cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The university of missouri-rolla, absolute aitken nucleus counter

Abstract The authors discuss the expansion cloud chamber system known as the University of Missouri-Rolla-absolute Aitken nucleus counter. A review of the properties of an expansion chamber and how it creates a supersaturation are given and a critical examination is made of the assumptions in its operation, e.g. adiabaticity of the expansion. The design of the chamber is described in detail and an analysis of the propagation of errors is given for quantities measured and calculated. A short review of the performance of the chamber and some general comments relative to comparisons with other Aitken nucleus counting instruments are given. The chamber is capable of making measurements on aerosols of number concentration up to 106 nuclei/cm3 to an accuracy of about 10–15% at any desired supersaturation ratio up to the ion limit. Finally mention is made of other expansion chambers developed in this laboratory for measurements of homogeneous nucleation rates.
Systematic evaluation of workload clustering for extremely energy-efficient architectures

Chip power consumption has reached its limits, leading to the flattening of single-core performance. We propose the 10x10 processor, a federated heterogeneous multi-core architecture, where each core is an ensemble of u-engines (micro-engines, similar to accelerators) specialized for different workload groups to achieve dramatically higher energy efficiency. The u-engines collectively target the entire general-purpose workload space.The problem we study in this article is selecting the set of workloads that each u-engine should be customized for. For this problem we study the computation structure of a wide variety of workloads and cluster together workloads with similar computation structures, the idea being that each u-engine will be customized for the compute structures exhibited by a particular cluster. The constraint on this problem is the silicon budget of a processor. Lower silicon budgets accommodate fewer uengines and require individual u-engines to target larger segments of the workload space which leads to lower energy efficiency benefits from customization, because there is more variation among the compute structures making up each cluster. Therefore, we also study how workload coverage and benefit can be maximized for a given silicon budget.We study a broad general-purpose workload that includes 34 codes from 6 benchmark suites, identifying the most frequent functions, and clustering them based on two sets of instruction usage features (high-resolution and low-resolution) into 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 clusters respectively. We develop abstract metrics (coverage and weighted customization benefit) to evaluate the clusters. We show significant potential payoffs with four benefit models: 2-3x (square root model), 4-10x (linear model), 12-24x (quadratic model), and 22-26x (cubic model).
Initiation and propagation of buckles in pipelines

Abstract Simple closed-form solutions are derived for the pressure necessary to initiate and propagate the buckle down the tube. The calculations are performed assuming that the dominant effect on the plastic energy dissipation has the circumferential bending mode. Using a rigid-plastic material idealization a simple moving hinge model which describes the deformation of a ring into a “dumbbell” shape is proposed. Strain-hardening effects are taken into account in an approximate way. The propagation pressure Pp is shown to be controlled by the thickness to diameter ratio of the shell and the ratio of the work-hardening modulus to the flow stress of the material. The resulting analytical solution for Pp is compared with the experimental results of Kyriakides et al. and the previous analytical solution due to Palmer and Martin. The solution for the initiation pressure PI is derived on the basis of the same structural model in conjunction with a new conceptual model for buckle initiation. The derived solutions for both Pp and PI are shown to correlate well with the experimental results recently reported in the literature.
Outcomes research, cost containment, and the fear of health care rationing.

Expectations are high for the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, established by the 101st Congress to promote research on medical outcomes and develop guidelines for practice. Physicians and patients expect that such research will make it possible to sort out what works in medicine and learn how to make clinical decisions that reflect more truly the needs and wants of individual patients. Many business leaders, third-party payers, and policy makers believe that this effort will lead to the development of practice guidelines, which in turn will reduce the pressure for growth and produce a leaner, trimmer health care . . .
Nanospintronics Based on Magnetologic Gates

We present a seamless integration of spin-based memory and logic circuits. The building blocks are magnetologic gates based on a hybrid graphene/ferromagnet material system. We use network search engines as a technology demonstration vehicle and simulate a high-speed, small-area, and low-power spin-based circuit.
A Grid-Based On-Road Localization System in VANET with Linear Error Propagation

GPS navigators have been widely adopted by drivers. However, due to the sensibility of GPS signals to terrain, vehicles cannot get their locations when they are inside a tunnel or on a road surrounded by high-rises where satellite signal is blocked. This incurs safety and convenience problems. To address the issue, we propose a novel Grid-based On-road localizaTion system (GOT), where vehicles with and without accurate GPS signals self-organize into a Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET), exchange location and distance information and help each other to calculate an accurate position for all the vehicles inside the network. The location information can be exchanged among vehicles one or multiple hops away in this paper. We explore fuzzy geometric relationship among vehicles, and apply a novel grid-based mechanism to evaluate the geometric relationships and calculate vehicle locations. Simulation shows our GOT system is effective and efficient in calculating vehicular positions.
Determining the liability of internet retailers to collect sales taxes

