cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global interconnect optimization with simultaneous macrocell placement and repeater insertion

This paper investigates the problem of global interconnect optimization for intellectual property (IP) based system-on-chip designs. In contrast to previous research, which conducts repeater insertion for global interconnects after the system placement, our approach performs these two steps simultaneously by integrating an interconnect macromodel into the placement procedure. Our macro-model is able to estimate the power dissipation of global interconnects with optimal repeater insertion using the wire length, timing budget, repeater location deviation, and signal activity. Consequently, accurate power dissipation of global interconnects can be used to guide the placement procedure, resulting in high-quality designs. Experimental results have shown that our approach reduces the number of timing-violation paths by more than 80% and achieves up to 11.1% power reduction in comparison with placement schemes based on area or wirelength minimization.
A genetic algorithm perspective to distributed systems design

Distributed computing systems (DCSs) have the potential for high reliability. When the topology of a DCS is fixed, the DCS's reliability depends mainly on the allocation of various resources. One of the important resources to be allocated in a DCS are various files. In this paper, a genetic algorithm (GA) based file allocation and design scheme has been developed for distributed systems. In this scheme, files are allocated to the nodes of the DCS such that the overall effectiveness of executing a program, which requires files from remote nodes, is maximized. Different topologies are considered to illustrate the GA-based solution approach. The effectiveness of the GA-based approach is demonstrated by comparing the results obtained using the GA with the results obtained by an exhaustive search of the problem state space. A timing study that was carried out also illustrates the effectiveness of the GA-based approach. This paper also studies the impact of the probability of crossover (Pc) and the probability of mutation (Pm) on the results obtained using the GA.
Neuropsychology of asian indians

Part 1. Asian American Neuropsychology. D. Fujii, Introduction. D. Fujii, B. Yee, S. Eap, T. Kuoch, M. Scully, Neuropsychology of Cambodian Americans. T. Wong, Neuropsychology of Chinese Americans. K. Nadal, J. Monzones, Neuropsychological Assessments and Filipino Americans: Cultural Implications for Practice. D. Fujii, A. Vang, Neuropsychology of Hmong. V. Phatak, V. Kamath, D. Fujii, Neuropsychology of Asian Indian Americans. B. Tsushima, V. Tsushima, D. Fujii, Neuropsychology of Japanese Americans. M.Y. Jo, L. Kwon Dawson, Neuropsychological Assessment of Korean Americans. D. Fujii, Neuropsychology of Laotian Americans. D. Fujii, T. Wu, K. Ratanadilok, Neuropsychology of Thai Americans. D. Ngo, M.T. Le, P.D. Le, Neuropsychology of Vietnamese Americans. Part 2. Neuropsychology in Asia. A. Chan, W. Leung, M.C. Cheung, Neuropsychology in China. K. Kumar, Neuropsychology in India. A. Isomura, M. Mimura, Neuropsychology in Japan. J. Chey, H. Park, Neuropsychology in Korea. N.C. Din, Neuropsychology in Malaysia. M.R. Lopa-Ramos, L. Ledesma, Neuropsychology in the Philippines. S. Collinson, D. Yeo, Neuropsychology in Singapore: History, Development, and Future Directions. K. Ratanadilok, Neuropsychology in Thailand
Introduction of double-strand breaks into the genome of mouse cells by expression of a rare-cutting endonuclease.

To maintain genomic integrity, double-strand breaks (DSBs) in chromosomal DNA must be repaired. In mammalian systems, the analysis of the repair of chromosomal DSBs has been limited by the inability to introduce well-defined DSBs in genomic DNA. In this study, we created specific DSBs in mouse chromosomes for the first time, using an expression system for a rare-cutting endonuclease, I-SceI. A genetic assay has been devised to monitor the repair of DSBs, whereby cleavage sites for I-SceI have been integrated into the mouse genome in two tandem neomycin phosphotransferase genes. We find that cleavage of the I-SceI sites is very efficient, with at least 12% of stably transfected cells having at least one cleavage event and, of these, more than 70% have undergone cleavage at both I-SceI sites. Cleavage of both sites in a fraction of clones deletes 3.8 kb of intervening chromosomal sequences. We find that the DSBs are repaired by both homologous and nonhomologous mechanisms. Nonhomologous repair events frequently result in small deletions after rejoining of the two DNA ends. Some of these appear to occur by simple blunt-ended ligation, whereas several others may occur through annealing of short regions of terminal homology. The DSBs are apparently recombinogenic, stimulating gene targeting of a homologous fragment by more than 2 orders of magnitude. Whereas gene-targeted clones are nearly undetectable without endonuclease expression, they represent approximately 10% of cells transfected with the I-SceI expression vector. Gene targeted clones are of two major types, those that occur by two-sided homologous recombination with the homologous fragment and those that occur by one-sided homologous recombination. Our results are expected to impact a number of areas in the study of mammalian genome dynamics, including the analysis of the repair of DSBs and homologous recombination and, potentially, molecular genetic analyses of mammalian genomes.
Problems in defining and measuring friction on natural and artificial playing surfaces

