cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global economic challenges: the pressing and visible issues

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the economic challenges that nations and the international community must grapple with. It also clarifies certain factors that could ease the occurrence of global economic problems.Design/methodology/approach – The paper briefly discusses problems that currently impede global economic growth and identifies factors that are essential to minimizing the emergence of these problems.Findings – The reoccurrence of global economic problems is not a passing phenomenon, but it is rooted in sociopolitical and economic environments prevailing in the world. When these problems appear, regional and global responses are needed. Under these circumstances, insightful and creative thinking free of nationalistic passions and rooted in the belief of shared benefits and fate may prove to be effective.Originality/value – The paper offers a genuine reflection on today's global economic reality. It sets the stage for an effective argument to counter the voices that seize on current global e...
Quantitative and qualitative analysis of a microfluidic DNA extraction system using a nanoporous AlOx membrane

A nanoporous aluminium oxide membrane was integrated into a microfluidic system designed to extract hgDNA (human genomic DNA) from lysed whole blood. The effectiveness of this extraction system was determined by passing known concentrations of purified hgDNA through nanoporous membranes with varying pore sizes and measuring the amount of hgDNA deposited on the membrane while also varying salt concentration in the solution. DNA extraction efficiency increased as the salt concentration increased and nanopore size decreased. Based on these results, hgDNA was extracted from whole blood while varying salt concentration, nanopore size and elution buffer to find the conditions that yield the maximum concentration of hgDNA. The optimal conditions were found to be using a low-salt lysis solution, 100 nm pores, and a cationic elution buffer. Under these conditions the combination of flow and ionic disruption were sufficient to elute the hgDNA from the membrane. The extracted hgDNA sample was analysed and evaluated using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to determine whether the eluted sample contained PCR inhibition factors. Eluted samples from the microfluidic system were amplified without any inhibition effects. PCR using extracted samples was demonstrated for several genes of interest. This microfluidic DNA extraction system based on embedded membranes will reduce the time, space and reagents needed for DNA analysis in microfluidic systems and will prove valuable for sample preparation in lab-on-a-chip applications.
Dose-dependent differences in short ultrasonic vocalizations emitted by rats during cocaine self-administration

Rationale The motivational impetuses underlying self-administration of cocaine and other drugs of abuse are not fully understood. One emerging factor is affect. Both positive and negative affective states have been hypothesized to influence drug seeking and drug taking. In parallel, it has been posited that the ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of Rattus norvegicus provide insight into the animals’ affective reactions. Furthermore, it has been shown that mesolimbic dopamine (DA) plays a key role in cocaine self-administration and in USV production. Thus, affective processing as measured by rodent USVs likely coincides with cocaine self-administration, but to date has not been studied.
School Counselors and Principals: Partners in Support of Academic Achievement

This article outlines the evolving leadership and advocacy roles of the school counselor in supporting the principal in the effort to move schools toward rigorous academic achievement for all. Partnership efforts already underway by school counselors and principals nationwide are also examined.
Late Maastrichtian Short‐term Biotic Events on Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract The use of stratigraphic plane analysis, a new graphical technique to view simultaneously both spatial and stratigraphic distribution of biostratigraphic data, has documented important short‐term oceanic events in the high southern latitudes during the Maastrichtian. Single‐occurrence or restricted‐occurrence horizons on Seymour Island using traditional one‐dimensional (temporal) composite range charts have been viewed as artifacts of preservation or collection failures. When the Seymour Island data are evaluated from a spatial perspective using stratigraphic plane analysis, it is clear that these restricted‐occurrence horizons are not due to collection failures or incomplete preservation but represent important biotic events, probably associated with widespread thermal events documented in the deep‐sea record and to mid‐Maastrichtian changes in sea level. These short‐term events, in combination with the long‐term decline in temperature at the end of the Cretaceous, may have been important contri...
Graphene production: new solutions to a new problem.

Two independent teams have shown that it is possible to produce stable suspensions of single-layer graphene from graphite crystals using chemical techniques.
Parametric performance and cost models for solar concentrators

Abstract The development of parametric performance and cost models for various solar concentrators is discussed. The equations are derived in the context of an optimization scheme which can be applied to many different problems which arise when heat is generated by means of solar concentrators. Thus, while the results presented were developed for finding a minimum cost solar electric energy power plant, the method employed has been found to have general applicability. Sensitivity analysis of the subsytems is also discussed. Finally, numerous illustrative examples are presented.
Mechanism of a viral DNA packaging motor studied by characterization of biochemical mutants via optical tweezers measurements

