cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The reactions of NO2 and CH3CHO with Na-Y zeolite and the relevance to plasma-activated lean NOx catalysis

We have examined the interaction of NO 2 and CH 3 CHO with Na-Y zeolite under conditions relevant to low-temperature plasma-activated reduction of NO x . Acetaldehyde interacts weakly with the surface primarily via electrostatic and ion-dipole interactions and is not present at appreciable levels in the molecular adsorbed state at temperatures exceeding 350 K. The interaction of NO 2 with Na-Y zeolite produces various forms of adsorbed nitrogen oxide species that are primarily present in the form of nitrites and nitrates. The nitrites can be present in the nitrito (-O-N-O - ) and nitro (-NO 2 - ) configurations and nitrates in the (-NO 3 - ) and nitrato (-O-NO 2 - ) configurations. Reactions of NO 2 with a Na-Y zeolite surface containing pre-adsorbed acetaldehyde at room temperature are primarily limited to oxidation of the organic fragments and reduction of the surface nitrates to surface nitrites. Reactions of NO 2 on Na-Y zeolite surfaces containing a low coverage of acetaldehyde at temperatures >350 K produces a dehydrogenated surface adsorbed species that likely contains C, N and O. This deposit or adsorbate is also produced when the surface is directly dosed with nitromethane and isopropyl nitrate. The surface reactions seem to involve the Al and associated acid sites.
Role of enzymes in the isolation of deoxyribonucleic acid with sodium dodecyl sulfate

Abstract The role of enzymes in causing the release of DNA from residual protein of the nucleus during the isolation of DNA with sodium dodecyl sulfate has been investigated. It has been concluded from several lines of evidence that the chief factor responsible for the DNA release is catheptic action which occurs in spite of the presence of the dodecyl sulfate. It is also concluded that in the cases of tissues where the release of DNA from residual protein is unsatisfactory, external protease must be added if the isolation is to be satisfactory. If clean DNA is to be isolated from calf thymus, rat liver, or chicken erythrocytes, the gels that are formed on the addition of dodecyl sulfate must be broken, but breaking the gels is not sufficient to insure good removal of residual protein. The mechanism of action of SH compounds in causing degelation of DNA-nucleoprotein gels in sodium dodecyl sulfate has been studied. The total yield of DNA with the sodium dodecyl sulfate method has been studied in the case of calf thymus after the addition of purified DNA to the system, and it has been concluded that (a) the added DNA after heating can become complexed with the DNA present in the tissues if it is homologous, and (b) that on heating the system to the boiling point during the isolation procedure, a firm complex is formed between the histone and the residual protein to which the inherent DNA is already complexed. This results in the loss of most of the DNA owing to precipitation along with the protein during the deproteinization step.
The impact of the model for end-stage liver disease on recipient selection for adult living liver donation.

Key points 1. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) system can be used to assess recipient pre-transplant risks and help select appropriate candidates for the adult to adult living donation liver transplant procedure. 2. Selection of candidates for the adult to adult living donation liver transplant procedure requires assessment of candidate risk of death without a transplant, risk of death with a transplant, and donor risk of death. 3. Understanding of the risks involved allows for development of clinical decision models to inform the risk benefit analyses. 4. MELD provides a useful, objective, and universal tool for clinicians around the world to estimate risks for clinical decision making in all forms of liver transplantation.
Learning Fractions with Understanding: Building on Informal Knowledge

Eight sixth-grade students received individualized instruction on addition and subtraction of fractions in a one-to-one setting for six weeks. Instruction was designed to build on the student's informal knowledge of fractions. All students possessed a rich store of informal knowledge of fractions that was based on partitioning units and treating the parts as whole numbers. Students' informal knowledge was initially disconnected from their knowledge of fraction symbols and procedures. Students related fraction symbols and procedures to their informal knowledge in ways that were meaningful to them; however, knowledge of rote procedures frequently interfered with students' attempts to build on their informal knowledge.
Effects of interactions and disorder in two dimensions

Abstract The interplay between Coulomb interactions and randomness has been a long-standing problem in condensed matter physics. Recent thermodynamic and transport experiments have shown that in clean two-dimensional electron systems, strong interactions between carriers lead to Pauli spin susceptibility growing critically at low electron densities. In the immediate vicinity of the metal–insulator transition (MIT), both the resistance and the effective interactions become temperature dependent and exhibit a fan-like spread as the MIT is crossed. A resistance-interaction flow diagram clearly reveals a quantum critical point.
Modeling a fixed-fixed beam nano biosensor using equivalent electrical circuit technique

