cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study of the Gas–Solid Flow Behavior Inside a Full-Loop Circulating Fluidized Bed: Evaluation of Different Drag Models

Both experimental and computational studies of the fluidization of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) particles in a small-scale full-loop circulating fluidized bed (CFB) are conducted. Experimental measurements of pressure drop are taken at various locations along the bed. The solids circulation rate is measured with an advanced particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique. Bed height of the quasi-static region in the standpipe is also measured. Comparative numerical simulations are performed with a computational fluid dynamics solver utilizing a discrete element method (CFD-DEM). This paper examines the effect of different drag laws used in the CFD simulations through a detailed and direct comparison with experimental data from a small-scale, full-loop circulating fluidized bed. The Hill–Koch–Ladd drag correlation was shown to have good agreement with respect to system component pressure drop and inventory height in the standpipe.
The Effect of Cytoplasmic Turgor Pressure on the Static and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Outer Hair Cells

The force generating ability of the outer hair cell (Brownell, et al. 1985) has received a great deal of attention. The effect of the force generator on the movements of the cell, both in vitro and in vivo, is determined by the mechanics of the cell’s microstructure. Outer hair cells provide a pivotal mechanical link between the basilar membrane and the reticular lamina, so that their active and passive mechanical properties should be incorporated when describing cochlear partition movement. We present evidence that the structural features of the outer hair cell are maintained by an interaction between tensile elements associated with the cytoplasmic membrane and the turgor pressure of the cell’s cytoplasm. This interaction describes what has been called a hydraulic skeleton (Wainwright, 1970). Maintenance of the turgor pressure is necessary for the hydraulic communication of the pressure gradients responsible for the rapid electro motile response. Aspirin appears to exert its effect on otoacoustic emissions and hearing by weakening the hydraulic skeleton and thereby diminishing the rapid electromotile response.
Turbulence from Breaking Surface Waves at a River Mouth

AbstractObservations of surface waves, currents, and turbulence at the Columbia River mouth are used to investigate the source and vertical structure of turbulence in the surface boundary layer. Tu...
Risk Factors for Early Intraocular Pressure Elevation After Cataract Surgery in a Cohort of United States Veterans.

INTRODUCTION Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). A well-known complication is a transient but potentially harmful elevation in intraocular pressure (IOP) within the 24-h postoperative period. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors for IOP elevation 1 d after cataract surgery in a cohort of United States (US) veterans. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 784 patients who underwent cataract surgery between April 2013 and April 2016 at a single Veterans Affairs medical center in Providence, RI. One thousand one hundred thirty-seven cataract surgeries were considered in total. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained through the Providence Veterans Affairs Medical Center (PVAMC). Logistic regression, adjusted for patients with bilateral surgeries, was used to evaluate risk factors for first postoperative day IOP elevation (≥28 mmHg). The main outcome measure was elevated IOP on postoperative day 1 (POD1) after cataract surgery. RESULTS The average patient age was 74 yr. Ninety-eight percent (1,110/1,137) of cases involved male patients; 75.3% (856/1,137) of the cataract surgeries were performed by resident surgeons. Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) was present in 41% (461/1,137), alpha-1 blocker use in 31% (358/1,137), ocular hypertension (ocular HTN) in 4% (44/1,137), and glaucoma in 11% (126/1,137) of cases. Twenty-two percent (232/1,137) of eyes had elevated IOP. Independent risk factors were a history of ocular HTN (OR: 8.74 [4.03-18.9]), glaucoma (OR: 3.54 [2.17-5.75]), a preoperative IOP ≥22 mmHg (OR: 2.51 [1.12-5.62]), and complicated cataract surgery (OR: 2.45 [1.18-5.08]), defined as vitreous loss, anterior capsular tear (ACT), posterior capsular tear (PCT), or presence of zonular lysis. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that cataract surgery patients with ocular HTN, glaucoma, a preoperative IOP ≥22 mmHg, or significant intraocular complications may benefit from prophylactic ocular anti-hypertensive medication.
The effect of N-acetylcysteine or bupropion on methamphetamine self-administration and methamphetamine–triggered reinstatement of female rats

N-acetylcysteine and bupropion are two promising candidate medications for treatment of substance use disorder. The effects of N-acetylcysteine or bupropion on methamphetamine self-administration of female rats are not well understood. To fill this gap, this study assessed the effects of N-acetylcysteine (0, 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg) and bupropion (0, 10, 30, and 60 mg/kg) on methamphetamine self-administration of female rats across the natural estrous cycle. Following a completed dose-response curve, responding for methamphetamine self-administration was extinguished and the effects of N-acetylcysteine or bupropion on methamphetamine-triggered reinstatement was evaluated in separate experiments. N-acetylcysteine did not decrease responding maintained by methamphetamine or methamphetamine-triggered reinstatement. Bupropion significantly decreased methamphetamine self-administration and methamphetamine-triggered reinstatement in female rats with highest dose (60 mg/kg) also significantly decreasing general chamber activity. In a companion experiment, testing the effect of bupropion on responding maintained by sucrose, we confirmed non-specificity of bupropion's effects as bupropion also decreased responding for sucrose. Considered together, our findings suggest that while N-acetylcysteine has considerable promise for treatment of cocaine dependence it may not generalize to other stimulants like methamphetamine. Furthermore, although bupropion has been shown to effectively decrease methamphetamine self-administration, and presently methamphetamine-triggered reinstatement, its locomotor and reward suppressing effects warrant further investigation including both sexes.
A practical guide to Library of Congress Classification