Optical tweezers measurements were employed to directly observe viral DNA packaging in wild type and packaging mutants of bacteriophage lambda. Several key findings are reported here: DNA packaging by purified wild type lambda motors was measured for the first time, showing nearly identical behavior in packaging DNA to crude extracts of terminase components. A slow packaging lambda mutant, T194M, was found to package DNA at ~10× slower velocity than wild type. Meanwhile another packaging mutant Y46F was found to package DNA slower than the wild type (60-70% the velocity of the wild type velocity) as well as slipping >10x more frequently (per length of DNA) than wild type. Another mutant (K84A) showed slower packaging (60-70% the velocity of wildtype), but displayed slipping and pausing behavior similar to wild type. Finally the pausing and slipping dependence on length of DNA packaged of the various terminases studied was discovered, suggesting further structural defects of the mutants that are detrimental to translocation. These studies confirm the location of an ATPase center in the N-terminal portion of gpA which is responsible for translocation of dsDNA.
Effect of D145E Mutation on Calcium Binding and Exchange with the C-Domain of Troponin C

Recent discoveries of a number of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy related mutations in the C-terminal domain of cardiac troponin C suggest that sites III and IV might play a more important role than just anchoring troponin C into the troponin complex. We investigated the effects of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy related mutation D145E in human cardiac troponin C on calcium binding and exchange with the C-terminal domain sites III and IV. The calcium titration data indicated that the D145E substitution in the +z position of the calcium binding site IV dramatically decreased calcium binding affinity of that site (∼1, 856-fold), and virtually eliminated magnesium binding to that site. Furthermore, the D145E substitution significantly decreased the calcium affinity of site III (∼1.4-fold), correlating with ∼1.6-fold faster rate of calcium dissociation from site III. Stopped-flow studies utilizing fluorescent calcium chelator Quin-2 demonstrated that the D145E mutation reduced the stoichiometry of moles of calcium per mole of the C-terminal domain by ∼2-fold, both in the absence and presence of cardiac troponin I peptide (residues 34-71). Thus, binding of troponin I peptide to the C-terminal domain of D145E troponin C was not able to restore normal calcium binding to site IV. These results indicate the conservative D145E substitution has detrimental effects on calcium and magnesium binding to site IV of troponin C.
New pentafluorothio (SF5) esters

Abstract The addition of either SF5Br or SF5Cl to a number of unsaturated esters is discussed. The new SF5 esters, SF5CH2CHBr(OAc), SF5CH2CHBrC(O)OC2H5, SF5CH(C(O)OC2H5)CHBr(OAc) and SF5CH2CHClCH2OAc, were prepared from vinyl acetate, ethyl acrylate, β-acetoxyethyl acrylate and allyl acetate, respectively (OAcCH3C(O)O). The ester SF5CH2C(O)OCH3 was prepared by peracid oxidation of the acetal SF5CH2CH(OCH3)2. Base treatment of SF5CH2CHClCH2OAc did not give an epoxide but, unexpectedly, produced the novel SF5CHCHCH2OH. This alcohol is the first example of an SF5-containing ene-ol.
Proton beam effects on phenolic-based composites reinforced with nanopowders

Abstract We have introduced various nanopowders in the precursor of glassy polymeric carbon (GPC) and studied the electrical properties as well as the chemical structure. In general the GPC ware produced at Alabama A&M University (AAMU) is used for making crucibles, heat exchangers and for prosthetic devices because of its biocompatibility and inertness. GPC ware at AAMU is synthesized from a phenolic resin solution from Georgia Pacific in a pyrolyzer system at temperatures between 100 °C and 2800 °C. The heat treatment includes several stages: gelling, curing, postcuring, precarbonization and carbonization. The fabrication of GPC is complicated because of the high production rate of gaseous products in critical temperature ranges where out-diffusion is relatively slow. Special care should be taken in temperature programming to avoid kilning faults and misshapen or porous GPC end results [H. Maleki, L.R. Holland, G.M. Jenkins, et al., Carbon 35 (1997) 227]. In this work we have introduced 1 wt% of SiC, carbon nanotubes (CNT) and Al2O3 to the precursor, pyrolyzed composites to 1000 °C and studied the effect of 1 MeV and 3 MeV proton bombardment on the final products.
Aminoacyl transer: Chemical conversion of an aminoacyl adenylate to an imidazolide

Abstract N-Acetylglycyl adenylate anhydride has been shown to be readily converted in high yield to N-acetylglycyl imidazolide in the presence of excess imidazole at pH 7. The aminoacyl group can then be transferred from the imidazolide to become esters of mono- or polynucleotides. These observations suggest that histidine may be in the active site of the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, catalyzing the transfer of aminoacyl groups from the adenylate to tRNA.
An examination of Mars’ north seasonal polar cap using MGS: Composition and infrared radiation balance

