cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-grade elastic compression regimen for venous leg ulcers – an effective compromise for patients requiring daily dressing changes

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) affect millions of patients worldwide and are a tremendous financial burden on our health care system. The hallmark of venous disease of the lower extremities is venous hypertension, and compression is the current mainstay of treatment. However, many patients are non-compliant, partly because of the complexity of the dressings and the difficulties with application and removal. The aim of our study was to test an effective compression dressing regimen for patients with VLUs who require changing the ulcer primary dressing twice daily. We used two layers of a latex-free tubular elastic bandage for compression. The primary endpoint of our study was increased wound-healing rate and our secondary endpoint was complete wound closure. All active study subjects had positive healing rates at week 4 and week 8. Two subjects achieved complete wound closure by week 8. We conclude that compression with a latex-free tubular elastic bandage can be safely used in patients with VLUs requiring frequent dressing changes. This type of compression allows for daily inspection of wounds, dressing changes at home, flexibility in the context of clinical trials, and is a compromise for patients who are intolerant to compression dressings.
Dimensional complexity of the hippocampal EEG

Dimensional complexity of hippocampal EEG of rats under during REM sleep is calculated for varying embedded dimensions. Results show that EEG data recorded from region CA1 and dentate gyrus show similar behavior within the context of nonlinear dynamics. For some animals, however, the EEG recordings from dentate gyrus exhibit denser distribution of reconstructed state vectors in phase space.
K-Centers Mean-shift Reverse Mean-shift clustering algorithm over heterogeneous wireless sensor networks

A clustering algorithm K-centers mean-shift reverse mean-shift for heterogeneous wireless sensor networks is presented in this paper, addressing the empty cluster problem as a key issue. Many clustering algorithms for sensor networks have empty cluster problems due to random deployment, which causes resource and cost inefficiencies. Our algorithm calculates the mean-shift of sensor nodes and the reverse mean-shift of cluster heads to iteratively move cluster heads closer to the sensor nodes' density and away from cluster heads' density. This helps cluster heads better accommodate the distribution of sensors. Our proposed K-Centers Mean-shift Reverse Mean-shift algorithm decreases the number of empty clusters dramatically, and it also balances the sizes of clusters more evenly.
War, Rivalry, and State Building in Latin America

Scholars of Latin America have recently begun to apply the bellicist approach to state building to the region, the central claim of which is that wars are a great stimulus to centralizing state power and building institutional capacity. This article argues that current applications of these models of state building are too narrowly specified to be of much use in Latin America or elsewhere in the developing world. Replacing the focus on interstate war with the more general phenomenon of interstate rivalry, alongside the consideration of intrastate rivals, allows us to account for the impact of both external and internal forces on the development of the state. I demonstrate the utility of this approach through several cross-sectional time-series analyses that provide evidence that external and internal rivals affect the Latin American state in a manner consistent with the general nature of bellicist theory.
Formation of stable attachments between kinetochores and microtubules depends on the B56-PP2A phosphatase

The microtubules that attach kinetochores to chromosomes (K-fibres) are stabilized in prometaphase to allow for accurate chromosome segregation. Kapoor and colleagues find that the B56-PP2A phosphatase stabilizes K-fibres potentially by counteracting the phosphorylation of kinetochore substrates that is mediated by Aurora B and Plk1. Error-free chromosome segregation depends on the precise regulation of phosphorylation to stabilize kinetochore–microtubule attachments (K-fibres) on sister chromatids that have attached to opposite spindle poles (bi-oriented)1. In many instances, phosphorylation correlates with K-fibre destabilization2,3,4,5,6,7. Consistent with this, multiple kinases, including Aurora B and Plk1, are enriched at kinetochores of mal-oriented chromosomes when compared with bi-oriented chromosomes, which have stable attachments2,8. Paradoxically, however, these kinases also target to prometaphase chromosomes that have not yet established spindle attachments and it is therefore unclear how kinetochore–microtubule interactions can be stabilized when kinase levels are high. Here we show that the generation of stable K-fibres depends on the B56-PP2A phosphatase, which is enriched at centromeres/kinetochores of unattached chromosomes. When B56-PP2A is depleted, K-fibres are destabilized and chromosomes fail to align at the spindle equator. Strikingly, B56-PP2A depletion increases the level of phosphorylation of Aurora B and Plk1 kinetochore substrates as well as Plk1 recruitment to kinetochores. Consistent with increased substrate phosphorylation, we find that chemical inhibition of Aurora or Plk1 restores K-fibres in B56-PP2A-depleted cells. Our findings reveal that PP2A, an essential tumour suppressor9, tunes the balance of phosphorylation to promote chromosome–spindle interactions during cell division.
Are Female-Headed Households Energy Efficient: A Test of Klausner's Hypothesis Among Anglo, Spanish-Speaking, and Black Texas Households