A Practical Guide Library of Congress Classification is a relatively compact book of 13 brief chapters chock-a-block with illustrations, with, at the end, a brief glossary, an index, and tables. Th...
Teaching Psychiatry Residents About Suicide Prevention and Postvention

The identification and management of suicidal risk are some of the most anxiety-provoking patient care challenges for trainees to master. The unexpected suicide of a patient during residency poses additional stress on trainees. As educators, we not only teach, but we also serve as role models, mentors, and counselors when trainees experience the loss of a patient to suicide. The information presented in this chapter will serve as practical guide for educators and will review the relevant literature on psychiatry residency education about suicide risk assessment, methods of suicide prevention, and how to deal with the aftermath of a patient suicide or postvention.
A meta-analysis of outcomes of catheter-directed thrombolysis for high- and intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism

Abstract Objective During the past few years, there has been a surge in the use of catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for acute pulmonary embolism (PE), in the form of either standard CDT or ultrasound-assisted CDT (usCDT). This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published series on contemporary CDT for acute PE seeking to determine their clinical efficacy, stratifying by PE severity and CDT modality. Methods A comprehensive MEDLINE and Embase search was performed to identify studies that reported outcomes of CDT for acute PE published from 2009 to July 2017. Outcomes included clinical success (in-hospital survival with stabilization of hemodynamics, without decompensation or any major complication), in-hospital mortality, major bleeding, right ventricular/left ventricular ratio, and Miller score changes after CDT. Meta-analyses assumed random effects. Results Twenty studies with 1168 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Available for subgroup analysis were 210 patients with high-risk PE and 945 patients with intermediate-risk PE; 181 patients received CDT using a standard multiside hole catheter, and 850 received usCDT. The pooled average right ventricular/left ventricular improvement and Miller score drop after CDT were 0.30 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22-0.39) and 8.8 (95% CI, 7.1-10.5). For high-risk PE, the pooled estimate for clinical success was 81.3% (95% CI, 72.5%-89.1%), the 30-day mortality estimate was 8.0% (95% CI, 3.2%-14.0%), and major bleeding was 6.7% (95% CI, 1.0%-15.3%). For intermediate-risk PE, the pooled estimate for clinical success was 97.5% (95% CI, 95.3%-99.1%), the 30-day mortality was 0% (95% CI, 0%-0.5%), and major bleeding was 1.4% (95% CI, 0.3%-2.8%). In high-risk PE, clinical success for CDT and usCDT was 70.8% (95% CI, 53.4%-85.8%) and 83.1% (95% CI, 68.5%-94.5%), respectively. In intermediate-risk PE, clinical success for CDT and usCDT was 95.0% (95% CI, 88.5%-99.2%) and 97.5% (95% CI, 95.0%-99.4%), respectively. Conclusions Catheter thrombolysis has high clinical success rates in both high- and intermediate-risk PE, but higher mortality and bleeding rates should be anticipated in high-risk PE. Ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis may be more effective than standard CDT in the higher risk population.
Strategies for reducing subsurface drainage in irrigated agriculture through improved irrigation

The traditional approach ofinstalling subsurface drainage systems tosolve shallow ground water problems is notfeasible along the west side of the SanJoaquin Valley of California because of thelack of drain water disposal methods thatare economical, technically feasible, andenvironmentally friendly. Thus, optionssuch as drainage reduction through improvedirrigation and drain water reuse are beingexamined as methods for coping with thesubsurface drainage problem. This paperdiscusses options for reducing subsurfacedrainage through improved irrigationpractices. Options are discussed forimproving irrigation system design such asupgrading existing irrigation methods andconverting to systems with higher potentialirrigation efficiencies. Methods forimproving water management are alsopresented. Case studies on upgradingexisting systems or converting to otherirrigation methods are presented along with study results of the effect of variouspolicies on reducing subsurface drainage.
Accessory cell presentation of hapten-modified self.

