cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Small intestine submucosa as a corporal body graft in the repair of severe chordee.

OBJECTIVE We describe our experience with single and 4-layer small intestine submucosa in the repair of proximal hypospadias and severe chordee. METHODS Between 2000 and 2004, 15 boys with proximal hypospadias and/or severe ventral chordee underwent SIS grafting to correct the curvature. Single layer and 4-layer small intestine submucosa were used for corporal grafting. Reassessment was performed by artificial erection at the time of the 2nd-stage reconstruction or at follow-up visit. RESULTS 1st-stage chordee repair with corporal body incision and graft coverage was performed on 15 patients between June 2000 and March 2004. Single layer SIS was used in 6 cases and 4-layer was used in 9 cases. Twelve of the 15 boys underwent a planned 2nd-stage urethroplasty. Median age at 1st-stage repair was 12 months. A 15-month-old boy underwent single stage chordee correction and penoscrotal hypospadias repair. Two boys without hypospadias underwent chordee correction with SIS. There were no complications related to the use of SIS for chordee repair. Median age of the 12 boys at 2nd-stage hypospadias repair was 24 months. At the time of the 2nd-stage procedures, the graft site did not show more significant scarring than has been our experience in 2-stage procedures performed without SIS. No patients had recurrence of chordee with follow up ranging from 2 to 75 months. CONCLUSIONS Our outcomes suggest that small intestine submucosa is safe and effective for corporal body grafting in the correction of severe chordee, especially in the setting of a multistage hypospadias and chordee repair.
Molecular Aspects of Complement-mediated Bacterial Killing PERIPLASMIC CONVERSION OF C9 FROM A PROTOXIN TO A TOXIN

As part of the membrane attack complex complement protein C9 is responsible for direct killing of bacteria. Here we show that in the periplasmic space of an Escherichia coli cell C9 is converted from a protoxin to a toxin by periplasmic conditions missing in spheroplasts. This conversion is independent of the pathway by which C9 enters the periplasm. Both, C9 shocked into the periplasm and plasmid-expressed C9 targeted to the periplasm via a signal sequence are toxic. Toxicity requires disulfide-linked C9 because export into the periplasm of cells defective in disulfide bond synthesis (dsbA and dsbB mutants) is not toxic unless N-acetylcysteine is added externally to promote cystines. A N-terminal fragment, C9[1-144], is not toxic nor is cytoplasmically expressed C9, even in trxB mutants that are able to form disulfide bonds in the cytoplasm. Importantly, expression of full-length C9 in complement-resistant cells has no effect on their viability. Expression and translocation into the periplasm may provide a novel model to identify molecular mechanisms of other bactericidal disulfide-linked proteins and to investigate the nature of bacterial complement resistance.
CHARACTERIZATION OF LIPOVITELLENIN COMPONENTS, AND THEIR RELATION TO LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN STRUCTURE.

When aqueous solutions of the LDF of egg yolk and its fractions LDF1 and LDF2 were extracted with ethyl ether, all yielded five derived components having sedimentation rates of about 4 S, 7 S, 13 S, 15 S and 17 S. The first three of these were isolated and had molecular weights of 2.9·105, 11·105 and 13·105, and lipid contents of 50, 67 and 44%, respectively. These components were formed sequentially in the order 7 S → 4 S → 13 S and hence all contain the same proteins, although different combinations of polypeptide chains may be present. Apparently a reduction in lipid content below 50% causes an aggregation of 4-S particles to form 13 S and other rapidly sedimenting products. The sizes of the protein moieties, computed from the molecular weight and lipid content of the native fractions LDF1 and LDF2 and the derived products 7 S and 4 S, are in the order 8, 4, 2 and 1, respectively, with the smallest unit size estimated to be (1.7 ± 0.16) ·105. Evidently the size of the protein moiety decreases stepwise as the lipid content decreases down to 4 S and this behavior, plus aggregation at low lipid contents, yields detectable and separable components in both the natural and derived from of these lipoproteins.
Promoting lifestyle change in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.

Purpose To present the theoretical background for lifestyle change interventions in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes and to provide pragmatic strategies for advanced practice nurses (APNs) to incorporate such interventions into their practices. Data Sources Selected scientific literature and the Internet. Conclusions There is an epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes among adults in the United States. Preventing or managing these health conditions requires significant lifestyle changes by individuals. Implications for Practice APNs are in a key role to deliver lifestyle change interventions, particularly in the primary care setting. Strategies to assist APNs with lifestyle change counseling include (a) assessment, (b) mutual decision making, (c) referral to education programs, (d) individualized treatment goals, (e) strategies to assist with problem solving, (f) continuing support and encouragement, (g) relapse prevention, and (h) ongoing follow-up.
Hydrogen-Bond Kinetics in the Solvation Shell of a Polypeptide

Analysis of a series of molecular dynamics simulations reveals that the kinetics of breaking and forming water−water hydrogen bonds is slower in the first solvation shell of a 16-residue polypeptide than in bulk water. The correlation time of hydrogen bonds persists significantly longer near hydrophobic groups than in bulk water. Hydrogen bonds are found to be stronger in the solvation shell of nonpolar groups. We show that the difference in hydrogen-bond kinetics in the different environments can be understood in terms of the energetics and the concerted forming and breaking of hydrogen bonds.
“Can/Should/Does One Size Fit All? Does the Pacific Sociological Association Still Meet the Needs of Faculty Members at PhD-Granting Institutions?”