This paper discusses the current issues on internet commerce sales tax. The main issue is whether an internet retailer is responsible for collecting sales tax. An out-of-state seller is not required to collect sales tax from buyers who reside in states in which there is no minimum connection between the seller and the state. This paper summaries judiciary decisions in the past and points out that physical presence was the principle to satisfy the requirement of minimum connection. And, in 2008 the New York State legislature enacted the so called 'Amazon tax' that requires an internet retailer to collect sales tax from buyers in New York if the retailer has affiliates in New York that put the retailer's website link on the affiliates' websites so that shoppers could order merchandise from the retailer by using that link. In this case, the minimum connection was extended from the physical presence of the retailer to include the physical presence of the retailer's affiliates. Moreover, in February 2013, a bill the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 was introduced in both houses of the Congress that would give states the option to require the collection of sales and use taxes already owed under state law by out-of-state businesses, rather than rely on consumers to remit those taxes to the states.
Building a better Mousetrap I: Using Design of Experiments with unconfounded ions to discover superior media for growth and lipid production by Chlorella sp. EN1234

Abstract An unconfounded Scheffe Mix approach was used to probe important ions and their interactions in supporting biomass and lipid production by Chlorella sp. EN1234. Six major cations and anions; NH 4 + , NO 3 − , Na + , K + PO 4 − and Cl − were examined. Piepel plots and RSM analysis showed that in a number of cases, the major media anions PO 4 − and Cl − negatively influence final cell densities, and that maximal cell density is obtained with nitrate over ammonium, with an optimal effect when mixed with equal molar potassium. As well, although it is commonly assumed that lipid content increases in nitrogen deficient media, here little correlation between nitrogen content and total lipid content was found with mixtures that supported high lipid productivity. Thus these mixtures define the composition space within which further R&D might produce the best trade-off between total biomass production and high cellular lipid content.
Velocity of propagation in diffusional quantum theory

An equation of diffusional quantum theory which takes into account the finite velocity of propagation is derived from Kelvin's telegraph equation and Furth's relation. The equation is then used to derive the ground state of quantum systems and to derive the Sommerfeld-Dirac expression for the ionization potential of hydrogen-like ions.
Location, Location, Location: The Impact of IM Widget Placement

In an attempt to meet ever-changing users’ needs, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Libraries implemented virtual reference services such as e-mail, chat, and, most recently, instant messaging, in increments and via various services and vendors. Each option consistently met with a lukewarm response and less-than-desirable reference transaction numbers. After investigating the virtual reference experiences of other academic institutions, and after the advent of a more flexible Webpage design, the UNL Libraries decided to pilot strategic placement of the QuestionPoint Instant Message Qwidget on multiple pages of the library Website. Data collected in the Fall 2008 and 2009 semesters test the hypothesis that 2009 sessions utilizing the strategically placed Qwidget resulted in significantly higher sessions than 2008. The strategic placement of the Qwidget resulted in a drastic increase in reference interactions in the 2009 academic year when compared to the 2008 academic year. The overall increase in r...
An In Vitro Comparison of the Rake Angles Between K3 and ProFile Endodontic File Systems

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare rake angles of the ProFile and K3 file systems. Twenty-five 40/0.06 taper files were obtained for each system. Five files from the same manufacturer were placed perpendicularly into a vial of Epoxicure Resin and left to set for 24 h. The set-ups were removed from the vials and each were sectioned 5 mm from the tip of the files and polished. A photomicrograph was taken of each file with 100× magnification. Five sets of ProFile and five sets of K3 files were processed in this manner. Images were captured digitally, and rake angles of each file were measured. Multivariate ANOVA found a significant difference (p
The arterioles and capillaries of the brain stem and cerebellum: A microangiographic study

A schema of the vascular supply of the brain stem in sagittal sections and of the vascular supply of cerebellum is presented.
Metal-catalyzed reactions of methylamine in the presence of hydrogen

Abstract Rates of formation of various products obtained from methylamine in the presence of hydrogen have been determined over a number of metals supported on silica. The metals included ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, rhenium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and gold. Ammonia and methane were observed as products on all of the metals investigated. Dimethylamine was formed in significant amounts over all the metals except rhodium. Various other products were also observed on certain metals. With regard to the kinds of products formed, the results of the present work are in excellent agreement with previously published results on catalysts in the form of metal films. In addition to extending the earlier work on metal films to supported metals, the present work includes data on several additional metals as well. When the present results are combined with our earlier reported results on ethane hydrogenolysis, we are able, for a common series of metals, to compare patterns of variation of catalytic activity for the hydrogenolysis of carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bonds. Such a comparison is of interest in the general question of the catalytic specificity of metals.
Jüngste Entwicklungen in der Metallabenzolchemie

