cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Changed Economic Position of Western Europe: Some Implications for United States Policy and International Organization

By the end of the 1950's Western Europe reached an economic position so different from that of a decade before that major new questions arose about the area's place in the world economy. It follows that the assumptions of United States economic policy toward Europe need to be re-examined in the new circumstances. Of central importance are questions about the degree and type of economic regionalism that the countries of Western Europe will pursue in the future. Their experience in the last decade and a half has provided unprecedented evidence of the compatibility of regionalism and globalism in some circumstances. As a result we are past the point at which the two tendencies can be thought of as necessarily sharply antithetical. American policy, which all along has sought to encourage a dual approach, has now to find ways of striking a new balance between regionalism and globalism, since the new circumstances have removed some of the important assumptions of the old policy.
Headache in an Italian pediatric emergency department

The objective of this study was to assess epidemiology, diagnostic work-up, treatment and follow-up of children presenting to emergency department (ED) with headache. Records of visits for non-traumatic headache to the ED of a pediatric hospital over a period of 12 months were retrospectively reviewed. Headache center charts were analyzed one year after. Five-hundred and fifty patients (1% of all ED visits) were included. Spectrum of diagnoses was: primary headache (56.7%), with 9.6% of migraine; secondary headache (42%); unclassified headache (1.3%). Viral illnesses accounted for 90.5% of secondary headaches. A serious disorder was found in 4% of patients. Forty-four patients (8%) underwent neuroimaging studies, with 25% of abnormal findings. Only 223 patients (40.5%) received pharmacological treatment. On discharge, 212 patients (38.5%) were referred to headache center and 114 (20.7% of all patients) attended it. ED diagnosis was confirmed in 74.6% of cases. Most of ED repeated visits (82.6%) occurred in patients not referred to headache center at discharge from first ED visit. The most frequent diagnosis was primary headache; viral illnesses represented the majority of secondary headaches. Underlying serious disorders were associated with neurological signs, limiting the need of diagnostic investigations. Well structured prospective studies are needed to evaluate appropriate diagnostic tools, as well as correct therapeutic approach of pediatric headache in emergency. Collaboration with headache center might limit repeated visits and provide a correct diagnostic definition.
A Tutorial on Encoding and Wireless Transmission of Compressively Sampled Videos

Compressed sensing (CS) has emerged as a promising technique to jointly sense and compress sparse signals. One of the most promising applications of CS is compressive imaging. Leveraging the fact that images can be represented as approximately sparse signals in a transformed domain, images can be compressed and sampled simultaneously using low-complexity linear operations. Recently, these techniques have been extended beyond imaging to encode video. Much of the compression in traditional video encoding comes from using motion vectors to take advantage of the temporal correlation between adjacent frames. However, calculating motion vectors is a processing-intensive operation that causes significant power consumption. Therefore, any technique appropriate for resource constrained video sensors must exploit temporal correlation through low-complexity operations. In this tutorial, we first briefly discuss challenges involved in the transmission of video over a wireless multimedia sensor network (WMSN). We then discuss the different techniques available for applying CS encoding first to images, and then to videos for error-resilient transmission in lossy channels. Existing solutions are examined, and compared in terms of applicability to wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs). Finally, open issues are discussed and future research trends are outlined.
Use of the cylindroid for the singularity analysis of rank 3 robot manipulators

Conventional methods for evolving the degrees-of-freedom, degrees-of-constraint, and/or singularity conditions of robot manipulators specifies a rank analysis of the Jacobian matrix. For serial-chain robot manipulators, these conventional practices have worked quite well. However, for parallel robot manipulators, these conventional practices lead to analytic complications and results that are difficult to physically interpret. This manuscript explores use of the cylindroid, coupled with its analytic expression in the principal coordinate system, for the singularity analysis of rank 3 robot manipulators. For 3R serial-chains, we illustrate two major points: (1) the cylindroid provides explicit solutions in the singularity analysis and (2) the cylindroid is quite efficient for developing 3R serial-chains that maintain rank 3 throughout the entire workspace. For 3F force-producing parallel-chains, we show the cylindroid can aid the solution process by simplifying the constitutive equations.
Dietary fat composition alters pulmonary function in pigs.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effect of various dietary fats on pulmonary surfactant composition and lung function changes that occur before and after endotoxin infusion in pigs. METHODS: Eighteen pigs were assigned to three groups ( n = 6 per group) to receive a diet of protein (20% of calories), carbohydrate (20% of calories), and fat (40% of calories). In one group the fat content consisted entirely of palmitic acid. In the second group, fat came from Intralipid, which provided predominantly linoleic acid. The third group was fed fish oil. Pigs were maintained on these diets for 21 d before the experiment. Cardiovascular and pulmonary functions were determined on day 22. Pigs then were infused with endotoxin (80 mg · kg −1 · min −1 ) until the pulmonary arterial pressure reached a pressure similar to that found in trauma victims (45 to 50 mmHg). Cardiovascular and pulmonary function tests were then repeated, the animals killed, and the lungs removed for study. RESULTS: Compliance was reduced in the linoleate and fish-oil groups compared with the palmitate group before and after endotoxin. Compliance changes in pigs fed the linoleate and fish-oil diets were consistent with significant increases in lung wet:dry weight ratios, increased CO 2 retention, histologic evidence of vascular congestion, intra-alveolar edema, and alveolar septa thickening. Changes in surfactant phosphatidylcholine composition between groups were consistent with the notion that increased unsaturated fatty acids could affect surfactant function. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the common practice of providing calories in the form of polyunsaturated fatty acids to critically ill patients carries the risk of being detrimental to lung function.
On Root Numbers Connected with Special Values ofL-Functions over Fq(T)

