cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Density Functional Calculations of g Values and Molybdenum Hyperfine Coupling Constants for a Series of Molybdenum(V) Oxyhalide Anions

The electronic structures of the ions [MoOCl4]-, [MoOF5]2-, [MoOCl4(H2O)]-, and [MoOBr4(H2O)]- have been calculated by spin-polarized density functional calculations. The results confirm and extend previous calculations on these ions. In addition, the output eigenfunctions and eigenvalues have been used to calculate g values and molybdenum hyperfine coupling constants. The results reproduce the trends in the experimental parameters well but tend to overestimate the magnitudes of both the g values and the hyperfine coupling constants. It is shown from the calculated EPR parameters that the contributions of low-energy charge transfer states and the covalencies of the ground and excited states are the major contributors to deviations of g values from the spin-only value. Ligand-based spin−orbit coupling becomes important with increasing atomic number for the halides but never dominates. The molybdenum hyperfine couplings are dominated by Fermi contact terms which, in turn, originate primarily from spin polar...
Prospective Observational Study on Evaluation of Cardiac Dysfunction Induced during the Weaning Process.

Context Weaning induced cardiac dysfunction can occur without underlying heart disease. Changes in intrathoracic pressure, systemic vascular resistance, preload and afterload leading to heart-lung interactions are the possible explanatory mechanisms. Aims The aim of the current study was whether the assessment and identification of cardiac dysfunction induced during the weaning process could predict the outcome of extubation. Settings and design A prospective observational study with convenience sampling method was conducted from May 2015 to April 2016 after institutional ethical committee approval (ref 161/2015). Materials and methods Patients over eighteen and planned for extubation were included. Weaning method used was a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) by pressure support-positive end-expiratory pressure (PS-PEEP). Baseline characteristics, weaning, and echocardiography parameters were collected pre extubation. Post-extubation echocardiographic parameters were collected within six hours as per the protocol. The primary outcome was extubation failure (reintubation within 48 hours). Secondary outcomes were ICU length of stay and ICU mortality. Statistical analysis Statistical method used is STATA™ (Version14, College Station TX). Results Out of one hundred and sixty-one patients, twenty-one failed extubation (13.04 %). Pre-extubation echocardiographic parameters were similar in two groups except for preexisting LV systolic dysfunction. Post-extubation E/e` (9.30 vs. 7.71 p = 0.018) was higher in the extubation failure group. Extubation failure group had higher intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay and ICU mortality. Conclusion In our study E/e` during a weaning trial did not predict extubation success. Cardiac dysfunction induced during weaning may get masked during weaning and manifests postextubation. This needs to be verified in subsequent studies. Key messages Cardiac dysfunction induced during the weaning process may get masked and manifests post-extubation. Echocardiographic assessment during the weaning process and post-extubation helps to evaluate and identify the patients at risk of reintubation. How to cite this article Amarja H, Bhuvana K, Sriram S. Prospective Observational Study on Evaluation of Cardiac Dysfunction Induced during the Weaning Process. Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, January 2019;23(1):15-19.
Sizing of two bacteriophage T4 specific messenger ribonucleic acids formed in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Messenger RNA for two T4 specific enzymes, deoxynucleotide kinase and α glucosyltransferase, have been sized by sedimentation on sucrose density gradients. The sedimentation constants of transferase and kinase mRNAs formed in vitro were 21.5S and 14.5S respectively, regardless of the duration of incubation up to 20 min. Although the kinase mRNA isolated from cells infected with T4 phage for 10 min was the same size as found in vitro (14.5S), the transferase mRNA was found in a segment approximating the size of the kinase mRNA (14.5S). The experiments indicate that α glucosyltransferase mRNA is formed first as a polycistronic message and is then processed to the smaller unit.
Mass spectrometry and computational study of collision-induced dissociation of 9-methylguanine–1-methylcytosine base-pair radical cation: intra-base-pair proton transfer and hydrogen transfer, non-statistical dissociation, and reaction with a water ligand