Abstract A detailed analysis of data from one revolution of the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) is presented. Approximately 80% of this revolution observes the mid-winter northern seasonal polar cap, which covers the surface to 2 ice, also dominates the infrared spectral properties by variations in its grain size and by admixtures of dust and water ice, which cause large variations in the 20–50 μm emissivity. This is modified by incomplete areal coverage, and clouds or hazes. This quantitative analysis reveals CO 2 grain radii ranging from ∼100 μm in isolated areas, to 1–5 mm in more widespread regions. The water ice content varies from none to about one part per thousand by mass, with a clear increase towards the periphery of the polar cap. The dust content is typically a few parts per thousand by mass, but is as much as an order of magnitude less abundant in “cold spot” regions, where the low emissivity of pure CO 2 ice is revealed. This is the first quantitative analysis of thermal spectra of the seasonal polar cap and the first to estimate water ice content. Our models show that the cold spots represent cleaner, dust-free ice rather than finer grained ice than the background. Our guess is that the dust in cold spots is hidden in the center of the CO 2 frost particles rather than not present. The fringes of the cap have more dust and water ice, and become patchy, with warmer water snow filling the gaps on the night side, and warmer bare soil on the day side. A low optical depth ( −2 in the central polar cap, with ∼25% dips in the regions of dust-free CO 2 . The atmospheric radiative terms are typically 1–3 W m −2 .
THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE PUEBLO REVOLT AND THE FORMATION OF THE MODERN PUEBLO WORLD

AbstractThe Pueblo Revolt and its aftermath (A.D. 1680–1696) was a crucial period in the history of the American Southwest. Previous studies of this era have focused primarily on the causes of the revolt, often casting it as an isolated and anomalous event. This article takes a different approach, investigating the effects of the revolt era on Pueblo cultures and communities in the years, decades, and centuries that followed the uprising of 1680. Recent archaeological research on ancestral Keres and Jemez villages in the northern Rio Grande reveals evidence for cultural revitalization and ethnogenesis in the wake of the revolt. The long-term implications of revolt-era diaspora and migration are also reviewed as well as the role of memory and oral traditions of this tumultuous period in the formation of modem Pueblo cultures and communities.
Effect of central and peripheral cholinergic antagonists on chlorpyrifos-induced changes in body temperature in the rat.

Exposure to the organophosphate (OP)-based pesticide chlorpyrifos (CHP) in the rat results in an initial period of hypothermia lasting < 24 h, followed by a fever lasting 48-72 h. The purpose of this study was to determine how cholinergic pathways participate in the mediation of the thermoregulatory effects of CHP. The corn oil (CO) vehicle or CHP (25 mg/kg; p.o.) was administered to female rats while core temperature (Tc) and motor activity (MA) were monitored by radiotelemetry. The peripheral muscarinic antagonist, methyl scopolamine (MS) and central antagonist, scopolamine (S) were administered during the period of CHP-induced hypothermia and fever. The hypothermia was attenuated by scopolamine but not by methyl scopolamine. The delayed fever was augmented by scopolamine but blocked by methyl scopolamine. The results indicate that CHP-induced hypothermia is mediated by cholinergic stimulation of heat loss pathways in CNS thermoregulatory centers. Peripheral cholinergic pathways appear to have a minimal role in mediating chlorpyrifos-induced hypothermia. On the other hand, the chlorpyrifos-induced fever appears to be mediated by a peripheral pathway that is blocked by methyl scopolamine. The data provides a possible explanation for the persistent fever in humans exposed to OP pesticides and treated with atropine. Methyl atropine or methyl scopolamine may be a more effective therapy in the treatment of the fever.
Adult acquired flat foot deformity: clinical and radiographic examination

Symptomatic adult acquired flat foot deformity is encountered in the orthopedic office on a frequent basis. Although many causes exist, a careful history and a stepwise approach to the physical examination will clue the examiner into making the correct diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment. Radiographs serve as an adjunct and assist in verifying the examination findings. CT, US, and MRI are helpful modalities for surgical planning or when the diagnosis remains questionable.
Properties and enzymatic activities of papain insolubilized with glutaraldehyde

Abstract Glutaraldehyde at a concentration of 2.3% and at 0 ° reacted in aqueous solutions with papain to form a water-insoluble product with enzymatic activity after activation by reducing agents. A rapid reaction of glutaraldehyde with the essential sulfhydryl of papain was not involved in the reaction since after activation the insoluble enzyme retained esterolytic and proteolytic activity. The amount of enzymatic activity retained by the insoluble material depended on the conditions of the reaction. The insolubilizatiou of papain with glutaraldehyde was pH dependent; the higher the pH the more rapid the reaction. Complete precipitation occurred in 24 hr over the range pH 5.2–7.2. The lower the pH of the reaction, the greater was the retention of esterase activities. Similar results were obtained when the reaction was carried out in the presence of added cysteine. However, the insoluble enzyme prepared in the absence of cysteine was fibrous while that prepared in its presence was crystalline. The reaction of mercuripapain with glutaraldehyde resulted in an insoluble enzyme that possessed, after treatment with cysteine, approximately twice as much esterase and proteinase activities as did the insoluble enzyme prepared from papain. Compared with soluble papain, preparations from glutaraldehyde mercuri-papain retained 48% of the ester, 12% of the casein, and 16% of the hemoglobin hydrolyzing ability. The reaction of the reduced soluble and insoluble enzymes with iodoacetamide-1-14C demonstrated that insoluble mercuripapain retained all of its essential sulfhydryl groups whereas those in insoluble papain had been reduced to two thirds. Amino acid analysis on hydrolyzed insoluble enzyme showed that only the lysine had been significantly altered by the glutaraldehyde reaction, having been reduced to approximately one-half that of soluble papain under all the conditions studied.
Invariances of approximately relativistic Hamiltonians and the center-of-mass theorem

