cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Permo-carboniferous paleoclimate of the Congo Basin: Evidence from lithostratigraphy, clay mineralogy, and stable isotope geochemistry

Abstract Approximately 1000 m of strata in the Upper Paleozoic Lukuga Formation in the Dekese core in the central Congo Basin provide lithostratigraphic, mineralogical, and isotopic evidence for substantial climatic variation within a long-lived lacustrine basin. Lithostratigraphic indicators of cold climate include polymictic strata (dropstone deposits) and coupled laminations of fine clay-size material and coarse silt (glacial varves). Dropstones are concentrated in three stratigraphic zones in the lower ~ 425 m of the Lukuga Formation, and varved strata occur in two broad stratigraphic zones in the lower ~ 700 m of the formation. These sedimentological indicators suggest that the lower ~ 2/3 of the Lukuga Formation was strongly influenced by frigid conditions and glacial-like processes. The clay-size fraction of 97 samples is dominated by detrital minerals, including quartz, feldspar, chlorite, illite, and poorly ordered expansible 2:1 phyllosilicates. Based on variation in the mineralogy of these samples, the Lukuga Formation is divisible into three Clay Mineral Zones (CMZs), numbered in ascending stratigraphic order. CMZ 1 and CMZ 3 include several horizons of expansible 2:1 phyllosilicates that represent warmer/wetter intervals. Intervening CMZ 2 is a long (~ 500 m) zone of chlorite and illite with no expansible phyllosilicates and is interpreted as a continuous cold/frigid interval. There are numerous calcite-cemented layers, including spar-filled veins that cross depositional bedding and represent postburial alteration, radiaxial fibrous cements that displace detrital grains, and micrite that crystallized near the time of deposition. Eighty-two stable isotope analyses of micrite yield δ13C values that range from –44.6‰ to –4.1‰ and δ18O values that range from –20.0‰ to 5.0‰ (VPDB). The carbon isotope data likely reflect a range of local carbon sources derived from bacterial activity and are unrelated to paleoclimatic conditions. In contrast, stratigraphic patterns in the oxygen isotope data suggest five or six intervals of frigid conditions conducive to glacial processes.
Becoming at a Deeper Level: Divisional Overlap in Sonata Forms from the Late Nineteenth Century

The concept of form as "becoming," as proposed by Janet Schmalfeldt in her article "Form as the Process of Becoming: The Beethoven-Hegelian Tradition and the 'Tempest' Sonata," is related to the concept of functional overlap, in which the function of a given segment extends into a neighboring segment. This phenomenon occurs in classical movements, as in the first movement of Haydn's String Quartet, Op. 33 No. 1 (H. III:37), in the first movement of Beethoven's Tempest sonata (as explored in Schmalfeldt's article), and in sonata-form movements from the late nineteenth century. These later movements contain overlap not only between adjacent segments (primary theme, transition, etc.) within the larger divisions, but also between the larger divisions (exposition, development, etc.) themselves. This paper explores divisional functional overlap between the development and recapitulation, with particular focus on two of its manifestations: 1) overlap between the retransition and the recapitulation, and 2) Hepokoski & Darcy's so-called "expanded Type 1" sonata, in which the recapitulation gives way to, or becomes, the development. The use of such a format, and other types of deeper-level functional overlap, by composers in the late nineteenth century reflects their continuation of Beethoven's interpretation of sonata form as a process of the interaction between motivic material and formal function.
New Optically Pumped Far-Infrared Laser Emissions From $^{13}{\rm CD}_{3}{\rm OH}$ , $^{13}{\rm CD}_{3}{\rm OD}$ , ${\rm CD}_{3}{\rm CN}$ , and $^{13}{\rm CD}_{3}{\rm I}$

The reinvestigation of 13CD3OH, 13CD3OD, CD3CN, and 13CD3I as far-infrared lasing media has been performed with an optically pumped molecular laser system utilizing a transverse pumping geometry. Thirty-four far-infrared laser emissions, with wavelengths ranging from 55.0 to 873.2 μm, have been discovered with this system. Each new laser emission is reported with its wavelength, optimal operating pressure, polarization with respect to the CO2 pump laser, and power. When possible, the offset frequency of the CO2 pump laser with respect to its center frequency was determined using the reported offset frequencies for known far-infrared laser emissions. Four of the laser emissions discovered for 13CD3OH and 13CD3OD are consistent with the wavelengths predicted from the tentative spectroscopic assignments of far-infrared laser schemes.
Informal shelter providers: Low income households sheltering the homeless

Despite the important role they play in preventing homelessness, those who shelter people who can not afford housing of their own have been neglected by researchers. This study examines the characteristics of these low income informal shelter providers. While informal shelter providers were similar to a comparison group of low income households that did not shelter others, there were also significant differences between the two groups. Informal shelter providers were more much more likely to live in single family dwellings, they were more likely to be long-term residents of the community, they were more likely to have experienced homelessness themselves, and they devoted a disproportionate share of their incomes to housing.
Outreach initiatives in academic libraries, 2009‐2011

