectious virus production. IMPORTANCE We have shown previously that the UL20/gK protein complex serves crucial roles in cytoplasmic virion envelopment and that it interacts with the UL37 tegument protein to facilitate cytoplasmic virion envelopment. In this study, we investigated the role of phenylalanine residues within the carboxyl terminus of UL20p, since aromatic and hydrophobic amino acids are known to be involved in protein-protein interactions through stacking of their aromatic structures. Characterization of mutant viruses carrying phenylalanine (Phe)-to-alanine (Ala) mutations revealed that the two membrane-proximal Phe residues were critical for the proper UL20p membrane topology and efficient virion envelopment and infectious virus production. Surprisingly, a Phe-to-Ala change located approximately in the middle of the UL20p carboxyl terminus substantially enhanced cytoplasmic envelopment and overall production of infectious virions. This work revealed that Phe residues within the UL20p carboxyl terminus are involved in the regulation of cytoplasmic virion envelopment and infectious virus production.
Combination Treatment With Meropenem Plus Levofloxacin Is Synergistic Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in a Murine Model of Pneumonia

Background. Meropenem plus levofloxacin treatment was shown to be a promising combination in our in vitro hollow fiber infection model. We strove to validate this finding in a murine Pseudomonas pneumonia model. Methods. A dose-ranging study with meropenem and levofloxacin alone and in combination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was performed in a granulocytopenic murine pneumonia model. Meropenem and levofloxacin were administered to partially humanize their pharmacokinetic profiles in mouse serum. Total and resistant bacterial populations were estimated after 24 hours of therapy. Pharmacokinetic profiling of both drugs was performed in plasma and epithelial lining fluid, using a population model. Results. Meropenem and levofloxacin penetrations into epithelial lining fluid were 39.3% and 64.3%, respectively. Both monotherapies demonstrated good exposure responses. An innovative combination-therapy analytic approach demonstrated that the combination was statistically significantly synergistic (α = 2.475), as was shown in the hollow fiber infection model. Bacterial resistant to levofloxacin and meropenem was seen in the control arm. Levofloxacin monotherapy selected for resistance to itself. No resistant subpopulations were observed in any combination therapy arm. Conclusions. The combination of meropenem plus levofloxacin was synergistic, producing good bacterial kill and resistance suppression. Given the track record of safety of each agent, this combination may be worthy of clinical trial.
The XRCC1 codon 399 Gln allele is associated with adenine to guanine p53 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract The X-ray repair cross-complementing group 1 (XRCC1) gene plays a critical role in the repair of DNA single-strand breaks. A polymorphism at codon 399 of the XRCC1 gene (Arg to Gln) is associated with increased DNA adduct binding and an increase in sister chromatid exchanges after exposure to tobacco carcinogens and may be linked with an increased risk of lung cancer. To further define the interaction between tobacco carcinogens, XRCC1-mediated DNA repair and DNA damage, we examined the role of the XRCC1 codon 399 polymorphism in mutation of the p53 gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumor and non-neoplastic (lung or lymphocyte) samples were collected from 116 cigarette smokers with NSCLC. p53 mutations were detected by direct sequencing and/or the GeneChip® p53 assay in 63 of 116 (54%) tumors. XRCC1 polymorphisms were identified by PCR/RFLP analysis. The distribution of XRCC1 codon 399 genotypes was (Arg/Arg [74 of 116, 64%], Arg/Gln [29 of 116, 25%], and Gln/Gln [13 of 116, 11%]). The prevalence of p53 mutations was similar among subjects with all three XRCC1 genotypes (Arg/Arg [39 of 74, 53%], Arg/Gln [18 of 29, 62%], and Gln/Gln [6 of 13, 46%]). However, the prevalence of specific p53 mutations varied among different XRCC1 genotypes. AT to GC transitions were significantly (P=0.01) more common among subjects with the Gln/Arg or Gln/Gln genotype (5 of 42, 12%) than in subjects with the Arg/Arg genotype (1 of 74, 1.4%). In summary, the XRCC1 Gln allele is associated with AT to GC mutations in p53 in NSCLC. The XRCC1 gene may play a role in the repair of cigarette smoking-induced DNA damage.
Hydrogen Storage Experiments for an Undergraduate Laboratory Course—Clean Energy: Hydrogen/Fuel Cells

Global interest in both renewable energies and reduction in emission levels has placed increasing attention on hydrogen-based fuel cells that avoid harm to the environment by releasing only water as a byproduct. Therefore, there is a critical need for education and workforce development in clean energy technologies. A new undergraduate laboratory course for students has been developed, entitled, Clean Energy: Hydrogen/Fuel Cells. If hydrogen is to be used on a large-scale basis, the storage of hydrogen becomes a crucial issue for mobility and transport applications. Fuel cell technology would be practical if hydrogen could be stored in a safe, efficient, compact, and economic manner. The experiments reported here train students to measure the hydrogen storage capacity of aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and solid magnesium hydride by measuring the consumption of hydrogen with a hydrogen fuel cell and evaluating its performance. In addition, students also gain fundamental experience handling gases and us...
Closure of eyelid defects.

