cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elektrophoretische Untersuchungen an Nukleohistonen

Es wird uber elektrophoretische Untersuchungen an rekonstituierten Nukleohistonen, nativen Nukleohistonen und Chromatin in homogener wasriger Losung berichtet. Die Messungen wurden unter den folgenden Bedingungen ausgefuhrt: 0,01 M NaCl, 0,001 M Trispuffer, pH = 7,5, 0°C. Diese Nukleoproteine sind negativ geladen, aber ihre elektrophoretischen Beweglichkeiten sind geringer als die der nativen DNS. Die Beweglichkeiten rekonstituierter Nukleohistone nehmen mit steigendem Histon-zu-DNS-Verhaltnis ab. Fur vollstandig komplexgebundenes Nukleohiston (Molzahl DNS Phosphat ist gleich Molzahl basischer Aminosauren im Histon) erhalt man die folgenden Beweglichkeitswerte fur Nukleohiston Ib, IIb, III und IV: 1,30,1,50,1,97, und 197 · 10−4 cm2 Volt−1 sec−1 (DNS = 2,17 · 10−4). Es wird nur eine teilweise Ubereinstimmung der anderung der Beweglichkeiten mit der Anderung des sauren Aminosauregehalts der Histone festgestellt. In einer Mischung von Nukleohiston IIb und DNS bewegen sich die beiden Komponenten unabhangig voneinander; in einer Mischung von Nukleohiston Ib und DNS findet man elektrophoretisch nur eine Komponente, deren Beweglichkeit zwischen denen der Ausgangskomponenten liegt. Aus verschiedenen Geweben der Erbse gewonnene Chromatine besitzen unterschiedliche Beweglichkeiten. Dieser Befund hangt moglicherweise mit ihrer biologischen Aktivitat zusammen. Jedes einzelne Chromatin ist elektrophoretisch hinreichend homogen. Damit ist gezeigt, das seine verschiedenen Komponenten alle zu einer elektrophoretischen Einheit zusammengebunden sind. The electrophoresis of reconstituted nucleohistones, of native nucleohistones, and of chromatin in homogeneous aqueous solution have been investigated in 0.01 M NaCl, 0.001 F tris buffer, pH 7.5, 0 °C. These nucleoproteins have a net negative charge, but the electrophoretic mobilities are less than that of native DNA. For reconstituted nucleohistones, the electrophoretic velocities decrease with increasing histone to DNA ratio. For fully complexed nucleohistones (moles of DNA phosphate equal to moles of histone basic amino acids), the mobilities are 1.30, 1.50,1.97, and 1.97, · 10−4 cm2 volt−1 sec−1 (DNA = 2.17) for nucleohistones Ib, IIb, III, and IV, respectively. The trend in the mobilities agrees only partially with the trend in the acidic amino content of the histones. In a mixture of nucleohistone IIb and DNA, the components migrate independently; there is no interaction. However, in a mixture of NH Ib and DNA there is only one electrophoretic component with an intermediate velocity. Chromatins from different tissues of the pea plant have different mobilities, possibly correlating with their biological activity. Any one chromatin is fairly homogeneous electrophoretically, indicating that its different components are all bound together in one electrophoretic unit
Assessment of stereopsis in college baseball pitchers and batters

Abstract Background/purpose: In baseball pitching is a much less visually demanding task than hitting is. We sought to find a stronger relationship between visual function (as measured by stereopsis) and hitting a baseball than between stereopsis and pitching skill. Methods: Multiple parameters including near and distance stereopsis (as a measure of visual function) were measured in 23 returning college baseball players (with a prior year's record). Their level of stereopsis (measured at distance with use of the B-VAT II BVS Binocular Vision Testing System) was compared with their batting statistics (in the case of the 14 position players) or their pitching statistics (for the 9 pitchers). Batting average and slugging percentage were used as measures of hitting skill, and earned run average, "out percentage" (1.000 — Opposing players' batting average) and "strike-out percentage" (frequency of batters struck out) were used as pitching parameters. Results: As a group, visual parameters were excellent in these college athletes. Although the newer test of distance stereopsis correlated with the standard near stereo test (Spearman coefficients), there was no correlation between distance stereopsis and any of the pitching or hitting performance parameters. Conclusions: The nature of the visual demands required of successful baseball hitters may have yet to be determined or are difficult to identify among a population homogeneous for excellent visual function, true for most groups of competitive athletes. In addition, simpler parameters such as plain visual acuity may be the most important factor(s).
Local Myocardial Biochemical and Ionic Alterations During Myocardial Ischaemia and Reperfusion

Acute myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion result in a series of inhomogeneous metabolic, ionic and neurohumoral events that explain the associated mechanical and electrical events, including cardiac death. The time course of the hydrolysis of high energy phosphates, the rise in extracellular potassium and the fall in intracellular and extracellular pH induced by acute no-flow ischaemia have been well characterised. However, the time course of the changes in intracellular sodium, calcium and magnesium levels is less clear. It appears that the changes in intracellular calcium may be pivotal to many of the biochemical and electrophysiological changes produced by the abrupt cessation of coronary arterial inflow and the associated interruption of venous washout. Consequently, agents that modify the handling of calcium by the sarcolemma and the sarcoplasmic reticulum have a significant impact on many of the metabolic, ionic and electrical abnormalities characterising acute ischaemia and reperfusion.
Accuracy of duplex sonography scans after renal artery stenting.

