cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of cold flow improvers on soybean biodiesel blend

Abstract The use of biodiesel as a diesel fuel extender and lubricity improver is rapidly increasing. An import aspect of using these extenders is their transport in cold climates and subsequent mixing with cold diesel fuel. In this paper, the cold flow properties of biodiesel (B100) and 80% (B80) to 90% biodiesel in kerosene were evaluated with pour point depressants, toward the objective of identifying approaches to transport and mix biodiesel with diesel in cold climates. Four cold flow improver additives were tested at 0.1–2% in B80, B90, and B100 blends. Two additives significantly decreased the pour points of soybean biodiesel blends, but all the four additives had little effect on cloud points. A mixture of 0.2% additive, 79.8% biodiesel, and 20% kerosene reduced the pour point of B100 by 27 °C.
Reconstruction of type II pelvic resection with a new peri-acetabular reconstruction endoprosthesis

We report our early experience with a new peri-acetabular reconstruction endoprosthesis used for pelvic reconstruction after tumour resection. The outcome of 21 patients who underwent limb salvage following type II pelvic resection and reconstruction using the peri-acetabular reconstruction prosthesis between 2000 and 2006 was retrospectively reviewed. This prosthesis was designed to use the remaining part of the ilium to support a horizontally placed acetabular component secured with internal fixation and bone cement. Into this device a constrained acetabular liner is positioned which is articulates with a conventional femoral component to which a modular extension and modular head are attached. The mean follow-up was 20.5 months (1 to 77). The most common complications were deep infection, superficial wound infections, and dislocation. The mean musculoskeletal tumor society functional outcome score for the survivors was 20.1(11 to 27). We recommend the use of the peri-acetabular reconstruction prosthesis for reconstruction of large defects after type II pelvic resection, as this design has a greater inherent stability over other available prostheses.
Predictors of morbidity and mortality with endovascular and open thoracic aneurysm repair

Background Open and endovascular thoracic aneurysm repairs are associated with significant complications including paraplegia, stroke, vascular insufficiency, and death. Predictors of adverse outcomes are not well-defined in this patient population. Methods The database of the GORE TAG (W.L. Gore, Flagstaff, Ariz) Pivotal Trial comparing the TAG endograft to open repair was interrogated. Univariate (UVA) and multivariate analyses (MVA) of demographic, clinical, anatomic, and procedural variables were conducted to discover possible predictors of serious adverse events for the whole group and for the TAG and open cohort groups separately. Early adverse outcomes occurred within 30 days or the initial hospitalization. P value of ≤ .05 was significant. Results A total of 140 TAG and 94 open descending thoracic aneurysm (DTA) patients were analyzed, consisting of 128 men and 106 women. Perioperative deaths were 9/94 for open surgery and 3/140 for TAG patients, with 10/12 (7 open, 3 TAG) deaths occurring in men. Two female deaths were both after open surgery. Multivariate analysis showed predictors of death for all patients were symptomatic aneurysms and male gender. Analysis of a combined morbidity/mortality endpoint (stroke/paralysis/MI/death) showed elevated creatinine predicted these events for the whole group. Open surgery ( P P P = .002). Vascular complications were more frequent in the TAG (19%) than in open DTA patients (9%) ( P = .038). Female gender ( P = .01) predicted vascular complications within the endovascular group. For all analyses, long procedure times were correlated with adverse events. Women were noted to have longer procedure times for both TAG and open repairs. Conclusion Elevated creatinine levels and symptomatic aneurysms predict morbidity and mortality, respectively, regardless of repair type. Male gender predicted death after open surgery, and since most deaths (9 of 12) were in this group, male gender predicted death overall, despite women's more difficult endovascular TAA repairs as evidenced by longer procedure times and higher vascular complication rates. All major adverse events and paraplegia were more common for open surgery patients.
Theopatheia : Nestorius's main charge against Cyril of Alexandria

Was Cyril of Alexandria a theopaschite? In order to resolve this controversial issue, this paper will look at Cyril's Christology with Nestorius's eyes. The charge of theopatheia appears from the very beginning in Nestorius's correspondence with Cyril and retains its central place in Nestorius's work Liber Heraclidis. The paper discusses Nestorian arguments against Cyril's position and Cyril's counter-charges. The conclusion is reached that Nestorius asserted unqualified divine impassibility. Cyril, in contrast, held a qualified view of the divine impassibility and maintained that neither divinity suffered alone, apart from humanity (in which case the assumption of humanity would be superfluous), nor humanity suffered alone, apart from and in sharp contrast to the impassible divinity (in which case the reality of divine involvement in the incarnation would be put at risk).
Measurement of the attenuation coefficient for monodisperse populations of ultrasound contrast agents