In an earlier paper we considered a class of Lagrangians for directly interacting particles, arising from a slow-motion approximation in various special- and general-relativistic field theories. It was shown that if the Lagrangian is invariant under time and space translations this implies invariance under an additional three-parameter set of infinitesimal transformations, which leads directly to the center-of-mass theorem. This result is rederived here in a Hamiltonian formalism, in which these infinitesimal transformations are shown to be generators of a Lie symmetry group in phase space. Then we consider the problem of the most general form possible of a canonical post-Newtonian theory that is a realization of the Lie algebra of the Poincar\'e group to order ${c}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ and that arises from a theory of the usual Newtonian type with two-body interactions. It is found that in such a theory the world-line condition is satisfied to order ${c}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. This canonical theory encompasses all the approximately relativistic interactions, found recently by Woodcock and Havas, which follow from a Fokker-type special-relativistic variational principle for particles with direct two-body interactions. The relation of our work to various other approaches to approximately relativistic theories of interacting particles is discussed.
Piperine : researchers discover new flavor in an ancient spice

Studies with animals that are deficient in the vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor TRPV1 have confirmed the pivotal role that TRPV1 has in the development of post-inflammatory hyperalgesia, and enhanced TRPV1 expression has been described in various human disorders. Natural products have provided several lead structures for the development of vanilloid ligands. A recent study shows that piperine, the irritant principle in black pepper, is more efficient than capsaicin in the desensitization of human TRPV1, which suggests that this pharmacological aspect of vanilloids can be dissociated from its potency. This finding raises the intriguing possibility that piperine can be used as a chemical template for the design of improved TRPV1 agonists.
Full-wave perturbation theory based upon electric field integral equations for coupled microstrip transmission lines

A full-wave perturbation theory for the system of N coupled microstrip transmission lines is developed based on an integral equation description of the microstrip circuit structure. The perturbation theory is suitable for application to nearly degenerate multistrip coupling. The physical justification of the perturbation approximation is based upon the current distributions on the strips. The associated computational procedure is relatively simple. For the case of two coupled lines, it is found that the propagation eigenvalues split and shift symmetrically away from the average of their isolated limits as the microstrips become closely spaced. Numerical results obtained by the perturbation theory are compared with those obtained by a more accurate method-of-moments solution of coupled electric field integral equations. To verify the perturbation theory, an experimental implementation of two coupled microstrips is set up in a PC-board configuration, and the electric field distributions along the strips are measured. The theoretical and experimental results are in good agreement. >
Washer-decontaminator--an evaluation.

Experience with washer-sterilizers has shown that when an instrument is heavily soiled, the machine not only fails to clean the item thoroughly but also actually bakes the organic material onto the instrument, causing difficulty in removing the material. One answer to this problem is to hand clean the instrument before using the washer-sterilizer. This means that someone, who is usually at the bottom of the organizational chart, has to clean the items mechanically. Even though properly attired with gown, gloves, mask, goggles, and hair covering, this person is still at risk for contamination by puncturing himor herself with a sharp, contaminated instrument. Protective apparel is no protection from this sort of accident. Consequently, because of the need for prewashing, this machine is not the preferred method of cleaning.
Stabilization of hyperbolic and parabolic systems with nonlinearly perturbed boundary conditions

Abstract Sufficient conditions for the local exponential stabilizability of abstract systems described by an arbitrary Co-semigroup with nonlinear, unbounded perturbations are formulated. Applications to parabolic and in particular hyperbolic problems with nonlinearity appearing in the boundary conditions are given.
The effects of impact vibration on peripheral blood vessels and nerves.

Research regarding the risk of developing hand-arm vibration syndrome after exposure to impact vibration has produced conflicting results. This study used an established animal model of vibration-induced dysfunction to determine how exposure to impact vibration affects peripheral blood vessels and nerves. The tails of male rats were exposed to a single bout of impact vibration (15 min exposure, at a dominant frequency of 30 Hz and an unweighted acceleration of approximately 345 m/s2) generated by a riveting hammer. Responsiveness of the ventral tail artery to adrenoreceptor-mediated vasoconstriction and acetylcholine-mediated re-dilation was measured ex vivo. Ventral tail nerves and nerve endings in the skin were assessed using morphological and immunohistochemical techniques. Impact vibration did not alter vascular responsiveness to any factors or affect trunk nerves. However, 4 days following exposure there was an increase in protein-gene product (PGP) 9.5 staining around hair follicles. A single exposure to impact vibration, with the exposure characteristics described above, affects peripheral nerves but not blood vessels.
Embedded Corporate Social Responsibility: Can't We Do Better Than GE, Intel, and IBM? How About a Benefit Corporation?