In this paper we give a few explicit formulae for the dual coefficients and some of the root numbers appearing in the expression ofL-functions over Fq(T) ass=1. From these formulae we show that the set of root numbers includes all the basic Gauss sums defined by Thakur as a proper subset. We also prove some properties of the root numbers. Finally, we provide an example which strongly suggests that there is a close relation between root numbers and the general Gauss sums.
Evidence for photoreactivation in marine fish cellsin vitro

defense mechanism of a very fundamental nature. Photoreactivation (1) is the amelioration, by subsequent exposure to light, of the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. This process is believed in many cases to involve the light-catalyzed reversal of UV-induced lesions (pyrimidine dimers) in DNA. We have recently been examining lower vertebrate cell lines for their response to UV light and the possible occurrence of photoreactivation. Grunt fin (GF-1) (2), an established cell line from the blue-
Enzyme studies on white blood cells and their significance for genetics

The application of leukocyte enzyme assays to the diagnosis and study of genetics has been demonstrated in the following errors of metabolism: glycogen storage disease, familial paroxysmal rhabdomyolysis and galactosemia. Under such a programme the activity of the following enzymes is included: phosphorylase, phosphorylase kinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, amylo-1, 6-glucosidase and P-gal-uridyl-transferase. Leukocyte phosphorylase activity is significantly decreased in Hers disease (type VI glycogenosis). Amylo-1, 6-glucosidase is lacking in leukocytes of patients with limit dextrinosis, a defect inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Similar inheritance exists in type IV glycogenosis. Type VIa glycogenosis shows X-chromosomal inheritance, patients being hemizygous deficient and mothers heterozygotes. G6PD has been demonstrated as significantly increased in two female children with Hers' glycogenosis (possibly VIb).
Synergistic lethality induced by the combination of carbon monoxide and cyanide.

Carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen cyanide are recognized pyrolytic products of plastic materials in fires. Lethal blood concentrations of CO and cyanide are found in fire victims and considered to be the cause of death. However, there are reports of fire victims with sublethal concentrations of both CO and cyanide and no other attributed reason for their deaths. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate lethality induced by low concentrations of CO and cyanide. Male ICR mice were used in these studies. Doses of potassium cyanide (4-9 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered to animals pretreated for 3 min with either air or CO (0.63-0.66%). From these data the LD50 value of potassium cyanide (KCN) was determined in these animals pretreated with either air or CO. A significantly lower LD50 value for KCN was found in CO-pretreated animals as compared to air-pretreated animals. In another series of experiments, animals were pretreated with either saline or KCN (1.00-6.35 mg/kg, i.p.) and then placed in the chamber containing a CO atmosphere (0.325-0.375%). Ten to 20% of saline-pretreated animals were dead at the end of the monitoring period. Sublethal doses of KCN (3.5-6.35 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a synergistic lethality as compared to the saline-pretreated animals. Blood was analyzed for CO and cyanide content to determine if there were any changes that could explain this augmented lethality. There was no difference in CO or cyanide blood concentrations between these treatment groups. From these data there was demonstrated a synergistic lethality induced by the combination of CO and cyanide that could not be explained by altered CO or cyanide blood concentrations.
Use of Nonuniform Stress-State Tests to Determine Fracture Energy of Asphalt Mixtures Accurately

Fracture energy of asphalt mixture is known to have a strong influence on the cracking performance of flexible pavement. Accurate determination of fracture energy of laboratory specimens requires accurate determination of strain through fracture, at the instant of fracture, on the plane where fracture occurs. Tests involving nonuniform stress states, such that the failure plane is known a priori, are suited for accurate and consistent determination of fracture energy because gauges from which strains can be determined can be placed directly on the failure plane. The Superpave® indirect tension (IDT) test and the recently developed dog-bone direct tension (DBDT) test fall into this category. They were used in this study to determine tensile failure limits and, more specifically, to test whether fracture energy determined from one of the tests agreed with that from the other test and thereby indicated that fracture energy can be accurately determined from these tests. Strength tests were performed at consta...
Accelerated automated microdetermination of serum calcium

