cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urn Sampling and a Majorization Inequality

In the context of a certain urn-sampling game, Bennett has studied pairs of sequences for which the products of successive finite differences of the sequences are majorized by the differences of the termwise product of the sequences. Bennett conjectured that the sequences {\bf x}_n={A-n \choose a} and {\bf y}_n={B-n \choose b} form such a pair for any nonnegative integersA?a,B?b, and proved this result in the cases min{A, B}?a+band ?b?A?B?a. We complete the proof of the conjecture by proving the result under the assumption max{A, B}?a+b.
Milnacipran for fibromyalgia: a useful addition to the treatment armamentarium.

Introduction: Antidepressants are used to treat a variety of chronic pain conditions including peripheral neuropathy, headache, and more recently, fibromyalgia. The antidepressant milnacipran blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin and is used for the management of fibromyalgia. Areas covered: The article contains data primarily obtained from the MEDLINE database using a PubMed search of the keywords including milnacipran, fibromyalgia and depression. Of the available serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, milnacipran has greater potency in inhibiting reuptake of norepinephrine relative to serotonin and is proposed to work by attenuating pain signals. Milnacipran is well tolerated and effective for fibromyalgia pain when given in divided doses of 100 – 200 mg daily. Studies show that milnacipran may be effective for fibromyalgia-associated symptoms including depression and fatigue. Expert opinion: Milnacipran provides modest fibromyalgia pain relief and is best used as part of a multidi...
Update on the Surgical Management of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder of elevated intracranial pressure due to an unknown cause. In most cases, IIH can be managed with medical therapy and weight reduction. Surgical treatment of IIH is reserved for patients who cannot tolerate medical therapy, are nonadherent to medical therapy, develop progressive symptoms despite maximal medical therapy, or present with fulminant visual loss. To date, there has been no randomized controlled trial to evaluate the surgical treatment of IIH, and our current knowledge of the efficacy and complications of these procedures is based on retrospective and observational studies. This review discusses the indications for surgical intervention in IIH and provides an overview of the recently published data on the efficacy and complications of these interventions. A surgical management algorithm is also presented to guide the clinician when evaluating a patient with IIH.
Serially regulated biological networks fully realise a constrained set of functions

It is shown that biological networks with serial regulation (each node regulated by at most one other node) are constrained to direct functionality, in which the sign of the effect of an environmental input on a target species depends only on the direct path from the input to the target, even when there is a feedback loop allowing for multiple interaction pathways. Using a stochastic model for a set of small transcriptional regulatory networks that have been studied experimentally, it is further found that all networks can achieve all functions permitted by this constraint under reasonable settings of biochemical parameters. This underscores the functional versatility of the networks.
Mass Extinctions and Genetic Polymorphism in the “Killer Clam,” Tridacna

Mass extinctions of marine invertebrates have been attributed to genetic depauperation in specialized lineages. Tridacna maxima is a plausible modern analog of the lineages that were commonly associated with mass extinctions; it is restricted to a relatively stable biogeographic province, lives in shallow water, is highly specialized, and is associated with reef communities. Our studies show, however, that it is highly polymorphic and heterozygotic, and thus fails to support the depauperate gene-pool hypothesis of mass extinction.
Current hepatitis B treatment guidelines and future research directions

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes a tremendous clinical burden across the world with more than half a million people dying annually from HBV related disease. Significant advances have been made in HBV treatment in the past decade and several guidelines have been published by professional societies and expert panels. Although these recommendations have been valuable to help optimize HBV treatment, there is discordance in treatment criteria and many patients infected with HBV may fall outside of these recommendations. This paper systematically reviews the natural history of the disease and compares and contrasts the recommendations for initiation of treatment from the various societies. There is also discussion of special groups that require particular consideration and some of the open research questions and future research directions within the field.
Novel and Canine Genotypes of Giardia duodenalis in Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi)

Abstract Feces of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) and hybrid Glaucous-winged/Western gulls (Larus glaucescens/ occidentalis) from Washington State's inland marine waters were examined for Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. to determine whether genotypes carried by these wildlife species were the same as those that commonly infect humans and domestic animals. Using immunomagnetic separation followed by direct fluorescent antibody detection, Giardia spp. cysts were detected in 42% (41/97) of seal fecal samples. Giardia spp.–positive samples came from 90% (9/10) of the sites, and the prevalence of positive seal fecal samples differed significantly among study sites. Fecal samples collected from seal haulout sites with >400 animals were 4.7 times more likely to have Giardia spp. cysts than were samples collected at smaller haulout sites. In gulls, a single Giardia sp. cyst was detected in 4% (3/78) of fecal samples. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were not detected in any of the seals or gulls tested....
Classical welfare theorems in economies with the overtaking criterion

Abstract We consider an infinite-horizon exchange economy where there are finitely many consumers who adopt the overtaking criterion. Two concepts of budget constraints are considered – liminf and limsup budget constraints. We prove the first and second welfare theorems under both concepts of the budget constraints.
Steering of an automated vehicle in an unstructured environment