In this paper, we describe a technique for producing populations of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) with a narrow size distribution. Using acoustic techniques, we measure the frequency-dependent attenuation coefficient for suspensions of ultrasound contrast agents with varying size distributions, ranging from narrow to wide. Our results demonstrate that as the size distribution becomes more uniform, attenuation occurs within a narrow frequency range. Additionally, as the mean size decreases, the peak in the attenuation coefficient occurs at a higher frequency.
A Newton-squaring algorithm for computing the negative invariant subspace of a matrix

By combining Newton's method for the matrix sign function with a squaring procedure, a basis for the negative invariant subspace of a matrix can be computed efficiently. The algorithm presented is a variant of multiplication-rich schemes for computing the matrix sign function, such as the well-known inversion-free Schulz method, which requires two matrix multiplications per step. However, by avoiding a complete computation of the matrix sign and instead concentrating only on the negative invariant subspace, the final Newton steps can be replaced by steps which require only one matrix squaring each. This efficiency is attained without sacrificing the quadratic convergence of Newton's method. >
Applications of metric perturbations of a rotating black hole: distortion of the event horizon

The influence of matter perturbations on the horizon of a rotating black hole is studied. The perturbation at the horizon is completely characterized by appropriately defined horizon multipole moments (HMM's) which are related to the number flux of quanta across the horizon. These HMM's are evaluated for several cases of interest. Specifically, it is shown that for an extreme Kerr black hole ($a=M$) a ring of matter on the marginally stable circular orbit has no tidal influence on the black hole. On the other hand, a single test particle on the same orbit does raise a tide on the horizon although it does not radiate gravitational waves. Finally, the spin-down law for a black hole in the presence of a distant stationary non-axially symmetric moon is derived.
Randomized Trial of Genotype-Guided Versus Standard Warfarin Dosing in Patients Initiating Oral Anticoagulation

Background— Pharmacogenetic-guided dosing of warfarin is a promising application of “personalized medicine” but has not been adequately tested in randomized trials. Methods and Results— Consenting ...
Metallurgical Aspects of Aluminum Wire Bonds to Gold Metallization

A study is made of the intermetallics which form when aluminum wire is ultrasonically joined to thin and thick film gold metallizations and stored for extended times at moderate temperatures. Conclusions are reached concerning the effects of conductor surface topography, thickness, and purity on bond reliability.
Machine learning for computational sustainability

To avoid ecological collapse, we must manage Earth's ecosystems sustainably. Viewed as a control problem, the two central challenges of ecosystem management are to acquire a model of the system that is sufficient to guide good decision making and then optimize the control policy against that model. This paper describes three efforts aimed at addressing the first of these challenges—machine learning methods for modeling ecosystems. The first effort focuses on automated quality control of environmental sensor data. Next, we consider the problem of learning species distribution models from citizen science observational data. Finally, we describe a novel approach to modeling the migration of birds. A major challenge for all of these methods is to scale up to large, spatially-distributed systems.
Chloroplast transformation for engineering of photosynthesis

Many efforts are underway to engineer improvements in photosynthesis to meet the challenges of increasing demands for food and fuel in rapidly changing environmental conditions. Various transgenes have been introduced into either the nuclear or plastid genomes in attempts to increase photosynthetic efficiency. We examine the current knowledge of the critical features that affect levels of expression of plastid transgenes and protein accumulation in transplastomic plants, such as promoters, 5' and 3' untranslated regions, RNA-processing sites, translation signals and amino acid sequences that affect protein turnover. We review the prior attempts to manipulate the properties of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (Rubisco) through plastid transformation. We illustrate how plastid operons could be created for expression of the multiple genes needed to introduce new pathways or enzymes to enhance photosynthetic rates or reduce photorespiration. We describe here the past accomplishments and future prospects for manipulating plant enzymes and pathways to enhance carbon assimilation through plastid transformation.
The Fate of 17β-Estradiol in the Plasma of Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Patients with Cancer

Abstract The patterns of radioactive estrogen metabolites in the plasma of patients with a variety of malignancies were determined after the injection of physiological amounts of 17β-estradiol-6,7-3H or of estrone-6,7-3H. The metabolites were separated and isolated from the plasma by the following procedures: a) alumina chromatography, b) modified Brown procedure, and c) gas liquid chromatography. This study showed that the conjugated state of the estrogens varied with the subject's age. There was a dramatic decrease in the relative quantity of the plasma free estrogens which are converted to sulfates as the age of the patient increased. This change was noted just prior to menopause, suggesting that there are alterations in the conjugation of plasma estrogens which are detectable before clinical menopause.
Effects of Artificial Ultraviolet Light Exposure on Reproductive Success of the Female Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) in Captivity

