cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Sensitive Heart: A Syndrome of Abnormal Cardiac Pain Perception

SELECTED CASE A 50-year-old woman was referred to the National Institutes of Health because of a 12-year history of anginalike chest pain despite normal coronary angiograms. She described her symptom as a substernal pressure sensation radiating to the left shoulder and arm, provoked by effort and relieved by rest. Two years prior to admission, she underwent cardiovascular evaluation that included treadmill exercise testing associated with ischemic-appearing electrocardiogram (ECG) changes. Beta-blocker therapy (120 mg of nadolol daily) diminished symptoms somewhat, but because of continued effort-provoked chest pain, she underwent cardiac catheterization, which demonstrated normal-appearing coronary arteries and left ventricle. Nadolol was discontinued, and she was started on 90 mg of diltiazem hydrochloride twice daily, which did not relieve her symptoms. She did find sublingual nitroglycerin to be of help in relieving pain. Her past medical history is significant for a cholecystectomy 3 years prior to admission and cigarette smoking discontinued 10
Matching Media to Audience Equals Marketing Success

Abstract Academic libraries tend to differentiate the medium of their marketing messages but not the messages themselves. Of paramount importance is the identification and description of the library's target audiences and the selection of media most likely to generate a positive response to the library and increase use of its resources. This article identifies target audiences desirable for undergraduate academic libraries and describes how to develop mutually beneficial relationships with these audiences. The positive impact that results from audience and media segmentation in the areas of library funding, awareness, use, and attitude are noted. Examples are given from successful public relations initiatives at Milner Library at Illinois State University.
Differences in the Quality of the Patient–Physician Relationship Among Terminally Ill African-American and White Patients: Impact on Advance Care Planning and Treatment Preferences

BACKGROUND Little is known about the quality of the patient–physician relationship for terminally ill African Americans.
On the occurrence of null clauses in random instances of satisfiability

Abstract We analyze a popular probabilistic model for generating instances of Satisfiability. According to this model, each literal of a set L = {υ 1 , υ 1 , υ 2 , υ 2 , …, υ r , υ r } of literals appears independently in each of n clauses with probability p. This model allows null clauses and the frequency of occurrence of such clauses depends on the relationship between the parameters n, r, and p. If an instance contains a null clause it is trivially unsatisfiable. Several papers present polynomial average time results under this model when null clauses are numerous but, until now, not all such cases have been covered by average case efficient algorithms. In fact, a recent paper by Bugrara, Pan and Purdon shows that the average complexity of the pure literal rule is superpolynomial even when most random instances contain a null clause. We show here that a simple strategy based on locating null clauses in a given random input has polynomial average complexity if either n ≤ r5, and pr ln (n) 2 ; or n = r e ,e ≠ 1, and pr ln (n) 2 ; or n = βr, β a positive constant, and 2.64(1 − e−2βpr(1 + 2βpr))
Size-dependent high-order harmonic generation in rare-gas clusters.

High-order harmonic generation (HHG) is investigated in rare-gas clusters as a function of the cluster size using 0.8 and $1.3\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ femtosecond lasers. A characteristic, species-dependent knee structure in the single particle response is observed. A 1D recollision model qualitatively reproduces this behavior and associates it to the degree of delocalization of the initial wave function. Small clusters are observed to have a higher efficiency than monomers but rapidly lose this advantage as the size increases. The implications of these findings on the HHG mechanism in clusters are discussed.
Extended Gari-Krümpelmann model fits to nucleon electromagnetic form factors

Nucleon electromagnetic form factor data (including recent data) is fitted with models that respect the confinement and asymptotic freedom properties of QCD. Gari-Kr\"umpelmann (GK) type models, which include the major vector meson pole contributions and at high momentum transfer conform to the predictions of perturbative QCD, are combined with H\"ohler-Pietarinen (HP) models, which also include the width of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson and the addition of higher mass vector meson exchanges, but do not evolve into the explicit form of PQCD at high momentum transfer. Different parametrizations of the GK model's hadronic form factors, the effect of including the width of the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ meson, and the addition of the next (in mass) isospin 1 vector meson are considered. The quality of fit and the consistency of the parameters select three of the combined HP/GK type models. Projections are made to the higher momentum transfers which are relevant to electron-deuteron experiments. The projections vary little for the preferred models, removing much of the ambiguity in electron-nucleus scattering predictions.
Both antisense and sense expression of biotin carboxyl carrier protein isoform 2 inactivates the plastid acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase in Arabidopsis thaliana