This article addresses the concern expressed by many within the Pacific Sociological Association in recent years that their regional organization is increasingly seen by Research I University sociologists as no longer meeting their professional needs, thus leading to (a) decreasing rates of membership and participation within, (b) a decline in the amount of high quality professional work associated with, and (c) a diminishment of the professional status of, the PSA. Using data gained from a membership survey of sociologists at the 29 Research I Universities in the Western Region of the United States and Canada, the empirical basis of these claims is examined, and their possible implications explored. The results of this investigation suggest that although PSA membership among faculty members at PhD-granting institutions may have declined somewhat over time, this has occurred for a number of very comprehendible reasons, some associated with but others external to the Pacific Sociological Association as a professional organization. In light of these findings, it is the main recommendation of this paper that the PSA should continue to approach this issue in a careful and reasoned manner, doing what it reasonably can to try to meet the professional needs of Research I University sociologists in the 21st century, but being mindful not to jeopardize what has made the PSA important and attractive to its growing number of other constituencies in recent years.
The Role of Governance in Determining Foreign Aid Flow Composition

Summary We hypothesize that selective donors will use types of aid over which they have more control when providing assistance to poorly governed countries. We use an original classification of project purpose codes in the AidData dataset to categorize aid flows from the period 2004 to 2010. Results from fixed effect and compositional data models provide evidence of selectivity in terms of overall aid flows, a tradeoff between technical assistance and programmatic lending, and a tradeoff between social sector and infrastructure projects.
Topology of the near response triad

The near response complex comprises three elements: accommodation, convergence, and pupillary constriction. The synkinesis between vergence and accommodation is well understood functionally, if not neuroanatomically. The latencies of near response components were measured in four healthy, experienced subjects to determine how the pupillary component is mediated. Addition of disparity stimulus to blur, yielding a near stimulus, reduces the latency of vergence eye movements and of accommodation by an amount that is significantly greater than the corresponding reduction in pupil latency. None of the existing hypotheses: vergence-pupil, accommodation-pupil or symmetric dual interaction, can account for this difference. Therefore, we present a new hypothesis: asymmetric dual interaction between accommodation and vergence.
Status,vanity and equal dignity in Max Weber's political thought

The preoccupation of commentors with exposing the nationalist,Nietzschean and nihilistic aspects of Max Weber's thought has obsured the genuinely libera; character of his outlook.The overshadowing of Weber's liberal ideals is indicated by the pervasiveness of the assumption that he was an ‘etilist’ whose ethic was aristocratic in spirit. I challenge this assumption by focussing attention on two interrelated themes of Weber's thought that are often overlooked: his disparagement of conduct that is vain, self-satisfied or exhibits a snobbis status consiousness, on the one hand, and his commitment to the ideaof the equal dignity,on the other. An aristocratic ethic prevail against the devotion to a cause, which Weber advocated, and leads to the solidification of status orders, which he feared.
Metal Chalcogenide Nanofilms: Platforms for Mechanistic Studies of Electrocatalysis

The systematic development of improved electrocatalysts requires strategies for preparing candidate materials as well-defined thin-film electrodes that are amenable to straightforward characterization of reaction mechanism and catalyst specific activity. While numerous thin film preparation methods are established for transition metals and metal alloys, few strategies exist for transition metal chalcogenides, despite growing recognition of their role as potent electrocatalysts. Herein we show that electrochemical atomic layer deposition (E-ALD) is a powerful tool for accessing well-defined metal chalcogenide electrocatalysts, by synthesizing, for the first time, crystalline conformal films of Co9S8, a promising earth-abundant oxygen reduction catalyst, with tunable nanoscale thickness. The as-prepared nanofilms display relatively high activity for the oxygen reduction reaction and provide a robust platform for detailed mechanistic investigations. Initial mechanistic studies reveal that oxygen reduction on...
Nonparametric regression with responses missing at random

Abstract For the case of a complete sample of univariate predictors and responses, the modern nonparametric regression matches results known for parametric and semiparametric regressions. The situation changes dramatically if some values in a sample are missing. This paper develops the theory of nonparametric regression for the classical case of responses missing at random. The main conclusion is that an adaptive estimator, based on a complete-case subsample, is asymptotically sharp minimax over all possible oracle-estimators that know: an underlying sample with missing responses; probability of observing the response given the predictor; smoothness of an underlying regression function; design density of the predictor; scale function of the regression error.
Electrochemical study of {gamma}-irradiated C{sub 60} by hydrodynamic modulation of a rotating disk electrode