Klausner has hypothesized that female-headed households are less efficient in the use of energy than male-headed households because they are less “disciplined” and “ordered.” The present study used multivariate analyses to determine whether female-headed households were less efficient in the use of electrical energy than male-headed households in a representative sample of 4638 Anglo, Spanish-speaking, and black homeowning Texas households. The results indicated that, after controlling for the effects of other variables known to affect the use of electricity, sex of household head had nostatistically significant independent effect on electricity consumption in any ethnic or marital status group. The authors compare their results to those obtained by Klausner and discuss implications for social organizational theory of household energy consumption.
Mobilization of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells by Yeast‐Derived β‐Glucan Requires Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinase‐9

Poly-(1,6)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1,3)-beta-d-glucopyranose (PGG) beta-glucan is a soluble yeast-derived polysaccharide that has previously been shown to induce hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) mobilization. However, the mobilizing mechanism of action remains unknown. Here, we confirmed that PGG beta-glucan alone or in combination with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilizes HPC into the periphery. Optimal mobilizing effects were seen 24-48 hours after PGG beta-glucan doses of 4.8-9.6 mg/kg. Animals treated with G-CSF and PGG beta-glucan showed a collaborative effect in HPC mobilization compared with G-CSF treatment alone. Additional studies demonstrated that neither complement 3 nor complement receptor 3 played a role in this effect and that PGG beta-glucan treatment did not induce proinflammatory cytokine secretion. However, bone marrow cells from PGG beta-glucan-treated mice secreted abundant matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and PGG beta-glucan-induced HPC mobilization was abrogated in MMP-9 knockout mice. Moreover, we demonstrated that both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells contributed to MMP-9 secretion upon PGG beta-glucan treatment. In addition, HPCs mobilized by PGG beta-glucan had similar levels of engraftment in host and lineage differentiation capability compared with those mobilized by G-CSF. Thus, PGG beta-glucan is an agent that enhances HPC mobilization and may improve the outcome of clinical stem cell transplantation.
Utilization of petroleum waste in coal liquefaction

Coprocessing of coal with a petroleum waste containing grease in waste oil was studied. Experimental parameters such as temperature, pressure, reaction time, coal loading, and grease loading in the system were examined. Coal conversions were found to increase with temperature, hydrogen pressure, reaction time, and coal loading. Coal conversions in excess of 90% were obtained during coprocessing, with conversions to oil of over 50%. At a fixed coal loading, the presence of a higher amount of grease in the system was found to increase the conversion of coal. This can be explained as due to the catalytic action of the heavy metals such as molybdenum in the grease during coprocessing. The high aromaticity of waste grease made it a good solvent for coal liquefaction. The waste oil and waste grease were demetalized during coprocessing, and the viscosity of the oil was reduced.
An in vitro assay for predicting successful imaging radiotracers.

Abstract PURPOSE: To develop an in vitro binding assay able to predict whether a radiolabel is likely to be a useful clinical tracer for positron emission tomography (PET). PROCEDURES: Rodent and rhesus brain sections were incubated with radioligands, most of which are tritiated or iodinated versions of known clinical PET radiotracers, and assayed for binding to brain receptors for a 20-minute period using a no-wash protocol (n = ⩾3). RESULTS: Radiolabeled flumazenil (RO-151788), WAY100635, N-methylscopolamine, N-methylspiperone, raclopride, citalopram, (1-)2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane (DOI), paroxetine, and 4-(2′-methoxyphenyl)-1-[2′-[N-(2″-pyridinyl)-p-flurobenzamido]ethyl]piperazine (MPPF) were assessed for binding to either rhesus caudate putamen, and/or frontal cortex, or rat whole brain sections. Specific binding for these compounds ranged from 0 to 94% by 20 minutes. Those with %-specific binding less than 10% have also been shown to not be effective as in vivo PET radiotracers. In addition, successful PET radiotracers incubated in tissue sections with target receptor either absent or present in low density behaved poorly in this assay, as expected, as did radiolabels previously shown to possess high non-specific binding. CONCLUSIONS: An in vitro binding assay using rodent and rhesus brain sections has been developed that, within the currently assayed radiotracers, is able to rapidly predict whether a radiolabeled compound is a useful clinical PET radiotracer. This method suggests significant potential for the rapid in vitro evaluation of potential in vivo PET radiotracers.
Intensity and unpleasantness of pain following vaginal and cesarean delivery: a prospective evaluation.

