cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Commercially Available Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract With the aggressive growth of the lithium-ion battery market, several companies have recently offered their version of the lithium-ion battery for consumer purchase. This paper describes the physical design, rate, cycle-lifetime, and self-discharge performance of cells from Sony, Matsushita, A&T, Moli, and Sanyo lithium-ion batteries. The study used a total of 85 lithium-ion cells from these manufacturers. All cells performed as indicated by manufacturers' specifications and the performance and design differences are discussed. The design differences include discussion of gas chrornatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis of the electrolytes, a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of separators, the activation of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC), and a comparison of the basic physical parameters of each cell. Performance characterization shows an excellent high discharge rale performance of the A&T and Matsushita cells, an excellent cycle-lifetime performance for Sony cells, and negligible effects of self-discharge.
Recall of nouns in sentences as a function of noun and verb meaning changes

Bobrow (1970) demonstrated that improvement in recall of noun pairs in repeated sentences is a function of the similarity of the meanings of the repeated sentences. However, he partially confounded changes in meanings due to nouns and verbs. The present experiment demonstrated that verb meaning changes were more detrimental to recall of the noun pairs than were noun meaning changes.
Variability of biological similarity criteria.

The “allometric cancellation” technique for determining similarity criteria (dimensionless numbers) insures that these ratios are essentially free from size-dependent variation. However, with the traditional methods of calculating such values, other important sources of variation are not examined. A correlation analysis of residuals demonstrates that many similarity criteria are actually highly variable relationships among organisms and frequently have questionable empirical validity.
Mechanisms of transcription factor deregulation in lymphoid cell transformation

The most frequent targets of genetic alterations in human lymphoid leukemias are transcription factor genes with essential functions in blood cell development. TAL1, LYL1, HOX11 and other transcription factors essential for normal hematopoiesis are often misexpressed in the thymus in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), leading to differentiation arrest and cell transformation. Recent advances in the ability to assess DNA copy number have led to the discovery that the MYB transcription factor oncogene is tandemly duplicated in T-ALL. The NOTCH1 gene, which is essential for key embryonic cell-fate decisions in multicellular organisms, was found to be activated by mutation in a large percentage of T-ALL patients. The gene encoding the FBW7 protein ubiquitin ligase, which regulates the turnover of the intracellular form of NOTCH (ICN), is also mutated in T-ALL, resulting in stabilization of the ICN and activation of the NOTCH signaling pathway. In mature B-lineage ALL and Burkitt lymphoma, the MYC transcription factor oncogene is overexpressed due to translocation into the IG locus. PAX5, a transcription factor essential for B-lineage commitment, is inactivated in 32% of cases of B-progenitor ALL. Translocations resulting in oncogenic fusion transcription factors also occur frequently in this form of ALL. The most frequent transcription factor chimeric fusion, TEL-AML1, is an initiating event in B-progenitor ALL that acts by repressing transcription. Therefore, deregulated transcription and its consequent effects on key developmental pathways play a major role in the molecular pathogenesis of lymphoid malignancy. Once the full complement of cooperating mutations in transformed B- and T-progenitor cells is known, and the deregulated downstream pathways have been elucidated, it will be possible to identify vulnerable components and to target them with small-molecule inhibitors.
Simultaneous analysis of cytochrome P450 probes—dextromethorphan, flurbiprofen and midazolam and their major metabolites by HPLC-mass-spectrometry/fluorescence after single-step extraction from plasma

Abstract Cytochrome P450 enzymes catalyze oxidative metabolism of most pharmaceutical compounds. Consequently dextromethorphan, flurbiprofen, midazolam and other compounds are commonly used as probe substrates to evaluate cytochrome P450 function in humans. A “cocktail” approach employing simultaneous administration of two or more of the probe substrates has been used by various investigators in recent years. An analytical strategy to simultaneously extract and analyze dextromethorphan, flurbiprofen and midazolam and their major metabolites (dextrorphan, 4′-hydroxy-flurbiprofen and 1′-hydroxy-midazolam) by HPLC-MS/fluorescence was developed and is described here. The three probe substrates and their major metabolites were extracted simultaneously by means of a solid-phase (Bond Elut Certify ® cartridges) extraction procedure from 200 μl of pig plasma. The extraction efficiency was more than 79.5% for each of the six analytes. The extracted compounds were chromatographically separated on a Luna C8(II) column (50 mm L × 3 mm ID) in a single run of 20 min and analyzed by either fluorescence (flurbiprofen and 4′-hydroxy-flurbiprofen) or selective ion monitoring (dextromethorphan, dextrorphan, midazolam and 1′-hydroxy-midazolam) with positive electrospray ionization. The limit of quantification was 2.5 ng/ml for midazolam and 5 ng/ml for the other five analytes. The assay was precise and accurate (error: −9.1 to 12.1) with total CVs of 13.9% or better for each of the 6 analytes. This method was used to analyze concentrations of the three probes and their metabolites in plasma after intravenous administration to a healthy pig.
Leading weak corrections to the production of heavy top quarks at hadron colliders

