cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of the proximal ligand His-20 in heme oxygenase (Hmu O) from Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Oxidative cleavage of the heme macrocycle does not require the proximal histidine.

The coordination and spin-state of theCorynebacterium diphtheriae heme oxygenase (Hmu O) and the proximal Hmu O H20A mutant have been characterized by UV-visible and resonance Raman (RR) spectrophotometry. At neutral pH the ferric heme-Hmu O complex is a mixture of six-coordinate high spin and six-coordinate low spin species. Changes in the UV-visible and high frequency RR spectra are observed as a function of pH and temperature, with the six-coordinate high spin species being converted to six-coordinate low spin. The low frequency region of the ferrous RR spectrum identified the proximal ligand to the heme as a neutral imidazole with a Fe-His stretching mode at 222 cm−1. The RR characterization of the heme-CO complex in wt-Hmu O confirms that the proximal imidazole is neither ionized or strongly hydrogen-bonded. Based on sequence identity with the mammalian enzymes the proximal ligand in HO-1 (His-25) and HO-2 (His-45) is conserved (His-20) in the bacterial enzyme. Site-specific mutagenesis identified His-20 as the proximal mutant based on electronic and resonance Raman spectrophotometric analysis. Titration of the heme-Hmu O complex with imidazole restored full catalytic activity to the enzyme, and the coordination of imidazole to the heme was confirmed by RR. However, in the absence of imidazole, the H20A Hmu O mutant was found to catalyze the initial α-meso-hydroxylation of the heme. The product of the aerobic reaction was determined to be ferrous verdoheme. Hydrolytic conversion of the verdoheme product to biliverdin concluded that oxidative cleavage of the porphyrin macrocycle was specific for the α-meso-carbon. The present data show that, in marked contrast to the human HO-1, the proximal ligand is not essential for the initial α-meso-hydroxylation of heme in the C. diphtheriae heme oxygenase-catalyzed reaction.
Variation in ambulatory surgery utilization in Michigan

Abstract Background The practice of ambulatory surgery has expanded greatly as a result of advances in surgical technology and rising financial pressures. We sought to characterize the utilization of ambulatory surgical practices for common general surgical procedures in Michigan. Materials and methods We identified 33,655 patients within the Michigan Surgery Quality Collaborative clinical registry undergoing general surgical procedures performed on an ambulatory basis between 25% and 75% of the time. Our primary outcome was the incidence of ambulatory surgery. Using multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression models, we adjusted ambulatory surgery utilization rates for patient comorbidities, procedure composition, and hospital characteristics. We then assessed the incidence of postoperative complications across hospitals grouped by their ambulatory surgery utilization rates. Results Adjusted utilization rates of ambulatory surgery varied widely across 34 hospitals from 29%–75% (mean = 54%). Risk-adjusted complication rates for ambulatory cases were similar between hospitals performing the least (2.2%) and the most ambulatory surgery (2.3%, P = 0.365). Patient factors and hospital characteristics accounted for 23.3% of the between-hospital variability in ambulatory surgery utilization, whereas most variation was explained by effects at the surgeon level. Conclusions Despite wide variation in ambulatory surgery utilization for general surgical procedures, we were unable to explain observed differences by patient comorbidities, case mix, or hospital characteristics. These data suggest that understanding factors associated with ambulatory surgery utilization may represent a novel avenue for quality improvement within our statewide surgical collaborative.
A systematic review of Bisphenol A “low dose” studies in the context of human exposure: A case for establishing standards for reporting “low-dose” effects of chemicals

Abstract Human exposure to the chemical Bisphenol A is almost ubiquitous in surveyed industrialized societies. Structural features similar to estrogen confer the ability of Bisphenol A (BPA) to bind estrogen receptors, giving BPA membership in the group of environmental pollutants called endocrine disruptors. References by scientists, the media, political entities, and non-governmental organizations to many toxicity studies as “low dose” has led to the belief that exposure levels in these studies are similar to humans, implying that BPA is toxic to humans at current exposures. Through systematic, objective comparison of our current, and a previous compilation of the “low-dose” literature to multiple estimates of human external and internal exposure levels, we found that the “low-dose” moniker describes exposures covering 8–12 orders of magnitude, the majority (91–99% of exposures) being greater than the upper bound of human exposure in the general infant, child and adult U.S. Population. “low dose” is therefore a descriptor without specific meaning regarding human exposure. Where human exposure data are available, for BPA and other environmental chemicals, reference to toxicity study exposures by direct comparison to human exposure would be more informative, more objective, and less susceptible to misunderstanding.
Activation of protein kinase A prevents the ethanol-induced up-regulation of δ-opioid receptor mRNA in NG108-15 cells