A combined experimental and theoretical study is presented on the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of 9-methylguanine-1-methylcytosine base-pair radical cation (abbreviated as [9MG·1MC]˙+) and its monohydrate ([9MG·1MC]˙+·H2O) with Xe and Ar gases. Product ion mass spectra were measured as a function of collision energy using guided-ion beam tandem mass spectrometry, from which cross sections and threshold energies for various dissociation pathways were determined. Electronic structure calculations were performed at the DFT, RI-MP2 and DLPNO-CCSD(T) levels of theory to identify product structures and map out reaction potential energy surfaces. [9MG·1MC]˙+ has two structures: a conventional structure 9MG˙+·1MC (population 87%) consisting of hydrogen-bonded 9-methylguanine radical cation and neutral 1-methylcytosine, and a proton-transferred structure [9MG - H]˙·[1MC + H]+ (less stable, population 13%) formed by intra-base-pair proton transfer from the N1 of 9MG˙+ to the N3 of 1MC within 9MG˙+·1MC. The two structures have similar dissociation energies but can be distinguished in that 9MG˙+·1MC dissociates into 9MG˙+ and 1MC whereas [9MG - H]˙·[1MC + H]+ dissociates into neutral [9MG - H]˙ radical and protonated [1MC + H]+. An intriguing finding is that, in both Xe- and Ar-induced CID of [9MG·1MC]˙+, product ions were overwhelmingly dominated by [1MC + H]+, which is contrary to product distributions predicted using a statistical reaction model. Monohydration of [9MG·1MC]˙+ reversed the populations of the conventional structure (43%) vs. the proton-transferred structure (57%) and induced new reactions upon collisional activation, of which intra-base-pair hydrogen transfer produced [9MG + H]+ and the reaction of the water ligand with a methyl group in [9MG·1MC]˙+ led to methanol elimination from [9MG·1MC]˙+·H2O.
Direct Evidence of Drift-Assisted Carrier Transportation in a Gradient-Doped GaAs Photocathode

We report a comparative study of free-electron dynamics in uniform-doped and gradient-doped GaAs photocathodes using femtosecond pump-probe transient reflectometry. The result shows better photoelectron accumulation in gradient-doped device, evidently due to drift-assisted carrier transportation.
The Direct Healthcare Cost of Stargardt Disease: A Claims-Based Analysis.

Purpose: Stargardt disease (SD) is the most common juvenile macular degeneration and a leading cause of uncorrectable childhood blindness. The progressive and incurable nature of this chronic condi...
Radiopacity of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate on CT imaging

A patient who post-operatively develops hyperkalemia is treated with sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (Lokelma®), a novel agent used for the treatment of non-life-threatening hyperkalemia with reduced side effects as compared with its predecessors. On CT imaging of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, a radiopaque fluid is noticed despite the patient not having received any oral or intravenous contrast nor any medications or supplements that may appear radiopaque. Based on previous CT imaging of zirconium-based tooth implants and their radiopaque appearance on images, it is hypothesized that the sodium zirconium cyclosilicate that the patient was administered is the explanation of the radiopacity on CT imaging. We performed an in-vitro experiment to confirm that Lokelma is radiopaque to support our hypothesis. It is important to fully understand the differential of what may cause different appearances on imaging as well as to eliminate potential sources of artifact prior to imaging, or alternatively, to potentially be able to use medications with known radiopaque properties as alternatives to contrast agents.
RTICBM-74 is a Brain-Penetrant CB1 Receptor Allosteric Modulator that Reduces Alcohol Intake in Rats

The endocannabinoid system is implicated in the neuronal mechanisms of alcohol use disorder (AUD), with the cannabinoid receptor subtype 1 (CB1) representing a promising target for AUD therapeutic interventions. We have previously shown negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of the CB1 receptor attenuated the reinstatement of other drugs of abuse including cocaine and methamphetamine in rats; however, their effects on alcohol-related behaviors have not been investigated. Here, we tested the pharmacokinetic properties of one such CB1 NAM, RTICBM-74, and its effects on alcohol self-administration in rats. RTICBM-74 showed low aqueous solubility and high protein binding but had excellent half-life and low clearance against rat liver microsomes and hepatocytes, and excellent brain penetrance in rats. RTICBM-74 pretreatment specifically reduced alcohol intake across a range of doses in male or female Wistar or Long-Evans rats that were trained to self-administer alcohol. These effects were similar to the CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist rimonabant which was tested as a positive control. Importantly, RTICBM-74 was effective at reducing alcohol intake at doses that did not affect locomotion or sucrose self-administration. Our findings suggest that CB1 NAMs such as RTICBM-74 have promising therapeutic potential in treatment of AUD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe present work shows that a metabolically stable and brain penetrant CB1 receptor negative allosteric modulator (NAM) reduces alcohol self-administration in rats without affecting locomotion or sucrose self-administration, suggesting potential therapeutic relevance for the treatment of AUD.
Concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection and crusted scabies in a 4-month infant.

Crusted scabies (CS) is a severe form of scabies caused by hyper-infestation of mites in the horny layer of the epidermis that thickens and forms warty crusts.1 Although it has been described mainly in immunosuppressed individuals, it has been also observed in otherwise healthy patients.1 We are living the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, that is a mild/moderate disease in children.2-4 However, SARS-CoV-2 infection may induce significant changes in the host's immune response.5,6.
Trade Liberalization and Growth in Developing Countries, 1950–1988