Having previously documented experimentally the need for ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation (290–315 nm) in the light environment of captive female panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) to ensure hatching success of their eggs, we investigated optimal UVB irradiation levels. From 1996–1998 28 hatchling female panther chameleons were raised to maturity and bred (using vitamin and mineral-fortified insect diets low in vitamin D) in nine different artificial UVB light environments. Seven of the environments included long (12 hr/day) low irradia-tion exposures ranging from 1.7 to 22 μW/cm2 UVB, with a corresponding conversion of provitamin D3 to photoproducts in in vitro models of 0.18 to 1.52% in 2 hr. Two environments included short (0.5 and 1.0 hr/day), high irradiation exposures of 55 and 49 μW/cm2 UVB, respectively, with a corres-ponding conversion of provitamin D3 to photoproducts in in vitro models of 8.3% to 14.6% in the respective 0.5- and 1.0-hr time periods. Females raised with the mid-level long/low exposures (5–15 μW/cm2 UVB; 0.52–1.32% conversion to photoproducts in in vitro models) produced viable eggs with a significantly higher percentage of hatching compared to those with the extreme (highest or lowest) long/low exposures. Those raised with the short-/high-exposure environments produced viable eggs with a generally high percentage of hatching, but success was variable. The results and techniques for light quality assessment are interpreted, with recommendations for practical application by the herpetoculturist desiring to successfully breed panther chameleons in captivity. Zoo Biol 21:525–537, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Validation of Exposure Time for Discharge Measurements made with Two Bottom-Tracking Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers

Previous work by Oberg and Mueller of the U.S. Geological Survey in 2007 concluded that exposure time (total time spent sampling the flow) is a critical factor in reducing measurement uncertainty. In a subsequent paper, Oberg and Mueller validated these conclusions using one set of data to show that the effect of exposure time on the uncertainty of the measured discharge is independent of stream width, depth, and range of boat speeds. Analysis of eight StreamPro acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements indicate that they fall within and show a similar trend to the Rio Grande ADCP data previously reported. Four special validation measurements were made for the purpose of verifying the conclusions of Oberg and Mueller regarding exposure time for Rio Grande and StreamPro ADCPs. Analysis of these measurements confirms that exposure time is a critical factor in reducing measurement uncertainty and is independent of stream width, depth, and range of boat speeds. Furthermore, it appears that the relation between measured discharge uncertainty and exposure time is similar for both Rio Grande and StreamPro ADCPs. These results are applicable to ADCPs that make use of broadband technology using bottom-tracking to obtain the boat velocity. Based on this work, a minimum of two transects should be collected with an exposure time for all transects greater than or equal to 720 seconds in order to achieve an uncertainty of plusmn5 percent when using bottom-tracking ADCPs.
Dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase-binding protein of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. DNA-derived amino acid sequence, expression, and reconstitution of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Protein X, recently renamed dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase-binding protein (E3BP), is required for anchoring dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (E3) to the dihydrolipoamide transacetylase (E2) core of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complexes of eukaryotes. DNA and deduced protein sequences for E3BP of the human pyruvate dehydrogenase complex are reported here. With the exception of only a single lipoyl domain, the protein has a segmented multi-domain structure analogous to that of the E2 component of the complex. The protein has 46% amino acid sequence identity in its amino-terminal region with the second lipoyl domain of E2, 38% identity in its central region with the putative peripheral subunit-binding domain of E2, and 50% identity in its carboxyl-terminal region with the catalytic inner core domain of E2. The similarity in the latter domain stands in contrast to E3BP ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae, which is quite different from its homologous transacetylase in this region. The putative catalytic site histidine residue present in the inner core domains of all dihydrolipoamide acyltransferases is replaced by a serine residue in human E3BP; thus, catalysis of coenzyme A acetylation by this protein is unlikely. Coexpression of cDNAs for E3BP and E2 resulted in the formation of an E2·E3BP subcomplex that spontaneously reconstituted the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in the presence of native E3 and recombinant pyruvate decarboxylase (E1).
General, Relativistic, Bound-State Solutions of a Spin-0 and Spin-1/2 Constituent Interacting via Scalar Electrodynamics

General, bound-state solutions are obtained to the Bethe-Salpeter equation describing a spin-0 boson and a spin-1/2 fermion with arbitrary masses that interact via scalar electrodynamics. When the energy is non-vanishing, the equation is solved in the ladder approximation using a systematic, numerical method that yields solutions to many, if not all such, two-body, bound-state Bethe-Salpeter equations. Solutions to the two-body, bound-state Bethe-Salpeter equation 1) are usually obtained (in the ladder approximation) either when the energy is zero, implying separability of the equation, or when the energy is nonzero and the masses of the two constituent particles are equal. When the energy is non-vanishing and the masses of the constituents are arbitrary, to the author’s knowledge solutions have previously been obtained only to two equations: the Wick-Cutkosky Model 2),3) and the ScalarScalar Model. 4) Here solutions are obtained to the Bethe-Salpeter equation describing a spin-0 boson and a spin-1/2 fermion with arbitrary masses that are bound by scalar electrodynamics. This complete set of numerical solutions is apparently only the third such set calculated and the first when one of the constituents has nonzero spin. Although this Bethe-Salpeter equation does not appear to be completely separable, solutions are nevertheless determined using a systematic, numerical method previously developed by the author that has been employed to calculate solutions to two-body, bound-state Bethe-Salpeter equations in the ladder approximation both when the energy is zero and nonzero. 5)–8) For all of the solutions discussed or referenced here, the Bethe-Salpeter equation is first Wick-rotated 2) to eliminate a singularity in the kernel. Also, since no external fields are present, the Bethe-Salpeter equation is invariant under rotations in threedimensional space, implying that two angular variables can be separated. Thus the two-body, bound-state Bethe-Salpeter equation can be expressed in terms of two variables in Euclidean space. The Wick-Cutkosky Model, 2),3) which is completely separable, 2),3),9)–12) consists of two scalars with arbitrary masses that interact via a massless scalar and are
Genome scale engineering techniques for metabolic engineering