Purpose – With outreach responsibilities on the rise in academic libraries and budgets declining or remaining stagnant, finding outreach initiatives that support the university in creative ways are on the rise. This study seeks to compare outreach initiatives by academic librarians to a project conducted by the author.Design/methodology/approach – Academic librarians with responsibilities in outreach, marketing, and promotion were targeted in a survey sent to listervs in the Summer of 2011. A total of 21 academic librarians described successful outreach initiatives. A small response rate reflects the target audience.Findings – The survey revealed a wide range of outreach initiatives that compare funding: library, university, grant, and other. The author's project greatly exceeded the cost of all other initiatives.Research limitations/implications – The research identifies survey flaws and a small reach to the targeted audience. Suggestions for future research include a modified survey to the Association o...
Factorizations along commutative subspace lattices

A theorem of D. R. Larson on the factorization of positive-definite operators along complete, countable nests in a Hilbert space is generalized to the case of commutative subspace lattices: We characterize those selfadjoint, positive-definite operators which can be factored A* A where A and A−1 leave invariant the subspaces in a given countable, complete, commutative subspace lattice. Applications to inner-outer factorization theory and factorization of a positive-definite operator with respect an uncountable commutative subspace lattice are given. These results have applications to function theory on the polydisk, nonanticipative representations of Gaussian random fields, and multiparameter systems theory.
Behavioral Economics and Marketing in Aid of Decision Making Among the Poor

This article considers several aspects of the economic decision making of the poor from the perspective of behavioral economics, and it focuses on potential contributions from marketing. Among other things, the authors consider some relevant facets of the social and institutional environments in which the poor interact, and they review some behavioral patterns that are likely to arise in these contexts. A behaviorally more informed perspective can help make sense of what might otherwise be considered “puzzles” in the economic comportment of the poor. A behavioral analysis suggests that substantial welfare changes could result from relatively minor policy interventions, and insightful marketing may provide much needed help in the design of such interventions.
Early onset erectile dysfunction is usually not associated with abnormal cavernosal arterial Inflow

Endothelial dysfunction, a marker for atherosclerosis and hence arterial disease, has recently been proffered as the main offender within the vascular system to predict not only the future onset of erectile dysfunction (ED) but also as the main cause of the ED. To glean more insight into whether arterial disease is indeed operative during the early onset of ED, we reviewed the duplex ultrasound scans of 23 men with ED who were younger than 50 years of age. Depending on the criteria used for abnormal arterial responses, it was determined in this cohort of young men that there was only a 4-13% incidence of abnormal arterial responses. These observations suggest that the penile arterial system does not appear to be primarily involved in the etiology of the majority cases of ED that occur in young men.
An improved cold stress test for aging mice

Tolerance to cold stress is a simple and reliable test which can be used longitudinally to study age-related differences or changes in thermoregulation of C57BL/6J mice. Neither prior food deprivation nor permanently inserted thermoprobes are necessary conditions for eliciting reliable age differences. However, restraint during the test is important and does elicit reliable age differences.
Negotiating successfully in cross-cultural situations

Abstract As the global economy becomes more entrenched and the importance of internationalization becomes self-evident to American businesses, the number of contacts with foreign businesses and their agents will escalate. Whether buying or selling, an integral part of the process often includes cross-cultural negotiations. What determines the success or failure of these negotiations? This study examines those factors and provides recommendations for increasing the likelihood of success in a cross-cultural negotiation situation.
A superposition procedure for computing stress intensity factors in cracked elastic composites

A simple, yet accurate, procedure is developed for computing stress intensity factors via finite element analyses of cracked, elastic composites. Attention is focused on bodies with piece-wise constant, isotropic, elastic properties which are deforming in plane strain. The crack-tip is taken to be wholly enclosed in a single homogeneous region; thus, the well-known square-root singular field prevails. The superposition procedure, in effect, regularizes the original singular problem by deducing the error incurred in numerically computing the non-regular (singular) part. The method is illustrated by considering a few test problems.
Analysis of Canadian and Mexican banking strategies in the U.S.

This article reviews regulations and commercial banking structures in Mexico, Canada and the U.S., and examines the comparative operations of Canadian and Mexican bank affiliates in the U.S. vis-a-vis each other and also with U.S. commercial banks of comparable size serving the same markets. Results obtained regarding significant differences in the operations of these banks appear to be consistent with the nascent FDI theory of multinational banking. International survey results regarding bank managers' perceptions and decision criteria suggest that this variable should also be incorporated in the evolving theory.
Directional Antenna Arrays of Elements Circularly Disposed About a Cylindrical Reflector

The general solution for the field pattern of a circular array is adapted to include the effect of a concentric reflecting cylinder. Two solutions are presented, one giving the field as a Fourier series, and the other as an infinite series of Bessel functions. The results are general, being applicable to any array dimensions and for arbitrary distribution of excitation. The solution is idealized to the extent of assuming a continuous current sheet, rather than discrete elements, and an infinitely long cylindrical reflector.
Introduction of the Thin Prep Imaging System™ (TIS): experience in a high volume academic practice

