cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nebulized Colistin for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Pneumonia

Purpose: To describe the use of nebulized colistin (colistimethate sodium) for the treatment of multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections. Specific aims were to identify dose and frequency of nebulized colistin therapy currently used, to assess clinical and microbiological efficacy, and to assess the prevalence of adverse events resulting from colistin therapy.Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed at a tertiary care, level I trauma center and teaching hospital. The review included examination of 29 courses of colistin therapy administered to 24 adults receiving at least 24 hours of nebulized colistin for the treatment of gramnegative pneumonia.Results: Demographic, medication, adverse event, and outcome data were collected for the duration of colistin therapy. Colistin was administered to patients with multidrug-resistant infections caused by gram-negative organisms. Many patients had a history of exposure to multiple antibiotics or drug allergies. Resistance to colistin was observed in 3...
Dynamic Simulation of a Long-Span Bridge-Traffic System Subjected to Combined Service and Extreme Loads

AbstractLong-span bridges support busy traffic and experience considerable wind loads on the bridge decks nearly every day. In addition to these two major service loads, some extreme loads such as earthquake, vehicle collision, or blast may also occur on the bridges simultaneously. Excessive dynamic responses of the bridge under extreme and service loads may not only cause local member damage, serviceability issues, or even global failure of the bridge structure, but also traffic safety concern on moving vehicles. A general simulation platform is established to investigate the dynamic performance of the bridge-traffic system under multiple service and extreme loads. The fully coupled bridge-traffic interaction model is developed by coupling the mode-based bridge model and all individual moving vehicles of the simulated stochastic traffic flow considering excitations from bridge deck roughness and other external dynamic loads. Through the established simulation platform, the global dynamic responses of the...
A comparison of infrasound signals refracted from stratospheric and thermospheric altitudes

[1] Over the last several years, a large number of ground-based infrasound arrays have been established for explosion monitoring as part of the International Monitoring System of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization. Results from these arrays have become valuable in understanding long-range infrasound propagation in the atmosphere and complement earlier data. Two types of signals are often observed for a given source: those refracted at stratospheric heights and at thermospheric heights. In this contribution we compare several characteristics of these two signal types including observed pressure amplitude, average travel velocity, bearing, and signal duration. For this study we use archival data from atmospheric nuclear explosions, high explosive chemical explosions on the surface, earthquakes with previously detected stratospheric signals, and earthquakes for which stratospheric signals were not detected. We show that the combination of stratospheric and thermospheric signals may provide independent estimates of wind propagation conditions and source characteristics. The observations of both signal types may increase the confidence level of an infrasound signal detection.
An analytic stability test for a class of time-delay systems

Stability properties of linear dynamic systems with characteristic equations of the form \Sigma\min{i=0}\max{n} P_{i}(s)e^{-shi}=0 , where all the polynomials P i are of order \leq r in s , can be determined from a polynomial equation in s of order \leq 2n + r .
N-alkylpiperidine·alane compounds and their applications in alane regeneration

Abstract The synthesis, characterization, and detailed thermal properties of N -alkylpiperidine·alane compounds are described. Direct reaction of 1 equiv of N -alkylpiperidine (NMPi or NEPi, NMPi = N -methylpiperidine, NEPi = N -ethylpiperidine) with 1 equiv of γ-AlH 3 readily gives the 1:1 adduct NMPi·AlH 3 (or NEPi·AlH 3 ) in good yields and purity. Attempts to prepare the related 2:1 complexes were unsuccessful; however, in situ studies by infrared spectroscopy showed the formation of (NMPi) 2 ·AlH 3 when a large excess of NMPi was present, whereas no (NEPi) 2 ·AlH 3 was observed under similar conditions. Such difference in reactivity is due to the steric effect of the ethyl group in NEPi. Under heat and vacuum, both NMPi·AlH 3 and NEPi·AlH 3 react with 1 equiv of LiH to form non-solvated LiAlH 4 in nearly quantitative yields. However, they display dramatically different decomposition pathways without LiH or with a catalytic amount of LiH. While NMPi·AlH 3 decomposes to Al metal directly, NEPi·AlH 3 can be selectively decomposed to form AlH 3 under certain conditions. Moreover, the transamination of (NMPy) 2 ·AlH 3 (NMPy = N -methylpyrrolidine) with NEPi has been shown to give NEPi·AlH 3 in good yields. Compared to Et 3 N, NEPi not only extends the scope of the transamination to include a wide range of amine·alane adducts, but also improves the yield, selectivity, and energy-efficiency of the process. Combining these results with the formation of (NMPy) 2 ·AlH 3 via hydrogenation, we have established an improved regeneration pathway for AlH 3 using NMPy, NEPi, and Al metal.
Ethanol enhances Nicotine's effects on DRL performance in rats.