Summary To further characterize the role of biotin carboxyl carrier protein isoform 2 (BCCP2) in acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) function and fatty acid biosynthesis, plants with reduced or increased expression of this protein were characterized. Analysis of 38 independent Arabidopsis lines expressing antisense BCCP2 transcript behind a constitutive promoter showed no significant phenotype, though antisense transcript was highly expressed. In developing seed, BCCP2 protein was reduced by an average of 38% resulting in a 9% average decrease in fatty acid content in mature seed. Over-expression of BCCP2 behind a seed-specific napin promoter increased the amount of holo-BCCP2 in developing seed by an average of twofold, as determined with anti-biotin antibodies. Surprisingly, the average fatty acid content of T2 seed from over-expression lines was 23% lower than wild-type seed. These plants also exhibited reduced seed setting in 18 of 20 T1 lines which was coincident with increased individual seed mass. Quantification of total BCCP2 in developing siliques using anti-BCCP2 antibodies indicated that as much as 60% of total plastidial BCCP2 was in the non-biotinylated form (apo-BCCP2). Although apo-BCCP2 was highly over-expressed in developing seed, accumulation of other ACCase subunits was unaffected. The specific activity of ACCase was up to 65% lower in developing seed of over-expression lines versus wild type. This was attributed to the assembly of biologically inactive (non-biotinylated) ACCase complexes. Consistent with ACCase exerting control over de novo fatty acid synthesis, reduced activity in developing seed resulted in lower oil content, altered fatty acid composition and reduced seed setting.
No Easy Fixes

Ms. D. has received 10 drug-eluting stents, primarily for atypical chest discomfort, with one stenting begetting another. In our system, it's somehow easier to provide 10 state-of-the-art stents than access to a generic pill and social, financial, and psychiatric support.
Modeling limits of multilevel interconnect technology

Due to the continuing scaling down of minimum feature sizes, interconnect is becoming the limiting factor for on-chip performance. Alternative interconnect designs and new materials are needed to meet future performance expectations as predicted by the SIA Roadmap. We are developing models that can help designers in making initial evaluations about the possible performance impact of advanced interconnect designs and enhanced materials. In this paper, we apply these models to discuss the limitations of interconnect technology. In particular, we focus on the effects of interconnect materials on chip performance issues.
Gold nanoparticles as contrast agents in x-ray imaging and computed tomography

Computed tomography enables 3D anatomic imaging at a high spatial resolution, but requires delivery of an x-ray contrast agent to distinguish tissues with similar or low x-ray attenuation. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gained recent attention as an x-ray contrast agent due to exhibiting a high x-ray attenuation, nontoxicity and facile synthesis and surface functionalization for colloidal stability and targeted delivery. Potential diagnostic applications include blood pool imaging, passive targeting and active targeting, where actively targeted AuNPs could enable molecular imaging by computed tomography. This article summarizes the current state of knowledge for AuNP x-ray contrast agents within a paradigm of key structure-property-function relationships in order to provide guidance for the design of AuNP contrast agents to meet the necessary functional requirements in a particular application. Functional requirements include delivery to the site of interest (e.g., blood, tumors or microcalcifications), nontoxicity during delivery and clearance, targeting or localization at the site of interest and contrast enhancement for the site of interest compared with surrounding tissues. Design is achieved by strategically controlling structural characteristics (composition, mass concentration, size, shape and surface functionalization) for optimized properties and functional performance. Examples from the literature are used to highlight current design trade-offs that exist between the different functional requirements.
MONTAGNE: An FPL for Synchronous and Asynchronous Circuits

Field-programmable gate arrays are frequently used to implement system interfaces and glue logic. However, there has been little attention given to the special problems of these types of circuits in FPGA architectures. In this paper we describe Montage, a Triptych-based FPGA designed for implementing asynchronous logic and interfacing separately-clocked synchronous circuits. Asynchronous circuits have different requirements than synchronous circuits, which make standard FPGAs unusable for asynchronous applications. At the same time, many asynchronous design methodologies allow components with greatly different performance to be substituted for one another, making a design environment which migrates between FPGA, MPGA, and semi-custom implementations very attractive. Similar problems also exist for interfacing separately-clocked synchronous circuits. We discuss these problems, and demonstrate how the Montage FPGA satisfies the demands of these classes of circuits.
The Effects of Solutes on the Fracture Behavior of Metals

A transition from ductile behavior at high temperatures to brittle fracture at low temperatures is characteristic of most metals of bcc or hcp structure. Alloying elements may either raise or lower the transition temperature by changing one or more of the following: grain size, deformation modes, distribution of impurity atoms, amount and distribution of second-phase particles, and strength of the crystal. Metals of fcc structure, while ordinarily not exhibiting a ductile-to-brittle transition, undergo brittle failure in the presence of corrosive environments and certain liquid metals. Alloying additions tend to increase the susceptibility to embrittlement in these cases, although the detailed mechanisms are not yet well established. These effects are discussed in terms of the Cottrell-Petch theory of fracture.
BodyT2: Throughput and time delay performance assurance for heterogeneous BSNs