Aromatische Metallacyclen sind zwar bereits seit 25 Jahren bekannt, seit dem Jahr 2000 hat dieses Forschungsgebiet aber einen deutlichen Aufschwung genommen. Dank neuer Synthesemethoden ist heute eine Vielzahl von Metallabenzolen zuganglich, die auch zuvor nicht vertretene Metallzentren enthalten. Aromatische Metallacyclen mit neuartigen Strukturen – Iridanaphthaline und Osmabenzine – wurden isoliert und charakterisiert. Die ersten Valenzisomere von Metallabenzolen – Iridabenzvalene und Rhodabenzvalene – wurden ebenso erhalten wie Konstitutionsisomere – die Isoosmabenzole. Der Aufsatz beschreibt die Synthese, die chemische Reaktivitat und die physikalischen Eigenschaften dieser ausergewohnlichen aromatischen Verbindungen.
Timing of Increased Autistic Disorder Cumulative Incidence

Autistic disorder (AD) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder typically identified in early childhood. Both genetic and environmental factors are implicated in its etiology. The number of individuals identified as having autism has increased dramatically in recent years, but whether some proportion of this increase is real is unknown. If real, susceptible populations may have exposure to controllable exogenous stressors. Using literature AD data from long-term (approximately 10-year) studies, we determined cumulative incidence of AD for each cohort within each study. These data for each study were examined for a changepoint year in which the AD cumulative incidence first increased. We used data sets from Denmark, California, Japan, and a worldwide composite of studies. In the Danish, California, and worldwide data sets, we found that an increase in AD cumulative incidence began about 1988-1989. The Japanese study (1988-1996) had AD cumulative incidence increasing continuously, and no changepoint year could be calculated. Although the debate about the nature of increasing autism continues, the potential for this increase to be real and involve exogenous environmental stressors exists. The timing of an increase in autism incidence may help in screening for potential candidate environmental stressors.
WATER RELATIONS OF MYCORRHIZAL AND PHOSPHORUS-FERTILIZED NON-MYCORRHIZAL CITRUS UNDER DROUGHT STRESS.

Summary Rootstock seedlings of Carrizo citrange (Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. x C. Sinensis (L.) Osbeck) and sour orange (Citrus aurontium L.) were grown in a sandy soil low in phosphorus (P) and either inoculated with Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith (vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal; VAM) or fertilized with soluble P (non-mycorrhizal; NM). Five-month-old VAM and NM seedlings of each rootstock were comparable in size, P sufficiency, and relative growth rate whether they were kept well-watered or subjected to two drought-stress cycles of short duration. Under well-watered conditions, whole plant transpiration, leaf water status, and root hydraulic conductivity were similar for VAM and NM plants of each rootstock. During drought-stress and recovery periods, VAM plants also had very comparable whole-plant transpiration rates and leaf water potentials to NM plants, but mycorrhiza reduced root hydraulic conductivity of Carrizo citrange and sour orange 66 and 49%, respectively. These data do not support the hypothesis that mycorrhiza significantly enhance water relations of citrus under the drought-stress conditions studied.
Studies of children with natural infections with H. influenzae antibacterial serological test vs type B

Polyribose phosphate (PRP) antigen from H. influenzae, type b, is available for clinical trials for prevention of serious infections, such as septicemia and meningitis. It is therefore critical to document bacteriological and serological events in natural infections. 20 normal children were followed from birth through 5 years with periodic clinical examinations, nasopharyngeal cultures for H. influenzae and serum samples. H. influenzae strains were isolated from all at some time during the study; while 8 had type b, usually associated with clinical illness. One child had meningitis at 40 months; bacterial inhibitory substance (BIS) was present only during and immediately after the acute illness. Serum from 5 other patients had BIS within 3–4 weeks; in 2, BIS was temporary while in 3 it persisted until age 5. 11 other children had temporary BIS, 7 associated with nontype b strains and 4 without any relationship to isolations of H. influenzae. 18/20 of the children had BIS at some time, but it persisted until age 5. 11 other children had temporary BIS, 7 associated with nontype b strains and 4 without any relationship to isolations of H. influenzae. 18/20 of the children had BIS at some time, but it persisted until age 5 in 7/20. Cord blood serum from 6/20 showed BIS which was lost by age 2 years in all but 2 patients. The inhibitory effect was entirely removed form serum by adsorption with heavily encapsulated bacterial cells and partially removed by adsorption with PRP. An increase in opsonizing antibody to type b was noted also in association with H. influenzae strains.
Commentary: Marketing Research Pitfalls in Product Development

In the product development process, marketing research is often used inappropriately. To be useful, marketing research must be focussed on questions to which the answers improve decision making; and marketers should realize that marketing research may do more harm than good when prospective customers do not yet know what they want, which is often the case. Furthermore, too many companies waste time and money inquiring into customer needs and wants and product performance criteria that are perfectly obvious.
Sleep-waking states develop independently in the isolated forebrain and brain stem following early postnatal midbrain transection in cats.