We agree with Aguinis and Glavas's (2013) conceptualization of embedded versus peripheral corporate social responsibility (CSR). Our concern is whether GE, Intel, and IBM are the best examples of companies with embedded CSR. We propose a more systematic identification of companies with embedded company-wide CSR. A source of exemplars may be aided in drawing upon companies that meet the criteria of “B Corps” or organize as “Benefit Corporations.” Patagonia and New Belgium Brewing Company are provided as examples of “B Corp” companies that utilize core competencies to create company-wide embedded CSR.
DNA ploidy: early malignant lesions.

The nuclear DNA content of prostate cancer specimens, both needle biopsies and aspiration biopsy specimens as well as transurethral resection (TUR) chips and radical prostatectomy specimens, can now be reliably measured by standardized methods of flow and static image cytometry. For prostate carcinomas of every clinical stage (A1-D2), DNA diploid tumors have a better prognosis than tumors of a similar stage and grade which are non-diploid. Of particular importance to this symposium is the fact that DNA diploid stage D1 and D2 tumors treated early by androgen deprivation generally have a remarkably good prognosis. In contrast, those patients with DNA non-diploid tumors progress early despite androgen deprivation. Such a result suggests that DNA ploidy can be used to identify prostate cancers which are potentially sensitive to hormonal manipulation. Additional investigations from several groups indicate that early stage prostate malignant lesions, for example stages A1, A2, B1, and B2, are generally DNA diploid (about 75%). Swedish data suggest a steady progression of prostate cancer from early diploid to tetraploid, to non-tetraploid aneuploid, to multiple stemline aneuploid tumors with time and advancing stage. Taken together, these data suggest that the earliest detectable prostate carcinomas should be overwhelmingly DNA diploid. A large majority of these patients with early tumors should be candidates for “chemoprevention” by pharmacologic methods which reduce the effective androgen stimulation of prostate tumor cells. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Comparison of Real Estate Marketing Systems: Theory and Evidence

The objective of this paper is twofold. One is to provide a search-theoretical model of the marketing choice of the seller. The model explains the seemingly contradictory empirical results as to wh...
A routing scheme for content-based networking

This work proposes a routing scheme for content-based networking. A content-based network is a communication network that features a new advanced communication model where messages are not given explicit destination addresses, and where the destinations of a message are determined by matching the content of the message against selection predicates declared by nodes. Routing in a content-based network amounts to propagating predicates and the necessary topological information in order to maintain loop-free and possibly minimal forwarding paths for messages. The routing scheme we propose uses a combination of a traditional broadcast protocol and a content-based routing protocol. We present the combined scheme and its requirements over the broadcast protocol. We then detail the content-based routing protocol, highlighting a set of optimization heuristics. We also present the results of our evaluation, showing that this routing scheme is effective and scalable.
Genomic Sequence and Phylogenetic Analysis of Culex Flavivirus, an Insect-Specific Flavivirus, Isolated From Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) in Iowa

Adult mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected in 2007 and tested for specific viruses, including West Nile virus, as part of the ongoing arbovirus surveillance efforts in the state of Iowa. A subset of these mosquitoes (6,061 individuals in 340 pools) was further tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using flavivirus universal primers. Of the 211 pools of Culex pipiens (L.) tested, 50 were positive. One of 51 pools of Culex tarsalis Coquillet was also positive. The flavivirus minimum infection rates (expressed as the number of positive mosquito pools per 1,000 mosquitoes tested) for Cx. pipiens and Cx. tarsalis were 10.3 and 1.2, respectively. Flavivirus RNA was not detected in Aedes triseriatus (Say) (52 pools), Culex erraticus (Dyar & Knab) (25 pools), or Culex territans Walker (one pool). Sequence analysis of all RT-PCR products revealed that the mosquitoes had been infected with Culex flavivirus (CxFV), an insect-specific virus previously isolated in Japan, Indonesia, Texas, Mexico, Guatemala and Trinidad. The complete genome of one isolate was sequenced, as were the envelope protein genes of eight other isolates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CxFV isolates from the United States (Iowa and Texas) are more closely related to CxFV isolates from Asia than those from Mexico, Guatemala, and Trinidad.
Behavioral Assumptions of Policy Tools

This paper provides a framework to analyze the implicit or explicit behavioral theories found in laws, regulations, and programs. The analysis focuses on policy tools or instruments and the underly...
Closed-Form Expressions for BER Performance in OFDM Systems with Phase Noise