Background To date, most studies evaluating pain associated with cesarean birth have focused on delivery procedures or postoperative pain control methods rather than on the nature or severity of the pain experience of women, despite the increasing incidence and maternal requests for cesarean delivery. The objective in this study was to evaluate sensory, affective, and laterality aspects of pain after cesarean delivery and vaginal delivery. Methods A prospective cohort study using a seven-item visual analog scale assessed pain at rest and with activity, and the unpleasantness and location of pain on postpartum days 1 and 2. Chart review identified demographic and clinical factors influencing pain. Multivariable regression and propensity score analyses were used to evaluate patient-level outcomes. Results Of 126 consenting women, 48 underwent cesarean delivery and 78 had vaginal delivery. No statistically significant differences in pain at rest and pain unpleasantness were found between groups on postpartum day 1, but women undergoing cesarean delivery reported more pain with activity than those who had a vaginal delivery (p < 0.0002). On postpartum day 2, cesarean delivery women reported significantly more pain when compared with those with a vaginal delivery (p < 0.04), and more cesarean delivery women reported lateralized pain (p < 0.0001). In multivariate regression analyses, cesarean delivery was the most significant predictor of activity-related pain on postpartum day 1 (p < 0.00001), followed by current substance abuse (p < 0.01). Women undergoing cesarean delivery required twice the dosage of analgesics on postpartum day 1 and four times greater amounts on postpartum day 2 relative to those with a vaginal delivery (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). Conclusions Cesarean delivery was associated with higher levels of pain, more unpleasant pain, more lateralized pain, and greater narcotic use than vaginal delivery. Evaluation of factors associated with postpartum pain can help practitioners to counsel women better about their delivery alternatives and can promote improved management of women undergoing both types of delivery experiences (BIRTH 40:2 June 2013).
Crystallographic study of the phosphoethanolamine transferase EptC required for polymyxin resistance and motility in Campylobacter jejuni.

The foodborne enteric pathogen Campylobacter jejuni decorates a variety of its cell-surface structures with phosphoethanolamine (pEtN). Modifying lipid A with pEtN promotes cationic antimicrobial peptide resistance, whereas post-translationally modifying the flagellar rod protein FlgG with pEtN promotes flagellar assembly and motility, which are processes that are important for intestinal colonization. EptC, the pEtN transferase required for all known pEtN cell-surface modifications in C. jejuni, is a predicted inner-membrane metalloenzyme with a five-helix N-terminal transmembrane domain followed by a soluble sulfatase-like catalytic domain in the periplasm. The atomic structure of the catalytic domain of EptC (cEptC) was crystallized and solved to a resolution of 2.40 A. cEptC adopts the α/β/α fold of the sulfatase protein family and harbors a zinc-binding site. A phosphorylated Thr266 residue was observed that was hypothesized to mimic a covalent pEtN–enzyme intermediate. The requirement for Thr266 as well as the nearby residues Asn308, Ser309, His358 and His440 was ascertained via in vivo activity assays on mutant strains. The results establish a basis for the design of pEtN transferase inhibitors.
Dexamethasone increases airway epithelial cell neutral endopeptidase by enhancing transcription and new protein synthesis.

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP; also known as EC 3.4.24. 11, CALLA) is a widely distributed membrane-bound enzyme that hydrolyzes many biologically important endogenous peptides. To evaluate the influence of glucocorticoids on airway epithelial cell NEP expression, we used the human airway epithelial cell line Calu-1. Cells, grown to confluency in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium with 10% fetal bovine serum and penicillin-streptomycin, were incubated with different concentrations of dexamethasone or vehicle alone in the presence or absence of actinomycin D or cycloheximide for planned times. NEP activity was assayed at the end of treatment employing reverse-phase, high-pressure liquid chromatography. In some experiments, changes in NEP-specific mRNAs in the presence or absence of dexamethasone and/or the inhibitors were also evaluated by Northern blot analysis. We found that dexamethasone increased Calu-1 NEP activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Northern blot analysis indicated that NEP-specific mRNAs were also increased by dexamethasone. Furthermore, neither actinomycin D nor cycloheximide inhibited the increases in NEP activity and NEP-specific mRNAs caused by dexamethasone stimulation. We speculate, therefore, that dexamethasone increases NEP expression of these airway epithelial cells by enhancing transcription and new protein synthesis.
Fabrication of air gap dielectrics by nanoimprint lithography

Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted Highlights? We report a powerful new route to fabricate air gap dielectrics with well-defined pore geometries. ? Method utilizes the combination of nanoimprint lithography and a sacrificial template approach. ? Successful fabrication of defect free mechanically robust air gap films (ultra-low k value of 1.9). ? Attractive candidates as interlayer dielectrics for next-generation integrated circuit applications. We report a simple and high-resolution method to fabricate air gap dielectrics with well-defined geometries. This method utilizes nanoimprint lithography to pattern a thermally labile organic polymer, poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), subsequently used as a sacrificial template to form air gap nanochannels in a low-k spin-on-glass, poly(methylsilsesquioxane) (PMSSQ). The morphology and dimensions of obtained structures were characterized by cross-sectional SEM, revealing well-defined, continuous and uniform nanochannels. Dielectric constant measurements showed that introduction of these air gap nanochannels into the PMSSQ layer decreased the dielectric constant value from 2.8 to 1.9, while nanoindentation experiments confirmed that the nanochannels were mechanically robust as the air gap films retained the hardness of 1GPa. Infusion with a fluorescent dye solution and subsequent quenching with gold nanoparticles demonstrated continuous nature and uniform distribution of the nanochannels throughout the sample.
Assessing the acceptability and usability of an interactive serious game in aiding treatment decisions for patients with localized prostate cancer.