The purpose of this paper is to describe a high-level path planning logic, which processes the data from a vision system and an ultrasonic obstacle avoidance system and steers an autonomous mobile robot between obstacles. The test bed was an autonomous root built at University of Cincinnati, and this logic was tested and debugged on this machine. Attempts have already been made to incorporate fuzzy system on a similar robot, and this paper extends them to take advantage of the robot's ZTR capability. Using the integrated vision syste, the vehicle senses its location and orientation. A rotating ultrasonic sensor is used to map the location and size of possible obstacles. With these inputs the fuzzy logic controls the speed and the steering decisions of the robot. With the incorporation of this logic, it has been observed that Bearcat II has been very successful in avoiding obstacles very well. This was achieved in the Ground Robotics Competition conducted by the AUVS in June 1999, where it travelled a distance of 154 feet in a 10ft. wide path ridden with obstacles. This logic proved to be a significant contributing factor in this feat of Bearcat II.
Effects of a Photosynthesis Inhibitor, Atrazine, on the Salt-Marsh Fiddler Crab, Uca pugnax (Smith)

Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamine-s-triazine) concentrations of 1,000 ppm either killed or eliminated the escape response (considered to be analogous to death) ofUca pugnax in laboratory experiments in August 1977. Adverse effects were observed at concentrations as low as 100 ppm and the severity was dependent on size and sex of the crab. However, in subsequent experiments, each with a new group of crabs, the effects of atrazine became smaller and smaller until a November experiment when no deleterious effects were observed even when exposed to 1,000 ppm. Experiments in August, 1978 confirmed the data obtained 1 year earlier. Ecological and physiological considerations of this seasonal variation in response are discussed. Crabs fed for 20 days with detritus wetted with 10−4 M atrazine were not adversely affected. Crabs exposed to a single application of 0, 100, 1,000, and 10,000 ppm atrazine in the field and in microecosystems were adversely affected only by the 10,000-ppm rate. Toxicity of atrazine to the larval stage of the crab was not investigated.
Central adenosine receptor signaling is necessary for daily torpor in mice

When calorically restricted at cool ambient temperatures, mice conserve energy by entering torpor, during which metabolic rate (MR), body temperature (Tb), heart rate (HR), and locomotor activity (...
Evaluating runners with and without anterior knee pain using the time to contact the ankle joint complexes' range of motion boundary.

Abstract Background Little biomechanical evidence exists to support the association between excessive foot pronation and anterior knee pain (AKP). One issue could be the way excessive pronation has been defined. Recent evidence has suggested that evaluating pronation in the context of the joint's available range of motion (ROM, anatomical threshold) provides greater insight on when pronation contributes to injury. Theoretically, quantifying the amount of time the joint has to respond before reaching end range (neuromuscular threshold) could provide additional insight. Therefore the purpose of this study was to use a neuromuscular threshold, the time to contact (TtC) the ankle joint complex's ROM boundary, to evaluate runners with and without AKP. Methods Nineteen healthy and seventeen runners with AKP had their ROM and running biomechanics evaluated. The TtC was calculated using each individual's angular distance from end range (eversion buffer) and eversion velocity. Data were recorded over ten stance phases and evaluated using a one way analysis of variance and 95% confidence intervals. Results Runners with AKP had significantly shorter TtC the joint's ROM boundary when compared to healthy runners (64.0 ms vs. 35.6 ms, p = 0.01). While not statistically significant, this shorter TtC was in large part due to having a smaller eversion buffer, however velocity was found to have a substantial influence on the TtC of select individuals. These results provide evidence that a link between pronation and AKP exists when using anatomical and neuromuscular based thresholds.
A Preliminary Apportionment of the Sources of Fine Particulates Impacting on the Israeli Coast

The Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) receptor model was used to apportion the sources of PM2.5 aerosol (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter 50%) of the total observed mass. Source contribution estimates predicted by the CMB receptor model were similar for all periods, with predicted ammonium sulfate, mobile source, coal-fired power plants, marine aerosol, and residual oil combustion contributions of 74, 14, 9, 3, and 0.3%, respectively. Transport (coupled with transformation) sources accounted for almost 97% of the ambient particulate loadings observed in this preliminary study.
Modeling of optical response in graded absorber layer detectors

Commercial and military applications for ir detectors continually push the performance envelope to achieve the highest signal-to-noise ratio at the longest possible wavelength. The highest performance is generally achieved when the detector cutoff wavelength is made as short as possible to minimize dark current while maintaining high uniform responsivity over the system optical passband. This requires an accurate prediction of the detector spectral shape near cutoff. As the incident wavelength approaches cutoff, the optical absorption coefficient decreases and internal reflections within the layer become important, causing constructive or destructive interference and consequently modulation of the detector spectral shape. The analysis is complicated since the absorber layer often includes compositional grading, particularly for very long-wavelength IR devices. This article describes an approach for analyzing the spectral response of backside-illuminated, compositionally graded detectors, and the results are compared with experimental data. The analysis shows that the spectral shape near cutoff is impacted by a weak resonance within the absorber created by a combination of a strong reflection from the detector front side and a weak reflection from the absorber-substrate backside interface. The analysis, which is an extension of the work of Rosenfeld et al., takes into account the weak resonance through computation of the optical field and generation rate by the Wetzel-Kramers-Brillioun (WKB) method. The method has been compared with experimental data for several cases using both parabolic and hyperbolic models for the absorption coefficient, and excellent agreement is achieved with the hyperbolic model.
Intensity affects the preconscious processing of emotionally toned words in college students

