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We give the results of parameter fitting of the magnetic clouds (MCs) observed by the Wind spacecraft for the three year period – 2004 to the end of 2006 (the "Present period") using the force-free MC model of Lepping, Jones, and Burlaga (J. Geophys. Res.95, 11957, 1990). There were 19 MCs identified in the Present period, which was mainly in the declining phase of the solar cycle. The long-term occurrence rate of MCs is 10.3/year (1995-2015), whereas the occurrence rate for the Present period is only 6.3/year, similar to that for the period 2007-2009. Hence, the MC occurrence rate has had an appreciable decrease for the six years 2004-2009. The MC modeling gives such basic MC quantities as size, axial orientation, field handedness, axial magnetic field strength, center time, and closest approach vector. A statistically based modification of the modeled field intensity is tested. Also calculated are derived quantities, such as axial magnetic flux, axial current density, and axial current. Quality ( Q 0 ) estimates are assigned representing excellent (1), good/fair (2), and poor (3). We provide error estimates on the specific fit parameters for the individual MCs for the Q 0 = 1 , 2 cases, and give a distribution of MC types (i.e. N ⇒ S, S ⇒ N, All N, All S, etc., ten categories in all). There is an inordinately large percentage of the N ⇒ S type in the Present period (32%). The Present period basic model fitting results are compared to the results of the full Wind mission and other 3-year periods. First, we notice that during the Present period the MCs are, on average, significantly faster (by 21%), distinctly stronger in axial magnetic field (by 37%), and smaller in diameter (by 5.5%), than those in the Long-term period. The quality of the MCs in the Present period is significantly better than that of the Long-term period, where the ratio N (Q 0 = 1 , 2) / N (Q 0 = 1 , 2 , 3) for each is 0.79 and 0.58, respectively. The Present period is quite different from the Long-term period (1995-2015), it is from the other three 3-year periods between 2006 and the end of 2015. In the Present period upstream shocks occur for the first 12 MCs of the 19 cases (63%); for comparison the Long-term rate is 56%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole (PBO) is a fully conjugated, heterocyclic aromatic rigid-rod polymer having a collinear and coplanar backbone leading to excellent thermo-oxidative stabilities, mechanical tenacity, and optoelectronic properties. PBO is inherently a liquid-crystalline polymer and can be obtained as uniaxially oriented fiber or film by extrusion of acidic solution. Schemes for making uniaxial freestanding films and monolayered luminescence devices for polarized optical absorption and emission were processed from a uniaxial PBO fiber. Wide-angle x-ray scattering revealed that the starting fiber and the resulting films were highly oriented. UV-Vis transmission spectra over 200 to 800 nm indicated that the PBO films also had polarized absorption with an attenuation coefficient ratio α[sub ⊥]/α[sub ∥]=1.7. The photoluminescence (PL) of the PBO films was excited at 363 nm, showing an emission intensity ratio I[sub ∥]/I[sub ⊥] as high as 5. The anisotropic PBO film was sandwiched between an indium tin oxide substrate and an Al electrode for monolayer light-emitting diodes (LEDs), showing an electroluminescence (EL) intensity ratio I[sub ∥]/I[sub ⊥]=1.6 together with a markedly decrease in threshold voltage. PL and EL results demonstrated that a highly polarized luminescence emission was achieved by using the uniaxially oriented PBO films. The polarization effects in absorption and luminescence were absent for isotropic PBO films or LEDs. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared spectra of CH stretches have been investigated on the surfaces of synthetic diamond crystallites (5, 100, and 700 nm in diameter) to provide insights into the mid-infrared emission bands of stardusts in interstellar media. While the spectrum of 5-nm diamonds fails to display the distinct 2835 cm-1 (or 3.53 μm) band, a remarkably good match of the absorption bands of larger diamond grains with the emission observed for the stars Elias 1 and HD 97048 is obtained. Suggested by this study, the nanodiamonds that can display such characteristic emission bands at 3.53 μm in these two interstellar systems have a size significantly larger than 5 nm. © 2002 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Miscarriage and take‐home baby are the most important issues to patients with cryptozoospermia in receiving intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The ICSI usually use ejaculated or testicular sperm. Unfortunately, no synthesized evidence reported miscarriage and take‐home baby rate between the two sperm sources. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the miscarriage and take‐home baby rate of ICSI using testicular and ejaculated sperm in patient with cryptozoospermia. Materials and methods: We conducted meta‐analyses that were based on data from Cochrane library, Ovid, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science. The pooled analyses used risk ratio (RR) in random‐effects model. Sensitivity analyses by subgrouping were completed to explore the associations between mean age and outcome. Results: This study identified 331 potential citations and included four cohort studies for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The four studies involved 331 patients with 479 ICSI cycles. The results showed no significant difference in miscarriage between testicular sperm group and ejaculated sperm group (RR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.48–2.35, p = 0.88). Yet, take‐home babies per embryo transfer in testicular sperm group (53/226, 23.45%) was more than ejaculated sperm group (59/429, 13.75%) (RR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.21–2.44, p = 0.002). Similar results can be found in take‐home babies per ICSI cycle (RR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.28–2.44, p = 0.0005), especially in younger couple (RR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.11–3.34, p = 0.02). No small study bias was detected in the analyses. Discussion: This study found that testicular sperm has more advantage for ICSI in patients with cryptozoospermia, especially in younger couple. These findings may help guide us when deciding the optimal method of sperm harvest for men with cryptozoospermia. Conclusion: Comparing to ejaculated sperm, testicular sperm showed benefits for take‐home baby rate, but not for miscarriage in patients with cryptozoospermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the impact of cochlear implantation in 10 patients afflicted with auditory neuropathy with otoferlin gene (OTOF) mutations.

