cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A frameshift mutation in RPGR exon ORF15 causes photoreceptor degeneration and inner retina remodeling in a model of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

Purpose To characterize the course of retinal disease in X-linked progressive retinal atrophy 2 (XLPRA2), a canine model of early onset X-linked retinitis pigmentosa (XLRP) caused by a two-nucleotide microdeletion in RPGR ORF15. Methods The retinas of 25 XLPRA2-affected dogs (age range, 2-40.6 weeks) and age-matched control subjects were collected, fixed, and embedded in epoxy resin for morphologic evaluation or in optimal cutting temperature (OCT) medium for TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry. Cell-specific antibodies were used to examine changes in rods and cones and to evaluate the effects of the primary photoreceptor degeneration on inner retinal cells. Results Abnormal development of photoreceptors was recognizable as early as 3.9 weeks of age. Outer segment (OS) misalignment was followed by their disorganization and fragmentation. Reduction in length and broadening of rod and cone inner segments (IS) was next observed, followed by the focal loss of rod and cone IS at later time points. The proportion of dying photoreceptors peaked at approximately 6 to 7 weeks of age and was significantly reduced after 12 weeks. In addition to rod and cone opsin mislocalization, there was early rod neurite sprouting, retraction of rod bipolar cell dendrites, and increased Muller cell reactivity. Later in the course of the disease, changes were also noted in horizontal cells and amacrine cells. Conclusions XLPRA2 is an early-onset model of XLRP that is morphologically characterized by abnormal photoreceptor maturation followed by progressive rod-cone degeneration and early inner retina remodeling. The results suggest that therapeutic strategies for this retinal degeneration should target not solely photoreceptor cells but also inner retinal neurons.
Two-Year Follow-up: Objective Data after Learning without Class Attendance

Pencil-and-paper techniques have been used, for the most part, as measuring devices for evaluating the effectiveness of and student reactions to various approaches and procedures in college teaching. Generally, course achievement has been determined solely by written tests on subject matter, while attitudes and beliefs, for example, have been assessed by written questionnaires. These pencil-and-paper instruments have been utilized almost exclusively despite the facc that the overt behavior of students does not always correspond to their verbal expressions. At che same time, such evaluations rend to be limiced to end-of-course ones. This paper reports the analysis of selected objective data about the subsequent behavior of students who participated in a teaching investigation in 1958. Certain aspects of what these scudencs did over a 2-yr. period, rather than what chey said or wrote on paper, are reported. The data came from official university records. During che original study (Milton, 1959), conducced in the fall quarter of 1958, one large group of first-quarter introductory psychology students did not actend class. It was found that this group performed as well as or better academically in the course than did a group that did attend. Perhaps of greater importance, a much larger number of the non-atcenders put forth efforc, as measured by voluntary purchase of workbooks (determined from book store records), 79% in the "no-class" group versus 58% in the "class" group. The great majority (around 9596 ) of the students were freshmen and sophomores. While the initial investigation was in progress, many questions were raised by colleagues about the possible fate of members of the "no-class" group. It might be more accurate to say that certain fears were expressed: (1) to what extent would members of tlae group fail to develop a "liking" for psychology? (2) wouldn't these students suffer from not hearing the "wisdom" of the professor? (3) would these young people, especially those directly from high school, be harmed by this most unorthodox procedure? (4) could chey possibly learn independently of class attendance! In essence, grave doubts were expressed about the dire consequences which sarely would befall those who were noc atcending class. When the results about achievement were announced at the end of the quarter, faculty reactions were largely those of incredulousness. Yet, professorial concern was voiced by 9 out of 10, to wit: "You're not going to publish,
Diels–Alder cycloadditions of the N-vinylcarbazole radical cation

The first radical cation Diels–Alder reactions of N-vinylcarbazole, the substrate for which radical cation cycloaddition (cyclodimerization) was first observed more than 30 years ago, have now been observed. The additions of N-vinylcarbazole to both cyclopenta-1,3-diene and cyclohexa-1,3-diene, catalyzed by tris(4-bromophenyl)aminium hexachloroantimonate, have been observed. Further, a two step mechanism for these cycloadditions has been established through the use of stereospecifically labelled substrate ((Z)-N-(2-deuteriovinyl)carbazole).
A Description and Evaluation of an Automated Approach for Feature-Based Tracking of Rossby Wave Packets

AbstractThis paper describes an automated approach to track Rossby wave packets (RWPs), and the sensitivity of various tracking parameters and methods used in filtering the raw data in the feature-based tracking. The NCEP–NCAR reanalysis meridional wind and geopotential height data at 300 hPa every 6 h were spectrally filtered using a Hilbert transform technique under the assumption that RWPs propagate along a waveguide defined by the 14-day running average of the 300-hPa wind. After some spatial and temporal smoothing, the local maxima in RWP amplitude (WPA) were tracked using two objective techniques: a point-based cost optimization routine and a hybrid approach using point identification and object-based tracking following rules. A variation of the total energy flux term of the eddy kinetic energy equation was used to subjectively verify RWP tracks in order to compare the performance of each tracking method. When tracking methods are verified over two winter seasons, the hybrid technique outperformed p...
Thyroid hormone regulates Na+-Ca2+ exchanger expression during postnatal maturation and in adult rabbit ventricular myocardium