We calculate the leading weak corrections at to the QCD production of heavy top quark pairs via at hadron colliders and compare them with the complete one-loop weak corrections. We find that these corrections dominate the threshold region for a heavy top quark if the Higgs boson is light. For a heavy Higgs boson, these corrections are generally small. The chromo-anapole form factor of the top quark and effects of parity violation are studied in the Standard Model (SM). The parity violation effect in from the SM weak corrections is found to be very small, so any observation of large parity violation in this process would indicate new physics. The polarization of the pairs is also discussed, including the effect that this has on proposed techniques for measuring the top quark mass.
Structural distinctions in BMPs underlie divergent signaling in spinal neurons

In dorsal spinal neurons and monocytes, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)7 activates distinct transduction pathways, one leading to inductive specification and the other to axon orientation and chemotaxis. BMP7-evoked induction, also stimulated by the closely related BMP6, acts through a Smad cascade, leading to nuclear signaling, and is not BMPR subunit selective. Orientation is evoked by BMP7, but not by BMP6, through PI3K-dependent cytoskeletal activation mediated by the type II BMPRs, ActRIIA and BMPRII and is independent of the Smad cascade. The responses can be stimulated concurrently and suggest that BMP7, but not BMP6, can selectively activate BMPR subunits that engage the divergent paths. Although structural and biochemical analyses of selected BMP/BMPR interfaces have identified key regions of interaction, how these translate into function by related BMPs is poorly understood. To determine the mechanisms underlying the distinct activities of BMP7 and the disparate properties of BMP7 and BMP6 in spinal cord development, we have performed a family-wide structure/function analysis of BMPs and used the information to predict and test sites within BMPs that may control agonist properties, in particular the ability of a BMP to orient axons, through interactions with BMPRs. We demonstrate that whereas all BMPs can induce dorsal neurons, there is selectivity in the ability also to orient axons or evoke growth cone collapse. The degree to which a BMP orients is not predictable by overall protein similarity with other BMPs but comparison of sequences of potent and weakly orienting BMPs with that of the non-orienting BMP6 revealed three candidate positions within the BMPs at which the amino acid residues may confer or obstruct orienting ability. Residue swapping analysis has identified one residue, Gln 48 in BMP6, that blocks axon orienting ability. Replacing Gln 48 with any of the amino acids present at the equivalent residue position in the orienting subset of BMPs confers orienting activity on BMP6. Conversely, swapping Gln 48 into BMP7 reduces orienting ability. The inductive capacity of the BMPs was unchanged by these residue swaps. The results suggest that the presence of the Gln 48 residue in BMP6 is structurally inhibitory for BMP/BMPR interactions that result in the activation of intracellular signaling, leading to axon orientation. Moreover, since residue 48 in BMP7 and the corresponding residue in BMP2 are important for type II BMPR binding, our results provide a basis for a mechanistic understanding of the diverse activities of BMPs in spinal cord development.
Stiffening of sub-micro-porous silver membranes under tensile deformation

Abstract Tensile testing of porous silver membranes is used to assess the postulate that the onset of plasticity corresponds with a shear type of deformation. The filament size and porosity take the parametric roles of feature size and free volume that are used to characterize the strain rate sensitivity of strength in nanoscale metals as now adapted for porous membranes. Experimental measurements indicate the porous membranes stiffen under tensile loading as plastic deformation progresses, as evidenced by an increase in the elastic modulus from a value consistent with the C′ elastic constant towards the C44 elastic constant.
Three-dimensional self-collapse of Langmuir waves

Experimental observation of Langmuir-wave collapse in three dimensions is presented with regard to collapse rate and threshold. Collapse proceeds under its own trapped field even after the decoupling from the external driver.
Quality of Life in Persons with Long-Term Mechanical Ventilation or Tetraplegic SCI without LTMV

The purpose of this study is to explore quality of life (QoL) and experiences with caregiving among persons on long-term mechanical ventilation (LTMV) by comparing their status to a group of patients with tetraplegic spinal cord injury (SCI) not using LTMV. Participants, who were ages 26 to 77 years (mean = 36.5, SD = 14.3) and 67% male, made up a group of 21 individuals on LTMV including 10 with LTMV subsequent to SCI and 11 with LTMV from other etiologies and a comparison group of 22 individuals who were a minimum of 1 year post-SCI and had tetraplegia without preserved motor function below the site of impairment (ASIA classifications A or B). QoL was conceptualized in three distinct ways for this study, providing a comprehensive assessment: health-related QoL (HR-QoL), global cognitive appraisal, and individualized/judgmental. Group differences in QoL and amount and assessed quality of caregiving were examined. No significant group differences were observed in QoL from any vantage point. Differences in...
An evaluation of EDTA in endodontics.