The detectability of high and low intensity emotionally toned words was investigated in a signal detection paradigm using college students as subjects. Individually set thresholds kept word identification to an average of 16 percent. The results indicate a complicated pattern of interactions among intensity, gender, positive or negative tone, and hemispheric presentation. Greater detectability was found for right hemisphere presentations and low intensity words. In addition, positive words showed greater detectability than negative words. The findings are discussed in terms of factors that affect automatic attitude activation.
Mutagenesis of the L, M, and N Subunits of Complex I from Escherichia coli Indicates a Common Role in Function

Background The membrane arm of Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) contains three large, and closely related subunits, which are called L, M, and N in E. coli. These subunits are homologous to components of multi-subunit Na+/H+ antiporters, and so are implicated in proton translocation. Methodology/Principal Findings Nineteen site-specific mutations were constructed at two corresponding positions in each of the three subunits. Two positions were selected in each subunit: L_K169, M_K173, N_K158 and L_Q236, M_H241, N_H224. Membrane vesicles were prepared from all of the resulting mutant strains, and were assayed for deamino-NADH oxidase activity, proton translocation, ferricyanide reductase activity, and sensitivity to capsaicin. Corresponding mutations in the three subunits were found to have very similar effects on all activities measured. In addition, the effect of adding exogenous decylubiquinone on these activities was tested. 50 µM decylubiquinone stimulated both deamino-NADH oxidase activity and proton translocation by wild type membrane vesicles, but was inhibitory towards the same activities by membrane vesicles bearing the lysine substitution at the L236/M241/N224 positions. Conclusions/Significance The results show a close correlation with reduced activity among the corresponding mutations, and provide evidence that the L, M, and N subunits have a common role in Complex I.
Density mutants of phage T5.

Abstract Mutational alterations of density in phage T5 are described. The changes of density are correlated with changes in temperature sensitivity of the phage. Genetic recombination has been observed between density markers and a plaque-type marker, but not between pairs of density mutants. No phenotypic mixing of density characters has been found.
Evaluation of the Fertility and Cancer Project (FCP) among young breast cancer survivors

Objective: Fertility and childbearing issues are the major quality of life concerns among young breast cancer survivors. Practical approaches are needed to convey reproductive health information. The Fertility and Cancer Project (FCP) is a dedicated research project that provides online reproductive health and fertility education. We report FCP participants' (a) changes in mood and functioning and (b) changes in knowledge of fertility and cancer from baseline to 6-month follow-up. Methods: Participants completed five self-report baseline measures, accessed FCP content and participated in online discussions. At 6 months post FCP study entry, participants were asked to complete follow-up self-reports. Results: One hundred and six breast cancer survivors from 8 countries participated in the FCP. Mean age at diagnosis was 34.3 years; mean time since diagnosis was 22 months. Significant change was detected in improved physical functioning (p=0.019) and social functioning (p=0.02). Significant changes were also noted in improved fertility knowledge (p=0.011). Conclusion: Preliminary evidence shows that young breast cancer survivors derive improved mood and knowledge benefit from FCP participation. Internet-based approach may be a viable format for engaging this population of cancer survivors. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Renal anomalies in families of individuals with congenital solitary kidney.

Purpose: Congenital solitary kidney affects 1 in 1000 persons, whereas bilateral renal agenesis affects 1 in 5000. Because congenital solitary kidney is increased in parents of infants with bilateral renal agenesis and fetuses with renal anomalies on ultrasound, offspring of patients with congenital solitary kidney may be at risk of both unilateral and bilateral renal anomalies. The goal was to establish empiric risk estimates for counseling individuals with congenital solitary kidney. Methods: Through a computerized review of records, subjects with congenital solitary kidney (defined as presumably congenital absence or severely reduced function of one kidney) were identified and asked to complete a questionnaire regarding urogenital anomalies in relatives. Results: Empiric risks of 7% for offspring, 4% for parents, and 2.5% for siblings are minimal because not all relatives underwent ultrasound studies. The incidence of bilateral renal agenesis in offspring of congenital solitary kidney probands is 0.8%, which is much greater than the population risk but less than that for families with previous bilateral renal agenesis. Concordance for type of anomaly in affected relatives is only 50%, suggesting that various anomalies included in congenital solitary kidney (agenesis, dysplasia, cystic dysplasia) may overlap. Horseshoe kidney has 80% concordance and may be a separate autosomal dominant condition. Conclusion: Offspring and other relatives of individuals with congenital solitary kidney have significantly increased renal disease. Ultrasound is recommended for first-degree relatives, including fetuses at risk.
Dimerization of P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 (PSGL-1) Required for Optimal Recognition of P-Selectin