Abstract We have used a sensitive solution hybridization assay with a riboprobe transcribed from the coding sequence of the δ-opioid receptor gene (DOR) to study the up-regulation of the DOR mRNA by ethanol in NG108-15 cells. Exposure of the cells to compounds that increase cAMP levels (forskolin, forskolin+IBMX, or dibutyryl cAMP) resulted in the attenuation of ethanol-induced up-regulation of DOR mRNA. The inactive analogue of forskolin, 1,9-dideoxy forskolin had no effect. Northern blot analysis of RNA extracts from ethanol-, forskolin- or ethanol+forskolin-treated cells showed proportional changes in each of the multiple DOR mRNA bands, so that no difference was observed in the fraction of the total hybridization signal produced by each band of the DOR mRNA. In the absence of ethanol, forskolin or dibutyryl cAMP reduced the basal levels of DOR mRNA. The cAMP analogue (Rp)-cAMPS, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, increased DOR mRNA levels. However, the combination of (Rp)-cAMPS and ethanol did not further increase DOR mRNA levels compared to ethanol or (Rp)-cAMPS alone. Signaling through cAMP and PKA down-regulates DOR mRNA levels. The ethanol-induced increase in DOR mRNA levels in NG108-15 cells appears to be mediated via a reduction of PKA.
Detection of abnormal cerebral excitability by coincident stimulation and recording

Abstract Objective : A method for mapping brain excitability and detecting abnormalities, by concurrently stimulating and recording ‘focal' compound responses through one microelectrode, was evaluated in three rat epilepsy models in comparison with distal stimulation of perforant path afferents. Methods : A fixed trajectory from neocortex to dentate gyrus was mapped under halothane anesthesia. Several weeks earlier, tetanus toxin or vehicle was microinjected into the dentate polymorphic layer, or else rats were genetically epilepsy-prone (GEPR-9) or epilepsy-resistant (GERR-0). Other (unmapped) rats received acute penicillin microinjections within the dentate granular layer. Results : Focal responses, although widespread, proved largest in the dentate (>±0.5 mV). Tetanus toxin diminished focal responses near the microinjection site versus vehicle-microinjected (66%) or contralateral controls (55%), but enhanced them elsewhere in the dentate. It enhanced distal responses at all hippocampal locations. Focal but not distal responses were higher in GEPR-9 than in GERR-0 rats at widespread forebrain locations (mean 233%). Penicillin facilitated both focal and distal dentate responses, but the focal facilitation peaked sooner (about 75 versus 180 min). Conclusions : Focal responses better uncover pervasive or discrete excitability differences. Significance : Focal mapping may aid in diagnostic imaging and intraoperative targeting, offering high resolution, rapid performance, low stimulus currents and minimal invasion.
Antitumor effect of recombinant tumor necrosis factor-α against murine sarcomas at visceral sites: tumor size influences the response to therapy

We examined the antitumor efficacy of rTNF-α administration on established tumor at two visceral sites, lungs and liver. Treatment of B6 mice harboring multiple (>100 foci of ≤0.5 mm diameter) 10-day pulmonary macrometastases from the MCA-106 sarcoma, with dosages of rTNF-α (5–10 μg, single dose i. v.) that caused hemorrhagic necrosis and regression of a 6 mm MCA-106 s. c. tumor, had no impact on the number (or size) of lung nodules. Similarly, rTNF-α failed to show an antitumor effect in B6 mice with advanced day 8 or 10 multiple (>100 foci of ≤0.5 mm diameter) hepatic metastases at single i. v. doses up to 20 μg, as measured by either enumeration of residual liver nodules or survival. B6 mice injected s. c. with MCA-106 sarcoma and treated with rTNF-α as a single i. v. dose on day 0, 3, 5, or 7 experienced marked tumor regression only after the day 7 rTNF-α injection, when the tumor had achieved a size of 5–6 mm in diameter. Since tumor size appeared important for rTNF-α susceptibility in vivo, we next induced a single hepatic tumor of the MCA-106 sarcoma by the direct injection of cells into the left lobe of the liver and treated these mice at day 10 when the nodule had achieved a size of 5–6 mm in diameter. Increasing doses of rTNF-α (up to 8 μg) given as a single i. v. injection resulted in increasingly greater reductions in hepatic tumor as well as significant survival benefit of the treated mice. Sites of regressing hepatic tumor exhibited central necrosis accompanied by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes. Collectively, these results show that rTNF-α administration can mediate a significant antitumor effect on visceral tumor and suggest that tumor size is an important factor in rTNF-α susceptibility not only for tumors growing at s. c. sites but also for those established at visceral sites.
Exact Isotherm for the F Model in Direct and Staggered Electric Fields

Both staggered and direct external fields are applied to the $F$ model. At a particular temperature, the properties can be evaluated exactly. As the fields are varied, the system undergoes two transitions between states of zero, partial, and complete direct polarization.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor: analysis of treatment outcome