Abstract The present experiment examined effects of nicotine (0.0, 0.3, 0.56, and 1.0 mg/kg; IP) and ethanol (0.0, 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 g/kg; IG) on operant behavior using a differential reinforcement of low response rate (DRL) schedule in rats. DRL schedules are sensitive to effects of nicotine and provide an assessment of the subject's ability to accurately estimate time and to inhibit schedule-controlled responding. When administered alone, nicotine shifted the mode of the interresponse time distribution to the left and reduced the percentage of reinforced responses. Nicotine also had an inverted U-shaped dose effect on the number of “bursting” responses. When administered after pretreatment with ethanol, nicotine's effects on the distribution of interresponse times and bursting were potentiated. These effects are consistent with previous reports and with the suggestion that ethanol pretreatment can potentiate effects of subsequently administered nicotine. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.
Robust Autocorrelation Estimation

In this article, we introduce a new class of robust autocorrelation estimators based on interpreting the sample autocorrelation function as a linear regression. We investigate the efficiency and robustness properties of the estimators that result from employing three common robust regression techniques. We discuss the construction of robust autocovariance and positive definite autocorrelation estimates, and their application to AR model fitting. We perform simulation studies with various outlier configurations to compare the different estimators.
The Value of Children to Parents in the United States

Data from a national survey of the value of children to parents were analyzed to (a)report the satisfactions of parenthood perceived by married American couples in the childbearing years, (b) test the adequacy of the kloffman and Hoffman (1973) need-based category scheme for conceptualizing the value of children, and (c) examine subgroup diff(~rences to test the hypothesis that groups with fewer alternative means for satisfying a particular need will value children more highly for this quality. Results indicated that the Hoffman and Hoffman (1973) scheme was adequate with some modifications. In both structured and unstructured questions, the two most important values were Primary Group Ties and Stimulation and Fun. The alternatives hypothesis received some support: Groups with less access to economic resources (less educated and blacks) gave more importance to economic-utility values than did others; women with traditional sex-role definitions gave more importance to adult status than did others; unemployed women gave more to fun and stimulation; Jews and nonaffiliated more to immortality; urban residents more to purpose in life. The alternatives hypothesis alone did not work as well in other cases, particularly achievement, probably because the intensity of the need was not considered in this analysis.
Bringing Bureaucracy Back In

The editors note the growth of research on public bureaucracy over the past two decades and make recommendations for future development that include "getting inside the black box of bureaucracy, taking theory more seriously, exploiting the variance in bu reaucracies, making an explicit return to the structural aspects of bureaucracy, and adopting methods that correspond to the data-generating processes of public bureaucracies" (293). The volume is organized into three general sections: deductive theory, cutting-edge methodological approaches, and "theoretically moti vated" empirical studies (17).
Private Pressure for Social Change in South Africa: the Impact of the Sullivan Principles

The Sullivan Principles represented an attempt in the 1970s and 1980s in the United States to apply private pressure, as an alternative to government sanctions, to put an end to apartheid in South Africa. In this paper we assess the impact of the Principles on the employment practices of a sample of U.S. firms operating in South Africa that were signatories to the Principles. We examine the extent of their commitment to improving conditions of employment for their nonwhite employees, in the areas of employment growth, wages, and advancement into management and supervisory positions. Our results indicate that the impact of the Sullivan Principles was modest at best. The evidence leads to the conclusion that in this case, private pressure was not a powerful force for social change.
Diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disturbances induced by atypical antipsychotic agents.

Atypical antipsychotic agents offer significant advantages over older conventional antipsychotic agents. The reduction in antipsychotic drug-associated extrapyramidal symptoms and the potential reduced risk for tardive dyskinesia, compared to conventional drugs, are major advances in the treatment of psychotic patients. However, recent reports of hyperglycemia, new-onset diabetes mellitus, diabetic ketoacidosis, weight gain, and lipid abnormalities associated with atypical antipsychotic agents have emerged. A review of the recent literature and an approach to the evaluation of risk factors to aide in the safe use of atypical antipsychotic agents is presented.
Managed care: survival skills for the future.

The last two decades have been a time of dramatic and consistent change in the way health care is delivered. The use of managed care strategies by health care providers impacts occupational therapy practitioners directly, yet they are often ill-prepared to respond to changes constructively. With adequate preparation, occupational therapy practitioners may not only respond to organizational change, but play a major role in helping to shape their organization's future.This article presents and defines the major managed care strategies being utilized by health care providers and their impacts on occupational therapy practitioners. The skills and strategies occupational therapy practitioners can use to effectively respond are presented and discussed. Suggested methods for gaining these skills are included. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1–800–342–9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworth.com]
CAMP EXPERTISE: ARTHUR SYMONS, MUSIC-HALL, AND THE DEFENSE OF THEORY

BY THE CLOSE OF THE PREVIOUS CENTURY, English music-hall or variety, an entertainment form that incorporated comic acts, sketch comedy, dance, even animal acts, was drawing a broad base of middle-class patrons, and losing its exclusive character as working-class entertainment. “Variety” halls like the Alhambra or the Empire now claimed the attention and lucre of a new mass audience. Music-hall was also, I would argue, a proving ground where enterprising intellectuals could flex their evaluative muscle. Perhaps more than any other Late Victorian man of letters, critic and poet Arthur Symons frequented the music-hall with an eye toward representing it, a service that he regularly performed for The Star newspaper and elite cultural venues such as The Fortnightly Review.
Enzymatic Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Reverse Transcriptase Resistant to Multiple 2′,3′-Dideoxynucleoside 5′-Triphosphates