Interactions between P-selectin, expressed on endothelial cells and activated platelets, and its leukocyte ligand, a homodimer termed P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), mediate the earliest adhesive events during an inflammatory response. To investigate whether dimerization of PSGL-1 is essential for functional interactions with P-selectin, a mutant form of PSGL-1 was generated in which the conserved membrane proximal cysteine was mutated to alanine (designated C320A). Western blotting under both denaturing and native conditions of the C320A PSGL-1 mutant isolated from stably transfected cells revealed expression of only a monomeric form of PSGL-1. In contrast to cells cotransfected with α1-3 fucosyltransferase-VII (FucT-VII) plus PSGL-1, K562 cells expressing FucT-VII plus C320A failed to bind COS cells transfected with P-selectin in a low shear adhesion assay, or to roll on CHO cells transfected with P-selectin under conditions of physiologic flow. In addition, C320A transfectants failed to bind chimeric P-selectin fusion proteins. Both PSGL-1 and C320A were uniformly distributed on the surface of transfected K562 cells. Thus, dimerization of PSGL-1 through the single, conserved, extracellular cysteine is essential for functional recognition of P-selectin.
Terrain classification in urban wetlands with high-spatial-resolution multispectral imagery

The Elkhorn Slough area is a major wildlife reserve, and important wetlands area along the central coast of California. As part of the ongoing study of this area, accurate classifications of the areas within the slough are needed. The objective of this work was to use the 4-m spatial resolution, 4-color sensor on the IKONOS satellite. A manually constructed classification map was used to train the spectral classifiers. As the work evolved, a problem emerged due to the relatively high spatial resolution. Regions of interest such as oak woodlands have highly variable spectral elements when observed at high spatial resolution. As a consequence, the refinement of the regions of interest obtained from the original classification map required not only the elimination of erroneous spectral elements; but also required inclusion of a range of spectra, as opposed to the traditional approach of selecting pure exemplars. Modest success was obtained from the classification effort. As a consequence, additional virtual bands were created by constructing texture features from the higher spatial resolution panchromatic band. This enabled spectrally similar classes such as trees and cultivated fields to be distinguished.
Space trophy nominations sought

The Rotary National Award for Space Achievement (RNASA) Foundation is soliciting nominations for its 2012 trophy. The trophy recognizes an outstanding American who has made major contributions to the U.S. space program. Previous awardees include astronaut Neil Armstrong and President George H. W. Bush. Nominations are due by 6 November 2011. For more information, see http://www.rnasa.org/trophy.html or contact chairman@rnasa.org.
Localization of TrkC to Schwann cells and effects of neurotrophin-3 signaling at neuromuscular synapses.

Neurotrophins and their receptors, the Trks, are differentially expressed among the cell types that make up neuromuscular and other synapses, but the function and directionality of neurotrophin signaling at synapses are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate, via immunostaining, Western blotting, and RT-PCR analyses, that TrkC, the receptor for neurotrophin-3 (NT3), is expressed by mouse perisynaptic and myelinating Schwann cells from birth through adulthood and is unaltered after denervation. Analyses of transgenic mice in which the NT3 coding sequence is replaced by lacZ showed that NT3 is expressed in motor neurons and Schwann cells during perinatal development, but not in adult mice. In muscle, NT3 is expressed by intrafusal muscle fibers within spindles, as has been previously reported. Surprisingly, NT3 is also expressed in extrafusal muscle fibers during perinatal life and in adults. Genetic approaches were used to explore the roles of NT3 and TrkC signaling at neuromuscular synapses. Overexpression of NT3 in muscle fibers during development resulted in an increased number of perisynaptic Schwann cells at neuromuscular synapses, without altering synaptic size, suggesting that muscle-derived NT3 might act as a mitogen or trophic factor for Schwann cells. Conditional deletion of NT3 from motor neurons did not alter the number of Schwann cells or other aspects of neuromuscular synaptic structure, suggesting that motor-neuron-derived NT3 is not required for normal development of perisynaptic Schwann cells or synapses. Together, these results demonstrate that NT3 expression is developmentally regulated in skeletal muscle and may modulate the number of Schwann cells at neuromuscular synapses. J. Comp. Neurol. 501:465–482, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Aortic Injury During Initial Blunt Trocar Laparoscopic Access For Renal Surgery

When performing laparoscopic surgery, establishment of pneumoperitoneum has been a key step related to complications. In an attempt to decrease these complications novel methods to achieve transperitoneal access have been developed. We report an aortic injury incurred during access creation for laparoscopic renal surgery using a blunt tipped visual trocar without previous pneumoperitoneum creation. We have since modified our access technique.
Kinetics of aerobic biodegradation of benzene and toluene in sandy aquifer material.