In addition to the traditional existed static model, the dynamic model is proposed to investigate the thickness (${d}$) dependence of tribo-dielectric layer (TDL) with the device performance in the triboelectric nanogenerators (Tengs) in this work. With the involvement of one material parameter, i.e., electron-hole recombination rate (${r}$) near the TDL in our developed dynamic model, the d dependence of TDL for the effective surface charge (${Q}_{s}$) and output current (${I}$) in the Tengs is derived. The maximum ${I}$ (${I}_{{\text {max}}}$) with the optimized TDL thickness (${d}_{{\text {max}}}$) is further obtained with the consideration of different r. It can be found that the larger value of ${r}$ in the material results in the smaller value of ${I}_{{\text {max}}}$ and the larger value of ${d}_{{\text {max}}}$. At the same time, the theoretical dynamic model is compared with the experimental data. With the designed spin coating speed and time for the TDL deposition, the Tengs with different ${d}$ is demonstrated and studied experimentally. The experimental data and the theoretical dynamic model agree very well with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We fitted the parameters of magnetic clouds (MCs) as identified in the Wind spacecraft data from early 2010 to the end of 2012 using the model of Lepping, Jones, and Burlaga ( J. Geophys. Res. 95, 1195, ). The interval contains 48 MCs and 39 magnetic cloud-like (MCL) events. This work is a continuation of MC model fittings of the earlier Wind sets, including those in a recent publication, which covers 2007 to 2009. This period (2010 - 2012) mainly covers the maximum portion of Solar Cycle 24. Between the previous and current interval, we document 5.7 years of MCs observations. For this interval, the occurrence frequency of MCs markedly increased in the last third of the time. In addition, over approximately the last six years, the MC type ( i.e. the profile of the magnetic-field direction within an MC, such as North-to-South, South-to-North, all South) dramatically evolved to mainly North-to-South types when compared to earlier years. Furthermore, this evolution of MC type is consistent with global solar magnetic-field changes predicted by Bothmer and Rust ( Coronal Mass Ejections, 139, ). Model fit parameters for the MCs are listed for 2010 - 2012. For the 5.7 year interval, the observed MCs are found to be slower, weaker in estimated axial magnetic-field intensity, and shorter in duration than those of the earlier 12.3 years, yielding much lower axial magnetic-field fluxes. For about the first half of this 5.7 year period, i.e. up to the end of 2009, there were very few associated MC-driven shock waves (distinctly fewer than the long-term average of about 50 % of MCs). But since 2010, such driven shocks have increased markedly, reflecting similar statistics as the long-term averages. We estimate that 56 % of the total observed MCs have upstream shocks when the full interval of 1995 - 2012 is considered. However, only 28 % of the total number of MCLs have driven shocks over the same period. Some interplanetary shocks during the 2010 - 2012 interval are seen to apparently occur without an obvious MC-driver, probably indicating an encounter with a distant flank of a MC-driven shock. Some of these may be driven by a different kind of structure, however. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the previous letter, we just raised a question "do TEP and TAPP have similar effect on postoperative pain?" We cannot be certain if statistically significant reduced postoperative pain for the TEP approach quantified in a reduction of -0.36 and -0.31 on the VAS scale at 1 and 3 months, respectively, really make a clinical difference; wherefore our previous letter did not make conclusion for pain prevention. Comment on 'Do TEP and TAPP have similar effect on postoperative pain?. [Extracted from the article]

Effects of transabdominal preperitoneal and totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: an update systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. B Dear Editor, b We read with interest an article entitled "Total extraperitoneal (TEP) versus laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernioplasty: systematic review and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials" by Aiolfi et al. in Hernia [[1]]. [Extracted from the article]

Dental caries arises from an imbalance of metabolic activities in dental biofilms developed primarily by Streptococcus mutans. This study was conducted to isolate potential oral probiotics with antagonistic activities against S. mutans biofilm formation from Lactobacillus salivarius, frequently found in human saliva. We analysed 64 L. salivarius strains and found that two, K35 and K43, significantly inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation with inhibitory activities more pronounced than those of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ( LGG), a prototypical probiotic that shows anti-caries activity. Scanning electron microscopy showed that co-culture of S. mutans with K35 or K43 resulted in significantly reduced amounts of attached bacteria and network-like structures, typically comprising exopolysaccharides. Spot assay for S. mutans indicated that K35 and K43 strains possessed a stronger bactericidal activity against S. mutans than LGG. Moreover, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that the expression of genes encoding glucosyltransferases, gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD was reduced when S. mutans were co-cultured with K35 or K43. However, LGG activated the expression of gtfB and gtfC, but did not influence the expression of gtfD in the co-culture. A transwell-based biofilm assay indicated that these lactobacilli inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation in a contact-independent manner. In conclusion, we identified two L. salivarius strains with inhibitory activities on the growth and expression of S. mutans virulence genes to reduce its biofilm formation. This is not a general characteristic of the species, so presents a potential strategy for in vivo alteration of plaque biofilm and caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the scalar part of this study, we determine various statistical relationships between estimated magnetic cloud (MC) model fit-parameters and sunspot number (SSN) for the interval defined by the Wind mission, i.e., early 1995 until the end of 2012, all in terms of yearly averages. The MC-fitting model used is that of Lepping, Jones, and Burlaga ( J. Geophys. Res. 95, 11957 - 11965, ). We also statistically compare the MC fit-parameters and other derived MC quantities [ e.g., axial magnetic flux (Φ) and total axial current density ( J)] with some associated ambient interplanetary quantities (including the interplanetary magnetic field ( B), proton number density ( N), and others). Some of the main findings are that the minimum SSN is nearly simultaneous with the minimum in the number of MCs per year ( N), which occurs in 2008. There are various fluctuations in N and the MC model-fit quality ( Q′) throughout the mission, but the last four years (2009 - 2012) are markedly different from the others; Q′ is low and N is large over these four years. N is especially large for 2012. The linear correlation coefficient (c.c.