A set of five mutations (A62V, V75I, F77L, F116Y, and Q151M) in the polymerase domain of reverse transcriptase (RT) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), which confers on the virus a reduced sensitivity to multiple therapeutic dideoxynucleosides (ddNs), has been identified. In this study, we defined the biochemical properties of RT with such mutations by using site-directed mutagenesis, overproduction of recombinant RTs, and steady-state kinetic analyses. A single mutation, Q151M, which developed first among the five mutations in patients receiving therapy, most profoundly reduced the sensitivity of RT to multiple ddN 5'-triphosphate (ddNTPs). Addition of other mutations to Q151M further reduced the sensitivity of RT to ddNTPs. RT with the five mutations proved to be resistant by 65-fold to 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine 5'-triphosphate (AZTTP), 12-fold to ddCTP, 8.8-fold to ddATP, and 3.3-fold to 2',3'-dideoxyguanosine 5'-triphosphate (ddGTP), compared with wild-type RT (RTwt). Steady-state kinetic studies revealed comparable catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of RTs carrying combined mutations as compared with that of RTwt (< 3-fold), although a marked difference was noted in inhibition constants (Ki) (e.g. Ki of a mutant RT carrying the five mutations was 62-fold higher for AZTTP than that of RTwt). Thus, we conclude that the alteration of RT's substrate recognition, caused by these mutations, accounts for the observed multi-ddN resistance of HIV-1. The features of multi-ddNTP-resistant RTs should provide insights into the molecular mechanism of RT discriminating ddNTPs from natural substrates.
Learning biases predict a word order universal

How recurrent typological patterns, or universals, emerge from the extensive diversity found across the world’s languages constitutes a central question for linguistics and cognitive science. Recent challenges to a fundamental assumption of generative linguistics—that universal properties of the human language acquisition faculty constrain the types of grammatical systems which can occur—suggest the need for new types of empirical evidence connecting typology to biases of learners. Using an artificial language learning paradigm in which adult subjects are exposed to a mix of grammatical systems (similar to a period of linguistic change), we show that learners’ biases mirror a word-order universal, first proposed by Joseph Greenberg, which constrains typological patterns of adjective, numeral, and noun ordering. We briefly summarize the results of a probabilistic model of the hypothesized biases and their effect on learning, and discuss the broader implications of the results for current theories of the origins of cross-linguistic word-order preferences.
New statistical methods in bioinformatics: for the analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL), microarrays, and eQTLs

1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 3 1 QTL Analysis 4 1.1 Background 4 1.2 Genotyping Marker Loci 7 1.3 Experimental Populations in Interval Mapping 8 1.4 Expected Genotypes at Unobserved Loci 9 2 Affymetrix GeneChip Array Technology 15 3 Multiple Testing Adjustment Procedures 18 3.1 For QTL Analysis 19 3.2 For Microarray Analysis 20 4 Dissertation organization 21 5 References 23 6 Glossary 25 CHAPTER 1. QTL DETECTION FOR ZERO-INFLATED POISSON TRAITS 27
Local feedback structures and nilpotent approximations

A precise definition of when two control systems have equivalent local time-optimal feedback structures (LTOFS) is given. As expected, feedback equivalence implies equivalent LTOFS, but the latter is definitely a weaker equivalence. The resulting equivalence classes for low-dimensional affine systems are studied, and canonical representatives are given for systems of dimensions two and three. Results and questions concerning the LTOFS equivalence of an affine system and a nilpotent approximation of the system are included. >
Problem‐Definition in Marketing Research Studies

Describes an approach that assists decision makers and market research analysts in problem‐definition in market research studies. Examines the two‐stage process of formulating an explicit research objective and developing a series of research questions to achieve that objective, illustrating the approach with examples. Concludes that while the approach does not provide insight into what is the right problem, it represents an aid to designing effective market research studies.
Petrology of Precambrian Mafic Dikes from the Bald Mountain Area, Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming

Petrographic, mineralogic, and chemical data obtained for dolerite dikes in the northwestern-most exposure of Precambrian rocks in the Bighorn Mountains indicate emplacement of tholeiitic magma during a single episode which postdates the time of recrystallization of the metasomatic, granitic country rock of the area. Modal, mineral-chemical, and rock-chemical variations across several of the dikes suggest that intradike differentiation followed the alkali-enrichment trend.
The influence of sex on the chondrogenic potential of muscle‐derived stem cells: Implications for cartilage regeneration and repair