Background: Men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer face a potentially life-altering treatment decision that can be overwhelming. Enhancing patient knowledge through education can significantly reduce feelings of uncertainty while simultaneously increasing confidence in decision making. Serious games have been shown in other populations to increase health knowledge and assist with the health decision-making process. We developed an interactive serious game, Time After Time, which translates evidence-based treatment outcome data into an accessible and understandable format that men can utilize in their prostate cancer treatment decision-making process. The game specifically aims to raise men’s awareness and understanding of the impact of health-related quality of life issues associated with the major treatment options and to enrich their conversations with their health care providers. Objective: This study determined the acceptability and usability of the alpha version of Time After Time, an interactive decision aid for men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer, in order to inform future iterations of the serious game. Methods: The study employed a mixed methods approach to assess the acceptability and usability of the Time After Time serious game using qualitative focus groups and a quantitative Likert scale survey. Results: A total of 13 men who had already completed treatment for localized prostate cancer completed the survey and participated in focus group meetings. The majority of the study participants rated Time After Time as an appropriate decision tool for localized prostate cancer and verified that it meets its goals of increasing focus on side effects and generating questions for the patient’s health care team. However, participants also expressed concerns about game usability and the diversity of information covered regarding treatment options and potential treatment outcomes. Conclusions: Serious games are a promising approach to health education and decision support for older men. Participants were receptive to the idea of a serious game as a decision aid in localized prostate cancer. However, usability issues are a major concern for this demographic, as is clarity and transparency of data sources. [J Med Internet Res 2011;13(1):e4]
Thoracic complications of peritoneal dialysis

Approximately 20% of the 100,000 patients in the United States currently undergoing dialysis therapy for end-stage renal disease use the technique of peritoneal dialysis. We present a patient on peritoneal dialysis who developed a large posterior mediastinal mass, which on surgical exploration was found to be a paraesophageal hernia sac filled with omentum and dialysis fluid. We use this case as an introduction to review the thoracic complications of peritoneal dialysis.
Bargains with modernity in Papua New Guinea and elsewhere

Current ideas of alternative or multiple modernities promise to overcome Eurocentric assumptions about personhood and culture as well as gross binary oppositions between global and local, the West and the Rest. They rightly direct attention to the complex imbrication and dialectical refashioning of indigenous and exogenous practices, that is, to contingent social processes with unpredictable outcomes. Does pluralizing Modernity then serve primarily to designate hybrid possibilities and historical particularities? Or can the idea of plural modernities be specified so as to make it useful for purposes of comparative ethnography? This article understands modernity to entail contests over faceless commitments, that is, the trust of people in anonymous others (experts), symbolic tokens (money), and abstract systems (technical knowledge) (Giddens, 1990). It uses ethnographic examples from Papua New Guinea to look at how trust relations — basic to the extended time—space distanciation associated with modernity —...
Management of breech

Abstract The ideal method of the management of a breech presentation is to convert the presenting breech into a vertex by external manipulation whenever this is possible. Cesarean section has no place in the management of this presentation unless there is some other indication. Conservative management of the first stage of labor is most essential. Be prepared for difficulties at the actual delivery of a breech. Deliver the baby with as little manipulation as is possible. Forceps applied to the aftercoming head is advantageous especially in the primipara. Breech extraction is nearly always difficult and should not be attempted unless there is an absolute indication.
Plasma membrane recycling and flow in growing neurites

Axonal growth requires insertion of newly synthesized membrane components into the plasmalemma. Imbalance between exocytotic membrane addition and endocytic retrieval at specific axonal sites may lead to the bulk plasma membrane flow along the axon and, thus, contribute to the renewal of plasma membrane components. By using fluorescent lipid analogs incorporated into the plasma membrane, we determined the sites of membrane internalization in growing Xenopus embryo neurons. Vectorial traffic of endocytic membranes from the distal axon to the cell body was observed, suggesting bulk retrieval of plasma membrane at the growth cone. No long-range axonal transport of membrane material internalized at the cell body or along the axon was detected. In addition, we measured the rate of plasma membrane flow in Xenopus neurites. Axonal plasma membrane was found to flow anterogradely with the rate equal to approximately 30% of the rate of neurite elongation. Our results suggest that the "growth from the tip" pattern of neurite elongation may coexist with transport of new membrane components along plasmalemma by anterograde membrane flow.
Understanding Tribal Fates

On 29 August 1911, an exhausted, emaciated, terrified Indian was found in California's foothills. Later known as Ishi, he was the last survivor of the Yahi tribe, and the last “wild” stone-tool-using hunter/gatherer in the lower 48 states of the United States ( 1 ). This centennial year of Ishi's emergence is an occasion to reflect on the varied fates of the hundreds of Native American tribes that existed in North America in 1492 C.E. ( 2 – 4 ). Many tribes decreased in numbers, disappeared, or lost their homeland, language, or cultural identity. The Navajos are a striking exception, which may illuminate the range of outcomes observed when indigenous peoples encounter modern influences elsewhere in the world.
Pivotal role of JNK-dependent FOXO1 activation in downregulation of kallistatin expression by oxidative stress