Classical models of friction assume non-resilient surfaces, and are contact area independent. Pedestrian traction requirements remain controversial, as does the methodology of measuring coefficient of friction in situ. Athletic events, with severe maneuvers, can result in high traction requirements in order for the participants to successfully complete the activity. Typical outdoor athletic fields can be divided into natural and artificial surfaces, each with its own peculiar traction behavior when in contact with different athletic shoe outsoles. Friction testing devices, for use with athletic shoes and playing surfaces have been developed. However, traction requirements and appropriate test protocols have not been standardized.
A Simple and Convenient Method for the Oxidation of Organoboranes Using Sodium Perborate: (+)‐Isopinocampheol

A Simple and convenient method for the oxidation of organoboranes using sodium perborate: (+)-isopinocampheol intermediate: (+)-Diisopinocampheylborane intermediate: (+)-Isopinocampheol reactant: (1S)-(−)-α-Pinene [99%, 98% optical purity, [α]25D −50.6° neat] was purchased from Aldrich Chemical Company, Inc. Keywords: hydroboration; oxidation, miscellaneous; stereoselective reactions, stereospecific; assay methods, for borane in tetrahydrofuran; pinene, (−)-α-, purification by distillation from LiAlH4; hydrogen, fire hazard
Reliability and validity of pendulum test measures of spasticity obtained with the Polhemus tracking system from patients with chronic stroke.

Spasticity is a common impairment accompanying stroke. Spasticity of the quadriceps femoris muscle can be quantified using the pendulum test. The measurement properties of pendular kinematics captured using a magnetic tracking system has not been studied among patients who have experienced a stroke. Therefore, this study describes the test-retest reliability and known groups and convergent validity of the pendulum test measures obtained with the Polhemus tracking system. Eight patients with chronic stroke underwent pendulum tests with their affected and unaffected lower limbs, with and without the addition of a 2.2 kg cuff weight at the ankle, using the Polhemus magnetic tracking system. Also measured bilaterally were knee resting angles, Ashworth scores (grades 0–4) of quadriceps femoris muscles, patellar tendon (knee jerk) reflexes (grades 0–4), and isometric knee extension force. Three measures obtained from pendular traces of the affected side were reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ .844). Known groups validity was confirmed by demonstration of a significant difference in the measurements between sides. Convergent validity was supported by correlations ≥ .57 between pendulum test measures and other measures reflective of spasticity. Pendulum test measures obtained with the Polhemus tracking system from the affected side of patients with stroke have good test-retest reliability and both known groups and convergent validity.
Methane oxidative coupling over titanate catalysts

Abstract The oxidative coupling of methane was studied by cofeeding methane and oxygen over a series of titanate catalysts. Many of the titanate catalysts were good combustion catalysts and had poor hydrocarbon selectivities. Calcination and reduction pretreatments were shown to affect the activity of some catalysts: while they had little influence on other titanate catalysts. The lanthanum titanate catalyst had the best hydrocarbon selectivities of the titanates studied, exhibiting methane conversions of 20% and hydrocarbon selectivities of better than 50% for a variety of operating conditions. The effect of operating conditions were studied, and there appears to be an optimum to achieve high yields of ethane and ethylene. The catalyst was studied over a seventy-two hour period and showed very little change with time-on-stream. The lanthanum titanate catalyst activated methane at much lower temperatures than other catalysts; however, its hydrocarbon selectivity was poorer at lower temperatures.
Drinking elicited by intracranial microinjection of angiotensin in the cat

Abstract When the level of angiotensin II in the brain is augmented by microinjection of this substance the fully-hydrated cat drinks copiosly. The magnitude of this response is closely dependent upon the dose of angiotensin II injected. The latency of the drinking response was 1–2 min for each of the doses of angiotensin employed in this study. This is the first report of the induction of thirst in cats by central chemical stimulation and furthers the concept that angiotensin II is a potent dipsogen in vertebrates.
A Novel Class of Tests for the Detection of Mitochondrial DNA–Mutation Involvement in Diseases

We develop a novel class of tests to detect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)–mutation involvement in complex diseases by the study of affected pedigree members. For a pedigree, affected individuals are first considered and are then connected through their relatives. We construct a reduced pedigree from an original pedigree. Each configuration of a reduced pedigree is given a score, with high scores given to configurations that are consistent with mtDNA-mutation involvement and low scores given to configurations that are not consistent with mtDNA-mutation involvement. For many pedigrees, the weighted sum of scores of the pedigrees is calculated. The tests are formed by comparing the observed score with the expected score under the null hypothesis that only nuclear autosomal mutations are involved. We study the optimality of score functions and weights under the heterogeneity model without phenocopies. We also develop a method to estimate the contribution that mtDNA mutations make if they are involved under a heterogeneity model. Finally, we apply our methods to three data sets: Leber hereditary optic neuropathy, a disease that has been proved to be caused by mtDNA mutations; non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM); and hypertension (HTN). We find evidence of mtDNA-mutation involvement in all three diseases. The estimated fraction of patients with NIDDM due to mtDNA-mutation involvement is 22% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6%–38%). The fraction of patients with HTN potentially due to mtDNA-mutation involvement is estimated at 55% (95% CI 45%–65%).
A coupled microsomal-activating/embryo culture system: Toxicity of reduced β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)

