cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CHEMICAL AND SENSORY CHANGES IN FREEZE-DRIED CHICKEN AND PORK DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE, OXYGEN-FREE STORAGE

Chemical and sensory changes were determined in cooked diced chicken, and raw and cooked sliced pork that were freeze dried to residual moisture levels of less than 2% and stored in sealed tin cans under nitrogen at –40, 28, 38 and 48°C for 1,3 and 6 months. Orsat analysis of headspace gas confirmed the absence of oxygen and no carbon dioxide developed during storage. Level of glucose in general decreased with increasing temperature and time of storage. Lactic acid content was 50 to 100-fold that of glucose on a molal basis and exhibited no detectable change over 6 months at temperatures up to 48°C. No appreciable change in the level of e-amino nitrogen was apparent. Reducing substances, expressed as ascorbic acid, increased with temperature and time of storage. There were no marked changes in percent rehydration due to storage temperature and time for cooked diced chicken, and raw and cooked sliced pork. Sensory evaluation, by triangle tests, of the differences between control samples at -40°C and samples at 28, 38 and 48°C detected deterioration in cooked chicken at 48°C for 1 month and thereafter; and at 38°C for 3 months and thereafter. For raw pork, significant deterioration was detected at 38 and 48°C at 3 months and thereafter. For cooked pork significant deterioration was detected at all storage times and temperatures, compared to the control.
Conditional centers and medians of a graph

Previous treatments of location problems on a graph have been confined to the optimum location of a single facility or the simultaneous optimum location of multiple facilities. This paper addresses the problem of optimally locating a facility on a graph when one or more other facilities have already been located in the graph. This paper shows that previous solution techniques can be reused if the distances in the graph are judiciously redefined.
An Economic Theory of Intentional Torts

Abstract The topic of intentional torts is, at first glance, an unpromising one for economics. ‘Intent’ is not a normal part of the economist's vocabulary and does not appear to correspond to any concept in economics. Perhaps this is why there is so little economic writing on intentional torts as such.1 We shall argue, however, that the concept of intentional tort can be given a coherent economic meaning and we shall try to show that the common law treatment of intentional torts can be explained on the hypothesis that the common law attempts to promote efficiency.
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Function in Murine Ventricular Myocytes Overexpressing SR CaATPase

Abstract To examine the effects of the overexpression of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) CaATPase on function of the SR and Ca 2+ homeostasis, we measured [Ca 2+ ] i transients (fluo-3), and L-type Ca 2+ currents (I Ca,L ), Na/Ca exchanger currents (I Na/Ca ), and SR Ca 2+ content with voltage clamp in ventricular myocytes isolated from wild type (WT) mice and transgenic (SRTG) mice. The amplitude of [Ca 2+ ] i transients was insignificantly increased in SRTG myocytes, while the diastolic [Ca 2+ ] i tended to be lower. The initial and terminal declines of [Ca 2+ ] i transients were significantly accelerated in SRTG myocytes, implying a functional upregulation of the SR CaATPase. We examined the functional contribution of only the SR CaATPase to the initial and the terminal phase of the decline of [Ca 2+ ] i , by abruptly inhibiting Na/Ca exchange with a rapid switcher device. The rate of [Ca 2+ ] decline mediated by the SR CaATPase was increased by 40% in SRTG compared with WT myocytes. The function of the L-type Ca 2+ channel was unchanged in SRTG myocytes, while INa/Ca density was slightly (10%) decreased. Measured SR Ca 2+ content was significantly increased by 29% in SRTG myocytes. Thus, overexpression of SR CaATPase markedly accelerates the decline of [Ca 2+ ] i transients, and induces an increase in SR Ca 2+ content, with some downregulation of the Na/Ca exchanger.
Modeling Short-Run Cost and Production Functions in Computerized Business Simulations:

This article develops an algorithm to model short-run cost and production functions using Sheppard's lemma in computerized business simulations. The algorithm is derived using duality theory to maintain consistency between the production technology and cost relationships of the firm. The short-run cost function is shown to depend on: variable factor prices, the production rate, and the level of the fixed factors. Sheppard's lemma is applied to derive the cost minimizing input demand levels based on the characteristics of the short-run cost function. A recommended system of equations is presented and discussed to simulate the theoretical model of the firm. A numerical example is given to illustrate how the parameters of the equation set can be estimated and how the functions behave. The system is shown to be flexible and may be applied to model a wide array of cost structures.
A comparative study of fiber breakage in compounding glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastics in a buss kneader, modular Co-rotating and counter-rotating twin screw extruders

The breakage of glass fibers was measured for several different types of continuous mixers including (i) Buss Kneader, (ii) modular intermeshing co-rotating twin screw extruder, and (iii) modular intermeshing counter-rotating twin screw extruder. Comparisons are made using different screw configurations, loadings, feeding ports, and mixing elements. Downstream feeding of glass fibers and milder screw configuration favor less breakage of glass fibers.
Mather and Hockingport Sandstone Lentils (Pennsylvanian and Permian) of Dunkard Basin, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio

The Mather Sandstone Lentil (formerly termed Waynesburg) of the lower part of the Waynesburg Formation, Dunkard Group (Pennsylvanian and Permian), has been considered to be a more or less continuous deposit extending entirely across the Dunkard basin. The Mather Sandstone Lentil is restricted in areal extent to southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. A similar sandstone deposit, which is present in parts of Washington, Athens and Meigs Counties, Ohio, and adjacent West Virginia has been considered to be a part of the Mather (Waynesburg) Sandstone. In the opinion of the writers these sandstones are homotaxial units; that is, they have a similar order of arrangement in different locations but are not necessarily contemporaneous. The sandstone of southeastern O io is herein termed the Hockingport Sandstone Lentil, from the village of that name in Athens County. The sandstone of southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia is herein termed the Mather Sandstone Lentil. It is suggested that both sandstone bodies are lentils of the Dunkard Group. The sandstones are subgraywackes. The Mather Sandstone Lentil is locally conglomeratic and contains approximately 68 percent quartz. The Hockingport Sandstone Lentil contains much pebble and granule conglomerate and averages 61 percent quartz. Both sandstones are elongate, belt-type deposits of fluvial origin. The Mather Sandstone Lentil has a thickness up to 75 ft (23 m), a preserved length of approximately 45 mi (72 km), and ranges in width from about 11 to 20 mi (18 to 32 km). The preserved deposit essentially blankets an area of 880 sq mi (2,279 sq km). The longer axis is oriented N20°E and the vector mean of dip directions of cross-stratification is oriented N5°E. The Hockingport Sandstone Lentil attains a thickness of 100 ft (30 m) and ranges between 5 and 11 mi (8 and 18 km) in width. The length of preserved outcrop of the deposit is 28 mi (45 km), and its extent is approximately 225 sq mi (583 sq km). The longer axis is oriented north-south and the vector mean of dip directions of cross-stratification is oriented N8°W.
The phosphonic acid analog of phosphatidyglycerol phosphate: influence on Escherichia coli growth and physiology

Abstract At 20 μM, rac-3,4-dihydroxybutyl-1-phosphonate (DBP) has only a slight bacteriostatic effect on Escherichia coli. However, cells lose viability when the medium also contains either 20 mM magnesium or calcium ions. Magnesium ions stimulate the incorporation of DBP into (1,2-diacyl)-sn-glycerol- d -4′-phosphoryloxy-3′-hydroxybutyl-1′-phosphonate, the phosphonate analog of phosphatidylglycerol phosphate. Much higher DBP cocnentrations are needed the growth of a pgsA3 mutant than to block the growth of an isogenic wild-type strain. The DBP-treated pgsA mutant also has a much higher survival rate when stored in the cold than does the DBP-treated wild-type strain. Furthermore, the pgsA3 mutant grows normally in the presence of DBP and magnesium ions. Treatment with DBP and magnesium ions does not appear to disrupt the cell's inner or outer membranes. However, it does block macromolecular and phosphoglyceride synthesis. A combination of 20 μM rac-DBP and 0.5 mM spermidine or 0.125 mM spermine is bacteriostatic. These studies indicate that the PGP analog contributes to DBP's bacteriostatic effect when the growth medium contains low concentrations of magnesium or calcium ions and is responsible for its bactericidal effect when the medium contains high concentrations of these ions.
Tn7 transposition in vitro proceeds through an excised transposon intermediate generated by staggered breaks in DNA

We have developed a cell-free system in which the bacterial transposon Tn7 inserts at high frequency into its preferred target site in the Escherichia coli chromosome, attTn7; Tn7 transposition in vitro requires ATP and Tn7-encoded proteins. Tn7 transposes via a cut and paste mechanism in which the element is excised from the donor DNA by staggered double-strand breaks and then inserted into attTn7 by the joining of 3' transposon ends to 5' target ends. Neither recombination intermediates nor products are observed in the absence of any protein component or DNA substrate. Thus, we suggest that Tn7 transposition occurs in a nucleoprotein complex containing several proteins and the substrate DNAs and that recognition of attTn7 within this complex provokes strand cleavages at the Tn7 ends.
1018-49 Assessing a Strategy of Stand-alone Extraction Atherectomy Followed by Staged Stent Placement in Degenerated Saphenous Vein Graft Lesions