Purpose Reports of duplex sonography scan criteria for recurrent renal arterial (RA) stenosis after endoluminal stenting have suggested that criteria for native arteries may overestimate recurrent disease. This retrospective report examines the utility of renal duplex sonography (RDS) scans to define the presence of significant (ie, ≥60%) renovascular disease (RVD) after percutaneous angioplasty and endoluminal stenting (PTAS). Methods Demographic, duplex, and angiographic data were reviewed and compared. RDS was obtained. Peak systolic velocities (PSV) were obtained after PTAS from multiple sites along the main RA from both anterior and flank approaches. Comparable images from digital subtraction angiography were independently examined for restenosis. Percent diameter stenosis was determined from the site of maximal stenosis compared with the normal RA distal to the stent. Sensitivity and specificity were estimated and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed after adjusting for within patient "clustering" of observations applying native RA RDS criteria using angiography as the gold standard. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to estimate the optimal RDS values for recurrent stenosis. Results From October 2003 to June 2009, 49 patients had angiographic imaging after PTAS. There were 30 patients (18 women, 12 men; mean age, 71 ± 9 years) provided technically adequate paired angiographic and RDS assessment after PTAS for 66 RAs. Paired analysis was performed for 23 RAs after primary PTAS and 43 RAs after secondary treatment. The prevalence of significant restenosis was 35% (23 of 66 RAs). RAs with greater than 60% diameter restenosis had higher peak systolic velocity (PSV) compared to those without (2.48 ± 1.15 millisecond vs 1.44 ± 0.58 millisecond; P Conclusion Renal duplex sonography has utility to detect significant restenosis after PTAS. RDS criteria for significant native RA stenosis compare favorably with optimal RDS criteria for restenosis estimated by ROC curves.
Electron excitation of the resonance lines of the alkali-metal atoms

We have measured the relative optical-excitation functions and polarizations of the K, Rb, and Cs resonance lines, using crossed electron and atom beams, for electron energies from threshold to 1500 eV. The electron energy resolution was \ensuremath{\sim}0.25 eV for energies below 13 eV, and the atom beam was optically thin. The atomic resonance-level (${n}^{2}P$) excitation functions have been normalized to the Born theory in the high-energy limit. Comparisons are made with other measurements and calculations. The polarizations and total cross sections for H, Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs are also compared with each other in reduced units to investigate systematic behavior.
Will the Real Plaque Vasculature Please Stand Up? Why We Need to Distinguish the Vasa Plaquorum From the Vasa Vasorum

Many studies of experimental atherosclerosis and pathologic observations of human specimens have provided evidence supporting a correlation between vascularization of the atherosclerotic plaque and its natural growth and progression toward acute failure, associated with clinical events. The growing interest in the topic is illustrated by several excellent recent reviews discussing the molecular mechanisms that might play a role in the formation of plaque vasculature and that could explain some of the observed associations with pathologic features of experimental and human atherosclerotic lesions. At the same time, these reviews also emphasize that the field is still largely in uncharted territory. Hoping to spark some new investigations, we are taking this opportunity to question some of the common assumptions and to highlight less explored mechanisms. Finally, we are proposing to adopt the term vasa plaquorum to refer to the neovasculature located within the atherosclerotic plaque to distinguish it clearly from vasa vasorum , the native, supporting vasculature of the artery. We suggest that this new nomenclature offers a potential solution to eliminate ambiguity regarding implicit, but frequently neglected, differences between these structures. We think these points are relevant for future efforts to tailor diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions targeting plaque neovascularization for the clinical management of atherosclerosis.
Infrared flash kinetic spectroscopy of ν2 of ketenyl radical

Abstract The high-resolution infrared spectrum of the heavy atom antisymmetric stretch vibration of the ketenyl radical (HCCO) has been observed by means of infrared kinetic spectroscopy using 193-nm photolysis of ketene followed by diode laser probing of the transient absorption. The observed transitions were assigned and fitted with rotational, spin-rotational, and centrifugal distortion constants. The origin for this band is located at 2022.644 cm −1 .
Positioning Students with Cerebral Palsy to Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Many students who use augmentative and alternative communication have severe forms of cerebral palsy which make it necessary to consider positioning as part of their communication intervention. This paper reviews the interrelated communication and positioning needs of these students, and then proposes the wheelchair as the primary position for use of a communication aid. Guidelines for good wheelchair positioning are presented.
Migration, Immigration, and Community: a Commentary

This paper comments on six papers that deal with aspects of migration in different countries. While each of the papers provides important and interesting facets of the issue of migration and are very welcome, they also use different methodologies, sometimes within the same article, as might be expected in a rather new field. Generally, this commentary focuses on methodological issues since those will lie at the heart of any assessment of the credibility and usefulness of the various findings. After the six articles are described and strengths and concerns outlined, the commentary concludes with some thoughts on implementations.
Inhibited SN Surface Segregation in Epitaxial SNxGE1-x Alloy Films Grown by Pulsed Laser Deposition