With the exception of causality tests, [e.g., Jung W. and Marshall, 1985] studies that have examined the relationship between internationai trade and economic growth have typically adopted an endogenous growth approach, where GDP growth is modeled as a function of export growth or some variant of trade orientation Dollar D., 1992; Balassa B., 1985; Krueger A., 1980; Feder 1983). In effect, such studies assume that it is export promotion or trade orientation that drives aggregate output. Arguably, trade orientation can influence output growth in both the short and the long run. By relaxing a binding foreign exchange constraint, export growth may promote economic growth by facilitating the purchase of needed intermediate imports. Export growth may also represent an increase in demand for a country’s output and hence lead to an increase in GNP Schenzler, 1982). Besides, externalities associated with exporting can accelerate growth in open economies. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest that the process of exporting, combined with easy availability of imported inputs and machinery, accelerates technological advance in developing economies (Mieko Nishimizu and Sherman Robinson, 1984; Dollar and Sokoloff, 1990; Michaely, 1977; Ram R., 1985). On the other hand, it is equally plausible that real per capita GDP growth influences export growth. For instance, output growth could cause decreased export growth if the former is induced by an exogenous increase in domestic consumer demand that is heavily concentrated in exportable and non-traded goods. Furthermore, technology transfer, the accumulation of human capital and cumulative production experience are all factors that can induce growth independently of exports. In this scenario, if local demand is unable to keep pace with production, producers are likely to turn to foreign markets to sell their goods. Hence, it is important not only to examine the effects of growth on exports or trade orientation but to determine the possibility of a causal relationship among both variables.
Linkage and sums of ideals

It is shown (under mild conditions) that the sum of transversal ideals in a regular local ring cannot lie in the linkage class of a complete intersection. For a sum of geometrically linked Cohen-Macaulay ideals, we compute the depths of the conormal module arld the first Koszul homology. As applications, we construct general examples of ideals which are strongly CohenMacaulay, strongly nonobstructed but not in the linkage class of a complete intersection, and Gorenstein ideals which are strongly nonobstructed but not syzygetic.
Drug Discrimination in (+)-Epibatidine-Trained Monkeys: Agonists and Antagonists Effects of Nicotinic Drugs

The behavioral effects of nicotinic agonists and antagonists were studied in squirrel monkeys using a two-lever drug discrimination procedure. Monkeys (n=4) were trained to discriminate i.m. injections of 0.001 mg/kg (+)-epibatidine (EPI)–a α4β2 selective nicotinic agonist that is pharmacologically similar and structurally distinct from nicotine (NIC)–from saline on a 10-response fixed-ratio schedule of stimulus-termination. Results show that high efficacy nicotinic agonists [(+)-EPI, (-)-EPI, NIC] substituted fully for (+)-EPI, whereas the highest doses of other nicotinic agonists produced intermediate levels of (+)-EPI-like discriminative-stimulus (SD) effects [varenicline (VAR), cytisine (CYT)] or did not substitute for (+)-EPI (lobeline). Minor tobacco alkaloids produced full (nornicotine, anabasine, myosmine, anatabine), intermediate (anabaseine) or no (cotinine) (+)-EPI-like effects. Pretreatment studies with nicotinic antagonists show that: a) mecamylamine (non-selective) unsurmountably antagonized...
Anthropological Locations: Boundaries and Grounds of a Field Science edited

Anthropological Locations: Boundaries and Grounds of. Field Science. Akhil Gupta and James Ferguson eds. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press. 1997. viii. 275 pp. $45.00 (cloth); $16.95 (paper)
No clinically significant effect of erythromycin or azithromycin on the pharmacokinetics of voriconazole in healthy male volunteers.

Aims The antibiotic erythromycin is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 metabolism. As CYP isozymes, including CYP3A4, are involved in the metabolism of the new triazole voriconazole, this study investigated the effects of multiple-dose erythromycin or azithromycin on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of voriconazole in healthy male subjects. Methods In an open, randomized, parallel-group, single-centre study, 30 healthy male subjects aged 20–41 years received oral voriconazole 200 mg twice daily for 14 days plus either erythromycin (1 g twice daily on days 8–14), azithromycin (500 mg once daily on days 12–14) or placebo (twice daily on days 8–14). Only morning doses were administered on day 14. Plasma concentrations of voriconazole were measured up to 12 h postdose on days 7 and 14, and plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Adverse events and standard laboratory test results were recorded before and throughout the study. Results Comparison of the voriconazole Cmax day 14/day 7 ratio for the voriconazole + erythromycin group with that of the voriconazole + placebo group yielded a ratio of 107.7%[90% confidence interval (CI) 90.6, 128.0]; for the voriconazole + azithromycin group, the ratio was 117.5% (90% CI 98.8, 139.7). Comparison of the voriconazole AUCτ day 14/day 7 ratios of the voriconazole + erythromycin and voriconazole + azithromycin groups with that of the voriconazole + placebo group showed ratios of 101.2% (90% CI 89.1, 114.8) and 107.9% (90% CI 95.1, 122.4), respectively. For voriconazole tmax, the differences between the day 14–day 7 calculations for the voriconazole + erythromycin or the voriconazole + azithromycin groups and that of the voriconazole + placebo group were − 0.2 h (90% CI − 0.8, 0.3) and − 0.1 h (90% CI − 0.7, 0.5), respectively. None of these changes was considered clinically relevant. The study drugs were well tolerated by subjects in all groups; the most common study drug-related adverse events were visual disturbances, reported in all groups, and abdominal pain, present in the voriconazole + erythromycin group. Conclusions Coadministration of erythromycin or azithromycin does not affect the steady-state pharmacokinetics of voriconazole in a clinically relevant manner in healthy male subjects.
The US Experience with Copyright Formalities: A Love/Hate Relationship