Objective. To explore possible differences in muscle-derived stem cell (MDSC) chondrogenic differentiation in vitro and articular cartilage regeneration in vivo between murine male MDSCs (M-MDSCs) and female MDSCs (F-MDSCs). Methods. Three different populations of M- and F-MDSCs (n 3 of each sex) obtained via preplate technique, which separates cells based on their variable adhesion characteristics, were compared for their in vitro chondrogenic potential using pellet culture. Cells were assayed with and without retroviral transduction to express bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4). The influence of both expression of stem cell marker Sca1 and in vitro expansion on the chondrogenic potential of M- and F-MDSCs was also determined. Additionally, BMP-4–transduced M- and F-MDSCs were applied to a full-thickness articular cartilage defect (n 5 each) on the femur of a nude rat, and the quality of the repaired tissue was evaluated by macroscopic and histologic examination. Results. With and without BMP-4 gene transduction, M-MDSCs produced significantly larger pellets with a richer extracellular matrix, compared with F-MDSCs. Sca1 purification influenced the chondrogenic potential of MDSCs, especially M-MDSCs. Longterm culture did not affect the chondrogenic potential of M-MDSCs but did influence F-MDSCs. M-MDSCs repaired articular cartilage defects more effectively than did F-MDSCs at all time points tested, as assessed both macroscopically and histologically. Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate that sex influences the chondrogenic differentiation and articular cartilage regeneration potential of MDSCs. Compared with female MDSCs, male MDSCs display more chondrogenic differentiation and better cartilage regeneration potential.
Submicron Etched Beam Splitters Based on Total Internal Reflection in GaAs–AlGaAs Waveguides

Submicron etched beam splitters are designed, fabricated and characterized in Al0.9Ga0.1As-GaAs waveguides. Beam splitter transmission and reflection characteristics show clear dependence on gap dimension and angle of incidence. It is possible to obtain 8 to 30% power transmission by adjusting the gap dimension and angle of incidence. The experimental results agree well with three-dimensional (3-D) finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations. The effect of imperfections, mainly the slope of etched sidewalls and variations in etch depth are investigated using 3-D FDTD. Design guidelines for low loss etched beam splitters are also given.
Modernism and modernity in the Mediterranean world

Luca Somigli and Domenico Pietropalo, Toronto, Legas, 2006, 349 pp., price unspecified (paperback), ISBN 1-894508-84-X This collection of essays, which grew out of a conference held at the Universi...
Merkle tree authentication of HTTP responses

We propose extensions to existing web protocols that allow proofs of authenticity of HTTP server responses, whether or not the HTTP server is under the control of the publisher. These extensions protect users from content that may be substituted by malicious servers, and therefore have immediate applications in improving the security of web caching, mirroring, and relaying systems that rely on untrusted machines [2,4]. Our proposal relies on Merkle trees to support 200 and 404 response authentication while requiring only a single cryptographic hash of trusted data per repository. While existing web protocols such as HTTPS can provide authenticity guarantees (in addition to confidentiality), HTTPS consumes significantly more computational resources, and requires that the hosting server act without malice in generating responses and in protecting the publisher's private key.
Identification of an abundant 56 kDa protein implicated in food allergy as granule-bound starch synthase.

Rice, the staple food of south and east Asian counties, is considered to be hypoallergenic. However, several clinical studies have documented rice-induced allergy in sensitive patients. Rice proteins with molecular weights of 14–16, 26, 33, and 56 kDa have been identified as allergens. Recently, it was documented that the 56 kDa rice allergen was responsible for rice-induced anaphylaxis. The 14–16 kDa allergens have been identified as α-amylase inhibitors; the 26 kDa protein has been identified as α-globulin; and the 33 kDa protein has been identified as glyoxalase I. However, the identity of the 56 kDa rice allergen has not yet been determined. In this study, we demonstrate that serum from patients allergic to maize shows IgE binding to a 56 kDa protein that was present in both maize and rice but not in the oil seeds soybean and peanut. The 56 kDa IgE-binding protein was abundant in the rice endosperm. We have purified this protein from rice endosperm and demonstrated its reactivity to IgE antibodies fro...
On the performance of graph-based scheduling algorithms for packet radio networks

Many published algorithms used for scheduling transmissions in packet radio networks are based on finding maximal independent sets in an underlying graph. Such algorithms are developed under the assumptions of variations of the protocol interference model, which does not take the aggregated effect of interference into consideration. We provide a probabilistic analysis for the throughput performance of such graph based scheduling algorithms under the physical interference model. We show that in many scenarios a significant portion of transmissions scheduled based on the protocol interference model result in unacceptable signal-to-interference and noise ratio (SINR) at intended receivers. Our analytical as well as simulation results indicate that, counter intuitively, maximization of the cardinality of independent sets does not necessarily increase the throughput of a network. We introduce the truncated graph based scheduling algorithm (TGSA) that provides probabilistic guarantees for the throughput performance of the network.
Scattering of Light, Neutrons, X-Rays, and Other Radiation

Since the middle of the twentieth century, the study of fluids using scattering of light, neutrons, and X-rays has been a major tool of experimental statistical mechanics [1]. In addition to simple scattering experiments, a variety of related experimental methods such as fluorescence recovery after photobleaching [2], fluorescence correlation spectroscopy [3],[4], and diffusing wave spectroscopy [5] provide information on static and dynamic properties of liquids, gases, and complex fluids. This section treats the simplest of these techniques, in which visible light is scattered quasi-elasticallyby a nearly transparent sample. Many other scattering techniques are described theoretically by modifying or elaborating the treatment below.
Temporal bone histopathology in alport syndrome.