Abstract A rapid procedure for the automated determination of serum calcium by direct determination in raw serum is described. In this case, a 50/ hour direct serum determination was modified to operate at 100/hour, but the increased rate of processing did not affect accuracy, reproducibility of the determinations or sample to sample interaction. Dimethyl sulfoxide was included in the reagents as a solvent to lower the dielectric constant of the medium and to help repress the ionization of the color reagent, cresolphthalein complexone, thereby decreasing the blank. Potential interference from lipemia, jaundice or hemolysis was not covered in the study because the primary stated purpose here was to develop a model concept for accelerated on-stream automation. However, further studies along these lines are in progress. A discrete sample analyzer, the Beckman DSA 560 was also used for the determination and the same reagents were adequate. Acceleration of direct automated determinations such as described seems feasible within limits when using the concept of manifold lines enlarged in the ratio of desired faster to slower speeds. Recoveries indicate that the proposed accelerated model system is useful for the determination of serum calcium.
Sound level measurements using smartphone "apps": Useful or inaccurate?

Many recreational activities are accompanied by loud concurrent sounds and decisions regarding the hearing hazards associated with these activities depend on accurate sound measurements. Sound level meters (SLMs) are designed for this purpose, but these are technical instruments that are not typically available in recreational settings and require training to use properly. Mobile technology has made such sound level measurements more feasible for even inexperienced users. Here, we assessed the accuracy of sound level measurements made using five mobile phone applications or "apps" on an Apple iPhone 4S, one of the most widely used mobile phones. Accuracy was assessed by comparing application-based measurements to measurements made using a calibrated SLM. Whereas most apps erred by reporting higher sound levels, one application measured levels within 5 dB of a calibrated SLM across all frequencies tested.
Is regional anesthesia associated with reduced PACU length of stay?: A retrospective analysis from a tertiary medical center.

Background Postanesthesia care is a costly component of overall surgical care. In the ambulatory setting, regional anesthesia has been shown for multiple surgical procedures to either decrease postanesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay (LOS) or completely bypass it altogether. This has not been demonstrated in a large hospital setting with a complex surgical case mix.
The Fast and Transient Transcriptional Network of Gravity and Mechanical Stimulation in the Arabidopsis Root Apex

Plant root growth is affected by both gravity and mechanical stimulation (Massa GD, Gilroy S [2003] Plant J 33: 435-445). A coordinated response to both stimuli requires specific and common elements. To delineate the transcriptional response mechanisms, we carried out whole-genome microarray analysis of Arabidopsis root apices after gravity stimulation (reorientation) and mechanical stimulation and monitored transcript levels of 22,744 genes in a time course during the first hour after either stimulus. Rapid, transient changes in the relative abundance of specific transcripts occurred in response to gravity or mechanical stimulation, and these transcript level changes reveal clusters of coordinated events. Transcriptional regulation occurs in the root apices within less than 2 min after either stimulus. We identified genes responding specifically to each stimulus as well as transcripts regulated in both signal transduction pathways. Several unknown genes were specifically induced only during gravitropic stimulation (gravity induced genes). We also analyzed the network of transcriptional regulation during the early stages of gravitropism and mechanical stimulation.
Substance Abuse, Unemployment Problems, and the Disparities in Mental Health Services in the Appalachian Southwest Region

Alcohol and drug abuse is becoming a growing economic and social problem in the Appalachian region. The aim of this study is to shed light on the characteristics of individuals who sought free health care services in the Appalachian southwest Virginia region and who are facing the challenges of unemployment and substance abuse problems and are in need of health care and mental health services. This descriptive exploratory study is based on a sample of 139 individuals (61.9% women) who attended the Remote Area Medical Expedition in Wise County, Virginia, July25 to 28, 2005. The results of this study show that there is a strong relationship between problems with unemployment and substance abuse in the southwest Virginia region. The disparities in substance abuse and mental health care services are also addressed, and implications for policy, research, and practice are suggested.
Spatial and temporal analysis of electric wind generation intermittency and dynamics

Abstract A spatial and temporal analysis of wind power generation characteristics was conducted in order to determine the implications of intermittent wind generation dynamics on the profile of the electric loads that must be balanced by dispatchable electrical generators on the electric grid. A parametric analysis was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of the typical magnitudes of wind power fluctuations on different timescales, power variation range, typical daily and seasonal wind profiles to wind farm size and regional distribution. A methodology to evaluate wind dynamics based on power spectral density analyses have been developed. Results indicate that increasing the size of a local wind farm significantly reduced the magnitude of wind power fluctuations on timescales faster than 12 h, with the largest reductions occurring at the fastest timescales. Additional reductions in power fluctuations can be achieved with the implementation of local and regional distribution of wind turbines in disperse high wind areas. In these cases, it was discovered that the timescale band within which the largest reductions in power fluctuations occurred was dependent on regional geographic features, and did not necessarily correspond to the fastest timescales. In addition, it was also discovered that the aggregation of wind power from different regions could produce a more uniform frequency distribution of power fluctuation reductions.
Looking at gender distribution among AGU Fellows