Copyright formalities – conditions precedent to the existence or enforcement of copyright, such as provision of information about works of authorship that will put the public on notice as to a work’s protected status and its copyright ownership, or deposit of copies of the work for the national library or other central authority, or local manufacture of copies of works of foreign origin – have performed a variety of functions in US copyright history. Perhaps of most practical importance today, formalities predicate to the existence or enforcement of copyright can serve to shield large copyright owners who routinely comply with formalities from the infringement claims of smaller copyright owners, particularly individual authors, who may lack the information or resources systematically to register and deposit their works.This article will first define “formalities,” and then will consider their conceptual foundations. Next, it will examine the U.S. experience with formalities, from the first copyright statute of 1790 to the present. Finally, it will consider whether and how the beneficial, information-providing role of formalities might be achieved, without engendering forfeitures of protection or posing practical impediments to meaningful enforcement of copyright.
Semantic encoding and retrieval in the left inferior prefrontal cortex: a functional MRI study of task difficulty and process specificity

Prefrontal cortical function was examined during semantic encoding and repetition priming using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a noninvasive technique for localizing regional changes in blood oxygenation, a correlate of neural activity. Words studied in a semantic (deep) encoding condition were better remembered than words studied in both easier and more difficult nonsemantic (shallow) encoding conditions, with difficulty indexed by response time. The left inferior prefrontal cortex (LIPC) (Brodmann's areas 45, 46, 47) showed increased activation during semantic encoding relative to nonsemantic encoding regardless of the relative difficulty of the nonsemantic encoding task. Therefore, LIPC activation appears to be related to semantic encoding and not task difficulty. Semantic encoding decisions are performed faster the second time words are presented. This represents semantic repetition priming, a facilitation in semantic processing for previously encoded words that is not dependent on intentional recollection. The same LIPC area activated during semantic encoding showed decreased activation during repeated semantic encoding relative to initial semantic encoding of the same words. This decrease in activation during repeated encoding was process specific; it occurred when words were semantically reprocessed but not when words were nonsemantically reprocessed. The results were apparent in both individual and averaged functional maps. These findings suggest that the LIPC is part of a semantic executive system that contributes to the on-line retrieval of semantic information.
Comment on Tovote et al. Individual Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Treating Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Diabetes: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Diabetes Care 2014;37:2427–2434

The study by Tovote et al. (1) was the first randomized clinical trial to examine the effectiveness of individual mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing depressive symptoms in patients with diabetes. However, the researchers did not account for the racial/ethnic background of the participants. Compared with the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes and diabetes-related complications. For some African Americans, the stress of diabetes compounded by higher levels of chronic life stressors (e.g., financial insecurity, low education level, lack of health care) makes them particularly vulnerable to complications from the synergistic effects of obesity, diabetes, …
Modeling mortality of second-rotation loblolly pine plantations in the Piedmont/Upper Coastal Plain and Lower Coastal Plain of the southern United States

Remeasurement data from permanent plots of six loblolly pine studies were used to develop mortality models for second-rotation loblolly pine plantations growing in the Piedmont/Upper Coastal Plain (PUCP) and Lower Coastal Plain (LCP) of the southern United States. The model consists of two complementary parts: a generalized logistic equation predicting the probability of survival for all trees over a period developed using all data with and without occurrence of mortality; and a difference equation predicting tree-number reduction, given that some mortality has occurred. In the PUCP, the survival probability is mainly affected by stand age, tree density, and site index; the probability decreases with increasing values of each of these three variables. In the LCP, the survival probability is related to the stand basal area and site index; the probability decreases with increasing stand basal area, but increases with increasing site index. The relative rates of instantaneous mortality for second-rotation loblolly pine plantations are proportional to stand density, age and site index, but with different functions of age and site index in the PUCP and LCP. Thus, two different forms of the best difference mortality equations were obtained for these two regions. Both survival probability equation and difference mortality equation indicate that site productivity affects mortality in an opposite way in the two regions: mortality increases with increasing productivity in the PUCP, but in the LCP higher mortality is related to lower productivity. The lower quality sites in the PUCP may support higher stocking than the same quality of sites in the LCP, while the higher quality sites in the PUCP may support lower stocking than the same quality of sites in the LCP.
Two Modes of Interaction of the Single-stranded DNA-binding Protein of Bacteriophage T7 with the DNA Polymerase-Thioredoxin Complex