Electrochemical studies of the products of C{sub 60} {gamma}-irradiated in cyclohexane were conducted using the frequency response of hydrodynamic modulation at rotating disk electrodes (HMRDE) to determine transport properties by a methodology independent of the concentration of the electroactive species. The diffusion coefficients of C{sub 60} and its {gamma}-irradiated product were separately determined to be 1.9 {times} 10{sup {minus}6} and 0.96 {times} 10{sup {minus}6} cm{sup 2}/s, respectively, at 50 C. The estimated Stokes radius of the radiolytic product of C{sub 60} approaches twice that of the fullerene itself. Such a result for {gamma}-radiolysis in cyclohexane solution is consistent with the formation of cyclohexane adducts and likely some C{sub 60} dimer.
Survivors: A Review of the Late-Life Effects of Prior Psychological Trauma

The author reviews the literature on the epidemiology, symptom picture, and treatment of elderly patients who have encountered serious psychological trauma earlier in life. Data are predominantly derived from studies of aging Holocaust survivors and combat veterans from World War II, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam. Survivor syndromes persist into old age, but patterns of expression vary. Holocaust survivors appear to have adapted well to instrumental aspects of life, whereas combat warriors may show less functional life-adaptation. Persisting symptoms in all groups include marked disruptions of sleep and dreaming, intrusive memories, impairment of trust, avoidance of stressors, and heightened vulnerability to various types of age-associated retraumatization. There is a deficiency of controlled treatment studies of traumatized elderly patients, but successful group, individual, and family clinical interventions have been described.
Damage of hybrid composites under long term hygrothermal loading and stacking sequence

Abstract The exposure of polymeric composite matrix to a cyclic moist environment produces transient residual stresses extremely important at the edges of the laminated plates, particularly at first times. In cases of critical cyclic environmental conditions, the damage of composites becomes very probable, so durability is intensively reduced. To avoid the damage probability, and to reduce the transient hygrothermal stresses, in our paper the hybrid composites with optimal stacking sequences are used. The first aim of this paper is the determination of hygrothermal characteristics for balanced stacking sequences [θ/−θ]nS. Therefore, in order to locate the favourite directions of each stacking sequence, the polar representation method is adopted. The suitable choice of hygrothermal characteristics, allows thereafter, the reduction of transient hygrothermal stresses. By using the quadratic failure criterion in stress space, the transient strength ratio is evaluated at first ply of the hybrid plate for each sequences [θ/−θ]nS from initial time until saturation time. Avoid the damage probability is reached by the reduction of transient hygrothermal stresses along the thickness of the hybrid plate. To locate the minimal and maximal stresses, a progressive variation of the relationship between the thicknesses h1 and h2 of hybrid composites constituents AS3501 and T300/5208 was carried out. In this way five cases are proposed, on which, the thickness of each material varies gradually, but the total thickness of our plate remains constant. This procedure permits us to find the best configuration which will offer favourable conditions of services, i.e., to predict a considerable reduction of hygrothermal transverse stresses at both edges of the hybrid plate.
Rational Site-Directed Mutations of the LLP-1 and LLP-2 Lentivirus Lytic Peptide Domains in the Intracytoplasmic Tail of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 gp41 Indicate Common Functions in Cell-Cell Fusion but Distinct Roles in Virion Envelope Incorporation

Two highly conserved cationic amphipathic α-helical motifs, designated lentivirus lytic peptides 1 and 2 (LLP-1 and LLP-2), have been characterized in the carboxyl terminus of the transmembrane (TM) envelope glycoprotein (Env) of lentiviruses . Although various properties have been attributed to these domains, their structural and functional significance is not clearly understood. To determine the specific contributions of the Env LLP domains to Env expression, processing, and incorporation and to viral replication and syncytium induction, site-directed LLP mutants of a primary dualtropic infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolate (ME46) were examined. Substitutions were made for highly conserved arginine residues in either the LLP-1 or LLP-2 domain (MX1 or MX2, respectively) or in both domains (MX4). The HIV-1 mutants with altered LLP domains demonstrated distinct phenotypes. The LLP-1 mutants (MX1 and MX4) were replication defective and showed an average of 85% decrease in infectivity, which was associated with an evident decrease in gp41 incorporation into virions without a significant decrease in Env expression or processing in transfected 293T cells. In contrast, MX2 virus was replication competent and incorporated a full complement of Env into its virions, indicating a differential role for the LLP-1 domain in Env incorporation. Interestingly, the replication-competent MX2 virus was impaired in its ability to induce syncytia in T-cell lines. This defect in cell-cell fusion did not correlate with apparent defects in the levels of cell surface Env expression, oligomerization, or conformation. The lack of syncytium formation, however, correlated with a decrease of about 90% in MX2 Env fusogenicity compared to that of wild-type Env in quantitative luciferase-based cell-cell fusion assays. The LLP-1 mutant MX1 and MX4 Envs also exhibited an average of 80% decrease in fusogenicity. Altogether, these results demonstrate for the first time that the highly conserved LLP domains perform critical but distinct functions in Env incorporation and fusogenicity.
Imaging folate binding protein expression with MRI