Monod's equation adequately described aerobic biodegradation rates of benzene and toluene by the microbial population of a sandy aquifer when these compounds were initially present at concentrations lower than 100 mg/l each. Concentrations higher than 100 mg/l were inhibitory, and no benzene or toluene degradation was observed when these compounds were initially present at 250 mg/l each. The Monod coefficients were calculated as k = 8.3 g-benzene/g-cells/day and Ks = 12.2 mg/l for benzene, and k = 9.9 g-toluene/g-cells/day and Ks = 17.4 mg/l for toluene. Specific first-order coefficients would be 0.68 l/mg.day for benzene and 0.57 l.mg.day for toluene.
Scattering and recoiling mapping of the Kr-Pt(111) and Ne-Ni(111) systems by SARIS

The technique of angle resolved mapping of scattering and recoiling imaging spectra (SARIS) combined with computer simulations is demonstrated to be a valuable tool for characterization of atomic collision events on surfaces. The energy distributions of scattered Kr and Ne and fast recoiled Pt and Ni atoms from Pt(111) and Ni(111) surfaces were measured as a function of exit angle. The use of a large area microchannel plate (MCP) detector and time-of-flight (TOF) techniques decreases the collection time and increases the number of detected trajectories above that of other designs. Classical ion trajectory simulations using the three-dimensional scattering and recoiling imaging code (SARIC) are used to simulate the kinematics of the scattering and recoiling particles. It is shown that SARIS mapping allows one to probe the kinematics of both scattered and recoiled particles, the probability for their occurrence in specific trajectories, and the atomic layers from which the particles originate. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2004.93]
What matters in the cued task-switching paradigm: tasks or cues?

Schneider and Logan (2006) recently showed that cue-switch and task-switch costs are sensitive to the relative probability of cue switches versus task switches. From this they concluded that taskswitch costs reflect priming of cue-cue transitions rather than actual task-switching operations. However, because this design confounded probability of specific cue transitions with probability of task switches, the results could also reflect task-switch-level adjustments. The present experiment (N = 80) pits the critical prediction of the cue-priming account, namely that costs for high-probability cue-cue transitions are smaller than for low-probability cue-cue transitions, against the main prediction of the switch-probability account, namely that switch probability, irrespective of specific cue-cue transitions, determines switch costs. Whereas the cue-priming prediction was rejected, a specific version of the probability account—that subjects are sensitive to the probability of a task switch, given a cue switch—was fully confirmed. Thus, tasks are in fact the critical representational units that determine task-switch cost.
Relative rates of Peoria Loess accumulation and pedogenic processes: Implications for paleoclimatic inference

Abstract Where it is thick enough to extend below the surface soil profile, the late Wisconsinan Peoria Loess in the midcontinent of North America has characteristics suggesting relatively little syndepositional pedogenesis. In these thicker sections, the Peoria Loess below the surface soil profile commonly displays massive macroscopic structure, low organic carbon content, and retention of detrital carbonate grains. Late Wisconsinan climatic conditions provide one potential explanation for these observations. This paper considers two other, non-climatic, explanations: (1) loess accumulation was more rapid than carbonate dissolution or OC accumulation, and (2) post-depositional diagenesis has removed evidence of syndepositional pedogenesis. The approach used is comparison of potential rates for pedogenic processes and loess accumulation. Even when wide ranges of controlling factors (precipitation, evapotranspiration, and soil carbon dioxide levels) are considered, loess accumulation was probably too rapid at many sites for carbonate mineral dissolution to keep pace. On the other hand, data from modern tundra and boreal forest environments suggest that soil OC accumulation could have kept pace with loess deposition in many cases. Low OC contents observed in the loess today probably reflect post-depositional oxidation. Climatic factors may provide partial or local explanations for the apparent minor extent of syndepositional pedogenesis, but loess accumulation rates and diagenesis are key factors as well.
Decline in inappropriate antibiotic use over a decade by pediatricians in a Tennessee community.

Objective Published data indicates that antibiotic use for pediatric respiratory tract infections has declined across the United States. We reviewed antibiotic use in 2 pediatrics practices in Memphis, Tennessee, to determine whether there has been a reduction in inappropriate antibiotic use in this region. Methods Randomly selected charts in 7 offices of 2 practices were reviewed for respiratory tract infection visits during alternate years between 1992 and 2002. Antibiotics were considered inappropriate for viral respiratory tract and other viral syndromes, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and otitis media with effusion. Changes in inappropriate prescribing were evaluated by generalized estimating equations with year of visit as the explanatory variable and visits clustered by practice. Results There were 1504 unique patient visits reviewed. The number of visits with an antibiotic prescription fell from 85% in 1992 to 67% in 2002. The likelihood of inappropriately prescribing an antibiotic declined between 1992 and 2002 (odds ratio 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.20–0.38). Use of amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and azithromycin increased, and amoxicillin use decreased. Conclusions There has been a marked decline in inappropriate antibiotic use in this region with high prescribing rates. Pediatricians have increased their use of broad-spectrum antibiotic agents for respiratory tract infections. Continuing education of physicians regarding appropriate use should continue to maintain and improve on the gains achieved in the last decade.
Discovery, Design and Synthesis of Novel Potent and Selective Sphingosine-1-Phosphate 4 Receptor (S1P4-R) Agonists