Objectives Expression of the cardiac Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) is high at birth and declines rapidly to adult levels by approximately 21 days in rabbits. The aim was to evaluate the role of thyroid hormone in regulating cardiac NCX expression. Methods Adult New Zealand White rabbits were made hypothyroid by treatment with propylthiouracil or hyperthyroid by administration of l -thyroxine. Hypothyroidism was induced in immature rabbits by exposure to propylthiouracil from gestational day 25 through the first 21 days after birth. NCX steady-state mRNA levels were quantitated using Northern slot blots with poly(A+) RNA isolated from ventricular myocardium of treated and age-matched euthyroid animals. As a control, steady-state levels of cardiac sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA2a) were measured in each group. Thyroid status was confirmed with serum T4, ventricular weight and body weight measurements. Immunoreactive NCX protein levels were assessed using Western blots. Results Compared with euthyroid controls, NCX steady-state mRNA levels increased to 189 ± 20% in hypothyroid adults and decreased to 55 15% in hyperthyroid adults. Opposite effects were observed for SERCA2a expression (58 + 7% in hypothyroidism and 130 +- 15% in hyperthyroidism). In hypothyroid 21-day-old rabbits, NCX steady-state mRNA levels were elevated to 205 ± 30% of age-matched euthyroid controls. SERCA2a levels were unaffected in the immature animals, possibly due to inability to reduce thyroid levels sufficiently to affect SERCA2a expression in this model. Changes in NCX mRNA levels produced comparable changes in immunoreactive NCX protein levels. Conclusions Thyroid hormone reciprocally regulates NCX and SERCA2a expression in the ventricles of adult rabbits. Hypothyroidism resulted in sustained high levels of NCX expression in 21-day-old rabbits. These results suggest that the postnatal thyroid hormone surge is important for the normal down-regulation of cardiac NCX expression during the first 3 weeks after birth in developing rabbits.
Infectious complications in hairy cell leukemia

The natural history of hairy cell leukemia (HCL) includes frequent and potentially life-threatening infections. Prior to the development of effective therapy, the incidence in patients followed for several years was as high as 60%, with infection as a prime cause of death in patients. Studies of the immune system of patients with HCL identified several potential reasons, including profound neutropenia and monocytopenia. In addition, treatment including chemotherapy and splenectomy further compromised the immune system. The success of new therapies has changed the frequency and severity of infections in patients with HCL. During the initial phase of treatment, however, infection risk remains high, with incidence ranging from 30 to 50%. Attempts to ameliorate the risk with growth factors in conjunction with treatment have not been successful, but lower doses of drugs and/or combination therapy have been tried with reported success. In the majority of patients, successful therapy results in normalization of the neutrophil count and marked reduction in the severity and frequency of infections. Interestingly, after purine nucleoside treatment, there is profound depression of CD4+ cells without development of the opportunistic infections seen with patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Studies to reduce morbidity and mortality should focus on initial induction regimens, as well as confirming the long-term benefit of treatment on risk of infection.
Examining the effectiveness of real-time query expansion

Interactive query expansion (IQE) (c.f. [Efthimiadis, E. N. (1996). Query expansion. Annual Review of Information Systems and Technology, 31, 121-187]) is a potentially useful technique to help searchers formulate improved query statements, and ultimately retrieve better search results. However, IQE is seldom used in operational settings. Two possible explanations for this are that IQE is generally not integrated into searchers' established information-seeking behaviors (e.g., examining lists of documents), and it may not be offered at a time in the search when it is needed most (i.e., during the initial query formulation). These challenges can be addressed by coupling IQE more closely with familiar search activities, rather than as a separate functionality that searchers must learn. In this article we introduce and evaluate a variant of IQE known as Real-Time Query Expansion (RTQE). As a searcher enters their query in a text box at the interface, RTQE provides a list of suggested additional query terms, in effect offering query expansion options while the query is formulated. To investigate how the technique is used - and when it may be useful - we conducted a user study comparing three search interfaces: a baseline interface with no query expansion support; an interface that provides expansion options during query entry, and a third interface that provides options after queries have been submitted to a search system. The results show that offering RTQE leads to better quality initial queries, more engagement in the search, and an increase in the uptake of query expansion. However, the results also imply that care must be taken when implementing RTQE interactively. Our findings have broad implications for how IQE should be offered, and form part of our research on the development of techniques to support the increased use of query expansion.
The impact of disclosure on donor gamete participants: donors, intended parents and offspring.