The pulsed-laser deposition technique has been used to form thin films of TiN on (100)-oriented single crystal substrates of silicon and rocksalt. Using atomic force microscopy, it was revealed that TiN films grown on silicon at substrate temperatures ranging from 50°C to 500°C were extremely smooth—the mean roughness being ~ 0.2 nm. Thin TiN films deposited on freshly cleaved NaCl were found to be epitaxial at substrate temperatures as low as 50°C. Epitaxy in this latter system is believed to be due to the structural similarity between film and substrate and the almost exact 4:3 coincident site lattice.
Optimizing Second-Line Therapy for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: the Additive Value of Sequencing for Multiple Resistance Loci

Molecular probe-based assays for common resistance mutations to isoniazid and rifampin (multidrug-resistant tuberculosis [MDR-TB]) are of considerable clinical value ([1][1], [2][2]), and yet once MDR-TB has been identified, the more vexing challenge arises of determining a regimen of several
Dense Suspension Splat: Monolayer Spreading and Hole Formation after Impact

We use experiments and minimal numerical models to investigate the rapidly expanding monolayer formed by the impact of a dense suspension drop against a smooth solid surface. The expansion creates a lacelike pattern of particle clusters separated by particle-free regions. Both the expansion and the development of the spatial inhomogeneity are dominated by particle inertia and, therefore, are robust and insensitive to details of the surface wetting, capillarity, and viscous drag.
How I treat Langerhans cell histiocytosis

“Langerhans cell histiocytosis” (LCH) describes a spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from a single bone lesion or trivial skin rash to an explosive disseminated disease. Regardless of clinical severity, LCH lesions share the common histology of CD1a+/CD207+ dendritic cells with characteristic morphology among an inflammatory infiltrate. Despite historical uncertainty defining LCH as inflammatory vs neoplastic and incomplete understanding of mechanisms of pathogenesis, clinical outcomes have improved markedly over the past decades through cooperative randomized clinical trials based on empiric therapeutic strategies. Significant advances include recognition of high- and low-risk clinical groups defined by hematopoietic and/or hepatic involvement, and of the importance of optimal intensity and of duration of chemotherapy. Nevertheless, mortality of high-risk patients, disease recurrence, lack of robustly tested salvage strategies, and significant disease morbidity of both high- and low-risk patients remain challenges. Recent discovery of recurrent somatic mutations in mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway genes at critical stages of myeloid hematopoietic differentiation in LCH patients supports redefinition of the disease as a myeloproliferative disorder and provides opportunities to develop novel approaches to diagnosis and therapy.
A numerically stable circular harmonic reconstruction algorithm

A numerically stable algorithm based on the orthogonal function solution of the 2-D Radon transform is given. This form of image reconstruction is often called circular harmonic transform (CHT) reconstruction. Series of Zernike polynomials are evaluated by solving a system of nonhomogeneous difference equations. The solution is based on a recursion formula for Zernike polynomials. We show that the method is numerically stable for the paraxial case. This algorithm overcomes the loss of spatial and contrast resolution associated with CHT algorithms. When compared with ramp-filtered back-projection, it is more resistant to ringing and it is not subject to systematic errors that seem to be caused by the discretization of the back-projection operator. The execution time is proportional to ${{9N^3 } / {32}}$ for $N^2 $ points on a polar grid, so that it is comparable to back-projection methods in execution time.
Water sharing between India and Pakistan: a critical evaluation of the Indus Water Treaty.

For nearly 50 years a relatively stable Indus Water Treaty (IWT) moderated competition for the Indus water between Pakistan and India. Rising demand for water in each nation could unsettle this stable relationship, as foreshadowed by the involvement of a third party during 2005–2007 for the first time in the treaty's history. This paper discusses Pakistan and India's experience in the context of other international shared rivers. For the benefit of their people, Pakistan and India could coordinate unilateral development and resolve issues rather than defer them.
Scattering on magnetic charge

The nature of magnetic monopoles in an SO(3) gauge theory is explored by examining how they scatter charged particles. Peripheral scattering, where the momentum transfer is much less than the mass of the charged vector bosons, is just as it is in the earlier theory of Dirac. The scattering wave function is discussed with some rigor since its behavior is not uniform in the forward direction. The correspondence between the classical and quantum-mechanical scattering is displayed explicitly by relating scattering by the noncentral monopole force to the central force scattering by an attractive $\frac{1}{{r}^{2}}$ potential, for both the quantum-mechanical and classical systems. For deep scattering, the non-Abelian monopole exhibits features absent in the Dirac theory. The electromagnetic scattering departs from the result of the Dirac theory and charge-exchange processes occur, exciting the monopole into an electrically charged state. This process, which corresponds to the weak interaction of the unified SO(3) theory, is calculated in the distorted-wave Born approximation. The relation between the monopole in the non-Abelian gauge theory and that in Dirac's theory is investigated by carefully regulating the gauge transformation which connects them. This resolves some seeming paradoxes in the connection between the two theories.
Hemoglobin & serum albumin: Salt-mediated hydrophobic chromatography