Objective: Since the introduction of the liquid-based ThinPrep testing in 1996, most cytology laboratories across the country have adopted the liquid-based cytology (LBC) for Pap test screening. Subsequent to wide-spread adoption of the ThinPrep Pap test, the ThinPrep Imaging System (TIS) Cytyc Corp, Marlborough, MA was introduced to improve the accuracy and efficiency of screening interpretation. We report our initial experience with the TIS at Magee Women's Hospital. We introduced the TIS in December 2004. Methods: The imager assisted Pap test results over the first 12 months (December 2004 to December 2005) of implementation were reviewed and analyzed. Our implementation protocol included each cytotechnologist manually prescreening 200 negative slides to gain experience with the imager slides and serve as a quality check for the TIS. We re-screened 3400 slides (200 slides each for 17 cytotechnologists) manually which were initially determined to be negative using the TIS. 104,457 Pap tests were imaged on the TIS. 95,899 manually screened Pap tests, 12 months prior to the introduction of the TIS (December 2003-November 2004) are taken as the historic control group for our study. Results :The mean ASC-US rate employing the automated imager was 8.70% [9088/104,457]. The mean LSIL detection rate was 4.22% [4409/104,457]. The imager did not miss any detectible high-grade lesions during these months, with a HSIL (+) detection rate of 0.68% in comparison to 0.60% by manual screening confirmed by follow-up biopsies. The difference is statistically significant with a p value of 0.022 . The definition of false negative rate for purposes of this study is calculated as the number of false negative cases identified out of number of negatives re-screened. The TIS false negative rate was estimated at 0.012% [4/3400]. Conclusion :The overall performance of the TIS in our lab appears to be highly satisfactory in terms of improving sensitivity in screening cervical precursor lesions. The increased accuracy of detection of HSIL indicates a positive impact of the TIS in our laboratory.
Paleowind (11,000 BP) directions derived from lake spits in Northern Michigan

We report on the characteristics of several, previously unstudied, late Pleistocene spits in northern lower Michigan. Each spit developed as strong waves eroded a headland or island within the Main and/or later stages of glacial Lake Algonquin. Most have ESE to WNW orientations with prominent recurved hooks at their ends. Some are as long as 20 km. Sedimentologically, the spits contain thick (several meters or more) sequences of sand and well-rounded gravel. We suggest that summertime winds during the spits' formation (11,800 to ≈10,500 BP) were both very strong and dominantly from the E and SE, based on the following data: (1) their ESE (source, or head, of the spit) to WNW orientation, (2) the presence of steep, wave-cut bluffs on the east sides of the islands and headlands, and (3) spit locations (on the northeastern shore of Michigan's lower peninsula, coupled with their absence on the northwestern shore, just 100 km away). Wind direction data provided by these spits agree with paleoclimatic models that suggest that the Laurentide Ice Sheet had developed a strong anticyclonic circulation. The near lack of archeological sites from this time period in the northern lower peninsula, which was surrounded by Lake Algonquin at that time, supports the notion that the climate of northern lower Michigan was inhospitably cold and very windy in the late Pleistocene.
Looking, Smiling, Laughing, and Moving in Restaurants: Sex and Age Differences.

Three hundred and twenty-eight diners in three restaurants were observed for three minutes each and the frequencies of six behaviors recorded: looking and glancing away from the table and companions, smiling, laughing, gross movements, and standing. Males looked more than females, and females smiled and laughed more than males. Significant age differences were found for smiling, laughing, movement, and standing. Significant interactions were found in looking for sex by with or without a companion. Significant age by sex interactions were found for smiling, laughing, and standing.
Forecast dispersion and error versus size, book-to-market ratio and momentum: A comparison of anomalies from 1992 to 2001

Anomalies based on forecast properties (dispersion and error), size, book-to-market ratio and momentum are evaluated during the period 1992–2001 for a sample of US stocks using an annual buy-and-hold strategy. The forecast property, book-to-market and momentum anomalies all clearly persist during the sample period, while the size anomaly disappears. Although the book-to-market anomaly is the most powerful in magnitude, the forecast property anomalies are the most consistent in year-by-year performance. Combining the forecast property anomalies with either the momentum or book-to-market anomalies results in spectacular return performance. Overall, investors should consider taking advantage of the forecast property anomalies when selecting their stock holdings.
Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray characterization of the human GTP fucose pyrophosphorylase.