The DNA polymerase encoded by bacteriophage T7 has low processivity. Escherichia coli thioredoxin binds to a segment of 76 residues in the thumb subdomain of the polymerase and increases the processivity. The binding of thioredoxin leads to the formation of two basic loops, loops A and B, located within the thioredoxin-binding domain (TBD). Both loops interact with the acidic C terminus of the T7 helicase. A relatively weak electrostatic mode involves the C-terminal tail of the helicase and the TBD, whereas a high affinity interaction that does not involve the C-terminal tail occurs when the polymerase is in a polymerization mode. T7 gene 2.5 single-stranded DNA-binding protein (gp2.5) also has an acidic C-terminal tail. gp2.5 also has two modes of interaction with the polymerase, but both involve the C-terminal tail of gp2.5. An electrostatic interaction requires the basic residues in loops A and B, and gp2.5 binds to both loops with similar affinity as measured by surface plasmon resonance. When the polymerase is in a polymerization mode, the C terminus of gene 2.5 protein interacts with the polymerase in regions outside the TBD. gp2.5 increases the processivity of the polymerase-helicase complex during leading strand synthesis. When loop B of the TBD is altered, abortive DNA products are observed during leading strand synthesis. Loop B appears to play an important role in communication with the helicase and gp2.5, whereas loop A plays a stabilizing role in these interactions.
The Nature of the Melting Transition for a Mixed Monolayer System Physisorbed onto Graphite: Argon and Krypton Patch Impurities

A constant density (p = 1) constant temperature molecular dynamics method with periodic boundary conditions is utilized to examine the melting transition for argon impurity patches embedded in krypton monolayer matrixes (as well as for the complement system deposited onto graphite for various values of argon impurity fraction X. The character and temperature T m of melting are found to be dependent on the impurity fraction as well as adsorbate topology vis-a-vis which species is the patch impurity and which is the matrix. No phase separation is observed, as the melting temperature ofthe matrix is coincident with that of the patch in all cases examined. Much of the behavior exhibited by the system in this study can be understood by vacancy formation arguments.
Catalytic functionalities of supported sulfides. II. Effect of support on Mo dispersion

Several Mo and CoMo catalysts on different supports, previously evaluated for thiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and 1-hexene hydrogenation (HYD) activities, were characterized for Mo dispersion in the catalysts. Techniques employed for characterization included XRD, ESCA, and O2 chemisorption of catalysts, and determination of “active OH” on supports. For the calcined (oxide) form of Mo and CoMo catalysts on Al2O3, several SiO2Al2O3 compositions, and SiO2, it was found that essentially monolayer dispersion of the Mo was present on Al2O3 and low SiO3-containing supports, whereas in the case of high SiO2-containing and SiO2 supports evidence was found for three-dimensional crystallites for the Mo phase. The sulfided form of these catalysts gave essentially the same results. These findings are interpreted in terms of the degree of interaction of the Mo phase with the support. To account for changes in HDS and HYD activities of the catalysts, it is proposed that HDS occurs at vacancies on corner sites and HYD at vacancies on edge sites of the MoS2 phase present.
Mössbauer Study of Iron Fischer−Tropsch Catalysts during Activation and Synthesis

Mossbauer data indicate that activating an iron Fischer−Tropsch catalyst containing Cu, K, and kaolin with syngas for 24 h at 270 °C and 1.14 MPa produces a material that has about 60% of the iron in the form of Fe3O4 and the remainder as a mixture of χ-Fe5C2 and e‘-Fe2.2C. A similar activation with CO produces a material that contains more than 80% of the iron in the form of χ-Fe5C2 and the remainder as Fe3O4. The CO-activated catalyst exhibits a high activity, whereas the syngas-activated sample has a low activity. Moreover, the CO-activated sample converts during 50 h of synthesis to a mixture that contains more Fe3O4 (40%) and less χ-Fe5C2 (60), whereas the syngas activated sample contains about 80% χ-Fe5C2 after 50 h of exposure to synthesis gas. Thus, both catalysts underwent significant changes in the bulk composition without a parallel change in CO conversion. Another catalyst formulation, containing more Cu, much less K, and no binder, showed significantly higher syngas conversion after activatio...
An alternative strategy for transcultural communication: Dialogic understanding of multiple voices

Any phenomena or events of any culture require the perspective of other cultures to develop their potential. Much of the mainstream writing about transcultural communication in the West today is predicated on the fact that the West is a bad guy, and the non‐West is a good guy. This presumption is too simplistic because cultures are never semiotic systems with a closed totality. The aim of this essay is to define a new strategy for transcultural communication derived from the Russian philosopher, Mikhail Bakhtin's theoretical and critical concepts. His concept of dialogism, and of language provide us the specific ways in which those producers orchestrate diverse social voices. His emphasis on a boundless context helps us avoid formalist insistence on human relations. In other words, his emphasis on the situated utterance and the interpersonal generation of meaning avoids a value‐free semiotics.
Improvement in environmental performance of poly(β-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(β-hydroxyvalerate) composites through process modifications