The purpose of this report is to inform AGU members as to gender equity within the AGU Fellows. The study addresses the following questions: is there equity between men and women in the distribution of Fellows within AGU?, and are there differences based on gender among the various age groups within the Fellows? The raw data were provided by Jeanne Glover and Janet Eager at AGU. As some AGU members are listed without a gender or age, they were eliminated from the numbers in this study; this constituted only 3% of the AGU members. Every effort was made to determine the missing age and/or gender of Fellows.
Moscow's SOVA Center

The SOVA Center provides valuable information and insight pertaining to right-wing, xenophobic, and extremist groups in Russia.
Conservation of structure and function of the aflatoxin regulatory gene aflR from Aspergillus nidulans and A. flavus

Under limiting growth conditions,Aspergillus nidulans produces a carcinogenic secondary metabolite related to aflatoxin and called sterigmatocystin (ST). The genes for ST biosynthesis are co-ordinately regulated and are all found within an approximately 60-kilobase segment of DNA. One of the genes within this region is predicted to encode a CX2CX6CX6CX2CX6CX2 zinc binuclear cluster DNA-binding protein that is related to theAspergillus flavus andAspergillus parasiticus aflatoxin regulatory geneaflR. Deletion of theA. nidulans aflR homolog resulted in an inability to induce expression of genes within the ST gene cluster and a loss of ST production. BecauseA. nidulans aflR mRNA accumulates specifically under conditions that favor ST production we expect that activation of ST biosynthetic genes is determined byA. nidulans aflR. In support of this hypothesis, we demonstrated that induced expression of theA. flavus aflR gene inA. nidulans, under conditions that normally suppress ST gene expression, resulted in activation of genes in the ST biosynthetic pathway. This result demonstrates that AflR function is conserved betweenAspergillus spp. and thataflR expression is sufficient to activate genes in the ST pathway.
Recovery Over 6 Months of Medical Decision-Making Capacity After Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Objective To investigate recovery of medical decision-making capacity (MDC) over 6 months in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) stratified by injury severity. Design Longitudinal study comparing controls and patients with TBI 1 month after injury (t1) and 6 months after injury (t2). Setting Inpatient TBI rehabilitation unit and outpatient neurology department. Participants Participants (N=151) consisted of control subjects (n=60) and patients with TBI (n=91) stratified by injury severity: mild TBI (mTBI; n=27), complicated mild TBI (cmTBI; n=20), and moderate/severe TBI (msevTBI; n=44). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures We used the Capacity to Consent to Treatment Instrument to evaluate MDC performance on 5 consent standards (expressing choice, reasonable choice, appreciation, reasoning, and understanding). We also assigned capacity impairment ratings on the consent standards to each participant with TBI using cut scores referenced to control performance. Results Control performance was stable across time on the consent standards. Patients with mTBI and cmTBI performed below controls on the understanding standard at t1 but not t2. Patients with msevTBI performed below controls on appreciation, reasoning, and understanding at t1, and on appreciation and understanding at t2, but showed substantial improvement over time. Conclusions Regardless of injury severity, all groups with TBI demonstrated baseline impairment of MDC with subsequent partial or full recovery of MDC over a 6-month period. However, a sizeable proportion of individual patients with TBI in each group continued to demonstrate capacity compromise at 6 months postinjury. Clinically, this finding suggests that individuals with TBI, regardless of injury severity, need continued monitoring regarding MDC for at least 6 months after injury.
Enhancement of odorant-induced mucosal activity patterns in rats trained on an odorant identification task

Previous studies have demonstrated that there are intrinsic spatial patterns of odorant sensitivity across the rat olfactory mucosa. The question of how these patterns are determined and whether they are modifiable with experience remains open. Therefore, the present study examined whether the odorant-induced spatial activity patterns which are characteristic of different odorants would be altered by experience. Odorant exposure was achieved as a consequence of training and testing on a five odorant identification task in which rats were trained to differentially report (i.e. identify) the odorants propanol, ehtylacetoacetate, carvone, citral, and propyl acetate. At the completion of testing, each animal was sacrificed and their mucosal activity patterns recorded using optical techniques and a voltage-sensitive dye. Using the dye, di-4-ANEPPS, we monitored the fluorescence changes at 100 contiguous sites with a 10 x 10 photodiode array on the olfactory mucosa of each rat's septum and medial surface of the turbinates in response to the same five odorants. The recorded spatial activity patterns of trained animals were compared to those of age-matched controls. For the trained animals, both mucosal surfaces showed a significant increase in the average response magnitude. Furthermore, for the septal mucosa only, there was a significant increase in the distinctiveness of an odorant's characteristic 'hot spot'.
Laser Speckle Flowmetry for the Study of Cerebrovascular Physiology in Normal and Ischemic Mouse Cortex