Objective To determine the histopathologic abnormalities within the cochlea in Alport syndrome. Background Alport syndrome, which manifests as hereditary nephritis and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), is caused by mutations in genes that code for the proportional, variant3, proportional, variant4, and proportional, variant5 chains of type IV collagen. The proportional, variant3, proportional, variant4, and proportional, variant5 chains of type IV collagen are present in the basement membrane of the organ of Corti. Previous temporal bone studies have failed to identify histopathologic correlates for the SNHL. Methods We examined temporal bones from nine individuals with a clinical diagnosis of Alport syndrome. One of our cases also had genetic testing that showed a mutation in the type IV collagen proportional, variant5 chain gene. Results By light microscopy, eight of nine cases demonstrated two unique pathologic changes: 1) a "zone of separation" between the basilar membrane and overlying cells of the organ of Corti and 2) presence of cells filling the tunnel of Corti and extracellular spaces of Nuel. The cytologic losses of hair cells, stria vascularis, and cochlear neuronal cells were insufficient to account for the observed SNHL in our cases. Electron microscopy was performed in four cases; all four demonstrated the following: 1) the zone of separation that was observed at light microscopy occurred between the basement membrane and the basilar membrane, 2) the cells within the tunnel of Corti and spaces of Nuel were morphologically similar to supporting cells, and 3) the basement membrane of strial capillaries and the spiral vessel (under the basilar membrane) were normal. Conclusions The histopathologic correlates of cochlear involvement in Alport syndrome are abnormalities of the basement membrane of cells of the organ of Corti and dysmorphogenesis (cellular infilling of the tunnel and extracellular spaces) of the organ of Corti. We hypothesize that these abnormalities result in SNHL by altering cochlear micromechanics.
Selective Dissolution below the Critical Potential and Back Alloying in Copper-Gold Alloy

Below the critical potential, E c , selective dissolution of Cu from Cu-18 atom % Au proceeds via Cu transport through an essentially planar Au-rich product layer, which over time increases to hundreds of atom layers in thickness. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) taken after the selective dissolution (at E < E c ) and subsequent (current-off) back alloying processes reveal nearly uniform Moire patterns characteristic of the superposition of two layers with similar crystal structures i.e., the Cu-depleted (Au-rich) product layer and the parent alloy. The Moire fringe spacing decreases with the time of Cu dissolution (for ∼60 s), indicating solid-solution Au enrichment in the product layer during dissolution. The Moire patterns give no indication of discrete islands of residual Au. The decreasing Cu dissolution rate follows the parabolic law for the first 60 s with an effective diffusivity of Cu in the product layer of ∼10 - 13 cm 2 s -1 at 23°C. The TEMs also show a few pits, whose diameter is in the <10 nm range and whose number increases with time, which may account for the higher rate of Cu dissolution (than given by the parabolic law) after I min.
Pharmacokinetics of Gentamicin in Children and Adults

Peak concentrations and half-life of gentamicin in serum were measured after 140 intravenous and 13 intramuscular doses in 52 children and 17 adults with normal levels of creatinine in serum. Marked interpatient variation in peak concentrations and half-life of gentamicin was observed, but individual patients tended to have similar values on repeated determinations. Age markedly affected the peak concentrations: a 1-mg/kg dose produced mean peak concentrations of 1.58, 2.03, and 2.81 mug/ml in the one-half to five, five to 10, and greater than 10 year age groups, respectively. This age-related change in dose response was diminished when the dose was calculated on the basis of body surface area. Patients in whom gentamicin had a short half-life, patients with fever, and adults with a high extracellular fluid volume had low peak concentrations. The mean half-life after intravenous administration was 75 min (range, 26-230 min). The mean half-life was 29 min longer after intramuscular dosage (p less than 0.01). A low rate of creatinine clearance was associated with a long half-life; fever and anemia were associated with a short half-life. The dosage of gentamicin necessary to produce mean peak serum concentrations between 4 mug/ml and 6 mug/ml was 60 mg/m2 per dose for all age groups or 2.5 mg/kg per dose for ages one-half to five years, 2.0 mg/kg per dose for ages five to 10 years, and 1.5 mg/kg per dose for ages greater than 10 years.
Enabling interspecies epigenomic comparison with CEpBrowser

Summary: We developed the Comparative Epigenome Browser (CEpBrowser) to allow the public to perform multi-species epigenomic analysis. The web-based CEpBrowser integrates, manages and visualizes sequencing-based epigenomic datasets. Five key features were developed to maximize the efficiency of interspecies epigenomic comparisons. Availability: CEpBrowser is a web application implemented with PHP, MySQL, C and Apache. URL: http://www.cepbrowser.org/. Contact: szhong@ucsd.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
ANNUAL SUMMARY OF VITAL STATISTICS--1963.