background . Repair of eyelid defects can be achieved by an array of procedures. objective . To provide a basic approach to repairing eyelid defects. methods . Defects are categorized by size. The method of repair for each defect is described. conclusion . By selecting the proper method of closure, with due consideration of the size, location, and configuration of the defect, the cutaneous surgeon can repair eyelid defects whilst maintaining the best possible function and cosmetic appearance. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1992;18:1061–1064.
Coexistence of Translocation(1,19) and the Philadelphia Chromosome in a Child's First Presentation of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in Blast Crisis Treated with Dasatinib

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) constitutes less than 5% of childhood leukemias. The authors describe a rare case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with CML in blast crisis. Unique to this patient was the evidence of both breakpoint cluster region-c-abl oncogene 1 (BCR-ABL1) fusions as well as an additional unbalanced t(1;19) translocation. This combination has not previously been reported in the same patient. Initial treatment with dasatinib achieved a complete cytogenetic response within 2 months of therapy. This case highlights the heterogeneous presentation of CML in children and rationale for use of dasatinib as a first-line agent for patients with blast crisis.
Discontinuities and senior management: assessing the role of recognition in pharmaceutical firm response to biotechnology

Despite an increasing emphasis on the role of senior management cognition in shaping organizational action, there have been few attempts to link top management mental models to strategic choice in the face of discontinuous innovation. This paper uses 23 years of data covering 15 major pharmaceutical firms to explore the degree to which each firm's response to the revolution in biotechnology was shaped by the senior team's recognition of biotechnology's importance. Controlling for a number of important alternative explanations, we show that recognition may be an important predictor of action, suggesting that cognition at the most senior level can play a critical role in shaping established firms' response to discontinuities. Copyright 2003, Oxford University Press.
Interstate Competition and State Strategies to Deregulate Interstate Banking 1982-1988

State strategies to deregulate interstate banking during the period 1982-1988 are explored in this study. The strategies are arrayed on a continuum to arrive at a measure of market expansiveness. The determination of market expansiveness is then tested using concepts drawn from the contemporary public policy literature, such as interjurisdictional competition and state opinion liberalism, and other policy-specific variables such as bank failures. Interstate competition and economic crisis are found to be significant influences on the determination of market expansiveness. These results are then discussed in a framework that attempts to reconcile them with other studies of policy outcomes.
Using the Motor Drive as a Sensor to Extract Spatially Dependent Information for Motion Control Applications

This paper presents a methodology for extracting useful spatial signals using the motor drive as the sensor during servo operation. Spatially dependent phenomena yield nonstationary frequency content during servo operation. With variable frequency and frequency-dependent amplitude in the current and torque signals, the underlying valuable spatial information is difficult to extract using conventional frequency-domain approaches. The methodology presented uses the motor drive to estimate the spatially dependent disturbance torque information during servo operation using spatial-domain resampling of temporal-domain signals internal to the motor drive. Spatial-domain information is speed invariant, making it accessible even during servo operation. Additionally, this paper develops a framework to operate through varying speeds to help isolate the systematic spatially dependent content using spatial synchronous averaging. These methods and concepts are evaluated through simulation as well as experimentation. This methodology can be utilized to provide robust control of machines through identification of spatial components, as well as improve diagnostics of machine and load degradation.
Changes in Functional but Not Structural Avidity during Differentiation of CD8+ Effector Cells In Vivo after Virus Infection

By the peak of the CD8(+) T cell response, the effector cell pool consists of a heterogeneous population of cells that includes both those with an increased propensity to become long-lived memory cells (memory precursor effector cells; MPEC) and those that are terminally differentiated cells (short-lived effector cells; SLEC). Numerous studies have established the critical role that functional avidity plays in determining the in vivo efficacy of CD8(+) effector cells. Currently, how functional avidity differs in MPEC versus SLEC and the evolution of this property within these two populations during the expansion and contraction of the response are unknown. The data presented in this study show that at the peak of the effector response generated after poxvirus infection, SLEC were of higher functional avidity than their MPEC counterpart. Over time, however, SLEC exhibited a decrease in peptide sensitivity. This is in contrast to MPEC, which showed a modest increase in peptide sensitivity as the response reached equilibrium. The decrease in functional avidity in SLEC was independent of CD8 modulation or the amount of Ag receptor expressed by the T cell. Instead, the loss in sensitivity was correlated with decreased expression and activation of ZAP70 and Lck, critical components of TCR membrane proximal signaling. These results highlight the potential contribution of avidity in the differentiation and evolution of the T cell effector response after viral infection.
Function of the Yersinia effector YopJ.