Laser speckle flowmetry (LSF) is useful to assess noninvasively two-dimensional cerebral blood flow (CBF) with high temporal and spatial resolution. The authors show that LSF can image the spatiotemporal dynamics of CBF changes in mice through an intact skull. When measured by LSF, peak CBF increases during whisker stimulation closely correlated with simultaneous laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) measurements, and were greater within the branches of the middle cerebral artery supplying barrel cortex than within barrel cortex capillary bed itself. When LSF was used to study the response to inhaled CO2 (5%), the flow increase was similar to the response reported using LDF. For the upper and lower limits of autoregulation, mean arterial pressure values were 110 and 40 mm Hg, respectively. They also show a linear relationship between absolute resting CBF, as determined by [C]iodoamphetamine technique, and 1/tau(c) values obtained using LSF, and used 1/tau(c) values to compare resting CBF between different animals. Finally, the authors studied CBF changes after distal middle cerebral artery ligation, and developed a model to investigate the spatial distribution and hemodynamics of moderate to severely ischemic cortex. In summary, LSF has distinct advantages over LDF for CBF monitoring because of high spatial resolution.
Intranuclear matrix metalloproteinases promote DNA damage and apoptosis induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation in neurons.

Degradation of the extracellular matrix by elevated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity following ischemia/reperfusion is implicated in blood–brain barrier disruption and neuronal death. In contrast to their characterized extracellular roles, we previously reported that elevated intranuclear MMP-2 and -9 (gelatinase) activity degrades nuclear DNA repair proteins and promotes accumulation of oxidative DNA damage in neurons in rat brain at 3-h reperfusion after ischemic stroke. Here, we report that treatment with a broad-spectrum MMP inhibitor significantly reduced neuronal apoptosis in rat ischemic hemispheres at 48-h reperfusion after a 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Since extracellular gelatinases in brain tissue are known to be neurotoxic during acute stroke, the contribution of intranuclear MMP-2 and -9 activities in neurons to neuronal apoptosis has been unclear. To confirm and extend our in vivo observations, oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD), an in vitro model of ischemia/reperfusion, was employed. Primary cortical neurons were subjected to 2-h OGD with reoxygenation. Increased intranuclear gelatinase activity was detected immediately after reoxygenation onset and was maximal at 24 h, while extracellular gelatinase levels remained unchanged. We detected elevated levels of both MMP-2 and -9 in neuronal nuclear extracts and gelatinase activity in neurons co-localized primarily with MMP-2. We found a marked decrease in PARP1, XRCC1, and OGG1, and decreased PARP1 activity. Pretreatment of neurons with selective MMP-2/9 inhibitor II significantly decreased gelatinase activity and downregulation of DNA repair enzymes, decreased accumulation of oxidative DNA damage, and promoted neuronal survival after OGD. Our results confirm the nuclear localization of gelatinases and their nuclear substrates observed in an animal stroke model, further supporting a novel role for intranuclear gelatinase activity in an intrinsic apoptotic pathway in neurons during acute stroke injury.
Neuropsychological profiles in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis: Relationship to psychosis and intelligence

Background Characterizing neuropsychological (NP) functioning of individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis may be useful for prediction of psychosis and understanding functional outcome. The degree to which NP impairments are associated with general cognitive ability and/or later emergence of full psychosis in CHR samples requires study with well-matched controls.
Delay effects and differential delay equations in chemical kinetics

Abstract The effects of time lags on the kinetic behaviour of chemical systems are considered. Such lags can result from spatial separation of components of a system, from the introduction of a delayed feedback, or as a way of representing the effects of intermediate steps in a series of reactions. The mathematical apparatus for treating systems with delay is introduced. Then, a number of examples, both experimental and theoretical, are discussed. It is seen that time lags can produce major, qualitative changes in the behaviour of a system, and that it is sometimes possible to reduce significantly the number of variables needed to describe a system if one utilizes differential delay rather than ordinary differential equations.
UWB channel measurements and modeling for positioning and communications systems in the operating room

The prevalence of UWB has greatly increased in recent years for numerous applications in dense multipath indoor environments. We have measured and modeled the ultra-wideband (UWB) channel environment found in the operating room which can be used to examine its effects on the performance of UWB positioning and communications systems. Frequency and time domain measurement data obtained in the operating room in both live (during orthopedic surgeries) and non-live scenarios was fit to the IEEE 802.15.4a channel model. Simulation data was then obtained through the IEEE 802.15.4a channel model for characterizing the operating room environment. Electromagnetic interference was also measured in the operating room. Even in the dense multipath environment found in the operating room, UWB shows strong potential for multiple applications including wireless tracking for surgical navigation, incorporation into low power ex vivo and in vivo bio-sensors, and high data rate wireless telemetry of critical bio-signals including ECG, EMG, blood pressure, and body temperature.
The amplifier effect: how Pin1 empowers mutant p53.