As interest grows in developing materials with low environmental impact, research on bio-based composites is gaining attention in the composites industry. Bio-based composites are polymer matrix composites reinforced with natural fibers. This study uses life cycle assessment methods to examine the environmental impact of and improvements to production processes for bio-based composites made of a renewable polymer matrix, poly(β-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(β-hydroxyvalerate), and natural fiber fabric. Investigated production improvements include targeting reduced thermal energy use, biomass reuse as a fuel source, and design alterations such as reduced waste and fiber replacement. The greatest reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and weighted impact score were found to be possible through incineration of excess biomass and the use of alternate fiber types. The application of thermal energy recycling mechanisms had little influence on the examined environmental impacts.
Bleaching with sodium hypochlorite: interactions of temperature, time, ph and concentration with stain removal and fabric strength

In response to recent concern for energy conservation while launder-ing at lowered temperatures, this study investigated stain removal and fabric degradation effects of sodium hypochlorite bleach on stained cotton fabrics. Blue and green reflectance readings were used to calculate both whiteness values and percentage of stain removal values, while tensile strength measurements were used to determine fabric degradation. An “acceptable bleach treatment” category was established, having a minimum of 75% whiteness and 90% of origi-nal breaking strength. Temperature, bleach concentration, time and pH were investigated, with each factor except pH being significant. Low bleach concentration was more satisfactory than high concen-tration, while cold and warm temperatures were more acceptable than very cold and hot temperatures. An overnight bleach soak treatment of up to 16 hr was not damaging if a cold temperature of 25 C was chosen. Selecting cold (room) temperatures for chlorine bleaching could provide energy savings for the consumer, textile mill or commercial laundry, while providing acceptable whiteness and fabric strength retention.
Nucleation theory: Fisher's droplet picture and microscopic surface tension

Abstract Fisher's droplet picture is used to define a “microscopic” surface tension for small droplets. The nucleation rate is then calculated. Excellent agreement between experiments and our calculations has been found for H2O, CH3OH, C2H5OH, NH3, C6H6, CHCl3 and CCl3F.
A novel cost function for parameters estimation in oscillatory biochemical systems

Oscillatory pathways are among the most important classes of biochemical systems with examples ranging from circadian rhythms and cell cycle maintenance. Mathematical modeling of these highly interconnected biochemical networks is needed to meet numerous objectives such as investigating, predicting and controlling the dynamics of these systems. Identifying the kinetic rate parameters is essential for fully modeling these and other biological processes. These kinetic parameters, however, cannot be measured directly and most of them have to be estimated using parameter fitting techniques. One of the issues with estimating kinetic parameters in oscillatory systems is the irregularities in the Least Square (LS) cost function surface used to estimate these parameters, which is caused by the periodicity of the measurements. These irregularities result in numerous local minima, which limit the performance of even some of the most robust global optimization algorithms. We proposed a cost function to address these issues by integrating temporal information with periodic information embedded in the measurements. This new cost function has better surface properties leading to fewer local minima and better performance of global optimization algorithms. We verified for two oscillatory biochemical systems that our method results in an increased ability to estimate accurate kinetic parameters as compared to the traditional LS cost function. This will eventually lead to biochemical models that are more precise, predictable and controllable.
Stability effects research of stepped controlled shunt reactor inner faults to power grid

The electromagnetic transient model of SCSR which can suppress over-voltages of extra/ultra high voltage transmission line flexibly in project operation is established and used in the paper, the effects research of SCSR inner fault to power grid stability and security has conducted in use of electromechanical and electromagnetic hybrid real-time simulation, the inner stepped fault and corresponding control strategy of SCSR operation in power system were calculated input of the northwest grid field operation parameters, the effects to stability and security were analyzed and concluded as well in the paper. The research results open a new way to the voltage control strategy and stability analysis of ultra high voltage transmission line.
Effect of heat-stable Bacillus thuringiensis toxin on armyworms

Abstract Heat-stable exotoxin from 48-hour cultures of Bacillus thuringiensis was injected into sixth-instar larvae of Pseudaletia unipuncta . The toxin either killed the larvae before completing pupation, or it caused a delay in pupation and the occurrence of unevenly melanized and malformed pupae.
Numerical solutions of three dimensional dynamic crack problems and simulation of dynamic fracture phenomena by a “non-standard” finite difference method

Abstract A brief presentation of the novel features of a non-standard finite difference method (HEMP and HEMP 3D computer codes) is given. To demonstrate the capability of the HEMP 3D code with the extrapolation sub-routine for solving dynamic problems in linear fracture mechanics, through-thc-thickness cracks and semielliptic surface cracks of a section of cylindrical pipe under Heaviside-function time dependence pressure applied to the interior surface are considered and their dynamic stress intensity factors are calculated. The dynamic fracture phenomenon caused by the penetration of a rigid cylindrical punch into the center of a cylindrical wafer of linear-elastic brittle material is simulated numerically by using the HEMP code with the incorporation of the method of equivalent free-surface boundary conditions and the method of artificial velocity. A simple physical model that crack will initiate and propagate in any region where a critical stress has been reached and the crack will propagate in a direction perpendicular to the maximum principal stress is chosen here.
Reviews of Science for Science Librarians: Graphene