Oxidative stress has been shown to suppress endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression through activation of the transcription factor forkhead box O 1 (FOXO1) in cultured endothelial cells. We pr...
Easy projection of stereo movies

Abstract A method is described of showing colour stereo movies with arbitrary movie projectors by means of a small portable adapter. The beam from an ordinary movie projector is passed through a linear polarizer and then a crystal, which rotates the angle of polarization under voltage control so that alternating left and right images are polarized 90° apart. A photodiode and a sensing circuit synchronize the polarization shift to the flicker of the projector shutter. The adapter is small and self contained and needs only to be placed in the path of the projected beam.
The compensatory anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 response in pediatric sepsis-induced multiple organ failure.

Study objectives To determine the circulating anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 10 (IL-10) response during the development of sepsis-induced multiple organ failure in children. Design Prospective study. Setting University pediatric ICU. Patients Fifty-three consecutive children with sepsis and 15 critically ill children without sepsis. Interventions Plasma IL-10, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite+nitrate (stable end products of nitric oxide) levels and an organ failure index (OFI indicating the number of failing organ systems) were determined in 53 children on days 1 to 3 of sepsis and in control children on day 1. The effect of exogenous human IL-10 or neutralizing IL-10 antibody on supernatant IL-6 levels in ex vivo whole blood culture from 17 children on day 1 of sepsis. Measurements and results Children with three or more organ failures had higher plasma IL-10 levels than children with less than 3 organ failures (days 1 and 3; p Conclusion A persistent compensatory anti-inflammatory cytokine response characterizes sepsis-induced multiple organ failure. Administration of exogenous IL-10 may inhibit the early proinflammatory response; however, identification of individual immune responsiveness and possibility of persistent infection could be important to rational use in the later stages of pediatric sepsis.
Unilateral fetal mesencephalic grafts in intact rats reduce amphetamine-induced dopamine release in both striata. An in vivo voltammetric study.

Abstract This study investigated amphetamine-induced striatal dopamine release after intraventricular unilateral fetal mesencephalic grafts in otherwise intact rats. Dopamine was monitored in vivo by differential pulse voltammetry. In grafted animals, amphetamine-induced dopamine release was decreased compared to sham-grafted, age-matched controls. This decrease was observed in the grafted as well as in the contralateral striatum five months after intraventricular grafting. There was no measurable effect of the grafts on the amphetamine-induced rotational behaviour. Our results exceed former observations reporting decreased amphetamine-induced dopamine release in the contralateral striatum of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned and unilaterally-grafted rats which had been attributed to a reduction of dopamine transporters. Furthermore, it was shown that concerning this effect ventral mesencephalic grafts are independent of a previous 6-hydroxydopamine lesion.
Orientational and positional order in flux lattices of type-II superconductors.

A detailed theory of a hexatic vortex glass, recently observed in high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} superconductors, is developed. The vortex lattice in this phase is characterized by short-range positional order, which decays as exp({minus}{alpha}{ital r}) in three dimensions (3D) and as exp({minus}{beta}{ital r}{sup 2}) in 2D, and by extended orientational correlations, which may be long range in a 3D sample and decay algebraically in a 2D film. For 2D and 3D the angular and field dependence of positional and orientational correlation functions is obtained; these may be easily tested experimentally.
Towards a Cosmopolitan Political Thought: The Hermeneutics of Interpreting the Other

The emergence of the field of comparative political theory suggests that the encounter with non-Western texts be considered a legitimate and necessary part of political theory, so that the field is reconstituted in a truly cosmopolitan manner. However, this also presents unique challenges to political theorists. Chief among these is the question of what hermeneutic approach would allow us to understand well the ideas contained in these texts. This essay will argue for a particular approach to the interpretation of non-Western texts and ideas, providing an account of a methodologically self-conscious approach to comparative political theory. A serious comparative political theorist will inevitably have to alternate between an internal immersion in the lived experience of the text, and an external stance of commentary and exegesis of the text. Struggling with the conflicting imperatives of these moments is precisely the task of a more nuanced approach to comparative political theory. Ultimately, however, I also argue that this particular approach has implications for the development of a genuine cosmopolitanism in the field of political theory. A cosmopolitan political theory is precisely one in which such struggles and complex encounters with the otherness of texts are increasingly made available to provoke, dislocate, and challenge our own understandings of political life. The method I offer is thus deeply implicated in the evolution of our self-understanding as political theorists.
Fused s-triazino heterocycles. XIII. 1,3,7,10,11c-Pentaazabenz[de]-anthracene and 1,3,7,10,11,13,13d-heptaazabenz[de]cyclopenta[H]-anthracene, two new ring systems