OFDM system suffers from significant performance degradation due to phase noise. Many phase noise analysis methods have been proposed in the literature showing its effect as a loss in the ratio of the signal power to the statistical average of the intercarrier interference (ICI). It would be more desirable, however, to predict phase noise effect on bit error rate (BER) directly. In this paper, by investigating the phase noise properties and the impacts caused by phase noise on an OFDM system, we derive approximate closed-form expressions for BER performance in AWGN channels with BPSK and QPSK modulations. In general, it is impossible to get such expression for multipath Rayleigh fading channels. Hence we establish upper and lower bounds for the degradation caused by phase noise, which give insightful view of the system performance. Simulation results show that the proposed simple analytical forms are quite accurate for different phase noise levels, which lead to the conclusion that a phase noise mitigation mechanism is needed to obtain acceptable performance in OFDM systems.
Diet and fluid prescription in stone disease

Dietary factors play an important role in kidney stone formation, and dietary modification can reduce the risk of stone recurrence. Because stone recurrence rates may be as high as 30–50% after 5 years, individualized dietary intervention to prevent stone recurrence should be offered to every patient willing to participate in a diagnostic work-up and to adhere to treatment recommendations. The necessity of prescribing medical therapy to select patients does not obviate the need for an effective dietary and/or fluid prescription. In this review, we summarize specific dietary and fluid recommendations, and emphasize several key concepts. First, risk factors for stone formation vary by age and sex. Second, recommendations should be tailored to the individual patient based on urinary profile and stone type. Third, it is essential that the patient perform follow-up measurements to evaluate the impact of dietary recommendations. Fourth, it is important to distinguish stone passage from new stone formation. If a patient implements dietary changes and then passes a pre-existing stone, this does not mean that the intervention was not effective. Finally, because of the relative paucity of randomized trials, observational studies provide the basis for many clinical recommendations. Adequate fluid intake and appropriate dietary modifications may substantially reduce the morbidity and costs associated with recurrent nephrolithiasis.
Political Instability and Foreign Direct Investment: The Motor Vehicle Industry, 1948–65

In recent years much research has analyzed the impact of international investments on the development of countries. Yet, the question why investments are made in some countries and not in others has received little attention. This research evaluates the impact of political instability on the international expansion of motor vehicle production between 1948 and 1965. For the dependent variable, countries that became producers in this time period are scored 1 and nonproducers are scored 0. A model is developed and tested with Ordinary Least Squares, Weighted Least Squares, and Probit estimation techniques. With all techniques, once market size and a nation's development level are controlled, political instability has only a weak negative effect on the chances of a country becoming a producer. The regression equations produce estimated probabilities of producer status for individual countries. About 95 percent of the 84 countries studied are correctly classified. The analysis of political instability's effect on international investments has been neglected in sociological research in comparative development. Modernization theory's emphasis on the intranational (rather than international) factors of development is a probable cause of this neglect. The recent shift among sociologists from modernization theory to dependency/ world system theory has led to considerable research that examines the effects of investments and trade composition on economic development (see, e.g., Chase-Dunn; Delacroix; Stumpp et al.). Yet, despite the emphasis of dependency theory on the international factors of development in general and the consequences of foreign investment in particular, little sociological research has empirically analyzed the determinants of foreign investments. That is, our knowledge of why some countries receive foreign *We would like to thank T. R. Atkinson and T. J. Laffey for their assistance. Any remaining
A molecular level prototype for mechanoelectrical transducer in mammalian hair cells

The mechanoelectrical transducer (MET) is a crucial component of mammalian auditory system. The gating mechanism of the MET channel remains a puzzling issue, though there are many speculations, due to the lack of essential molecular building blocks. To understand the working principle of mammalian MET, we propose a molecular level prototype which constitutes a charged blocker, a realistic ion channel and its surrounding membrane. To validate the proposed prototype, we make use of a well-established ion channel theory, the Poisson---Nernst---Planck equations, for three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations. A wide variety of model parameters, including bulk ion concentration, applied external voltage, blocker charge and blocker displacement, are explored to understand the basic function of the proposed MET prototype. We show that our prototype prediction of channel open probability in response to blocker relative displacement is in remarkable accordance with experimental observation of rat cochlea outer hair cells. Our results appear to suggest that tip links which connect hair bundles gate MET channels.
Survey of essential tremor patients on their knowledge about the genetics of the disease.

A group of essential tremor (ET) patients were surveyed on their knowledge of the genetics of ET in order to provide important information to clinicians who care for and educate patients about this disease. ET patients were ascertained from neurologists at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. A 5- to 10-minute survey was administered to assess knowledge of the genetics of ET. Fifty ET patients had been living with their disease for a mean of 24.2 years. Approximately half (n = 27) reported a family history of ET. When asked, "What causes ET," 12 (24%) replied that it was "hereditary." Even among the 27 who reported a family history, only 25.9% replied that it was "hereditary." A minority of patients (12 [24%]) thought that it was "very likely" that other members of their family would develop the disease some day. Three patients were aware that genetic linkage had been established. Our findings suggest that the majority of patients with ET are not well informed about the genetic basis for the disease. Because of recent advances in genetic research, physicians may need to incorporate more genetic information and education into their practice, including information on risk to other family members and genetic testing. It is hoped that these survey results could be used to improve patient education and to provide clinicians with further insight into patients' perspectives.
Antilisterial activity and consumer acceptance of irradiated chicken breast meat vacuum-infused with grape seed and green tea extracts and tartaric acid.