Abstract An NADPH-dependent microsomal-activating system has been coupled to a rat embryo culture in vitro . No embryonic morphological abnormalities or decreases in final yolk sac or embryo DNA and protein contents occurred when 0.2 mM NADPH was used in this coupled system. In contrast, 1.0 mM NADPH alone, or 0.2 mM NADPH in the presence of microsomes and a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-based NADPH-generating system, greatly reduced embryo and yolk sac growth in vitro . The toxicity of NADPH was not due to lipid peroxidation. Only minor decreases in final yolk sac protein levels occurred when embryos were grown in media containing male rat microsomes and 1.0 mM NADPH. The protective effect of rat hepatic microsomes on NADPH toxicity does not seem to have been due to the oxidation of NADPH to the less toxic NADP. Although cyclophosphamide alone was not toxic to rat embryos cultured in vitro , in the coupled microsomal-activating/embryo culture system, cyclophosphamide reduced yolk sac and embryo growth and caused abnormal embryonic differentiation. The uses of the coupled microsomal-activating/embryo culture system to study mechanisms in anomalous development, as well as its possible use in embryo toxicity and teratogenicity testing, are discussed.
The use and misuse of journal metrics and other citation indicators

This article reviews the nature and use of the journal impact factor and other common bibliometric measures for assessing research in the sciences and social sciences based on data compiled by Thomson Reuters. Journal impact factors are frequently misused to assess the influence of individual papers and authors, but such uses were never intended. Thomson Reuters also employs other measures of journal influence, which are contrasted with the impact factor. Finally, the author comments on the proper use of citation data in general, often as a supplement to peer review. This review may help government policymakers, university administrators, and individual researchers become better acquainted with the potential benefits and limitations of bibliometrics in the evaluation of research.
Micromolar lidocaine selectively blocks propagating ectopic impulses at a distance from their site of origin.

Abstract Abnormal impulses caused by very slowly inactivating Na channels of peripheral nerve have been proposed to play a critical role in neuropathic pain. Low concentrations of local anesthetics, often effective in treating experimental and clinical neuropathic pain, are also known to potently suppress the long after-depolarizations induced by these persistently open Na channels. However, these drug actions on impulses that have propagated away from such sites are undetermined. In the present study, the focal application of anemone toxin II (ATX, 300 nM), which slows Na-channel inactivation, produced prolonged depolarizing after-potentials and, coincidentally, induced spontaneous bursting impulse activity that propagated away from the site of ATX application in the frog sciatic nerve in vitro. The application of low concentrations of lidocaine (1–10 μM), both at the site of ATX exposure and at a distant site, selectively and reversibly inhibited the spontaneous bursting, while having no effect on the electrically stimulated initial spike of the compound action potential. Inhibition occurred as a shortening of burst episodes rather than a reduction in frequency of impulses within a burst or a reduction of intraburst impulse amplitude. Tetrodotoxin also inhibited the induced spontaneous activity, but only at concentrations that also depressed the compound action potential spike. These findings show that low concentrations of lidocaine can restore normal firing patterns in nerve where hyperexcitability has been caused by delayed Na-channel inactivation, without acting directly at the site where ectopic impulses are generated. Thus, it appears that the pattern of abnormal activity rather than an abnormally gating Na channel per se can be a target for lidocaine's therapeutic action.
Effects of dissolved hydrogen on durability of silica glass under excimer laser irradiation.

As an evaluation of durability of synthetic silica glass under irradiation of KrF excimer laser (5.0 eV) or ArF excimer laser (6.4 eV), degradation of transmission was studied for a sample that contained 4×1018 molecules/cm3 H2 but was substantially free of other impurities. First, Khotimchenko’s method of H2 analysis was examined with specimens whose H2 contents were varied by vacuum degassing, covering three orders of magnitude down to H2-free (i.e., less than the instrumental detection limit of 5×1016). It was shown that this method was quite reliable.Then the effects of dissolved H2 were assessed. The hydrogen molecules were decomposed under excimer laser irradiation, and reacted with the E’ center. For KrF excimer laser irradiation, the degradation of transmission was found to be suppressed, when the concentration of hydrogen much increased. Whereas for ArF excimer laser irradiation, there seemed to exist an optimum concentration range.The author proposes a reaction model for the last observation as:≡ Si–O–Si ≡+ H2+hν→≡Si·+·O–Si≡+ H2→≡+Si–H + H–O–Si ≡, where ≡Si· is the E’ center, and ·O–Si≡ , the non-bxsridging oxygen hole center.
Ventral Root Afferent Fibres and the Recurrent Inhibitory Pathway