The human nucleotide-sugar metabolizing enzyme GTP fucose pyrophosphorylase (GFPP) has been purified to homogeneity by an affinity chromatographic procedure that utilizes a novel nucleoside analog. This new purification regime results in a protein preparation that produces significantly better crystals than traditional purification methods. The purified 66.6 kDa monomeric protein has been crystallized via hanging-drop vapor diffusion at 293 K. Crystals of the native enzyme diffract to 2.8 A and belong to the orthorhombic space group P212121. There is a single GFPP monomer in the asymmetric unit, giving a Matthews coefficient of 2.38 A3 Da−1 and a solvent content of 48.2%. A complete native data set has been collected as a first step in determining the three-dimensional structure of this enzyme.
Culling Cows on Predicted Future Profitability with a Variable Planning Horizon

Abstract A technique was developed to evaluate economic consequences of the culling decision. The culling decision was based on comparisons of net present value of predicted income of the cow and her potential replacement for planning periods up to 10 calving intervals. For planning periods longer than 2 calving intervals, rate of culling increased because the decline in productivity of cows beyond sixth lactation was included in the planning period. Culling on net present value of predicted income resulted in a cow average herd life close to the average herd life expected to maximize herd income. Relatively few cows (
An Inventory Model with Limited Production Capacity and Uncertain Demands II. The Discounted-Cost Criterion

This paper considers a single-item, periodic-review inventory model with uncertain demands. We assume a finite production capacity in each period. With stationary data, a convex one-period cost function and a continuous demand distribution, we show under a few additional unrestrictive assumptions that a modified basic-stock policy is optimal under the discounted cost criterion, both for finite and infinite planning horizons. In addition we characterize the optimal base-stock levels in several ways.
Disk allocation methods for binary Cartesian product files

Since a file is usually stored on a disk, the response time to a query is dominated by the disk access time. In order to reduce the disk access time, a file can be stored on several independently accessible disks. In this paper, we discuss the problem of allocating buckets in a file among disks such that the maximum disk accessing concurrency can be achieved. We are particularly concerned with the disk allocation problem for binary Cartesian product files. A new allocation method is first proposed for the cases when the number (m) of available disks is a power of 2. Then it is extended to fit the cases wherem is not a power of 2. The proposed algorithm has a “near” strict optimal performance for a partial match query in which the number of unspecified attributes is greater than a small number (5 or 6).
Bicameral Negotiations: The Navette System in France

This article investigates the decision-making process in the French bicameral legislature: the navette system. In this system, the legislation shuttles between the two houses until agreement is reached or until a stopping rule is applied. We examine the interaction between upper and lower houses as a bargaining game with complete and one-sided incomplete information.The complete information model permits us to evaluate the political implications of the navette's various institutional features (where the bill is first introduced, number of iterations, final veto power, etc.). The incomplete information approach permits us to predict the duration of the navette process. Data from the French Fifth Republic in the 1959–86 period corroborate the conclusions of the model. Because the navette system is the most commonly used method of decision making in bicameral legislatures, the model can be usefully generalized to other countries.
Prediction and observation of tin and silver plasmas with index of refraction greater than one in the soft x-ray range.

We present the calculated prediction and the experimental confirmation that doubly ionized Ag and Sn plasmas can have an index of refraction greater than one for soft x-ray wavelengths. Interferometry experiments conducted using a capillary discharge soft x-ray laser operating at a wavelength of 46.9 nm 26.44 eV confirm that in few times ionized laser-created plasmas of these elements the anomalous dispersion from bound electrons can dominate the free electron contribution, making the index of refraction greater than one. The results confirm that bound electrons can strongly influence the index of refraction of numerous plasmas over a broad range of soft x-ray wavelengths confirming recent observations. The understanding of index of refraction at short wavelengths will become even more essential during the next decade as x-ray free electron lasers will become available to probe a wider variety of plasmas at higher densities and shorter wavelengths.
The Steenrod Algebra is a Prime Ring

Kashkarev has shown that the mod 2 Steenrod algebra is a prime ring. For any odd prime p, we prove that the mod p Steedrod algebra is also a prime ring.
Bourguiba's sons: melancholy manhood in modern Tunisian cinema

For more than three decades after its independence from France in 1956, Tunisia was ruled by Habib Bourguiba, a self-professed secular nationalist who sought to hitch the wagon of the young nation to the train of European modernity both socially and economically. While his era was marked by laudable developments in the area of women's rights, his reign was autocratic. He gradually but steadily tightened his grip on power (proclaiming himself president for life in 1975) until he was suddenly deposed by a bloodless coup led by Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in 1987. Sustaining a steadfast Westward gaze yet suffering from an enduring neopatriarchal hangover, Bourguiba's contradictions cannot be overstated, not least because they have never ceased to inform the psychodynamics of manhood in postcolonial Tunisia. Bourguiba's rule over Tunisia (1956–1987) produced a breed of men that might be aptly called Bourguiba's sons. Suspended in a state of mutability that is simultaneously cultivated and frustrated, they have be...
Predictors of a nondiagnostic epilepsy monitoring study and yield of repeat study.