Utilization of the hapten-modified self system has increased our understanding of how accessory cells influence immune responsiveness. While the ability to elicit various responses is partially dependent upon accessory cell phenotype, functional differences seem also to be important. By comparing the functional capabilities of purified lymphoid and myeloid accessory cells with tumor cell correlates, we have found that certain hapten-modified cells which express Ia and produce IL 1 are capable of augmenting PFC responses after intravenous administration. These results would suggest that haptenmodified accessory cell carriers which lack Ia or do not deliver secondary signals such as IL 1 (possibly as a result of the haptenation procedure) are responsible for inducing tolerance and suppressor cells. Future work will focus on the mechanism by which P388AD.2 and other tumor cells can elicit augmentation or tolerance in vitro.
An Electrodic Approach to Bioelectrochemistry

This paper is a general one and meant to be a source of research concepts, rather than a description of research carried out. It is speculative and based upon bits of evidence which have come, in large during the last ten to fifteen years.1 It suggests, in a sketchy kind of way, that much of the field of electrical potential in biology has been misunderstood, and that, for the most part, they are not “membrane potentials” but potentials which can be described as “fuel cell potentials.”2 This term will be duly explained.
Argon and the Periodic System: the Piece that Would not Fit

The discovery of the noble gases and their incorporation into the periodic system are examined in this paper. A chronology of experimental reports on argon and helium and the properties relevant to their nature and position in the periodic system is presented. Proposals on the nature of argon and helium that appeared in the aftermath of their discovery are examined in light of the various empirical and theoretical considerations that supported and contradicted them. ``The piece that would not fit'' refers not only to argon, the element that at first seemed not to fit into the periodic system, but also to the piece or pieces of evidence that various researchers and observers were prepared to discard or discount in coming to terms with the newly discovered gases.
Mechanistic Analysis of the Aspartate Aminotransferase Active Site Mutants—Y70F, K258A, and R292D

Three mutant enzymes produced by site-directed mutagenesis have been analyzed in some detail. Y70F retains substantial enzymatic activity, proving that Y70 is not an essential amino acid for catalysis. Rather, this residue does provide an important functional role in substantially reducing the rate constant for cofactor dissociation from the enzyme. The PMP form of K258A reacts with α-ketoglutarate to give the ketimine as a stable final product. The corresponding reaction with oxalacetate leads ultimately to the decarboxy lat ed, transaminated aldimine of alanine as final product. Earlier crystallographic analysis showed that the dicarboxylic amino acid substrate specificity is dictated by ion pairing with R292. The mutation R292D converts the title enzyme to a cationic amino acid transaminase, which preferentially catalyzes the transamination of Arg or Lys over Asp or Glu.
What is new in contraception?: best articles from the past year.

This month we focus on current research in contraception. Dr. Grimes discusses four recent publications and each is concluded with a "bottom line" that is the take-home message. The complete reference for each can be found in on this page along with direct links to the abstracts.
Polyhydroxybutyrate-enhanced transformation of log-phase Escherichia coli

Transformation of Escherichia coli plays an important role in recombinant DNA technology. Most current transformation protocols require that the cells be treated to attain a particular physiologica...
Coronary CTA for Surveillance of Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy

The purpose of this review is to highlight recent hardware and software advances in coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) that make it a potentially viable alternative to invasive coronary angiography for surveillance of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in heart transplant recipients. Dual-source CT, multisegment reconstruction, and intracycle motion correction algorithms are all technologies applied during or after image acquisition that can improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy in patients with elevated heart rates, such as heart transplant recipients. CT fractional flow reserve may also add value in this clinical scenario. Coronary CTA now has equivalent diagnostic accuracy, offers more nuanced anatomic information, is inherently safer, and could be less costly than invasive coronary angiography. For these reasons, coronary CTA may now be a viable alternative to ICA for CAV surveillance in heart transplant recipients.
Targeting payments for forest carbon sequestration given ecological and economic objectives

Abstract We identify optimal spatial targets for payments for forest carbon sequestration under the multiple objectives of maximizing forest carbon storage cost efficiency and maximizing economic impacts of payments. A further purpose is to evaluate the tradeoff between the two objectives. These objectives are used as targeting criteria in our case study of the Central and Southern Appalachian Region of the United States, a heavily forested, low-income region that could benefit from payments for forest carbon sequestration. The concave-shaped Pareto optimal frontiers between forest carbon storage and economic impacts triggered by payments provide evidence that the increase in economic impacts is relatively higher than the sacrifice in forest carbon benefits when the initial weight assigned to economic impacts is relatively lower than the initial weight assigned to forest carbon benefits and vice versa. Our projections of county-level forest carbon storage and economic impacts can help conservation agencies anticipate regional heterogeneity in forest carbon storage and economic impacts and access their tradeoffs.
Stretch-induced force bursts simplify stick insects’ leg swing

![Graphic][1] Are animals’ graceful movements bestowed on them by a nervous system that controls all details of motion? When most animals swing their legs during walking, their nervous system typically activates muscles on one side of the leg joint to bring the leg forward and, as the leg
Feasibility of Implementing a Palliative Care Intervention for People with Heart Failure: Learnings from a Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract Background: People with heart failure (HF) have high morbidity and mortality and may benefit from palliative care (PC). Objective: To pilot a randomized, clinical trial of a PC interventio...
Altered expression of signaling pathways regulating neuronal excitability in hippocampal tissue of temporal lobe epilepsy patients with low and high seizure frequency