Body sensor networks (BSNs) have been developed for a set of performance-critical applications, including smart healthcare, assisted living, emergency response, athletic performance evaluation, and interactive controls. Many of these applications require stringent performance assurance in terms of communication throughput and bounded time delay. While solutions exist in literature for providing joint throughput and time delay assurance by proposing specific MAC protocols or extensions, we provide this joint assurance in a novel radio-agnostic manner. In our approach, the underlying MAC and PHY layers can be heterogeneous and their details do not need to be known to upper layers like the resource management. Such a radio-agnostic performance assurance is critical because a range of radio platforms are adopted for practical body sensor usage. Our approach is based on a group-polling scheme that is essential for radio-agnostic BSN design. Through theoretical analysis, we prove that with the group-polling scheme, achieving joint throughput and time delay assurance is an NP-hard problem. For practical system deployment, we propose the BodyT2 framework that assures throughput and time delay performance in a heterogeneous BSN. Through both TelosB mote lab tests and real body experiments in an Android phone-centric BSN, we demonstrate that BodyT2 achieves superior performance over existing solutions.
Monodominance in the ectomycorrhizal Dicymbe corymbosa (Caesalpiniaceae) from Guyana

Dominance of primary rain forests by the ectomycorrhizal, leguminous canopy tree Dicymbe corymbosa (Caesalpiniaceae) was investigated in the Pakaraima Mountains of western Guyana. In five 1-ha forest inventory plots in the Upper Ireng and Upper Potaro River drainages basal areas of D. corymbosa ranged from 38.4-52.8 m 2 ha −1 (63- 85% of total) among all trees 10 cm diameter at breast height (dbh), values in the upper range for tropical moist forests worldwide. The high basal areas for D. corymbosa were due to the prevalence of large (>150 cm dbh), multi- stemmed individuals. Stem densities in Dicymbe plots ranged from 276-433 ha −1 , with D. corymbosa contributing 24.6- 59.8%. In three 1-ha mixed forest plots adjacent to the Dicymbe plots, D. corymbosa was absent. In the mixed forests, stem densities were higher (480-585 ha −1 ), basal areas were lower (36.7-39.8 m 2 ha −1 ), species diversity was higher, and canopy tree species were more equitably distributed than in the Dicymbe plots. Tree community composition was not qualitatively different between Dicymbe and mixed forests. In the Dicymbe plots, mean sapling and seedling densities of D. corymbosa were significantly higher than most other canopy species, indicating persistent monodominance. Edaphic variation did not account for variation in forest composition. Life history traits are discussed which may contribute to clumping in D. corymbosa, including coppicing and mast-fruiting, and the potential role of litter-trapping physiognomy and ectomycorrhiza-mediated nutrient dynamics in promoting monodominance is noted.
Hydrophilic to amphiphilic design in redox protein maquettes.

De novo protein design has created small, robust protein–cofactor complexes that serve as simplified working models, or maquettes, for the much more complicated natural oxidoreductases. We review the research avenues that spring from the better characterized water-soluble hydrophilic maquettes and guide the construction of amphiphilic maquettes patterned on membrane-bound oxidoreductases that couple electron transfer to transmembrane proton-motive force. We address the special working challenges and opportunities that arise with amphiphilic maquettes designed to assemble in membranes, along with the redox and pigment cofactors required to promote light activated electron transfer, redox-coupled electric field generation, proton exchange and transmembrane charge motion.
Uncertainties in plate reconstructions relative to the hotspots; Pacific‐hotspot rotations and uncertainties for the past 68 million years

SUMMARY A method previously used for estimating the uncertainty in rotation of a plate relative to the hotspots is shown to be insufficient because of the neglect of the uncertainty in one of the three degrees of freedom of a rotation. Two new methods for estimating best-fitting rotations and associated uncertainties for the rotation of a plate relative to the hotspots are presented. Both methods require a priori estimates of the uncertainties in the locations of individual hotspots and their ancient tracks for a particular age. The use of a priori uncertainties permits the hypothesis of hotspot fixity to be tested. The first method, the two-hotspot method, leads to simple geometrical interpretations of best-fitting rotations and of the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the appropriate covariance matrix. This simplicity comes at the cost of using only two hotspots and their associated tracks with assumed equal circular uncertainties. The second method, the N-hotspot method, allows use of an arbitrary number of hotspots (≥2), with unequal elliptical uncertainties. This generality and power comes at the cost of losing the simple geometrical interpretation of the first method. Elliptical uncertainties are generally more appropriate because hotspot tracks are less well known along-strike than across-strike because of gaps and uncertainties in ages along the tracks. When both methods are applied to the estimate of the Pacific-hotspot rotation since the age of the Hawaiian‐Emperor elbow, using the tracks of both the Hawaiian and Louisville hotspots, they produce similar rotations and similar uncertainties. The N-hotspot method is further applied to estimate Pacific-hotspot motion at six additional ages from 10.9 Ma to 67.7 Ma, corresponding to the ages of key magnetic anomalies used in global plate reconstructions. The goodness of the resultant fit shows that the assigned uncertainties and assumption of hotspot fixity are mutually consistent. The pre-elbow (i.e. pre-47.9 Ma or Emperor) pole of rotation is shown to differ significantly from the post-elbow (i.e. post-47.9 Ma or Hawaiian) pole of rotation. Moreover, rotation over the past 47.9 Ma is shown to have occurred in at least three statistically distinct stages, from 47.9 to 20.1 Ma, from 20.1 Ma to ≈6 Ma, and from ≈6 Ma to the present. The change in pole position at 20.1 Ma is accompanied by a highly significant 50 per cent increase in the rate of rotation of the Pacific plate relative to the hotspots. These encouraging results suggest that the new methods can be used to improve and to quantify plate motions relative to the hotspots for a wide variety of applications.
A different concept of prothrombin time control for anticoagulative therapy.