A fixed-fixed beam nano structure has been presented and it has been shown that it can be used as a mass sensor. Successful operation of this device in liquid can be used to make a bio-sensor useful for life sciences. In this paper an equivalent circuit for the device has been proposed with the percentage error in frequency and bandwidth response found to be 2.3% and 18.3% respectively. Similar steps can be used to develop an equivalent circuit of the device in liquid. Existing techniques for the quality factor improvement can be applied to obtain a nano scale sensor for mass detection in liquid. With further processing such a device can be used as a biosensor. Development of an equivalent circuit will enable the analysis of the device by using conventional circuit simulation softwares hence simplifying the study of the nano biosensor.
Continuous improvement in the history of human resource management

Human resource management’s challenge is to improve the balance among three competing quality targets: equity, flexibility and alignment. Management of these targets has improved through four historical periods: the pre‐industrial, paternalist, bureaucratic and high performance. There always have been tradeoffs among the three quality targets, but the balance among them has improved through history.
Colchicine and antineoplastic therapy for the prevention of restenosis after percutaneous coronary interventions

The complexity of the events that culminate in intimal proliferation after arterial injury and similarities between this response and benign neoplasia suggest that conventional medical therapies will continue to be unsuccessful in preventing recurrent stenosis after percutaneous coronary revascularization. By preventing cell division after smooth muscle cell activation, antimitogenic therapy may inhibit the final common pathway in this complex chain of events and offset the apparent loss of local growth control. Colchicine, which causes metaphase arrest of cell division, has been shown in experimental studies to decrease the extent of atheromatous plaque formation and reduce the severity of arterial restenosis after balloon angioplasty. However, preliminary results from a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial suggest that low dose colchicine (0.6 mg twice a day orally) does not prevent restenosis. The use of more potent antineoplastic agents is limited by the potential for life-threatening side effects. It is possible that these adverse effects can be averted by using novel drug delivery systems to administer antimitogenic therapy locally at the site of arterial injury or by using low dose synergistic combinations of antiproliferative agents. This review examines the potential role of antimitogenic therapy in the prevention of restenosis after coronary interventions and considers the possibility of an overlap of the therapeutic realms of interventional cardiology and medical oncology.
Con: a hematocrit of 20% is not adequate for separation from cardiopulmonary bypass.

O NE OF THE major landmarks in the history of cardiac surgery was the use of "nonhemic" priming solutions by Cooley et al in the early 1960s. 1 The ability to further expand bloodless cardiac surgery was triggered by the awareness of the risks associated with blood transfusion, the shortage of supply in face of an ever-increasing demand, and the care of special groups of patients such as Jehovah's Witnesses. However, the guiding light in the practice of bloodless cardiac surgery is the growing understanding of normovolemic hemodilution (NVHD). The early work in mid-1950s by Guyton et al 2 demonstrated that NVHD causes a marked decrease in viscosity and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) with a compensatory increase in cardiac output (CO) that maintains blood pressure (BP) and oxygen delivery to the tissues. In the same study, Guyton emphasized that in animals with weakened hearts, the increase in venous return (CO) is limited and does not compensate for the decreased SVR; therefore, the BP can decrease significantly. This is a reminder that hemodilution and anemia, whether normovolemic or hypovolemic, are not normal physiologic states and thus have limitations.
VENOUS PATCH GRAFT FOR PEYRONIE'S DISEASE. PART I: TECHNIQUE

AbstractPurpose: We describe our technique of plaque incision and venous patch grafting to correct complex penile deformity associated with Peyronie's disease.Materials and Methods: Graft material is obtained from the lower and upper saphenous and deep dorsal veins. The configuration, size and number of tunical incisions depend on the site and size of the lesion. In most cases an H-shaped tunical incision is adequate to release the contracture. With the aid of a vascular stapler several vein segments can be assembled easily into 1 piece to cover the defect.Results: The incidence of penile shortening and erectile dysfunction, following other corrective procedures, is lessened with the tunical incision and venous grafting technique.Conclusion: The venous graft provides an anatomical and functional tunical substitute. Results in correction of Peyronie's disease are highly encouraging.
CFD simulation of effect of baffle on mass transfer in a slit-type pervaporation module

Abstract A pervaporation simulation was conducted to describe mass transfer in a slit membrane module that contained mixing-promoting baffles for efficient removal of volatile organic compounds. Commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package was employed to solve hydrodynamics and mass transfer equations. The effects of baffle on enhancing mass transfer in the module were examined. Numerical simulation results indicated 14, 24, and 34% improvements of the average mass transfer coefficient within the flow channel with baffle height of 10, 30, and 50% of the slit height of the module, reaching 1.25 × 10−5 m/s, 1.35 × 10−5 m/s, 1.44 × 10−5 m/s, respectively, as compared with 1.08 × 10−5 m/s where there was no baffle. In all cases, a second peak of the local flux was observed due to the disruption of the developed boundary layer around the baffle. Separation of the boundary layers was observed for baffles with 30 and 50% of the slit height. The pressure drops over the channel length were compared. An increase in 2, 4, and 27% in pressure drop corresponding to the aforementioned three different baffle heights were observed. The effect of multiple baffles on mass transfer depends on the locations of the second baffle. The effect of multiple baffles in the module is insignificant. Pervaporation (PV) experiments were conducted using polydimethylsiloxane membrane with baffle attached and compared with the simulation results. The experimental result showed good agreement with the simulation results at low Reynolds numbers (
Laparoscopic "gastrojejunal sleeve reduction" as a revision procedure for weight loss failure after roux-en-y gastric bypass.