The Yersinia virulence factor YopJ inhibits the host immune response and induces apoptosis by blocking multiple signaling pathways, including the MAPK and NFκB pathways in the infected cell. YopJ is a cysteine protease that cleaves a reversible post-translational modification in the form of ubiquitin or a ubiquitin-like protein. Homologues of YopJ are expressed in animal and plant pathogens, as well as a plant symbiont, suggesting a universal mechanism of regulating or modulating a variety of signaling pathways. The ability of YopJ to block the innate immune response, its activity as a ubiquitin-like protein protease and its activity with respect to mammalian signalling pathways are discussed in this review.
Comparative genomic hybridization of ectopic pregnancies that fail methotrexate therapy

Ectopic pregnancies that fail methotrexate therapy are predominantly euploid by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). This feasibility study also confirms that formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gestational tissue can successfully undergo CGH.
Fetal outcome from prolonged versus acute drug administration in the pregnant rat.

Eleven years ago last May (1), our distinguished opening lecturer, Dr. Josef Warkany, called to order the first meeting of the Teratology Society of the USA in Cleveland, Ohio. He did this after years of work in the field of pediatrics and experimental teratology, observing many malformed children in his clinical practice. At that time, he requested that workers in other areas of biomedical sciences join in the search for the causes of congenital malformation and the mode of action of the causative agents as an approach to the prevention and cure of such malformation. Nine years later (2), at the close of the Third International Conference on Congenital Malformations, he expressed his satisfaction in seeing “so many talented investigators, representative of so many sciences, turn to this once neglected field of medicine” and emphasized that “our aim must be the prevention of congenital malformations”. At the present, as in 1969, we are still at the beginning of preventive teratology; however, since 1961, the time of our first meeting, there is an ever-increasing number of scientists aware of the problems of congenital malformations. This awareness was probably brought about by the teratogenic effects of thalidomide. But thalidomide or not, such an incident was bound to happen with our constant development of new drugs to combat diseases that plague mankind.
Two-stage models for lunar and terrestrial anorthosites Petrogenesis without a magma ocean

The most popular model of early lunar differentiation is that of a globe-encircling magma ocean tens, if not hundreds, of kilometers deep which produced a floating anorthositic crust and a complementary plagioclase-depleted interior during solidification. Shirley (1983) attempted to show a process by which some of the oldest rocks, lunar ferroan anorthosites (LFA), might have formed from a partially molten 'magma ocean'. The present investigation is concerned with a process by which ferroan anorthosites might have formed without a magma ocean. Attention is given to the magma ocean hypothesis, a hypothesis proposed by Wetherill (1975) regarding a petrogenesis without a magma ocean, two-stage lunar anorthosites, and terrestrial anorthosites.
Volume deformation for tensor visualization

Visualizing second-order 3D tensor fields continue to be a challenging task. Although there are several algorithms that have been presented, no single algorithm by itself is sufficient for the analysis because of the complex nature of tensor fields. In this paper, we present two new methods, based on volume deformation, to show the effects of the tensor field upon its underlying media. We focus on providing a continuous representation of the nature of the tensor fields. Each of these visualization algorithms is good at displaying some particular properties of the tensor field.
More Isn't Always Better: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis and the Case for Using a Split-Night Protocol

As sleep physicians, we should be concerned about not only the improvement of our patients’ health but also whether we are unnecessarily burdening our patients or society with treatments that do not provide good value for money. This is particularly important in the case of the diagnosis of and initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea because the high prevalence of undiagnosed disease, as well as the high costs of the standard approach (2 nights of polysomnography), impose a significant economic burden on society. A number of alternative strategies for the diagnosis and treatment initiation are available. The debate about which approach is the best is a contentious one and may be obscured by issues that include physicians’ familiarity with strategies or personal financial incentives.
Self-Orthogonal Codes and the Topology of Spinor Groups

Maximal doubly-even self-orthogonal binary linear codes correspond to the maximal elementary abelian 2-groups of the spinor group Spin(n). We will describe the correspondence and discuss various techniques from the algebraic topology of Spin(n) which may be useful in studying self-orthogonal codes. In particular, Quillen’s results in equivariant cohomology theory coupled with some Morse theory may allow one to address certain questions on the minimum weight of doubly-even self-orthogonal codes.
Bimanual marking menu for near surface interactions

We describe a mouseless, near-surface version of the Bimanual Marking Menu system. To activate the menu system, users create a pinch gesture with either their index or middle finger to initiate a left click or right click. Then they mark in the 3D space near the interactive area. We demonstrate how the system can be implemented using a commodity range camera such as the Microsoft Kinect, and report on several designs of the 3D marking system. Like the multi-touch marking menu, our system offers a large number of accessible commands. Since it does not rely on contact points to operate, our system leaves the non-dominant hand available for other multi-touch interactions.