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to determine the chemical self-limiting property of the chelating agent, EDTA, by a gravimetric method. It was shown that a determinable quantity of dentin can be chelated by a known quantity of EDTA. It was also found that an excess of EDTA will react with 73 per cent of the available inorganic dentin in vitro. In two different approaches, a proportionate amount of inorganic matter was chelated. Buffering the solution had no effect on the dentin sample.
Grid emulator for compliance testing of Wave Energy Converters

Wave energy, being a nascent source of power generation, has lacked the infrastructure and testing facilities necessary for its streamlined development. The variability in the generated power demands certification of Wave Energy Converters (WEC) and smoothing of the power before connection to a power grid. This paper presents the development of a grid emulator by the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center (NNMREC) to test the grid compatibility of WECs, enabling developers to test their device performance before moving forward to full grid connection. The grid emulator would enable testing of WECs under different grid disturbances as well as provide isolation between the WECs and the grid during initial testing. Also detailed are the initial specifications of the full scale grid emulator, its proposed location, and functionality. This paper presents the plan and preliminary setup for an in-lab hardware-in-the-loop testing of the grid emulator. The topology of the converter has been detailed, initial simulation results have been shared and plans for further simulations have been illustrated.
The scent of a phagocyte: Advances on leukotriene b(4) receptors.

To maintain its health, an organism must be able to repel infectious invaders. In animals, phagocytic cells—professional hunters—are essential to this process. This creates another level of challenge: how to get the phagocytic cells to the site(s) where they are needed without activating them
Mammographic screening of women aged 40-49 years. Benefit, risk, and cost considerations.

A recently published meta-analysis of seven randomized trials showed a statistically significant 24% reduction in mortality rate with the use of mammographic screening for women age 40-49 years. The benefit would have been even greater if screening had been performed at shorter annual intervals with the most up-to-date mammographic equipment. Additionally, these trials underestimated benefit due to inclusion of breast cancer deaths among study group women who refused to undergo screening. In contrast to these documented benefits, no woman has ever been shown to have developed breast cancer as a result of mammography, even with multiple examinations at doses many times higher than the current 0.25 cGy from a two-view-per-breast examination. The possibility of low dose risk has been theorized based on excess rates of cancer among populations that have received doses of 100 to more than 1000 cGy, such as atomic-bomb survivors. If there is a risk, it is negligible or nonexistent compared with the screening benefit. The total cost of screening is a summation of the following costs : (1) screening mammogram plus downstream costs of supplementary mammographic views and/or ultrasound for further evaluation of some screenees ; (2) mammographic follow-up ; and (3) core or excisional biopsy for those women in whom a suspicious abnormality persists after workup. Based on a range of procedural costs, a 30% reduction in breast cancer deaths due to incidence screening of women age 40-49 will cost $6,930.00-$13,413.00 per year of life expectancy gained.
Anomalous Gapless Superconductivity Due to Scattering from Localized Noninteracting Spins

Electron tunneling measurements made on lanthanum-cerium alloy films show large deviations from the Abrikosov-Gor'kov theory of gapless superconductivity. It has been suggested that such deviations should occur for an alloy system such as cerium in lanthanum which exhibits resonant scattering.
Understanding and Promoting the Reading Comprehension of Bilingual Students

Abstract Increased attention from the research community is necessary to better understand difficulties faced by many Latino students in English literacy acquisition (Garcia, Pearson & Jimenez, 1994; Pallas, Natriello & McDill, 1989). Growing rates of Latino student enrollment coupled with declining levels of academic achievement demand a better integration of research and classroom practice (U. S. Census, 1990; Waggoner, 1991). This paper explores three key issues in the literacy acquisition of Latino students. They are: (a) common problems faced by second-language readers of English, (b) explicit strategies for transfer of first-language strengths to second-language literacy, and (c) the development of language-specific strategies. Recommendations for classroom practice that are grounded in the discussion of the three key issues are included in the final section.
Prevalence of Patent Foramen Ovale and Its Contribution to Hypoxemia in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Study objectives The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) by means of contrast transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, and (2) to determine the potential contribution of right to left interatrial shunting to systemic oxygen desaturation following the performance of Valsalva maneuver. Design Performance of contrast TEE during Valsalva maneuver with simultaneous measurement of systemic arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) by means of pulse oximetry in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and a control group. Setting Government teaching hospital, university hospital affiliate. Patients Study group comprised 48 patients with documented obstructive sleep apnea and 24 control subjects. Interventions Sleep studies, contrast TEE, Valsalva maneuver, pulse oximetry. Measurements and results Thirty-three of 48 patients with obstructive sleep apnea compared with 4 of 24 control patients had a detectable PFO (69% vs 17%; p 2 regardless of the presence of a PFO (93.9±1.7% vs 95±1.2%; p=not significant). After performance of a Valsalva maneuver, however, a significantly greater fall in SaO 2 was observed in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and PFO compared with patients with obstructive sleep apnea without PFO (–2.4±1.5% vs –1.3±0.6%; p=0.007). A statistically significant fall in SaO 2 (defined as >4 SD of recorded SaO 2 values after Valsalva maneuver in patients without PFO) was found in one third of patients with sleep apnea and PFO. Conclusion We conclude that there is an increased prevalence of PFO in patients with obstructive sleep apnea that could contribute to significant hypoxemia after a Valsalva maneuver in approximately one third of these patients.
Does physical anhedonia play a role in depression? A 20-year longitudinal study