≈0.75) between the SSN and each of the three quantities J, MC diameter (2 R), and B, is moderately high, but none of the MC parameters track the SSN well in the sense defined in this article. However, there is good statistical tracking among the following: MC axial field, B, 2 R, average MC speed ( V), and yearly average solar wind speed ( V) with relatively high c.c.s among most of these. From the start of the mission until late 2005, J gradually increases, with a slight violation in 2003, but then a dramatic decrease (by more than a factor of five) occurs to an almost steady and low value of ≈ 3 μA km until the end of the interval of interest, i.e., lasting for at least seven years. This tends to split the overall 18-year interval into two phases with a separator at the end of 2005. There is good tracking between 2 R and the total axial current density, as expected. The MC duration is also correlated well with these two quantities. Φ shows marked variations throughout the mission, but has no obvious trend. N, B, V, Q′, and V are all quite steady over the full 18 years and have markedly low relative variation. Concerning vector quantities, we examine the distribution of MC type for the 18 years, where type refers to the field directional change through a given MC starting at first encounter ( i.e., North-to-South, or South-to-North, All South, All North, etc.). Combining all 18 years of MC types shows that the occurrence rate varies strongly across the various MC types, with N-to-S being most prevalent, with a 27 % occurrence rate (of all MCs), and S-to-N being second, with a 23 % occurrence. Then All N and All S come next at 16 % and 10 % occurrence rate, respectively. All others are at 7 % or lower. For the variation of MC types with time, the southern types ( i.e., those that start with a southern magnetic field, a negative B in geocentric-solar-ecliptic coordinates) decrease, as the northern types ( i.e., those that start with a northern field) increase, apparently consistent with the specific timing of the polarity change of the solar magnetic field, as predicted by Bothmer and Rust (in Crooker, N., Joselyn, J., Feynman J. (eds), Geophys. Monogr., 139 - 146, ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-LED colour mixing light sources are increasingly being used in lighting. The method used to set the dimming signal needs to accurately achieve and sustain the desired colour temperature and high colour rendering index (CRI). A pulse width modulation (PWM) signal is always used in LED colour mixing. But the PWM switch state creates a time delay in the multi-LED current regulator, resulting in a colour difference. A modified PWM signal to accurately maintain the desired colour temperature and a high CRI is derived from a parameterised LED current regulator switch state, using curve fitting. The modified PWM signal can be calculated from reconstructed coefficients of the illuminant spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernioplasty is significantly less painful than open repair, but it is not completely painless. Local anesthetics are thought to decrease postoperative pain when placed at the surgical site. We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of extraperitoneal bupivacaine treatment during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair for the reduction of postoperative pain. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs that investigated the outcomes of extraperitoneal bupivacaine analgesia versus control in laparoscopic TEP hernia repair. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale at 4-6 h and at 24 h following the surgery. The secondary outcomes included complications and analgesia consumption. Results: We reviewed eight trials that included a total of 373 patients. We found no difference between the groups in postoperative pain reduction following laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair. The intensity of pain was not significantly different between the bupivacaine treatment group and the control group. The pooled mean differences in pain scores were −0.26 (95 % CI −0.72 to 0.21) at 4-6 h and −0.47 (95 % CI −1.24 to 0.29) at 24 h. No bupivacaine-related complications were reported. Conclusion: Extraperitoneal bupivacaine treatment during laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernioplasty is not more efficacious for the reduction of postoperative pain than placebo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In dairy cows, ketosis is an important disease associated with negative energy balance, which leads to low blood glucose levels and high blood nonesterified fatty acid levels. The liver is the most active organ in cows for the metabolism of nonesterified fatty acids. Insulin is an anabolic hormone that plays numerous roles in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, as well as being a potent regulator of fatty acid oxidation. In this study, using fluorescent quantitative reversetranscription PCR, ELISA, and primary hepatocytes cultured in vitro, we examined the effect of insulin (0, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 nmol/L) on fatty acid oxidation by monitoring mRNA and protein expression levels of key enzymes: long-chain acyl-coenzyme A synthetase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, and long-chain acylcoenzyme A dehydrogenase. The results showed that the mRNA and protein expression of long-chain acylcoenzyme A synthetase, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I, and long-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase was markedly decreased when the concentration of insulin in the media was increased. These findings indicate that high levels of insulin significantly inhibit the expression of genes related to fatty acid oxidation and consequently results in a decreased level of fatty acid oxidation in calf hepatocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A comparative study of non-coplanar binary dislocation junctions in magnesium (Mg) and beryllium (Be) is presented to examine the effects of elastic properties and active Burgers vectors on junction formation and destruction in hexagonal close-packed (hcp) crystals via discrete dislocation dynamics simulations. Two junction configurations formed at intersecting prismatic planes and type-II pyramidal planes are studied using Burgers vectors of varying magnitudes. The equilibrium junctions are created from two intersecting straight gliding dislocations, and their subsequent strengths are evaluated under uniform applied stresses. The relative junction strengths between Mg and Be are consistent with their relative elastic stiffness, i.e., the modulus of elasticity for Mg is approximately one order of magnitude smaller than that of Be, and their junction strengths are similarly one order of magnitude apart. In general, the yield surfaces for junctions in Be are larger than those in Mg after normalization with the respective elastic moduli and Poisson’s ratios. All yield surfaces exhibit a strong symmetry. However, the size and shape of the yield surfaces depend on the slip systems, especially the active Burgers vectors. The yield surfaces of hcp crystals can resemble those of face-centered cubic or body-centered cubic crystals when the active Burgers vectors of the dislocations involved in the junction are of type 〈a〉, namely , and are distinct when Burgers vectors of different types are used: for instance, a type 〈a + c〉, namely , interacting with a type 〈a〉. It was also found that junctions with more edge part exhibit more elongated yield surfaces than those with more screw part, and slip systems involved with 〈a〉 Burgers vectors result in smaller yield surfaces. These results demonstrate that junction strengths for hcp crystals are largely determined by elastic properties and Burgers vectors. The work aims to assess the effects of intrinsic material properties and dislocation slip systems on the strength of different binary dislocation junctions for general hcp