Abstract Three different thromboplastins were used in the Quick one-stage prothrombin time on plasmas of patients to whom oral anticoagulants had been administered. Thromboplastin #1 gave very uniform results. Thromboplastin #2 gave shorter prothrombin times, and thromboplastin #3 gave more prolonged values and separated out a few plasmas which appeared to be different from the others.
The Small, Secreted Immunoglobulin Protein ZIG-3 Maintains Axon Position in Caenorhabditis elegans

Vertebrate and invertebrate genomes contain scores of small secreted or transmembrane proteins with two immunoglobulin (Ig) domains. Many of them are expressed in the nervous system, yet their function is not well understood. We analyze here knockout alleles of all eight members of a family of small secreted or transmembrane Ig domain proteins, encoded by the Caenorhabditis elegans zig (“zwei Ig Domanen”) genes. Most of these family members display the unusual feature of being coexpressed in a single neuron, PVT, whose axon is located along the ventral midline of C. elegans. One of these genes, zig-4, has previously been found to be required for maintaining axon position postembryonically in the ventral nerve cord of C. elegans. We show here that loss of zig-3 function results in similar postdevelopmental axon maintenance defects. The maintenance function of both zig-3 and zig-4 serves to counteract mechanical forces that push axons around, as well as various intrinsic attractive forces between axons that cause axon displacement if zig genes like zig-3 or zig-4 are deleted. Even though zig-3 is expressed only in a limited number of neurons, including PVT, transgenic rescue experiments show that zig-3 can function irrespective of which cell or tissue type it is expressed in. Double mutant analysis shows that zig-3 and zig-4 act together to affect axon maintenance, yet they are not functionally interchangeable. Both genes also act together with other, previously described axon maintenance factors, such as the Ig domain proteins DIG-1 and SAX-7, the C. elegans ortholog of the human L1 protein. Our studies shed further light on the use of dedicated factors to maintain nervous system architecture and corroborate the complexity of the mechanisms involved.
PerR-Mediated Oxidative Stress Response in Staphylococcus aureus

: Staphylococcus aureus is a human bacterial pathogen, known to cause a variety of illnesses and infections in the hospital and community settings. It produces a large number of virulence factors used for host invasion, tissue colonization and destruction, leading to severe infections in both healthy and immunodeficient people around the world. In this paper, we studied the potential mechanisms related to methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) infection, analyzed the significance of oxidative stress for survival of S. aureus, and re-identified the molecular structure, regulatory boxes, and regulons of PerR (peroxide responsive repressor) gene, a key modulator responsible for MRSA. Then, we further investigated how PerR functions in response to oxidative stress and how the PerR regulon affects S. aureus virulence. As a conclusion, we postulate that the regulation of PerR and its regulon indirectly influences the expression of virulence factors by prolonging the pathogen’s survival under harsh conditions that may lead to the increased risk of S. aureus transmission, infection, and spread of the disease. Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:Infections caused by methicillin resistant Staphylocococcus aureus (MRSA) in medical settings are common. In the 1990's, there has been an increase in skin and soft tissue infections due to MRSA strains originating from outside of the medical environment. These infections have been shown to occur mostly in healthy, young individuals. Due to the rise of MRSA, it is necessary to identify new therapeutic solutions to eradicate the pathogen and investigating unique metabolic pathways in the pathogen shows promise in potentially identifying new drug targets. Please cite this paper as:Ikawa Wakabayashi JY, Cheng DW. PerR-Mediated Oxidative Stress Response in Staphylococcus aureus. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2012;5(3):443-9. DOI: 10.5812/jjm.2460 Copyright © 2012 Kowsar Corp. All rights reserved.
Dimensional stability of sparse network microstructures formed by photopolymerization‐induced phase separation

The morphology of sparse filament networks formed during photopolymerization-induced phase separation of mixtures of NOA81 (a UV-curable thiol-ene adhesive) in mixed cosolvents consisting of water, diglyme, and polyethers of varying molecular weight was investigated as a function of the molecular weight and relative amount of the polyethers used. During photopolymerization (50 mW/cm -2 of 365 nm radiation for 60 s) of solutions containing 5 wt % NOA81 and a total oligo-ether or polyether to water ratio of 8:1 by weight, viscoelastic phase separation produced a sparse network of interconnected NOA81 filaments. During the subsequent evaporation and/or solidification of the solvents, the network compacted significantly via a collapse process that was curtailed by increasing both the weight fraction and molecular weight of the nonvolatile polyether. The influence of mass and momentum transport processes on the collapse of the phase-separated network and the resultant final morphology was determined with the aid of dimensional analysis, leading to the identification of sedimentation and compaction driven by the motion of the interface as key factors. The networks exhibiting the least collapse combine a high level of interconnectivity and specific surface area with a low occupied volume fraction while being fabricated via a simple, template-free process.
Fundamental Limits in MIMO Broadcast Channels