RENSHAW1 showed that stimulation of ventral roots of the cat spinal cord may inhibit motoneurones. This also occurs when muscle nerves are stimulated in preparations with cut dorsal roots. Renshaw proposed several alternative hypotheses to account for this. One was that aiiti-dromic action potentials in motor axons propagate along collaterals which terminate within the ventral horn2 and inhibit motoneurones either directly or through an inter-neurone. The discovery by Renshaw of ventral horn interneurones which were discharged repetitively by ventral root stimulation gave support to this idea. Eccles, Fatt and Koketsu3 reported evidence for synaptic links between cholinergic terminals of ventral root axons and the interneurones of Renshaw and between the inter-neurones and motoneurones. They also provided evidence against a second hypothesis of Renshaw that recurrent inhibition may be produced by interaction between the dendrites of motoneurones. There is as yet little direct evidence against the third hypothesis of Renshaw that afferent fibres within the ventral roots might inhibit motoneurones. Such afferents would have to arise, at least in part, from muscle to account for recurrent inhibition produced by muscle nerve stimulation. There is evidence for the presence of aiferents in ventral roots. Sherrington4 found as many as forty degenerating axons in chronically sectioned ventral roots. He confirmed previous observations that there are often a few ganglion cells within the ventral root, although he failed to demonstrate a relationship between the “recurrent” afferent fibres and the ganglion cells. Ventral root afferents have recently been described in the cat5 and the rat6; at least some of them appear to arise from muscle6.
Management of hemodialysis catheter-related bacteremia with an adjunctive antibiotic lock solution.

Management of hemodialysis catheter-related bacteremia with an adjunctive antibiotic lock solution. Background Tunneled dialysis catheters are complicated by frequent systemic infections. Standard therapy of catheter-associated bacteremia involves both systemic antibiotics and catheter replacement. Recent data suggest that biofilms in the catheter lumen are responsible for the bacteremia, and that instillation of an antibiotic lock (highly concentrated antibiotic solution) into the catheter lumen after dialysis sessions can eradicate the biofilm. Methods We analyzed prospectively the efficacy of an antibiotic lock protocol, in conjunction with systemic antibiotics, for treatment of patients with dialysis catheter-associated bacteremia without catheter removal. Protocol success was defined as resolution of fever and negative surveillance cultures one week following completion of the protocol. Protocol failure was defined as persistence of fever or surveillance cultures positive for any pathogen. In addition, infection-free catheter survival was compared to that observed in institutional historical control patients treated with catheter replacement. Results Blood cultures were positive in 98 of 129 of episodes (76%) in which patients dialyzing with a catheter had fever or chills. Protocol success occurred in 40 of 79 infected patients (51%) treated with the antibiotic lock. Protocol failure occurred in 39 cases (49%): 7 had persistent fever, 15 had positive surveillance cultures (9 for Candida and 6 for bacteria), and 17 required catheter removal due to malfunction. Each of the pathogens in the surveillance cultures was different from the original pathogen in that patient. Eight of the 9 secondary Candida infections and all 6 secondary bacterial infections resolved after catheter exchange and specific antimicrobial treatment. Overall catheter survival with the antibiotic lock protocol was similar to that observed among patients managed with catheter replacement (median survival, 64 vs. 54 days, P = 0.24). Conclusions Use of an antibiotic lock, in conjunction with systemic antibiotic therapy, can eradicate catheter-associated bacteremia while salvaging the catheter in about one half of cases. Moreover, this management approach offers clinical advantages over routine catheter exchange.
Effect of Polymer-Filler and Filler-Filler Interactions on Dynamic Properties of Filled Vulcanizates

Abstract In the past few years, an enormous amount of work has been reported on the progress in the application of conventional fillers and the development of new products to improve the reinforcement of rubber, dynamic properties in particular. While all agree that the filler as one of the main components of the filled-rubber composite, has a very important role in improving the dynamic performances of the rubber products; many new ideas, theories, practices, phenomena, and observations about how and especially why the filler alters the dynamic stress-strain response have been presented. This, of course, suggests that not only is the real world of the filled rubber complex and sophisticated but also multiple mechanisms may be involved. However, it must be admitted that the possibility exists for explaining the effect of all fillers on rubber properties ultimately in similar and relatively nonspecific terms, i.e., the phenomenon related to all filler parameters should follow a general rule or principle. I...
Inferring phylogenies from RAD sequence data.