structures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Multi-channel light-emitting diode (LED) light sources have been developed for various applications in lighting, but especially for spectrum-tunable lighting. However, how to select the optimal combination of LEDs for these light sources is rarely discussed. Unlike the negative-pruning process which operates by removing LEDs from a set of available LEDs based on an unrealizable negative-coefficient criterion alone, the proposed pruning process removes LEDs so as to minimize the synthesis error. This method not only produces the same optimal set of LEDs as those identified by the full-search method but also suggests when using phosphor-converted LEDs is beneficial. It does this by investigating the trade-off between the full width half maximum of the LEDs and the number of LEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hilbert curve is one of space filling curves and it requires that the region is of size 2k×2k, where k∈N. This study relaxes this constraint and generates a pseudo-Hilbert curve of arbitrary dimension. The intuitive method such as Chung et al.'s algorithm is to use Hilbert curves in the decomposed areas directly and then have them connected. However, they must generate a sequence of the scanned quadrants additionally before encoding and decoding the Hilbert order of one pixel. In this study, by using the approximately even partition approach, the authors propose a new Hilbert curve, the Hilbert* curve, which permits any square regions. Experimental results show that the clustering property of the Hilbert* curve is similar to that of the standard Hilbert curve. Next, the authors also propose encoding/decoding algorithms for the Hilbert* curves. Since the authors do not need to additionally generate and scan the sequence of quadrants, the proposed algorithm outperforms Chung et al.'s algorithms for the square region. Then, the authors apply the Hilbert* curves in Chung et al.'s algorithms for the Hilbert curve of arbitrary dimension and experimental results show that the proposed encoding/decoding algorithms out perform the Chung et al.'s approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The dramatic decline in annual yield of the Japanese butterfish, Psenopsis anomala, in southwestern Taiwan over the past decade suggests that this stock might have been overexploited. However, its fishery biology and stock status is poorly understood. This study therefore provides the first information on P. anomala reproductive biology based on 983 specimens collected by small trawlers in southwestern Taiwan waters between February 1999 and February 2000. The sex ratio, 0.44 (431/983), differed significantly from 0.5 and females predominated in fork length above 180 mm. The relationships between body weight (BW) and fork length (FL) were estimated as BW = 1.62 × 10−4 × FL2.637 ( r2 = 0.74; n = 430, P < 0.01) for females and BW = 1.28 × 10−4 × FL2.671 ( r2 = 0.82; n = 552, P < 0.01) for males. Oocytes were mature at 0.5 mm in diameter or larger, and transparent eggs were found at diameters of 0.85 mm. Mean fecundity was estimated at 171 900 ± 61 700 and fecundity ( F) was found to increase exponentially with gonad weight (GW) F = 5.4967GW0.511 (n = 132, r2 = 0.74). Mean batch fecundity was estimated to be 83 400 ± 44 600, and relative fecundity from 377 to 2588 (mean 1040) per gram body weight. Logistic curves describing the relationship between proportion of maturity (Pr) at each length interval and fork length were estimated as Pr = 1/(1 + e11.4194−0.0749FL) ( r2 = 0.99, n = 351) for females and Pr = 1/(1 + e11.5113−0.0732FL) ( r2 = 0.99, n = 258) for males. Size at 50% maturity was estimated as 15.7 and 15.3 cm FL for females and males, respectively. A multi-spawning pattern was observed in the Japanese butterfish whereby it spawns throughout the year with a peak from February to July. A seasonal closure from April to July (spawning season for most fish species) can provide better breeding opportunities for adults and is believed to be a good fishery management measure for this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations and obesity are proposed to have a significant relationship with impairment of lung function, but little has been reported to date on the association between CRP gene and lung function. We studied the association of three tagSNPs (tag single nucleotide polymorphisms) of CRP gene and their interactions with central obesity on lung function. A total of 384 asthmatic adults and 384 controls who were 1:1 matched by sex and age were recruited for this study. Three tagSNPs polymorphisms for CRP rs1417938, rs1800947 and rs1205 were selected from HapMap data and genotyping by using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. A questionnaire interview, body composition and pulmonary function tests were performed. CRP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) did not increase the risk of asthma, but CRP rs1205 CC genotype significantly decreased the predictive value of forced vital capacity (FVC) in the asthma group (adjusted mean change = −7.54%, 95% CI = −13.82 to −1.25%). Waist-to-hip ratio, not body mass index, also decreased the predictive value of FVC in asthmatics. The subjects with central obesity who carried CRP SNPs have a significant reduction effect in lung function. The current results suggest that central obesity may play a major role in lung function, and these effects were modified significantly by the polymorphisms for CRP gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is motivated by the unusually low number of magnetic clouds (MCs) that are strictly identified within interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs), as observed at 1AU; this is usually estimated to be around 30% or lower. But a looser definition of MCs may significantly increase this percentage. Another motivation is the unexpected shape of the occurrence distribution of the observers' "closest approach distances" (measured from a MC's axis, and called CA) which drops off somewhat rapidly as ∣CA∣ (in % of MC radius) approaches 100%, based on earlier studies. We suggest, for various geometrical and physical reasons, that the ∣CA∣-distribution should be somewhere between a uniform one and the one actually observed, and therefore the 30% estimate should be higher. So we ask, When there is a failure to identify a MC within an ICME, is it occasionally due to a large ∣CA∣ passage, making MC identification more difficult, i.e., is it due to an event selection effect? In attempting to answer this question we examine WIND data to obtain an accurate distribution of the number of MCs vs. ∣CA∣ distance, whether the event is ICME-related or not, where initially a large number of cases (N=98) are considered. This gives a frequence distribution that is far from uniform, confirming earlier studies. This along with the fact that there are many ICME identification-parameters that do not depend on ∣CA∣ suggest that, indeed an MC event selection effect may explain at least part of the low ratio of (No. MCs)/(No. ICMEs). We also show that there is an acceptable geometrical and physical consistency in the relationships for both average "normalized" magnetic field intensity change and field direction change vs. ∣CA∣ within a MC, suggesting that our estimates of ∣CA∣, BO (magnetic field intensity on the axis), and choice of a proper "cloud coordinate" system (all needed in the analysis) are acceptably accurate. Therefore, the MC fitting model (Lepping et al., 1990) is adequate, on average, for our analysis. However, this selection effect is not likely to completely answer our original question, on the unexpected ratio of MCs to ICMEs, so we