Metabolic engineering has expanded from a focus on designs requiring a small number of genetic modifications to increasingly complex designs driven by advances in genome-scale engineering technologies. Metabolic engineering has been generally defined by the use of iterative cycles of rational genome modifications, strain analysis and characterization, and a synthesis step that fuels additional hypothesis generation. This cycle mirrors the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle followed throughout various engineering fields that has recently become a defining aspect of synthetic biology. This review will attempt to summarize recent genome-scale design, build, test, and learn technologies and relate their use to a range of metabolic engineering applications.
A Categorical Approach to Human Rights Claims: Jus Cogens as a Limitation on Enforcement?

Since the second circuit's 1980 decision in Filartiga v. Pena-Irala, federal courts have generally recognized that violations of international human rights may be pursued under the Alien Tort Claims Act and the Torture Victim Protection Act. In addition, the courts have accepted that an expanding list of prohibited conduct may serve as the basis for such actions. However, there emerged in a series of cases the suggestion, if not the holding, that the remedy provided for by the ATCA is only available for violations of jus cogens norms.A jus cogens norm is a peremptory rule of international law that prevails over any conflicting rule or agreement. Such a norm permits no derogation and may be modified "only by a norm... of the same character" (Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Article 53). While the allegation that such a norm has been violated would be sufficient to invoke federal jurisdiction un the ATCA, that such an allegation is necessary to invoke such a norm is far from clear. As this paper discusses, this distinction matters because there is little consensus regarding what satisfies the term jus cogens. But it is certainly true that many of the human rights violations already accepted as the basis of ATCA claims might not appear on that list.This article addresses this proposed jus cogens limitation on human rights litigation in federal courts. It considers the concept of jus cogens itself; discusses the cases which have considered such a limitation and the extent to which this limitation is required by the ATCA; considers the extent to which international law compels or allows this concept to limit human rights enforcement; and concludes that neither domestic law nor international law supports the application of jus cogens in this context, nor is there any good policy which would argue for the use of jus cogens in a way that would lessen rather than enhance protection of human rights.
Effects of tRNA modification on translational accuracy depend on intrinsic codon–anticodon strength

Cellular health and growth requires protein synthesis to be both efficient to ensure sufficient production, and accurate to avoid producing defective or unstable proteins. The background of misreading error frequency by individual tRNAs is as low as 2 × 10(-6) per codon but is codon-specific with some error frequencies above 10(-3) per codon. Here we test the effect on error frequency of blocking post-transcriptional modifications of the anticodon loops of four tRNAs in Escherichia coli. We find two types of responses to removing modification. Blocking modification of tRNA(UUC)(Glu) and tRNA(QUC)(Asp) increases errors, suggesting that the modifications act at least in part to maintain accuracy. Blocking even identical modifications of tRNA(UUU)(Lys) and tRNA(QUA)(Tyr) has the opposite effect of decreasing errors. One explanation could be that the modifications play opposite roles in modulating misreading by the two classes of tRNAs. Given available evidence that modifications help preorder the anticodon to allow it to recognize the codons, however, the simpler explanation is that unmodified 'weak' tRNAs decode too inefficiently to compete against cognate tRNAs that normally decode target codons, which would reduce the frequency of misreading.
Two Approaches to Metaphor Detection

Methods for automatic detection and interpretation of metaphors have focused on analysis and utilization of the ways in which metaphors violate selectional preferences (Martin, 2006). Detection and interpretation processes that rely on this method can achieve wide coverage and may be able to detect some novel metaphors. However, they are prone to high false alarm rates, often arising from imprecision in parsing and supporting ontological and lexical resources. An alternative approach to metaphor detection emphasizes the fact that many metaphors become conventionalized collocations, while still preserving their active metaphorical status. Given a large enough corpus for a given language, it is possible to use tools like SketchEngine (Kilgariff, Rychly, Smrz, & Tugwell, 2004) to locate these high frequency metaphors for a given target domain. In this paper, we examine the application of these two approaches and discuss their relative strengths and weaknesses for metaphors in the target domain of economic inequality in English, Spanish, Farsi, and Russian.
Blowing-Up in Equivariant Bifurcation Theory