Abstract The binding of pure human serum albumin and pure human hemoglobin to L-phenylalinine Sepharose and aniline Sepharose columns, two chromatographic columns of differing hydrophobicity, has been investigated for various concentrations of ammonium sulfate salts. The binding of hemoglobin at a lower ammonium sulfate concentration than albumin in both hydrophobic support systems parallels the solubility and precipitation characteristics of these two proteins in solution and mirrors the phenomenon of salting out of proteins in solution. Both hemoglobin and albumin bind at lower concentrations on aniline Sepharose than on L-phenylalanine Sepharose, reflecting the greater efficiency of binding by the more hydrophobic support matrix.
Organochlorine Residues, Eggshell Thickness, and Nest Success in Barn Owls from the Chesapeake Bay

Eggs of barn owls (Tyto alba) were collected from 18 nests in offshore duck blinds on the Maryland side of the lower Potomac River estuary in 1972 and 1973 and analyzed for organochlorine residues. DDE was found in 100% of the clutches, PCBs in 89%, and dieldrin in 78%. Eggshell thickness was inversely correlated with concentrations of DDE, DDD, and dieldrin residues. Six of the 18 clutches had mean DDE residues above 5 ppm, and eggshell thickness in these six clutches was significantly less (P<0.001) than in the other 12 clutches. The owls produced 1.7 young per active nest in 1973. This rate is slightly below the reproductive rate needed to maintain a stable population. An estimated 15% of the population carried concentrations of organochlorine residues that may have been detrimental to their reproduction. Passerine birds, taken extensively as food by a small proportion of the population, are believed to have been the source of elevated concentrations of organochlorines in these barn owls.
ADIABATIC ELASTIC CONSTANTS FOR ARGON. THEORY AND MONTE CARLO CALCULATIONS

Abstract Exact expressions for the adiabatic elastic constants, CS11, CS12 and CS44, are derived for cubic crystals composed of particles interacting with pairwise additive central forces. Monte Carlo simulation of an argon crystal, using the Lennard-Jones potential, gives results for the elastic constants at 40, 60 and 80 kelvins.
Contribution of Cultural Worldview to Generic Counseling and Development

A brief review of the major advances in multicultural counseling and psychotherapy literature and research is presented. A major emphasis is on the construct of “worldview” and on how knowledge and understanding of client worldview leads to more effective, ethical, sensitive, and client-specific counseling and development activities and interventions. This article reviews research and theory to support use of the worldview construct as a mediating variable in counseling and development interventions. This information can help the process of engaging clients, training effective and sensitive counselors, understanding organizational culture, and understanding the impact of gender on worldviews of men and women. Current research on the construct of worldview and its applications in counselor training, in counseling interventions, and in industrial-organizational settings is presented. Se presenta un repaso de los mayores avances en consejeria multicultural y de la literatura e investigacion en psicoterapia. Se pone un gran emfasis en la construccion de una vision universal y en como el conocimiento y entendimiento de la vision universal del cliente redunda en intervenciones mas efectivas, eticas, y sensibles. El trabajo revisa investigaciones y teorias para apoyar el uso del constructo de la vision universal coma un variable intermedia entre la consejeria y las intervenciones de desarollo. Esta informacion puede ayudar al proceso de vinculacion del cliente, entrenamiento de consejeros efectivos y sensitivos, comprension de la cultura organizacional, y las diferentes maneras de concebir la vision universal por hombres y mujeres. Se presentan las investigaciones corrientes sobre la construccion de la vision universal y sus aplicaciones en el entrenamiento de consejeros, en intervenciones de consejeria, y en ambientes industriales/organizacionales.
Differential Nucleotide Excision Repair Susceptibility of Bulky DNA Adducts in Different Sequence Contexts: Hierarchies of Recognition Signals

The structural origin underlying differential nucleotide excision repair (NER) susceptibilities of bulky DNA lesions remains a challenging problem. We investigated the 10S (+)-trans-anti-[BP]-N(2)-2'-deoxyguanosine (G*) adduct in double-stranded DNA. This adduct arises from the reaction, in vitro and in vivo, of a major genotoxic metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene (BP), (+)-(7R,8S,9S,10R)-7,8-dihydroxy-9,10-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene, with the exocyclic amino group of guanine. Removal of this lesion by the NER apparatus in cell-free extracts has been found to depend on the base sequence context in which the lesion is embedded, providing an excellent opportunity for elucidating the properties of the damaged DNA duplexes that favor NER. While the BP ring system is in the B-DNA minor groove, 5' directed along the modified strand, there are orientational distinctions that are sequence dependent and are governed by flanking amino groups [Nucleic Acids Res.35 (2007), 1555-1568]. To elucidate sequence-governed NER susceptibility, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations for the 5'-...CG*GC..., 5'-...CGG*C..., and 5'-...TCG*CT... adduct-containing duplexes. We also investigated the 5'-...CG*IC... and 5'-...CIG*C... sequences, which contain "I" (2'-deoxyinosine), with hydrogen replacing the amino group in 2'-deoxyguanosine, to further characterize the structural and dynamic roles of the flanking amino groups in the damaged duplexes. Our results pinpoint explicit roles for the amino groups in tandem GG sequences on the efficiency of NER and suggest a hierarchy of destabilizing structural features that differentially facilitate NER of the BP lesion in the sequence contexts investigated. Furthermore, combinations of several locally destabilizing features in the hierarchy, consistent with a multipartite model, may provide a relatively strong recognition signal.
Micro-recanalization in a biodegradable graft for reconstruction of the vas deferens is enhanced by sildenafil citrate