: Contamination of poultry with pathogenic bacteria contributes to human foodborne disease, causes damage to industry brand names, and has a significant economic impact on the food industry in the form of both damage to industry brand names and losses associated with recalls. Irradiation is a safe and effective means of decontaminating poultry products, but the maximum dose strengths allowed negatively impact poultry sensory quality characteristics. The 1st objective of this study was to investigate the potential interactive inhibitory effects of natural antimicrobials as components of a vacuum-marination in addition to various dose levels of irradiation. Tartaric acid (TA) at 2 levels and grape seed (GS) and green tea (GT) extracts were combined, vacuum-infused into chicken breast fillets, and irradiated at 1, 2, and 3 kGy by electron beam irradiation. The 2nd objective was to use a consumer test group to evaluate TA and plant extract infusion into chicken breast fillets with and without irradiation at 2 kGy on overall impression, flavor, texture, appearance, and tenderness. The results showed that samples vacuum-infused with TA at 37.5 and 75.0 mM and irradiated at 1 kGy significantly reduced Listeria monocytogenes (L.m.) levels by 2 and 3 log CFU/g compared to the control after 12 d of refrigerated storage. Vacuum-infusion of TA at 37.5 and 75.0 mM at 2 and 3 kGy irradiation, reduced L.m. to near nondetectable levels. The addition of TA and GS and GT to chicken breast fillets with and without irradiation did not significantly impact consumer preference, tenderness, appearance, or flavor. The addition of tartaric acid and natural plant extracts to chicken marinades could contribute to the prevention of L.m. contamination.
Orthogonality Measure on the Torus for Vector-Valued Jack Polynomials

For each irreducible module of the symmetric group on N objects there is a set of parametrized nonsymmetric Jack polynomials in N variables taking values in the module. These polynomials are simultaneous eigenfunctions of a commutative set of opera- tors, self-adjoint with respect to certain Hermitian forms. These polynomials were studied by the author and J.-G. Luque using a Yang{Baxter graph technique. This paper con- structs a matrix-valued measure on the N-torus for which the polynomials are mutually orthogonal. The construction uses Fourier analysis techniques. Recursion relations for the Fourier{Stieltjes coefficients of the measure are established, and used to identify parameter values for which the construction fails. It is shown that the absolutely continuous part of the measure satisfies a first-order system of differential equations.
AN EVALUATION OF INELASTIC SEISMIC DESIGN SPECTRA

After reviewing general methods available for determining seismic design forces for structures which can tolerate limited amounts of inelastic deformations, the reliability of two representative procedures is evaluated. In the methods evaluated, inelastic design response spectra are obtained by modifying a linear elastic design response spectrum in terms of a specified ductility factor as suggested by Newmark and Hall and the Applied Technology council. The effect of different accelerograms, as well as of different system damping and hysteretic characteristics, on the inelastic response of single degree-of-freedom systems designed using these methods is thoroughly investigated, considering maximum displacement ductilities, maximum and permanent drifts, number of yield events, and hysteretic energy dissipation. Application of these design methods to multistory buildings is also briefly considered. Results obtained for ideal inelastic systems indicate that these methods do not reliably limit displacement ductilities to specified values.
Pollen—Tiny and ephemeral but not forgotten: New ideas on their ecology and evolution

Ecologists and evolutionary biologists have been interested in the functional biology of pollen since the discovery in the 1800s that pollen grains encompass tiny plants (male gametophytes) that develop and produce sperm cells. After the discovery of double fertilization in flowering plants, botanists in the early 1900s were quick to explore the effects of temperature and maternal nutrients on pollen performance, while evolutionary biologists began studying the nature of haploid selection and pollen competition. A series of technical and theoretic developments have subsequently, but usually separately, expanded our knowledge of the nature of pollen performance and how it evolves. Today, there is a tremendous diversity of interests that touch on pollen performance, ranging from the ecological setting on the stigma, structural and physiological aspects of pollen germination and tube growth, the form of pollen competition and its role in sexual selection in plants, virus transmission, mating system evolution, and inbreeding depression. Given the explosion of technical knowledge of pollen cell biology, computer modeling, and new methods to deal with diversity in a phylogenetic context, we are now more than ever poised for a new era of research that includes complex functional traits that limit or enhance the evolution of these deceptively simple organisms.
The social context of the relationship between glycemic control and depressive symptoms in type 2 diabetes