This paper studies the fundamental limits of MIMO broadcast channels from a high level, determining the sum-rate capacity of the system as a function of system parameters, such as the number of transmit antennas, the number of users, the number of receive antennas, and the total transmit power. The crucial role of channel state information at the transmitter is emphasized, as well as the emergence of opportunistic transmission schemes. The effects of channel estimation errors, training, and spatial correlation are studied, as well as issues related to fairness, delay and differentiated rate scheduling.
Opportunistic multipath for bandwidth-efficient cooperative networking

Within a new paradigm, where wireless user cooperation is viewed as a form of (opportunistic) multipath, we exploit the unique capabilities of direct-sequence spread spectrum transmissions in handling multipath to design a novel spectrally efficient protocol for wireless cooperative networks. We show how and why our proposed system achieves diversity without increasing bandwidth. After analyzing its performance, we deduce that user capacity can be significantly improved with respect to existing third generation cellular systems in the uplink. This is particularly interesting since our scheme can be readily integrated in such networks without major changes in the existing standards.
Pharmacogenomics of antiplatelet drugs

Clopidogrel, a platelet P2Y12 inhibitor, is one of the most widely prescribed drugs in cardiovascular medicine because it reduces ischemic and thrombotic complications. It is a prodrug requiring biotransformation into the active metabolite by the hepatic cytochrome 450 system, especially the CYP2C19 enzyme. Candidate gene studies and genome-wide association studies have identified loss-of-function CYP2C19 variants to be associated with a diminished pharmacologic response. Specifically, compared with noncarriers, carriers of at least one copy of a loss-of-function CYP2C19 allele have 30% lower levels of active clopidogrel metabolite and 25% relatively less platelet inhibition with clopidogrel. Moreover, in patients treated with clopidogrel predominantly for percutaneous coronary intervention, carriers of 1 or 2 CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles are at increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular outcomes, with an 1.5-fold increase in the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke as well as an 3-fold increase in risk for stent thrombosis. Tripling the dose of clopidogrel in carriers of a CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele can achieve on-treatment platelet reactivity comparable to that seen with the standard 75 mg dose in wild-type individuals, but the impact on clinical outcomes remains unknown. Alternatively, 2 third-generation P2Y12 inhibitors are available: prasugrel and ticagrelor. These drugs are superior to clopidogrel in reducing ischemic outcomes and are unaffected by CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles.
The impact of adjuvant therapy for breast cancer on cognitive function: current evidence and directions for research

Available evidence supports the hypothesis that adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer can produce cognitive deficits, and that these deficits may have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Studies have generally compared the results of a variety of cognitive measures performed following treatment to standardized population-based norms or to cancer patients who received local therapy, rather than to the individual's baseline level of functioning. Several longitudinal studies are in progress or in the planning stages to better quantify and understand the incidence and impact of cognitive effects of adjuvant chemotherapy, and to identify possible susceptibility factors in subgroups. Although the neurocognitive changes appear to be subtle, there may be enough data to consider discussing the possibility of cognitive dysfunction as an adverse effect when assessing the risks and benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy. Likewise, as the aromatase inhibitors are increasingly given to larger numbers of women in the adjuvant setting, it will be important to understand the cognitive impact of estrogen deprivation. Finally, there is interest in examining supportive pharmacologic or behavioral measures that might prevent or decrease cognitive effects in this setting. Herein, the data on cognitive changes associated with chemotherapy for breast cancer, current and future research directions, as well as possible treatments are reviewed.
Accurate design of microstrip directional couplers with capacitive compensation

An accurate design is presented for microstrip directional couplers with high directivity using capacitive compensation. The method utilizes symmetry analysis and equivalency principals to develop closed-form solutions of the compensating capacitance and a new odd mode characteristics impedance necessary to realize an ideal microstrip directional coupler. The design approach is valid for any degree of coupling, thereby overcoming limitations of previous approaches to this design concept. >
Improving Equity and Access for Low-Income and Minority Youth Into Institutions of Higher Education:

This article discusses the educational achievement status of racial and ethnic minorities, specifically African Americans and Latinos as compared to their Caucasian peers. In addition, this article...
Optimal Temperature for Radiofrequency Ablation of Lumbar Medial Branches for Treatment of Facet-Mediated Back Pain.