The synthesis of the title compounds 5a-c and 6a-c is described using, 2,6-diaminopyridine as starting material. The key intermediates are 2-t-butyl-4-cyano-5(2-dimethylaminoethenyl)-1,3,6,9b-tetraazaphenalene 4 and 10-amino-2-t-butyl-10,11-dihydro-11-imino-1,3,7,10,11c-pentaazabenz[de]anthracene 5c.
Characterization of NH3 formation in desorption of Li–Mg–N–H storage system

Abstract Hydrogen energy may provide the means to an environmentally friendly future. One of the problems related to its application for transportation is “on board” storage. Hydrogen storage in solids has long been recognized as one of the most practical approaches for this. Recently the hydrogen storage system, (Li 3 N + 2H 2 ⇔ LiNH 2 + 2LiH), was introduced by Chen et al. [P. Chen, Z. Xiong, J. Luo, J. Lin, K.L. Tan, Nature 420 (2002) 302–304. [1] ]. This type of material has attracted a great attention of the researchers from the metal hydride research community due to its high reversible storage capacity, up to 11.5 wt%. Currently the Li–Mg–N–H system has been shown to be able to deliver 5.2 wt% reversibly at a H 2 pressure of 30 bar and temperature of 200 °C. The accessibility of the capacity beyond 5.2 wt% is being actively explored. One of the issues related to the application of the metal–N–H storage systems is NH 3 formation that takes place simultaneously with H 2 release. NH 3 formation will not only damage the catalyst in a fuel cell, but also accelerate the cyclic instability of the H-storage material since the metal–N–H system turns into a metal–H system after loosing nitrogen and, therefore, it would not function at the temperature and pressure range designed for the metal–N–H system. The accurate determination of the amounts of NH 3 in the H 2 is, therefore, very important and has not been previously reported. Here a novel method to quantify NH 3 in the desorbed H 2 , the Draeger Tube, is reported as being suitable for this purpose. The results indicate that the concentration of NH 3 in desorbed H 2 increases with the desorption temperature. For the (2LiNH 2 + MgH 2 ) system the NH 3 concentration was found to be 180 ppm at 180 °C and 720 ppm at 240 °C.
Eulerian-Eulerian Modeling of Multiple Jet Interactions for Different Distributor Plates

The hydrodynamics of fluidized beds involving gas and particle interactions are very complex, and must be carefully considered when modeling such a system using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). One of the issues involved is the interaction of multiple jets that develop above the distributor plate, which impacts the uniformity of fluidization. Using the common approach of a uniform gas velocity inlet boundary condition may not accurately represent distributor plates with nonuniform holes. The numerical approach will use a multi-fluid Eulerian-Eulerian CFD modeling to predict and examine the hydrodynamics of interacting jets. The present work will model a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) fluidized bed to compare with a corresponding experimental setup designed to examine multiple jet interactions for a distributor plate with 9 holes. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional simulations of the quasi-2D bed will be compared with experiments by investigating solid volume fraction distributions and solid flux distributions with agreeable results qualitatively. Use of experimental data in determining the amount of mass fluidizing will also be assessed using CFD. The efficacy of the new approach in capturing the hydrodynamics is demonstrated.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Mutational Analysis of EGFR and Related Signaling Pathway Genes in Lung Adenocarcinomas Identifies a Novel Somatic Kinase Domain Mutation in FGFR4

Background Fifty percent of lung adenocarcinomas harbor somatic mutations in six genes that encode proteins in the EGFR signaling pathway, i.e., EGFR, HER2/ERBB2, HER4/ERBB4, PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS. We performed mutational profiling of a large cohort of lung adenocarcinomas to uncover other potential somatic mutations in genes of this signaling pathway that could contribute to lung tumorigenesis. Methodology/Principal Findings We analyzed genomic DNA from a total of 261 resected, clinically annotated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) specimens. The coding sequences of 39 genes were screened for somatic mutations via high-throughput dideoxynucleotide sequencing of PCR-amplified gene products. Mutations were considered to be somatic only if they were found in an independent tumor-derived PCR product but not in matched normal tissue. Sequencing of 9MB of tumor sequence identified 239 putative genetic variants. We further examined 22 variants found in RAS family genes and 135 variants localized to exons encoding the kinase domain of respective proteins. We identified a total of 37 non-synonymous somatic mutations; 36 were found collectively in EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, and PIK3CA. One somatic mutation was a previously unreported mutation in the kinase domain (exon 16) of FGFR4 (Glu681Lys), identified in 1 of 158 tumors. The FGFR4 mutation is analogous to a reported tumor-specific somatic mutation in ERBB2 and is located in the same exon as a previously reported kinase domain mutation in FGFR4 (Pro712Thr) in a lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Conclusions/Significance This study is one of the first comprehensive mutational analyses of major genes in a specific signaling pathway in a sizeable cohort of lung adenocarcinomas. Our results suggest the majority of gain-of-function mutations within kinase genes in the EGFR signaling pathway have already been identified. Our findings also implicate FGFR4 in the pathogenesis of a subset of lung adenocarcinomas.
Youth, New Media and Education: An Introduction