Graphene is, in many ways, a simple substance. Made of a single atomic layer of graphite, graphene has emerged as a material providing many surprises and having immense scientific and industrial potential. In 2010, scientists Andre K. Geim and Konstantin S. Novoselov received the Nobel Prize in Physics for their isolation of graphene and for their research pertaining to the ultrathin material. In his presentation speech, Professor Per Delsing described how we all have made graphene each time we write with a pencil: microscopic bits of graphite and graphene flake away as the pencil moves across the paper (Delsing 2010). It was Geim and Novoselov's ability to point and say “there,” however, that has gained them fame. Since graphene's isolation, scientists have been discovering its surprising properties including its strength, flexibility, and high mobility of its charge carriers, properties that will undoubtedly lead to many industrial applications. This article will give an introduction to the importance o...
Credit Crunch Caused by Bank Failures and Self‐Selection Behavior in Lending Markets

This study investigates how bank failures affect the real economy from the lenders’ perspective. Using experimental settings of unique bank failures in Japan, this paper identifies the credit crunch effect by bank failures. The main findings are the following. First, bank failures decrease the investments of the client firms by approximately 30%. Second, the high investment growth/level firms deal with unhealthy banks. These choices generate a self-selection bias of 30–80%. Third, there is no evidence that bank-failure shock is related to the firms’ accessibility to other financial sources.
Scaling of Fully Pulsed Jets in Crossflow

There is recent interest in the dynamics of pulsed jets in uniform crossflow. A classification scheme for fully pulsed Jets in crossflow is proposed based on the stroke ratio of the jet pulse and the duty cycle of the pulse train. Scaling relations for penetration and dilution of fully pulsed jets'in crossflow are derived from the self-similar scaling of turbulent vortex rings and puffs in quiescent media. Individual turbulent structures are assumed to drift freely with the crossflow in the proposed scaling. The penetration of fully pulsed jets scales with the fourth root of the velocity ratio, stroke ratio, and axial distance. The decay of mean concentration scales with the velocity ratio and axial distance to the -3/4th power. These scaling relations apply to distinct turbulent structures before any interaction between successive structures. The criteria for interaction among flow structures near the nozzle and in the far field are also presented.
Virulence in Hessian Fly (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Field Collections from the Southeastern United States to 21 Resistance Genes in Wheat

Genetic resistance in wheat, Triticum aestivum L., is the most efficacious method for control of Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). However, because of the appearance of new genotypes (biotypes) in response to deployment of resistance, field collections of Hessian fly need to be evaluated on a regular basis to provide breeders and producers information on the efficacy of resistance (R) genes with respect to the genotype composition of Hessian fly in regional areas. We report here on the efficacy of 21 R genes in wheat to field collections of Hessian fly from the southeastern United States. Results documented that of the 21 R genes evaluated only five would provide effective protection of wheat from Hessian fly in the southeastern United States. These genes were H12, H18, H24, H25, and H26. Although not all of the 33 identified R genes were evaluated in the current study, these results indicate that identified genetic resistance to protect wheat from Hessian attack in the southeastern United States is a limited resource. Historically, R genes for Hessian fly resistance in wheat have been deployed as single gene releases. Although this strategy has been successful in the past, we recommend that in the future deployment of combinations of highly effective previously undeployed genes, such as H24 and H26, be considered. Our study also highlights the need to identify new and effective sources of resistance in wheat to Hessian fly if genetic resistance is to continue as a viable option for protection of wheat in the southeastern United States.
Potentials interpolated with potentials: the six-dimensional B̃ state surface of thiophosgene

We present a new method for fitting potential energy surfaces (PESs), which combines the compactness of analytical fits with the flexibility of interpolation. In essence, potentials are interpolated with potential-shaped interpolation functions. Numerically efficient global PESs are constructed from a few interpolation points, updated as new regions are sampled, and easily constrained by spectroscopic and thermodynamic data. As an application, we compute an interpolated potential surface for the B state of thiophosgene, which combines CASSCF calculations with refinement based on experimental vibrational frequencies and tunneling splittings.
GAW10: Simulated family data for a common oligogenic disease with quantitative risk factors

GAW10 Problem 2 involves a simulated common disease defined by imposing a threshold, T, on a quantitative trait, Q1. Every individual with a value of Q1 > or = T (where T = 40) is defined as affected. Also thought to be associated with the disease as intervening variables are four other quantitative traits (Q2, Q3, Q4, and Q5) and an environmental factor (EF). Each individual has genotypes for 367 highly polymorphic markers on 10 chromosomes. The tasks for GAW10 were to characterize the genetic and environmental contribution to Q1 (and the disease), Q2, Q3, Q4, and Q5, and to localize any single genes that have detectable effects. Multiple replicates provided an opportunity to address questions of power and false positive rates.
Synthesis of monometallic and bimetallic 2,2′-bipyrimidine and 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine complexes of ruthenium, platinum and palladium