In these notes, our goal is to illustrate why blowing-up is a powerful technique in equivariant bifurcation theory. In addition, we shall explore some new directions that we believe may lead to more effective computational and analytical methods in the theory. Most of the work that we describe here has arisen out of a study of the effect of (high order) symmetry breaking perturbations on branches of relative equilibria [9].
On Family Therapy Training in Psychiatric Education: A Recent Trainee's Perspective

Family therapy has been labelled a neglected core competency of psychiatric residency training programs. Several models of effective integration into training in both general and child and adolescent psychiatry have been proposed, yet the restraint exhibited in educational guidelines to guide developed family therapy programming results in varied trainee experiences. This perspective piece offers the narrative of a trainee's progression through one educational program that offered a generous elective engagement with family therapy. This piece intends to complement in an original manner the existing literature supporting family therapy training for psychiatric trainees that are usually authored by senior clinicians and/or established proponents of family therapy. The program described in this piece is an American model that entailed mandatory seminar didactics with elective active case involvement and clinical supervision. The author's three-year engagement with a family consisting of a young man diagnosed with schizophrenia and his mother, who comprised the active case component, is presented with a description of how both the family and the clinician developed through the process. The conclusion comments upon how this work facilitated ongoing work with severely disturbed children and their families upon the trainee's graduation to serve as a unit attending on a child and adolescent psychiatry acute inpatient service. This piece illustrates in a personal narrative the importance of family therapy training to the contemporary graduate and recommends greater immersion for psychiatric trainees in this modality.
The Effects of Friction and Wear on PECVD Diamond Films

The effects of friction and wear were examined on plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) diamond films deposited on tungsten substrates. The tribology of diamond on diamond was studied and the changes in surface roughness and the bearing ratio were determined before and after wear. The (111) textured heteroepitaxial films were studied morphologically by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The changes in morphology involved a transition from the large as grown diamond crystallites with a mean diameter of 10 μm to a surface with grains as small as 100 μm. The nature of the wear-modified films will be discussed regarding the possible mechanisms for the surface changes. Work partially supported by NASA Lewis Research Center grant NAG3-1430.
“Get Your Asphalt Off My Ancestors!”: Reclaiming Richmond’s African Burial Ground:

By treating spatial conflict as one way communities wrestle with the memory and legacy of slavery, this article unites critical landscape analysis, a tool of legal geography, with legal and cultura...
On Q -matrices

In a recent paper [1], Aganagic and Cottle have established a constructive characterization for aP 0-matrix to be aQ-matrix. Among the principal results in this paper, we show that the same characterization holds for anL-matrix as well, and that the symmetric copositive-plusQ-matrices are precisely those which are strictly copositive.
Supercritical CO2 Cycle for Fast Gas-Cooled Reactors

Brayton cycles are currently being extensively investigated for possible use with nuclear reactors in order to reduce capital cost, shorten construction period and increase nuclear power plant efficiency. The main candidates are the well-known helium Brayton cycle and the less familiar supercritical CO2 cycle, which has been given increased attention in the past several years. The main advantage of the supercritical CO2 cycle is comparable efficiency with the helium Brayton cycle at significantly lower temperature (550°C/823K), but higher pressure (20MPa/200 normal atmospheres). By taking advantage of the abrupt property changes near the critical point of CO2 the compression work can be reduced, which results in a significant efficiency improvement. Among the surveyed compound cycles the recompression cycle offers the highest efficiency, while still retaining simplicity. The turbomachinery is highly compact and achieves efficiencies of more than 90%. Preliminary assessment of the control scheme has been performed as well. It was found that conventional inventory control could not be applied to the supercritical CO2 recompression cycle. The conventional bypass control is applicable. The reference cycle achieves 46% thermal efficiency at the compressor outlet pressure of 20MPa and turbine inlet temperature of 550°C. The sizing of the heat exchangers and turbomachinery has been performed. The recuperator specific volume is 0.39m3 /MWe and pre-cooler specific volume 0.08m3 /MWe . For the reference 600MWth reactor this translates to ∼ 99m3 heat exchanger core for the recuperator and ∼ 21m3 for the pre-cooler. Overall the cycle offers an attractive alternative to the steam cycle. The supercritical CO2 cycle is well suited to any type of nuclear reactor with core outlet temperature above ∼ 500°C.© 2004 ASME
CD38 and CD157: biological observations to clinical therapeutic targets.