As we sit down to write the introduction to this special issue on Youth, New Media and Education, we are two women in two different states, working collaboratively. Digital natives (Prensky 2001) w...
Heparin-induced anaphylactoid reaction associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the ED

Although rare, heparin-induced anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions have been previously described in the literature. We present a case of a patient who presented to the emergency department with dyspnea and was subsequently diagnosed with an acute pulmonary venous thromboembolism. Shortly after being started on intravenous unfractionated heparin, she developed sudden cardiovascular collapse leading to a cardiopulmonary arrest. She was successfully resuscitated and, after further diagnostic evaluation, was found to have developed a heparin-induced anaphylactoid reaction.
High incidence of cytomegalovirus disease in D+/R- heart transplant recipients shortly after completion of 3 months of valganciclovir prophylaxis.

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a serious problem after heart transplantation. Recipients with D + /R − CMV serostatus often receive prophylaxis with valganciclovir, but the optimal duration of such therapy after heart transplant is unknown. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course of all adult cardiac transplant recipients with D + /R − CMV serostatus at the UT Southwestern Medical Center between January 2003 and December 2006. Standard immunosuppression included basiliximab induction therapy and the CMV prophylaxis included CMV hyperimmune globulin, 2 weeks of intravenous ganciclovir and 3 months of oral valganciclovir. Results Seven patients met the study criteria. Six of the 7 patients (86%) developed CMV disease. Five of these 6 patients presented with CMV disease within 3 months of the cessation of valganciclovir prophylaxis. Conclusions There was a high incidence of CMV disease in D + /R − heart transplant recipients despite CMV hyperimmune globulin, 2 weeks of intravenous ganciclovir and 3 months of valganciclovir prophylaxis. CMV infection occurred consistently within 2 to 3 months of cessation of valganciclovir. Alternative strategies for CMV prophylaxis, including an extension of valganciclovir prophylaxis to 6 months after heart transplantation, needs to be investigated.
A conceptual model of CME to address disparities in depression care

AbstractThe gap between best practices and actual practice in depression care—the difference between “what should be” and “what is”—is wider for ethnic and racial minorities than for the general population. Education alone is not reducing the gap or improving outcomes. Interventions such as the chro
Volume fraction gradient induced warpage in curved composite plates

Abstract Curved composite right-angle brackets have been shown to warp during manufacture due to the response of the part geometry to the large differences in the in-plane and out-of-plane shrinkage. In addition, it has been suggested that warpage in flat, uniaxial composites can be related to through-thickness volume fraction gradients which yield a significant degree of laminate asymmetry. The combination of this geometry effect and a graded volume fraction is investigated in an effort to explain differences in the amount of warpage in curved right-angle brackets produced on convex tooling versus on concave tooling. A computerized metallographic image analysis technique is used to measure the laminate homogeneity and the volume fraction gradients are determined for composites produced on each tooling geometry. Based on these experimentally measured values of curvature and volume fraction gradient, it is shown that the observed tooling geometry dependent differences in warpage noted in many components can be explained. In addition to explaining the tooling geometry dependent manufacturing warpage, this improved understanding of the mechanisms involved suggests the use of concepts of functionally graded materials to help minimize component distortion.
The production of specific chromosome alterations with deoxyribonuclease

Abstract Specific alterations in the structure of some banded regions of the giant salivary gland chromosomes of Drosophila melanogaster are produced with purified preparations of DNase. These alterations can be seen by phase microscopy when the same fixed preparation is observed before and after DNase treatment. The nature of these structural changes would suggest that DNA has more than one structural role in the giant chromosomes of Drosophila.
The effect of large order quantities on expected profit in the single-period model

Abstract The classical assumption in the single-period model is that excess inventory is discounted and sold at the end of the period. However, the effects of large order quantities which may result in excess inventory remaining until the discount stage on the following period's demand is not considered. For many products, such as ski equipment and clothing, customers buying large quantities of these products at the discount stage may reduce their demand for the same type of product in the next period. Thus, having large amount of inventory to discount at the end of the period may lead to a reduction in next period's demand and therefore may reduce profit. This paper investigates the effect of large order quantities on expected profit in the single-period model. The paper also provides an algorithm for identifying the new optimal order quantity for the problem under explicit consideration of the spell over effect of over estimating demand.
Photometric titrations—V1: A selective, chelometric determination of cobalt