Abstract Despite recent advances in our understanding of synaptic transmission associated with epileptogenesis, the molecular mechanisms that control seizure frequency in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) remain obscure. RNA-Seq was performed on hippocampal tissue resected from 12 medically intractable TLE patients with pre-surgery seizure frequencies ranging from 0.33 to 120 seizures per month. Differential expression (DE) analysis of individuals with low (LSF, mean = 4 seizure/month) versus high (HSF, mean = 60 seizures/month) seizure frequency identified 979 genes with ≥2-fold change in transcript abundance (FDR-adjusted p-value o0.05). Comparisons with post-mortem controls revealed a large number of downregulated genes in the HSF (1676) versus LSF (399) groups. More than 50 signaling pathways were inferred to be deactivated or activated, with Signal Transduction as the central hub in the pathway network. While neuroinflammation pathways were activated in both groups, key neuronal system pathways were systematically deactivated in the HSF group, including calcium, CREB and Opioid signaling. We also infer that enhanced expression of a signaling cascade promoting synaptic downscaling may have played a key role in maintaining a higher seizure threshold in the LSF cohort. These results suggest that therapeutic approaches targeting synaptic scaling pathways may aid in the treatment of seizures in TLE.
Independent In-process Figure Convergence Metrology for Freeform Optics

Deterministic in-process metrology is prerequisite for sub-micrometer figure accuracy. Independent metrology is required to identify/correct systematic error motions in the manufacturing. Final acceptance requires independent validation of the success of the manufacturing/metrology feedback.
Site-Selective Functionalization of (sp 3 )C-H Bonds Catalyzed by Artificial Metalloenzymes Containing an Iridium-Porphyrin Cofactor

The selective functionalization of one C-H bond over others in nearly identical steric and electronic environments can facilitate the construction of complex molecules. We report site-selective functionalizations of C-H bonds, differentiated solely by remote substituents, catalyzed by artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) that are generated from the combination of an evolvable P450 scaffold and an iridium-porphyrin cofactor. The generated systems catalyze the insertion of carbenes into the C-H bonds of a range of phthalan derivatives containing substituents that render the two methylene positions in each phthalan inequivalent. These reactions occur with site-selectivity ratios of up to 17.8:1 and, in most cases, with pairs of enzyme mutants that preferentially form each of the two constitutional isomers. This study demonstrates the potential of abiotic reactions catalyzed by metalloenzymes to functionalize C-H bonds with site selectivity that is difficult to achieve with small-molecule catalysts.
IN VITRO TRANSCRIPTION OF Ad2 DNA BY EUKARYOTIC RNA POLYMERASES II. II. TRANSCRIPTION FROM STABLE BINARY COMPLEXES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the in vitro transcription of Ad2 DNA by eukaryotic RNA polymerase II. The mechanism of initiation of transcription from stable binary complexes between eukaryotic RNA polymerase II has been studied. RNA polymerase binds stably to DNA, forming I. I complexes are converted into MRSM. In the presence of ribonucleotide triphosphates, each RS complex can catalyze the rapid formation of the first phosphodiester bond in the nascent RNA chains. M1 of 9 mapped stable binary complexes are able to initiate RNA chains. The transition from I to RS complex exhibits a sigmoidal dependence on temperature for which a melting temperature ( T m ) can be determined. The T m for these polymerases is 22–25°C. A plot of the temperature dependence suggests the opening of 4–8 nucleotide base pairs on Ad2 DNA by these polymerases. This is the same as the number of base pairs opened by E. coli RNA polymerase. The direction of synthesis from the stable binding sites has been determined by two independent methods which include electron microscopic mapping of the position of DNA:RNA polymerase:RNA tertiary complexes as a function of time of RNA chain synthesis and hybridization of synthesized RNA to DNA blots of separated strands of various Ad2 DNA fragments.
The p-adic Numbers

Having built our foundation, we can now apply the general theory to the specific case of the field Q of rational numbers. Extending our scope to include all fields of algebraic numbers (i.e., finite extensions of Q), or even to include what the experts call “global fields” in general, would not be very hard.
Post-combustion emissions control in aero-gas turbine engines

Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from aircraft cause air quality degradation and climate change. Efforts to improve the efficiency of aircraft propulsion systems are leading to small, power-dense engine cores with higher overall pressure ratios and combustion temperatures, which can result in higher NOx emissions. The trend towards smaller engine cores with smaller mass flow rates in the core stream, presents new opportunities for emissions control. Specifically, we propose and assess using a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system that was previously infeasible when mass flow rates in the core were an order of magnitude larger than heavy-duty diesel engines for road based applications. SCR systems would reduce NOx emissions at the cost of increased aircraft weight and specific fuel consumption due to the pressure drop in the core stream induced by the catalyst. We quantify the effects of these trade-offs in terms of emissions reduction and fuel burn increase using representative engine cycle models provided by a major aero-gas turbine manufacturer. Due to its size, any SCR system will likely need to be housed in the aircraft body, potentially making it most suitable for future hybrid- or turbo-electric aircraft designs. Furthermore, SCR systems require ultra-low sulfur (ULS) fuel to prevent catalytic fouling. We find that employing an ammonia-based SCR results in an approximately 95% reduction in NOx emissions in exchange for a ∼0.5% increase in block fuel burn. The performance of the post-combustion emissions control (PCEC) system is shown to improve for smaller-core engines, such as those proposed in the NASA N + 3 time-line (2030–2035). Using a global chemistry-transport model we estimate that PCEC used with ULS fuel, could avert ∼92% of aviation air pollution related early deaths each year. Using a simplified climate model and accounting for changes in emissions (including life cycle emissions) and radiative forcing we estimate that PCEC with ULS fuel increases climate damages by ∼7.5%. We estimate that the net benefit of using PCEC accounting for air quality and climate impacts is 304 USD (2015) per metric tonne of jet fuel burned, or a reduction of ∼52% in monetized air quality and climate damages.
Low frequency electrochemical noise in AlGaN/GaN field effect transistor biosensors