The ability to manipulate genes coupled with having mapped the genome of many species opens up the postgenomic era. One now needs the ability to study the effects of the molecules encoded by these genes on an animal’s development, biochemical processes, and physiological make up in-vivo. Such studies require in-vivo techniques capable of imaging molecular expression. Only MRI has the potential and capabilities of imaging anatomy, function, and molecular expression. One type of functional and molecular MR imaging uses contrast agents. MR techniques require the use of amplification systems. For affinity based agents the amount of reporter molecule required is regulated by the agent’s relaxivity, or efficiency of reporting, and the number of targeted molecules expressed. In this report we demonstrate the use of a general amplification technology with the specific example of imaging folate binding protein expression. We demonstrate the ability to detect expression of the high affinity folate receptor in human tumor xenografts in-vivo. This particular agent has the potential to play a role in screening for and monitoring therapy of ovarian tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Error-resilient design of high-fidelity scalable audio coding

Current high quality audio coding techniques mainly focus on coding efficiency, which makes them extremely sensitive to channel noise, especially in high error rate wireless channels. In our previous work, we developed a progressive high quality audio codec, which was shown to outperform MPEG-4 version 2's scalable audio codec. In this work, we extend the error-free progressive audio codec to an error-resilient scalable audio codec by re-organizing the bitstream and modifying the noiseless coding module. A dynamic segmentation scheme is used to divide an audio bitstream into several segments. Each segment contains independently decodable data so that errors will not propagate across segment boundaries. An unequal error protection scheme is then adopted to improve error resilience of the final bitstream. The performance of the proposed algorithm is tested under different error patterns of WCDMA channels with several test audio materials. Our experimental results show that the proposed approach achieves excellent error resilience at a regular user bit rate of 64 kb/s.
Beyond 2020: Preparing Engineers for the Future

Over the past 20 years, the world has seen significant advances in and adoption of new technology, political events that have led to the opening of formerly closed societies, economic policies that have encouraged free trade, and the growth in multinational companies. These changes have resulted in a world with increased connectedness and interdependencies and a globalization of the workforce. This paper discusses the impact globalization has had on engineering and engineering education.
Issues in understanding pediatric asthma: Epidemiology and genetics

Abstract Asthma is a heterogeneous disease characterized by varying phenotypes. Ongoing research is focused on identifying which children who have wheezing early will progress to childhood asthma. Genetic factors, predominantly atopy and a parental history of asthma as well as environmental stimuli, are key components in the development of asthma. Investigation into immunologic processes indicates that atopic children may have a cytokine imbalance or dysregulation in which the transition from T helper 2 (T H 2)-type to T H 1-type immunity is delayed. Several risk factors have been identified in the pathophysiology of asthma, including sensitization and exposure to cockroaches, house dust mites, and the mold Alternaria alternata , among other aeroallergens. Viral respiratory infections, primarily those caused by respiratory syncytial virus, are a significant risk factor for the development of childhood wheezing in the first decade of life. A number of prospective epidemiologic studies are investigating, among other issues, the relations among cytokine dysregulation, respiratory tract infections, and allergen exposure and sensitization in the development of asthma. Identifying the pathogenic mechanisms should enable clinicians to identify children at high risk and thereby to treat childhood asthma more effectively. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002;109:S521-4.)
Divergent patterns of telomere maintenance mechanisms among human sarcomas: Sharply contrasting prevalence of the alternative lengthening of telomeres mechanism in Ewing's sarcomas and osteosarcomas

Two types of telomere maintenance mechanisms (TMMs) have been described in human tumors: telomerase activation and alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT). Although the vast majority of epithelial tumors rely on telomerase activation, many mesenchymal tumors rely on ALT for telomere maintenance, but within this tumor group, the TMMs used by translocation-associated sarcomas have not been systematically studied. We studied telomere lengths and telomerase expression and activity in 30 uncultured tumor samples and in 10 cell lines of Ewing's sarcoma, a prototypical translocation-associated sarcoma, and compared the data to an identical analysis of 60 osteosarcomas, the most common type of sarcoma lacking a specific translocation. Telomerase activity was demonstrated in 21 Ewing's sarcoma tumor samples (70%) and in 9 of 10 Ewing's sarcoma cell lines. Evidence of ALT, indicated by the presence of long and heterogeneous telomeres, was observed only in the cell line without telomerase activity and in none of the 30 Ewing's sarcoma tumor samples. The 9 Ewing's sarcoma patients whose tumors lacked detectable telomerase activity did not differ significantly from the remaining patients in age, stage, EWSR1-FLI1 fusion type, prevalence of TP53 point mutations, or overall survival. The low prevalence of ALT in Ewing's sarcoma contrasted sharply with our data on TMMs in 60 osteosarcomas, which showed ALT in 38 of 60 cases (P<0.0001). The present study, together with emerging published data on other sarcoma types, suggests that a predominance of telomerase activation in the absence of ALT may characterize sarcomas with specific chromosomal translocations (such as Ewing's sarcoma), whereas a high prevalence of ALT appears typical of sarcomas with nonspecific complex karyotypes (such as osteosarcoma).
Elastic properties of a class of solids with negative thermal expansion