Background Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the medial branch nerves that innervate the facet joints is a well-established treatment modality; however, studies to determine the optimal radiofrequency ablation temperature are lacking. A wide range (70 to 90°C) has been used. This study aimed to compare outcomes with two set temperatures for the lumbar facet medial branch ablation, 90 and 80°C. Methods This retrospective study compared the degree of patient self-reported functional improvement relief, postoperative opioid dose changes, as well as duration among lumbar facet medial branch (RFA) patients who had the procedures performed at 80 or 90°C. Results Patients who underwent the procedure at 90°C had 3.1 (95% CI 1.7, 6.5) times the odds (P = 0.0004) of reporting functional improvement of at least 50% when compared to those who underwent neurotomy at 80°C. For self-reported functional improvement greater or equal to 75%, the results were sustained with an odds ratio of 2.8 (95% CI 1.2, 5.7) favoring those with 90°C temperature neurotomy (P = 0.002). Conclusion There seems to be significant functional improvement associated with temp of 90°C compared to 80°C, with no added risk of complications. Randomized controlled studies are warranted.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the normal and abnormal pulmonary hila.

Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the hila were reviewed in 25 normal subjects and 12 patients with unilateral or bilateral hilar masses. On spin echo MR images in normal patients, collections of soft tissue large enough to be confused with an abnormally enlarged lymph node were seen in three locations. In patients with a hilar mass, the mass was differentiated from hilar vasculature more easily using MR than contrast-enhanced CT. In five of these patients, hilar lymph nodes approximately 1 cm in diameter were easily seen using MR, but were difficult or impossible to appreciate prospectively on CT. However, because the spatial resolution of MR is inferior to that of CT, bronchi were difficult to evaluate using MR. In general, images obtained with a short TR (0.5 sec) provided the best definition of mediastinal extension of the hilar mass, and images with a longer TR (1.5 to 2.0 sec) provided a better signal-to-noise ratio and showed increased signal strength from hilar masses. Electrocardiographic-gated i...
Immunosuppression for pediatric renal transplantation

The major advance allowing prolonged graft survival has been the use of immunosuppressive drugs that downregulate the immune response. The immunosuppression that is used varies among centers and evolves with the development of new medications. A variety of factors influence the choice of immunosuppressive therapies. With the dramatic improvements in short-term graft survival, the focus is now on improving long-term graft survival. The goal remains to find the best combination that will optimize graft survival while limiting the side effects. To achieve this goal, many centers now consider patient-specific factors when choosing which medication regimen the transplant recipient will receive.
Negacyclic codes over Z/sub 4/ of even length

This paper generalizes the results from Wolfmann (see ibid., vol.45, p.2527-2532, Nov. 1999 and vol.47, p.1773-1779, July 2001), classifying all negacyclic codes over Z/sub 4/ of even length using a transform approach. It is then shown which linear binary cyclic codes are images of negacyclic codes under the Gray map. In the process, the concatenated structure of both negacyclic codes and binary repeated-root cyclic codes is given.
Constraint Effects on Fracture Initiation Loads in HSST Wide-Plate Tests

III List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v List of Tables vi Acknowledgements vii
Detecting Missing Hyphens in Learner Text

We present a method for automatically detecting missing hyphens in English text. Our method goes beyond a purely dictionary-based approach and also takes context into account. We evaluate our model on artificially generated data as well as naturally occurring learner text. Our best-performing model achieves high precision and reasonable recall, making it suitable for inclusion in a system that gives feedback to language learners.
An Optimised Laser System for the Evaluation of HpD Therapy

The interest in Photo Radiation Therapy (PRT) has increased dramatically in the last two years. As the requirements for the evaluation of the technique have been established we have responded by designing dedicated laser equipment.
Supermarket Use and Exclusive Clauses, Part Four: Evolution and Maturity of the American Supermarket During World War II

Japan’s startling attack on American installations in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7 was not a complete surprise. American officials expected an attack but didn’t know exactly where or when it would happen or the extent of the destruction it would cause. When it finally occurred, the Federal government was forced to concentrate on mobilizing the nation’s resources for total war. They had no choice. We didn’t have a big army, and we needed one fast. We didn’t have the military equipment needed by a big army, and our arms industry was much too small for the government to expect it to make the warplanes, ships, tanks, guns, ammunition and thousands of other items a modern army can’t do without.Consequently, the supermarket industry was so low on the Federal government’s priority list that it was barely noticed at all, and government officials were largely unconcerned about how the industry would adapt to war conditions. Still, the industry’s ability to adapt to wartime conditions as well as it did to the Great Depression was very important to the war effort and the consumers they served.The industry had come a long way since its origin only eleven years earlier when a virtually unknown former Kroger assistant store manger named Michael Cullen launched America’s first supermarket on August 4, 1930. 8,175 supermarkets were doing business in the U.S.A. in 1941 – up from 6,175 in 1940, 3,700 in 1938, 1,200 in 1936, and 300 in 1932. It was an impressive growth record, but would it continue in the face of a war?Most of the nation’s food supply was allocated to the military and foreign aid. Armed services personnel in training eat much more than civilians do. Moreover, a considerable portion of America’s food supply was sent abroad to help feed Great Britain and other allies. As a result, supermarkets and other food retailers couldn’t get all the food they needed for normal operations. Tiny neighborhood grocery stores could get by more easily because they didn’t need much to fill their shelves. However, huge (by comparison) supermarkets had to cope with the prospect of paying rent for retail space with no merchandise to sell.The industry adapted to the food shortages by returning to Michael Cullen’s original principles and filled the shelves that would have been empty otherwise with nonfood items. The massive increase in nonfood items stuck and was fused onto the supermarket business model in the post-World War II expansion.
A mod- n Ackerman function, or what's so special about 1969?