Previously, we reported the high incidence of ischemic complications due to distal embolization (DE) following extraction atherectomy (TEC) of degenerated saphenous vein grafts (DSVG: grafts with lumen ectasia or irregularities comprising ≥50% of the graft length), frequently caused by adjunct PTCA (Group I). To assess whether a staged strategy (initial stand-alone TEC ± lyric therapy, followed by coumadin and stenting 1–2 months later) could reduce ischemic complications, we performed a pilot study in 28 pts with DSVG (Group II). Demographics and graft age (100 ± 47 vs. 99 ± 42 months) were similar, except for more recent MI in Group II (58.3% vs. 22.7%, P = 0.03). Group I (n = 44) Group II (n = 28) % DS (Pre/Final) 79 ± 14/30 ± 24 * 80 ± 17/45 ± 19 DE (%) 22.7 ** 10.7 Any In-hospital Complications 11.4% *** 0% Death/CABG/MI (%) 6.8/2.3/4.5 0/0/0 DS = diameter stenosis * p l 0.001 ** p = 0.20 *** p = 0.15 vs. Group II Preliminary Follow-up Among 27 pts in Group II eligible for follow-up (g 1 month), there were no major ischemic complications. There were 4 total occlusions [1 non-Q wave MI at 4 months and 3 silent occlusions at 6 weeks (1) and 2 months (2)]. 9 without clinical indication for additional therapy, 11 staged procedures with stenting (follow-up % DS = 56 ± 30%), and 3 without significant stenosis on follow-up angiography. We conclude that this staged angioplasty strategy in degenerated saphenous vein graft lesions: 1) may reduce distal embolization, but most importantly , avoids major in-hospital ischemic complications during the initial procedure: but 2) at the expense of ≈15% graft occlusions, which occurred more than 6 weeks after the initial procedure: and 3) prevented any deaths either during the initial procedure or during the follow-up period. These results underscore the importance of early (1 month) follow-up in all patients undergoing this staged TEC, followed by stent procedure in treating complex degenerated saphenous vein graft lesions.
Electrocardiographic correlates of ultrasonically increased septal, left ventricular posterior wall and left ventricular internal dimensions

The electrocardiograms (ECG) of 64 subjects who exhibited an echocardiographically demonstrable increase in thickness of the interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall (Group 1, 22 patients), isolated left ventricular internal dimension (Group 2,26 patients), combined wall thickness and chamber diameter (Group 3, 2 patients), and septal thickness, (Group 4, asymmetric septal hypertrophy, 14 patients) were reviewed in order to determine sensitivity of ECG criteria for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) proposed in 1949 by Sokolow and Lyon (13), in 1968 by Romhilt and Estes (14), and in 1973 the New York Heart Association (15). Relative sensitivity of the three methods was as follows: Total group, NYHA (77%) greater than Sokolow and Lyon (67%) greater than Romhilt and Estes (58%); Group 1, NYHA (91%) greater than Sokolow and Lyon (73%) greater than Romhilt and Estes (54%); Group 2, NYHA and Sokolow and Lyon (65%) greater than Romhilt and Estes (61%); Group 4, NYHA (79%) greater than Sokolow and Lyon (64%) greater than Romhilt and Estes (57%). We conclude that 1)ECG criteria of the NYHA for the diagnosis of LVH correlate best with an increase of ultrasonically determined septal, left ventricular posterior wall or left ventricular internal dimensions when compared with voltage criteria of Sokolow and Lyon and the point score system of Romhilt and Estes; and 2) isolated increase of left ventricular internal dimension, in the absence of thickened septum or posterior left ventricular wall, frequently results in ECG criteria compatible with the diagnosis of LVH.
PROPERTIES OF A NONLINEAR BLASCHKE PRODUCT DECOMPOSITION ALGORITHM

Motivated by developments in nonlinear time–space–frequency analysis such as Refs. 8 and 14, we investigate the properties of Blaschke products. Inner products are constructed under which certain sets of Blaschke products, each have a single zero location, form orthonormal bases for H2(D). Using these sets of Blaschke products as approximants, a greedy algorithm decomposition is implemented. Properties are observed which may help to develop a faster search type algorithm.
Further Nutritional Requirements of Paramecium aurelia

SYNOPSIS. An acetone-insoluble yeast fraction required for axenic growth of P. aurelia, stock 51, variety 4, sensitive, after fractionation contained at least 3 essential components: (1) one soluble in perchloric acid and completely replaceable by a mixture of ribosides or ribotides; (2) one inactivated after digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin or papain. Proteose-Peptone restored activity to this preparation, which suggests a peptide requirement; and (3) one not yet characterized. As for the purine and pyrimidines, these combinations, in decreasing order of activity, supported growth: guanosine + cytidine, guanosine + uridine, guanylic acid + cytidylic acid, and guanylic acid + uridylic acid. Each combination was maximally effective when the molar purine: pyrimidine ratio was ∼ 0.4. On a molar basis, the minimal riboside combinations were ∼ 1.3 × more active than the ribotides. Sparing of the purine and pyrimidine requirement was also investigated. In the presence of limiting amounts of guanylic acid, the following compounds, in decreasing order of activity, had sparing activity: deoxyguanosine, inosine, xanthosine, adenylic acid, and guanine. Adenine, adenosine, and deoxyadenosine were inhibitory under the test conditions. The requirement for cytidylic acid was spared by deoxycytidine, uridine, uridylic acid, deoxyuridine, thymidine, thymine, and uracil, in descending order.
Modelling concepts for reasoning about access to knowledge