Abstract Purpose: To analyze the results of therapy for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) and to identify prognostic factors of survival, and of local and distant control of disease. Methods and Materials: From 1975 through 1993, 134 MPNSTs were diagnosed and treated at our institution. Tumor sites included extremities in 36 (27%) cases and non-extremities in 98 (73%). Median follow-up for survivors was 53 months (range: 7–280). There were 14 tumors of histologic grade I disease (10%), 43 of grade II disease (32%), 43 of grade III disease (32%), and 32 of grade IV (24%). Seventy-three patients (54%) underwent radiation therapy (RT) as part of their initial treatment of the primary tumor, including 14 (10%) who had brachytherapy and 16 (12%) who had intraoperative electron irradiation (IOERT) as part of their radiation course. Results: The 5- and 10-year survival rates were 52% and 34%, respectively. Local and distant failure rates at 5 years were both 49%. On univariate analysis, prognostic factors significantly related to survival (log-rank: p p = 0.023), and surgical margin status ( p = 0.0044) remained significant. For local control of disease, univariate analysis showed location of disease, surgical margin status, history of NF-1, history of prior irradiation, mitotic rate, radiation dose ≥ 60 Gy, and use of IOERT or brachytherapy to be significant prognostic factors. On multivariate analysis, only surgical margin status (p = 0.0024), RT dose ( p = 0.021), and use of IOERT or brachytherapy ( p = 0.016) remained significant. For distant control of disease, significant prognostic factors on univariate analysis included tumor size, stage, tumor grade, mitotic rate, presence or absence of necrosis, and histologic subtype. On multivariate analysis, tumor size ( p = 0.0065), grade ( p = 0.036), and histologic subtype ( p = 0.001) remained significant. Patients with perineurial MPNSTs had a much lower rate of distant metastasis and a better overall survival as compared with other histologic subtypes. Conclusion: Management of patients with MPNST involves a multi-modality approach. The goal of surgery is complete resection with negative margins. Adjuvant irradiation to doses ≥ 60 Gy and the inclusion of IOERT or brachytherapy are associated with improved local control of disease.
Adoption and Abandonment of Southeast Asian Food Plants

The people of Southeast Asia have, since prehistory, used a great variety of plants and were the first to domesticate some species now of global importance. In addition to the main staples and cash crops, a large number of plants are still grown in kitchen gardens, collected and transplanted from the wild or casually tended where they volunteer. A survey of plants sold in markets shows the natural floristic richness but also suggests considerable variation in the array of plants offered for sale from place to place. Cultivation of some of their traditional herbs and vegetables by Southeast Asian immigrants in the US has provided a source of income, as well as a supply of familiar foods and flavorings to them as they adapt to their new environment. In the process, is had provided the opportunity to enrich the cuisine of the population at large. However, rapid economic development in Thailand has been coupled with social and environmental change and concern is raised for the preservation of both the genetic...
Calculation of spreading profiles for molecularly-thin films from surface energy gradients

The one-dimensional diffusion equation is solved numerically to calculate the spreading profile of a molecularly-thin liquid on a solid surface. The thickness-dependent diffusion coefficient of the liquid is derived from the thickness dependence of the dispersive and polar surface free energies. Changes in the gradient and curvature of the total free energy with respect to film thickness give rise to distinct features in the calculated spreading profile. In the sub-monolayer thickness regime, a rapid spreading front develops as a result of the steep gradient in the dispersive force with film thickness. For polar end-group terminated perfluoropolyethers, a shoulder follows behind the rapid spreading front. At the top of the shoulder, a step increase in the film thickness is observed. This vertical step results from film thicknesses that correspond to negative disjoining pressures and hence are thermodynamically unstable. The profiles calculated from the thickness dependence of the total surface energy account for all of the features observed experimentally during the spreading of perfluoropolyethers onto solid surfaces.
Enduring effects of periadolescent alcohol exposure on passive avoidance performance in rats

Rats were administered alcohol during periadolescence (age 30-40 days) and then tested, beginning at 60 days of age, in an aversive-noise passive avoidance task. Relative to a low-dose group and to controls, the animals that had received a high dose were found to be impaired in this task. These results suggest that the developing juvenile is vulnerable to enduring effects of this drug. Thus, risk of impaired development due to alcohol may not be limited to the fetal and neonatal periods but may extend through later postnatal periods as well.
Efficient sequential repetitive gene deletions in Neurospora crassa employing a self-excising β-recombinase/six cassette

Despite its long-standing history as a model organism, Neurospora crassa has limited tools for repetitive gene deletions utilizing recyclable self-excising marker systems. Here we describe, for the first time, the functionality of a bacterial recombination system employing β-recombinase acting on six recognition sequences (β-rec/six) in N. crassa, which allowed repetitive site-specific gene deletion and marker recycling. We report generating the mus-51 deletion strain using this system, recycling the marker cassette, and subsequently deleting the global transcriptional regulator gene cre-1.
Factors affecting the removal of low-molecular-weight fractions (LMWF) from egg yolk and seminal plasma in extended semen by dialysis: effect on post-thaw sperm survival.