Abstract Background Anhedonia towards physical or sensory experiences (i.e., physical anhedonia) has most often been examined as a differentia of schizophrenia and not depression, despite the fact that general anhedonia is a core feature of many models of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Methods Forty-nine participants with non-psychotic MDD were recruited from inpatient settings and followed-up six times over 20 years. The three aims of the study was to assess a) the stability of physical anhedonia over time, b) whether physical anhedonia relates to the course of depressive symptoms over time, and c) whether physical anhedonia relates to three domains of functioning — work, social functioning, or re-hospitalizations. Results We found that over time physical anhedonia was relatively stable and related to depressive symptoms (both between and within person). Physical anhedonia was also related to certain aspects of functioning, though less robustly than depressive symptoms. Limitations Because depressive symptoms, functioning, and physical anhedonia were measured concurrently at each follow-up, the direction of causality among these variables could not be assessed. Additionally, because our sample was recruited from inpatient settings, our findings may not generalize to individuals with less severe depression. Conclusions A trait tendency to experience decreased pleasure to positive physical stimuli is a clinically meaningful variable for those with MDD and may be a behavioral endophenotype for a more severe form of depression.
One-Shot Block Copolymerization of a Functional Seven-Membered Cyclic Carbonate Derived from l-Tartaric Acid with ε-Caprolactone

Block copolymerization of a seven-membered cyclic carbonate (5S,6S)-dimethyl-5,6-isopropylidene-1,3-dioxepin-2-one (ITC) with e-caprolactone in “one-shot feeding” is reported. The cyclic carbonate monomer ITC was synthesized from naturally occurring l-tartaric acid in three steps. Three catalysts—stannous octanoate, Sn(Oct)2, triisopropoxide aluminum, Al(OiPr)3, and diethylzinc monohydrate, ZnEt2−H2O—were tested for the homopolymerization of ITC monomer at 120 °C for 12 h in bulk. The results show that Sn(Oct)2 was the most effective catalyst to carry out the polymerization (Mn = 24 000 g/mol; PDI = 1.6; [α]D20 = +77.8). The copolymerization of ITC with e-caprolactone (CL) in various feed ratios was also investigated. The detailed spectral and thermal analysis of the copolymers catalyzed by Sn(Oct)2 revealed formation of the block copolymer (poly[44%ITC-block-56%CL], Mn = 24 000 g/mol; PDI = 1.6; [α]D20 = +33.8). Two glass transition temperatures (Tg) were observed for poly(44%ITC)-block-poly(56% e-CL) at...
On Organizational Apologia: A Reconceptualization

There is much less agreement about the characteristics defining organizational apologia/crisis response than in the case of clearly defined categories such as the eulogy. This lack of agreement can be traced to two conflicting purposes served by the category (image repair and image maintenance) and also the fact that the organizational apologist faces much greater situational variation than in other well-defined categories. This article confronts these difficulties by proposing a reconceptualization of organizational apologia. Drawing on argument field theory, we argue that all organizational apologia must use one or more of four strategies to protect the image of the organization. Regarding image repair, the article proposes a research agenda for identifying the situational characteristics that characterize well-defined subgenres.
Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) Trial—Clinical Implications

Patients with type 2 diabetes are at high risk for several serious health problems, including premature death, cardiovascular disease (CVD),2 blindness, and kidney failure. Moreover, there is a strong positive association between the degree of glycemia, measured as plasma glucose or glycated hemoglobin (Hb A1c), and the above outcomes. Hence, it has been hypothesized that the mortality and morbidity of type 2 diabetes can be reduced with intensive control of glycemia. The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial tested this hypothesis by determining whether a therapeutic strategy that targeted a typical Hb A1c value of <6.0%, compared with a strategy that targeted an Hb A1c value of 7.0%–7.9%, would reduce CVD (1). The primary outcome was a composite of CVD death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, development and progression of microvascular disease, frequency of severe hypoglycemia, and progression of retinopathy. The trial also tested the effects of intensive blood pressure (BP) control and the addition of a fibrate in selected patients. The study randomized 10 251 participants with well-established type 2 diabetes. Entry criteria included a history of a cardiovascular event or at least 2 risk factors for CVD, and a normal serum creatinine concentration. The trial was not designed to test the efficacy of any particular medication or combination of medications. What differed between the 2 arms was the glycemic target and consequently the frequency of use of glycemia medications and, to a lesser extent, the dosage. All participants made frequent clinic visits, during which lifestyle education and hypoglycemia prevention were emphasized. Within 8 months after enrollment, the median Hb A1c values in the intensive and standard glycemia arms reached 6.4% and 7.5%, respectively, and remained stable with a difference between the medians of 1.1% …
Viability in Inter-Strain Crosses