Abstract We report the effects of permanently separating the immature forebrain from the brain stem upon sleeping and waking development. Kittens ranging from postnatal 9 to 27 days of age sustained a mesencephalic transection and were maintained for up to 135 days. Prior to postnatal day 40, the electroencephalogram of the isolated forebrain and behavioral sleep–wakefulness of the decerebrate animal showed the immature patterns of normal young kittens. Thereafter, the isolated forebrain showed alternating sleep–wakefulness electrocortical rhythms similar to the corresponding normal patterns of intact, mature cats. Olfactory stimuli generally changed forebrain sleeping into waking activity, and in cats with the section behind the third nerve nuclei, normal correlates of eye movements–pupillary activity with electrocortical rhythms were present. Behind the transection, decerebrate animals showed wakefulness, and after 20 days of age displayed typical behavioral episodes of rapid eye movements sleep and, during these periods, the pontine recordings showed ponto-geniculo-occipital waves, which are markers for this sleep stage, together with muscle atonia and rapid lateral eye movements. Typically, but with remarkable exceptions suggesting humoral interactions, the sleep–waking patterns of the isolated forebrain were dissociated from those of the decerebrate animal. These results were very similar to our previous findings in midbrain-transected adult cats. However, subtle differences suggested greater functional plasticity in the developing versus the adult isolated forebrain. We conclude that behavioral and electroencephalographic patterns of non-rapid eye movement sleep and of rapid eye movement sleep states mature independently in the forebrain and the brain stem, respectively, after these structures are separated early postnatally. In terms of waking, the findings strengthen our concept that in higher mammals the rostral brain can independently support wakefulness/arousal and, hypothetically, perhaps even awareness. Therefore, these basic sleeping–waking functions are intrinsic properties of the forebrain/brain stem and as such can develop autochthonously. These data help our understanding of some normal/borderline sleep–waking dissociations as well as peculiar states of consciousness in long term patients with brain stem lesions.
The Conserved Tarp Actin Binding Domain Is Important for Chlamydial Invasion

The translocated actin recruiting phosphoprotein (Tarp) is conserved among all pathogenic chlamydial species. Previous reports identified single C. trachomatis Tarp actin binding and proline rich domains required for Tarp mediated actin nucleation. A peptide antiserum specific for the Tarp actin binding domain was generated and inhibited actin polymerization in vitro and C. trachomatis entry in vivo, indicating an essential role for Tarp in chlamydial pathogenesis. Sequence analysis of Tarp orthologs from additional chlamydial species and C. trachomatis serovars indicated multiple putative actin binding sites. In order to determine whether the identified actin binding domains are functionally conserved, GST-Tarp fusions from multiple chlamydial species were examined for their ability to bind and nucleate actin. Chlamydial Tarps harbored variable numbers of actin binding sites and promoted actin nucleation as determined by in vitro polymerization assays. Our findings indicate that Tarp mediated actin binding and nucleation is a conserved feature among diverse chlamydial species and this function plays a critical role in bacterial invasion of host cells.
Prescription Drug Misuse Among Asian-American Adults: Results From a National Survey

Asians have low levels of substance use compared with other groups in the United States. Given the increase in Asian population, we believe it is important to study substance use in this population. Data from the 2002–2003 National Latino and Asian American Study are examined to address two questions. First,
Small intestine Roentgen studies in food allergy

Abstract The x-ray examination of the small intestine in patients with food allergy affords an objective method which is useful in the study of this disorder. The motility changes are nonspecific and are found in a variety of conditions. They may, however, be modified in many instances by the withdrawal of allergenic foods or by the administration of antihistaminic drugs and by this means a degree of specificity may be achieved. The nonspecificity of these changes is comprehensible if they are viewed as results of cholinergic stimulation of an unstable or irritable autonomic nervous system. This may well be the common denominator in the response of the small intestine to allergens, mechanical, chemical, and bacterial irritants, and psychogenic threats. Further study is being made of this important point and this includes the further investigation of anticholinergic drugs such as Banthine. The role of food allergy in the causation or aggravation of organic disease of the intestine, stressed by many and deprecated by others, has suffered because of the lack of objective methods of study. By the use of the x-ray examination of the small intestine, giving the suspected allergen in the barium meal, or during the course of the study, it has been possible to produce marked disturbances of motility in food-sensitive persons, in support of these clinical histories. This technique may be of considerable importance in the study of some patients with ulcerative colitis and other organic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Design, fabrication, and characterization of a micromachined glass-blown spherical resonator with insitu integrated silicon electrodes and ALD tungsten interior coating