Purpose of review The present review examines recent publications that provide insight into how the trend toward nonanonymity and disclosure in gamete donation impacts donors, intended parents, and their donor-conceived children. Recent findings Recent findings show an increase in donor programs that offer open-identity between donors and offspring. The psychological needs of gamete donors and their attitudes toward disclosure are increasingly given consideration. Qualitative research on how parents of donor gamete offspring make decisions about disclosure reveals that even when couples initially disagree about disclosing to offspring, most ultimately come to a united disclosure decision. The literature on the impact of disclosure on donor gamete offspring has extended to include children conceived through embryo donation and children born as a result of surrogacy. The absence of genetic or gestational link between parents and their child does not have a negative impact on parent-child relationships. Parents through surrogacy tend to disclose the method of family creation to their child, whereas parents through embryo donation tend to be secretive about their child's origins. Summary The trend toward greater openness in gamete donation has been accompanied by an increase in programs offering open-identity donation. In addition, the psychological needs of gamete donors and their attitudes toward disclosure are increasingly being given consideration. Parents of donor gamete offspring give careful thought to their disclosure decisions, and the psychological well being of donor-conceived children does not seem to be impacted by those decisions.
Joining highly conductive and oxidation resistant silver-based electrode materials to silicon for high temperature thermoelectric energy conversions

Abstract Joining silicon thermoelectric elements using silver-based alloys and adhesive was investigated. Selective etching silicon with HF and KOH was performed to increase the interface area. Physical vapor deposition was used to coat Ti, Cr, Pt and Ag on silicon surface to form transition layers for the enhancement of interface bonding. Sound joints using the silver adhesive were obtained and they can withstand the highest temperature of 925 ° C. Contact resistance of the joints under both thermal cycling and isothermal heat treatment was measured from 500 ° C to 920 ° C. It is found that the contact resistance of the silver/silicon joints is about 1 Ω at room temperature. At the elevated temperature of 920 ° C, the contact resistance is less than 2.5 Ω. We conclude that the silver adhesive has excellent adhesion to silicon surface and the contact resistance is considerably low. Therefore, it is suitable for joining silicon thermoelectric elements for energy conversion at high temperatures.
A Microstructural Resolved Model for the Stress Analysis of Lithium-Ion Batteries

The stress field in a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery can have a significant impact on its performance. To better understand the stress distribution in a Li-ion battery cell, a 2D multiphysics microstructural resolved model (MRM) with realistic electrode geometries has been developed. This model considers the species transport, battery kinetics, and the deformations and stresses of the components caused by Li intercalation. The model was used to examine a LixC6|PP|LiyMn2O4 cell. The stress distributions and developments in the active particles and in the binder were discussed in detail. The results show that while the intercalation stress distributions in general agree with the description of the analytical solutions for spherical active particles, a higher tangential stress can arise at the particle surface at locations where the local curvature is concave or when the particle is next to a rigid current collector. The results also indicate that between the two binder systems investigated, the one with a lower modulus and larger elongation appears to be a better choice over the higher modulus, less ductile grade, provided that the two systems have the same ratio of the interfacial adhesion strength to the binder strength. This work demonstrates the potential of the MRM in improving our understanding on the stress and deformation in battery components and in the selection of battery materials.
Mountain shadow phenomena

Regardless of profile, whether flat topped or pointed, to the summit observer all mountain peaks cast triangular shadows when the sun is low. A theory for such anomalous shadows is developed. The shadow apex angle is shown to depend only on the ratio of the breadth of the mountain to its height.
WeDesign: A Forum-Based Tool for Managing User-Generated Content in Engineering Design and Product Development

A web forum-based tool for managing user-generated content in engineering design and product development is described. The system is intended to allow a “crowdsourcing” approach, in which large groups perform the work more commonly by individuals. User tests are conducted with an initial implementation, with the system configured in control and “parliamentary” modes. This experiment is done in the setting of a mechanical engineering senior capstone design course. The parliamentary mode is intended to encourage discussion and negotiation among participants, and allows them to design their own work processes. Review of the designs produced together with responses to a survey indicate the system was favorably received, and allowed a group to generate and select concept designs. Future research directions are suggested.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Examining the relationship between wetland alteration and watershed flooding in Texas and Florida

Inland flooding remains one of the greatest threats to the safety of human population in the United States (US). While few large-scale studies exist, the potential role of naturally occurring wetlands in mitigating flood duration and intensity has been widely discussed. This study examines the relationship between wetland alteration and coastal watershed flooding in Texas and Florida over a 12-year period. Specifically, we geo-reference wetland alteration permits required under Section 404 of the US Clean Water Act and correlate the number of granted permits with the degree of flooding measured by stream gauge data. Results indicate that specific types of federal permits exacerbate flooding events in coastal watersheds while controlling for various environmental and socioeconomic characteristics.
Chaos in Van der Pol's equation

Abstract Van der Pol's Equation was first given in 1926. It gives limit cycles. The present paper reports the chaotic behavior of modified Van der Pol's Equation with forcing function. In three of six cases, CHAOS is found, while three other cases give limit cycles.
Dorsal column nuclei projections to the cerebellar cortex in cats as revealed by the use of the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase.