The application of molecular knowledge for developing new medical technologies is the goal of molecular medicine. Success in this area is highly dependent on the interaction of investigators from fields as diverse as biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, physiology, epidemiology, and physics, with an eye toward applying their insights and discoveries to improving human health. Such interdisciplinary approaches rarely find the common ground and language necessary to achieve this goal. Recently, a meeting of researchers studying the ectoenzymes CD38 and CD157 brought together insights into the regulation of calcium signaling, the metabolism of pyridine nucleotides by CD38 and CD157, and subsequent effects on immune function. Together, these discoveries were being applied to the development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics for myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This issue of Molecular Medicine, featuring several short reviews based on a conference held in Turin, Italy, 10–12 June 2006, showcases the current state of this field and highlights some recent progress in molecular medicine.
Adenosine prevents permeability increase in oxidant-injured endothelial monolayers

Adenosine is thought to prevent or reduce the increase in permeability, which is a hallmark of oxidant injury to endothelium. However, the effect of adenosine on endothelial cells directly exposed to oxidant species has not been demonstrated in vitro. By measuring the passage of Evan's blue dye-labeled albumin across confluent monolayers, we demonstrated the ability of adenosine (0.1-100 microM) to lower basal permeability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent fashion and prevent the permeability increase induced by exposure of the cells to xanthine plus xanthine oxidase (X/XO). Whereas pretreatment of monolayers for 10 min with adenosine (10 and 100 microM) prevented the X/XO-induced permeability increase, these same concentrations of adenosine failed to increase intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in X/XO-exposed cells. The protective effect of adenosine on endothelial monolayers was mimicked by adenosine amine congener and 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)adenosine but not by other agonists examined. Hence, the protective effect of adenosine against oxidant injury may include an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-independent mechanism by direct action of adenosine at A1 receptors on endothelial cells.
Obstructing Pseudocyst of the Duct of Santorini in Pancreas Divisum

Pancreas divisum is a pancreatic duct anomaly that occurs due to failure of fusion of the dorsal and ventral ducts. While recognition of this anomaly is increasing due to more aggressive endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, its significance remains unclear. A patient with chronic pancreatitis and a history of alcohol abuse was noted to have pancreas divisum. At surgical exploration, intraoperative pancreatography revealed an obstructing pseudocyst of the duct of Santorini. Extended sphincteroplasty and cystduodenostomy as well as Roux-en-Y pancreatojejunostomy were necessary to insure adequate accessory duct drainage. Surgical therapy of pancreas divisum in chronic pancreatitis should be designed to correct existing pancreatic duct obstruction.
Stability under sensor or actuator failures

The authors consider sensor or actuator failures in linear, time-invariant multi-input-multi-output feedback systems. They propose compensators that achieve stability under arbitrary sensor failures or actuator failures. They find the class of all compensators that achieve stability under sensor failures and diagonalize the map from the external input to the plant output. >
Use of Distal Medial Sural Vessels as Recipient Vessels in Free Tissue Transfer

Background The medial sural vessels have been used extensively as donor vessels in free tissue transfer; however, there is sparse literature detailing their use as recipient vessels. The few existing reports involve small numbers of patients and describe operative approaches that are unnecessarily cumbersome. We explored our experience in free tissue transfer to the medial sural vessels and share a simplified operative approach to this recipient site. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent free tissue transfers to the medial sural vessels between December 2012 and December 2015 at a single institution. Preoperative imaging, operative approach, and technique for microvascular free tissue transfer to the medial sural vessels were reviewed. Postoperative results and complications were also analyzed. Results Using preoperative magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to image the medial sural vessels and a retrograde perforator dissection technique, we successfully performed free tissue transfer to the distal medial sural vessels in 20 of 21 patients, representing the largest series reported. Postoperatively, 13 of 21 patients underwent MRA with a patent vascular pedicle demonstrated in all. There were no postoperative complications or resultant morbidities. Conclusion Surgeons should be aware of the medial sural vessels as a valuable recipient option for free tissue transfer to the lower extremity.
Impact of combined sewer overflow on urban river hydrodynamic modelling: a case study of the Chicago waterway

AbstractCombined sewer overflow (CSO) can be a critical inflow source for urban rivers during storm events. This paper presents a case study of the Chicago waterway. A three-dimensional (3D) river hydrodynamic model was developed and integrated with an urban rainfall-runoff model using the Open Modelling Interface (OpenMI). Both the effects of CSO discharge on river and river water levels on CSO outlets were considered by the integrated model. A historical storm, which was similar to a 100-year return period rain event, was simulated and compared with field measurements. This study highlights the necessity of quantifying CSO for hydraulic modelling of urban rivers under extreme storm event conditions, and shows that an integrated hydrologic and hydraulic approach can be used to address this challenge. The 3D river hydrodynamic model can deal with the complex hydrodynamics at river confluences and provide better hydrodynamic results for water quality modelling in the future.
Mass Spectrometric and Vibrational Characterization of Reaction Intermediates in [Ru(bpy)(tpy)(H2O)]2+ Catalyzed Water Oxidation†