(1954). Viability in Inter-Strain Crosses. World's Poultry Science Journal: Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 277-277.
NdPASA: a pairwise sequence alignment server for distantly related proteins

Summary: NdPASA is a web server specifically designed to optimize sequence alignment between distantly related proteins. The program integrates structure information of the template sequence into a global alignment algorithm by employing neighbor-dependent propensities of amino acids as a unique parameter for alignment. NdPASA optimizes alignment by evaluating the likelihood of a residue pair in the query sequence matching against a corresponding residue pair adopting a particular secondary structure in the template sequence. NdPASA is most effective in aligning homologous proteins sharing low percentage of sequence identity. The server is designed to aid homologous protein structure modeling. A PSI-BLAST search engine was implemented to help users identify template candidates that are most appropriate for modeling the query sequences. Availability: http://guanyin.chem.temple.edu Contact: feng@temple.edu
Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Human Lungs

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lungs of patients with or without adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We compared the expression of iNOS by immunohistochemical analysis and polymerase chain reaction in the human lungs collected during open-lung biopsy or at autopsy. The expression of iNOS mRNA was present in all lung samples; however, only 3 out of 11 lung samples showed weak staining for iNOS. Although the involvement of nitric oxide in animal models of ARDS is reported, production of nitric oxide in human lungs is still controversial. The data presented here suggest that human lungs express iNOS mRNA but that the production of iNOS protein may be tightly regulated and is expressed in pulmonary inflammation.
Gelatinase and proteoglycanase activity during the periovulatory period in the rat.

Gelatinase and proteoglycanase are metalloproteinases that govern extracellular matrix remodeling. In the present study, immature rats were primed with eCG (20 IU) and hCG (10 IU). Ovarian gelatinase and proteoglycanase activity were determined at the time of hCG administration (0 h) as well as 4, 8, and 12 h later. Gelatinase and proteoglycanase were extracted by homogenization in Triton and by heating (i.e., heat extraction). An aliquot of the heat extract was reduced and alkylated to destroy metalloproteinase inhibitors. Heat extracts not reduced and alkylated showed low levels of gelatinase and proteoglycanase activity that did not change at the different time points. However, with reduction and alkylation, gelatinolysis increased approximately 4-fold (p less than 0.05) at 4 h, 8 h, and 12 h after hCG priming. Proteoglycanase activity increased approximately 2-fold (p less than 0.05) between 0 and 8 h and declined at 12 h after hCG. The ovarian gelatinolytic activity was due to a metalloproteinase as demonstrated by the inhibition of enzyme activity by phenanthroline and EDTA (97.1 +/- 0.7% and 97.4 +/- 0.6% inhibition respectively). Proteoglycanase activity was not inhibited by phenanthroline (11.5 +/- 3.5%), suggesting that the enzyme activity was not specifically a metal-dependent enzyme. Gelatin gel zymography of the ovarian extracts demonstrated four predominant and distinct gelatin-degrading enzymes of 78, 72, 66, and 62 kDa, similar to the size of gelatinase. The present findings demonstrate a periovulatory increase in ovarian gelatinolytic and proteglycanase activity that may play a pivotal role in connective tissue remodeling associated with ovulation.
Response to “Relationship between mitral annular calcification and renal impairment: What is the link?"

We thank Drs. Sari and Davutoglu [1] for their thought provoking letter regarding our paper entitled “Severe mitral annular calcification predicts chronic kidney disease” [2]. Certainly ectopic calcification of the heart (mitral annulus, aortic valve and coronary arteries) is more prevalent and more severe in patients with chronic kidney disease [3,4]. Whether this is due to abnormal phosphate and calcium metabolism, or chronic inflammation, or both is unclear at this time. It is also unclear why such calcification has a predilection for the posterior mitral annulus and aortic valve. Perhaps the dynamics of intracardiac blood flow play a role. The process does seem to be highly regulated and not passive, at least when the valves are involved [5]. Answers to these questions will become increasingly important as the population ages and we more frequently encounter the adverse consequences of cardiac calcification.
The significance of screen resolution in treatment verification.

Abstract The influence of screen resolution in verification imaging has been investigated. “Contrast balanced” radiographs have been used to demonstrate a visually significant deterioration of screen resolution when the X ray energy is increased from 4MV to 10MV. The significance of this visual effect in actual clinical images is considered through a comparison of representative source and screen modulation transformation functions (MTFs). The results indicate that changes in screen resolution produce visually significant effects in clinical verification images.
O-020 Preliminary experience with a novel neck bridge device for bifurcation aneurysm treatment