This study investigated the effect of sildenafil citrate on micro-recanalization and neovascularization, which were previously demonstrated in a rat model using biodegradable grafts (BGs) for vas deferens reconstruction. A total of 24 male rats underwent bilateral vasectomy with removal of a 0.5-cm vasal segment and were randomly assigned to four groups. Groups 1 and 2 underwent immediate vasovasostomy. Groups 3 and 4 underwent interposition of a 0.5-cm BG in the vasal gap. Groups 1 and 3 were given 5 mg kg−1 day−1 oral sildenafil. Other groups were given placebo. Rats were housed with females 12 weeks postoperatively. Reconstructed vasal segments were harvested 16 weeks postoperatively and analyzed histologically. Fluid from the distal vasal stump was analyzed for motile sperm. Urine samples obtained 16 weeks postoperatively were analyzed for cGMP levels. cGMP levels in rats treated with sildenafil were significantly higher than in control rats. No pregnancies were sired by grafted groups. In all, 5/6 rats in group 1 and 3/6 rats in group 2 sired litters. No motile sperm were noted in the vasal fluid of the grafted groups. Motile sperm were noted in all rats in group 1 and in 5/6 rats in group 2. In addition, 29 and 4 microcanals were detected in the sildenafil and placebo groups, respectively (P = 0.023). No microcanal exceeded 3 mm in length. An average of 12 and 28 blood vessels per graft were noted in the placebo and sildenafil groups, respectively (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, sildenafil enhances micro-recanalization and neovascularization in BG used for vas deferens reconstruction, but does not increase the microcanal length after 16 weeks.
Regulation of amounts of mRNA for GnRH receptors by estradiol and progesterone in sheep

Expression of GnRH receptors increases prior to the onset of the preovulatory surge of LH in sheep. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the interactions of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E) on amounts of mRNA for GnRH receptors and the number of receptors for GnRH. The first study was designed as a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to investigate effects of removal of P and the presence of E. Ewes that had been ovariectomized (OVX) for at least 4 wk received one silastic implant containing E and two silastic implants containing P for 6 d to mimic concentrations of these steroids during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle. Anterior pituitary glands were collected (n = 4 animals/group): 1. Prior to implant removal and 12 h after removal of: 2. P only. 3. E only. 4. P and E. Regardless of whether or not E was present, amounts of mRNA for GnRH receptors (P = 0.87) and number of GnRH receptors (P = 0.43) were not different within 12 h after removal of P. In the second experiment, ewes were OVX on d10-12 of the estrous cycle (d0 = estrus), and immediately received silastic implants containing E and P as described above. Anterior pituitary glands were collected on d12 of the estrous cycle (n = 5), prior to implant removal (n = 5), and from the remaining ewes 24 h after removal of P only (n = 7) or removal of P and E (n = 6). Relative amounts of mRNA for GnRH receptors and the number of GnRH receptors were similar (P > 0.05) on d12 of the estrous cycle and prior to implant removal. Removal of both P and E did not affect (P > 0.05) amounts of GnRH receptor mRNA or number of GnRH receptors. However, the removal of P and the presence of E increased (P 0.05) the number of GnRH receptors. We conclude that increased amounts of GnRH receptor mRNA require the removal of P and the presence of E.
Fleroxacin plus Clindamycin in the Treatment of Limb-Threatening Foot Infections in Diabetic Patients

The combined in vitro antibacterial spectra of fleroxacin and clindamycin together with their favourable pharmacokinetic and tolerability profiles suggest that this combination would provide effective empirical therapy for limb-threatening foot infections in patients with diabetes. Of 15 foot infections caused primarily by variable combinations of staphylococci, streptococci, Enterobacteriaceae and anaerobic bacteria, 12 (80%) were cured clinically and microbiologically with fleroxacin and clindamycin in combination. The total duration of treatment averaged 15 days, and the 2 antibiotics were administered intravenously for an average of 9.4 days. In 2 of 3 patients who failed fleroxacin-clindamycin therapy, nonfermentative Gram-negative rods initially susceptible to fleroxacin became resistant and were associated with persistent clinical infection. Adverse events possibly related to treatment were reported in 8 patients, and were, most commonly, mild diarrhoea, metallic taste and nausea. Fleroxacin plus clindamycin is a useful regimen for empirical treatment of limb-threatening foot infections in patients with diabetes.
Distribution of recombination lifetimes in doped a-Si:H

Abstract Transient decay measurements of light-induced ESR are used to probe the distribution of recombination lifetimes in a-Si:H. The lifetimes are related to the densities of defect and band tail states at the quasi Fermi levels.
Invertebrate cytokines: tunicate cell proliferation stimulated by an interleukin 1-like molecule.