There is growing agreement about the usefulness of putting semantic database constraints into explicit form that can be manipulated by various database management programs. Indeed, this is a prerequisite for building intelligent database mediators. These are programs that perform the task of a good database analyst: to pose the most effective and easily processed queries to help solve a problem. Semantic query optimization is a technique to exploit semantic constraints for one aspect of intelligent database mediation: increasing retrieval efficiency. The technique is to use semantic constraints to transform a query into an equivalent one that can be processed more efficiently. Various kinds of semantic knowledge that can be used for this purpose are described.
Cardiovascular disease-related genes and regulation by diet.

Diets rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) such as α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid are associated with decreased incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease (CVD). At least some of the beneficial effects of these dietary fatty acids are mediated by metabolites such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes, and resolvins. The effects of n-3 PUFAs often differ from those of other fatty acids with very similar structures, such as linoleic acid and arachidonic acid (n-6 PUFAs) and their corresponding metabolites. This article reviews the evidence that specific receptors exist for fatty acids or their metabolites that are able to regulate gene expression and coordinately affect metabolic or signaling pathways associated with CVD. Four nuclear receptor subfamilies that respond to dietary and endogenous ligands and have implications for CVD are emphasized in this article: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, retinoid X receptors, liver X receptors, and the farnesoid X receptor.
A Comparison of Centralizationl Decentralization of Decision Making Concepts and Measures

Representing three perspectives which have guided researchers, three new measures of Centralization/Decentralization (C/D) were developed and compared with the most common C/D indicator. The findings suggest that the measures tap different aspects of C/D. In addition, C/D was found to vary by the type of decision involved. Future researchers are cautioned to avoid using different conceptualizations of C/D interchangeably.
Speech perception and production.

Until recently, research in speech perception and speech production has largely focused on the search for psychological and phonetic evidence of discrete, abstract, context-free symbolic units corresponding to phonological segments or phonemes. Despite this common conceptual goal and intimately related objects of study, however, research in these two domains of speech communication has progressed more or less independently for more than 60 years. In this article, we present an overview of the foundational works and current trends in the two fields, specifically discussing the progress made in both lines of inquiry as well as the basic fundamental issues that neither has been able to resolve satisfactorily so far. We then discuss theoretical models and recent experimental evidence that point to the deep, pervasive connections between speech perception and production. We conclude that although research focusing on each domain individually has been vital in increasing our basic understanding of spoken language processing, the human capacity for speech communication is so complex that gaining a full understanding will not be possible until speech perception and production are conceptually reunited in a joint approach to problems shared by both modes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website
SOME CONSTITUENTS OF ELEMENTARY BODIES OF VACCINIA

Treatment of elementary bodies of vaccinia with dilute solutions of sodium hydroxide resulted in the extraction of certain soluble materials accounting for half of the dry weight of the virus. Elementary bodies contained about 0.4 per cent inorganic phosphorus, practically all of which occurred in the form of a nucleoprotein containing thymus nucleic acid. In addition, a substance was recovered that reacted with S antibodies. From past experience one is led to believe that S antigen, as ordinarily encountered, is a protein which is not in combination with nucleic acid.
Smooth Hyporeductive and Pseudoreductive Loops

The role of Bol loops and reductive loops in the theory of smooth loops is very important. In these cases it is possible to construct a proper infinitesimal theory (similar to Lie group theory) if one associates with the loop certain binaryternary tangent algebra with identities, in the first case a Bol algebra, in the second case a triple Lie algebra. But it is possible to consider a more general case of hyporeductive loops [L.V. Sabinin 90b,c,d, 91a] generalizing both Bol loops and reductive loops and to construct a proper infinitesimal theory. Here an adequate infinitesimal object will be some linear algebra equipped with two binary and one ternary operations and the system of identities (so called hyporeductive algebra). Such an algebra is the generalization of Bol algebra and triple Lie algebra, both. In this Chapter we shall construct the infinitesimal theory of smooth hyporeductive and pseudoreductive loops.
Implementing Highway Preventive Maintenance: Comparing Challenges, Processes, and Solutions in Three States