FOR A great many years there have been presented under this heading certain basic vital statistics data for the United States, drawn from the provisional report published by the National Center for Health Statistics. This year9s provisional report, published July 31, 1964, as Vol. 12, No. 13, of the Monthly Vital Statistics Report, was shortly followed, through an innovation of processing final data more rapidly, by Advance Final Natality Data, Vol. 13, No. 6, September 14, 1964, and, just as this manuscript was being submitted, by Advance Final Mortality Data, Vol. 13, No. 8, November 2, 1964. Thus, for the first time, the present report may be made without the reservations relative to later correction.
The Seventy Weeks of Daniel, and Persian Chronology

One would naturally think that a prophecy like that of the seventy weeks (heptades) of Daniel—known to have been fulfilled—would admit of easy proof and explanation; but so far is this from being the case that (as Professor Stewart justly remarks) “it would require a volume of considerable magnitude to give a history of the ever-varying and contradictory opinions of critics respecting this locus vexatissimus , and perhaps a still larger one to establish an exegesis that would stand. I am fully of opinion that no interpretation as yet published will stand the test of thorough grammatico-historical criticism, and that a candid, searching, and thorough critique here is still a desideratum.”
Anatomical and Physiological Basis of Hypothalamic-Pituitary Regulation

The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus are closely related both anatomically1–9 and embryologically10 (Figs. 1 and 2).
Laser direct writing of waveguide structures in LiNbO 3

The processing of Ti-indiffused lithium niobate devices is not unlike the processing of semiconductor devices.1 The procedure involved to fabricate a waveguide in lithium niobate includes: deposition of a blanket film of Ti; coating with resist; exposure through a mask; development of the resist; etching of the Ti; and finally diffusion in a controlled atmosphere. The steps of delineating the waveguide features is time-consuming and usually gated by the mask. This is especially true when the active area of research is usually the geometry of the guides themselves, i.e., the branching angles, radius of curvature, distance between guides. Laser microfabrication techniques2,3 can be applied to this problem in an effort to reduce the number of processing steps.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling causes malignant melanoma cells to differentially alter extracellular matrix biosynthesis to promote cell survival.

Intrinsic and acquired resistance to drug therapies remains a challenge for malignant melanoma patients. Intratumoral heterogeneities within the tumor microenvironment contribute additional complexity to the determinants of drug efficacy and acquired resistance. We use 3D biomimetic platforms to understand dynamics in extracellular matrix (ECM) biogenesis following pharmaceutical intervention against mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling. We further determined temporal evolution of secreted ECM components by isogenic melanoma cell clones. We found that the cell clones differentially secrete and assemble a myriad of ECM molecules into dense fibrillar and globular networks. We show that cells can modulate their ECM biosynthesis in response to external insults. Fibronectin (FN) is one of the key architectural components, modulating the efficacy of a broad spectrum of drug therapies. Stable cell lines engineered to secrete minimal levels of FN showed a concomitant increase in secretion of Tenascin-C and became sensitive to BRAFV600E and ERK inhibition as clonally- derived 3D tumor aggregates. These cells failed to assemble exogenous FN despite maintaining the integrin machinery to facilitate cell- ECM cross-talk. We determined that only clones that increased FN production via p38 MAPK and β1 integrin survived drug treatment. These data suggest that tumor cells engineer drug resistance by altering their ECM biosynthesis. Therefore, drug treatment may induce ECM biosynthesis, contributing to de novo resistance.
Production of Fatty Liver in the Rat by Cortisone.

SummaryCortisone acetate, 6.25 mg/day, consistently produces elevation in rat serum glycerides and cholesterol, and in hepatic lipid glycerides other than phospholipid. Hepatic phospholipid and cholesterol levels are not affected. The question whether this represents a primary effect on the liver or a secondary effect due to mobilization of peripheral fat is discussed.
Temperature Regulation of Larval Size and Development in Attagenus megatoma (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Growth responses of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (F.), reared individually on Purina diet at 20, 25, 28, 30, and 35°C are compared. Although size of male and female larvae and pupae is correlated to rearing temperature between 20 and 30°C, time to pupation is independent of temperature in this same temperature range. Larvae reared at 35°C have the highest initial growth rates and obtain the heaviest weights. However, pupation rates are lowest at 35°C and almost half fail to pupate after 475 days (mean time to pupation at 28°C is ca. 270 days). Two larval growth phases are observed at temperatures from 20 to 30°C. There is a predominant initial phase in which about 75% of final larval weight is obtained and a second phase of growth that begins at about 170 days and continues to pupation. The only appreciable weight gain for larvae reared at 20°C occurs during the second growth phase. Low temperature treatments with different age A. megatoma larvae indicate that the younger the larvae are when given an 8-week cooling period at 15°C, the shorter the time to pupation after return to 28°C. Thus, for larvae between 6 and 20 weeks of age a linear relationship exists between larval age and sensitivity to cooling. In addition, pupation rates are correlated to rearing temperature subsequent to cooling. In this case, pupation rates are fastest after return to 35°C. However, when larvae are transferred directly from 28 to 35°C without prior cooling, pupation is strongly inhibited. Effects of both constant and fluctuating temperatures during development are discussed in relation to the larval diapauselike condition that occurs in this dermestid species.
Glycosylation of arabinogalactan-proteins essential for development in Arabidopsis

Arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) are ubiquitous cell wall components present throughout the plant kingdom. They are extensively post translationally modified by conversion of proline to hydroxyproline (Hyp) and by addition of arabinogalactan (AG) polysaccharides to Hyp residues. Two small gene subfamilies within the CAZy GT31 family, referred to as Hyp-galactosyltransferases (Hyp-GALTs and HPGTs), encode enzymes that specifically add galactose to AGP protein backbones as revealed by heterologous expression of the genes coupled with an in vitro enzyme assay and by biochemical characterization of the genetic knock-out mutants. Biochemical analysis of galt2galt5 double and hpgt1hpgt2hpgt3 triple knockout mutants revealed significant reductions in both AGP-specific Hyp-GALT activity and β-Gal-Yariv precipitable AGPs. Further analysis of these mutants demonstrated both overlapping and distinct pleiotropic growth and development phenotypes, indicating the important contributions of the carbohydrate moieties toward AGP function. Current research indicates that all 8 Hyp-GALT/HPGT genes encode enzymes that catalyze the initial step for AGP glycosylation and that AGP glycans play essential roles in plant growth and development.
Potassium-induced cardioplegia. Additive protection against ischemic myocardial injury during coronary revascularization.

Potassium-induced cardioplegia during anoxic arrest was utilized in a study of 190 consecutive patients undergoing revascularization (average 2.8 grafts per patient) from August, 1975, through August, 1976. Surgical technique, moderate systemic hypothermia with intermittent anoxic arrest, and the surgeon were the same for all patients. One hundred thirty-five patients (KCl-treated) received a bolus (150 ml.) of potassium solution injected into the proximal aortic root whenever the aortic cross-clamp was applied; 55 others served as control subjects. The mortality rate was 2.2 percent (three of 135) in the KCl-treated group and one of 55 in the control group. New Q waves appeared in 5.9 per cent (eight of 135) of the KCl-treated patients and 11 percent (6 of 55) of control subjects (p = N.S.). Catecholamine drips were required after bypass in 4.4 percent (six of 135) of patients given potassium and 18 percent (10 of 55) of control patients (p
Acetonitrile stacking : serum phenobarbital as an example.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) has several advantages, such as high resolution, speed, and low cost of operation. However, it suffers from two major drawbacks: poor detection limits and matrix effects. Several approaches have been used to overcome these two problems. Here, acetonitrile stacking (AS) is presented as a simple, easy, and practical approach that can solve these two problems for many analytes, with minimum sample preparation. This laboratory successfully used AS for the analysis of several compounds by CE (1).
Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion at L5-S1 through a Unilateral Approach: Technical Feasibility and Outcomes

Background. Minimally invasive spinal transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) at L5-S1 is technically more demanding than it is at other levels because of the anatomical and biomechanical traits. Objective. To determine the clinical and radiological outcomes of MIS-TLIF for treatment of single-level spinal stenosis low-grade isthmic or degenerative spondylolisthesis at L5-S1. Methods. Radiological data and electronic medical records of patients who underwent MIS-TLIF between May 2012 and December 2014 were reviewed. Fusion rate, cage position, disc height (DH), disc angle (DA), disc slope angle, segmental lordotic angle (SLA), lumbar lordotic angle (LLA), and pelvic parameters were assessed. For functional assessment, the visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and patient satisfaction rate (PSR) were utilized. Results. A total of 21 levels in 21 patients were studied. DH, DA, SLA, and LLA had increased from their preoperative measures at the final follow-up. Fusion rate was 86.7% (18/21) at 12 months' follow-up. The most common cage position was anteromedial (15/21). The mean VAS scores for back and leg pain mean ODI scores improved significantly at the final follow-up. PSR was 88%. Cage subsidence was observed in 33.3% (7/21). Conclusions. The clinical and radiologic outcomes after MIS-TLIF at L5-S1 in patients with spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis are generally favorable.
Resilience during war: Better unit cohesion and reductions in avoidant coping are associated with better mental health function after combat deployment.