Reduced-representation genome sequencing represents a new source of data for systematics, and its potential utility in interspecific phylogeny reconstruction has not yet been explored. One approach that seems especially promising is the use of inexpensive short-read technologies (e.g., Illumina, SOLiD) to sequence restriction-site associated DNA (RAD) – the regions of the genome that flank the recognition sites of restriction enzymes. In this study, we simulated the collection of RAD sequences from sequenced genomes of different taxa (Drosophila, mammals, and yeasts) and developed a proof-of-concept workflow to test whether informative data could be extracted and used to accurately reconstruct “known” phylogenies of species within each group. The workflow consists of three basic steps: first, sequences are clustered by similarity to estimate orthology; second, clusters are filtered by taxonomic coverage; and third, they are aligned and concatenated for “total evidence” phylogenetic analysis. We evaluated the performance of clustering and filtering parameters by comparing the resulting topologies with well-supported reference trees and we were able to identify conditions under which the reference tree was inferred with high support. For Drosophila, whole genome alignments allowed us to directly evaluate which parameters most consistently recovered orthologous sequences. For the parameter ranges explored, we recovered the best results at the low ends of sequence similarity and taxonomic representation of loci; these generated the largest supermatrices with the highest proportion of missing data. Applications of the method to mammals and yeasts were less successful, which we suggest may be due partly to their much deeper evolutionary divergence times compared to Drosophila (crown ages of approximately 100 and 300 versus 60 Mya, respectively). RAD sequences thus appear to hold promise for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships in younger clades in which sufficient numbers of orthologous restriction sites are retained across species.
Effects of Postharvest Onion Curing Parameters on the Development of Sour Skin and Slippery Skin in Storage

Abstract The influence of postharvest curing temperature and duration on development of slippery skin (caused by Burkholderia gladioli pv. alliicola) and sour skin (caused by B. cepacia) in onion (Allium cepa) bulbs during storage was evaluated by inoculating bulbs of the storage cultivars ‘Redwing’ and ‘Vaquero’ with each of the pathogens after harvest, curing the bulbs at 25, 30, 35, or 40°C for 2 or 14 days, and storing the bulbs at 5°C for 1, 2, or 3 months. Noninoculated bulbs and bulbs injected with sterile water served as control treatments. The onion bulbs were from drip-irrigated, commercial onion crops grown in the semiarid Columbia Basin of central Washington in 2009 and 2010. Each bulb was cut through the point of inoculation from the neck to the basal plate to assess severity of bulb rot (percentage of cut bulb surface area with bacterial rot symptoms) after 1, 2, or 3 months of storage. Bulb rot severity in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 trials was negligible for noninoculated bulbs (mean of 4.0 an...
Comparison of Custom Capture for Targeted Next-Generation DNA Sequencing

Targeted, capture-based DNA sequencing is a cost-effective method to focus sequencing on a coding region or other customized region of the genome. There are multiple targeted sequencing methods available, but none has been systematically investigated and compared. We evaluated four commercially available custom-targeted DNA technologies for next-generation sequencing with respect to on-target sequencing, uniformity, and ability to detect single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) and copy number variations. The technologies that used sonication for DNA fragmentation displayed impressive uniformity of capture, whereas the others had shorter preparation times, but sacrificed uniformity. One of those technologies, which uses transposase for DNA fragmentation, has a drawback requiring sample pooling, and the last one, which uses restriction enzymes, has a limitation depending on restriction enzyme digest sites. Although all technologies displayed some level of concordance for calling SNVs, the technologies that require restriction enzymes or transposase missed several SNVs largely because of the lack of coverage. All technologies performed well for copy number variation calling when compared to single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays. These results enable laboratories to compare these methods to make informed decisions for their intended applications.
Some Evidence on the Value of Instructors in Teaching Economic Principles

Using data collected from three universities, the authors of this article attempt to show that student attitude is “an important dimension of learning” and that the quality of instruction is indeed associated with attitude. The attitude referred to here is that of student opinions toward economics (as measured by Karstensson's “Questionnaire on Student Attitude Toward Economics”) rather than opinions on economic issues. Posttest scores on the TUCE and the attitude instrument were the dependent variables, while scores on the TUCE pretest, ACT scores, sex, major field, economics background, university attended, and quality of instruction were used as independent variables.
Formulas for Conductor Size According to Cost of Resistance Loss

IN DESIGNING an electric-power line the choice of conductor depends on several factors such as mechanical strength, corona loss, reactance, and resistance. In the early years of electric-power transmission and distribution, a size of conductor was chosen which was considered the best in view of all the requirements. At present so many different types of line conductors are available that each feature can be provided for almost independently. Thus, a core of steel or bronze may be specified to provide the required mechanical strength; a hollow conductor may be chosen to avoid corona and to reduce the reactance; and the resistance, that is the current density, may be chosen according to the cost of resistance loss or according to temperature rise.
Designing and Implementing New Models of Schooling

Abstract There is a great deal of evidence to indicate that current problems in American education are so serious that merely reforming the current operational model of schooling will not bring about the desired results. What appears to be needed is major restructuring, or even replacement, of the current schooling model with more efficient and effective systems of instruction and learning. This chapter discusses how new models of schooling should be created and implemented. The chapter also describes a new model of schooling currently being designed by the Center for Educational Technology at Florida State University for the State Department of Education in Florida. Several useful strategies for obtaining support for redesign of schooling and for implementing new schooling models are presented.
1085 DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF PURULENT NASOPHARYNGITIS – A DOUBLE-BLIND, TWO-DRUG EVALUATION