We propose a new approach for integration of electrodes as a part of the micro glass-blown spherical resonator fabrication process as well as an ALD metallization of the inner side of the spherical shell enabling electrostatic conduction. We use a 500µm thick silicon electrode whose electrostatic gap width, defined during the glass blowing process, is not limited by lithographic effect and enables sub-micron gap possibilities. In addition, we introduce a metallization technique based on ALD of tungsten on the inner side of the shell. 35∶1 aspect ratio electrodes demonstrated to excite a 500µm radius spherical resonator with an operating frequency of 1.66MHz and a Q factor above 2700 in vacuum (0.4mT)
Perioperative medication management for the patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis has improved dramatically in recent years with the advent of the latest generation of diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs. Despite these advances, in some patients inflammation is not diminished sufficiently to prevent irreversible musculoskeletal damage, thus requiring surgical intervention to reduce pain and improve function. In these cases, the orthopaedic surgeon frequently encounters patients on a drug regimen consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, methotrexate, and biologic agents (diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs). Consultation with a rheumatologist is recommended, but the surgeon also should be aware of these medications that could potentially affect surgical outcome. Prudent perioperative management of these drugs is required to optimize surgical outcome. A balance must be struck between minimizing potential surgical complications and maintaining disease control to facilitate postoperative rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
“SAVING” MALAWI: FAITHFUL RESPONSES TO ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN

Malawi is scrambling to deal with one million orphans while contending with state rollbacks resulting in economic, political, and social breakdowns. As a result, a new space is emerging for faith-based organizations. Their presence is justified through a global discourse of connection rooted in the western ideology of childhood as a state of innocence and immaturity in need of protection and intervention. These organizations function with myriad ideologies, projects, and resources as they develop intimate linkages with children and communities. This article highlights the disjuncture between western conceptualizations and Malawian understandings of orphans, illustrating how this disjuncture results in unanticipated consequences as material resources are deployed and programs implemented. Two faith-based organizations focusing on orphans and some unanticipated outcomes of these emerging global ties are examined.
The axial stability of the femur after harvest of the medial femoral condyle corticocancellous flap: a biomechanical study of composite femur models.

Purpose: Free bone or periosteal flaps from the medial femoral condyle are being employed for treatment of recalcitrant nonunions. When harvested in a corticocancellous fashion, these flaps have the potential to compromise the stability of the femur. This study is designed to test the axial stability of the femur after harvest of corticocancellous flaps using a standardized composite femur model. Methods: Corticocancellous defects of standardized width and depth (2 cm × 1 cm) were designed with increasing length (3-cm intervals extending from 3 to 24 cm) over the medial femoral condyle of five composite femur models. After harvest of each corticocancellous block, the femur was subjected to an axial force of 9100 N loaded and unloaded over one second using a Mini-Bionix load frame. During the application of force, load and deformation data were collected from the load cell and linear variable differential transducer. To determine changes in stiffness or deformation with increasing flap sizes, analysis of variance with repeated measures was used. If the main effect was found to be significant, a Tukey's test was used to determine differences between specific flap sizes. Results: There were no femur fractures in any femurs for any flap size. Deformation during load increased as the size of the flap increased (2.19 mm ± 0.062 mm for the 3-cm flap defect) to (2.33 mm ± 0.113 mm for the 24-cm flap defect). Post-hoc testing of deformation shows a statistically significant difference only between the 3-cm flap defect and the 15-cm flap defect (2.19 vs. 2.30 mm) (P = 0.002). The range of stiffness is between 4,339 and 4,697 N mm−1. Stiffness tends to decrease significantly (P < 0.001) with increasing flap size. Harvest of flap sizes greater or equal than 9 cm results in significantly lower stiffness compared to the 3-cm flap. Conclusions: In this composite femur model, when stressed with supraphysiologic forces, the femur retains its axial stability even after harvest of large corticocancellous flaps from its medial aspect. Statistical significance detected in deformation and stiffness may not be clinically relevant if the femur does not fracture after flap harvest. Such was the case in this experiment. The possibility exists of safely harvesting large flaps from this donor site. Corticocancellous flaps from the medial aspect of the femur may serve as an alternative to standard flaps used in medium and large osseous reconstructions. The size of flap that can be safely raised without compromising the stability of the femur has not yet been delineated. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
A Fixed Clustering Hierarchy Arithmetic Based on Energy Prediction for Wireless Sensor Networks

To solve the energy efficiency problem in the wireless sensor networks(WSNs), a fixed clustering hierarchy arithmetic based on energy prediction (FCHEP) was presented. Taking use of the signal intensity of sensor nodes to form an autonomic cluster, the cluster-head node could predict the remaining energy of nodes in the cluster by the state diversion module, hence, the node with highest remaining energy could be appointed as the next cluster-head node during the cluster-head rotation. From the experiments, we analyzed the performance of FCHEP and compared it with other cluster-based routing arithmetic. It was satisfied that the arithmetic of FCHEP could prove the validity of energy prediction mechanism and threshold amended. Simulation results showed that the process of FCHEP can balance the energy load in the network and prolong the lifetime of the network.
Iterative reliability based decoding of LDPC codes