We consider the thermal expansion, change in sound velocity with pressure and temperature, and the Poisson ratio of lattices which have rigid units (polyhedra very large stiffness to change in bond-length and to bond-angle variations) connected to other such units through relatively compressible polyhedra. We show that in such a model, the potential energy for rotations of the rigid units can occur only as a function of the combination ${\ensuremath{\Theta}}_{i}\ensuremath{\equiv}[{\ensuremath{\theta}}_{i}\ensuremath{-}(\ensuremath{\nabla}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{\mathbf{u}}_{i})/2]$, where ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{i}$ are the orthogonal rotation angles of the rigid unit $i$ and ${\mathbf{u}}_{i}$ is its displacement. Given such invariants in the theory of elasticity and the hierarchy of force constants of the model, a negative thermal-expansion coefficient as well as a decrease in the elastic constants of the solid with temperature and pressure is shown to follow. These are consistent with the observations.
Development of in vivo genotoxicity tests in estuarine fish and their application to aquatic toxicology

Abstract Genotoxicity assays were developed in embryonic stages of two species of fish, striped bass ( Morone saxitilis ) and sheepshead minnow ( Cyprinodon variegatus ), and in the adults of Fundulus heteroclitus using metaphase chromosome aberrations as the endpoint. Dose-dependent responses were obtained with several chemical mutagens, including 9-aminoacridine (9AA), ethylmethane sulphonate (EMS), cyclophosphamide (CP) and N -methyl- N -nitro- N -nitroguanidine (MNNG), added to estuarine water at doses spanning several orders of magnitude in compound concentration. Exposures ranged from one to four days; however, a two-day exposure time was found to be optimal in eggs and larvae. Tissues from the gills, kidney and intestinal tract of adult Fundulus were found to be responsive to mutagen exposure; however, the intestine gave the best responses. The results of these experiments suggest that these assays are sufficiently sensitive to be used in the field as well as in laboratory tests.
Oral aspirin challenges in asthmatic patients: a study of plasma histamine.

Summary Under carefully controlled conditions, seven aspirin-intolerant asthmatic patients were challenged with oral aspirin and experienced respiratory tract reactions with a decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), ranging from 26 to 64%. Venous blood samples, which were collected during the challenges, showed a rise in plasma histamine in all seven patients. The increase in plasma histamine occurred at the onset of their respiratory reactions and those patients with the most severe asthmatic responses were found to have the highest and most prolonged levels of plasma histamine. The same aspirin-intolerant asthmatic patients were able to ingest Maalox® or sodium salicylate without untoward effects, decline in FEV1 values or changes in plasma histamine levels. Ten non-asthmatic individuals and eight out of ten asthmatic control patients were able to ingest aspirin without any reactions or changes in their plasma histamine levels. However, two asthmatic control individuals, with severe asthma requiring treatment with moderate dosages of corticosteroids, were found to have elevated pre-challenge plasma histamine levels which increased during their ASA challenges despite the absence of respiratory reactions or changes in FEV1 values. It is possible that these two individuals were unsuspected aspirin-intolerant asthmatics. These studies demonstrate that asthmatic reactions to acetylsalicylates are associated with release of histamine into plasma in the subgroup of asthmatic patients with the aspirin-intolerance syndrome. Such a finding suggests that histamine may be one of the mediators of bronchospasm in aspirin-induced asthma.
Heuristic minimization of synchronous relations

Synchronous Boolean relations can represent sequential don't-care information in synchronous systems. These relations allow greater flexibility in expressing don't-care information than ordinary Boolean relations. Synchronous relations can be used to specify sequential designs at the finite state machine level as well as at the level of combinational elements and latches. The main objective of this paper is to present a heuristic approach to find a minimal implementation for a given synchronous relation. We also show that the synchronous relation formulation can also be used to find a minimal sum-of-products form which implements a function that is compatible with an arbitrary set of Boolean relations. >
A proton NMR shielding model for the face of a benzene ring

Abstract In a strong magnetic field, nuclei located over an aromatic ring experience a diminished magnetic field as a result of the induced magnetic field caused by circulating π electrons. The shielding effect of an aromatic ring can be substantial, causing an upfield shift of up to 3 ppm in proton NMR spectra, yet this effect is not considered in any of the empirical methods for predicting chemical shifts. We have used GIAO, an ab initio subroutine in Gaussian 94 to calculate isotropic shielding tensors and to predict the proton NMR chemical shift for a simple model system: methane held at various positions over a benzene ring. The NMR chemical shift shielding increments experienced by the protons of methane have been mapped as a function of their position x, y and z in Cartesian coordinates relative to the center of the aromatic ring. A mathematical function was fit to this three-dimensional shielding increment surface at each of six distances from the face of the benzene ring. In addition, a single mathematical equation was developed for predicting the shielding caused by a benzene ring. Chemical shifts predicted by this equation are compared with observed values. Incorporation of this function into a molecular mechanics–chemical shift prediction program should aid structure elucidation of structures having such features.
Freedom, Teleodynamism, Creativity