must look for other factors, such as peculiarities of CME birth conditions. As a by-product of this analysis, we determine that the first order structural effects within a MC due to its interaction with the solar wind, plus the MC's usual expansion at 1AU (i.e., the non-force free components of the MC's field) are, on average, weakly dependent on radial distance from the MC's axis; that is, in the outer reaches of a typical MC the non-force free effects show up, but even there they are rather weak. Finally, we show that it is not likely that a MC's size distribution statistically controls the occurrence distribution of the estimated ∣CA∣s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cyclic plastic deformation of the weldment of superaustenitic stainless steel with 6% molybdenum (UNS S31254) demonstrates that the strain rate does not affect the strength, but affects the ductility significantly. The response of tensile peak stress versus number of cycles for the weldment shows the cyclic hardening followed by the cyclic softening. A secondary hardening that appears at 1·5% strain amplitude is related to the strain induced martensite formation. The dislocations piled-up at the δ-ferrite grain boundary due to the essential rigid property of ferrite have a higher content of chromium and molybdenum. With a high fatigue strain rate, the austenite matrix of the weld metal exhibits persistent slip bands after fatigue at 0·6% strain amplitude and evolves to dislocation cell structures at 1·5% strain amplitude. The martensite band or the martensite sheath is formed at 1·5% strain, depending on the magnitude of the strain rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space-filling curves, particularly, Hilbert curves, have been extensively used to maintain spatial locality of multi-dimensional data in a wide variety of applications. A window query is an important query operation in spatial (image) databases. Given a Hilbert curve, a window query reports its corresponding orders without the need to decode all the points inside this window into the corresponding Hilbert orders. Given a query window of size p×q on a Hilbert curve of size T×T, Chung et al. have proposed an algorithm for decomposing a window into the corresponding Hilbert orders, which needs O(n log T) time, where n=max(p,q). By employing the properties of Hilbert curves, the authors present an efficient algorithm, named as Quad-Splitting, for decomposing a window into the corresponding Hilbert orders on a Hilbert curve without individual sorting and merging steps. Although the proposed algorithm also takes O(n log T) time, it does not perform individual sorting and merging steps which are needed in Chung et al.'s algorithm. Therefore experimental results show that the Quad-Splitting algorithm outperforms Chung et al.'s algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the role of repeat hepatectomy in the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for HCC and subsequent hepatectomy for recurrent HCC from 1990 to 2007. It shows that the first and repeat hepatectomies have no crucial differences in early postoperative outcomes while those who underwent second and third hepatectomies had better survival rates except after the fourth hepatectomy.

Abstract: Purpose: A chitosan/gelatin solution with glycerol 2-phosphate disodium salt hydrate in liquid phase at room temperature becomes a hydrogel at 37°C. The material can be used as an injectable cell carrier into the human body for gelation in situ. We hoped that the chitosan/gelatin hydrogel provided extra protection for insulinoma/agarose microspheres during xenogenic transplantation. Materials and Methods: Mouse insulinoma was microencapsulated in agarose as microspheres, which were macroencapsulated in chitosan/gelatin hydrogel. Insulin secreting profiles were first demonstrated in vitro. Diabetic rats were injected subcutaneously with insulinoma/agarose microspheres or insulinoma/agarose microspheres suspended in chitosan/gelatin solution. The nonfasting blood glucose concentrations (NFBG) of diabetic rats were measured perioperatively. Rats were humanely killed 1 month postoperatively and the hydrogel was retrieved for histological examination. Results: The insulinoma/agarose microspheres continually secreted insulin for 1 month when macroencapsulated in chitosan/gelatin hydrogel in vitro. The NFBG of diabetic rats injected with insulinoma/agarose microspheres decreased to euglycemic status albeit hyperglycemia was restored within 10 days. The NFBG of diabetic rats injected with chitosan/gelatin hydrogel, which contained insulinoma/agarose microspheres, was maintained at less than 200 mg/dL for 25 days. The histological section revealed immune cell infiltration and accumulation within the hydrogel and around the iusulinoma/agarose microspheres that may have contributed to the slowly increasing NFBG after day 25. Conclusion: This study showed that chitosan/gelatin hydrogel can be used as a cell carrier for an injectable bioartificial pancreas; the hydrogel prolonged the function of cells encapsulated in agarose microspheres during xenogenic transplantation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein is a tumor suppressor with complicated action mechanisms not yet fully understood. In this study, we found that the nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) is an unexpected partner of PML: PML specifically enhanced the transcription activation of NFAT. In PML-null mouse embryonic fibroblasts, no transcription activity of NFAT could be detected. There was a selective requirement of PML isoform in NFAT activation: PML-I and PML-VI, but not PML-IV, increased NFAT transactivation. PML specifically promoted the expression of many, but not all, NFAT-targeted genes. We found a specific binding of PML to NFATc. The interaction of PML with NFATc in vivo was further confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA affinity precipitation assay analysis. The unexpected coupling of PML with NFAT reveals a novel mechanism underlying the diverse physiological functions of PML.Oncogene (2008) 27, 3821–3830; doi:10.1038/onc.2008.2; published online 4 February 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expression and immune modulation of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded oncogene latent membrane protein 1 (N-LMP1) is essential in the pathogenesis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In previous studies, cell transformation has been induced by the expression of EBV-encoded N-LMP1 in non-tumour BALB/c-3T3 cells and these cells have then been used to form tumours in T-cell-deficient nude mice. However, studies using this model have been limited by the lack of a competent immune system. To facilitate the study of immune components in N-LMP1-driven oncogenesis, we herein developed a simplified N-LMP1-derived tumour model in immunocompetent mice. Cell transformation was induced by the expression of N-LMP1 in BALB/c-3T3 cells, and these transformants were used to induce oncogenesis in BALB/c mice. In contrast to the 100% successful tumour-induction rate in nude mice treated with monodispersed transformed cells, the tumour incidence in BALB/c mice was only 5–36%. However, the transplantation of tumour fragments into BALB/c mice yielded a reproducible tumour-induction rate of >85%, which is acceptable for most of the research needs. This novel model of N-LMP1-directed oncogenesis in an immunocompetent environment may serve as an important platform for the future assessment of N-LMP1-targeted tumour therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting with a large number ( N=100) of Wind magnetic clouds (MCs) and applying