Three factors affecting dialysis of bovine semen were studied. These factors were (1) dialysis rates of egg yolk, seminal plasma, and glycerol, (2) temperature (37 °C, 5 °C, and while cooling from 37 to 5 °C), and (3) dialysis ratios between retentate and dialysate (1:1, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50, and 1:100). Ninety percent of the low-molecular-weight fraction (LMWF) from seminal plasma, egg yolk, and glycerol was removed from the retentate in a 2-hr period at 5 °C, and only slight changes were detected after the third hour of dialysis. Temperature affected dialysis and was faster at 37 °C. It was also found that a 1:20 dialysis ratio was sufficient to obtain 90% clearance of the LMWF. The effect of sperm dilution ratio, dialysis ratio, and exchange of the LMWF from egg yolk and/or seminal plasma for buffer systems was also studied. An improvement in post-thaw motility of spermatozoa (P < 0.05) was obtained when the LMWF from both seminal plasma and egg yolk were replaced. A third experiment was conducted to study the effect of different combinations between the buffer systems, TEST and Na citrate, in the dialysate. The results indicated that a 1:1 combination of iso-osmotic solutions (320–325 mOsm/Kg, pH 7.0) between these two buffers, with 5% glycerol (vv), yielded significant (P < 0.05) sperm post-thaw motility as compared with the individual use of TEST-glycerol or Na citrate-glycerol. Dialyzed samples also yielded sperm post-thaw motility higher than that of the nondialyzed samples. Colloidal materials in the dialysate did not affect survival of spermatozoa.
Process controls and similarity in the us continental-scale hydrological cycle from eof analysis of regional climate model simulations

The surface hydrological output of a regional climate model is investigated with implications for process controls on the spatial-temporal variability of the water cycle over the continental USA. Principal component analysis was performed on the seasonal and annual hydrological cycles to determine their dominant modes of spatial variability. At both seasonal and annual time-scales, the first principal component is dominated by precipitation, which controls seasonal wetness and evaporation and accounts for only 52 to 58% of the variability in the continental-scale hydrological cycle. The second principal component is related to both snowmelt runoff and the time variability of weather (via its influence on the residence time of soil moisture near the land surface) and explains another 22% to 34% of the variability in the hydrological cycle. Based on these findings, a classification of hydroclimatological similarity is proposed in which two areas are similar in their hydroclimatology if their first and second principal components are similar. The classification scheme differs from classical approaches because it is based on dominant modes of variability rather than specific indices such as vegetation or seasonal wetness.
Displacement chromatography on cyclodextrin silicas. IV. Separation of the enantiomers of ibuprofen.

Abstract A displacement chromatographic method has been developed for the preparative separation of the enantiomers of ibuprofen using a β-cyclodextrin silica stationary phase. The retention behavior of ibuprofen was studied in detail: the log k′ vs. polar organic modifier concentration, the log k′ vs. pH, the log k′ vs. buffer concentration and the log k′ vs. 1/T relationships; also, the α vs. polar organic modifier concentration, the α vs. pH, the α vs. buffer concentration and the log α vs. 1/T relationships have been determined in order to find the carrier solution composition which results in maximum chiral selectivity and sufficient, but not excessive solute retention (1
The sarcolemmal lactate transporter: transmembrane determinants of lactate flux.

ABSTRACTLactic acid is produced and consumed under various metabolic and pathogenic conditions in numerous cell types of mammalian tissues. The movement of lactic acid and lactate anions within and between tissues depends, ultimately, on flux rates between intracellular and extracellular compartment
Growth Rates of Aluminum Etch Tunnels

Growth rates of aluminum etch tunnels, formed by anodic dissolution in hot aqueous chloride solutions, have been measured by a new technique in which ac signals of about 1 Hz were superimposed on the dc applied current. SEM photomicrographs indicated that the superimposed current caused the tunnel widths to oscillate during etching. Local metal dissolution rates were thus obtained by dividing the wavelength of the width oscillations by the period of the current signal. It was found that growth velocities were constant with increasing tunnel length, and were independent of the frequency of the signal. An Arrhenius dependence of the growth rate on temperature, with an activation energy of 15 kcal/ mol, was obtained.
Some Evidence on the Uniqueness of Initial Public Debt Offerings

Debt initial public offerings (IPOs) represent a major shift in a firm's financing policy by both extending debt maturity and altering the public-private debt mix. In contrast to findings for seasoned debt offerings, we document a significantly negative stock price response to debt IPO announcements. This result is consistent with debt maturity and debt ownership structure theories. The equity wealth effect is negatively related to the offer's maturity, and positively related to the degree of bank monitoring. We find that firms with less information asymmetry and firms with higher growth opportunities experience a less adverse stock price response. The decision to access the public debt market for the first time represents a major change in a firm's financing policy. An initial public debt offer alters the firm's debt structure in two significant ways. Not only does this policy choice affect the firm's debt ownership structure, by altering its mix of public relative to private debt, but it also extends the average debt maturity of the firm substantially. This study provides empirical evidence on the validity of some important debt structure theories by focusing on the information content of initial public debt offers (debt IPOs). Two major strands of theories have evolved in the literature. The debt ownership choice theories model corporate choice of private and public debt mix (see, e.g., Fama (1985), Diamond (1991a), and Rajan (1992)), while the other set of theories models corporate debt maturity choice (Easterbrook (1984), Flannery (1986), and Kale and Noe (1990)). A number of recent studies empirically test some of the predictions of these models (Barclay and Smith (1995), Guedes and Opler (1996), Houston and James (1996), Johnson (1997), and Stohs and Mauer (1996)).
Hakoah Vienna and the International Nature of Interwar Austrian Sports