Abstract High affinity and selective small molecule agonists of the S1P4 receptor (S1P4-R) may have significant therapeutic utility in diverse disease areas including autoimmune diseases, viral infections and thrombocytopenia. A high-throughput screening (HTS) of the Molecular Libraries-Small Molecule Repository library identified 3-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)ethoxy)-6-methyl-2-nitropyridine as a moderately potent and selective S1P4-R hit agonist. Design, synthesis and systematic structure–activity relationships study of the HTS-derived hit led to the development of novel potent S1P4-R agonists exquisitely selective over the remaining S1P1–3,5-Rs family members. Remarkably, the molecules herein reported provide novel pharmacological tools to decipher the biological function and assess the therapeutic utility of the S1P4-R.
On Postshock Oscillations Due to Shock Capturing Schemes in Unsteady Flows

In this paper, the issue of postshock oscillations generated by shock-capturing schemes is investigated. Although these oscillations are frequently small enough to be ignored, there are contexts such as shock?noise interaction where they might prove very intrusive. Numerical experiments on simple nonlinear 2 × 2 systems of conservation laws are found to refute some earlier conjectures on their behavior. The trajectories in phase space of a computed state passing through a captured shock suggest the underlying mechanism that creates these oscillations. The results reveal a flaw in the way that the concept of monotonicity is extended from scalar conservation laws to systems; schemes satisfying this formal condition fail to prevent oscillations from being generated, even for monotone initial data. This indicates that satisfactory design criteria do not exist at the present time that would ensure captured shocks that are both narrow and free from oscillations.
Evidence for an endogenous neurocidin in the Manduca sexta ventral nerve cord

Half of the neurons in the abdominal nervous system of the moth Manduca sexta die after adult eclosion. Two physiological signals regulate post-eclosion neuronal death in adult moths. The first is endocrine: a decline in blood ecdysteroids is necessary for the death of neurons in the segmental ganglia. The second signal, which is highly specific for a pair of motoneurons found at the posterior midline in each of the three unfused abdominal ganglia, originates in the nervous system. It is transmitted from the fused pterothoracic ganglion to abdominal ganglion A3 via the intersegmental connectives. To characterize the signal of neural origin, we have developed an in vitro bioassay for neuron-killing factors (“neurocidins”). Aqueous extracts of pterothoracic ganglia were prepared and applied to cultured ventral nerve cords. These extracts exhibited concentration-dependent effectiveness in killing motoneurons. The active component of the extract was heat-stable and protease-sensitive. Size fractionation studies suggested that the active component has a molecular mass between 10 and 30 kD. This is the first report of an endogenous neuron-killing protein from an insect nervous system. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Last glacial maximum climate inferences from cosmogenic dating and glacier modeling of the western Uinta ice field, Uinta Mountains, Utah

Abstract During the last glacial maximum (LGM), the western Uinta Mountains of northeastern Utah were occupied by the Western Uinta Ice Field. Cosmogenic 10 Be surface-exposure ages from the terminal moraine in the North Fork Provo Valley and paired 26 Al and 10 Be ages from striated bedrock at Bald Mountain Pass set limits on the timing of the local LGM. Moraine boulder ages suggest that ice reached its maximum extent by 17.4 ± 0.5 ka (± 2σ). 10 Be and 26 Al measurements on striated bedrock from Bald Mountain Pass, situated near the former center of the ice field, yield a mean 26 Al/ 10 Be ratio of 5.7 ± 0.8 and a mean exposure age of 14.0 ± 0.5 ka, which places a minimum-limiting age on when the ice field melted completely. We also applied a mass/energy-balance and ice-flow model to investigate the LGM climate of the western Uinta Mountains. Results suggest that temperatures were likely 5 to 7°C cooler than present and precipitation was 2 to 3.5 times greater than modern, and the western-most glaciers in the range generally received more precipitation when expanding to their maximum extent than glaciers farther east. This scenario is consistent with the hypothesis that precipitation in the western Uintas was enhanced by pluvial Lake Bonneville during the last glaciation.
Fixed splint for widely spaced mobile teeth

Abstract A fixed periodontal splint can be made for teeth with wide interproximal spaces by joining the abutment crowns with palatal bars. Missing teeth can be replaced by attaching pontics to the main lingual bar. The bar splint provides adequate tooth stabilization, without the necessity for making unesthetic oversized crowns.
The dependence of glyceroglycolipid orientation and dynamics on head-group structure.