Background Endovascular stenting for wide necked aneurysms has become common practice since the release of the Neuroform and more recently the Enterprise stent systems. However, intrinsic to their design, these devices are indicated for the treatment of side wall aneurysm morphologies. We present a novel neck bridge device that recently received HUD approval that simulates a stent for the treatment of bifurcation aneurysms. Methods This novel neck bridge device composed of several nitinol wires formed to create a virtual saddle shape that covers the ostium of a bifurcation or terminal configuration aneurysm. The device is designed to deliver through a 0.021″ microcatheter and is resheathable/recaptureable up until detachment so it can be used temporarily or detached and left permanently. Multiple human basilar wide necked aneurysms were mechanically simulated in a silicone benchtop model. The device was deployed across the aneurysm ostium and detached. Then an SL-10 microcatheter was advanced across the neck bridge device and into the aneurysm, and aneurysm coiling performed using standard techniques. Next, these same steps were repeated in two experimentally created bifurcation aneurysms in canines. These animals were then survived for 60 days and explanted. Further animal work is currently underway and those results will be presented if available. Results The saddle neck bridge device was able to be successfully and easily deployed across the aneurysm neck in all instances. All aneurysms were able to be catheterized and coiled without difficulty. In no instance was there prolapse of coil loops through or around the device. Histologic evaluation demonstrated neoendothelial growth over the device struts without evidence of overt or abnormal inflammation or vessel trauma. Conclusion The saddle neck bridge device is a novel endovascular stent like device that is designed to treat bifurcation aneurysms. Preliminary benchtop and animal modeling demonstrate the device to be safe and feasible for bifurcation aneurysm treatment. It is likely that this device in combination with coils will allow treatment of many aneurysms not treatable by coils alone.
Genetics and Physiology of Acetate Metabolism by the Pta-Ack Pathway of Streptococcus mutans

In the dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans, phosphotransacetylase (Pta) catalyzes the conversion of acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) to acetyl phosphate (AcP), which can be converted to acetate by acetate kinase (Ack), with the concomitant generation of ATP. A ΔackA mutant displayed enhanced accumulation of AcP under aerobic conditions, whereas little or no AcP was observed in the Δpta or Δpta ΔackA mutant. The Δpta and Δpta ΔackA mutants also had diminished ATP pools compared to the size of the ATP pool for the parental or ΔackA strain. Surprisingly, when exposed to oxidative stress, the Δpta ΔackA strain appeared to regain the capacity to produce AcP, with a concurrent increase in the size of the ATP pool compared to that for the parental strain. The ΔackA and Δpta ΔackA mutants exhibited enhanced (p)ppGpp accumulation, whereas the strain lacking Pta produced less (p)ppGpp than the wild-type strain. The ΔackA and Δpta ΔackA mutants displayed global changes in gene expression, as assessed by microarrays. All strains lacking Pta, which had defects in AcP production under aerobic conditions, were impaired in their abilities to form biofilms when glucose was the growth carbohydrate. Collectively, these data demonstrate the complex regulation of the Pta-Ack pathway and critical roles for these enzymes in processes that appear to be essential for the persistence and pathogenesis of S. mutans.
Electrochemical Deposition of FeCo Alloys and FeCo/TiO2 Nanocomposites

Electrochemical deposition of FeCo alloys with 1:1 atomic ratio has proved difficult due to cracking from high stress. By using a sulfamate electrolyte and optimizing other deposition parameters, we successfully electrodeposited high quality FeCo films of 20-25 mm in thickness and 7 mm in diameter. Using a suspension of hard oxide nanoparticles (25 nm TiO2) in the electrolyte, we produced oxide-dispersion-strengthened FeCo/TiO2 nanocomposite films with large grains. Enhanced strength was observed from these nanocomposites relative to pure FeCo alloys as determined from Knoop hardness measurements. In order to further improve the ductility of the alloys, vanadium has been codeposited with FeCo. Some preliminary results of FeCoV alloy deposition are reported.
Amplitude equation and pattern selection in Faraday waves.

A nonlinear theory of pattern selection in parametric surface waves (Faraday waves) is presented that is not restricted to small viscous dissipation. By using a multiple scale asymptotic expansion near threshold, a standing wave amplitude equation is derived from the governing equations. The amplitude equation is of gradient form, and the coefficients of the associated Lyapunov function are computed for regular patterns of various symmetries as a function of a viscous damping parameter $\ensuremath{\gamma}$. For $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\sim}1$, the selected wave pattern comprises a single standing wave (stripe pattern). For $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\ll}1$, patterns of square symmetry are obtained in the capillary regime (large frequencies). At lower frequencies (the mixed gravity-capillary regime), a sequence of sixfold (hexagonal), eightfold, $\dots{}$ patterns are predicted. For even lower frequencies (gravity waves) a stripe pattern is again selected. Our predictions of the stability regions of the various patterns are in quantitative agreement with recent experiments conducted in large aspect ratio systems.
A pneumovitrector for the diagnostic biopsy of the vitreous.