Hakoah Vienna was the most important Jewish sports organization in interwar Austria. Indeed, Hakoah, which means strength or power in Hebrew, was one of the most significant sports clubs on the continent of Europe during that period. This article examines the early history of Hakoah, its rise to international fame, and its demise in 1938 at the hands of the Nazis and their sympathizers in Austria.
Measurement and analysis of contact plug resistance variability

The impact of contacts on device and circuit performance is becoming larger with technology scaling because of higher resistance as well as increased variability. Thus, techniques are needed for measurement, analysis, and modeling of variation in contactss, and for devices, interconnects, and circuits in general, in order to ensure robust circuit design. A test chip for characterizing contact plug resistance variability is designed in a 90nm CMOS process. Each chip is capable of characterizing over 35,000 devices under test. Statistical analysis of the measurement results show that the contact plug resistance changes as a function of key layout parameters, such as the distance from the contact to the polysilicon gate and the distance from the contact to the edge of the diffusion region. Spatial variation analysis shows that the resistance distribution has a systematic die-to-die pattern, possibly caused by variability in the lithography process. Spatial correlation analysis is also performed to identify the possibility of additional systematic trends or separation-distance dependent correlated random variation. Results of these analyses motivate the need for both numerical and compact models for contacts which incorporate variability information.
The Political Economy and Technical Control of Work Humanization in Sweden During the 1970s and 1980s

This article closely looks at the nature of the Swedish production system incorporating autonomous work groups, and the historical course the innovation has taken from its emergence in the early 1970s to its reversion in the 1980s. The article examines (1) whether managers were motivated by idealism or by labor shortages and protest; (2) whether or not the production system is a sophisticated form of technical control; (3) whether or not the innovation produces mixed outcomes for labor and for employers; and (4) whether or not the managers' interest in the innovation has diminished as unemployment has risen in the late 1970s and 1980s. Based on eight months of interviews in Sweden and many secondary sources in English and Swedish, this article concludes that the adoption and diffusion of a workplace innovation cannot be fully understood without considering: (1) the characteristics of the production system in which the innovation is implanted that may simultaneously embrace rationalization and humanization...
Childhood victimization and risk for alcohol and drug arrests

Using data from a prospective cohorts design study, this paper examines the relationship between early childhood victimization and subsequent arrest for alcohol-and/or drug-related offenses. Comple...
Stability of Doped Transparent Carbon Nanotube Electrodes

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of p-doping transparent single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) films via chemical treatment with HNO 3 and SOCl 2 . Stability of the improvement in electrical conductivity after doping is investigated for different doping treatments as a function of exposure time to air and as a function of temperature. Doped films were found to have a greater than twofold increase in conductivity with sheet resistance values as low as 105 Ω sq -1 with an optical transmittance of 80% at 550 nm. However, doping enhancements demonstrated limited stability in air and under thermal loading. The application of a thin capping layer of PEDOT/PSS is shown to stabilize the improvements in conductivity, evidenced by sustained lower sheet resistance in both air and under thermal loading.
A New Foil Gas Bearing With Compression Springs as Compliant Structure for Microturbomachinery Applications

A new foil gas bearing is introduced in this paper. This foil gas bearing uses series of compression springs as a compliant structure instead of expensive corrugated bump foils. The new foil gas bearing is very simple in structure and easy to manufacture. A theoretical model to estimate stiffness and damping of the spring bump was developed. Measured stiffnesses of individual spring bump agree well with predictions. Load capacity was measured up to 62.5 N at 20,000rpm with both cooled and uncooled bearings. Initial selection of spring geometry rendered rather soft supports compared to other bump foil bearings, and allowed only limited load during the test. Developed cooling method using direct air supply holes machined on the bearing sleeve was very effective to cool the test bearing because the spring bumps are not connected along the circumferential direction, and allow very effective circumferential distribution of cooling air. A series of orbit simulation was performed to estimate critical speed and onset speed of instability. Bump dynamics was directly coupled with the orbit simulation. Critical speed was estimated at around 7500 rpm due to relatively soft support structure. Hydrodynamic instability with WFR 0.5 could be predicted at around 15,000 rpm. The rotor instability is predicted even under the equivalent viscous damping extracted from bump dynamics, implying the viscous damping alone within the bump cannot suppress hydrodynamic instability of foil bearings.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
On optimizing base station antenna array topology for coverage extension in cellular radio networks