Abstract Tunicate pharyngeal cells include lymphocyte-like cells and granular amoebocytes. They are involved in the specific allogeneic and phagocytic reactions of tunicates. Little is known about their regulation or control. A tunicate interleukin 1 (IL-1)-like fraction is shown to stimulate the proliferation of these cells in vitro. This fraction, designated tunicate IL-1 beta, was isolated from tunicate hemolymph by gel filtration and chromatofocusing chromatography. Mitogenic responses to tunicate IL-1 beta were dose dependent and could be eliminated rapidly by removing tunicate IL-1 beta from culture medium. A second tunicate hemolymph fraction had no effect on tunicate cell proliferation even though it exhibited IL-1-like activity in a mouse thymocyte proliferation assay. Phytohemagglutin did not act synergistically with either fraction. These data are discussed in terms of the function and evolution of IL-1-like molecules in invertebrates.
“PEST” degradation in beryllides, silicides, aluminides, and related compounds

Abstract Many intermetallic compounds, although possessed of good oxidation resistance at low and high temperature, fail catastrophically in some intermediate range by degradation to powder — the so-called pest phenomenon. The present study shows that grain boundary hardening, arising from local concentrations of oxygen or nitrogen and developed by heating the compounds in air, is an indicator of susceptibility to the pest. Among the observations made on MoSi 2 , NiAl, various beryllides, and TiB 2 are the effects of stoichiometry and heat treatment. On the basis of experimental observations, a model is proposed in which such degradation results from preferential intergranular diffusion of a gaseous element, coupled with a temperature dependent hardening reaction.
Anatomy of the Nonprofit Starvation Cycle: An Analysis of Falling Overhead Ratios in the Nonprofit Sector

The nonprofit starvation cycle is a debilitating trend of under-investment in organizational infrastructure that is fed by potentially misleading financial reporting and donor expectations of incre...
A Class of Transitive BLT-Sets

We present a class of transitive BLT-sets that contains several known examples and at least one new example over the field with elements with automorphism group . This example is sporadic in the sense that it does not fall into any of the known infinite families of BLT-sets.
A further result on the optimal harmonic gait for locomotion of mechanical rectifier systems

This paper first formally defines a general class of three dimensional rectifier systems which capture the essential aspects of animal locomotion, then formulates an optimal gait problem, and finally solves an approximation of the problem to obtain a globally optimal solution. The approximation assumes small-amplitude harmonic oscillations of mechanical joints about a nominal posture. The problem is formulated as a minimization of a quadratic cost function subject to an average velocity constraint, which is solved with an additional amplitude constraint in a Pareto-optimal fashion to ensure that the solution to the approximate problem is valid for the original. The solution method is fast and numerically stable, using generalized eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a pair of Hermitian matrices, and is able to easily handle underactuated or hyper-redundant systems. We provide case studies of a chain of links representing a radially symmetric jellyfish-like animal, or two limbs pushing a central body forward. It is demonstrated that our method enables determination of various gaits through optimization of such cost functions as input power, rate of shape change, and torque derivative.
The Upper and Lower Bounds of the Prediction Accuracies of Ensemble Methods for Binary Classification

Ensemble methods have been widely used to improve prediction accuracy over individual classifiers. In this paper, we achieve a few results about the prediction accuracies of ensemble methods for binary classification that are missed or misinterpreted in previous literature. First we show the upper and lower bounds of the prediction accuracies (i.e. the best and worst possible prediction accuracies) of ensemble methods. Next we show that an ensemble method can achieve > 0.5 prediction accuracy, while individual classifiers have
Implementation Fidelity of a Coaching-Based Professional Development Program for Improving Head Start Teachers’ Literacy and Language Instruction:

Structural, process, and content dimensions of a coaching-based professional development (PD) intervention were examined in an implementation fidelity study. The intervention focused on Head Start teachers’ vocabulary and phonemic awareness instruction, and was delivered through onsite classroom visits and technologically mediated methods that included a video-intensive hypermedia resource. There was a high level of compliance with the intended number of coaching sessions and with the amount and focus of coach feedback on teachers’ observed practices. Teachers’ independent viewing of practice exemplar videos was highly variable. Onsite coaching sessions compared with technologically mediated coaching provided more feedback on practices that extend learning objectives beyond whole group time and that focus on learning goals of individual children. Coach feedback in onsite sessions also included more specific items offered for the first time, whereas technologically mediated feedback included more items tha...
Role-Allocation Processes in Public Bureaucracies: External Political Pressures, Internal Differentiation, and the Perception of Recruitment and Promotion