Abstract Objective Failure to record typical events during long-term video/EEG monitoring (LTM) leaves the diagnosis uncertain. The purpose of this study was to analyze predictors of an initial nondiagnostic LTM study and to evaluate the yield of a repeat study. Methods We reviewed all adult LTM studies performed at Vanderbilt University from January 2004 to June 2008. We identified 150 patients with no typical events on LTM and matched them with consecutive controls with typical events. We compared patient demographics, epilepsy risk factors, history of antiepileptic use/failures, and prior EEG and MRI results. Results Of 2397 LTM studies, 380 (15.8%) failed to record typical events. Absence of epilepsy risk factors and normal outpatient EEG predicted this outcome. A repeat LTM study was successful in 18 of 45 patients (42%). Conclusion The prediction of a nondiagnostic LTM can help to reduce the cost of investigating spells of unknown nature.
Social-Scientific Small Group Research and Second Testament Study

This article offers a historical overview of select social-scientific small group research that can be useful for Second Testament scholars. It concludes by extracting categories that might help to formulate a simplified model for thinking about small groups in Greco-Roman antiquity. It then illustrates one part of it: namely, leadership roles in the Matthean Gospel.
Delayed reinforcement and pigeons’ performance on a one-key matching-to-sample task

Pigeons were trained on a one-key matching-to-sample task with vertical and horizontal lines as the sample and comparison stimuli. Matching accuracy decreased with increases in the duration of the delay interval between offset of the comparison and delivery of the trial outcome. In general, this reduction in matching was produced by an increase in response rates to nonmatch-ing comparisons as well as by a decrease in response rates to matching comparisons.
Structure of heavy and light chain subunits of type A botulinum neurotoxin analyzed by circular dichroism and fluorescence measurements.

The secondary and tertiary structural features of botulinum neurotoxin (NT) serotype A, a dichain protein (Mr 145 000), and its two subunits, the heavy (H) and light (L) chains (Mr 97 000 and 53 000, respectively) were examined using circular dichroism and fluorescence spectorscopy. Nearly 70% of the amino acid residues in each of the three polypeptide preparations were found in ordered structure (sum of α helix, β sheet and β turns). Also, the α helix, β sheet, β turns and random coil contents of the dichain NT were nearly equal to the weighted mean of each of these secondary structure parameters of the L and H chains; e.g., sum of α helix of L chain (22%) and H chain (18.7%), as weighted mean, 19.8% was similar to that of NT (20%). These agreements suggested that the secondary structures of the subunits of the dichain NT do not significantly change when they are separated as isolated L and H chains. Fluorescence emission maximum of L chain, 4 nm less (blue shift) than that of H chain, suggested relatively more hydrophobic environment of fluorescent tryptophan residue(s) of L chain. Tryptophan fluorescence quantum yields of L chain, H chain and the NT, 0.072, 0.174 and 0.197, respectively, suggested that a) an alteration in the micro-environment of the tryptophan residues was possibly caused by interactions of L and H chain subunits of the NT and b) quantum yields for L and H chains were altered when they are together as subunits of the NT. Possible implications of structural features of the L and H chains, their interactions and the molecular mechanism of action of botulinum NT are assessed.
Kinetic parameters from self-heating measurements on exothermic solid-state reactions

Abstract A method, based on the autoignition criterion, has been developed that exploits the self-heating phenomenon to determine the activation energy, E , and pseudo-zero order pre-exponential factor. A, for highly exothermic solid state reactions. Simultaneous measurement of center and wall temperatures of a cylindrical solid during programmed heating to the ignition point leads to direct calculation of the kinetic parameters. The method has been applied to the thermite reaction: 3 Cu 2 O + 2 Al → 6 Cu + Al 2 O 3 + 2406 J g −1 . Values of E = 658 kJ mole −1 and log A = 41.1 ( A in mol m −3 , sec −1 ) were found for the reaction.
Not all realcompact spaces are ultrapure

Abstract A general theorem (Theorem 1) concerning when spaces are not ultrapure in the sense of Arhangel'skii is proved. Arhangel'skii, in conversation, asked whether realcompactness implies his concept of ultrapurity and whether there are ZFC examples of astral spaces which are not ultrapure. Todorcevic in (1984, Theorem 0.6) describes a class of spaces all of whose members are hereditarily realcompact. These spaces satisfy the hypothesis of Theorem 1 and are thus not ultrapure. Since some of these spaces are ZFC examples this answers both questions. These spaces and Theorem 1 are also applied, using an idea of Sakai (1986), to produce ZFC examples of spaces which are neat in Sakai's sense but not pure in the sense of Arhangel'skii. Sakai (1986) has a CH example of such a space.
The treatment of patients with recurrent brain metastases. A retrospective analysis of 109 patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Background. Brain metastases represent a major source of morbidity in patients with cancer. Methods. Treatment outcomes were analyzed retrospectively in 214 patients with brain metastases from nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent resection at Memorial Hospital (New York, NY) between January, 1976, and December, 1990. Results. The study group included 109 patients (51%) with symptomatic recurrent brain tumors (median, 5.0 months after complete resection). Recurrence in the brain was at the original site in 62% of patients and at other sites in 38%. The median survival (MS) was 11.3 months in the recurrence group compared with 9.5 months (P < 0.5) in the nonrecurrence group (N = 105). Thirty-two patients had further surgery after recurrence; their median relapse time was 5.2 months. In these patients, survival (MS, 15.0 months) calculated from the time of their first operation, was significantly different (P < 0.001) from that of patients who did not undergo a second procedure (N = 77) (MS, 10.0 months). In the 32 patients who underwent reoperation, MS from the time of the second operation was 10 months, whereas the median interval from the first operation was 5 months (average, 5.7 months). Eight of these 32 patients had a third operation, after a median relapse time of 4 months; their MS was 42 months. There was a significant difference (P < 0.02) between the MS of 39 patients synchronously diagnosed with lung cancer and brain metastasis (MS, 9.0 months) and 70 metachronously diagnosed patients (MS, 14.6 months). Women (N = 55) survived longer than men (N = 54) (14.4 months vs. 9.7 months, P < 0.01). Univariate analysis showed that histology, disease stage, and completeness of resection of the primary tumor also affected survival (P < 0.02, P < 0.014, and P < 0.001, respectively). Although no significant difference was found between survival of patients with recurrence in the supratentorial space and patients with recurrence in the posterior fossa (MS, 11.4 months vs. 11.2 months, P < 0.13), no one from the latter subgroup survived 3 years. Conclusions. If technically feasible, further surgery is effective in prolonging the survival of patients with NSCLC who have recurring brain metastases.
Short-term responsiveness of membranous glomerulopathy to cyclosporine.