Weight regain after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is increasingly reported in the bariatric literature. Laparoscopic sleeve reduction of the gastrojejunal complex is a surgical option to revise a dilated gastric pouch. We report our short-term results. Sleeve reduction entails serial firing of a linear stapler along the jejunal alimentary limb, across the gastric pouch and towards the left crus, with a bougie in place, thus, creating a new 20–25-cm reduced gastrojejunal complex. Data analyzed included age, body mass index (BMI), excess weight loss (EWL), comorbidity resolution, and any other simultaneous operative procedures. Fourteen patients were identified, all done laparoscopically. Nine underwent gastrojejunal sleeve reduction alone and five underwent additional lengthening of the Roux limb. There were no mortalities. Mean age at revision was 43 years (31–59). Mean BMI and EWL prior to revision were 35.5 ± 4.0 kg/m2 and 48.9 ± 15.8%, respectively. Nine of 14 patients (64%) had obesity-related comorbidities prior to the revision. Average BMI decrease was 2.7 kg/m2. Post-revision mean BMI and %EWL were 32.9 ± 4.7 kg/m2 and 12.0 ± 13.9%, respectively, with mean follow-up of 12 months. Three of nine patients (33%) experienced improvement and/or resolution of comorbidities. We did not find a significant difference between pre-and post-revision mean BMI and %EWL (p = 0.13) even after separately evaluating those patients who underwent Roux limb lengthening (p = 0.16). For RYGB patients who regained weight, laparoscopic gastrojejunal sleeve reduction does not seem to offer a major therapeutic benefit. Additional malabsorptive Roux lengthening also does not provide a significant benefit. Other options should be considered, such as placing a band on the gastric pouch or conversion to duodenal switch.
Stress response and aging

Stress and aging are causally linked. Animals that are rendered stress resistant by genetic or pharmacological means exhibit an extended lifespan. Stress itself can also extend lifespan probably by inducing endogenous stress resistance factors. Intracellular signaling pathways such as insulin/IGF-1 and JNK determine both stress resistance and aging rate by altering the expression of stress response genes. Despite this progress we have little understanding of biochemical and physiological events that underpin these relationships.
Mechanical Alloying of Pet and Pet/Vectra Blends

Mechanical alloying represents a potential method for producing finely dispersed alloys of normally incompatible polymers. In this paper, PET and blends of PET with a Vectra thermotropic copolyester have been processed via high energy ball milling at room temperature (ambimilled) and at liquid nitrogen temperatures (cryomilled). Milled powders and compacted disks have been characterized using molecular weight, density and hardness measurements, aswell as DSC, WAXS, TEM and FTIR.
Movimientos étnicos y cultura política en Ecuador

Este articulo discute las posibilidades de construir ciudadanias en un contexto institucional y cultural poco propicio para el efecto, a partir del analisis de las demandas de los movimientos indigena y afroecuatoriano a la sociedad y al Estado.
A study of vacancies in tungsten wires quenched in superfluid helium

Abstract We have studied the dependence of quenched-in resistance upon quench temperature and quenching speed for fine tungsten wires quenched under superfluid helium. We ascribe this resistance to vacancies trapped in the wires by the rapid quench. Extrapolation of the data to infinite quench speed produced a vacancy formation energy larger than the value of 3.3 eV proposed by Schultz. Analysis in terms of the theory of Flynn, Bass, and Lazarus yielded a vacancy formation energy of 3.6±0.2 eV and a vacancy motion energy of 2.5±0.5 eV, assuming an activation energy for self-diffusion of 6.1 ±0.3 eV. We have also examined the isochronal annealing spectrum after quenches from above 2800 K. Over 80% of the quenched-in resistance annealed away in a single, narrow stage, centred in the temperature range 850 to 1150K. After quenches from below 3100 K, this stage was centred in the upper portion of this temperature range and contained essentially all of the quenched-in resistance. After quenches from higher temp...
Efficient algorithms in irregular sampling of band-limited functions

The author discusses some recent algorithms for the iterative reconstruction of band-limited signals from irregularly sampled values. It is shown that a simplified version of these algorithms allows for a quantitative theory of irregular sampling. The emphasis is on quantitative aspects. Explicit estimates are given for the required sampling density and for the rate of convergence of the iteration algorithm. The author shows that this iteration algorithm converges and yields a complete reconstruction of a band-limited signal from a randomly distributed sampling sequence, provided that the distance between adjacent sampling points is at most the Nyquist distance. An a priori estimate is given on the number of iterations required to achieve a certain accuracy of the approximation to the original signal. >
Sandwich shell finite element for dynamic explicit analysis