One of the central challenges facing today's state transportation policymakers is how to incorporate preventive maintenance concepts and strategies into existing asset-management systems. Seven unique challenges to implementing preventive maintenance are identified in the literature and elsewhere, and a discussion covers the ways states have addressed those challenges through various implementation strategies. Then, case studies provide examples of how that incorporation has occurred in the departments of transportation in Michigan, Kansas, and Nebraska. The three case studies are presented in an effort to demonstrate the advantages and disadvantages of these three unique approaches, herein labeled the top-down approach, for Michigan; the bottom-up approach, for Kansas; and the inclusive approach, for Nebraska. In particular, an examination is presented of how preventive maintenance concepts were integrated into the planning, budgeting, and technical needs-assessment for state highways.
On the Proof that Compact Hausdorff Boolean Algebras are Powersets

Papert Strauss (Proc. London Math. Soc. 18(3), 217–230, 1968) used Pontryagin duality to prove that a compact Hausdorff topological Boolean algebra is a powerset algebra. We give a more elementary proof of this result that relies on a version of Bogolyubov’s lemma.
The Stigma of Chronic Facial Pain and Its Impact on Social Relationships

This paper examines the extent to which a chronic facial pain disorder (temporomandibular pain and dysfunction syndrome or TMPDS) is felt to be stigmatizing by those who suffer from it. We argue that, because TMPDS cases experience persistent pain that cannot be explained biomedically, they are vulnerable to negative labeling both by the health professionals who treat the pain and by others in their lives. We also argue that such labeling can cause TMPDS sufferers to feel stigmatized and that perceptions of stigma can have adverse consequences for the pained person 's social relationships, especially intimate relationships. Using scales developed to assess two dimensions of perceived stigma and two management strategies, we find that a large majority of the TMPDS patients in our sample feels estranged from others and not understood because of their experiences with facial pain. A substantial minority also believes that others attribute their condition to personality problems. And, many facial pain patients endorse two common stigma management strategies: disclosure and secrecy. Perceptions of stigma are related to the frequency of medical consultations and to having been told by a doctor that the pain is imaginary. With respect to social relationships, we find the support networks of patients who feel estranged due to their pain experiences contain relatively more members of their households than do networks of less estranged patients. In addition, we find a relationship between estrangement due to pain and dissatisfaction with intimate relationships. These findings are discussed in terms of the applicability of sociological theories of labeling and stigma for a condition not generally thought of in terms of these processes. Chronic unexplained pain poses a potent social dilemma for those who experience it. The pain itself is an undeniable reality, part of the person's experience of the world. But how can this subjectively experienced reality become a socially recognized one? In the absence of an easily identifiable lesion, people with pain often rely on biomedical experts to validate their claims of discomfort through medical investigations and tests. But some forms of pain are left unexplained by these investigations, and, when they are, the person is placed firmly in a situation ripe for social awkwardness and misunderstanding. Other investigators have described some of the consequences of the pained person's social dilemma in terms of the cultural meanings of chronic pain (Hilbert 1984) and social interactions of persons with pain (Kotarba 1983). In this paper, we investigate an unexplored aspect of chronic unexplained pain, its stigmatizing potential, and the resulting implications this has for the breadth and quality of social relationships. We argue that attempts to cope with chronic unexplained pain problems eventually generate stigmatizing reactions from many of the health professionals who treat these conditions and from others in the sufferers' lives. Then, once feelings of stigmatization become part of
The Framing of Characters in Popular Movies

I investigated the number and locations of characters as they appear on the screen in 48 popular movies released from 1935 to 2010. Sampling an average of one of every 500 frames (∼20 s of film) I amassed data from almost 14 000 movie images. The number and placement of the characters in each image were digitally recorded and compared across years and across aspect ratios (the ratio of the width to the height of the image). Results show a roughly linear decrease in the number of characters on the screen across years. Moreover, the number of characters influences shot scale, shot duration, and mediates their direct effect on one another. The location of characters on the screen was measured by the bridge of the nose between the eyes. By this measure I found that framing varies widely across aspect ratios, but when each image is conformed to the same shape, the overlap of the locations of characters is remarkably constant across years and aspect ratios for images with one, two, and three characters. Together, these results exemplify both constancy and change in the evolution of popular movies.
A Distributed Analogue CMOS Phase Shifter with Shielded Transmission Line

A novel wideband analogue phase shifter using shielded transmission line and slow-wave Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) is implemented using CMOS 130 nm technology. With no power consumption and a compact length of 1 mm the phase shifter has the capability of generating a phase difference of about 60deg at 10 GHz, where the insertion loss varies from -2.6 dB at -1.5V to -3.8 dB at 1.5 V. The design has been characterized up to 40 GHz and demonstrates competitive capabilities in terms of performance, size, control voltage and linearity with the state of the art CMOS distributed analogue phase shifters. Linearity measurements reveal that the 1-dB compression point at 10 GHz is about +14.7 dBm. This design shows the opportunities existing for monolithically integration of a low loss and compact phase shifter in CMOS technology.
Modification of surfactant contrast agent for targeted ultrasound imaging