132 children with purulent nasopharyngitis and no other indication for specific treatment had gram stain and bacterial culture of nasopharyngeal discharge and were randomized to 4 treatment groups with antibiotic (A=cephalexin) or decongestant/anti-histamine (D=pseudoephedrine/triprolidine) or their corresponding placebo equivalents (A+D+, A+D−, A−D+, A−D−). Follow-up parent, physician, and bacteriologic evaluations were performed after 5 days of therapy without knowledge of active drug status. Groups were comparable for age, sex, race, number of patients withdrawn from study, days ill, fever >38.0 C, appearance of discharge, nasal crusting, and number of days until follow-up. 21% of patients grew H. influenzae type b and only 8% S. pyogenes on initial culture. Nasal crusting was significantly (p<0.01) associated with the growth of S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae type b, suggesting a possible pathologic relationship. There were, however, no significant differences between active drug and placebo treatment groups for change in nasal discharge, complications, apparent drug benefit, or change in nasal flora with active antibiotic treatment. Significantly (p<0.05) more side effects were attributed to the D+ treatment groups. Routine culture and/or treatment of purulent nasopharyngitis cannot be recommended unless properly controlled studies demonstrate a significant drug benefit.
ACEP membership: A statistical analysis†

Many opinions on the age, work hours, specialty, job stability and interest of young physicians in the American College of Emergency Physicians and in emergency medicine are widely held, but there has been no investigation of their validity. A study was made of 550 application forms and approximately 300 chapter information forms from established and new members of ACEP. The results indicate that 23% of members are under 35 years of age and 60% are in full-time practice of emergency medicine. Of new applicants, 7% are in full-time academic medicine. A great majority, 80%, have licensure in two or less states, and 78% limit their practice to a maximum of two hospitals. A growing number of ACEP applicants chose emergency medicine as their primary career; only 29% are board eligible or certified in another specialty versus 45% of current members.
Effects of nanosecond pulsed electrical fields (nsPEFs) on the cell cycle of CHO and Jurkat cells

Exposure to nano-second pulsed electrical fields (nsPEFs) can cause poration of external and internal cell membranes, DNA damage, and disassociation of cytoskeletal components, all of which are capable of disrupting a cell’s ability to replicate. Variations between cell lines in membrane and cytoskeletal structure as well as in survival of nsPEF exposure should correspond to unique line-dependent cell cycle effects. Additionally, phase of cell cycle during exposure may be linked to differential sensitivities to nsPEFs across cell lines, as DNA structure, membrane elasticity, and cytoskeletal structure change dramatically during the cell cycle. Populations of Jurkat and Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells were examined post-exposure (10 ns pulse trains at 150kV/cm) by analysis of DNA content via propidium iodide staining and flow cytometric analysis at various time points (1, 6, and 12h post-exposure) to determine population distribution in cell cycle phases. Additionally, CHO and Jurkat cells were synchronized in G1/S and G2/M phases, pulsed, and analyzed to evaluate role of cell cycle phase in survival of nsPEFs. CHO populations recovered similarly to sham populations postnsPEF exposure and did not exhibit a phase-specific change in response. Jurkat cells exhibited considerable apoptosis/necrosis in response to nsPEF exposure and were unable to recover and proliferate in a manner similar to sham exposed cells. Additionally, Jurkat cells appear to be more sensitive to nsPEFs in G2/M phases than in G1/S phases. Recovery of CHO populations suggests that nsPEFs do not inhibit proliferation in CHO cells; however, inhibition of Jurkat cells post-nsPEF exposure coupled with preferential cell death in G2/M phases suggest that cell cycle phase during exposure may be an important factor in determining nsPEF toxicity in certain cell lines. Interestingly, CHO cells have a more robust and rigid cytoskeleton than Jurkat cells which is thought to contribute to their ability to survive nsPEFs. The ability of the CHO cytoskeleton to recover and complete mitosis after nsPEF-induced damage in G2/M phase may be integral to the cell line’s higher tolerance of nsPEF exposure.
Demographic and Societal Factors Affecting the Linear Career Crisis

The basic premise is that most managers and organizations define careers as a linear progression up a career ladder. This linear career concept will experience great difficulty given major societal and demographic trends: (a) population patterns have produced a boom generation which will saturate all management positions from the 1980s onward; (b) movement away from early retirement further blocks any routes to upper management; (c) slow economic growth retards new openings. What is needed are managers with non-linear career concepts. Yet trends show a resurgence of linear concepts among those in school and entering the work force. Remedies may include organizational, educational, and individual reorientation to non-linear model of careers. Resume Selon l'hypothese de depart de cette etude, la majorite des cadres et des entreprises definissent la carriere comme une progression lineaire ascendante. Ce concept de carriere lineaire est cependant menace par d'importantes tendances demogra-phiques et sociales, soit: (a) des patterns de population qui ont produit une generation record qui devrait saturer tous les postes de cadres a partir de 1980; (b) la tendance a l'encontre de la retraite anticipee qui bloque davantage les voies d'acces a la haute direction; (c) une croissance economique lente qui retarde de nouvelles ouvertures. Il faut maintenant des cadres avec un concept de carriere non lineaire, mais les tendances demontrent toutefois une reapparition du concept lineaire chez les etudiants et les jeunes qui se joignent au marche de travail. Une solution a ce probleme pourrait inclure une reorientation vers des modeles de carriere non lineaire au niveau de l'individu, de l'entreprise et du systeme scolaire.
Ultrasound in cyberspace.