After presenting a critique of both negative and positive freedom this essay pursues the relation between creativity and freedom, drawing upon Foucault, Deleuze and Nietzsche to do so. Once you have understood Nietzsche’s reading of a culturally infused nest of drives in a self, the task becomes easier. A drive is not merely a force pushing forward; it is also a simple mode of perception and intention that pushes forward and enters into creative relations with other drives when activated by an event. You can also understand more sharply how the Foucauldian tactics of the self work. We can now carry this insight into the Deleuzian territory of micropolitics and collective action by reviewing his work on flashbacks and “the powers of the false.” If a flashback in film pulls us back to a bifurcation point where two paths were possible and one was taken, the powers of the false refer to the subliminal role the path not taken can play in the formation of creative action. As you pursue these themes you see that neither old, organic notions of belonging to the world nor do negative notions of detachment as such do the work needed. Deleuze’s notion of freedom carries us to the idea of cultivating “belief” in a world of periodic punctuations. The latter are essential to creativity and incompatible with organic belonging. They are also indispensable supports of a positive politics today.
Safety and tolerability of mood-stabilising anticonvulsants in the elderly.

The authors review current research on the safety and tolerability of anticonvulsant medications used for individuals over the age of 60 years with affective disorders, agitation and other psychiatric disorders. Three anticonvulsants currently approved in the US for treatment of bipolar affective disorder are reviewed: valproate, lamotrigine and extended-release carbamazepine. The authors discuss the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug–drug interactions and the impact of ageing for each drug. There are few studies of anticonvulsant medications in elderly patients with bipolar disorder or other psychiatric conditions. Therefore, the authors summarise adverse events of greatest prevalence and/or greatest severity based on data derived predominately from studies of geriatric patients with epilepsy and/or other non-psychiatric indications. Guidelines are offered for the safe use of these medications in the elderly, based on research literature.
The Unusual Behavior of the Federal Funds Rate and Treasury Yields: A Conundrum or an Instance of Goodhart's Law?

In February 2005, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan referred to the decline in long-term rates in the wake of the Fed increasing the target for the federal funds rate by 150 basis points as a “conundrum.” Greenspan’s remarks generated considerable interest and research. I document that the relationship between Treasury yields and the federal funds rate changed dramatically in the late 1980s, well in advance of Greenspan’s observation. I hypothesize that the marked change in the relationship is a consequence of the Federal Open Market Committee switching from using the funds rate as an operating instrument to using the funds rate to implement monetary policy, i.e., change in the relationship is an instance of Goodhart’s Law. Evidence from a variety of sources supports this hypothesis.
The development of effective message content for suicide intervention: theory of planned behavior.

Background: Each year there are over 31,000 suicides in the United States, constituting a significant problem in every respect. It is important for research efforts to focus on the communication elements involved in suicide prevention because the messages produced by individuals close to those who have suicidal thoughts have the potential to save a life. Aims: The current manuscript presents the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a foundation to increase understanding of what message content would be most effective to convince an individual to intervene when someone is suicidal. Methods: Suicide and suicidal behaviors are briefly reviewed, as is the TPB. Then it is argued how and why TPB can help construct persuasive messages. Results: The authors suggest that TPB guide the content of persuasive messages. Messages created in combination of persuasive theories with TPB are likely to encourage an individual to intervene when someone is suicidal. Conclusions: A key element to suicide prevention is intervention by close others. Use of TPB provides an increased understanding of how to persuade close individuals to intervene when an individual is suicidal.
Wegener's granulomatosis in the chest: High-resolution CT findings

OBJECTIVE. Wegener's granulomatosis is an uncommon necrotizing vasculitis having variable presentations in the chest that are best depicted on high-resolution CT. Imaging findings may include nodules, which may cavitate; ground-glass opacity secondary to pulmonary hemorrhage; and airway stenoses and ulcerations. Active Wegener's granulomatosis can mimic pneumonia, septic emboli, and metastases.CONCLUSION. This article will illustrate the high-resolution CT findings of Wegener's granulomatosis in the chest.
Economic Risk and Water Quality Protection in Agriculture

Producers' and consumers' risk perceptions and preferences can affect perceived costs and benefits of agricultural water quality protection. Many studies find that integrated pest management actually reduces economic risks to farmers. Results from crop rotation and conservation tillage studies are mixed, while nutrient management studies indicate a potential for higher risk compared with conventional practices. Uncertainty about pollution damages to water resources is likely also to increase the perceived benefits of a given quantity of water quality protection practices. Public policies to reduce uncertainty about the costs and benefits of water quality protection practices may produce net social benefits.
Deglacial paleoclimate in the southwestern United States: an abrupt 18.6 ka cold event and evidence for a North Atlantic forcing of Termination I