Fibronectin peptide fragments were conjugated to a surfactant stabilized ultrasound contrast agent to develop a targeted contrast agent that enhances ultrasound imaging. The agent was modified with PEG and conjugated with a generic GRGDS peptide sequences that targets integrins specific to angiogenesis. The microbubbles bound to human breast cancer cells in vitro within 3 minutes under flow conditions. The GRGDS peptide modified-microbubbles show promise as candidates for targeted therapeutic imaging and eventually drug delivery vehicles.
Novel Mutations of the endothelin-B Receptor Gene in Isolated Patients With Hirschsprung's Disease

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is characterized by the absence of autonomic ganglion cells in the terminal bowel and is a relatively common cause of intestinal obstruction in the newborn. The incidence of HSCR is estimated to be 1 in 5000 live births. Recently, the endothelin-B receptor (EDNRB) gene has been shown as a susceptibility gene for HSCR by the production of aganglionic colon in mice with a null mutation of this gene and by demonstrating a missense mutation in a large inbred kindred with a high incidence of HSCR (Mennonite pedigree). However, no further mutations have been demonstrated in other clinical cases. We analysed alterations of the EDNRB gene in 41 isolated patients of HSCR. Two novel mutations were detected: a G to A transition at nucleotide 824 and an insertion of T at nucleotide 878. Both mutations resulted in stop codons, predicted to produce a truncated and non-functional endothelin-B receptor. These observations indicate that dysfunction or loss of function of endothelin-B receptor may be involved in the aetiology of some isolated patients with HSCR.
Experimental Evaluation of Depth-of-Interaction Correction in a Small-Animal Positron Emission Tomography Scanner:

Human and small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) scanners with cylindrical geometry and conventional detectors exhibit a progressive reduction in radial spatial resolution with increasing radial distance from the geometric axis of the scanner. This ‘‘depth-of-interaction’’ (DOI) effect is sufficiently deleterious that many laboratories have devised novel schemes to reduce the magnitude of this effect and thereby yield PET images of greater quantitative accuracy. Here we examine experimentally the effects of a particular DOI correction method (dual-scintillator phoswich detectors with pulse shape discrimination) implemented in a smallanimal PET scanner by comparing the same phantom and same mouse images with and without DOI correction. The results suggest that even this relatively coarse, two-level estimate of radial gamma ray interaction position significantly reduces the DOI parallax error. This study also confirms two less appreciated advantages of DOI correction: a reduction in radial distortion and radial source displacement as a source is moved toward the edge of the field of view and a resolution improvement detectable in the central field of view likely owing to improved spatial sampling. Origin of the Depth-of-Interaction Effect Positron emission tomography (PET) scanners with cylindrical geometry and without depth-of-interaction (DOI) correction exhibit a progressive reduction in radial spatial resolution with increasing distance from the center
Lessons Learned With Girls, Games, and Design

Girls have long been dismissed and trivialized by the game industry. The Girls' Game Movement of the 1990s aimed to create games specifically for girls, but ultimately struggled to reach consensus on whether to make games catering to the feminine content that girls expressed interest in, or whether to challenge gender stereotypes and guide the ways that girls engage with games. Other research-based programs and interventions to engage girls in game design have faced similar difficulties, attempting to find balance between respecting girls' values and empowering them as designers. This paper offers a review of these programs, highlighting similarities in findings about what girls value in games and design, and synthesizing shared challenges and struggles. Analyzing past programs can be invaluable to contemporary educators, scholars, and designers looking to engage girls with game design and technology.
Dance, Politics & Co-Immunity

Dance, Politics & Co-Immunity developed out of a symposium organized by the Master in Choreography and Performance at the Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany, which was held with a joint symposium Thinking—Resisting—Reading the Political organized by the Graduate Center for the Study of Culture at the same university in 2010. Whereas the cultural studies symposium asked, “What specific perspectives and methodological consequences arise for the study of culture that are informed by recent deliberations on the relationship of the political and the aesthetic?” (2010), the dance symposium invited participants and contributors to the anthology “to think about the multiple connections between politics, community, dance, and globalization from the perspective of Dance and Theatre Studies, History, Philosophy, and Sociology” (13). As indicated by the title of the cultural studies symposium and some of the key speakers, including Jacques Ranciere, Chantal Mouffe, and Judith Butler, the term political is not used as broadly as it might be used in U.S.-based dance studies discourse. Rather, the political is predominantly investigated by both symposia for its resistive potential and from a liberal or post-Marxist stance.
Subordinate or Dictator? Interpretations of Commander-in-Chief Clause by Members of Congress