: Internet, World Wide Web, Ultrasound, Obstetrics, GynecologyWhether we like it or not, the information revolution isbecoming an ever-increasing part of our daily personal andprofessional lives. To keep pace with these rapid changes,the ‘White Journal’ will from time to time focus ontechnological topics that are relevant to obstetric andgynecological imaging. Since our readership consists pre-dominantly of clinicians, we will pay particular attention torelevant clinical experience in presenting our information. Asan introductory review and an expanded follow-up on arecent editorial in our journal
The focusing problem for the Eikonal equation

We study the focusing problem for the eikonal quation $$ {\partial _{t}}u = |\nabla u{|^{2}}, $$ i.e., the initial value problem in which the support of the initial datum is outside some compact set in R d . The hole in the support will be filled in finite time and we are interested in the asymptotics of the hole as it closes. We show that in the radially symmetric case there are self-similar asymptotics, while in the absence of radial symmetry essentially any convex final shape is possible. However in R 2 , for generic initial data the asymptotic shape will be either a vanishing triangle or the region between two parabolas moving in opposite directions (a closing eye). We compare these results with the known results for the porous medium pressure equation which approaches the eikonal equation in the limit as m → 1.
Precious Essences: Female Secretions Promote Sperm Storage in Drosophila

Sperm that females receive during mating are stored in special places in the females' reproductive tracts. These storage sites serve to support and retain the sperm, maintaining the sperms' motility and, in mammals, permitting final sperm-maturation. The molecules that attract sperm to these sites and mediate what happens to them there have remained elusive. New research, using elegant genetic tools in Drosophila, shows that secretory cells associated with a sperm storage organ are important in sperm-supportive functions. When females lack function of these cells, they do not store sperm, or the sperm that they do store lose motility. Intriguingly, these effects influence gametes beyond the secretory cells' immediate vicinity. Loss of these cells eliminates the motility of sperm stored elsewhere in the reproductive tract and prevents the movement of eggs through the tract to exit the female. As a result of the latter problem, fertilized eggs hatch inside female flies that lack these secretory cells: instead of laying eggs, these females can “give birth” to live offspring. Because the cellular source of these gamete-regulating substances is now known, future studies can identify the specific molecules and mechanisms by which a female attracts sperm into storage and regulates the movement of sperm and eggs within her reproductive tract. It will be fascinating to determine how these molecules and mechanisms maintain gametes in active and viable forms and how evolution can modulate this to result in diverse reproductive strategies. Identification of these molecules also has potential practical implications for strategies to regulate the reproduction of insects of medical or agricultural importance.
Estrogen inhibits lysyl oxidase and decreases mechanical function in engineered ligaments

Women are more likely to suffer an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture than men, and the incidence of ACL rupture in women rises with increasing estrogen levels. We used an engineered ligament model to determine how an acute rise in estrogen decreases the mechanical properties of ligaments. Using fibroblasts isolated from human ACLs from male or female donors, we engineered ligaments and determined that ligaments made from female ACL cells had more collagen and were equal in strength to those made from male ACL cells. We then treated engineered ligaments for 14 days with low (5 pg/ml), medium (50 pg/ml), or high (500 pg/ml) estrogen, corresponding to the range of in vivo serum estrogen concentrations and found that collagen within the grafts increased without a commensurate increase in mechanical strength. Mimicking the menstrual cycle, with 12 days of low estrogen followed by 2 days of physiologically high estrogen, resulted in a decrease in engineered ligament mechanical function with no change in the amount of collagen in the graft. The decrease in mechanical stiffness corresponded with a 61.7 and 76.9% decrease in the activity of collagen cross-linker lysyl oxidase with 24 and 48 h of high estrogen, respectively. Similarly, grafts treated with the lysyl oxidase inhibitor β-aminoproprionitrile (BAPN) for 24 h showed a significant decrease in ligament mechanical strength [control (CON) = 1.58 ± 0.06 N; BAPN = 1.06 ± 0.13 N] and stiffness (CON = 7.7 ± 0.46 MPa; BAPN = 6.1 ± 0.71 MPa) without changing overall collagen levels (CON = 396 ± 11.5 μg; BAPN = 382 ± 11.6 μg). Together, these data suggest that the rise in estrogen during the follicular phase decreases lysyl oxidase activity in our engineered ligament model and if this occurs in vivo may decrease the stiffness of ligaments and contribute to the elevated rate of ACL rupture in women.
The cardiomyopathy of overload: an unnatural growth response in the hypertrophied heart.