Use of higher frequencies (1.8 GHz) for the US upper tier PCS cellular service and the FCC regulations on the network build out have resulted in significant interest in improving coverage of cellular networks. Networks whose coverage is limited imply that thermal noise is the limiting factor. Also, since the forward link (base station to mobile) has higher power than the reverse link, cell coverage is usually limited by the reverse link. This coverage can be extended by improving the reverse link budget. Use of receive antenna arrays for boosting array gain on the reverse link is therefore of great interest. When receive antenna arrays are used at the base station, several conflicting choices affect system performance and cost. Some of these aspects are: the number of antenna elements (and channels) improves coverage but also increases system cost; the maximum span of the array increases diversity hut must be limited for convenient deployment on a tower; large inter-element spacing can increase diversity but cause grating lobes at the same time. These conflicting requirements mean that a careful design of the array topology can minimize the cost. In this paper, we study performance of linear and circular base station antenna arrays with different topologies, angle spread, and the number of elements. We compare alternate topologies using maximal ratio combining for narrowband systems such as AMPS and IS-54.
Campaigns, deals, systems and science: designing the innovative organization

To link invention to innovation more effectively, companies must integrate processes of creation with processes of selection. It is suggested that, senior managers must create a balance between four kinds of ideal-typical games or milieus: the science game based on the lone genius, the game of the deal maker, the game of the campaign, and the game of using the program, system, or technique. American companies focus excessively on the first two. This drives a wedge between the individual and the organization, creating a climate in which innovation is a form of delinquency, leaders and followers undermine each other, and rational techniques are used to mask non-rational processes. To overcome these obstacles to innovation, senior managers can undertake sensibly two developmental initiatives. The first involves understanding and supporting the company's core competence as a way of building up its technical and marketing culture. The second involves using techniques and programs for the rational part of the decision process, but making public the rationale and personal responsibility for the necessarily nonrational dimensions of the decisions and actions. >
Enhanced lung epithelial specification of human induced pluripotent stem cells on decellularized lung matrix.

Background Whole-lung scaffolds can be created by perfusion decellularization of cadaveric donor lungs. The resulting matrices can then be recellularized to regenerate functional organs. This study evaluated the capacity of acellular lung scaffolds to support recellularization with lung progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Methods Whole rat and human lungs were decellularized by constant-pressure perfusion with 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate solution. Resulting lung scaffolds were cryosectioned into slices or left intact. Human iPSCs were differentiated to definitive endoderm, anteriorized to a foregut fate, and then ventralized to a population expressing NK2 homeobox 1 (Nkx2.1). Cells were seeded onto slices and whole lungs, which were maintained under constant perfusion biomimetic culture. Lineage specification was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescent staining. Regenerated left lungs were transplanted in an orthotopic position. Results Activin-A treatment, followed by transforming growth factor-β inhibition, induced differentiation of human iPSCs to anterior foregut endoderm as confirmed by forkhead box protein A2 (FOXA2), SRY (Sex Determining Region Y)-Box 17 (SOX17), and SOX2 expression. Cells cultured on decellularized lung slices demonstrated proliferation and lineage commitment after 5 days. Cells expressing Nkx2.1 were identified at 40% to 60% efficiency. Within whole-lung scaffolds and under perfusion culture, cells further upregulated Nkx2.1 expression. After orthotopic transplantation, grafts were perfused and ventilated by host vasculature and airways. Conclusions Decellularized lung matrix supports the culture and lineage commitment of human iPSC-derived lung progenitor cells. Whole-organ scaffolds and biomimetic culture enable coseeding of iPSC-derived endothelial and epithelial progenitors and enhance early lung fate. Orthotopic transplantation may enable further in vivo graft maturation.
Subtype-specific regulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors: controlling calcium signals in time and space.

A rise in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in response to binding of inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate (InsP3) to its receptors is a ubiquitous signaling system, which is implicated in the control of a myriad of cellular functions (Berridge 1993). Three distinct InsP3 receptors are expressed to varying degrees in individual cell types (Wojcikiewicz 1995). Activation of these receptors results in [Ca2+]i signals that display impressive fidelity, frequently manifested through a complex array of temporal and spatial characteristics. [Ca2+]i signals in nonexcitable cells are initiated in defined regions (Kasai and Augustine 1990; Rooney et al. 1990); can be spatially limited to a portion of a cell (Kasai et al. 1993) or alternatively spread as repetitive, global, oscillatory waves throughout an entire cell (Lechleiter et al. 1991; Straub et al. 2000). In addition, the periodicity of these spatial events is tightly regulated and has been proposed to provide effectors with a digitally encoded signal.
CILOSTAZOL INCREASES PATENCY AND DECREASES ADVERSE OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS SUBMITTED TO PERCUTANEOUS FEMOROPOPLITEAL STENT REVASCULARIZATION: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS META-ANALYSIS

Cilostazol is an oral antiplatelet agent currently indicated for the treatment of intermittent claudication. There is some evidence that it may reduce femoropopliteal stent restenosis after percutaneous intervention. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from 1966 through September
Analysis of Sampled Optical Phase-Lock Loops

Sampled optical phase-lock loops are analyzed using the Z-transform. It is found that the finite sampling rate will result in an effective delay limiting the available stable gain of the loop. The analysis is applied to three example applications, optical wavelength synthesis from a pulsed reference, linear phase-tracking receivers and coherent optical receivers.
Inference by complementary elimination