The existence of a cerebellar projection from the dorsal column nuclei (gracile and cuneate nuclei, DCN) has been proposed on electrophysiological grounds but questioned when studied with neuroanatomical techniques. The retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has been used for the present study and provides anatomical evidence of a DCN-cerebellar pathway. In adult cats, 1 to 6 μl of 30% HRP were injected in pars intermedia of the anterior lobe (lobules IV–V), in paramedial lobule and in vermis of the anterior (lobules IV–V) and of the posterior lobe (lobule VII). After survival of 24 to 48 hours, all animals were perfused with a double aldehyde mixture and serial 40 μ sections through the medulla oblongata were incubated for visualization of HRP. In all cases, medullary nuclei known to project to the injected cortical regions of the cerebellum contained HRP-positive neurons mainly ipsilateral to the injection (e.g., external cuneate nucleus) or mainly contralateral to it (e.g., inferior olivary complex). Following ipsilateral injections in either the paramedian lobule or the pars intermedia, HRP-positive neurons in the cuneate nucleus were concentrated in its rostral portion where multipolar cells with radiating dendrites predominate. In contrast, none of the cells of the clusters region, in the caudal part of the cuneate nucleus, displayed HRP-positive granules. In cases in which the anterior vermis was injected a few labelled cells were present in the rostral part of the gracile nucleus but not in the clusters region of this nucleus. No labelling of DCN neurons was evident after posterior vermis injection. To compare the distribution of cells contributing to the DCN-cerebellar pathway with that of thalamic relay cells in the DCN, 0.5 to 3 μl of 30% HRP were injected in the nucleus ventralis posterolateralis of the thalamus in another series of cats. Contralateral to the thalamic injection, labelled cells were concentrated in the clusters region of the gracile and cuneate but rostrally in these nuclei they were scattered among unlabelled neurons. The preferential location in the DCN of cells which project to the cerebellum and of cells which project to the thalamus stresses the heterogeneous organization of these nuclei along the rostrocaudal axis. Further, the results indicate that regions of the DCN which have been distinguished on the basis of cytoarchitectonics (Kuypers and Tuerk, '64) and of afferents (Rustioni, '73, '74) differ also in their efferent projections.
Comparison of techniques for quantification of fluorescence from tissue

This paper summarizes ten approaches to quantifying fluorescence in tissues, and contrasts their strengths and weaknesses, relative to what their common applications are, and should be. The major issues involved in this analysis are to compare the accuracy of the method and the ability to quantify the active (i.e. non-aggregated) fraction of fluorophore in the tissue. In addition, issues of the depth of penetration and the availability of the method come into play when clinical applications are required. In general, tissue extraction and liquification methods are the 'gold standard' in this field, yet these are plagued by large variance in the values, raising questions about their ability to report on the true active fraction of drug in the tissue. Confocal and fiber optic microsampling methods allow direct quantification of the active fluorescence in vivo and are able to quantify the heterogeneity in the tissue. Yet both of these methods sample the most superficial layers of a tissue, unless invasive injection of the probe is done. Macroscopic sampling of the tissue is therefore the preferred choice for clinical use, yet there is truly no optimum method which can sample the drug concentration to arbitrary accuracy. Empirical bulk tissue sampling methods are the most commonly used, yet without model-based interpretation of the values it is generally not possible to be quantitative. Even relative uptake values can be distorted by the shape of the tissue, and so raster scanning or model-based assessment of the fluorescent yield is preferable, if available. Extending this concept further, tomographic methods can be implemented to quantify fluorescence, and can even be coupled into existing clinical imaging systems, but development and optimization of these methods will be required in the coming years. These are outlined, and case examples illustrated in this paper.
Preparation of CH3203HgCl of high specific activity

In order to have a methylmercury compound of much higher specific activity than was obtainable from commercial suppliers of the compound, a procedure for the methylation of radioactive mercuric chloride with no addition of non-radioactive mercury has been developed. Methylation is accomplished by reacting the mercuric chloride with tetramethyl tin. Extractions into and out of benzene twice produces a methylmercury compound which is finally dissolved in a dilute sodium carbonate solution suitable for biological experiments. The entire procedure to produce a batch of the compound may be accomplished within a single day.
Analysis and design of fully integrated very low quiescent current LDOs

We introduce two extremely low quiescent current (I Q ) low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulators. The Low I Q -LDO (LI Q -LDO) has a minimum ground current of 13 µA and is designed for a maximum load current of 50 mA. The Micro I Q -LDO (MI Q -LDO) has a minimum ground current of 1.2 µA and is designed for a maximum load current of 5 mA. Detailed pole/zero analysis is performed to aid in the design of the LDOs. Two LHP zeros cancel the two non-dominant poles which extend the bandwidth and improve transient response. Both designs are fully integrated, stabilized with an on-chip capacitive load of 100 pF. A process-independent figure of merit (FOM) is proposed to compare LI Q -LDO and MI Q -LDO with other published work.
Unipolar pectoral defibrillation systems.