ObjectiveIndividuals with type 2 diabetes and depressive symptoms have poorer diabetes outcomes than those with diabetes alone, and there is need for improved understanding of the relationship between illness markers and depressive symptoms. The role of social support is well established; less is known about social comparisons (i.e. comparisons to others in the social environment), which are common and influential in chronic illness. The present study examined the mediating effects of social comparison and social support on the relationship between glycemic control and depressive symptoms.Method and outcome measuresParticipants with physician-diagnosed type 2 diabetes (N = 185) completed an electronic survey about recent depressive symptoms, glycemic control (HbA1c), perceived social support, and social comparison.ResultsControlling for relevant covariates, social comparison and social support showed independent statistical mediation of the relationship between glycemic control and depressive symptoms (ps...
Hamiltonian Switch Metropolis Monte Carlo Simulations for Improved Conformational Sampling of Intrinsically Disordered Regions Tethered to Ordered Domains of Proteins

There is growing interest in the topic of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). Atomistic Metropolis Monte Carlo (MMC) simulations based on novel implicit solvation models have yielded useful insights regarding sequence-ensemble relationships for IDPs modeled as autonomous units. However, a majority of naturally occurring IDPs are tethered to ordered domains. Tethering introduces additional energy scales and this creates the challenge of broken ergodicity for standard MMC sampling or molecular dynamics that cannot be readily alleviated by using generalized tempering methods. We have designed, deployed, and tested our adaptation of the Nested Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling algorithm. We refer to our adaptation as Hamiltonian Switch Metropolis Monte Carlo (HS-MMC) sampling. In this method, transitions out of energetic traps are enabled by the introduction of an auxiliary Markov chain that draws conformations for the disordered region from a Boltzmann distribution that is governed by an alternative potential function that only includes short-range steric repulsions and conformational restraints on the ordered domain. We show using multiple, independent runs that the HS-MMC method yields conformational distributions that have similar and reproducible statistical properties, which is in direct contrast to standard MMC for equivalent amounts of sampling. The method is efficient and can be deployed for simulations of a range of biologically relevant disordered regions that are tethered to ordered domains.
Quantitative Assessment of CFRP-concrete Cylinders Using Synthetic Aperture Radar Images

A feature extraction algorithm is proposed to quantitatively assess the condition of intact and damaged carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)-wrapped concrete cylinders using synthetic aperture ra...
AIDS monitoring results and infected state analysis of Zhoushan from 1997 to 2008

Objective:To analyze the AIDS monitoring data of Zhoushan over the years,analyzes the AIDS fashion trend and the epidemic situation tendency of the city and complete the scientific basis.Methods:Using the Excel software to carry on the review statistical of HIV immune body monitoring result and the epidemiology material from 1997 to 2008.Results:We have monitored 539346 persons and reported 161 examples which is HIV+,the total masculine detection rate is 0.03%.Crowds of the clinical suspiciousness,spouse/partner of the HIV+ and persons who injection drugs occupied the first 3.The masculine gender rate respectively is 36.36%,22.93% and 1.37%.The most important ways to infect the virus are natural contact and difussing of the blood.The mother-child transmission of AIDS is noticeable.Conclusion:Although epidemic situation of AIDS in our city only at the low popular stage,the epidemic situation has been difussed fiom the high-risk group to the ordinary crowds.The Department should supervise persons who have high-risk.They also should strengthen the health education for all persons,to enhance the self-guard and consciousness for AIDS in the ordinary crowds.
Principles of Renal Replacement Therapy in Children

In acute renal failure, dialysis allows us to support pediatric patients until the underlying problem resolves and renal function resumes. For children with end-stage renal disease, dialysis allows us to care for patients until they can be transplanted. Indications for dialysis are discussed together with possible dialysis option. Peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and continuous hemodiafiltration are all explained, together with the technical considerations and possible complications of each modality.
Progress in PSP and CBD

While progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD) are neurodegenerative disorders with shared clinical and pathologic features, there are notable differences that warrant their continued separation as clinicopathologic entities. They are both hypokinetic extrapyramidal disorders, but unlike idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, neither PSP nor CBD are responsive to levodopa. Extrapyramidal signs are usually symmetrical in PSP and asymmetrical in CBD, but there are exceptions. Focal cortical signs, such as apraxia and aphasia, are common in CBD, but not in PSP. A frontal type dementia is more common in CBD than PSP. PSP has downward gaze palsy early in the disease, and this is a means of differentiating PSP and CBD. Pathologically, both PSP and CBD are associated with neuronal and glial filamentous inclusions composed of tau protein, but the morphology of neuronal and glial lesions and their distribution differ in PSP and CBD. Pathology of the cortical gray and white matter are prominent in CBD, but usually mild in PSP, while deep gray matter lesions are more marked in PSP than CBD. PSP and CBD are both associated with accumulation of insoluble tau protein in the brain, with more in supratentorial areas in CBD than PSP. They are usually nonfamilial or sporadic “tauopathies,” but genetic studies suggest that polymorphisms in the tau gene are similar in PSP and CBD. The present review describes some recent progress in the neuropathology, genetics and biochemistry of PSP and CBD.