The head-group orientations and molecular dynamics of three glyceroglycolipids in aqueous dispersions, as determined by 2H-NMR, are compared. 1,2-Di-O-tetradecyl-3-O-(α-d-glucopyranosyl)-sn-glycerol (α-DTGL) and 1,2-di-O-tetradecyl-3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-sn-glycerol (α-DTML), selectively 2H-labelled on the pyranose ring, at the exocyclic hydroxymethyl group, and at C3 of glycerol, have been studied by 2H-NMR and the results compared with those reported earlier for 1,2-di-O-tetradecyl-3-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-sn-glycerol (β-DTGL). The α-glucolipid exhibits a gel-to-liquid crystal phase transition and a lamellar to hexagonal mesophase transition at temperatures which are similar to those of the β-anomer, β-DTGL. However, α-DTGL exhibits head group orientations and molecular ordering in the lamellar and hexagonal phases which differ strikingly with those reported for the corresponding β-glucolipid. Whereas the head group of β-DTGL is extended away from the bilayer surface into the aqueous phase, that of α-DTGL is almost parallel to the bilayer surface. α-DTGL exhibits a molecular order parameter of 0.56 which is substantially greater than that of its anomer, β-DTGL, 0.45. The latter indicates that the head group region of the α-glyceroglucolipid is characterized by smaller angular fluctuations than that of β-DTGL. On entering the hexagonal mesophase the pyranose ring of the β-glucolipid undergoes a large reorientation relative to the motional axis of the head group, whereas the α-anomer exhibits only a small orientational change. 1,2-Di-O-tetradecyl-3-O-(α-d-mannopyranosyl)-sn-glycerol (α-DTML) undergoes a phase transition at 47°C, attributed to the unusual lamellar gel to hexagonal phase transition. The pyranose ring of α-DTML, in a mixture with dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (1:9 mol ratio) to give a lamellar liquid crystalline phase, is oriented away from the bilayer surface into the aqueous environment and has an Smol of 0.75. The results for α-DTML, 2H-labelled at the C3 position of glycerol, suggest that this segment also has high molecular ordering. α-DTML in a lamellar environment has the least flexible membrane surface of the glyceroglycolipids investigated to date. 2H-NMR spin lattice relaxation times have been used to probe the head group motions of the glycolipids. The results indicate that the rate of head group motion increases in the order α-DTML <α-DTGL <β-DTGL. The glycolipid head group has lower motional rates than the corresponding motion of phospholipids, with the possible exception of cardiolipin.
Radiographic Assessment of Inverted Papilloma

Radiographic studies were reviewed from a group of 24 patients with biopsy-proven inverted papilloma of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses. Thirty-two cases of computed tomography (CT), 17 cases of plain sinus radiography, four cases of polytomography, and three cases of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were retrieved for analysis. Although no preoperative MRI examinations were available for comparison, CT was the most helpful study for evaluation of primary, nonrecurrent inverted papilloma, demonstrating disease-related abnormalities in 90% of the cases. While no CT finding was pathognomonic, findings that helped to distinguish inverted papilloma from benign nasal polyposis included predominantly unilateral involvement (90%) and frequent unilateral bony remodeling (40%). Plain sinus X-rays were abnormal in 70% of cases of primary tumor, with all positive studies showing nonspecific unilateral opacification of the maxillary antrum. Both CT and MRI defined the extent of histologically proven recurrent d...
Interpretation of the vertex short-latency acoustic response: a study of single neurons in the brain stem.

Summary Short-latency acoustic responses were recorded from the vertex of 14 adult cats concurrently with the recording of single unit activity in the brain stem auditory relay nuclei, i.e., cochlear nucleus, superior olivary complex, nuclei of the lateral lemniscus and inferior colliculus. The latency of each vertex-evoked response component, P2–5, was determined for each of a series of frequencies ranging from 500 Hz to 10 kHz. These latencies did not differ significantly and the pooled data showed a mean latency of2.3 ± 0.4msec for component P2, 3.1 ± 0.3msec for P3, 4.2 ± 0.4msec P4 and 5.4 ± 0.4msec for P5. Unit recordings indicated a subpopulation of constant latency units, i.e. with 0.2 msec or less standard deviation in response latency to 10 successive best frequency tone presentations, in each brain stem relay studied. Other units within the same nuclei showed up to one msec or more standard deviation in response latency. As the standard deviation increased, the mean latency of the units also increased. Thus, the shortest latency units were also the units with the most constant response latency. The proportion of constant latency units decreased at more rostral levels of the brain stem, particularly in the inferior colliculus. The group of constant latency units in the cochlear nucleus showed a mean latency of 2.6 ± 0.4msec, in the superior olivary complex 3.2 ± 0.8msec, in the nuclei of the lateral lemniscus4.5 ± 0.9msec, and in the inferior colliculus these latencies were 8.0 ± 3.1msec. These data indicate a close relation between the latencies of the vertex-evoked potential components and the subpopulation of constant latency units within the brain stem relay nuclei. It is suggested that the vertex short-latency acoustic responses P2–P5 reflect the successive activation of this subpopulation of brain stem units.
Assessing the relationship between autistic traits and cyberdeviancy in a sample of college students