Mass spectrometry coupled with an in-line electrochemical electrospray ionization source is used to capture some of the reaction intermediates formed in the [Ru(bpy)(tpy)(H2O)]2+ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine, tpy=2,2′:6′,2“-terpyridine) catalyzed water oxidation reaction. By controlling the applied electrochemical potential, we identified the parent complex, as well as the first two oxidation complexes, identified as [Ru(bpy)(tpy)(OH)]2+ and [Ru(bpy)(tpy)(O)]2+. The structures of the parent and first oxidation complexes are probed directly in the mass spectrometer by using infrared predissociation spectroscopy of D2-tagged ions. Comparisons between experimental vibrational spectra and density functional theory calculations confirmed the identity and structure of these two complexes. Moreover, the frequency of the O−H stretching mode in [Ru(bpy)(tpy)(OH)]2+ shows that this complex features a Ru–OH interaction that is more covalent than ionic.
Short Communication: HIV Patient Systemic Mitochondrial Respiration Improves with Exercise.

Abstract In HIV-infected individuals, impaired mitochondrial function may contribute to cardiometabolic disease as well as to fatigue and frailty. Aerobic exercise improves total body energy reserves; however, its impact at the cellular level is unknown. We assessed alterations in cellular bioenergetics in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) before and after a 12-week aerobic exercise study in sedentary HIV-infected subjects on stable antiretroviral therapy who successfully completed a 12-week aerobic exercise program. In this prospective study, participants underwent supervised 20–40 min of light aerobic exercise (walking or jogging) performed three times per week for 12 weeks, gradually increasing to maintain an intensity of 50%–80% of heart rate reserve. Maximal aerobic capacity (VO2MAX) was assessed by a graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer before and after completion of the study. PBMC from compliant subjects (attended at least 70% of exercise sessions) were assessed for mitochondrial resp...
Compressive k -Space Tomography

The coherent optical processing technique, referred to as k -space tomography, enables simultaneous detection of radio waves’ frequency and angle of arrival. As with the majority of signals, the spatial and spectral distribution of RF signals in the electromagnetic environment is sparse in nature. This inherent characteristic provides an ideal opportunity to merge this imaging modality with compressive sensing techniques. Compressive sensing has set a foundation for data acquisition of sparse signals from a small amount of data. By adapting specific aspects from this methodology, and applying them to k -space tomography, compressive k -space tomography is developed. Fundamental performance limits of this compressive sensing application are defined through numerical simulations, and these responses are subsequently utilized in experimental spatial-spectrum utilization mapping for impending 5G bands between 28 and 40 GHz. As a result, reconstruction data size and processing time are reduced consistently by a factor of over 100, without loss of information, for sufficiently sparse RF scenes.
Identifying Modal Characteristics of Reinforced Concrete Bridges Using Smartphones

This paper explores the use of smartphones as vibration measurement device to identify modal properties of reinforced concrete (RC) bridges. Two in-service RC bridges are instrumented with both conventional accelerometers and smartphone accelerometers. One of the tested bridges is a simply supported RC T-beam bridge structure and the other one is a simply supported RC slab bridge with a skew angle of 15 degrees. The vibration testing includes both traffic-induced ambient excitations and impact hammer excitation. The natural frequencies of the bridges are identified from operational modal analysis using the data obtained from both conventional and smartphone accelerometers at a single point and a peak-picking technique. In addition, the modal properties of two bridges are extracted using data obtained from a dense network of sensors and by employing enhanced frequency domain decomposition method. To assess the correlation between the modal properties identified from smartphone data and data obtained from traditional sensor, statistical analyses are conducted. Results show that there is a good agreement between the modal characteristics extracted from smartphone and reference sensor data as well as those obtained from a dense instrumentation.
Separation and Support Theorems

In section 4 of Chapter 1 we encountered the definitions of a hyperplane and a half-plane (-space). Let us now examine these concepts in greater detail. In particular, we shall define a variety of different types of hyperplanes which will be of considerable importance in what follows. To briefly review these definitions, let us note first that for a vector C(# 0)∈ R n and a scalar a ∈ R, a hyperplane $$H = \left\{ {x\left| {C'x = \alpha ,x \in {R^n}} \right.} \right\}$$ is an (n−1) — dimensional linear variety or affine set. Next, any hyperplane ℌ in R n generates the two closed half-spaces $$\begin{gathered} \left\{ {{H^ + }} \right\} + \left\{ {x\left| {C'x \geqslant \alpha ,x \in {R^n}} \right.} \right\}, \hfill \\ \left\{ {{H^ - }} \right\} + \left\{ {x\left| {C'x \leqslant \alpha ,x \in {R^n}} \right.} \right\}, \hfill \\ \end{gathered}$$
Role of lactoferrin in development of inflammation