This paper reports preliminary results of a more extensive project to understand the intellectual and legal history of the commander in chief clause of the U.S. Constitution. This project hopes to eventually develop a rigorous explanation of when, and why, the balance of war powers between Congress and the president has changed over time by content analyzing members of Congress’ references to the commander in chief clause. Focusing on four declared wars, this initial paper, based on an ongoing data collection effort, aims only to test a few simple hypotheses. First, it tests, and shows support for, the claim that the president’s inherent war powers were understood to be far more limited during the early Republic than during the twentieth century. The data also suggest that major changes in the nation’s understanding of the inherent war powers of the president took place far earlier than is usually recognized in the existing literature. Second, it tests whether it has always been the case that members of the president’s party argue for more expansive presidential war powers, and that members of the opposing party argue for more limited presidential war powers. It finds support for both hypotheses in the nineteenth century, with evidence of a major shift toward presidential power by partisan opponents of the president at the beginning of World War I.
Detection of short-term cropping system-induced changes to soil bacterial communities differs among four molecular characterization methods

Perennial grass-based agroecosystems are under consideration as sustainable sources of bioenergy feedstocks. Establishing these systems on land previously used for conventional agricultural production is expected to dramatically alter the composition and functional capacity of their associated soil bacterial communities, but the rate at which these changes will occur is unclear. Methods for characterizing bacterial communities are both varied and useful for documenting different aspects of the soil microbiota and their dynamics during this transition. Here, we studied the soil-associated bacterial communities of continuous corn and restored prairies systems within a cropping systems experiment 2–4 years after establishment using 1) phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) profiling, 2) shotgun metagenomic sequencing, 3) amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and 4) sequencing of the nitrogen-cycling gene nosZ. All characterization methods discriminated the bacterial communities between the two cropping systems, but the largest differences were observed with PLFA profiling. Differences between the two cropping systems did not significantly increase during the study period. The community compositions described by sequence-based methods were mutually correlated, but were only weakly correlated to the composition described by PLFA profiling. Shotgun metagenomics detected a much higher abundance of Actinobacteria than amplicon sequencing and revealed more consistent changes between cropping systems over time. Cropping system and interannual effects on the ratios of biomarkers associated with Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were entirely different for PLFAs, rRNA amplicons, and shotgun-sequenced 16S rRNA. Our findings highlight how soil bacterial community characterization methods differ in their detection of microbial community composition as a result of recent land use change.
Thiazolidinediones and vascular damage.

Purpose of review Although the thiazolidinediones were introduced for the treatment of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes, it became quickly apparent that these agents modulated many pathways related to vascular physiology and pathophysiology. Given the fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in diabetes, it has become important to know whether these agents have vasculoprotective effects and if so whether these are associated with the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Recent findings The thiazolidinedione class improves endothelial vasomotion, inhibits inflammatory and procoagulant processes and has powerful antiproliferative and antioxidant effects. Experimentally these agents retard atherosclerosis development in predisposed animals. Clinical studies demonstrate that they increase HDL cholesterol and LDL size, and may lower triglyceride levels. They modestly lower blood pressure, reduce microalbuminuria, arterial stiffness and reduce carotid wall thickening. These effects are generally independent of glucose lowering and in many instances have been shown to occur in nondiabetic subjects. A single clinical endpoint intervention trial of add-on pioglitazone treatment in type 2 diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease suggested on secondary analyses that the agent reduced cardiovascular events. Summary The weight of the experimental, subclinical and clinical assessments of the effects of these agents supports the contention that they are vasculoprotective. In the final analysis their use in clinical practice to prevent cardiovascular disease will mostly depend on whether clinical trials consistently demonstrate that they reduced cardiovascular events.
Incumbency, Electoral Safety, and Turnover in the House of Representatives, 1952–76

Two hypotheses have received a great deal of attention from students of congressional elections. First, many analysts have concluded that an increase in the electoral value attached to incumbency accounts for the rise in incumbents' victory margins observed since the mid-sixties. Second, many scholars have attributed the decline in electoral turnover to the percentage increase in victory margins. Analyzing the electoral histories of 13 House cohorts (1952-76), this study reexamines these two hypotheses within the framework of a quasi-experimental design. The results presented here, in contrast to those of previous studies, cast doubt on the increased incumbency effect. Moreover, little relationship is found between an increase in electoral safety, as reflected by increased victory margins, and a decline in electoral turnover.
Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Development in Relation to Temperature in Wisconsin

The developmental threshold temperature of the Colorado potato beetle (CPB) was studied in controlled-temperature chambers, and threshold temperatures and heat unit (HU) summations were determined for egg, larval, and pupal stages. x -Intercept estimates of the egg, larval, and pupal stages were 11.7, 11.0, and 12.0°C, respectively. HU accumulations, above 11°C required for development of egg, larval, and pupal stages were 67, 224, and 86, respectively. Developmental threshold temperatures and HU accumulations are discussed in relation to studies with other North American and European CPB populations. Population trends observed in the field were closely correlated with those predicted based on HU summations, thus providing a reliable method of predicting biological events of CPB populations in Wisconsin
Healthcare resource use and costs associated with renal impairment in US patients with bone metastases from solid tumors.