In this work, reliability based decoding is combined with belief propagation (BP) decoding for low-density parity check (LDPC) codes. At each iteration, the soft output values delivered by the BP algorithm are used as reliability values to perform reduced complexity soft decision decoding of the code considered. This approach allows to bridge the error performance gap between BP decoding which remains suboptimum, and maximum likelihood decoding (MLD) which is too complex to be implemented for the codes considered. A stopping criterion which reduces the average number of iterations at the expense of very little performance degradation is also proposed for this combined decoding approach. Simulations results for several Gallager LDPC codes and different set cyclic (DSC) codes of hundreds of information bits are given and elaborated.
Absence of buttock claudication following stent-graft coverage of the hypogastric artery without coil embolization in endovascular aneurysm repair.

l l Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stent-graft coverage of the hypogastric artery origin without coil embolization during endovascular treatment of aortoiliac or iliac aneurysms. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of patients who underwent endovascular aneurysm repair with endograft coverage of the hypogastric artery between September 2001 and September 2005. Among the 88 patients who underwent EVAR during the study period, 21 patients (19 men; mean age 7766 years, range 67-86) had unilateral hypogastric artery coverage without coil embolization. Aneurysmal arteries included 11 aortoiliac, 8 isolated common iliac arteries (CIA), and 2 isolated hypogastric arteries. Preoperative AAA size was a mean 57 mm (range 46-73), and mean CIA aneurysm diameter was 36 mm (range 17-50). All covered hypogastric arteries were patent prior to the procedure. The stent-grafts implanted were 10 Excluder, 10 AneuRx, and 1 Zenith. Clinical outcome fo- cused on mortality and morbidity, including the occurrence and duration of new-onset buttock claudication, which was further correlated with superior gluteal and profunda fe- moris artery patency. Results: Immediate seal was achieved in all patients. Mean follow-up was 16 months (range 1-54). No type I endoleaks developed from the aortic or external iliac artery, and no type II endoleaks were found from the origin of the hypogastric artery. New-onset buttock claudication occurred in 2 (9.5%) patients, but resolved in both within 4 months. No additional secondary procedures, aneurysm rupture, or aneurysm-related death oc- curred. Conclusion: Stent-graft coverage of the orifice of the hypogastric artery without coil em- bolization is a safe and effective adjunct during the treatment of aortoiliac or iliac aneu- rysm, with a low incidence of buttock claudication. J Endovasc Ther 2006;13:415-419
Adenovirus mediated gene transfer to skeletal muscle

Transfer of therapeutic genes into muscle tissue has promise for the treatment of a variety of muscular dystrophies. Various vectors have been used to deliver genes to skeletal muscle but their application has faced several major limitations including: (1) the lack of transgene persistence caused by the immune rejection of transduced myofibers and/or vector toxicity, and (2) the maturation dependence of viral transduction. While the immunorejection and/or cytotoxic problems are being overcome with the development of new vectors, maturation-dependent viral transduction is still a major hurdle in gene transfer to skeletal muscle. Poor adenoviral transduction in mature myofibers has been attributed to: (1) the extracellular matrix of mature myofibers may form a physical barrier and prevent the passage of large viral particles; (2) viral receptors are down-regulated with muscle maturation; and (3) loss of myoblasts with muscle maturation, which serve as intermediaries in the viral transduction. In this review, we will focus on recent developments in overcoming those hurdles of gene therapy in skeletal muscle, especially to adenovirus (Ad), including: (1) new mutant vectors lacking all viral genes to decrease immunogenicity, and hence, improve persistence of transgene expression in muscle in vivo; (2) using tissue specific promoters to evade immunorejection; (3) permeabilization of the extracellular matrix; (4) modifying the viral receptors in mature myofibers; and (5) myoblast or muscle stem cell mediated ex vivo gene transfer.
THORACOABDOMINAL ECTOPIA CORDIS WITH ISOLATED INFUNDIBULAR ATRESIA

Abstract Ectopia cordis is a rare congenital anomaly in which the heart is partially or totally outside the thorax. 1 The thoracic and thoracoabdominal forms of ectopia cordis have been considered to constitute together 97% (138 of 142) of the cases. 2 The cervical form, found in 4 out of 142 cases, has been described only in malformed fetuses. 2 Complete abdominal ectopia cordis was thought previously to be represented only by Deschamp's case that was reported in 1806 by Cullerier. 3 However, whether or not complete abdominal ectopia cordis really exists and, if so, how it should be defined, remain unclear. We present a unique case of ectopia cordis that superficially resembles complete abdominal ectopia cordis. This patient has the following previously undescribed cardiac anomaly: isolated atresia of the subpulmonary infundibulum with an intact ventricular septum and a well-formed and patent pulmonary valve.
An oscillator model of the timing of turn-taking