The contribution of this paper consists of new development of transverse shear stresses through the thickness and finding an expression for the critical time step for explicit time integration of layered shells. This work presents the finite element (FE) formulation and implementation of a higher-order shear deformable shell element for dynamic explicit analysis of composite and sandwich shells. The formulation is developed using a displacement-based third-order shear deformation shell theory. Using the differential equilibrium equations and the interlayer requirements, special treatment is developed for the transverse shear, resulting in a continuous, piecewise quartic distribution of the transverse shear stresses through the shell thickness. Expressions are developed for the critical time step of the explicit time integration for orthotropic homogeneous and layered shells based on the developed third-order formulation. To assess the performance of the present shell element, it is implemented in the general non-linear explicit dynamic FE code DYNA3D. Several problems are solved and results are presented and compared to other theoretical and numerical results. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
John White on Philosophy of Education and Philosophy.

John White offers a provocative characterization of philosophy of education. In this brief reaction, I evaluate the characterization and urge the maintenance of a strong connection between philosophy of education and philosophy.
Mothers in Two Types of Lesbian Families: Stigma Experiences, Supports, and Burdens

This study of 360 lesbian mothers represented 180 dual-parent lesbian families from 38 U.S. states and examined the maternal experiences with stigma and the families’ support systems and burdens. Mothers in lesbian families, who established a lesbian relationship and subsequently had children together, were compared to mothers in lesbian stepfamilies, where partners started their intimate relationship after having children. Results indicated that mothers in lesbian stepfamilies had less support. Both types of families had men in their lives, and most mothers were burdened by concerns regarding their children’s experience of stigma. Both types of families experience stigma; however, mothers in lesbian stepfamilies perceive more stigma. Health care providers (HCP) should know the tolerance for lesbian identities in their community and assist women in disclosing their family constellation. Specific suggestions are provided for the HCP to make these assessments.
Impulsive Choice Predicts Poor Working Memory in Male Rats

A number of maladaptive behaviors and poor health outcomes (e.g., substance abuse, obesity) correlate with impulsive choice, which describes the tendency to prefer smaller, immediate rewards in lieu of larger, delayed rewards. Working memory deficits are often reported in those diagnosed with the same maladaptive behaviors. Human studies suggest that impulsive choice is associated with working memory ability but, to date, only one study has explored the association between working memory and impulsive choice in rats and no relation was reported. The current study reevaluated the association between working memory and impulsive choice in 19 male Long-Evans rats. Psychophysical adjusting procedures were used to quantify working memory (titrating-delay match-to-position procedure) and impulsive choice (adjusting delay procedure). Rats were partitioned into low- and high-impulsive groups based on performance in the impulsive choice task. Low-impulsive rats performed significantly better in the working memory assessment. Across all rats, impulsive choice was negatively correlated with working memory performance. These findings support the hypothesis that prefrontal cortex function, specifically, working memory, is related to impulsive choice. Future research might profitably examine the experimental variables designed to influence working memory to evaluate the effects of these variables on impulsive choice and maladaptive behaviors with which it is correlated.
Endothelial Dysfunction in Children Without Hypertension: Potential Contributions of Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background Endothelial dysfunction can develop in the context of both obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. However, the potential interactions between OSA and obesity have not been defined. Methods Children who were prepubertal and nonhypertensive were recruited. Endothelial function was assessed in a morning fasted state, using a modified hyperemic test involving cuff-induced occlusion of the radial and ulnar arteries, and blood was drawn for assessment of myeloid-related protein 8/14 (MRP8/14) levels using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overnight polysomnography defined the presence of OSA or absence of OSA (NOSA) in subjects investigated for sleep-disordered breathing. Anthropometric measurements were performed to assign subjects to obese (OB) and nonobese (NOB) categories. Results Fifty-four children with OSA who were obese and nonobese (mean age, 7.90 ± 0.26 years; mean BMI z-score, 1.70 ± 0.3; obstructive apnea-hypopnea index [OAHI], 7.36 ± 1.09) were compared with 54 children without OSA who were obese and nonobese (mean age, 8.26 ± 0.24 years; mean BMI z-score, 1.41 ± 0.18; OAHI, 0.86 ± 0.07). Of those subjects, 62.5% of the OB-OSA category, 38.7% of the OB-NOSA category, and 20.0% of the NOB-OSA category had evidence of endothelial dysfunction, compared with 0.0% of the NOB-NOSA category (P Conclusions Both obesity and OSA can independently increase the risk for endothelial dysfunction, and the concurrent presence of both markedly increases such risk. Although the mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction remain unclear, a potential role for MRP8/14 as an inflammatory biomarker of endothelial dysfunction is suggested.
Better than being there: next millennium networks