A full-function vitrectomy instrument (pneumovitrector) developed by the author is described. This instrument is composed of an aspirating and cutting system combined with an infusion line for injecting air or gas into the vitreous cavity. Simultaneous injection of gas and removal of the vitreous pneumovitrectomy allows for a large vitreous biopsy specimen that has not been diluted with infusion fluid and does not reduce the intraocular pressure. A biopsy of the vitreous is performed for the diagnosis of intraocular infection and ocular involvement in reticulum cell sarcoma (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). While aspiration of a small amount of liquid vitreous is often sufficient for the diagnosis of bacterial endophthalmitis, a larger volume of liquid and solid vitreous is needed for the establishment of diagnoses such as fungal endophthalmitis and intraocular lymphoma. Diagnostic vitrectomy is performed using either a 20-gauge needle or a 22-gauge needle or a miniaturized vitrectomy system. In the latter case, vitrectomy instruments are often combined with either an infusion cannula or an infusing fiber optic light probe. In most situations, 0.1 to 0.2 ml of vitreous is removed prior to injection and replacement of the volume of the vitreous , in order to obtain the maximum amount of undiluted vitreous for culture or histologic evaluation. Although a complete vitrectomy can be performed and the aspirate collected in the vitrectomy cassette can be spun down to obtain solid material, this procedure is generally done in the operating room. Aspiration of the vitreous for the biopsy without simultaneous replacement of the vitreous volume limits the amount of biopsy specimen that can be taken and is accompanied by the collapse of the eye as a result of hypotony. To overcome this problem, a miniaturized instrument (pneumovitrector) has been developed by this author.
Guided Music Synthesis with Variable Markov Oracle.

In this work the problem of guided improvisation is approached and elaborated; then a new method, Variable Markov Oracle, for guided music synthesis is proposed as the first step to tackle the guided improvisation problem. Variable Markov Oracle is based on previous results from Audio Oracle, which is a fast indexing and recombination method of repeating sub-clips in an audio signal. The newly proposed Variable Markov Oracle is capable of identifying inherent datapoint clusters in an audio signal while tracking the sequential relations among clusters at the same time. With a target audio signal indexed by Variable Markov Oracle, a query-matching algorithm is devised to synthesize new music materials by recombination of the target audio matched to a query audio. This approach makes the query-matching algorithm a solution to the guided music synthesis problem. The query-matching algorithm is efficient and intelligent since it follows the inherent clusters discovered by Variable Markov Oracle, creating a query-by-content result which allows numerous applications in concatenative synthesis, machine improvisation and interactive music system. Examples of using Variable Markov Oracle to synthesize new musical materials based on given music signals in the style of Jazz are shown.
Quantitative evaluation of Clostridium botulinum nonproteolytic types B, E, and F growth risk in fresh salmon tissue homogenates stored under modified atmospheres

The potential risk of C. botulinum growth in fresh fish stored under modified atmospheres (MA) remains unclear, as few qualitative studies have identified certain conditions leading to toxigenesis. This is the second paper of a series attempting to quantify the effect of selected parameters on the probability (P) of toxigenesis by one spore in fish. The factorially designed experiments included fresh salmon tissue homogenate with 3 levels of initial microbial flora (IMF) inoculated with a pool of spores of 13 nonproteolytic type B, E and F strains at 7 levels (10-2-104/3-g sample) and incubated at 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 30°C under 3 MA (vacuum, 100% CO2, 70% CO2 + 30% air) for up to 60 d. The earliest we observed toxicity at 30, 16, 12, 8 and 4°C irrespective of MA were 1, 2, 6, 9-12 and 15->60 days and required 10°, 103-104, 102-103, 101-104 and 104 spores/sample, respectively. The probability of toxigenesis was affected significantly (P<0.05) by IMF, MA, storage temperature (T), storage time (ST) and the interactions T × ST, MA ×T, MA × ST, and IMF × T. Only type B toxin was detected in toxic samples. Using linear and logistic regression models, equations were derived which could estimate the length of the lag phase and the P of toxigenesis by one spore under a particular storage condition.
Information capacity of specific interactions

Abstract Specific interactions are a hallmark feature of self-assembly and signal-processing systems in both synthetic and biological settings. Specificity between components may arise from a wide variety of physical and chemical mechanisms in diverse contexts, from DNA hybridization to shape-sensitive depletion interactions. Despite this diversity, all systems that rely on interaction specificity operate under the constraint that increasing the number of distinct components inevitably increases off-target binding. Here we introduce “capacity,” the maximal information encodable using specific interactions, to compare specificity across diverse experimental systems and to compute how specificity changes with physical parameters. Using this framework, we find that “shape” coding of interactions has higher capacity than chemical (“color”) coding because the strength of off-target binding is strongly sublinear in binding-site size for shapes while being linear for colors. We also find that different specificity mechanisms, such as shape and color, can be combined in a synergistic manner, giving a capacity greater than the sum of the parts.
Some Interesting Findings about Super Bowl Advertising

While a uniquely American (U.S.) event, analyzing Super Bowl advertising can provide some lessons for advertising in other big events. Without doubt, the Super Bowl is the “marketing event of the y...
Reported Versus Actual Assault Rates