Introduction During cancer progression, more than half of patients develop renal insufficiency, including chronic kidney disease. The primary and secondary objectives of this study were to estimate healthcare resource use and costs, respectively, associated with renal impairment in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors in the United States. Methods and materials This was a retrospective, observational cohort study conducted using administrative claims data for individuals with solid tumors and bone metastases. Control patients were matched to renal impairment patients using propensity scores (ratio up to 3:1) based on demographics, clinical characteristics, and baseline costs. Average per-patient per-year healthcare resource utilization and costs (total costs and cost components; 2013 dollars) were reported. Results In total, 2616 renal impairment patients were matched to 7211 control patients. Renal impairment patients had greater healthcare resource use compared with controls, including a greater mean number of hospital admissions (4.4 versus 2.1), longer average stay per hospital admission (7.4 versus 6.5 days), as well as greater mean number of physician office visits (22.9 versus 18.8), emergency department visits (3.1 versus 2.0), and hospital-based outpatient visits (18.8 versus 16.0) compared with control patients. Total costs were > $50,000 higher among renal impairment patients ($142,267 versus $88,839; P < 0.001), with hospital costs accounting for $72,557 for renal impairment patients, and $27,858 for control patients ( P < 0.001). Conclusion The healthcare resource use and costs associated with renal impairment in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors is high; efforts to reduce renal impairment in this population, including the potential avoidance of nephrotoxic agents, are warranted.
On the Narrative Skills in the Movie of Secret

Many narrative skills are exerted in the movie secret: space time traversing,multi-person narration,the use of classic plot and suspense,and all of these skills play very important role in the success of the movie,meanwhile give great inspiration for the creation and development of homemade movies.
Nanoscale Probing of Local Electrical Characteristics on MBE-Grown Bi2Te3 Surfaces under Ambient Conditions

The local electrical characteristics on the surface of MBE-grown Bi2Te3 are probed under ambient conditions by conductive atomic force microscopy. Nanoscale mapping reveals a 10–100× enhancement in current at step-edges compared to that on terraces. Analysis of the local current–voltage characteristics indicates that the transport mechanism is similar for step-edges and terraces. Comparison of the results with those for control samples shows that the current enhancement is not a measurement artifact but instead is due to local differences in electronic properties. The likelihood of various possible mechanisms is discussed. The absence of enhancement at the step-edges for graphite terraces is consistent with the intriguing possibility that spin–orbit coupling and topological effects play a significant role in the step-edge current enhancement in Bi2Te3.
Development of occlusion and malocclusion.

Much of the need for orthodontic treatment could be avoided if children received proper dental care at an earlier age. Thus the physician who recognizes and refers occlusal problems in their early stages is providing a significant service. The importance of occlusion is discussed followed by an outline of the development of normal occlusion. Guidelines are offered for recognizing the common and major deviations from normal occlusion in order to allow the physician to appropriately advise the patient or parent.
Early identification of DPAM in at-risk low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm patients: A new approach to surveillance for peritoneal metastasis

Disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis (DPAM) patients often have a history of appendectomy with identification of an incidental mucinous neoplasm (low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN)). The rate of developing DPAM is not well established. Twenty-two patients with incidental LAMN were identified and monitored with cancer markers and CT every 4–6 months. Laparoscopy with peritoneal washing was performed in patients either in the event of radiographic disease or after 12 months in absence of radiographic disease. The rate of detecting peritoneal metastasis was determined for CT scan and laparoscopy. Peritoneal metastasis was detected in 5 (23 %) patients. Occult disease was detected in four patients at laparoscopy without a detectable disease on CT scan. One patient developed radiographic progression at 6 months confirmed with laparoscopy. Four patients were treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS)/HIPEC and one with CRS only. The 17 patients with negative laparoscopy remain disease free with a median follow-up of 50 months. The rate of peritoneal metastasis in incidental LAMN patients was 23 %. Laparoscopy was the primary screening tool identifying occult metastasis. The median PCI of 7 was low, and all the patients underwent R0/R1 resections. This study revealed 1 in every 4.4 patients with LAMN may develop PMP. Longer follow-up and further patient surveillance is warranted.
NIST Lowers Gas Flow Uncertainties to 0.025 % or Less

Abstract:The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has reduced the uncertainty of its 34 L and 677 L Pressure-Volume-Temperature-time (PVTt) primary gas flow standards from 0.050 % to 0.025 % (k = 2) for air flow in the range from 0.01 slm to 2000 slm. Over the restricted range from 0.1 slm to 1000 slm, the uncertainty was reduced to 0.015 %. The reductions in uncertainty were primarily the result of accurately accounting for the water vapor present in the flowing air. Additional uncertainty reductions result from improved measurements of the pressure and of the collection tank volumes. The latter two improvements slightly reduced flow uncertainties for dry gases (e.g., N2, Ar, He, and CO2) from 0.030 % to 0.025 % in the wider range.