Over the past 15 years, the implantation of automatic defibrillators has evolved from an obscure, impractical, and often morbid procedure to nearly a routine therapy. Initial large abdominally implanted generators with multiple epicardial leads have given way to much smaller, pectorally implanted systems utilizing only a single lead. These systems are better accepted by physicians and patients and rival recent-generation pacemakers in their implantation simplicity. Outcomes with single lead defibrillator implantation have been excellent. They are 99% effective at eliminating sudden death in large cohorts of patients, with overall survival of 94.4% at 18 months. Previously significant perioperative complications and mortality associated with epicardial systems have been virtually eliminated. Transvenous single lead systems now provide defibrillation efficacy at a level that makes epicardial leads unnecessary in most patients. Although inappropriate shocks are not a morbid complication, they still occur in approximately 15%–30% of patients. This is an area for improvement in defibrillator therapy, which, though invisible in total mortality statistics, is significant in terms of patient comfort and acceptance. Incremental improvements in pulse generator design and defibrillator lead technology are being made. Perhaps the most interesting new development will be the dual chamber device, incorporating an atrial electrode for sensing, pacing, and perhaps, atrial defibrillation. Such improvements will continue to make device therapy of all arrhythmias more versatile and improve patient comfort both in terms of device size and inappropriate shocks. It is unlikely, however, that further technological advances can further diminish the already small complication rate or improve the already excellent efficacy of current pectoral single lead systems. Defibrillator technology has already reached a maturity where technological improvements are less significant than efforts to better define the patient population who will benefit from the therapy.
Polymerization Reactor Modeling in Industry

This paper provides an industrial perspective for the development of polymer reaction engineering models and their application to create new materials, products, and improved or novel processes. The challenges specific to polymer reactor modeling are discussed in the context of articles and books that the authors have found useful. Four components of a polymer reactor model (kinetics, thermodynamics, transport effects, and particle dynamics) are discussed with illustrative examples. Finally typical outputs of polymer reactor models are shown to demonstrate that a first principles model supported and validated by experiments can be a very powerful tool for fundamental understanding of polymer reactors and is a recommended alternative to empirical methods and experimentation alone.
Synthesis, Pharmacological and Biophysical Characterization, and Membrane-Interaction QSAR Analysis of Cationic Amphiphilic Model Compounds.

Cationic amphiphilic drugs have a propensity to interact with biological interphases. This study was designed to gain more insight into the molecular properties of catamphiphilic drugs which govern this type of interaction. A series of phenylpropylamine model compounds were synthesized in which modifications were incorporated at the aromatic part of the molecule. The replacement of (45)Ca(2+) from phosphatidylserine monolayers served to monitor drug binding to the phospholipid. The influence on the phase-transition temperature of liposomes of dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid was measured to assess the perturbing action of the drugs on the structural organization of phospholipid assemblies. The antiarrhythmic activity of the compounds was determined in Langendorff preparations of guinea pig hearts to assess the membrane-stabilizing action. Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for these endpoints were developed using both intra- and intermolecular QSAR descriptors. Intermolecular membrane-interaction descriptors were derived from molecular dynamics simulations of the compounds in a model phospholipid monolayer. QSAR models were derived for all endpoints using partial least-squares regression (PLS) and a genetic algorithm tool, the genetic function approximation (GFA). Membrane-interaction descriptors appear to be of a particular importance in explaining the influence of the compounds on the phase-transition temperature of DPPA liposomes, while the other endpoints can be adequately modeled by intramolecular descriptors. The calcium-displacing activity at phosphatidylserine monolayers is governed by the electrostatic properties of the compounds. Measures of lipophilicity and molecular size are of particular importance for antiarrhythmic activity. Possible improvements to both the molecular modeling and the applied computational protocol of membrane-solute systems are identified and discussed.
209Bi(6He, α) reaction mechanisms studied near the Coulomb barrier using n–α coincidence measurements

Abstract The 6 He+ 209 Bi reaction displays a remarkably large cross section for α -particle emission at energies near the Coulomb barrier. The possible reactions that may produce the observed α particles include two-neutron transfer, one-neutron transfer, and direct projectile breakup. Each of these mechanisms results in a distinctive angular correlation between the α particle and outgoing neutron(s). A neutron- α -particle coincidence experiment was performed to separate these different modes. The neutron data show significant angular correlations. Monte Carlo simulations of one-neutron transfer are compared with the experimental data. It is shown that approximately 20% of the observed α -particle yield is due to this process.
Eastern equine encephalitis presenting with a focal brain lesion