Mutation of p53 occurs in 15 to 20% of all breast cancers, and with higher frequency in estrogen-receptor negative and high-grade tumors. Certain p53 mutations contribute to malignant transformation not only through loss of wild-type p53 but also through a gain of function of specific p53 mutations. How these hotspot mutations turn p53 from a tumor suppressor into an oncogene had until now remained incompletely understood. In an elegant paper published in the July 12 issue of Cancer Cell, Girardini and colleagues show how Pin1-mediated prolylisomerization, a regulatory mechanism intended by evolution to support p53's function as a guardian of the genome, can go haywire and accelerate malignant transformation when p53 carries a dominant-negative mutation.
In Vitro Activities of Quinupristin-Dalfopristin and Cefepime, Alone and in Combination with Various Antimicrobials, against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococci and Enterococci in an In Vitro Pharmacodynamic Model

Use of combinations of antimicrobials that together achieve synergistic activities against targeted microorganisms is one potential strategy for overcoming bacterial resistance. As the incidence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant staphylococci and enterococci increases, the importance of devising additional synergistic drug combinations for these bacteria is magnified. We evaluated a number of antimicrobial combinations, with a focus on quinupristin-dalfopristin (Q-D), cefepime, and linezolid, using a previously described in vitro pharmacodynamic model. The combination of Q-D with either linezolid or vancomycin, as well as the combination of cefepime-vancomycin, resulted in enhanced killing (≥2-log10 increase in killing versus the most-active single agent) against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 494. An improved effect (<2 log10 kill increase in kill) against MRSA 494 was noted for cefepime plus either Q-D or linezolid, as well as linezolid-vancomycin. Similar relationships were observed for a methicillin-susceptible S. aureus isolate (isolate 1199). Against methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis R444, enhanced killing was achieved with the combination of cefepime-linezolid, while improvement was noted for vancomycin with either cefepime or linezolid. The combination of cefepime and vancomycin also achieved enhanced killing against a glycopeptide-intermediate-susceptible S. aureus isolate (isolate 992). The combination of linezolid and doxycycline achieved an enhanced effect against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VREFc) and E. faecium. Q-D plus ampicillin or linezolid resulted in similar enhancement of activity against the VREFc isolate. The results of this study suggest a number of novel antimicrobial combinations that may be useful against staphylococci and enterococci. Combination regimens including cefepime, Q-D, and/or linezolid warrant further investigation for the treatment of refractive infections due to multidrug-resistant gram-positive pathogens.
Continuum-regime field charging in an electron swarm

Free electron field charging of particles in nonelectronegative gases was measured as a function of: (1) the applied electric field strength (from 0.25 to 4.82 kV/cm); (2) the particle radius (from 0.22 to 0.91 cm); (3) the charging current (from 1.5 to 80 mu A); and (4) the exposure time (from 1.0 to 4.0 ms, and also 5 s). The measured free-electron saturation charge values strongly support the hypothesis that electron field charging has the same saturation charge limit as ionic field charging. The electron field charging rate measurements support the following hypothesis. If the charge carrier number density is kept constant, the characteristic charging time ( tau ) is inversely proportional to the mobility of the carrier. If the charging current density is constant, then tau is independent of the mobility of the carrier (for the same E). The free electron particle charging results strongly suggest that ionic field charging theory adequately describes the field charging of particles by free electrons if the high mobility of the electrons is taken into account. >
Recognizing the Financial Burden of Cancer Patients in Clinical Trials

Clinical trials often represent an increasingly important option for patients with cancer, thus oncologists participating in clinical research need to consider and address the financial burden associated with trial participation. Future research efforts should focus on developing formal screening tools to identify and monitor for financial burden among clinical trial participants.
SunCast: fine-grained prediction of natural sunlight levels for improved daylight harvesting