Little has been studied on how the electrochemical noise impacts the limit of detection of field effect transistor (FET) biosensors. Herein, we investigate low frequency noise associated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solutions at varying ionic strengths (Ni) under both weak and strong gate biases corresponding to saturation and sub-threshold regimes, respectively, in AlGaN/GaN heterojunction FET biosensors. We show that the electrochemical noise is strongly dependent on the ionic strength and gate biasing conditions. In the saturation regime (low bias), varying the ionic strength (a range of 10 − 6 × PBS to PBS 1 × stock solutions used for testing) has little to no effect on the characteristic frequency exponent β ( β = 1 ), indicating a predominately diffusion-based process. Conversely, under higher biases (sub-threshold regime), the β parameter varies from 1 to 2 with ionic strength exhibiting both diffusion and drift characteristics, with a “cut point” at approximately 10 − 5 × PBS ( N i ≈ 9 × 10 14/mL). Under a high bias, once the PBS concentration reaches 10 − 3 ×, the behavior is then drift dominant. This indicates that the higher bias likely triggers electrochemical reactions and by extension, faradaic effects at most physiologically relevant ionic strengths. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the device has an inverse linear relationship with the low frequency current noise. The device exhibits a higher SNR in the sub-threshold regime than in the saturation regime. Specifically, within the saturation regime, an inversely proportional relationship between the SNR and the ionic concentration is observed. The electrochemical noise induced from ionic activities is roughly proportional to N i − 1 / 2.
Catalogs of Wide Binaries: Impact on Galactic Astronomy

Wide binaries, particularly in large numbers and as free from selection biases as possible, constitute a largely overlooked tool for studying the Galaxy. The goal of this review is to highlight the potential inherent to large samples of field wide binaries for research on problems as varied as star formation in the early Galaxy, the nature of halo dark matter, the evolution of the stellar halo, new geometric distances, metallicities, masses, and ages of field stars and white dwarfs, and much more. Using the Revised NLTT as an illustrative example, I review the main steps in the assembly of a large catalog of wide binaries useful for multiple applications. The capability of cleanly separating between the Galactic disk and halo populations using good colors and proper motions is emphasized. The critical role of large surveys for research on wide binaries as well as for the better understanding of the Galaxy in general is stressed throughout. Finally, I point out the potential for assembling new samples of wide binaries from available proper-motion surveys, and report on current efforts of using the SDSS towards this goal.
Evidence of air pollution exposure and new asthma onset: further justification for cleaner air.

Further evidence that new onset asthma can occur from air pollution, even below prevailing air quality standards. It is time the ERS and ATS release a formal statement on the evidence for the link between long-term air pollution and new incident asthma.https://bit.ly/30uAjNN
A Complex Systems Approach to Develop a Multilayer Network Model for High Consequence Facility Security

Protecting high consequence facilities (HCF) from malicious attacks is challenged by today’s increasingly complex, multi-faceted, and interdependent operational environments and threat domains. Building on current approaches, insights from complex systems and network science can better incorporate multidomain interactions observed in HCF security operations. These observations and qualitative HCF security expert data support invoking a multilayer modeling approach for HCF security to shift from a “reactive” to a “proactive” paradigm that better explores HCF security dynamics and resilience not captured in traditional approaches. After exploring these multi-domain interactions, this paper introduces how systems theory and network science insights can be leveraged to describe HCF security as complex, interdependent multilayer directed networks. A hypothetical example then demonstrates the utility of such an approach, followed by a discussion on key insights and implications of incorporating multilayer network analytical performance measures into HCF security.
Diversidade e biologia de espécies de Portunidae (Decapoda, Brachyura) no estuário de Iguape, Ilha Comprida e Cananéia, São Paulo, Brasil