Heart failure is a progressive condition with a 5-year survival of less than 50%. This poor prognosis, which can be reproduced by overloading the hearts of experimental animals, may reflect molecul...
Relation of Size at Release of Hatchery‐Reared Coho Salmon to Age, Size, and Sex Composition of Returning Adults

(1976). Relation of Size at Release of Hatchery-Reared Coho Salmon to Age, Size, and Sex Composition of Returning Adults. The Progressive Fish-Culturist: Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 144-147.
Mortality and age-specific patterns of marriage

A sociologist from Illinois pointed out flaws in the evolutionary model on mortality and age specific patterns of marriage proposed by 2 colleagues. They did not consider differential fertility and mortality. In the past most humans lived in small groups characterized by high rates of mortality and fertility. Those offspring that did survive did not necessarily live beyond middle adulthood e.g. as early as the late 1800s and early 1900s life expectancy was only a little >40 years. Thus 25% of children of young parents became orphans. The risk of orphanhood was directly related to the age of the parents. Therefore adults considered the age of a prospective spouse. Young women who married men 5 years older than themselves faced a 4% probability of the men dying and leaving orphaned children. This risk increased to 9% for men 10 years older. Thus mortality pressures encouraged both men and women to marry same-age spouses (age homogamy). They also predicted that older men preferred younger women (hypergamy). Mortality pressures did not explain however why women preferred to marry older men. Relative frequencies of hypergamy and hypogamy depend on time and place. In the late 1800s and early 1900s 1 of 6 women had husbands 5-9 years older than themselves while 10% had husbands >10 years older. In 1980 however these figures were 1 of 40 women and 1 of 166 women respectively. Thus observations of modern populations do not represent preferences and behavior in past populations. The 2 colleagues said that age hypogamous marriages had more surviving children than hypergamous marriages. Yet in high mortality populations since women tended to marry young and many young women did not live long enough to reach menopause few unmarried women remained. Thus menopausal sterility was irrelevant. The colleagues should have instead considered only marriages between late adolescence and the 30s.
Universality of the topology of period doubling dynamical systems

The evolution of the topology of the invariant manifolds of the attractors of 3-D autonomous dynamical systems during period doubling is shown to be universal. The overall topology of the nth attractor is shown to depend only on the topology of the first attractor at birth.
Oriented Ensembles in Ultrafast Electron Diffraction

Electron scattering expressions are presented which are applicable to very general conditions of implementation of anisotropic ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) experiments on the femto- and picosecond time scale. “Magic angle” methods for extracting from the experimental diffraction patterns both the isotropic scalar contribution (population dynamics) and the angular (orientation-dependent) contribution are described. To achieve this result, the molecular scattering intensity is given as an expansion in terms of the moments of the transition-dipole distribution created by the linearly polarized excitation laser pulse. The isotropic component (n=0 moment) depends only on population and scalar internuclear separations, and the higher moments reflect bond angles and evolve in time due to rotational motion of the molecules. This clear analytical separation facilitates assessment of the role of experimental variables in determining the influence of anisotropic orientational distributions of the molecular ensembles on the measured diffraction patterns. Practical procedures to separate the isotropic and anisotropic components of experimental data are evaluated and demonstrated with application to reactions. The influence of vectorial properties (bond angles and rotational dynamics) on the anisotropic component adds a new dimension to UED, arising through the imposition of spatial order on otherwise randomly oriented ensembles.
The Influence of Legislative Oversight on Discretionary Authority Allocating Urban Development Action Grants in HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development

Theories suggest that administrators may use their discretion to advance their agency’s version of the public interest, court political support, or both. The author hypothesizes that administrators courting political support use their discretion to reward legislators who monitor their programs more closely than do other legislators. The author measures the degree of scrutiny a program receives by quantifying members’participation in oversight hearings. In analyzing the allocation of Urban Development Action Grants (UDAGs), the author finds that administrators in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development were guided by both the agency’s perception of the public interest and by political considerations. Members of the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs who participated more extensively in hearings overseeing HUD programs received larger UDAG allocations in their home districts, and more oversight led to more grant money.
Data structures for computer graphics

This paper introduces data structures as applied to computer graphics. Design criteria for computer graphics data structures are discussed, followed by a comparison of general-purpose and tailored graphic data structures. A general graphic data structure is introduced as an example of a structure meeting the preceding criteria. The L6 language is then examined as a tool for implementing the above data structure, and is compared to a few other language systems.
Role of myosin light chains.

All conventional myosin IIs, whether isolated from skeletal, smooth, or invertebrate muscle sources, have two heads attached to an extended 16 nm α-helical coiled-coil tail. The head can be divided into a globular motor domain of ≈770 amino acids that contains the catalytic and actin binding sites, and a neck region of ≈70 amino acids which binds one essential and one regulatory light chain (ELC and RLC). The neck region with its associated LCs plays both structural and regulatory roles. While the mechanism and extent of regulation by the LCs varies for different myosins, the structural role may be a more fundamental feature of myosin II motors. Our understanding of the neck region has advanced rapidly in recent years primarily because of two types of information: (1) the high resolution structures of the LC binding domain from the thick-filament regulated scallop myosin (Xie et al., 1994) and of the head of unregulated skeletal myosin (Rayment et al., 1993), and (2) the ability to remove and/or mutate portions of both the heavy and light chains for analysis by in vitro motility assays.