Abstract Cobalt can be titrated with good selectivity by converting it with hydrogen peroxide in alkaline medium to the cobaltIII EDTA complex and back-titrating photometrically in acid medium the excess EDTA with bismuth solution, using pyrocatechol violet as indicator. No interference is observed with alkalies, alkaline earths, Ni, Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, Al, U, and W. Bi, Zr, In, Ga and other ions forming very stable EDTA complexes are co-titrated. Mo, Fe, Ag and Hg interfere and should be separated. The interference of Mn can be excluded by addition of ascorbic acid. Th can be masked with sulphate. CrIII is co-titrated, but by applying a difference method operating with two aliquots, both Cr and Co can be determined. Complexing anions interfere, as does chloride, which causes a turbidity with bismuth.
EFFECT OF A SPORTS CAMP EXPERIENCE ON THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL SELF-CONCEPTS OF BOYS

15 boys, ages 6 to 9 yr., participated in a summer sports day camp under the supervision of counselors trained in ways to enhance self-concept. An attempt was made to implement strategies in the pr...
Online and On-Campus Historical Geology Students' Prior Ideas About Global Climate Change

ABSTRACT As part of a university initiative to incorporate issues of sustainability into general education coursework, the authors sought to incorporate concepts of global climate change into online and on-campus sections of a historical geology course. The authors asked: What is our students' prior knowledge, perceived and actual, about global climate change and what are their sources of understanding? Questionnaires were administered to elicit prior knowledge, perceived knowledge, and sources of previous learning about global climate change. Results indicate that the primary source of students' previous learning was through the media for online students and was university coursework for the on-campus students. Students in both on-campus and online courses came to the course with limited prior knowledge (both perceived knowledge and written responses) about the evidence for global climate change and the methods used to study global climate change.
The Rhetoric of Individualism and the Creation of Community: A View from William James's “The Will to Believe”

In this essay I explore the paradoxical operation of the rhetoric of individualism. While individualism suggests the demarcation of liberal subjects and even opposition to communities, groups, and collectives, its rhetorical deployment can call people together in powerful ways, offering them a common identity and a shared perspective. In short, the rhetoric of individualism can be used to create community. To illustrate the paradoxical operation of the rhetoric of individualism, I analyze William James's popular lecture “The Will to Believe,” which deployed individualism as a response to various social, political, and intellectual shifts at the end of the nineteenth century. In particular, James's individualist rhetoric helped foster a community of religious believers ready to oppose the evidentiary demands of modern science. Although “The Will to Believe” represents only one instance of the rhetoric of individualism, it suggests that community building may be a natural function of individualism's rhetori...
A scalable register file architecture for superscalar processors

Abstract A major obstacle in designing superscalar processors is the size and port requirement of the register file. Multiple register files of a scalar processor can be used in a superscalar processor if results are renamed when they are written to the register file. Consequently, a scalable register file architecture can be implemented without performance degradation. Another benefit is that the cycle time of the register file is significantly shortened, potentially producing an increase in the speed of the processor.
Modeling ventilated slab systems using a hollow core slab: Implementation in a whole building energy simulation program

Abstract The possibility of storing thermal energy within the building structure to reduce building energy consumption has been studied. Hollow core panels used for a building structure are able to pass air through core cavities and be utilized as thermal storage. Previously, thermal storage models for ventilated slab system using the panels have been developed but it has typically focused on the system development and performance evaluation under particular conditions. As a result, it has been difficult to understand the effect of the system on whole building energy performance. This study develops a computational model for a ventilated slab system and investigates its implementation in a whole building energy simulation program, EnergyPlus. The system has two major components: an auxiliary air handling unit (AHU) and a radiant slab with hollow core panels. The auxiliary AHU includes an outside air mixer, coils, and a fan to produce either conditioned or unconditioned air depending on the user's input. The air is then controlled by a defined delivery method, after passing through the cavity of the panel. This paper illustrates the new model development for the building energy simulation program and provides some evaluation with an existing model from another study.
Optimal design of pump-and-treat systems under uncertain hydraulic conductivity and plume distribution

In this work, we present a stochastic optimal control framework for assisting the management of the cleanup by pump-and-treat of polluted shallow aquifers. In the problem being investigated, hydraulic conductivity distribution and dissolved contaminant plume location are considered as the uncertain variables. The framework considers the subdivision of the cleanup horizon in a number of stress periods over which the pumping policy implemented until that stage is dynamically adjusted based upon new information that has become available in the previous stages. In particular, by following a geostatistical approach, we study the idea of monitoring the cumulative contaminant mass extracted from the installed recovery wells, and using these measurements to generate conditional realizations of the hydraulic conductivity field. These realizations are thus used to obtain a more accurate evaluation of the initial plume distribution, and modify accordingly the design of the pump-and-treat system for the remainder of the remedial process. The study indicates that measurements of contaminant mass extracted from pumping wells retain valuable information about the plume location and the spatial heterogeneity characterizing the hydraulic conductivity field. However, such an information may prove quite soft, particularly in the instances where recovery wells are installed in regions where contaminant concentration is low or zero. On the other hand, integrated solute mass measurements may effectively allow for reducing parameter uncertainty and identifying the plume distribution if more recovery wells are available, in particular in the early stages of the cleanup process.