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus causes a severe meningoencephalitis with high morbidity and mortality. Despite numerous clinical reports of EEE, there are only 11 patients in whom cranial computed tomographic (CT) findings are described. In 6 patients, CT was normal and in 5 patients diffuse edema was present; none had a focal brain lesion. Based on these reports, it has been suggested that focal findings on CT support the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis rather than EEE. The first patient with serologically-confirmed EEE and a focal lesion demonstrated by cranial CT and magnetic resonance imaging is described; these findings underscore the importance of including EEE in the differential diagnosis of encephalitides that can cause focal brain lesions on neuroimaging.
Effect of Ti and Zr Deoxidation Process on the Inclusions in Low Carbon Steel

The35kg ingot was refined with vacuum induction furnace by means of three various deoxidationprocesses in laboratory. From the steel-making point of view, effect of deoxidationprocess on inclusions and was analyzed. The fraction, size and distribution ofinclusions were studied with scanning electron microscope (SEM)and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) in three various deoxidation processessteel . The results showed that the volume fraction of inclusions was thelargest in Ti/Zr deoxidation process and the inclusions distributed uniformly. Itwas found that the amount of fine inclusions size in the range of 0.5~1.5 μmwas the largest atTi/Zr deoxidation process. The fraction of inclusions decreased with holdingtime increasing during alloying in present study.
Two-color fluorescent (near-infrared and visible) triphasic perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions

Design and development of a new formulation as a unique assembly of distinct fluorescent reporters with nonoverlapping fluorescence spectra and a F 19 magnetic resonance imaging agent into colloidally and optically stable triphasic nanoemulsion are reported. Specifically, a cyanine dye-perfluorocarbon (PFC) conjugate was introduced into the PFC phase of the nanoemulsion and a near-infrared dye was introduced into the hydrocarbon (HC) layer. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a triphasic nanoemulsion system where each oil phase, HC, and PFC are fluorescently labeled and formulated into an optically and colloidally stable nanosystem. Having, each oil phase separately labeled by a fluorescent dye allows for improved correlation between in vivo imaging and histological data. Further, dual fluorescent labeling can improve intracellular tracking of the nanodroplets and help assess the fate of the nanoemulsion in biologically relevant media. The nanoemulsions were produced by high shear processing (microfluidization) and stabilized with biocompatible nonionic surfactants resulting in mono-modal size distribution with average droplet size less than 200 nm. Nanoemulsions demonstrate excellent colloidal stability and only moderate changes in the fluorescence signal for both dyes. Confocal fluorescence microscopy of macrophages exposed to nanoemulsions shows the presence of both fluorescence agents in the cytoplasm.
Are Double Standards Real? Unpacking the role of gender among elite professionals in a market

A common explanation for why women are missing from high-status positions and industries is because they face double standards. While numerous lab studies have found support for this perspective, w...
Preservation of dendrites with the presence of reorganized mossy fiber collaterals in hippocampal dentate granule cells in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Abstract Dendritic morphology was studied in human hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs) by intracellularly-injecting biocytin in slice preparations that were obtained from temporal lobe epilepsy patients who underwent a surgical treatment for medically-intractable seizures. These DGCs had a fan-shaped dendritic domain of 54.1°± 4.1 S.E.M. with 13.8 ± 1.1 branch points and an estimated total dendritic length of 11535.6 µ m ± 3045.4. Dendritic spines were counted, and spine density was calculated to be 0.25 spines/ µ m ± 0.16 S.E.M., However, when the cells were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of the aberrant mossy fiber collaterals, the number of dendritic branches was significantly lower and spine density was significantly higher in DGCs that had aberrant collaterals. In particular, in the proximal dendrite, the spine density was 5 times higher in DGCs whose own mossy fibers were reorganized sending aberrant collaterals to this dendritic region (0.750 spines/ µ m ± 0.203 S.E.M.: P 0.01) than the DGCs without such collaterals (0.082 spines/ µ m ± 0.021 S.E.M.). These results suggest that the axonal reorganization may have an effect on the morphology of DGC dendrites directly or indirectly in such a way that dendritic structure and spines could be protected from seizure-induced excitotoxic cell damage.
CA3 axonal sprouting in kainate-induced chronic epilepsy