(1993). A mod-n Ackermann Function, or What's So Special About 1969? The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 100, No. 2, pp. 180-183.
INTEREST AND PERSONALITY MEASUREMENT: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-DIRECTED SEARCH AND EYSENCK PERSONALITY INVENTORY SCORES

Relationships between vocational interests and personality characteristics have long been a matter of concern in vocational psychology. Holland's (1966) theory of vocational choice and his development of the Vocational Preference Inventory (1965) and the Self-directed Search (1970) emphasize the central relationship between these variables. Haase (1971) in a canonical analysis of the inventory and the Strong Vocational Interest Blank extracted six canonical roots. The first root was given the conceptual label 0s. ~ntroversion-extraversion." It correlated positively with the social, enterprising and artistic scales of the inventory and the social service and sales oriented occupations of the Strong. It correlated negatively with the realistic and intellectual scales of the inventory and the Strong scientific occupations. As part of a college sophomore vocational counseling and testing program, data on the Search scales and the Eysenck Personality Inventory (Eysend & Eysenck, 1968), measuring extraversion-introversion (E) and neuroticism (N), were obtained. Summary (reflecting the three highest scores in order of preference) codes from the Search scales were compared with scale scores on the Eysenck for 113 males aged 18 to 20 yr. Individuals were categorized into high, middle and low on both the neuroticism and the extraversion scales. Categorization was on the basis of norms for American college students (Eysenck & Eysenck, 1968), with splits being made at the 33.3 and 66.7 percentiles as shown below.
Oxygen Reduction Reactions in Ionic Liquids and the Formulation of a General ORR Mechanism for Li–Air Batteries

Oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORRs and OERs) have been studied in ionic liquids containing singly charged cations having a range of ionic radii, or charge densities. Specifically, ORR and OER mechanisms were studied using cyclic and rotating disk electrode voltammetry in the neat ionic liquids (ILs), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMITFSI) and 1-methyl-1-butyl-pyrrolidinium bis(triflouromethanesulfonyl)imide (PYR14TFSI), and in their solutions containing LiTFSI, NaPF6, KPF6, and tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TBAPF6). A strong correlation was found between the ORR products and the ionic charge density, including those of the ionic liquids. The observed trend is explained in terms of the Lewis acidity of the cation present in the electrolyte using an acidity scale created from 13C NMR chemical shifts and spin–lattice relaxation (T1) times of 13C═O in solutions of these charged ions in propylene carbonate (PC). The ionic liquids lie in a continuum of a ca...
River Variability and Complexity(Stanley Schumm)

River Variability and Complexity is an attempt by Stanley “Stan” Schumm to capitalize on his broad experience with alluvial rivers to sternly warn against overlooking the inherent heterogeneity of these rivers. No pretense is made concerning novelty; Schumm openly declares that the book draws on existing literature to illustrate “downstream variability in rivers”. Theory is avoided in favor of case studies concerning the effect of river change and diversity. Alluvial rivers from throughout the world are discussed but not compared. Instead, discussions focus on river anomalies arising with individual systems. This review addresses primarily the potential applications, depth, and troublesome shortcomings of the new book. A comprehensive, scholarly summary of natural phenomena contributing to anomalous river behavior is timely. Natural rivers are rapidly becoming scarce, and the discipline of river restoration is growing by leaps and bounds. River managers are in constant need of explanatory or cautionary information related to the ever-changing character of rivers. Simultaneously, design failures plague first-generation, river restoration projects, which is understandable given the intricacies of natural systems. Training river restorers in complexity will, presumably, minimize avoidable design failures. Schumm approaches his objective of illustrating and cautioning about river variability by breaking the subject into five parts. The core material is separated into four parts, each of which examines a particular type of river control: upstream, fixed local, variable local, and downstream. This material is preceded by a brief review of river classifications and other pertinent facts. Schumm ends the book with a general discussion of our relationship with rivers and a final chapter dedicated to a hypothesis …
Studies on safety of Shigella flexneri 2a conjugate vaccine