Swimming crabs of the Portunidae family are common in the water coast of tropical and subtropical regions, in mud and sand bottoms. They play an important role in the trophic relationship of the benthic communities, which, in turn, influence their patterns of distribution, migration, ecdysis and reproduction. Many species of this family have an economic value to the artisanal fishery in the Estuarine-lagunar Complex of Iguape, Ilha Comprida and Cananeia. Between January 1997 and May 2001, 4,610 swimming crabs of the Portunidae family were studied. The samples were obtained in nine stations in the estuarine zone between Cananeia and Comprida isle and Iguape city (Sao Paulo State coast, Brazil) using three types of fishery devices: “collapsible trap”, “puca” and “beach trawl net”. Ten species were identified: Ovalipes trimaculatus (De Haan, 1833); Arenaeus cribrarius (Lamarck, 1818); Callinectes bocourti A. Milne-Edwards, 1879; Callinectes danae Smith, 1869; Callinectes exasperatus (Gerstaecker, 1856); Callinectes ornatus Ordway, 1863; Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896; Cronius ruber (Lamarck, 1818); Portunus spinimanus Latreille, 1819 and Charybdis hellerii (A. Milne-Edwards, 1867). For the most abundant species (C. danae, C. sapidus e C. ornatus), space occupation and migration models were proposed according to different population layers related to the reproductive cycle and the water salinity, once there is a direct relationship between spawning and saline waters for these Portunidae.
Severe Group C Streptococcus infection in a veterinarian.

Abstract Group C Streptococcus (GCS) is part of the normal commensal flora of the upper airway, as well as frequently colonizes the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and female genital tract. It can also be implicated in mono- and polymicrobial infections of the skin and soft tissue, pharyngitis, bacteremia, endocarditis, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, and meningitis. Our case study features a previously healthy 65-year-old male, who retired as a veterinarian one month prior, with Group C Streptococcus bacteremia complicated by septic polyarthritis, native mitral valve endocarditis, and lumbar discitis/osteomyelitis.
Eating expectancies and hedonic hunger among individuals with bulimia-spectrum eating disorders who plan binge-eating episodes.

OBJECTIVE Binge planning (BP; i.e., preparatory thoughts and actions to facilitate future binge-eating episodes) is hypothesized to distract individuals from negative affect and increase the salience of food. Thus, individuals who engage in BP may report greater positive eating expectancies (i.e., beliefs about the outcomes of eating) and hedonic hunger (i.e., desire to eat for pleasure), as BP may increase the likelihood of obtaining these expected outcomes; but empirical tests of this possibility are needed. METHOD Prior to starting treatment, adults (N = 86) with bulimia-spectrum eating disorders were assessed for engagement in BP and self-reported on eating expectancies and hedonic hunger. RESULTS Twenty-nine participants (33.7%) reported planning at least one binge-eating episode in the previous 28 days. Compared to individuals who did not report BP, individuals who reported BP had greater expectancies that eating would alleviate negative affect (t = -2.54, p = .013) and boredom (U = 503.50, p = .006). Groups did not differ on levels of hedonic hunger (t = -1.68, p = .096). DISCUSSION These findings suggest that BP status is linked to expectancies that eating will reduce negative affect. However, more data are needed to determine the temporal relationships among eating expectancies, hedonic hunger and BP. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS NCT02716831, NCT03673540.
Restoring Factorization in Integral Domains

v 1 Preliminaries 2 1.1 Ring Theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1.2 Integral Domains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 Factorization in Integral Domains 14 2.1 General Factorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 2.2 Quadratic Integer Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Probabilistic robust control design of polynomial vector fields

This paper presents a probabilistic approach to the design of robust controllers for nonlinear systems, in particular, polynomial vector fields in the presence of parametric uncertainty. The objective of the design is to minimize the system's probability of instability subject to the uncertainty described by statistical distributions. Based on the convexity property of a recently proposed stability criterion, which could be viewed as a dual to Lyapunov's second theorem, the probabilistic robust control problem for polynomial vector fields is formulated into a stochastic convex optimization problem. Stochastic gradient algorithms are used to search a generally parameterized nonlinear control law that minimizes the probability of instability.
On the Evaluation of the Elastic Modulus of Soft Materials Using Beams with Unknown Initial Curvature.

Abstract A nonlinear optimization procedure is established to determine the elastic modulus of slender, soft materials using beams with unknown initial curvature in the presence of large rotations. Specifically, the deflection of clamped-free beams under self-weight - measured at different orientations with respect to gravity - is used to determine the modulus of elasticity and the intrinsic curvature in the unloaded state. The approach is validated with experiments on a number of different materials - steel, polyetherimide, rubber and pig skin. Since the loading is limited to self-weight, the strain levels attained in these tests are small enough to assume a linear elastic material behavior. This nondestructive methodology is also applicable to engineered tissues and extremely delicate materials in order to obtain a quick estimate of the material's elastic modulus.
Gamma-Ray-Induced Spore Germination of Dictyostelium discoideum

60Co gamma rays can induce germination of the spores of the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum, in the absence of heat shock, amino acids, or bacteria food source. About 65% amoebae emergence occurs by 13 hr after a dose of 180 krad.
Difficult to Show Properties and Utility Maximizing Brokers

This article is the winner of the Real Estate and the Internet manuscript prize (sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers) presented at the American Real Estate Society Annual Meeting.Brokers have long ...
Reason, Justice and Love: The Constitutional Humanism of Peter Cicchino