At the culmination of the 20th Century, people in universities and research laboratories have achieved networks of sufficient bandwidth to effectively eliminate the need to physically ship documents, images, and videotapes. Will the next millennium bring us networks that deliver services so efficiently and expediently that we can claim they are, for us, better than being there? As professionals in computer graphics and applications, it is critical that we obtain the quality of image, sound, and interaction over distance that we can enjoy locally.
Re‐creating your life: a spiritual/psychotherapeutic intervention for people diagnosed with cancer

This paper describes a pilot psychotherapy program for people who have experienced cancer that integrates spiritual issues and resources. The name of the program is: Re-Creating Your Life: During and After Cancer. The literature suggests that people experiencing cancer wrestle with existential concerns related to control, identity, relationships, and meaning. For spiritually oriented people, religious and spiritual issues are likely to be embedded in these existential concerns. Moreover, spiritual resources are likely to play a role in resolving these issues. This seems even more likely given the body of research suggesting that spirituality and religion play a helpful role when people face a traumatic life event. The few studies that have examined the importance of religious variables for people experiencing cancer have found that this is also true for this population. Thus, a psychotherapeutic program for persons diagnosed with cancer might be more efficacious if it integrated spiritual issues and resources. This paper describes a treatment program oriented towards this goal and presents rationales for the interventions that are included in the therapy process. The program addresses the four existential concerns listed above, in ways that integrate spiritual issues and assist participants in drawing on spiritual resources. An outcome study is currently underway to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention. Ten participants have participated, results are promising, and will be published when data collection is completed.
Gene Expression Atlas update—a value-added database of microarray and sequencing-based functional genomics experiments

Gene Expression Atlas (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/gxa) is an added-value database providing information about gene expression in different cell types, organism parts, developmental stages, disease states, sample treatments and other biological/experimental conditions. The content of this database derives from curation, re-annotation and statistical analysis of selected data from the ArrayExpress Archive and the European Nucleotide Archive. A simple interface allows the user to query for differential gene expression either by gene names or attributes or by biological conditions, e.g. diseases, organism parts or cell types. Since our previous report we made 20 monthly releases and, as of Release 11.08 (August 2011), the database supports 19 species, which contains expression data measured for 19,014 biological conditions in 136,551 assays from 5598 independent studies.
The Inverse Method for the Logic of Bunched Implications

The inverse method, due to Maslov, is a forward theorem prov- ing method for cut-free sequent calculi that relies on the subformula prop- erty. The Logic of Bunched Implications (BI), due to Pym and O'Hearn, is a logic which freely combines the familiar connectives of intuitionis- tic logic with multiplicative linear conjunction and its adjoint implication. We present the first formulation of an inverse method for propositional BI without units. We adapt the sequent calculus for BI into a forward calculus. The soundness and completeness of the calculus are proved, and a canonical form for bunches is given.
Inhibition of platelet aggregation by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in diabetic patients during therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with increased platelet activation and reduced platelet inhibition by clopidogrel. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) stimulates adenyl cyclase activity in platelets and increases cyclic AMP concentrations, which inhibit Ca2+release and platelet aggregation induced by P2Y1 receptor activation. PGE1 is included in the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay to suppress P2Y1 induced platelet aggregation. We hypothesized that diabetes mellitus may be associated with altered response to PGE1 in subjects treated with clopidogrel. Subjects with established coronary artery disease who were taking clopidogrel 75 mg daily and aspirin for >14 days were enrolled (n = 96). Diabetic (n = 34) were compared with non-diabetic subjects (n = 62). VerifyNow P2Y12 assay and light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) were performed using ADP as agonist with and without addition of PGE1. Genomic DNA was genotyped for common cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 variants using Taqman assays. Residual on-treatment platelet aggregation ...
Expression of TMEM106B, the frontotemporal lobar degeneration-associated protein, in normal and diseased human brain.

Background Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the second most common cause of dementia in individuals under 65 years old and manifests as alterations in behavior, personality, or language secondary to degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes. FTLD-TDP, the largest neuropathological subset of FTLD, is characterized by hyperphosphorylated, ubiquitinated TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) inclusions. Mutations in progranulin (GRN), a neuroprotective growth factor, are one of the most common Mendelian genetic causes of FTLD-TDP. Moreover, a recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified multiple SNPs within the uncharacterized gene TMEM106B that significantly associated with FTLD-TDP, suggesting that TMEM106B genotype confers risk for FTLD-TDP. Indeed, TMEM106B expression levels, which correlate with TMEM106B genotype, may play a role in the pathogenesis of disease.
Functional Network Development During the First Year: Relative Sequence and Socioeconomic Correlations