When humans talk without conventionalized arrangements, they engage in conversation—that is, a continuous and largely nonsimultaneous exchange in which speakers take turns. Turn-taking is ubiquitous in conversation and is the normal case against which alternatives, such as interruptions, are treated as violations that warrant repair. Furthermore, turn-taking involves highly coordinated timing, including a cyclic rise and fall in the probability of initiating speech during brief silences, and involves the notable rarity, especially in two-party conversations, of two speakers’ breaking a silence at once. These phenomena, reported by conversation analysts, have been neglected by cognitive psychologists, and to date there has been no adequate cognitive explanation. Here, we propose that, during conversation, endogenous oscillators in the brains of the speaker and the listeners become mutually entrained, on the basis of the speaker’s rate of syllable production. This entrained cyclic pattern governs the potential for initiating speech at any given instant for the speaker and also for the listeners (as potential next speakers). Furthermore, the readiness functions of the listeners are counterphased with that of the speaker, minimizing the likelihood of simultaneous starts by a listener and the previous speaker. This mutual entrainment continues for a brief period when the speech stream ceases, accounting for the cyclic property of silences. This model not only captures the timing phenomena observed in the literature on conversation analysis, but also converges with findings from the literatures on phoneme timing, syllable organization, and interpersonal coordination.
BK Virus as a Cofactor in the Etiology of Prostate Cancer in Its Early Stages

Prostate cancer has been projected to cause almost 10% of all male cancer deaths in the United States in 2007. The incidence of mutations in the tumor suppressor genes Rb1 and p53, especially in the early stages of the disease, is low compared to those for other cancers. This has led to the hypothesis that a human virus such as BK virus (BKV), which establishes a persistent subclinical infection in the urinary tract and encodes oncoproteins that interfere with these tumor suppressor pathways, is involved. Previously, we detected BKV DNA in the epithelial cells of benign and proliferative inflammatory atrophy ducts of cancerous prostate specimens. In the present report, we demonstrate that BKV is present at a much lower frequency in noncancerous prostates. Additionally, in normal prostates, T-antigen (TAg) expression is observed only in specimens harboring proliferative inflammatory atrophy and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. We further demonstrate that the p53 gene from atrophic cells expressing TAg is wild type, whereas tumor cells expressing detectable nuclear p53 contain a mix of wild-type and mutant p53 genes, suggesting that TAg may inactivate p53 in the atrophic cells. Our results point toward a role for BKV in early prostate cancer progression.
“Deficiency” of Mitochondria in Muscle Does Not Cause Insulin Resistance

Based on evidence that patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), obese insulin-resistant individuals, and lean insulin-resistant offspring of parents with T2DM have ∼30% less mitochondria in their muscles than lean control subjects, it appears to be widely accepted that mitochondrial “deficiency” is responsible for insulin resistance. The proposed mechanism for this effect is an impaired ability to oxidize fat, resulting in lipid accumulation in muscle. The purpose of this counterpoint article is to review the evidence against the mitochondrial deficiency concept. This evidence includes the findings that 1) development of insulin resistance in laboratory rodents fed high-fat diets occurs despite a concomitant increase in muscle mitochondria; 2) mitochondrial deficiency severe enough to impair fat oxidation in resting muscle causes an increase, not a decrease, in insulin action; and 3) most of the studies comparing fat oxidation in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant individuals have shown that fat oxidation is higher in T2DM patients and obese insulin-resistant individuals than in insulin-sensitive control subjects. In conclusion, it seems clear, based on this evidence, that the 30% reduction in muscle content of mitochondria in patients with T2DM is not responsible for insulin resistance.
The Eximbank State/City Pilot Initiative for Small Business Exporters: Goals, Achievements and the Path Ahead for Export-Finance Support at the Local Level

The Export-Import Ban·k of the United States (Eximbank) operated a pilot program with sei'en state and city agencies d uring 1988. That institution sought to determine if a partnership with such local agencies could assist small firms to acquire export-finance support needed to secure international marketing transactions. This pa per evaluates achievements and requirements as the pilot effort is converted into a permanent cooperative program in 1989.
Co-evolution of affinity and stability of grafted amyloid-motif domain antibodies

An attractive approach for designing lead antibody candidates is to mimic natural protein interactions by grafting peptide recognition motifs into the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs). We are using this approach to generate single-domain (VH) antibodies specific for amyloid-forming proteins such as the Alzheimer's Aβ peptide. Here, we use random mutagenesis and yeast surface display to improve the binding affinity of a lead VH domain grafted with Aβ residues 33-42 in CDR3. Interestingly, co-selection for improved Aβ binding and VH display on the surface of yeast yields antibody domains with improved affinity and reduced stability. The highest affinity VH domains were strongly destabilized on the surface of yeast as well as unfolded when isolated as autonomous domains. In contrast, stable VH domains with improved affinity were reliably identified using yeast surface display by replacing the display antibody that recognizes a linear epitope tag at the terminus of both folded and unfolded VH domains with a conformational ligand (Protein A) that recognizes a discontinuous epitope on the framework of folded VH domains. Importantly, we find that selection for improved stability using Protein A without simultaneous co-selection for improved Aβ binding leads to strong enrichment for stabilizing mutations that reduce antigen binding. Our findings highlight the importance of simultaneously optimizing affinity and stability to improve the rapid isolation of well-folded and specific antibody fragments.
Alienation from Religion in Church-Related Adolescents