Reading through the articles in this symposium issue, it became clear to not only me that Peter Cicchino’s life was a blessing to those who came into contact with him, but that his all-too-brief journey in legal academia will leave a major impression on the world of jurisprudence and constitutional ideas. Everything that he taught us begins with the premise that the language of “rationality” and “reasonableness” in constitutional law must be taken seriously. “A statute or government policy whose end is not rooted in human flourishing, and is not accessible through human experience, lacks the minimum degree of reasonableness required by the Equal Protection Clause and represents a radical departure from the rule of law.” Thus Peter closed his astonishing article in the Georgetown Law Journal, “Reason and the Rule of Law: Should Bare Assertions of “Public Morality” Qualify As Legitimate Government Interests for the Purposes of Equal Protection Review?,” a triumphant intervention in Equal Protection and Due Process scholarship and perhaps the finest law review debut of a law professor in the 20th century. My Constitutional Law students know this article inside and out: it is the only law review article I have ever assigned in its entirety. But this cogent masterpiece should be required reading for every constitutional law student in the United States. Peter presented a constitutional and philosophical argument that
Adenosine Triphosphate Conservation in Metabolic Regulation RAT LIVER CITRATE CLEAVAGE ENZYME

Abstract The citrate cleavage enzyme (EC 4.1.3.8) of rat liver is inhibited by adenosine diphosphate, which appears to compete with adenosine triphosphate. This effect may ensure that fatty acids are produced only when the ATP level is high. The "energy charge" of the adenylate system, defined as (ATP + ½ ADP)/(AMP + ADP + ATP), is proposed as a fundamental metabolic control parameter. Enzymes that utilize ATP and are inhibited by ADP or AMP will yield steep curves of velocity as a function of energy charge (resembling the steep curves of velocity as a function of substrate concentration that are characteristic of many regulatory enzymes) even in the absence of multiple sites and cooperative binding.
Mass spectrometric studies at high temperatures—XXIII: Vapor equilibria over molten NaSnF3 and KSnF3

Abstract Mass spectral and appearance potential measurements on vapors from NaSnF 3 and KSnF 3 over the temperature range 725–895°K indicate the presence of SnF 2 , NaSnF 3 , Na 2 SnF 4 , NaF, NaSn 2 F 5 and possibly (NaSnF 3 ) 2 as well as SnF 2 , KSnF 3 and KF, in their approximate relative order of abundance. From ion current vs. temperature data, second law heats for the reactions of SnF 2 and NaF (or KF) to form NaSnF 3 , Na 2 SnF 4 , and Na 2 Sn,F 5 (or KSnF 3 ) were derived. By using values of the activities of NaF and KF, obtained from an analogy with condensed phase data for similar mixtures, free energies were calculated for these reactions. Independent enthalpies of reaction were then obtained by use of estimated entropy data.
Reactive spulter deposition of ceramic oxide nanolaminates: ZrO2–Al2O3 and ZrO2–Y2O3 model systems

AbstractThe growth of ceramic nanolaminate films by reactive sputter deposition is reviewed. Phase formation in nanolaminates with the same nominal architecture but with different chemical constituents is investigated. Two model systems, zirconia–alumina and zirconiayttria, allow comparison of the effects of chemical reactivity between constituents at the interface. In zirconia–alumina nanolaminates, each component is a separate entity and the interface is incoherent. Phase evolution in zirconia layers of decreasing thickness is predicted by the finite crystal size effect. Tetragonal zirconia is produced in layers whose thickness is less than the critical thickness for stabilisation of monoclinic zirconia (the STP phase). The amorphous structure of alumina is a consequence of its structural flexibility. Overall morphological roughness of the film arises from the polycrystalline nature of the zirconia layers. In zirconia–yttria nanolaminates, an interfacial reaction between components completely obliterate...
Behavioral Properties of the Trigeminal Somatosensory System in Rats Performing Whisker-Dependent Tactile Discriminations

To address several fundamental questions regarding how multiwhisker tactile stimuli are integrated and processed by the trigeminal somatosensory system, a novel behavioral task was developed that required rats to discriminate the width of either a wide or narrow aperture using only their large mystacial vibrissae. Rats quickly acquired this task and could accurately discriminate between apertures of very similar width. Accurate discriminations required a large number of intact facial whiskers. Systematic removal of individual whiskers caused a decrease in performance that was directly proportional to the number of whiskers removed, indicating that tactile information from multiple whiskers is integrated as rats gauge aperture width. In different groups of rats, different sets of whiskers were removed in patterns that preferentially left whisker rows or whisker arcs intact. These different whisker removals caused similar decreases in performance, indicating that individual whiskers within the vibrissal array are functionally equivalent during performance of this task. Lesions of the barrel cortex abolished the ability of rats to discriminate, demonstrating that this region is critically involved in this tactile behavior. Interestingly, sectioning the facial nerve, which abolished whisker movements, did not affect the ability to perform accurate discriminations, indicating that active whisker movements are not necessary for accurate performance of the task. Collectively, these results indicate that the trigeminal somatosensory system forms internal representations of external stimuli (in this case, aperture width) by integrating tactile input from many functionally equivalent facial whiskers and that the vibrissal array can function as a fine-grained distance detector without active whisker movements.
A “Sensibility of the Commons” and Climate Change Adaptive Capacity in Haiti