This study examines the rationality of role-allocation processes in public bureaucracies. The article specifically examines the perception of recruitment and promotion. Comparative organizational data provided support for the arguments that: (a) politically neutral civil service entrance exams are adopted to increase bureaucratic autonomy from external political pressures rather than as a means to secure technical competence, and (b) conditions fostering the use of either political neutrality or technical competence as recruitment criteria reduce perceived reliance on merit as a promotion criterion.
Association of a mosaic chromosomal 22q 11 deletion with hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Abstract The atypical presentation of CATCH 22 raises several important concerns. First, in this patient, as in others, the heart defects were found in association with subtle facial abnormalities but with few of the other criteria normally seen in CATCH 22.3 This association alone may be sufficient to raise suspicion that an interstitial 22q11 deletion may be present. Second, the incidence of chromosome 22 deletions in parents of children with a 22q11 deletion (25%) suggests that siblings or subsequent fetuses may also be at risk.1 Parents with subtle or unusual manifestations of CATCH 22 may be unaware of their potential carrier status. Finally, the recognition of chromosomal mosaicism in this patient may have been fortuitous, as cytogenetic studies of leukocytes from other individuals with a mosaic karyotype may some-times fail to reveal a 22q11 deletion that is present in cardiac tissues. Molecular cytogenetic analysis of cardiac specimens that are removed during routine surgical procedures may be warranted in appropriate clinical situations.
Dual Role of Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase 1 in Chronic Kidney Disease

See related article, pp 122–128 Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is typically thought of as a progressive loss of glomerular filtration rate. However, CKD is also a systemic disorder in which loss of glomerular filtration rate or functional renal mass leads to dysregulation of extracellular fluid and electrolyte balance, impaired bone and mineral metabolism, and hematologic abnormalities, such as anemia and platelet dysfunction.1 Identification of biological mediators that reduce progressive renal injury and attenuate anemia of chronic renal failure is a crucial step in developing treatments for the 26 million people with CKD in the United States.1 Prostanoids are the subject of intense interest as potential therapeutic targets in renal disease because of their critical roles in regulation of blood pressure, renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and inflammation.2,3 Individual prostanoids are derived from the metabolism of arachidonic acid by the sequential actions of cyclooxygenase (COX) and specific prostanoid synthases.2 In addition to COX activity, the biological effects of prostanoids are dependent on a number of other factors, including the tissue distribution and expression of individual prostanoid synthases and prostanoids receptors.2 The most abundant prostanoid in the kidney, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), is produced by 3 isoforms of prostaglandin E synthase (PGES): membrane PGES-1 (mPGES-1), mPGES-2, and cytosolic PGES.2,3 The biological effects of PGE2 are mediated by activation of 4 receptor subtypes (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4). Like COX-2, the expression of mPGES-1 increases in response to inflammatory stimuli, and mPGES-1 is functionally coupled and colocalized with COX.3,4 Recent studies …
Inter‐annual to multi‐decadal Arctic sea ice extent trends in a warming world

[1] A climate model (CCSM4) is used to investigate the influence of anthropogenic forcing on late 20th century and early 21st century Arctic sea ice extent trends. On all timescales examined (2–50+ years), the most extreme negative observed late 20th century trends cannot be explained by modeled natural variability alone. Modeled late 20th century ice extent loss also cannot be explained by natural causes alone, but the six available CCSM4 ensemble members exhibit a large spread in their late 20th century ice extent loss. Comparing trends from the CCSM4 ensemble to observed trends suggests that internal variability explains approximately half of the observed 1979–2005 September Arctic sea ice extent loss. In a warming world, CCSM4 shows that multi-decadal negative trends increase in frequency and magnitude, and that trend variability on 2–10 year timescales increases. Furthermore, when internal variability counteracts anthropogenic forcing, positive trends on 2–20 year timescales occur until the middle of the 21st century.
Writing the news: A comparison of objective, religious, and political opinion presses

In 1997 in Washington, DC, the Christian men’s group Promise Keepers organized a large rally that drew attention from mainstream newspapers, religious publications, and political opinion journals. Scholarship of this news coverage has downplayed differences across media and suggested, instead, that nearly all favored Promise Keepers. This study attempts to correct that oversight by contrasting the news stories in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, and several political opinion journals. Based on this analysis, I argue that The Washington Post produced the most positive coverage of Promise Keepers, while Christianity Today published more skeptical reports, and political opinion journals provided the fairest coverage. I suggest the writing practices associated with each type of journalism help to account for the differences in reporting. In the end, this study reveals the impact of journalistic formats on news coverage and reminds us that all news reflects a particular perspective.
The Nature of Discovery in Physics

By their very nature, those discoveries which most change the way we perceive our physical universe are difficult to anticipate. How then, are such discoveries made, and what experimental approaches are most likely to lead to discoveries? In this article I will describe four experiments in which I have participated that have yielded unexpected new physics, and attempt to explain how they came about.
Accurate Estimation of Salmonid Abundance in Small Streams using Nighttime Removal Electrofishing: an Evaluation using Marked Fish

Abstract Estimation of stream fish abundance using removal electrofishing is common and allows sampling of fish populations during a single site visit. However, recent evaluations have demonstrated that removal estimators can substantially underestimate fish abundance, raising concerns about using this method. We evaluated removal estimates of trout (family Salmonidae) abundance using night electrofishing in 200–300-m reaches of 8 Rocky Mountain streams and analyzed the data using new methods in Program MARK to account for potential sources of bias. The removal estimates were validated using populations of previously captured and marked resident fish. Overall, removal estimates were accurate estimates of the number of marked fish in study reaches (mean bias, −2.4% [<1 fish/reach]), and removal and mark–recapture estimates of total fish abundance also differed by less than 1 fish/reach on average. In general, capture probabilities were high (average = 97% over three passes), and removal estimates had narro...
The denaturation transition of DNA in mixed solvents.