This research paper explores the relationships between alienation from religion and other selected variables among church-related adolescents. The sample consists of 390 high school students attending three youth conferences sponsored by Protestant judicatories. The teenagers completed the Youth Perceptual Inventory, which included a scale to measure religious alienation and seventeen other scales to measure the independent variables. While most of the adolescents did not appear to be highly alienated, there was a wide range in the alienation scores. Multiple regression revealed that religious alienation in teenagers is highly related (R =. 76) to the quality of their relationships with pastors and parents as well as to opportunities for church involvement, their own self-concepts, and the influence of peer groups and the media. All but one of the research hypotheses were supported, but pastoral and church influences ranked considerably higher than parent and home influences.
Varieties of streptococci with special reference to constancy

The work reported in the following pages deals with the characteristics of strains of streptococci isolated from various sources. Particular attention is given to the constancy of the special characteristics of streptococci such as peculiarities in morphology, the action on the blood-agar plate, the fermentation of the various carbohydrates, and the immune reactions such as agglutination and complement fixation. An attempt has been made to discover whether the various classes adopted by different workers have sufficient relationship to source, habits, pathogenesis, or any other particular characteristic to justify such grouping. A review of the literature is not given, since the literature on the work which has1 been done on streptococci has been well summarized by such recent workers as Holman,1 Blake,2 Aschner,3 and Brown.4
Designing New Lithium-Excess Cathode Materials from Percolation Theory: Nanohighways in LixNi2–4x/3Sbx/3O2

Increasing lithium content is shown to be a successful strategy for designing new cathode materials. In layered LixNi2–4x/3Sbx/3O2 (x = 1.00–1.15), lithium excess improves both discharge capacity and capacity retention at 1C. Structural studies reveal a complex nanostructure pattern of Li–Sb and Ni–Sb ordering where the interface between these domains forms the correct local configuration for good lithium mobility. The <1 nm Li–Sb stripe domains and their interfaces thereby effectively act as nanohighways for lithium diffusion.
Chapter 30 – Antibiotics

Antibacterial agents indicated for clinical use are agents that selectively destroy bacteria by interfering with bacterial growth or survival. Among existing antibacterial agents, antibiotics may be informally defined as compounds that are produced by a living organisms, are derived from bacterial, fungal, mold, plant, and animal sources, and are used to treat bacterial infections. Although there are several schemes of classification for antibiotics, based on their origin, type of activity, or mode of action—bactericidal versus bacteriostatic (antibiotics that kill bacteria are called “bactericidal,” antibiotics that stop the growth of bacteria are called “bacteriostatic”); bacterial spectrum or range of action—broad versus narrow (ie, do they affect many pathogens or only some select strains); the general microbial group they act against (antibacterial, antifungal, or antiprotozoan); and route of administration (injectable versus oral versus topical), the most suitable approach for this book is a classification based on their chemical structure. Different classifications of antibiotics by families based on chemical structure, such as macrocyclic lactones, carbohydrates, N- or O-containing heterocycles, compounds having an aromatic skeleton, and those having an aliphatic chain, have been proposed. Probably, the most widely accepted main classification of antibiotics based on chemical structure is the following: 1. β-Lactam antibiotics-penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams; 2. Tetracyclines; 3. Macrolide antibiotics; 4. Aminoglycosides; 5. Peptide antibiotics; 6. Lincosamides; 7. Streptogramins. Most antibiotics are either natural products and their semisynthetic derivative, or synthetic compounds mimicking the structure of the natural products. Antibiotics, in general, are derived biotechnologically from natural sources, and are often further chemically modified to confer better drug properties. Two tetracyclines—doxycycline and minocycline—and the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin are included in the list of Top 200 Drugs by sales for the 2010s.
Effect of Low Oxygen Tension on Culturing Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Aim:To study the effect of low oxygen tension on culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).Methods:HUVEC was cultured at low oxygen tension(3.94kPa = 29.58 mmHg)for 6 hours,then the lac- tate dehydrogenase(LDH),6-keto-PGF_(1α)in the medium and F-actin in the cells were measured at different time points. Results:The activity of LDH which was cultured in the solution at low oxygen tension for one hour was higher than that of the control,meanwhile,vacuolar degeneration around the nuclei of HUVEC was observed.Two hours after culture, the content of F-actin in cytoplasm of HUVEC was obviously decreased,6-keto-PGF_(1α)in the solution was incressed,and the cells contracted,separated and fell off.Conclusion:When oxygen pressure was below 3.94 kPa for 2 hours,the damage to HUVEC was irreversible.