We present a new U-series dated speleothem record (PC-1) from the Great Basin that documents deglacial climate variability between ca 20.1 and 15.6 ka. Our data show an abrupt 18.6 ka cold event preceding Heinrich event 1 that is consistent with expansion of the Laurentide Ice sheet during the ‘binge’ phase of ice growth. This event coincided with dessication of pluvial Lake Mojave suggesting cold and dry conditions in the southern Great Basin at this time. PC-1 d 18 O values before and during Heinrich event 1 are similar, but an increase in stalagmite growth rates suggests wetter conditions that coincided with deposition of spring deposits in southern Nevada. The time interval of our record is consistent with the timing of pluvial conditions in the Great Basin as evident from a comparison to regional wetness proxies. Our new speleothem record, recovered from the recharge area for Devils Hole, does not show a d 18 O increase coincident with the abrupt increase in Devils Hole d 18 O at c. 18 ka, challenging the view
A Cascade of Modules of a Network Defines Cancer Progression

Similar histologic subtypes of cancers often exhibit different spectrum of genetic and epigenetic alterations. The heterogeneity observed due to lack of consistent and defined alterations affecting a unique set of gene(s) or gene products in cancers derived from a specific tissue, or an organ, pose a challenge in unraveling the molecular basis of the disease. This dilemma also complicates diagnosis, prognosis, effective management, and treatment modalities. To streamline the available and emerging data into a coherent scheme of events, a multimodular molecular network (MMMN) cancer progression model is presented as a roadmap to dissect the complexity inherent to this disease. The fact that disruption/dysregulation of more than one alternate target gene could affect the functionality of each specific module of a cascade provides a molecular basis for genetic and epigenetic heterogeneity in any given cancer. Polymorphisms/mutations as well as the extracellular matrix and or the epigenetically/genetically conditioned surrounding stromal cells could also influence the rate of tumorigenesis and the properties of the tumor cells. The formulation of MMMN cancer progression models for specific cancers is likely to provide the blueprints for the markers and targets to aid diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of this deadly disease. (Cancer Res 2006; 66(15): 7379-85)
X-ray absorption study of effective coordination charges of iron in crystals and amorphous solids

Abstract The positions of the K -absorption edges of iron are recorded for five crystals: Fe 0.885 O, Fe 0.905 O, Fe 3 O 4 , Fe 2 O 3 and Fe metal, and for two amorphous solids: oxide glass ([Na 2 O · 2SiO 2 ] 0.8 [Fe 2 O 3 ] 0.2 ) and metallic glass (Fe 36 Cr 32 Ni 14 P 12 B 6 ). It is observed that there is a correlation between the positive X-ray K - absorption edge chemical shift and the effective coordination charge. The ionic state of iron in oxide glass is identical to the ferric iron in Fe 2 O 3 as shown by the same positions of iron K -absorption edges in this glass and Fe 2 O 3 . The K -edge of the metallic glass appears 6.5 eV higher than that of the pure iron edge, which suggests that the bonding of iron in metallic glass is different from the pure iron metal.
Distribution of glycogen in prefusion human palatal epithelium.

Various stages of embryonic human secondary palatal development were examined for the presence of epithelial glycogen. Utilizing periodic acid-Schiff's reagent staining of thich plastic sections and osmium ferrocyanide enhancement of thin sections, dramatic changes in epithelial glycogen distribution were noted during palatogenesis. Prior to fusion, the epithelium destined to adhere in the midline exhibited a marked diminution of glycogen in the superficial cell layer. This cell layer was composed of slender dense cells and cuboidal cells undergoing lysis. Adjacent nonfusing epithelium was markedly different and contained large glycogen reserves in its superficial cell layer. Glycogen may play a role either as precursor for specific adhesive macromolecules or as a physical agent capable under the influence of appropriate enzymes of causing cell lysis.
Nonlinear Classification by Genetic Algorithm with Signed Fuzzy Measure

In this paper, we propose a new nonlinear classifier based on a generalized Choquet integral with signed fuzzy measures to enhance the classification power by capturing all possible interactions among two or more attributes. A special genetic algorithm is designed to implement this classification optimization with fast convergence. Instead of using a discrete misclassification rate, the objective function to be optimized in this research is a continuous Choquet distance with a penalty coefficient for misclassified points. The numerical experiment shows that the special genetic algorithm effectively solves the nonlinear classification problem and this nonlinear classifier accurately identifies classes.
Development of late, symptomatic abdominopelvic lymphoceles more than 10 years following pediatric reconstructive urologic procedures.