The first postnatal year is characterized by the most dramatic functional network development of the human lifespan. Yet, the relative sequence of the maturation of different networks and the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on their development during this critical period remains poorly characterized. Leveraging a large, normally developing infant sample with multiple longitudinal resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans during the first year (N = 65, scanned every 3 months), we aimed to delineate the relative maturation sequence of 9 key brain functional networks and examine their SES correlations. Our results revealed a maturation sequence from primary sensorimotor/auditory to visual to attention/default-mode, and finally to executive control networks. Network-specific critical growth periods were also identified. Finally, marginally significant positive SES-brain correlations were observed at 6 months of age for both the sensorimotor and default-mode networks, indicating interesting SES effects on functional brain maturation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study delineating detailed longitudinal growth trajectories of all major functional networks during the first year of life and their SES correlations. Insights from this study not only improve our understanding of early brain development, but may also inform the critical periods for SES expression during infancy.
Reliability of electro-hydraulic steering systems aboard commercial ships

For the purposes of this study, a generic electrohydraulic steering system of standard components similar to those found on currently sailing commercial tankers and freighters is considered. A fault tree analysis methodology is used to evaluate the proposed design and then employed to identify components or subsystems that have the most potential for improving overall system reliability. Design modifications consisting of parallel components of higher reliability are added to show the improvements in system availability. The study results show that complete regard for reliability criteria during the design process result in optimal availability while staying within design restrictions. Furthermore, regulatory agencies and classification societies could be using these same criteria when reviewing proposed design and new regulations on critical shipboard systems to increase vessel safety with minimal economic impact to the operators.
Determinants and process of the choice of goal difficulty.

A laboratory study was designed to examine the impact of methods of payment (piece-rate vs. hourly flat-rate), choice of self-set goals (hard, easy, and free-choice), and self-esteem on the choice of goal difficulty. A significant (p = .01) two-way interaction between task-specific self-esteem and methods of payment was found to influence the choice of goal difficulty. High task-specific self-esteem subjects-as opposed to low task-specific self-esteem subjects-set significantly harder goals under the piece-rate plans than under the hourly flat-rate plans. In addition, a significant (p = .003) two-way interaction between choice of self-set goals and task-specific self-esteem was found to influence perceived total valences of job performance. Perceived total valences of job performance mediates the effects of task-specific self-esteem and choice of self-set goals on the choice of goal difficulty.
Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Tax among American Blood Donors

In the United States, all blood used for transfusion is tested for the presence of antibodies to the structural components of the human T-cell lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and -2). Based on such serologic tests, the prevalence of HTLV-1 infection is estimated to range from 0.016 to 0.1%. As a consequence of studies of patients with mycosis fungoides and some of their healthy relatives who are antibody negative but were found to carry the tax sequence of HTLV-1 in their lymphocytes and who had antibodies to the p40 tax protein, a study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of the “tax-only” state in 250 healthy blood donors and other volunteers. Using PCR and Southern analysis for cell lysates and using Western blotting for plasmas, 8.6% of the blood donors proved to be tax sequence positive and antibody positive. Sequence analysis of specimens from 22 individuals proved that 20 of the sequences were homologous with that of HTLV-1 while 2 resembled the HTLV-2 sequence. The latter were obtained from volunteers of Indian origin. The possible clinical significance of the tax-only carrier state is discussed.
Late Cretaceous reactivation of the Norumbega fault zone, Maine: Evidence from apatite fission-track ages

Apatite fission-track ages from opposite sides of the Norumbega fault zone in southern Maine reveal a significant Early Cretaceous time-temperature discontinuity across the structure. Ages west of the fault zone range from 113 to 89 Ma, while those to the east are significantly older, ranging from 159 to 140 Ma. Modeling of track length distributions reveals that at 120 Ma, an ∼55 °C difference in temperature existed between opposite sides of the fault zone currently exposed at the surface. This discontinuity is best explained by an episode of significant (to 2 km of net vertical separation) east-side-down vertical movement along the Norumbega fault zone in Late Cretaceous time. The modeling suggests contemporaneous cooling and that final movement along the fault zone occurred ca. 80 Ma. These results, when combined with earlier structural and thermochronological studies, suggest that faults mapped within the Norumbega fault zone were intermittently active from Middle Devonian to Late Cretaceous time, and that the structure is a fundamental zone of crustal weakness. The prolonged period of activity likely reflects stresses associated with late Paleozoic dextral transgression, early Mesozoic rifting associated with the initial opening of the North Atlantic Ocean basin, and processes associated with the late Mesozoic uplift and exhumation of the northern Appalachian orogen.
Rate enhancement and multiplicity in a partially wetted and filled pellet: Experimental study