We administered a 12-week course of cyclosporine (CsA) (4 to 6 mg/kg/24 h) to nephrotic patients with membranous glomerulopathy (MG). Nephrotic patients with minimal change nephropathy (MCN) served as a comparison group. We evaluated the effects of CsA on proteinuria, glomerular function, and the release of cytokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in culture. Proteinuria was restored to normal levels within 2 to 4 weeks in MCN. Proteinuria declined from nephrotic to subnephrotic levels ( P
Tillage practice influences on the physical protection, bioavailability and composition of particulate organic matter

This study was conducted to determine whether separation of particulate organic matter (POM) that is biologically labile from aggregate entrapped material improves the usefulness of POM as an index of soil C and N dynamics. The effects of conventional (CT) and no-tillage (NT) practices on POM were assessed using soils from three 10-year trials in Illinois. Loose and occluded POM in the 0–5 cm depth were separated from 1994 samples. Use of NT practices increased C and N contents at 0–5 cm relative to CT practices and those increases were most apparent in the occluded POM fraction. The correlation between total POM-N and potentially mineralizable N (PMN) was stronger than that between PMN and either the loose or occluded-POM fractions. In 1995, both the microbial biomass, estimated as chloroform-labile C (CFEC), and PMN were correlated with POM-C and N, but the relationship was weak when data (from different tillage and depth combinations) were not treated in aggregate. POM-C and CFEC were most strongly correlated in surface depths and in CT treatments. In NT 0–5 cm samples, PMN contents were similar (≈27 mg N kg–1 soil) at all sites despite notable differences in POM-N concentrations; PMN was not related to POM-N in CT samples. There was no consistent relationship between PMN and POM-N contents in 5–30 cm samples. DRFTIR spectra indicated that carbohydrates were most abundant in POM at 0–5 cm. Relatively low PMN rates and enrichment of polysaccharides in POM in the sicl soil suggest that physical protection of labile organic substrates was more important at that site than at sites with lighter textured soils. Improved fractionation and incubation techniques and alleviation of laboratory artifacts will improve our ability to relate POM quantity, distribution and composition to biologically mediated C and N dynamics occurring in the field.
Quantum Cryptography Systems Using Photonic Crystal Fibers

In this paper, we report computer simulations of photonic crystal fibers and attempts to minimize polarization mode dispersion. This is expected to improve performance of quantum cryptography systems.
A Differential Analysis of Criminal Behavior among African-American and Caucasian Female Juvenile Delinquents

This study examined how social control factors might contribute to criminal offenses among African-American and Caucasian adolescent females using Hirschi's 1969 model of social control. Secondary data was used from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN). Data were used for African-American and Caucasian girls from Wave I, resulting in a sample of 837. The results indicated that there was a statistically significant relationship for attachment and commitment even though it was not in the predicted direction. Involvement and belief were the only statistically significant variables in the predicted negative direction. An interaction was detected between race-by-belief, race-by-involvement, and race-by-commitment, but only race-by-involvement was in the predicted direction. Further research is needed testing this model.
Categories of allometry: body size versus biomechanics

Abstract A rationale is presented for distinguishing between two types of bivariate allometric studies, based on explicit assumptions concerning the relationship between the variables used in the equation. The first category involves equations relating variation in one feature to variation in overall body size. The second category is characterized by concern with the relationship between two variables, neither of which is representative of overall size. Instead, the variables are hypothesized to be functionally related, usually on the basis of a biomechanical model. The differences in the assumptions and objectives of these two types of allometric studies have consequences on the interpretation of results, the appropriate statistical criterion for line-fitting and the use of substituted (surrogate) variables. A number of recent studies have not recognized this distinction, which has led to some unnecessary confusion and debate in the literature.
Intermittent ataxia and immunodeficiency with multiple carboxylase deficiencies: A biotin‐responsive disorder