The inferences countenanced by the traditional rules of modus ponens, modus tollens , disjunctive syllogism, hypothetical syllogism, and the complex types of dilemma may be regarded as single applications of one rule of inference, “the rule of complementary elimination”. In the present paper, we shall discuss this rule informally and illustrate it in application to expressions written in the language of Principia Mathematica . Our illustrations will contain no connectives except for those for conjunction, disjunction, and negation; we use parentheses in place of dots; and we allow disjunction and conjunction to have any number of operands more than two. In applying complementary elimination to a set of premises, we take the following three steps, (i) We form, merely by disjoining the premises, an expression which we shall call a premise disjunction , (ii) If we have n premises, we eliminate n minus one (or fewer) pairs of the following sort from our premise disjunction: each pair is such that one of its members is the negation of the other and both members are specific occurrences of disjuncts of our premise disjunction. We shall call such pairs complementary pairs , (iii) The formula obtained by means of our second step is one that may be made well-formed merely by eliminating parentheses or connectives other than negation; we make such elimination, and any formula we thus obtain is a consequence of our premises.
SCinet: 25 years of extreme networking

For 25 years, SCinet has provided SC conference attendees and the high-performance computing (HPC) community with a one-of-a-kind research network utilizing advanced technologies to internationally interconnect, interoperate, and showcase HPC applications in conjunction with scientific and network research at SC. SCinet is a focal point for the international high-performance networking community. It is the place for network engineers, network service providers, equipment vendors, and application developers in the diverse HPC communities to collaborate in demonstrating the latest research, innovative applications, and advanced technologies.The event is made possible by the tireless efforts of over a hundred volunteers and the generous contributions of dozens of vendors and service providers. It requires a year to plan and two weeks to build, culminating in an operational network for four days, which then is dismantled, packed, and shipped in 24 hours.SCinet makes a major contribution to the advanced networking field by bringing together unique resources in the form of hardware, software, and services along with expertise to architect, build and operate a state-of-the-art network to enable data-intensive science applications.
Top issues facing academic libraries: A report of the focus on the future task force

Le groupe special Focus on the Future de l'ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) a etabli une liste des questions a traiter en priorite par les bibliotheques academiques pour maintenir leur role : 1. Recrutement, formation et maintien des bibliothecaires ; 2. Role de la bibliotheque dans l'entreprise academique ; 3. Impact des technologies de l'information sur les services de bibliotheque ; 4. Creation, controle et preservation des ressources numeriques ; 5. Situation chaotique de la communication scientifique ; 6. Soutien aux nouveaux utilisateurs ; 7. Financement de l'enseignement superieur.
Risk factors for bleeding after liver biopsy

Determine factors that increase the risk of bleeding after liver biopsy. Retrospective review of radiology and clinical databases from Jan 2008 to Jun 2014 revealed 847 patients with liver biopsy. Of these, 154 (group I) had targeted biopsy of focal lesion and 142 (group 2) had random core biopsy for diffuse liver disease. The rest of the patients were excluded due to insufficient post-biopsy data. Data including pre-biopsy laboratory results, history of transfusion, and biopsy complications were recorded in the study cohort. After review of initial results, a “Risk Score” for bleeding was created using platelet count, INR, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and suspicion of malignancy. Zero point was given for normal laboratory results or absence of malignancy. One point was given for mildly abnormal laboratory values or presence of malignancy. Severe biochemical abnormalities, e.g., INR > 2.0, eGFR < 30 mL/min, or platelet count ≤ 50 × 109/L were given two points each. The “Risk Score” was made of adding individual points. Of 847 patients queried by retrospective database search, 296 had adequate records for the period of 2 weeks prior to biopsy to 4 weeks after biopsy. The remaining patients had liver biopsy as outpatients and probably did not have bleeding complications but no electronic records were found to confirm this. 25 (8.4%) of 296 patients had post-biopsy bleeding, with incidences of 11.7% and 4.9% in groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.04). On logistic regression analysis, the only significant predictor of bleeding was the “Risk Score” (p = 0.01, odds ratio 4.6). There was substantial overlap in INR, and platelet count in bleeders vs. non-bleeders. Pre-biopsy fresh frozen plasma or platelet concentrate infusions did not reduce the risk of bleeding. INR and platelet count are not an independent risk factors for post-biopsy bleeding. A “Risk Score” made up of individual risk factors was a better predictor of bleeding.
Metal Ion Levels Are Not Correlated With Histopathology of Adverse Local Tissue Reactions in Taper Corrosion of Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background The underlying biological mechanism in the formation of adverse local tissue reaction in taper corrosion of total hip arthroplasty (THA) remains unknown. This study evaluated whether there was a dose-dependent relationship between metal ion levels, intraoperative tissue damage and ALVAL (aseptic lymphocyte-dominated vasculitis-associated lesion) scores in dual taper THA patients who underwent revisions for taper corrosion. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 31 dual taper THA patients who underwent revision surgery from May 2013 to October 2013. Preoperative serum metal ion levels, intraoperative tissue damage grading, and ALVAL scores were reviewed. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine if an association existed between metal ion levels, intraoperative tissue damage, and ALVAL scores. Results Findings consistent with adverse local tissue reaction were found in all cases. We noted 10 patients with low, 8 with moderate, and 13 with high ALVAL scores, respectively. For intraoperative tissue damage, we recorded 2 (grade 1), 22 (grade 2) and 7 (grade 3) cases. Preoperatively, there was preferential elevation of serum cobalt (3.8 ng/mL, 2.3-17.0) compared to serum chromium (1.0 ng/mL, 0.2-5.8). There was no correlation between preoperative metal ion levels and intraoperative tissue damage (R = −0.06, P = .74) or ALVAL scores (R = −0.04, P = .481). There was also no correlation between intraoperative tissue damage and ALVAL score (R = −0.06, P = .73). Conclusion There was no significant correlation between ALVAL scores and prerevision surgery metal ion levels or intraoperative tissue damage, suggesting that the biological mechanism of histologic morphology cannot be solely attributed to elevated metal ion levels and is likely multifactorial, reflecting a complex interplay between implant and patient factors.
Mitochondria and Cancer