ABSTRACT Daylight harvesting is the use of natural sunlight to reduce the need for artificial lighting in buildings. The key challenge of daylight harvesting is to provide stable indoor lighting levels even though natural sunlight is not a stable light source. In this paper, we present a new technique called SunCast that improves lighting stability by predicting changes in future sunlight levels. The system has two parts: 1) it learns predictable sunlight patterns due to trees, nearby buildings, or other environmental factors, and 2) it controls the window transparency based on a quadratic optimization over predicted sunlight levels. To evaluate the system, we record daylight levels at 39 different windows for up to 12 weeks at a time, and apply our control algorithm on the data traces. Our results indicate that SunCast can reduce glare by 59% over a baseline approach with only a marginal increase in artificial lighting energy.
Is there a correlation between performance on dental and medical board examinations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a correlation exists between passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 (USMLE) on the first attempt and performance on National Board Dental Examination Part I (NBDE). Materials and Methods: Questionnaires were sent to program directors of 52 dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgery programs. The information requested concerned residents of each program from 1990 to 2000 and included NBDE scores and number of attempts each resident took to pass the USMLE Step 1. Also included was the number of years of medical school each program required, as well as time given to USMLE Step 1 study preparation. The data were analyzed to determine if a relationship exists between NBDE Part I score and pass rate on the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt. Data presented are the mean ± SD. Results: Questionnaires were received from 26 of 52 (50%) dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgery programs regarding 426 residents. The overall average of NBDE Part 1 was 92.55 ± 3.62 (range, 83 to 99). The average NBDE Part I score for those candidates who passed the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt was 93.75 ± 3.02, and for those who did not pass the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt, it was 89.12 ± 2.93. The average NBDE Part I score is significantly higher for those subjects who passed the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt (P <.001). A candidate with an NBDE Part I score of 95 to 99 is 75 times more likely to pass the USMLE Step 1 on the first attempt than is a candidate with a score of less than 90. A marginal association was found with study preparation time and amount of medical school completed during residency. Conclusions: A significant correlation exists between NBDE Part I score and pass rate on the USMLE Step 1 examination. © 2003 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 61:701-706, 2003
The spectrum of microwave emission from InSb

Conflicting descriptions in the literature about the frequency dependence of microwave emission from InSb are shown to be the result of faulty experimental techniques. The amplitude as a function of frequency is apparently not periodic nor is frequency bunching confirmed. Several authors have claimed that the amplitude decreases with increasing frequency and this is confirmed. Coherent emission has been reported and some substantiation of this claim is given.
T-bet controls pathogenicity of CTLs in the heart by separable effects on migration and effector activity

CD8+ CTL contribute to the pathogenesis of myocarditis and cardiac allograft rejection. Using a transgenic model of myocarditis, we examined the role of the transcription factor T-bet in the differentiation of pathogenic cardiac Ag-specific CTL. We demonstrate that T-bet-deficient CTL are significantly impaired in their ability to cause disease, despite intact proliferation and activation phenotypes. In the absence of T-bet, there is markedly reduced expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR3, and CXCR3-gene knockout CTL are significantly less pathogenic than control CTL. Retroviral-mediated CXCR3 expression in T-bet-deficient CD8+ T cells reconstitutes their ability to infiltrate but not to damage the heart, establishing that CD8+ T cell pathogenicity is related to T-bet-dependent CXCR3 expression, reduced cytotoxicity, and enhanced regulation. These findings highlight the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting T-bet-regulated gene expression and CXCR3-dependent migration in immune-mediated heart disease.
Optimism and Death: Predicting the Course and Consequences of Depression Trajectories in Response to Heart Attack

The course of depression in relation to myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as heart attack, and the consequences for mortality are not well characterized. Further, optimism may predict both the effects of MI on depression as well as mortality secondary to MI. In the current study, we utilized a large population-based prospective sample of older adults (N = 2,147) to identify heterogeneous trajectories of depression from 6 years prior to their first-reported MI to 4 years after. Findings indicated that individuals were at significantly increased risk for mortality when depression emerged after their first-reported MI, compared with resilient individuals who had no significant post-MI elevation in depression symptomatology. Individuals with chronic depression and those demonstrating pre-event depression followed by recovery after MI were not at increased risk. Further, optimism, measured before MI, prospectively differentiated all depressed individuals from participants who were resilient.
Physiological characteristics of the supported singing voice. A preliminary study

The purpose of this study was to develop a definition of the supported singing voice based on physiological characteristics by comparing the subjects' concepts of a supported voice with objective measurements of their supported and unsupported voice. This preliminary report presents findings based on data from eight classically trained singers. Subjects answered questions about their concepts of the characteristics of the supported singing voice and how it is produced. Samples of the supported and unsupported singing voice produced at low, medium, and high pitches at a comfortable loudness level were collected for acoustic, spectral, airflow, electroglottographic, air volume, and stroboscopic analyses. Significant differences between the supported and unsupported voice were found for sound pressure level (SPL), peak airflow, subglottal pressure (Ps), glottal open time, and frequency of the fourth formant (F4). Mean flow and F2 frequency differences were sex and pitch related. Males adjusted laryngeal configuration to produce supported voice, whereas glottal configuration differences were greater in females. Breathing patterns were variable and not significantly different between supported and unsupported voice. Subjects in this study believe that the supported singing voice is resonant, clear, and easy to manage and is produced by correct breath management. Results of data analysis show that the supported singing voice has different spectral characteristics from and higher SPL, peak airflow, and Ps than the unsupported voice. Singers adjust laryngeal and/or glottal configuration to account for these changes, but no significant differences in breathing activity were found.
The Relationship Between Fixed Asset Liquidation Value And Market Capitalization