Abstract The reaction of 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpym) or 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp) with [Ru(CO) 2 Cl 2 ] n gives the monometallic Ru(CO) 2 Cl 2 (bidentate) (bidentate = bpym or dpp) complexes. The Ru(CO) 2 Cl 2 (bidentate) complexes react further with [Ru(CO) 2 Cl 2 ] n or with MCl 2 (dmso) 2 (M = Pt, Pd) to yield the homobimetallic Cl 2 (CO) 2 Ru(bidentate) Ru(CO) 2 Cl 2 or heterobimetallic C1 2 M(bidentate)Ru(CO) 2 C1 2 complexes, respectively. The complexes have been characterized by microanalysis and electronic absorption and IR spectroscopy.
The 2011 Benjamin Franklin Medal in computer and cognitive science presented to John R. Anderson

Abstract John R. Anderson is an international leader in the computational representation and simulation of human cognition. He is credited as having developed the first “cognitive architecture”—a computational framework for specifying both the abilities and limitations of human behavior. Anderson has also made fundamental contributions in applying cognitive architectures to practical problems, most notably in the development of intelligent tutoring systems: computer-based tutors that continually infer the cognitive state of the student, striving to determine what the student knows and does not know, and targeting further instruction accordingly. For these achievements, Anderson was awarded the 2011 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science.
Endoscopic endonasal repair of difficult-to-access cerebrospinal fluid leaks of the frontal sinus.

BackgroundCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks located within the frontal sinus can be difficult to repair effectively. Additional challenges arise from the need to simultaneously repair the leak or def...
Lack of uniform progression of endocardial scar in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy and ventricular tachycardia

Background— The endocardial substrate for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy (ARVD/C) is thought to be caused by a progressive degenerative process. Many clinical decisions and treatment plans are guided by this pathophysiologic assumption, but the extent of progression of macroscopic endocardial scar and right ventricular (RV) dilatation have not been assessed. Methods and Results— Eleven patients with ARVD/C and ventricular tachycardia had 2 detailed sinus rhythm electroanatomic endocardial voltage maps (average, 291±122 points per map; range, 114 to 558 points) performed a mean of 57 months apart (minimum, 9 months) as part of ventricular tachycardia ablation procedures. Voltage-defined scar (<1.5 mV) and RV volume were measured by area and volume measurement software and compared. Two of the 11 patients had a clear increase in scar area (47 cm2; 32 cm2) confirmed by visual inspection. The remaining 9 (81%; 95% CI, 48% to 98%) patients had no increase (<10-cm2 difference) in scar area between studies. In contrast, 10 of the 11 patients had a significant increase in RV volume, with an average increase of 24% (212±67 mL to 263±52 mL; P ≤0.01). Conclusions— In patients with ARVD/C and ventricular tachycardia, progressive RV dilatation is the rule, and rapid progression of significant macroscopic endocardial scar occurs in only a subset of patients. These results have important management implications, suggesting that efforts to prevent RV dilatation in this population are needed and that an aggressive substrate-based ablation strategy offers the potential to provide long-term ventricular tachycardia control.
Relationship between oxidative burst activity and CD11b expression in neutrophils and monocytes from healthy individuals: Effects of race and gender

Oxidative burst activity and the expression of adhesion molecules have been used as indicators of leukocyte activation status. The aim of the study was to delineate the relationship of oxidative burst activity and the expression of adhesion molecules in neutrophils and monocytes from a pool of healthy volunteers (n = 96). We also tested the potential role of gender and a racial background in the individual response differences. Basal and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated oxidative burst and CD11b expression were determined using dihydrorhodamine 123 and phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-CD11b monoclonal antibodies. PMA markedly increased CD11b expression and cellular oxidant content in neutrophils and monocytes in all samples. However, the responses showed considerable variability among individuals. A positive correlation was observed between the responsiveness of neutrophils and monocytes in their basal or PMA-stimulated CD11b expressions and PMA-stimulated oxidative burst activities. In contrast, no correlation was found between the level of adhesion molecule expression and cellular oxidant content in monocytes or neutrophils either under basal or under PMA-stimulated conditions. The reactivity of oxidative burst (i.e., PMA-stimulated over basal) was significantly lower in neutrophils from African American males compared with cells from African American females, white females, or white males. In contrast, reactivity of monocytes was significantly elevated in white males compared with all other groups. These findings indicate that leukocytes with a relatively high degree of adhesion molecule expression may display an average or decreased oxidative burst activity, and vice versa. Our findings also indicate that ethnic background may influence the oxidative burst activity in neutrophils and monocytes. This needs consideration in clinical studies utilizing healthy volunteers with mixed gender and ethnic backgrounds.