Latency between an early neurological insult and development of spontaneous recurrent seizures suggests aberrant chronological reorganization in patients with mesial temporal sclerosis associated epilepsy. Kainate-induced status similarly results in delayed development of spontaneous recurrent seizures. Mossy fiber sprouting by the dentate granule cells is a well-characterized manifestation of such temporal structural reorganization in both patients and animal models. However, alterations in other components of hippocampal circuitry have not been evaluated. We present results from studies using precise anterograde and retrograde tract tracing methodologies to evaluate the reorganization of outflow of the CA3 pyramidal cells. Although septotemporal relationships of the normal CA3 outflow tract through the Schaffer collaterals are well known, their aberrant reorganization following kainate-induced spontaneous recurrent seizures is not known. We provide the first definitive evidence of widespread CA3 structural reorganization in the form of sprouting of CA3 axons to widespread areas throughout the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. This includes an apparent increase in the density of projection to areas that normally receive CA3 outflow such as CA1 and subiculum as well as novel projections beyond the confines of the hippocampus to the pre and parasubiculum and medial and lateral entorhinal cortex. We provide the first evidence of novel CA3 Schaffer collateral projection to the entorhinal cortex. The sprouting of CA3 outflow to widespread regions of the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex may provide insight into how the injured hippocampus propagates unconventional impulse excitation to cortical fields which have a critical role in providing excitatory inputs into the hippocampus possibly setting up reverberating excitatory circuits as well as widespread connections throughout the cortical mantle. Sprouting-related mechanisms may also explain the latency associated with development of spontaneous recurrent seizures, the hallmark of temporal lobe epilepsy.
RecDB in action: recommendation made easy in relational databases

In this paper, we demonstrate RecDB; a full-fledged database system that provides personalized recommendation to users. We implemented RecDB using an existing open source database system PostgreSQL, and we demonstrate the effectiveness of RecDB using two existing recommendation applications (1) Restaurant Recommendation, (2) Movie Recommendation. To make the demo even more interactive, we showcase a novel application that recommends research papers presented at VLDB 2013 to the conference attendees based on their publication history in DBLP.
Experiments on tunneling and correlations

We observed tunneling in a system of interacting electrons confined to a two-dimensional layer. The effects of correlations on the tunneling were studied by varying the electron density from the single-particle limit to the highly correlated Wigner-crystal regime. For low densities the tunneling is well described by a model in which the interactions are represented by an effective potential.
An unfolding method for X-ray spectro-polarimetry

Abstract X-ray polarimetry has great scientific potential and new experiments, such as X-Calibur, PoGOLite, XIPE, and GEMS, will not only be orders of magnitude more sensitive than previous missions, but also provide the capability to measure polarization over a wide energy range. However, the measured spectra depend on the collection area, detector responses, and, in case of balloon-borne experiments, the absorption of X-rays in the atmosphere, all of which are energy dependent. Combined with the typically steep source spectra, this leads to significant biases that need to be taken into account to correctly reconstruct energy-resolved polarization properties. In this paper, we present a method based on an iterative unfolding algorithm that makes it possible to simultaneously reconstruct the energy spectrum and the polarization properties as a function of true photon energy. We apply the method to a simulated X-Calibur data set and show that it is able to recover both the energy spectrum and the energy-dependent polarization fraction.
Inter-domain collaborative routing (IDCR): Server selection for optimal client performance

Communication between institutions, or domains, residing in the Internet requires a route to be created between the routing domains. Each of these domains is controlled by a single administrative authority, and is referred to as an autonomous system (AS). Control of routes that move the data in the Internet between ASes is problematic. If an AS requires certain route characteristics beyond the selection of the first hop, the AS must pay for some type of special service from its Internet service provider (ISP). The ISP can provide integrity of the data using end-to-end encryption, but the customer AS still does not have control over the route. In other words, an organization is unable to prevent its data from passing through certain parts of the Internet. We believe that a service allowing an AS to select from alternate routes, on behalf of an organization, could meet this need for route customization. The alternate routes could be created to meet the requirements of the source AS, such as the avoidance of another AS. The service must minimize the incremental cost (in hops) of the alternate routes and maximize the probability that an alternate route will be found. We measure the effectiveness of several algorithms as they are used to select ASes to deploy a solution, called inter-domain collaborative routing (IDCR), that allows ''friend'' routers to collaboratively determine a route. Key to the performance of IDCR is the placement of ''friend'' routers in the Internet. We explore the trade-off between placing ''friend'' routers in various levels of the hierarchy of routers in the Internet. In order to measure the effectiveness of IDCR as the set of ASes deploying the service is varied, we track the probability of routing success and monitor the incremental cost in hops as the service creates alternate routes in several small but representative network models. We evaluate three algorithms used to determine which routers should support the IDCR service. The first, called the degree algorithm, categorizes the routers into a hierarchy, based only on the nodal degree of the router [1]. The second, called the factor algorithm, calculates an IDCR factor for each router and uses that to rank select routers to provide the service. Finally, the greedy algorithm, serving as the baseline, iterates across all candidate routers, selecting routers one at a time based on the performance of the service.
Glucose metabolism and the channeling of glycolytic intermediates in permeabilized L-929 cells.