necessary restrictions, we find a proper set of N=29 to investigate the average ecliptic plane projection of the upstream magnetosheath thickness as a function of the longitude of the solar source of the MCs, for those cases of MCs having upstream shock waves. A few of the obvious restrictions on the full set of MCs are the need for there to exist a driven upstream shock wave, knowledge of the MC’s solar source, and restriction to only MCs of low axial latitudes. The analysis required splitting this set into two subsets according to average magnetosheath speed: slow/average (300 – 500 km s−1) and fast (500 – 1100 km s−1) speeds. Only the fast set gives plausible results, where the estimated magnetosheath thickness (Δ S) goes from 0.042 to 0.079 AU (at 1 AU) over the longitude sector of 0° (adjusted source-center longitude of the average magnetic cloud) to 40° off center (East or West), based on N=11 appropriate cases. These estimates are well determined with a sigma ( σ) for the fit of 0.0055 AU, where σ is effectively the same as $\sqrt{}$ (chi-squared) for the appropriate quadratic fit. The associated linear correlation coefficient for Δ S versus |Longitude| was very good (c.c.=0.93) for the fast range, and Δ S at 60° longitude is extrapolated to be 2.7 times the value at 0°. For the slower speeds we obtain the surprising result that Δ S is typically more-or-less constant at 0.040±0.013 AU at all longitudes, indicating that the MC as a driver, when moving close to the normal solar wind speed, has little influence on magnetosheath thickness. In some cases, the correct choice between two candidate solar-source longitudes for a fast MC might be made by noting the value of the observed Δ S just upstream of the MC. Also, we point out that, for the 29 events, the average sheath speed was well correlated with the quantity Δ V[=(〈 V MC〉−〈 V UPSTREAM〉)], and also with both 〈 V MC〉 and 〈 V MC,T〉, where 〈 V MC〉 is the first one-hour average of the MC speed, 〈 V MC,T〉 is the average MC speed across the full MC, and 〈 V UPSTREAM〉 is a five-hour average of the solar wind speed just upstream of the shock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study performs simulations of interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) propagation in a realistic three-dimensional (3D) solar wind structure from the Sun to the Earth by using the newly developed hybrid code, HAFv.2+3DMHD. This model combines two simulation codes, Hakamada–Akasofu–Fry code version 2 (HAFv.2) and a fully 3D, time-dependent MHD simulation code. The solar wind structure is simulated out to 0.08AU (18Rs) from source surface maps using the HAFv.2 code. The outputs at 0.08AU are then used to provide inputs for the lower boundary, at that location, of the 3D MHD code to calculate solar wind and its evolution to 1AU and beyond. A dynamic disturbance, mimicking a particular flare’s energy output, is delivered to this non-uniform structure to model the evolution and interplanetary propagation of ICMEs (including their shocks). We then show the interaction between two ICMEs and the dynamic process during the overtaking of one shock by the other. The results show that both CMEs and heliosphere current sheet/plasma sheet were deformed by interacting with each other. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Membranous nephropathy is an autoimmune-mediated glomerulonephritis and a major cause of nephrotic syndrome. We studied the kinetics of adaptive immunity in the pathogenesis of membranous nephropathy in T1/T2 double transgenic mice (T1/T2 TG mice) that express human Thy1 protein under the control of interferon-γ (INF-γ) and mouse Thy1.1 protein under the control of interleukin (IL)-4. Nephropathy was induced by cationic bovine serum albumin. We found that splenocytes expressed a progressive Th2 response and a subsequent compensatory T-helper 1 (Th1) response, with a gradual augmentation of IL-4-producing Th2 cells and INF-γ-producing Th1 cells. Increased Th2 marker expression was seen in peripheral blood and kidney cells, with the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody isotype predominant in the serum and kidneys. We found that CD8+ T cells contribute more to the augmented INF-γ production than CD4+ T cells. Moreover, CD19+ B cells demonstrated a greater production of IL-4 than the CD4+ T cells. Cytokine-related gene expression in kidneys and splenocytes showed an upregulation of proinflammatory Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Th2 cells but not Th1 cells were significantly correlated with serum cholesterol and proteinuria. Our study shows that both peripheral and renal immune reactions are strongly polarized toward Th2-type immune responses during the course of membranous nephropathy. The T1/T2 mouse model may help decipher the kinetic changes of adaptive immunity in glomerulonephritis.Kidney International (2007) 72, 831–840; doi:10.1038/sj.ki.5002426; published online 11 July 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chorion microstructure of the eggs of apogonids including Apogon lateralis, A. aureus, A. nitidus, A. cookii and A. guamensis was studied by scanning electron microscopy. In Apogonidae, egg chorion microstructures, especially those in the micropyle region, are useful characters for egg identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoscopic submucosal dissection strategy for laterally spreading tumour involving appendiceal orifice - a video vignette I Dear Sir i , Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for laterally spreading tumour (LST) located near the appendiceal orifice (AO) is challenging for several reasons. The endoscopic submucosal dissection strategy for laterally spreading tumor involving appendiceal orifice was demonstrated. [Extracted from the article]

During solar cycle 23, 82 interplanetary magnetic clouds (MCs) were identified by the Magnetic Field Investigation (MFI) team using Wind (1995 – 2003) solar wind plasma and magnetic field data from solar minimum through the maximum of cycle 23. The average occurrence rate is 9.5 MCs per year for the overall period. It is found that some of the anomalies in the frequency of occurrence were during the early part of solar cycle 23: (i) only four MCs were observed in 1999, and (ii) an unusually large number of MCs (17 events) were observed in 1997, just after solar minimum. We also discuss the relationship between MCs, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and geomagnetic storms. During the period 1996 – 2003, almost 8000 CMEs were observed by SOHO-LASCO. The occurrence frequency of MCs appears to be related neither to the occurrence of CMEs as observed by SOHO LASCO nor to the sunspot number. When we included “magnetic cloud-like structures” (MCLs, defined by Lepping, Wu, and Berdichevsky, 2005), we found that the occurrence of the joint set (MCs + MCLs) is correlated with both sunspot number and the occurrence rate of CMEs. The average duration of the MCL structures is ~40% shorter than that of the MCs. The MCs are typically more geoeffective than the MCLs, because the average southward field component is generally stronger and longer lasting in MCs than in MCLs. In addition, most severe storms caused by MCs/MCLs with Dst min≤ −100 nT occurred in the active solar period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports our implementation of a handheld wireless environment to support Jigsaw cooperative learning activities in a college setting. A quasi-experimental research design was conducted to investigate the effects of using handhelds, as well as issues associated with the use of handheld technology. Two intact classes of fourth-year students from a five-year junior