Abstract Purpose Rare reports of symptomatic abdominopelvic lymphoceles following pediatric genitourinary reconstruction do exist; however there are no data regarding the development or management of late symptomatic lymphoceles. We report on the clinical presentation of these lymphoceles 10 or more years following initial urologic surgery. Materials and Methods We reviewed 480 patients following major intra-abdominal urologic reconstructive procedures from 1986 to 2009 for development of late, symptomatic abdominopelvic lymphoceles. A minimum of 10 years post-surgical follow up was required for inclusion. Results Late symptomatic lymphoceles developed in 4/480 (0.8%) patients. Median length of follow up post reconstruction was 13.5 years (range 10–17). Median time to lymphocele development was 12 years (range 8–16). Symptoms at presentation included abdominal distension (4/4, 100%), nausea and vomiting (3/4, 75%), flank pain/progressive hydroureteronephrosis (3/4, 75%), and obstructive pyelonephritis (1/4, 25%). Additional surgical procedures that may have contributed to lymphocele development were present in 100%. 75% (3/4) of the patients underwent open surgical drainage, with one electing observation for intermittent symptoms. Exploration revealed loculated fluid collections between bowel loops and dense adhesions; symptoms resolved although small asymptomatic recurrences developed in all patients. Conclusions Late, symptomatic abdominopelvic lymphoceles following major pediatric urinary tract reconstruction or diversion develop in
Effect of preoperative residual hearing on speech perception after cochlear implantation.

Objective: To assess the effect of substantial preoperative residual hearing on speech perception outcomes in adult cochlear implant recipients. Setting: Tertiary care academic referral center. Methods: Twenty-nine patients with substantial preoperative residual hearing underwent cochlear implantation. Twenty-one implant recipients matched for age and duration of hearing loss, but without preoperative residual hearing, served as controls. Postoperative speech perception was assessed using City University of New York sentence, consonant-nucleus-consonant, and hearing in noise test in quiet and in noise (10 dB signal to noise ratio) tests at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after fitting. Results: After implantation, there were no significant differences between groups for any of the tests administered. The mean change in speech perception abilities from baseline was significantly greater for the control patients than those with substantial preoperative residual hearing at a number of the test intervals across the various conditions. Moreover, at both 1 and 3 months, some patients in the residual hearing group had speech perception scores that were worse than their preoperative values. Ultimately, all of the patients with substantial residual hearing surpassed their preoperative performance. Discussion: Patients with substantial preoperative residual hearing can gain significant benefit from cochlear implantation. Although the degree of improvement in these individuals is somewhat more modest than for those patients without preoperative residual hearing, the outcomes are still excellent. That there were no significant differences between the patient groups suggests that having substantial residual hearing before implantation does not provide a measurable performance advantage for electrical stimulation. Patients with substantial residual hearing who are contemplating cochlear implantation should be counseled regarding a possible initial decline in speech perception performance.
Performance of a meandered line as an electrically small transmitting antenna

For antennas to radiate at maximum efficiency, their dimensions must be on the same order as the radiated wavelength. At frequencies below 30 MHz, antennas with efficient radiation are often too large for mobile and portable applications. Smaller antennas can be made to radiate efficiently by use of matching networks. For installation convenience and ease of adjustment, these networks are usually placed between the transmitter and the antenna input; but it has been found that for best radiation efficiency, matching network elements should be placed at points on the antenna structure. Unfortunately, such matching networks must be tuned for each transmitting frequency and, when mounted on the antenna, they cannot easily be tuned. A meander element antenna was found to present some electrical and mechanical properties allowing convenient placement of tuning elements when configured as an electrically small transmitting antenna. Some simplified design guidelines were derived from experimental data.
A Fast Implementation of Deflate

We present a fast implementation of the Deflate protocol that is substantially faster than the fastest version of the Zlib software package, yet maintains full compatibility to the Deflate standard. Our solution outperforms the fastest Zlib version by a factor of 2.6 and higher (in compression time) yet demonstrates only a negligible drop-off in terms of compression ratio. The basic building blocks for our solution are a fast LZ77 compressor (the LZ4 package) and a standard Huffman encoding package (Zlib). In the paper we describe how a non-trivial combination constructed around these building blocks achieves the aforementioned performance and compatibility.
Power Managed Packet Switching

High power dissipation in packet switches and routers is fast turning into a key problem, owing to increasing line speeds and decreasing chip sizes. To address this issue, we introduce and develop the notion of a power-managed input-queued (PMIQ) switch in this paper. A PMIQ switch is an input-queued switch with an additional hierarchy of control to regulate the power dissipated by the switch. We formulate the joint scheduling and power management problem for a PMIQ switch as a dynamic program (DP). Leveraging intuition gained from provable structural properties of the optimal solution to the DP, we propose the power-aware switch scheduling (PASS) switch management policy. PASS dynamically selects the rate/speed at which the switch operates, in conjunction with the switch configuration, as a function of the backlogs of the input buffers. PASS can easily be tuned to tradeoff high power consumption for larger queuing delays. Experimental results show that PASS yields an attractive power-delay tradeoff relative to the benchmark maximum weight matching (MWM) scheduler. The low computational complexity of PASS makes it amenable to implementation in large, high-speed switches.