Objective The majority of individuals who endure traumatic events are resilient; however, we do not yet understand why some individuals are more resilient than others. We used data from a prospective longitudinal study Army National Guard and Reserve personnel to examine how unit cohesion (military-specific social support) and avoidant coping relate to resilience over the first year after return from deployment. Method Soldiers (N = 767) were assessed at 4 phases: predeployment (P1), immediately postdeployment (P2), 3 months' postdeployment (P3), and 1-year postdeployment (P4). Results After controlling for predeployment avoidant coping and overall social support, higher unit cohesion was associated with a reduction in avoidant coping (from P1 to P3). This reduction in avoidant coping (from P1 to P3) mediated the relationship between unit cohesion (P2) and improvement in mental health function (from P1 to P3). Conclusions The results are consistent with the hypothesis that higher unit cohesion may mitigate increases in avoidant coping in military personnel after a combat deployment and in turn may improve mental health function. (PsycINFO Database Record
Academic and personality characteristics of gifted students with cerebral palsy : A multiple case study

Using a qualitative cross-case methodology over 3 years, I investigated the ways in which gifted students with cerebral palsy and no speech indicated their cognitive abilities. Data collection methods included participant observation, interviewing document analysis, audiotaping, and videotaping, and data were analyzed using analytic induction, constant comparison, diagramming, and cross-case analysis. The participants demonstrated several academic characteristics of giftedness, some of which were modified by effects of the disability. Personality traits which often accompany giftedness were manifested: maturity, goal orientation, persistence/determination, and patience. Giftedness was also apparent in ways which were related to the disability: recognition of limitations at a mature level, desire for independence from human aides and technological devices, and use of the intellect to circumvent the disability.
Fetal-Type Variants of the Posterior Cerebral Artery and Concurrent Infarction in the Major Arterial Territories of the Cerebral Hemisphere

Fetal-type or fetal posterior cerebral artery (FPCA) is a variant of cerebrovascular anatomy in which the distal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory is perfused by a branch of the internal carotid artery (ICA). In the presence of FPCA, thromboembolism in the anterior circulation may result in paradoxical PCA territory infarction with or without concomitant infarction in the territories of the middle (MCA) or the anterior (ACA) cerebral artery. We describe 2 cases of FPCA and concurrent acute infarction in the PCA and ICA territories-right PCA and MCA in Patient 1 and left PCA, MCA, and ACA in Patient 2. Noninvasive angiography detected a left FPCA in both patients. While FPCA was clearly the mechanism of paradoxical infarction in Patient 2, it turned out to be an incidental finding in Patient 1 when evidence of a classic right PCA was uncovered from an old computed tomography scan image. Differences in anatomical details of the FPCA in each patient suggest that the 2 FPCAs are developmentally different. The FPCA of Patient 1 appeared to be an extension of the embryonic left posterior communicating artery (PcomA). Patient 2 had 2 PCAs on the left (PCA duplication), classic bilateral PCAs, and PcomAs, and absent left anterior choroidal artery (AchoA), suggesting developmental AchoA-to-FPCA transformation on the left. These 2 cases underscore the variable anatomy, clinical significance, and embryological origins of FPCA variants.
Cardiac Surgery and Brain Injury

The incidence of perioperative brain injury after deep hypothermia with circulatory arrest was compared to that associated with low-flow cardiopulmonary bypass during repair of D-transposition of the great arteries in 171 patients operated within the first three months of age at the Children’s Hospital, Boston.
Realization of near optimally sharp lineshapes from a two-mode-coupled single-mode ring resonator

Coupling between a single-mode ring resonator and a two-mode bus waveguide is investigated to achieve optimally sharp resonant lineshape slopes. Measurements of a fabricated device result in a near-optimal lineshape slope of 27.1 nm−1.
Active sensing for continuous state and action spaces via task-action entropy minimization

In this paper, a new task-oriented active-sensing method is presented. Most active sensing methods choose sensing actions that minimize the uncertainty of the state according to some information-theoretic measure. While this is reasonable for most applications, minimizing state uncertainty may not be most relevant when the state information is used to perform a task. This is because the uncertainty in some subspace of the state space could have more impact on the performance of the task than the others at a given time. The active-sensing method presented in this paper takes the task into account when selecting sensing actions by minimizing the uncertainty in future task action.
Tax Incentives for Innovative Energy Sources: Extensions of E-K Complementarity

This article examines the conditions under which tax incentives for innovative energy sources can be counterproductive, thereby leading to an increased postsubsidy use of nonrenewable, conventional...
Insights into Thiol–Aromatic Interactions: A Stereoelectronic Basis for S–H/π Interactions

Thiols can engage favorably with aromatic rings in S–H/π interactions, within abiological systems and within proteins. However, the underlying bases for S–H/π interactions are not well understood. The crystal structure of Boc-l-4-thiolphenylalanine tert-butyl ester revealed crystal organization centered on the interaction of the thiol S–H with the aromatic ring of an adjacent molecule, with a through-space Hthiol···Caromatic distance of 2.71 A, below the 2.90 A sum of the van der Waals radii of H and C. The nature of this interaction was further examined by DFT calculations, IR spectroscopy, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and analysis of the Cambridge Structural Database. The S–H/π interaction was found to be driven significantly by favorable molecular orbital interactions, between an aromatic π donor orbital and the S–H σ* acceptor orbital (a π → σ* interaction). For comparison, a structural analysis of O–H/π interactions and of cation/π interactions of alkali metal cations with aromatic rings was conduct...