Phase transition during an exothermic multiphase reaction was studied experimentally using a single catalytic pellet reactor. Cyclohexene hydrogenation (to cyclohexane) and disproportionation (to benzene and cyclohexane) on Pd/Al2O3 comprised the test reaction system. The steady-state behavior of the pellet exposed on part of its surface by a flowing liquid rivulet containing the liquid reactant (cyclohexene) and the other part by a flowing gas containing the gaseous reactant (hydrogen) was examined. Measurements included the pellet weight (liquid holdup), degree of external wetting, center and surf ace temperature and overall reaction rates. Two regimes observed are: a low-rate regime for all hydrogen gas-phase concentrations in which the partially wetted pellet is filled mostly with liquid and nearly isothermal; a high-rate regime for hydrogen concentrations exceeding a critical value in which the pellet is filled only partially with liquid and the pellet temperature rise is considerable. Benzene formation was observed in this state. The difference in overall cyclohexane formation rates between the two states was as high as a factor of 20 for the same bulk conditions. Over the range where multiple states were observed, the steady state of the pellet depended on whether the pellet was pref tiled with the reactive gas mixture or with liquid cyclohexene. The range over which the high-rate state was sustained was the largest for the most active catalyst and declined as the catalyst slowly deactivated. Data features are interpreted using the theoretical foundations of the half-wetted catalytic slab model (Harold and Watson, 1993).
Effect of Photofunctionalization on Ti6Al4V Screw Stability Placed in Segmental Bone Defects in Rat Femurs.

Purpose Ultraviolet-mediated photofunctionalization is a new technology to improve bone and titanium integration. We hypothesized that photofunctionalization would enhance the stability of titanium screws used for segmental bone defects. Materials and Methods Disks were prepared of a titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) for an in vitro study to evaluate the attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of osteoblasts. Commercially available Ti6Al4V screws were used in vivo. Segmental bone defects were created in rat femurs as an immediate loading reconstruction model. The defects were reconstructed with commercially available titanium plates and Ti6Al4V screws, with or without photofunctionalization. The screw survival rates and mechanical stability were evaluated at 2 and 4 weeks, and the bone formation around the screws was analyzed. Results Osteoblasts showed greater attachment, proliferation, and differentiation on the photofunctionalized Ti6Al4V disks. Photofunctionalized screws had significantly greater survival rates and mechanical stability at 2 and 4 weeks. The bone formation around the photofunctionalized screws was significantly greater than that around the untreated screws at 4 weeks. Conclusions The results of the present study have demonstrated the efficacy of photofunctionalization on enhancing the survival and stability of Ti6Al4V screws under a loaded condition in the reconstruction of segmental defects. This was associated with increased bioactivity and bone formation around the photofunctionalized Ti6Al4V material.
Discrete Time Markov Chains; Reversibility in Time

The first chapter is devoted to a quick review of the elements [14, 15] of Markov chains in discrete time. The topic of reversibility in time, of basic importance for what follows is discussed at greater length.
Nonantibiotic Applications of Microbial Secondary Metabolites

For years the predominant application of microbial secondary metabolites was that of antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor chemotherapy. However, antibiotic activity represents a small part of the potential application of microbial secondary metabolites for the benefit of humankind. In this article, I shall point out applications other than as antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor agents. These include use against parasites, insects and weeds, as well as for animal and plant growth stimulation, immunosuppression, uterocontraction and many other pharmacological activities. The future will see further applications in various areas of pharmacology and agriculture, a development which is being catalyzed by the use of simple enzyme assays as prescreens prior to testing in intact animals or in the field.
Long-range looping of a locus control region drives tissue-specific chromatin packing within a multigene cluster

The relationships of higher order chromatin organization to mammalian gene expression remain incompletely defined. The human Growth Hormone (hGH) multigene cluster contains five gene paralogs. These genes are selectively activated in either the pituitary or the placenta by distinct components of a remote locus control region (LCR). Prior studies have revealed that appropriate activation of the placental genes is dependent not only on the actions of the LCR, but also on the multigene composition of the cluster itself. Here, we demonstrate that the hGH LCR 'loops' over a distance of 28 kb in primary placental nuclei to make specific contacts with the promoters of the two GH genes in the cluster. This long-range interaction sequesters the GH genes from the three hCS genes which co-assemble into a tightly packed 'hCS chromatin hub'. Elimination of the long-range looping, via specific deletion of the placental LCR components, triggers a dramatic disruption of the hCS chromatin hub. These data reveal a higher-order structural pathway by which long-range looping from an LCR impacts on local chromatin architecture that is linked to tissue-specific gene regulation within a multigene cluster.
Cholinergic circuit control of postnatal neurogenesis