The helix-to-coil denaturation transition in DNA has been investigated in mixed solvents at high concentration using ultraviolet light absorption spectroscopy and small-angle neutron scattering. Two solvents have been used: water and ethylene glycol. The “melting” transition temperature was found to be 94°C for 4% mass fraction DNA/d-water and 38°C for 4% mass fraction DNA/d-ethylene glycol. The DNA melting transition temperature was found to vary linearly with the solvent fraction in the mixed solvents case. Deuterated solvents (d-water and d-ethylene glycol) were used to enhance the small-angle neutron scattering signal and 0.1M NaCl (or 0.0058 g/g mass fraction) salt concentration was added to screen charge interactions in all cases. DNA structural information was obtained by small-angle neutron scattering, including a correlation length characteristic of the inter-distance between the hydrogen-containing (desoxyribose sugar-amine base) groups. This correlation length was found to increase from 8.5 to 12.3 A across the melting transition. Ethylene glycol and water mixed solvents were found to mix randomly in the solvation region in the helix phase, but nonideal solvent mixing was found in the melted coil phase. In the coil phase, solvent mixtures are more effective solvating agents than either of the individual solvents. Once melted, DNA coils behave like swollen water-soluble synthetic polymer chains.
Fourth-order compact schemes for the numerical simulation of coupled Burgers’ equation

Abstract This paper introduces two new modified fourth-order exponential time differencing Runge–Kutta (ETDRK) schemes in combination with a global fourth-order compact finite difference scheme (in space) for direct integration of nonlinear coupled viscous Burgers’ equations in their original form without using any transformations or linearization techniques. One scheme is a modification of the Cox and Matthews ETDRK4 scheme based on ( 1 , 3 ) -Pade approximation and other is a modification of Krogstad’s ETDRK4-B scheme based on ( 2 , 2 ) -Pade approximation. Efficient versions of the proposed schemes are obtained by using a partial fraction splitting technique of rational functions. The stability properties of the proposed schemes are studied by plotting the stability regions, which provide an explanation of their behavior for dispersive and dissipative problems. The order of convergence of the schemes is examined empirically and found that the modification of ETDRK4 converges with the expected rate even if the initial data are nonsmooth. On the other hand, modification of ETDRK4-B suffers with order reduction if the initial data are nonsmooth. Several numerical experiments are carried out in order to demonstrate the performance and adaptability of the proposed schemes. The numerical results indicate that the proposed schemes provide better accuracy than other schemes available in the literature. Moreover, the results show that the modification of ETDRK4 is reliable and yields more accurate results than modification of ETDRK4-B, while solving problems with nonsmooth data or with high Reynolds number.
Trauma Boot Camp: A Simulation-Based Pilot Study

Introduction: Interns are often unprepared to effectively communicate in the acute trauma setting. Despite the many strengths of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program, the main shortcoming within the course is the deficiency of teamwork and leadership training. In this study, we describe the creation of an interdisciplinary boot camp in which interns' basic trauma knowledge, level of confidence, and teamwork skills are assessed. Methods: We designed a one-day, boot camp curriculum for interns of various specialties with the purpose of improving communication and teamwork skills for effective management of acute trauma patients. Our curriculum consisted of a one-day, twelve-hour experience, which included trauma patient simulations, content expert lectures, group discussion of video demonstrations, and skill development workstations. Baseline and acquired knowledge were assessed through the use of confidence surveys, cognitive questionnaires, and a validated evaluation tool of teamwork and leadership skills for trauma Results: Fifteen interns entered the boot camp with an overall confidence score of 3.2 (1-5 scale) in the management of trauma cases. At the culmination of the study, there was a significant increase in the overall confidence level of interns in role delegation, leadership, Crisis Resource Management (CRM) principles, and in the performance of primary and secondary surveys. No significant changes were seen in determining and effectively using the Glasgow Coma Scale, Orthopedic splinting/reduction skills, and effective use of closed-loop communication. Conclusion: An intensive one-day trauma boot camp demonstrated significant improvement in self-reported confidence of CRM concepts, role delegation, leadership, and performance of primary and secondary surveys. Despite the intensive curriculum, there was no significant improvement in overall teamwork and leadership performance during simulated cases. Our boot camp curriculum offers educators a unique framework to which they can apply to their own training program as a foundation for effective leadership and teamwork training for interns.
Oregon Supreme Court Ruling Prohibits Hospital from Refusing a Sell Order.

In a recent decision involving a capital murder case, Oregon State Hospital v. Butts , the Oregon Supreme Court conducted a mandamus hearing to ascertain whether Oregon State Hospital (OSH) had a legal duty to comply with a Sell order from a county trial court to provide antipsychotic medications to an incompetent defendant, despite its belief, as an institution, that medication was not clinically indicated. The case is reviewed and important implications, including the court's being granted the ability to circumvent the medical decision-making process, are discussed.