TO THE EDITOR: In the November issue, Dr. Staggs reports on the results of a survey that collected data on injurious assault rates on 461 adult inpatient psychiatric units in 327 U.S. hospitals (1). The outcomes were mostly counterintuitive, such as higher hours per patient day (HPPD) for both registered nurses (RNs) and non-RNs were associated with higher rates of assault against staff. A clever hospital administrator would jump on these data and conclude that the hospital could employ fewer staff, achieve a lower rate of assaults against staff, and save money. Perfect. Does the article report the data necessary to support the study findings? I think not. Dr. Staggs indicates throughout the article, including in the title, that he is analyzing “injurious assault rates.” But he is not. The data are on reported assault rates, not actual rates. In order to conduct the study he has made the assumption that the validity and reliability of reported assault rates are constants, unaffected by staffing or HPPD. In my experience of evaluating psychiatric facilities in half the states, Dr. Staggs’ assumption is unfounded. In general, the better the staffing, meaning the higher the HPPD, the more accurate is the reporting of assaults. Poorly staffed units or hospitals with low HPPD underreport most reportable events because the staff cannot get around to doing the paperwork. Understaffed units and hospitals are more likely to cut corners and slide on their adherence to policies and protocols, and reporting of some injurious assaults would expose this. I am not critical of the personnel unfortunate enough to work in inadequately staffed facilities, where just surviving one’s shift can be a challenge. Dr. Staggs has no way of knowing whether the association between HPPD and injurious assaults is a function of the rate of assaults or of the accuracy of reporting of assaults. The percentage of assaults that are actually reported is an uncontrolled variable in the study, which basically invalidates the findings. Language: en
In-situ U-Th/Pb geochronology of (urano)thorite

A laser-ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS) study of seven thorite and uranothorite [(Th,U)SiO 4 ] samples ranging in age from ~13 to ~500 Ma provides new insights into the U-Th/Pb isotope systematics of these geologically significant, high-Th mineral species. Despite extreme actinide enrichment and complex intra-crystal zonation in actinides and rare earth elements, this study demonstrates that radiogenic-lead loss and/or metamictization is minimal and restricted to domains that have undergone significant hydration. Dating of four igneous uranothorites yields ages that are concordant in U/Pb and Th/Pb space, consistent with other high-temperature chronometers, and are inferred to accurately reflect the timing of crystallization of each rock. Similarly, Th/Pb ages of three thorite and/or huttonite-bearing samples yield geologically plausible dates consistent with other mineral chronometers. No evidence of isotopic inheritance was observed in any of the samples. Data presented here demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of extracting accurate and precise U/Pb and Th/Pb ages from Phanerozoic thorite, uranothorite and huttonite using LA-MC-ICPMS at the 5 μm spatial resolution. These phases have the potential to be robust chronometers in igneous and metamorphic rocks as well as to provide important provenance information complementary to more widely used minerals such as detrital zircon.
Born Digital: Integrating Media Technology in the Political Science Classroom

ABSTRACTU.S. higher education institutions spend a large amount of time, money, and energy on technology. Educators face a student population that has never been without the Internet—they are “Born Digital.” Students expect that faculty and universities utilize more technology. Higher education is faced with the question whether technology provides students with the experience they need to succeed or whether it hinders development of valuable skills that are achieved through traditional classroom instruction. We must be sensitive to what pedagogical approaches are helping students to gain technology skills that will aid them to engage in civic and political life. Consequently, few studies have shown a connection between increasing use of technology and improved student performance. Does academic performance improve with increased use of technology? This is the question our study attempts to answer. Our experimental design involves a pretest–posttest experiment examining student knowledge of political topi...
Assessment of Tumor Heterogeneity, as Evidenced by Gene Expression Profiles, Pathway Activation, and Gene Copy Number, in Patients with Multifocal Invasive Lobular Breast Tumors

Background Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) comprises approximately ~10–20% of breast cancers. In general, multifocal/multicentric (MF/MC) breast cancer has been associated with an increased rate of regional lymph node metastases. Tumor heterogeneity between foci represents a largely unstudied source of genomic variation in those rare patients with MF/MC ILC.
Patents and Allied Rights: A Global Kaleidoscope

Author(s): Burk, Dan | Editor(s): Pila, Justine; Dreyfuss, Rochelle | Abstract: Patents, along with the related systems of utility models and plant breeders’ rights, are the forms of intellectual property most closely associated with technological innovation. Some form of patent system is found in essentially all modern states, and patents have become a ubiquitous feature of the global legal and technical environment. Patents and related rights are therefore highly dynamic areas of law, displaying constant evolution of doctrine simultaneously in multiple jurisdictions. The shifting diversity of national approaches offers an opportunity to consider how characteristic themes and problems of patent law have been approached from different perspectives, and lend a sense of better, worse, and alternative solutions to the problem of prompting technical innovation. Consequently, this chapter surveys particular doctrinal problems in patent law and allied laws, uses them to illustrate both broad theoretical issues endemic to such laws, and ties those issues to ongoing controversies that have attracted widespread interest.