A small group of inborn errors of metabolism are manifested by intermittent cerebellar ataxia. We have previously reported a family with an inherited metabolic defect resulting in multiple carboxylase deficiencies which were responsive to pharmacological doses of biotin. Affected children presented with a skin rash, infections, acute intermittent ataxia, and lactic acidosis. Two affected siblings died prior to diagnosis and therapy, and a detailed postmortem examination was performed on one of them. The brain was characterized by atrophy restricted to the superior vermis of the cerebellum, a finding strikingly similar to that found in chronic alcoholism. Intermittent ataxia would suggest a potentially treatable metabolic disease, and clinical evaluation should include studies of intermediary metabolism and immune function.
Bullying at elementary school and problem behaviour in young adulthood: a study of bullying, violence and substance use from age 11 to age 21.

Aim The main aim of this paper is to investigate to what extent self-reported bullying at Grade 5 predicts later violence, heavy drinking and marijuana use at age 21. Method Univariate and multivariate associations between bullying and later outcomes were examined based on a longitudinal community sample of 957 young people from the Raising Healthy Children project. Results Childhood bullying was significantly associated with violence, heavy drinking and marijuana use at age 21. These associations held up after controlling for prior risk factors. Conclusions Childhood bullying had unique associations with risk of later violence and substance use among young adults. Early intervention to prevent childhood bullying may also reduce other adverse outcomes later in life. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Language: en
De Novo Generation of Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides: Influence of Length and Tryptophan Substitution on Antimicrobial Activity

Comparison of human immunodeficiency virus lentiviral lytic peptide 1 with other host-derived peptides indicates that antimicrobial properties of membrane-active peptides are markedly influenced by their cationic, hydrophobic, and amphipathic properties. Many common themes, such as Arg composition of the cationic face of an amphipathic helix and the importance of maintaining the hydrophobic face, have been deduced from these observations. These studies suggest that a peptide with these structural properties can be derived de novo by using only a few strategically positioned amino acids. However, the effects of length and helicity on antimicrobial activity and selectivity have not been objectively evaluated in the context of this motif. To address these structure-function issues, multimers of a 12-residue lytic base unit (LBU) peptide composed only of Arg and Val residues aligned to form idealized amphipathic helices were designed. Bacterial killing assays and circular dichroism analyses reveal a strong correlation between antibacterial activity, peptide length, and propensity to form a helix in solvent mimicking the environment of a membrane. Increasing peptide length beyond two LBUs (24-residue peptides) resulted in no appreciable increase in antimicrobial activity. Derivatives (WLBU) of the LBU series were further engineered by substituting Trp residues in the hydrophobic domains. The 24-residue WLBU2 peptide was active at physiologic NaCl concentrations against Staphylococcus aureus and mucoid and nonmucoid strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Further, WLBU2 displayed the highest antibacterial selectivity of all peptides evaluated in the present study by using a coculture model of P. aeruginosa and primary human skin fibroblasts. These findings provide fundamental information toward the de novo design of an antimicrobial peptide useful for the management of infectious diseases.
Three-dimensional flow around a submerged body in finite-depth water

Abstract The three-dimensional fluid flow around an axisymmetric body submerged in a finite-depth fluid is calculated by an analytical/numerical method based on a Green's function formulation. The flow around a submerged axisymmetric body, such as the infinite-fluid analogue of a Rankine body, can be constructed by superposition of a source and a sink along the axis of symmetry. Analytical evaluation is complicated because of the singular Cauchy-type principal-value integrals with infinite and semi-infinite limits. In this study these integrals are evaluated by using a set of adaptive numerical quadratures. This approach is direct, and it does not require an asymptotic expansion. The results for the three-dimensional flow calculations are applied for the evaluation of pressure signatures of several Rankine-type bodies with different Froude numbers. Streamlines were determined by a second-order finite-difference algorithm that follows a fluid particle by solving an appropriate initial-value problem. As expected, the shape distortion from the infinite-fluid Rankine body geometry was significant when the slenderness and the linearity (small-wave elevation and slope) approximations became inappropriate.
THE ROLE OF THE TRANSJUGULAR INTRAHEPATIC PORTAL-SYSTEMIC SHUNT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF VARICEAL BLEEDING

For patients who present with variceal bleeding refractory to endoscopic and pharmacologic methods, TIPS is a new and effective therapy. Stents are used in selected patients with decompensated liver disease and those who anticipate liver transplantation within 6 to 12 months. Surveillance of TIPS with ultrasound, with or without venography, is recommended to diagnose and treat stenosis or occlusion before variceal hemorrhage recurs. Hepatic encephalopathy may develop in a subset of patients, but it is usually well controlled with conservative measures. Child-Pugh and APACHE scores are predictive of patient survival after TIPS. Randomized controlled trials will be necessary to assess whether TIPS is useful, safe, and cost effective for the management of variceal bleeding in patients with end stage liver disease.
Baldcypress and water tupelo responses to insect defoliation and nutrient augmentation in Maurepas Swamp, Louisiana, USA