Abstract L-929 cells (mouse fibroblasts) permeabilized with dextran sulfate (DSP cells) carry out vigorous and linear rates of glycolysis when supplied with a suitable incubation medium. Glycolysis in DSP cells is pH dependent, being strongly inhibited at pH 6.5. Compared to their nonpermeabilized counterparts, DSP cells exhibit faster glycolytic rates, but tend to convert a smaller proportion of the glucose utilized to lactate. [ 14 C]-Glucose is converted to lactate by DSP cells without dilution from endogenous substrates. When exogenous 12 C-labeled glycolytic intermediates ( 12 C-I) are added to glycolyzing DSP cells the [ 14 C]lactate produced from [ 14 C]glucose is diluted to varying extents, depending on the intermediate. However, the extent of that dilution (reduced specific activity) is not that expected from the complete mixing of exogenous 12 C-I with their corresponding 14 C-labeled intermediates coming from [ 14 C]-glucose. DSP cells also respire and convert glucose to CO 2 . The amount of 14 CO 2 produced from [ 14 C]glucose is also reduced by addition of most 12 C-I, an interesting exception being pyruvate, which had no measurable effect on 14 CO 2 production and caused only a modest stimulation of respiration in glycolyzing DSP cells. These results suggest that channeling, or some other form of coupling, takes place between the glycolytic production of pyruvate and its further oxidation. These observations confirm previously published data and add further support to the proposition that channeling of glycolytic intermediates occurs in DSP cells but is of the “leaky” type. Although abundant evidence in the literature indicates that various glycolytic enzymes associate with F-actin, as well as other elements of the cytomatrix, we observed no effect of cytochalasin D on lactate production even at very high concentrations of this compound. Our results are compared with those from other laboratories and discussed in the context of metabolic organization.
Thermochemical and Kinetic Analysis of the Formyl Methyl Radical + O2 Reaction System

Thermochemical properties for important species in the formyl methyl radical (C•H2CHO) + O2 reaction system are analyzed to evaluate reaction paths and kinetics in both oxidation and pyrolysis. Enthalpies of formation (ΔHf°298) are determined using isodesmic reaction analysis at the CBSQ composite and density functional levels. Entropies (S°298) and heat capacities [Cp°(T)] are determined using geometric parameters and vibrational frequencies obtained at the HF/6-31G(d‘) level of theory. Internal rotor contributions are included in S and Cp(T) values. The formyl methyl radical adds to O2 to form a C(OO•)H2CHO peroxy radical with a 27.5 kcal/mol well depth. The peroxy radical can undergo dissociation back to reactants, decompose to CH2CO + HO2 via HO2 elimination, or isomerize via hydrogen shift to form a C(OOH)H2C•O. This C(OOH)H2C•O isomer can undergo β scission to products, CH2CO + HO2, decompose to CO + CH2O + OH, or decompose to a diradical, CH2O•C•O + OH via simple RO−OH bond cleavage. Rate constants...
Spectroelectrochemical Sensing Based on Multimode Selectivity Simultaneously Achievable in a Single Device. 5. Simulation of Sensor Response for Different Excitation Potential Waveforms

The simulation of the optical response in spectroelectrochemical sensing has been investigated. The sensor consists of a sensing film coated on an optically transparent electrode (OTE). The mode of detection is attenuated total reflection. Only species that partition into the sensing film, undergo electrochemistry at the potentials applied to the OTE, and have changes in their absorbance at the wavelength of light propagated within the glass substrate of the OTE can be sensed. A fundamental question arises regarding the excitation potential waveforms employed to initiate the electrochemical changes observed. Historically, selection has been based solely upon the effectiveness of the waveform to quickly electrolyze any analyte observable by the optical detection method employed. In this report, additional requirements by which the waveform should be selected for use in a remote sensing configuration are discussed. The effectiveness of explicit finite difference simulation as a tool for investigating the ap...
Hypochlorite degradation of crosslinked polyamide membranes: I. Changes in chemical/morphological properties

When disinfecting or cleaning agents contact polymer-based membranes, hydrolysis and oxidation with the membrane change surface properties. The research reported here discusses the effect of exposure to solution of hypochloric acid (disinfecting agent) on the chemical and morphological properties of a crosslinked polyamide membrane (LFC1, Hydranautics©). Effects on the membrane were evaluated using AFM, XPS, FT-IR, contact angle, and streaming potential analysis. Chlorine incorporated in the membrane increased with increasing hypochlorite concentration and decreasing pH of a soaking bath. Exposed membranes were more hydrophilic and had a slightly more negative zeta potential. The chlorination broke and weakened hydrogen bonding by decreasing the number of hydrogen bonding sites. This study shows that the use of chlorine chemically changed the surface properties of the crosslinked polyamide LFC1 membrane, but there was no change in roughness and morphology.
La carta privada como práctica discursiva: Algunos rasgos característicos

There are few studies dedicated to review the private letter in its configuration as a gender or type of discourse; most of the studies only refer to partial aspects that have to do strictly with the specific corpus of the letters under examination. In this text a set of characteristic features of the private letter as discourse are reviewed and systematized, features that do not intend to exhaust the object nor state an all-embracing definition, but that, as a whole allow us to see the private letter as a discursive practice, and at the same time provide us with interesting elements to be applied to the analysis of actual letters.