nursing college participated in the experiment. Our findings showed that handheld tools enhanced both students' attitudes and performance in learning, and promoted better interactions among students and instructors. We also found that the handheld technology was not sophisticated enough to support cooperative learning goals without full support from a technology specialist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We have previously proposed an equation derived from Fick's law and Lin's concept of effective blood concentration (EBC) to calculate the mixed venous blood concentration (MVBC) of isoflurane. Desflurane has a lower blood/air partition coefficient than isoflurane and, as such, promotes a faster induction and recovery from anesthesia. In this study, we investigated the application of the MVBC equation to predict the MVBC of desflurane. Methods: We maintained anesthesia with a fixed inspired concentration ( CI) of desflurane (10%) during cardiac anesthesia in 11 patients. In order to measure the real concentrations of desflurane in mixed venous blood, pulmonary arterial blood samples were collected at different time points via a Swan–Ganz catheter for gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination. The relationship between the calculated concentrations and the actual blood sample concentrations of desflurane in mixed venous blood was investigated. Lin's EBC method was also used and the results were compared with those of MVBC. Results: The calculations from our derived MVBC equation and the actual blood concentrations showed a similar kinetic pattern; the concentration levels were approximately the same and correlated well ( r = 0.89) during anesthesia. However, the EBC method failed to accurately estimate the actual blood concentrations. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that our equation, but not the EBC method, may be useful for estimating pulmonary blood concentrations of desflurane. The clinical significance and the importance of the method merit further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the indirect calorimeter is a useful tool, its size and expense mean that it is seldom used in hospitals. Furthermore, its flow-through measurement technique dilutes respiratory variations, so they can only be detected with some form of high-precision instrumentation. This study employs MEMS techniques to develop an oxygen sensor as one part of a microscopic energy consumption measurement system, which measures respiration dynamics in a real time manner. The oxygen sensor comprises a polysilicon resistor and a Li-doped (2 wt%) tin-oxide sensing film attached to a thermally isolated silicon-nitride membrane. The power consumption of the sensor is less than 25 mW at an operating temperature of 150°C. Furthermore, it measures oxygen concentrations between 25 and 85% with a linear output response. These characteristics render the proposed sensor suitable for use within a microscopic energy consumption measurement system in either hospital or homecare environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compares the results of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis over two time intervals. Finding that the results of liver resection for HCC in patients with cirrhoses improved over time; Conclusion that liver resection remains a good treatment option in selected patients with HCC arising from a cirrhotic liver.

Abstract: Studying geomagnetic storm activity during 135 interplanetary magnetic cloud periods from 1965 to 1998, Wu and Lepping (J. Geophys. Res. 107 (2002b) 1346) found that the storm Dst index correlated well with both the interplanetary magnetic field z-component and the “rectified” electric field but did not correlate well with solar wind speed. It is shown that the role of magnetic cloud speed in predicting storm intensity is a minor one. It also was found that the correlation coefficient for Dst vs. increases dramatically when the solar wind speed exceeds 600km/s. This implies that solar wind speed is also important indirectly for predicting the storm intensity when using (or ) as a direct predictor. Using the same data set of 135 magnetic cloud-associated storms, two Dst prediction-relationships were developed: one is velocity independent and the other is velocity dependent. In this study, (i) both Dst prediction-relationships will be presented and (ii) some recent storm events will be presented and discussed by (as examples) using both Dst prediction-relationships. The results of this study also show: (1) The intensity of a magnetic storm which is associated with a magnetic cloud is predictable. (2) The prediction relationships for storm intensity, are: and –. (3) The velocity dependence of the prediction relationship will improve the accuracy for a -base prediction result. (4) For the -based prediction relationship, the prediction accuracy of becomes worse when a velocity-dependent prediction relationship is used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS), which are major organosulfur compounds (OSCs) of garlic, were used as experimental materials to investigate their modulation effects on cell viability and cell cycle in human liver tumor cells (J5). According to the results of cell viability assay, 50 or 100 μM DATS significantly decreased the cell viability as compared with the control (P<0.05) in dose and time dependent relations. Phenomena of cell number loss, shape deformation and lysis were observed after treatment with 100 μM DATS for 24 h. Cell cycle studies showed that J5 cells were significantly arrested in G2/M phase as the cells were treated with 100 μM DADS, 10, 50 or 100 μM DATS for 24 h (P<0.05). DATS was more effective in arresting cells in G2/M phase than DADS, and the phenomena of arresting J5 cells in G2/M phase increased obviously in dose and time dependent relations. According to the Western blot analysis, DATS decreased cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdks)-Cdk7 (i.e. Cdc2 activate kinase) protein levels in J5 cells but increased cyclin B1 protein level. The modulation potency to cyclin B1 and Cdk7 expressions was in the order of DATS>DADS>DAS. The modulation potency to cyclin B1 and Cdk7 protein levels increased with increasing in DATS concentration and culture time. In conclusion, DATS might affect cell viability and cell morphological changes in J5 cells and lead cells to be arrested in G2/M phase via controlling the expression of cyclin B1 and Cdk7 in J5 cells, and the controlling action might relate to the sulfuric atom numbers in the structures of all these allyl sulfides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We use a one-dimensional, time-dependent adaptive grid MHD code to study the interaction between fast and slow shocks in the solar wind. Our results show that: (1) a forward slow shock (FSS) can be destroyed by a forward fast shock (FFS) that overtakes it from behind; (2) two propagating FSSs can merge into a stronger FSS; (3) a strong FSS can survive by following a strong forward fast shock; and (4) the strength of a FSS is decreased by following an FFS. These simulation results reproduce an important feature of theHeliosobservations (Richter, 1987) where transient fast shocks were more frequently followed within a few hours by slow shock ype discontinuities rather than by fast reverse shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrospray ionization (ESI) has been employed to produce Li+(CH3OH)m for infrared spectroscopic studies using a vibrational predissociation spectrometer. A gradual blue shift of the CO stretching frequency from 1023 cm−1 to 1027 cm−1 was observed as m increases from 5 to 10, supporting the suggestion for