New neuron addition via continued neurogenesis in the postnatal/adult mammalian brain presents a distinct form of nervous system plasticity. During embryonic development, precise temporal and spatial patterns of neurogenesis are necessary to create the nervous system architecture. Similar between embryonic and postnatal stages, neurogenic proliferation is regulated by neural stem cell (NSC)-intrinsic mechanisms layered upon cues from their local microenvironmental niche. Following developmental assembly, it remains relatively unclear what may be the key driving forces that sustain continued production of neurons in the postnatal/adult brain. Recent experimental evidence suggests that patterned activity from specific neural circuits can also directly govern postnatal/adult neurogenesis. Here, we review experimental findings that revealed cholinergic modulation, and how patterns of neuronal activity and acetylcholine release may differentially or synergistically activate downstream signaling in NSCs. Higher-order excitatory and inhibitory inputs regulating cholinergic neuron firing, and their implications in neurogenesis control are also considered.
Structural Phase Diagram and Superconducting Behavior of the Ba1-Xkxbio3 System

We have determined the crystal structures of five phases in the Ba l-x K x BiO 3 system for 0≤x≤0.5 and 10K≤T≤473K. Superconductivity occurs only in a cubic perovskite phase with the maximum Tc at the transition to an orthorhombic, Ibmm, phase. The commensurate structure of this orthorhombic phase, which involves only tilting of the Bi06 octahedra, provides no explanation for its non-metallic behavior. However, an incommensurate structural modulation, observed by electron diffraction, may provide a rationalization. Thus, the maximum T c at the phase boundary may result from competition between superconductivity and a charge density wave. Further studies of the phase diagram at high temperatures, where controlled oxygen atmospheres are required, reveal an unusual reentrant formation of a potassium-containing impurity phase which explains the need for synthesis techniques that involve initially reacting in a reducing atmosphere, followed by oxygenation at lower temperature.
Comparison of Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Reagents

This study compared two activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) reagents with respect to their sensitivity for detection of factor deficiencies in the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and to heparin concentration. Significant differences were found with respect to the ability of the reagents to detect intrinsic factor deficiencies.
System of Computer Supported Cooperative Horizontal Well Design

The computer supported cooperative horizontal well design software system through use of the computer supported cooperative work techniques is proposed in the paper based on the process of the horizontal well design in oil drilling. The multi-agent cooperative horizontal well designing software platform supported by computer network is constructed and the dynamic information multi-transference and paralleled design are implemented by using network communication and mobile agent techniques.
David Oliver: Delirium matters

Being admitted unexpectedly to hospital is depersonalising and distressing. This is compounded for the one inpatient in eight who has delirium.1 Delirium affects 20-30% of over 65s during acute admission.2 We should do more to prevent delirium, ensure that we don’t miss it, to reverse it, explain it, and minimise its impact. Clinical staff need support to do this. Risk increases if you’re older and frailer. Add existing sensory or cognitive impairment, transit through several busy, noisy wards, and contact with numerous unfamiliar staff. Delirium carries high mortality and morbidity and is a …
Technological advances in precision medicine and drug development

ABSTRACTNew technologies are rapidly becoming available to expand the arsenal of tools accessible for precision medicine and to support the development of new therapeutics. Advances in liquid biopsies, which analyze cells, DNA, RNA, proteins, or vesicles isolated from the blood, have gained particular interest for their uses in acquiring information reflecting the biology of tumors and metastatic tissues. Through advancements in DNA sequencing that have merged unprecedented accuracy with affordable cost, personalized treatments based on genetic variations are becoming a real possibility. Extraordinary progress has been achieved in the development of biological therapies aimed to even further advance personalized treatments. We provide a summary of current and future applications of blood based liquid biopsies and how new technologies are utilized for the development of biological therapeutic treatments. We discuss current and future sequencing methods with an emphasis on how technological advances will su...
Pleiotropy and the Evolution of Adaptability

The systems approach to the investigation of organismic evolution is a conceptual framework introduced by Riedl in the 1970s (Riedl, 1977, 1978). One aim was to elucidate the relationship between certain evolutionary implications of morphological concepts, such as homology, and the population genetic approach of Modern Synthesis. At about the same time an intense scientific discussion began anew regarding the interpretation of macroevolution. Some scientists doubted the usefulness of the population genetic program to the area of macroevolution (Gould, 1980; Stanley, 1975). In fact, there are reasons in the mathematical structure of evolutionary theory: the formal apparatus of population genetics was created to describe elementary mechanisms of evolution, i.e. the distribution and change of gene frequencies, but not the process of evolution itself, i.e. the transformation of genotypic and phenotypic patterns of organization. Two statements, which at first glance seem to be incompatible, mark the positions in this discussion between microevolutionists and macroevolutionists: 1. There are no elementary mechanisms other than these offered by population genetics: mutation, duplication, selection, migration and random drift; every neo-Darwinian explanation must be based on these mechanisms. 2. Phenomena of macroevolution follow their own laws which cannot necessarily be derived from the principles of microevolution.