Abstract Forested wetlands in Louisiana are hydrologically isolated from the Mississippi River, impacted by saltwater intrusion, and are sinking, resulting in more frequent flooding for longer periods. These problems are exacerbated in some areas by impoundment from man-made structures. Additionally, defoliation of the two dominant trees, baldcypress ( Taxodium distichum L. Rich) and water tupelo ( Nyssa aquatica L.), frequently occur during spring. In Louisiana, the baldcypress leafroller, BCLR ( Archips goyerana Kruse) and the forest tent caterpillar, FTC ( Malacosoma disstria Hubner) annually defoliate an average of 120,000 ha of baldcypress–tupelo swamps. In combination, these factors have led to severely degraded forested wetlands with reduced basal area, dieback and tree mortality over extensive, formerly productive swamplands. Restoration plans call for reintroducing Mississippi River water by diversions, to increase sediment elevation, promote natural regeneration, and enhance primary and secondary productivity. Nutrient augmentation of baldcypress and water tupelo trees in Maurepas Swamps (similar to NO 3 − loading rates expected from 229 m 3 /s diversion) increased radial growth (cm 2 ) of both species (especially baldcypress) in degraded forest stands. Nutrient augmentation also increased nitrogen in foliage (insect frass (feces), spring clipped leaves, and abscised leaf litter) for both tree species. Nitrogen content of canopy foliage and leaf litter was positively correlated with site health. These findings support hypotheses that swamps in southeastern Louisiana are nutrient limited, and existing trees can utilize, benefit, and act as nutrient sinks for nutrient-laden river water accompanying diversions. Defoliation of these swamp species, although not uniform among years, did not result in losses in radial growth, but increased overall litter deposition for baldcypress. An increase in nitrogen content in insect frass in response to nutrient augmentation indicates defoliator populations might increase as a result of nutrient influxes.
On third order rotatability

Third order rotatability of experimental designs, moment matrices and information surfaces is investigated, using a Kronecker power representation. This representation complicates the model but greatly simplifies the theoretical development, and throws light on difficulties experienced in some previous work. Third order rotatability is shown to be characterized by the finitely many transformations consisting of permutations and a bi-axial 45 degree rotation, and the space of rotatable third order symmetric matrices is shown to be of dimension 20, independent of the number of factorsm. A general Moore-Penrose inverse of a third order rotatable moment matrix is provided, leading to the information surface, and the corresponding optimality results are discussed. After a brief literature review, extensions to higher order models, the connections with tensor representations of classic matrix groups, and the evaluation of a general dimension formula, are all explored.
Management of open fractures in the multiple trauma patient.

The management of open fractures in the multiple trauma patient is discussed. It is concluded that operative stabilization of the open fracture both enhances the survival of these patients and reduces the complications of the fracture while enhancing extremity function. This procedure must be conducted so as to avoid devascularization of more tissue and especially bone fragments and so that adequate stability is provided. In general, all open fractures are left open with the degree of openness depending upon the magnitude of the soft tissue trauma. In grade I and II open fractures, stabilization can usually be achieved by internal fixation or by a combination of minimal internal fixation (usually lag screws) and external fixation. In grade III open fractures, stabilization is usually best achieved by external fixation. However, the external fixation must be carefully designed to allow the subsequent soft tissue coverage operations which are usually required in third degree open fractures. In general, the external fixator should be viewed as a device to gain sufficient stability for patient mobilization and soft tissue management and not as definitive fracture care. For this reason, in the tibia unilateral frames are usually best and bilateral or trilateral frames should be reserved for segmental defects and severe zonal comminution. Definitive fracture care is then administered after soft tissue healing by cast or internal fixation.
Minocycline in the Chemoprophylaxis of Meningococcal Disease

Abstract An outbreak of meningococcal disease occurred among basic combat trainees at Fort Lewis, Wash., in the first 3 months of 1971. After five recruits developed meningitis within a 2-week period, 8,721 recruits were given 100 mg of minocycline every 12 hr for 5 days. No new cases of meningococcal disease occurred for almost 5 weeks. Then six additional cases occurred among recruits who had entered training after the initial course of minocycline and who had not received the drug. Minocycline was given to all 6,130 of these men, and again occurrence of new cases was halted abruptly. One week later, group C polysaccharide vaccine was administered to all recruits in the first 6 weeks of training and subsequently to all new entering trainees. No new cases of meningitis occurred in the next 3 months. Surveys showed that minocycline significantly lowered the meningococcal carrier rate for 4 to 5 weeks. No strains of Neisseria meningitidis, among 341 isolated after minocycline treatment, were resistant to the drug. Prophylaxis with minocycline clearly interrupted the course of this outbreak due to sulfa-resistant meningococci. Although immunization is the preferred method of prophylaxis, minocycline may be useful until a suitable polyvalent vaccine is available.