This study examines the relationship between the liquidation values of a firm’s fixed assets and the firms’ market capitalization. The significance of this relationship is demonstrated by comparing it with the relationship between the book value of a firm’s fixed assets and the firm’s market capitalization. A stronger, or enhanced, relationship for liquidation values to market capitalization indicates it’s usefulness for decision making purposes.
Performance analysis of gateways with buffer constraints

The following configurations of interconnected networks are studied: (i) the gateways and the channels of local area networks have no buffer capacity constraints; (ii) only gateways have buffer capacity constraints; (iii) only the channels of local area networks have buffer capacity constraints; and (iv) both the gateways and the channels of the local area networks have buffer capacity constraints. An approximation method that makes it possible to compute the throughput for the above network configurations is introduced. Examples are given to demonstrate the effects of gateway buffer capacity on the performance of the network. Approximate results are validated by simulation. >
An International Trade Model with Spill-over Pollution

To lay the ground for our investigation of the role of tariffs in environmental protection when pollution caused by PPMs spills across borders, this chapter introduces a Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson model with which these issues can be addressed. Furthermore, we determine and compare nationally and globally optimal environmental policies.
Drug trafficking, corruption, and violence in Mexico: mapping the linkages

Drug trafficking, drug-related violence and drug-related corruption have come to dominate Mexican politics in the late 2000s. Most consider corruption central to both the illicit trade and to the government’s war on it. But such relationships have yet to be fully examined and raise a number of questions. This paper explores the links among these variables. The opening section grapples with the theoretical puzzle. It lays out the different types of drug-related corruption and violence and explores in detail the three binary relationships with particular attention to plomo o plata and the possible inverse connection between corruption and violence. Noting that corruption was once associated with relatively peaceful drug trafficking under the PRI but today is tied to violence, the second section addresses the historical puzzle and asks how the complex relationship among these variables has changed in recent years. The final section explores the various dynamic linkages between drug-trafficking violence and corruption. The theoretical discussion is supplemented by examples from Mexico during the current period.
Germ-Line Enhancement of Humans and Nonhumans

The current difference in attitude toward germ-line enhancement in humans and nonhumans is unjustified. Society should be more cautious in modifying the genes of nonhumans and more bold in thinking about modifying our own genome. I identify four classes of arguments pertaining to germ-line enhancement: safety arguments, justice arguments, trust arguments, and naturalness arguments. The first three types are compelling, but do not distinguish between human and nonhuman cases. The final class of argument would justify a distinction between human and nonhuman germ-line enhancement; however, this type of argument fails and, therefore, the discrepancy in attitude toward human and nonhuman germ-line enhancement is unjustified.
General Discussion: Working on the Interface Between Statistics and Astronomy

Eric Feigelson and G. Jogesh Babu: We would like to present some information that may help astronomers who are unfamiliar with the statistics, world and statisticians unfamiliar with the astronomy world. We do not discuss the scientific issues, hut rather where resources are found and how things are done.
Relative Economic Values Assigned to Milk, Fat Test, and Type in Pricing of Bull Semen

Abstract Data on 324 Holstein bulls from the July 1983 USDA Sire Summary and Holstein Association type evaluations were analyzed using multiple regression to determine which traits or combination of traits in a sire evaluation are most important in determining the price of a straw of semen. Over all bull studs, type was a major economic influence in determining price of semen. When bulls with outlier prices ($100 or more) were excluded, relative economic values over all bull studs were 4.31:2.63:1 for milk, type, and fat test. For three bull studs with more than 35 bulls with evaluations for milk, type, and fat test, relative economic values (values per phenotypic standard deviation) were 3.16:1.35:1, 4.81:1.93:1, and 4.06:2.15:1. With so much economic emphasis on type and fat test, genetic gain in milk production from the sire of cow path would be substantially less than if selection were for milk production alone. Unusual bulls (outlier prices) were associated with nonlinear economic values. When outliers were excluded, models including functions of sire evaluations accounted for 50 to 75% of the variation in semen prices.
Flood Management for Small Urban Streams

Experiences in Princeton, N.J. are drawn on to analyze flood problems of small urban streams, including building in flood plains, increased floods due to urbanization, and accentuated erosion tendencies. A detailed survey and flood analysis were very beneficial, followed by flood plain zoning, and a requirement for flood detention storage by developers. Culverts now too small to handle increased floods constitute a defense against erosion also caused by the floods. Reconsideration of criteria for culvert design in such situations would be valuable. Federal programs fall short of meeting the rather complex problems in small urbanizing watershed.