Case studies suggest a relationship between Asperger syndrome (AS) and computer hacking. The current study examined whether characteristics associated with AS were significantly related to hacking, cyberbullying, identity theft, and virus writing. Two hundred and ninety-six university undergraduate students completed an Internet-based anonymous survey measuring self-reported computer deviant behaviour and characteristics associated with AS (autism-spectrum quotient; AQ). Of the 296 university students, 179 (60%) engaged in some form of computer deviant behaviour, but only 2 (0.01%) yielded clinically significant scores according to the AQ. Contrary to the authors' expectations, hackers did not score higher on the AQ compared to non-computer hackers. However, virus writers, identity thieves, and cyberbullies scored higher on the AQ compared to their computer non-deviant counterparts. In addition, individuals who engaged in hacking, identity theft, cyberbullying, and virus writing scored higher on the AQ an...
Numerical solution of two-carrier hydrodynamic semiconductor device equations employing a stabilized finite element method

Abstract A space-time Galerkin/least-squares finite element method was presented in [1] for numerical simulation of single-carrier hydrodynamic semiconductor device equations. The single-carrier hydrodynamic device equations were shown to resemble the ideal gas equations and Galerkin/least-squares finite element method, originally developed for computational fluid dynamics equations [16], was extended to solve semiconductor device applications. In this paper, the space-time Galerkin/least-squares finite element method is further extended and generalized to solve two-carrier hydrodynamic device equations. The proposed formulation is based on a time-discontinuous Galerkin method, in which physical entropy variables are employed. A standard Galerkin finite element method is applied to the Poisson equation. Numerical simulations are performed on the coupled Poisson and the two-carrier hydrodynamic equations employing a staggered approach. A mathematical analysis of the time-dependent multi-dimensional hydrodynamic model is performed to determine well-posed boundary conditions for electrical contacts. The number of boundary conditions that need to be specified for the hydrodynamic equations at inflow and outflow boundaries of the device are derived. Example boundary conditions that are based either on physical and/or mathematical basis are presented. Stability of the numerical algorithms is addressed. The space-time Galerkin/least-squares finite element method and the standard Galerkin finite element method for the hydrodynamic and Poisson equations, respectively, are shown to be stable. Specifically, a Clausius-Duhem inequality, a basic stability requirement, is derived for the hydrodynamic equations and the proposed numerical method automatically satisfies this stability requirement. Numerical simulations are performed on one- and two-dimensional two-carrier p-n diodes and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed numerical method.
Activation of the hedgehog-signaling pathway in human cancer and the clinical implications

The hedgehog pathway, initially discovered by two Nobel laureates Drs E Wieschaus and C Nusslein-Volhard in Drosophila, is a major regulator for cell differentiation, tissue polarity and cell proliferation. Studies from many laboratories reveal activation of this pathway in a variety of human cancer, including basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), medulloblastomas, leukemia, gastrointestinal, lung, ovarian, breast and prostate cancers. It is thus believed that targeted inhibition of hedgehog signaling may be effective in treatment and prevention of human cancer. Even more exciting is the discovery and synthesis of specific signaling antagonists for the hedgehog pathway, which have significant clinical implications in novel cancer therapeutics. In this review, we will summarize major advances in the last 2 years in our understanding of hedgehog signaling activation in human cancer, interactions between hedgehog signaling and other pathways in carcinogenesis, potential antagonists for hedgehog signaling inhibition and their clinical implications for human cancer treatment.
Second-order Raman spectroscopy of AlAs: A test of lattice-dynamical models.

The second-order Raman spectrum of AlAs has been measured on samples grown by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). The results show significant discrepancies with model calculations of the phonon density of states, but are consistent with recent first-principles calculations. This first-principles approach has been used to compute the phonon energies in GaAs-AlAs superlattices, with controversial implications regarding the sharpness of MBE-grown interfaces. The Raman results presented here support the conclusions of the first-principles analysis.
Heat capacities of tetra-alkylammonium bromides in water and in anhydrous methanol at various temperatures

Abstract Heat capacities of solution ΔC p o of tetramethylammonium bromide and tetra- n -butylammonium bromide have been determined, by the integral enthalpy of solution method, in water over the approximate temperature range of 10 to 90 °C and for tetramethylammonium bromide in anhydrous methanol from 0 to 50 °C. The ΔC p o values for the tetramethyl salt have been combined with heat capacities of the crystalline solid to obtain partial molar heat capacities C p , 2 o for this salt in the two solvents over the indicated temperature ranges. The aqueous heat capacities for the two salts show significant qualitative differences in that ΔC p o for the tetramethyl salt is negative with a maximum around 65 °C, similar to other electrolytes, while the very positive ΔC p o values for the tetrabutyl salt decrease monotonically over the entire temperature range. Partial molar heat capacities of tetramethylammonium bromide in the two solvents also show qualitative differences. In contrast to the characteristic maximum observed for C p , 2 o in aqueous solutions, C p , 2 o for this salt in methanol decreases monotonically. The results are discussed in terms of structural changes in the solutions.