Decades ago, Otto Warburg observed that cancers ferment glucose in the presence of oxygen, suggesting that defects in mitochondrial respiration may be the underlying cause of cancer. We now know that the genetic events that drive aberrant cancer cell proliferation also alter biochemical metabolism, including promoting aerobic glycolysis, but do not typically impair mitochondrial function. Mitochondria supply energy; provide building blocks for new cells; and control redox homeostasis, oncogenic signaling, innate immunity, and apoptosis. Indeed, mitochondrial biogenesis and quality control are often upregulated in cancers. While some cancers have mutations in nuclear-encoded mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzymes that produce oncogenic metabolites, there is negative selection for pathogenic mitochondrial genome mutations. Eliminating mtDNA limits tumorigenesis, and rare human tumors with mutant mitochondrial genomes are relatively benign. Thus, mitochondria play a central and multifunctional role in malignant tumor progression, and targeting mitochondria provides therapeutic opportunities.
Active centers – interactive edges: The rise and fall of ground floor frontages

The ground floors of buildings are a key element of the urban experience, yet the dynamics that shape frontages are largely unknown. This article delves into the forces and patterns behind the transforming relationship between architecture and public space in Western urban cores over the past century. After defining a methodology for structurally measuring the interactivity of ground floor frontages over time, the study focuses on two case study urban cores of Detroit, Michigan and The Hague, Netherlands. Through a combination of narrative historiography, detailed mapping and statistical studies a set of recommendations is generated to help urban designers and planners better understand and counter frontage decline. The two seemingly disparate cities are demonstrated to have undergone remarkably similar patterns of frontage interactivity erosion, with outcomes diverging as a result of an often reinforcing set of forces. Only upon understanding frontages as social, economic, cultural, political and technological constructs with physical, functional and connotative effects on public space will the profession be able to effectively steer the future of the architecture of public life.
μGC × μGC: comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatographic separations with microfabricated components.

The development and characterization of a microanalytical subsystem comprising silicon-micromachined first- and second-dimension separation columns and a silicon-micromachined thermal modulator (μTM) for comprehensive two-dimensional (i.e., μGC × μGC) separations are described. The first dimension consists of two series-coupled 3.1 cm × 3.1 cm μcolumn chips with etched channels 3 m long and 250 μm × 140 μm in cross section, wall-coated with a poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) stationary phase. The second dimension consists of a 1.2 cm × 1.2 cm μcolumn chip with an etched channel 0.5 m long and 46 μm × 150 μm in cross section wall-coated with either a trigonal tricationic room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) or a commercial poly(trifluoropropylmethyl siloxane) (OV-215) stationary phase. The two-stage, cryogen-free μTM consists of a Si chip containing two series-coupled, square spiral channels 4.2 cm and 2.8 cm long and 250 μm × 140 μm in cross section wall-coated with PDMS. Conventional injection methods and f...
Asymptotic stability of discontinuous cauchy problems in banach space with applications

Abstract We present an asymptotic stability result for a class of discontinuous dynamical systems (DDS) determined by differential equations in Banach space (resp., Cauchy problems on abstract spaces). We demonstrate the applicability of our result in the analysis of several important classes of DDS, including systems determined by functional differential equations and partial differential equations.
Development of Microconnectors Using 3 Dimensional Micromachining Based on Deep X-ray Lithography

We have developed a microconnector with an automatic connecting/disconnecting mechanism employing magnetic force. The diameter and thickness of the microconnector is 2.5-mm and 2-mm, respectively. To obtain a large area and reliable connection, the terminals and guides must be perpendicular to the substrate of the microconnector and have high aspect ratios. These structures are fabricated using the LIGA-like process. The cantilever shape terminals as moving structures (7-μm-width, 80-μm-height and 300-μm-length) were fabricated using the one-layer sacrificial process. The tapered terminals and guides for the smooth connection were fabricated by micro-electro-discharge-machining combined with the LIGA-like process. We confirmed the electrical cronnection at 160mA/line and the automatic connection (disconnection) at a distance of 600-μm between opposing microconnectors.