A sensibility of the commons, defined as a community sentiment of shared, responsible decision-making and action-taking concerning a designated resource , is an essential feature of societies likely to adapt effectively to climate change. Impoverished Haiti provides a tragic counter example and instead is likely to be highly vulnerable to climate instability. Vulnerability is defined as likely impacts plus adaptive capacity. Haiti’s degraded environment and dearth of inclusive institutions is in part responsible for its current vulnerability. Its former slave economy has been followed by an oligarchic extractionist economy leaving little room for developing the social prerequisites of high adaptive capacity societies. These are: empowered citizens, inclusive institutions, a generalized morality wherein all have rights, and a sensibility of the commons and its concomitant social capital.
Signaling between two interacting sensor kinases promotes biofilms and colonization by a bacterial symbiont.

Cells acclimate to fluctuating environments by utilizing sensory circuits. One common sensory pathway used by bacteria is two-component signaling (TCS), composed of an environmental sensor [the sensor kinase (SK)] and a cognate, intracellular effector [the response regulator (RR)]. The squid symbiont Vibrio fischeri uses an elaborate TCS phosphorelay containing a hybrid SK, RscS, and two RRs, SypE and SypG, to control biofilm formation and host colonization. Here, we found that another hybrid SK, SypF, was essential for biofilms by functioning downstream of RscS to directly control SypE and SypG. Surprisingly, although wild-type SypF functioned as an SK in vitro, this activity was dispensable for colonization. In fact, only a single non-enzymatic domain within SypF, the HPt domain, was critical in vivo. Remarkably, this domain within SypF interacted with RscS to permit a bypass of RscS's own HPt domain and SypF's enzymatic function. This represents the first in vivo example of a functional SK that exploits the enzymatic activity of another SK, an adaptation that demonstrates the elegant plasticity in the arrangement of TCS regulators.
Effects of inter- and intra-response class differences upon learning via vicarious reinforcement

This study examined the effect of differences in reinforced word classes upon acquisition of a verbal response. Subjects learned by observation of another person being reinforced for saying critical words (vicarious reinforcement—VR). Seventy-two male undergraduate S s, who were run individually, said a word in response to a signal light. The S responded alternately with the tape-recorded voice of another person performing the same task for 50 trials. The taped voice gave critical words with increasing frequency (20% to 80%). Each critical word was followed by another voice saying “good.” The 3 × 2 factorial design consisted of three levels of critical word-class size (size being determined on the basis of a preliminary task), and two levels of intra-class strength (word frequency). Results showed the mean proportion of critical responses per block of 10 trials given, to be a direct function of both word-class size and word frequency.
Cortisol Levels, Binding, and Properties of Corticosteroid-Binding Globulin in the Serum of Primates*

New World primates have exceptionally high plasma levels of cortisol and other steroid hormones when compared with humans and other primates. It has been suggested that this difference can be explained by either low affinity or concentration of cellular steroid receptors. We have assessed cortisol availability in serum from several species of New and Old World primates under physiological conditions (whole serum at 37 C). Measurements were made of total and free cortisol, corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG) binding capacity and affinity for cortisol, distribution of cortisol in serum, and its binding to albumin. In agreement with earlier reports, plasma free cortisol levels in Old World primates, prosimians, and humans range from 10–300 nM. However, very high total plasma cortisol together with low CBG binding capacity and affinity result in free cortisol concentrations of 1–4 μM in some New World primates (squirrel monkey and marmosets) but not in others such as the titi and capuchin. In squirrel monke...
Integrating Toxicity Risk in Bird Eggs and Chicks: Using Chick Down Feathers To Estimate Mercury Concentrations in Eggs

The concentration of mercury (Hg) in eggs that causes reduced hatching success is regarded as a critical end point for Hg toxicity in birds. However, incorporating effects of in ovo mercury exposure on chick health and survival could improve risk assessment. We developed equations to predict Hg in eggs using Hg in chick down feathers, and vice versa, by assessing the relationship between Hg in feathers (0.5−32.4 μg g−1 fw) and eggs (0.04−2.79 μg g−1 fww) for three waterbird species in San Francisco Bay, CA. Feather Hg sampled from embryos of pipping eggs was highly correlated with fresh whole-egg Hg (n = 94, r2 = 0.96). Additionally, using an egg microsampling technique, albumen Hg was correlated with feather Hg sampled from chicks in the same nest (n = 28, r2 = 0.79). Down feather Hg in recaptured chicks (≤10 days old) was correlated with down feather Hg at hatching (≤3 days old; n = 88, r2 = 0.74). Our results demonstrate the utility of using down feathers of chicks ≤10 days of age to nonlethally predic...
Does surgical closure technique affect early mammographic detection of tumor recurrence after breast-conserving therapy?

Purpose:Scarring in the tumor bed may mask or mimic local recurrence of tumor on surveillance mammography. Type of surgical closure technique used during lumpectomy may impact the pattern or density of scar tissue apparent in the tumor bed on mammography. This study sought to determine whether surgi