Objective: To evaluate the clinical safety of Shigella flexneri 2a conjugate vaccine.Methods: Comparing the immune reaction of experimental group of Shigella flexneri 2a conjugate vaccine with control group of phosphate-buffered saline by random and double blind study.Results: The mean reaction rate of whole-body was 1.11% after being administered a 2 dose Shigella flexneri 2a conjugate vaccine.Of which,62.5% with lower reaction,37.5% with medium reaction and without any strong reaction occurred.The mean reaction rate of local body was 8.89%.There were no statistically significant differences existed on reaction rate both whole and local body between experimental group and control group in different age groups.Conclusion: It was shown that Shigella flexneri 2a conjugate vaccine was safe for over 2 years old group.
Efficient, private, and ε-strategyproof elicitation of tournament voting rules

Voting is commonly used as a method for aggregating information in crowdsourcing and human computation. In many settings, one would like to use voting rules which can be efficiently elicited, preserve voter privacy, and are robust to strategic manipulation. In this paper, we give algorithms which elicit approximate winners in a way which provably satisfies all three of these requirements simultaneously. Our results hold for tournament voting rules, which we define to be the voting rules which can be expressed solely as a function of the table of pairwise comparisons containing the number of voters preferring one candidate to another. Tournament voting rules include many common voting rules such as the Borda, Copeland, Maximin, Nanson, Baldwin, Kemeny-Young, Ranked Pairs, Cup, and Schulze voting rules. Our results significantly expand the set of voting rules for which efficient elicitation was known to be possible and improve the known approximation factors for e-strategyproof voting in the regime where the number of candidates is large.
Experimental and Computational Investigation of Lepidocrocite Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries

In this work, we investigated several titanates with lepidocrocite-type structures (general formula AxTi1–yMyO4, with A = Na and M = Li or Mg), having potential utility as anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. First-principles calculations were used to determine key battery metrics, including potential profiles, structural changes during sodiation, and sodium diffusion energy barriers for several compositions, and were compared to experimental results. Site limitations were found to be critical determinants of the gravimetric capacities, which are also affected both by the stacking arrangement of the corrugated layers and the identity of M (Li or Mg). To explain the experimentally observed lattice parameter changes observed as a function of the state of charge, it was necessary to assume the participation of water/solvent during the sodium intercalation process. Sodium diffusion barriers were also found to vary as a function of state of charge and diffusion direction, with a spread of 0.06–1.3 eV at l...
The omentum in the management of complicated cardiothoracic problems

The pedicled omentum finds use in cardiothoracic surgery for management of complicated problems and prevention of serious complications. Its blood supply is excellent and is capable of inducing neovascularity. Based on the right gastroepiploic artery, it reaches anywhere in the thorax or neck. Its bulk helps to fill infected spaces. Thirty-seven patients have been treated with the pedicled omentum. In 16 patients the goal was preventive, to avoid bleeding, anastomotic leakage, or infection or to provide a source of fibroplasia or neovascularity. In eight patients with cervical exenteration the flap protected against innominate artery erosion and esophageal leakage, generally in an irradiated field. In six patients it permitted primary healing of heavily irradiated trachea--formerly unlikely. It was also used to provide coverage of a chest wall prosthesis in two patients. In 21 patients the omentum was used to obtain healing in the presence of infection. Bronchopleural fistulas were successfully closed in eight of nine patients. Six mediastinal infections that developed after cardiac operations were successfully treated. Four unusual vascular infections necessitated the use of omentum. Two patients had closure of esophageal perforations buttressed with omentum. This series demonstrates the efficacy of the omentum in the management of complex cardiac, vascular, esophageal, tracheal, bronchial, pleural, and chest wall problems.
Clinical implications of advances in the molecular genetics of colorectal cancer.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is the most common occurring hereditary form of colorectal cancer (CRC) where it accounts for as much as 10 percent of the total CRC burden. HNPCC is characterized by an autosomal dominant inherited predisposition to early age of onset (= 44 years) of CRC with proximal predominance (= 70% proximal to the splenic flecture) with an excess of synchronous and metachronous CRC (45% 10 years after initial hemicolectomy or segmental resection as opposed to subtotal colectomy), features which characterize the Lynch syndrome I variant, while the Lynch syndrome II variant of HNPCC shows all of these features, but in addition, there is a marked excess of carcinoma of the endometrium, ovary, small bowel, stomach, pancreas, and transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter and renal pelvis, lesions which are integral to this syndrome. Because of the early onset, we recommend colonoscopy to be initiated at age 25 and repeated every other year through age 35 and then annually thereafter. Women need to undergo endometrial aspiration biopsy at the time of initial colonoscopy. METHODS AND RESULTS Major advances in the molecular genetics of HNPCC have occurred during the past two years with identification of the hMSH2 gene at chromosome 2p and the hMLH1 gene at chromosome 3p, both of which have been cloned. PMS1 at chromosome 2p and PMS2 2 at chromosome 7q have also been implicated in HNPCC's etiology. CONCLUSIONS Genetic counseling is mandatory for presymptomatic DNA testing and for delivering information about the patient's germline status. Patients with germline mutations are offered prophylactic subtotal colectomy as an option to continued colonoscopy. It is now important for physicians to take careful cancer family histories so that this disorder can be readily identified, thereby enabling the initiation of highly targeted surveillance and management programs.