the formation of the second solvation-shell in Li+(CH3OH)5, in accord with the prediction by density functional theory calculations performed at the B3LYP/6-311+G**//6-31+G* level. We demonstrate in this work that the ESI source is applicable not only to the infrared study of Li+(CH3OH)m but also to other alkali metal methanol cluster ions as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: In Taiwan, an area with a very low incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF), we first screened for the most common mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and looked for clinical correlations in 27 patients with clinically diagnosed congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD).Methods and Results: The clinical results showed that none of the 27 patients had CF symptoms. We did not detect any definite renal anomaly ultrasonographically. Mutation analysis was carried out on these 27 cases and 46 normal fertile males as controls. No mutations of Delta F508 or R117H were identified in any of the samples analysed. In the screening of IVS8-poly T, five of the 27 CBAVD patients showed the homozygous genotype for 5T/5T, 14 showed the heterozygous genotype for 5T/7T and eight showed the homozygous genotype for 7T/7T. The frequency of 5T alleles was 44.4%, which was significantly higher than in the 46 normal fertile males, for which there was a 5T frequency of 5.4%.Conclusions: The absence of major mutations of CFTR genes could be related to the much lower CF incidence in Taiwan. Further investigations into differences in the mutation spectrum of other CFTR genes are needed for a better understanding of the development of Taiwanese-Oriental CBAVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The storm–substorm relationship is one of the central issues in magnetospheric physics. Whether there is a unique relationship between substorms and storms is still being debated. During geomagnetic storm periods, magnetic disturbances take place globally, and auroras become very active over the entire oval. These often make identification of a substorm, which has smaller magnetic and optical effects, difficult, if not impossible. This study is based on 23 storms and 167 concurrent substorms that occurred from May 1996 to October 1998 with simultaneous global ultraviolet auroral observations from NASA''s Polar mission. It is found that the auroral breakups occurred more frequently in the main phase than in the recovery phase within the storms; ∼45% of the studied events occurring within 10 h before the end (start) of the storm main (recovery) phase; the storm intensity (Dst) does not affect the occurrence of auroral breakup; and Dst changes (ΔDst) have no effect on the occurrence frequency of auroral breakup. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A methodology is proposed, for the fast-response reserve (FRR) dispatch in an isolated power system with frequency-based reserve constraints (FBRC), and implemented on the Taiwan power system. The fast-response reserve has two functions: regulating frequency and offering an emergency reserve. The FRR is provided by several sources, primarily, generator, load shedding and natural fall in demand due to falling system frequency. The paper deals only with FRR from generator response, which includes pumped storage. The load-frequency sensitivity factor (LFSF) is used to evaluate network behaviour following a contingency. The paper suggests that the one-minute recovery frequency following a contingency would be a more appropriate measure of system security and would represent an enhanced reserve policy. Three actual examples are used to study the influence of FRR on system security and to examine the merits of the methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a rational and relatively simple method for calculating the deflections of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP) plates. Basically, RC beams strengthened with externally bonded FRP plates to the tension face can display flexural strength several times greater than their original strength. An idealised load-deflection curve for a RC beam strengthened with externally bonded FRP plates can be separated into four different linear stages. Based on these stages, this project is developed from linear elastic theory and analyses of the moment-curvature relationships, which are assumed to be linear An improved analytical procedure for calculating the deflection of the plates strengthened with FRP is developed. The analytical expressions are verified by comparisons with some experimental and American Concrete Institute (ACI) results in the literature. The analytical results correlated well with the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Extracapsular hip infected nonunion after stabilization with a sliding hip screw (SCS) is uncommon and a convincing treatment method has not yet been reported in the literature. Patients and methods. Thirteen consecutive patients who sustained such a disability were treated with removal of SCS, local radical debridement, vancomycin powder with or without gentamicin solution application, re-insertion of a new SCS, and autogenous cancellous bone grafting. Postoperatively, ambulation with regulated weight bearing was encouraged as early as possible. Infectious microorganisms in 76% (10/13) of the lesion sites were oxacillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (ORSA). Results. Twelve patients were followed-up for at least 2 years (range, 2~6 years; median, 4 years) and all nonunions healed. The union rate was 100% (12/12) with a median union period of 4 months (range, 3~6 months). No wound infection recurred at the last follow-up. The satisfactory rate of hip function was 92% (11/12, P<0.001). Conclusions. We, therefore, recommend this surgical procedure to treat all patients with a similar disability because of its high success rate and low complication rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting with H[SUP+][CH[SUB3]C(O)CH[SUB2]C(O)CH[SUB3]] (denoted H[SUP+]PD), the protonated diketone-water clusters H[SUP+]PD(H[SUB2]O)[SUBn] (n = 1-3) have been characterized by density functional theory calculations in combination with vibrational predissociation spectroscopy to explore the conformational changes of a protonated bifunctional ion solvated by water in the gas phase. Theoretical calculations for H[SUP+]PD revealed that the ion contains an intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB), with two oxygen atoms bridged by the extra proton in an O-H[SUP+] ... O form. Attachment of one water molecule to it readily ruptures this IHB, replacing the H[SUP+] by the H[SUB3]O[SUP+] moiety. Further replacement of the IHB by two water molecules occurs at n = 2 and the -C(O)CH[SUB2]C(O)- chain is fully opened (or unfolded) after transfer of the extra proton to the water trimer at n = 3. To verify the computational findings, infrared spectroscopic measurements were performed using a vibrational predissociation ion trap spectrometer to identify cluster isomers from the signatures of hydrogen bonded and non-hydrogen bonded OH stretching spectra of H[SUP+]PD(H[SUB2]O)[SUB2,3] produced in a corona discharge supersonic expansion. Besides open form isomers, evidence for the formation of water-bridged structures has been found for H[SUP+]PD(H[SUB2]O)[SUB3] at an estimated temperature of 200 K. A detailed illustration of the unfolding steps as well as the energy profiles for the evolution of a two-water bridge isomer from the protonated H[SUP+]PD monomer are analysed pictorially including both stable intermediates and transition states in the present investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]