During acute inflammation, immune homeostasis is lost leading to destructive immunopathology. Homeostasis is normally dependent upon coordinated interactions among the various lymphoid, phagocytic and somatic cells that comprise the immune system. In general, these interactions are tightly regulated to obtain a balance between mechanisms necessary to eliminate harmful pathogens, and overaggressive responses leading to destruction of host tissue. Activation of immunoeffector cells results in pro-inflammatory cytokine up-regulation which in turn also activates the vascular endothelium. Through complex signaling, a positive feedback circuit is established which amplifies and sustains the activity of the inflammatory response resulting in the release of other cytokines and related molecules. If these responses are activated in an uncontrolled fashion with dissemination via the circulation, over the period of time, organs distant from the initial insult can be affected to produce multiple organ failure. Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein, is considered an important mediator in host defense against the environmental insults in mammals. By virtue of iron sequestration lactoferrin can control the development of many oxidative stress-driven responses. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of research regarding lactoferrin and its role in homeostasis.
Transgenic animals as models for hepatocarcinogenesis

During the last two decades, important advances have been made in cancer research by employing transgenic animals, including transgene over-expression and more recently gene knockout techniques. Both these approaches have been extremely valuable and important in defining in vivo the role and impact of genes thought to either favor or suppress normal and neoplastic cell growth. With these methodologies, we can generate animal models to dissect out genetic alterations associated with different stages of neoplastic development and we are also able to assess the impact of environmental risk factors. In experimental oncology, the liver has for many reasons always represented a primary system for studying the neoplastic process. Thus, the interest of findings achieved in transgenic models for liver tumorigenesis very often extends beyond hepatology and has implications for the entire cancer research field.
Synthesis of lactose lauryl ester in organic solvents using aluminosilicate zeolite as a catalyst

Abstract Sugar-based biosurfactants are safer and healthier alternatives to synthetic surfactants especially for use in the food industry. In this work, biosurfactants were synthesized via the esterification of lactose with lauric acid in different organic solvents without using lipase or other enzymes. Commercial aluminosilicate zeolite was used as a catalyst. Conversions of up to 92% were obtained for pure lactose and 38% for raw lactose from whey. Surface-active properties including surface tension, interfacial tension, and contact angle were measured. All samples showed surface tensions lower than sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS (19.59–36.57 mN/m compared to 38.8 mN/m for SDS) and interfacial tensions comparable with it (9.47–12.18 mN/m compared to 4.77 mN/m for SDS). Results showed that aluminosilicate zeolites can be used for the synthesis of lactose esters, which have potential applications as biosurfactants for the food industry featuring low surface and interfacial tensions.
A contribution to the embryology ofChlorophytum attenuatum Bak.

The wall of the young anther is made up of four layers of cells. The tapetal cells are binucleate and are of the glandular type. A stomium is organised at the line of dehiscence. The microspores are arranged in an isobilateral manner. The mature pollen grain is two-celled.
Update in Hospital Medicine: Evidence Published in 2012

This Update summarizes studies published in 2012 that the authors consider highly relevant to the practice of hospital medicine. Topics include perioperative myocardial infarction, anticoagulation,...
How Should we Use Cytotoxic Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer?

ABSTRACT The recent incremental advances in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) may one day translate into more meaningful change. Today mCRPC therapeutic choices are a sequential series of affairs with several either/or decisions. Optimal sequencing is unstudied and endless speculation abound as to which drug is best best for which patient. Combination therapies are in their infancy. In the past, the world of mCRPC was conveniently divided into the pre- and post-docetaxel space. That being said, the biologic basis for this was lacking and now we have new spaces such as the post-abiraterone/MDV3100 space that might in fact be more biologically meaningful. What do we do with patients progressing post-abiraterone or MDV3100? The data are sparse to date and so we gear up with new studies and read tea leaves in the interim. What is the role for cytotoxic chemotherapies today's mCRPC therapeutic armamentarium? The new hormonal therapies are now marching forward with provovative data in the “pre-chemotherapy” space. Novel immunotherapies have seized imaginations. The new world of truly active bone-targeted radiopharmaceuticals has arrived. Several facts seem clear. 1) the newer hormonal therapies are not effective for very long in mCRPC and after they fail, the progression rate can be very rapid. Exotic new molecular mechanisms of resistance are discovered with regularity; the CRPC cells are truly devious little Darwinian machines. 2) Today, death from prostate cancer is a foregone conclusion for mCRPC patient. So does this help us answer how we use cytotoxic chemotherapy today? Perhaps it si reasonable to point out that both docetaxel and cabazitaxel are clearly active agents and that some but not all patients will tolerate them well. Currently many men die from prostate cancer without having had the opportunity to benefit from known active agents. The best responses to chemotherapy, as with any agent, occur in patients with the best performance status. The concept that therapies of lesser toxicity should be administered first is appropriate but the concept that active therapies should be on the shelf when treating an incurable disease is not. Striving for patients to receive as many active therapies as feasible seems reasonable in an era when predicting therapeutic response is more art than science. Disclosure O. Sartor: Investigator and consultant for Algeta, Bayer, JNJ, Sanofi, and Dendreon. Consultant for Medivation and Astellas.