cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical Decompression for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy in Patients with Associated Hypertension: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort and Systematic Review of the Literature.

Objective To explore the relationship between spinal cord compression and hypertension through analysis of blood pressure (BP) variations in a cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) cohort after surgical decompression, along with a review of the literature. Methods A single-institution retrospective review of patients with CSM who underwent cervical decompression between 2016 and 2017 was conducted. Baseline clinical and imaging characteristics, preoperative and postoperative BP readings, heart rate, functional status, and pain scores were collected. In addition, a PRISMA guidelines–based systematic review was performed. Results We identified 264 patients with CSM treated surgically; 149 (56.4%) of these had hypertension. The degree of spinal canal compromise and spinal cord compression, preoperative neurologic examination, and the presence of T2-signal hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging were associated with hypertension. Overall mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased significantly at 1 and 12 months after surgery. Patients without T2-signal hyperintensity on imaging showed a MAP reduction at 12 months postoperatively, whereas those with T2-signal hyperintensity showed a transient MAP reduction at 1 month postoperatively before returning to preoperative values. At 12 months after surgery, 24 of 97 patients (24.7%) with initially uncontrolled hypertension had controlled BP values with significant reduction of MAP, systolic BP, and diastolic BP. Including the present study, 5 articles were eligible for systematic review, with all reporting a BP decrease in patients with CSM after decompression. Conclusions Analysis of our retrospective cohort and a systematic review suggest that cervical surgical decompression reduces BP in some patients with CSM. However, this improvement is less apparent in patients with preoperative spinal cord T2-signal hyperintensity.
Identifying Sources of Anxiety in an Introductory Online Undergraduate Chemistry Course

Learning chemistry in an online environment may have multiple sources of anxiety for students, including chemistry anxiety, math anxiety, computer anxiety, and trait anxiety (personality attribute of proneness to experience anxiety). While previous research has explored relationships between math and chemistry anxiety in a traditional setting, no studies have explored these anxieties in the online modality. Survey data were collected using existing scales (some with minor modifications), with a response rate of 31%. The scales used in this study demonstrated strong reliability. Highest sources of anxiety for each scale were presented. The perceived ease of use scale score was used as the dependent variable. As perceived ease of use increased, chemistry anxiety decreased. Furthermore, as chemistry anxiety increased, math, computer, and trait anxiety increased. As computer anxiety increased, perceived ease of use decreased. However, math and trait anxiety did not demonstrate this association. Demographic variables did not influence relationships in this study. To confirm these relationships, future research will explore the influence of these anxieties in online chemistry on learner outcomes, including final course grade and course persistence. The results of this study offer new evidence regarding the influence of multiple sources of anxiety in learning undergraduate chemistry in an online setting. By integrating this knowledge with online course design best practices, educators can provide students with a lower-anxiety learning environment.
Location Based Games and the People Who Play Them

Location-Based Games (LBG) impose virtual space onto physical ones, drawing players into a sort of liminal space augmenting elements from both the physical and virtual. Studies have explored LBGs from various angles; however, a firm understanding of who plays LBGs and why represents a lacuna in the literature. My research seeks to address these gaps by exploring the lived experiences of current players of LBGs. This report explores state of the art, presents a brief overview of a study of player types and gratifications in LBGs, and describes research investigating the impact of COVID-19 on players of popular LBG Pokemon GO.
Narrative Cultures and the Aesthetics of Religion: edited by Dirk Johannsen, Anja Kirsch, and Jens Kreinath, Brill, Leiden and Boston, 2020, xv + 375 pp., US$192.00 (hardback) ISBN 9789004421660

The present volume is the culmination of a multi-year collaboration among scholars participating in the Aesthetics of Religion network (AESToR.net) and, more directly, of the ‘Narrative Cultures an...
The Texture of Treatment: On the Matter of Psychoanalytic Technique

Introduction1. In the Beginning...Was Technique2. The Systems Approach3. Working Principles of Technique4. Transference and the Process of Interpretation5. Transference and Countertransference6. Resistance7. Dreams: Royal Road or Scenic Route?8. From Listening to Interpretation9. The Process of Defense10. On Therapeutic Activity11. Questioning, Con and Pro12. Responding to Patient's Questions13. The Process Point of View14. The Place of Regression in Psychoanalysis15. The Challenge of Regression16. Severe Regression17. Analyzing in the Middle Phase18. Whether and How to Begin a Psychoanalysis19. The Optimal Therapeutic Relationship20. Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy21. Analyzing and Life Change22. Conclusion: Interpretation and Change
A case study analysis of the implementation process of the Small Farmers Outreach Training and Technical Assistance (2501) Program, 1994-2001: implications for agricultural extension education targeting African American farmers

The overall purpose of this study was to provide a case study analysis of the implementation process of the Small Farmers Outreach Training and Technical Assistance (2501) Program with implications for African American farmers. The 2501 Program is an agricultural educational program that was designed to reverse or slow the decline of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. In 1994, twenty-seven small farm projects were established as a result of the 2501 Program. Institutions including South Carolina State University, Fort Valley State University, Tuskegee University, Alcorn State University, Lincoln University, and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund received fiveyear grants to provide technical and outreach assistance to African American farmers. These six small farm projects were the focus of this study. The experiences of the participating six small farm projects were used to provide evidence in assisting the researcher to: realistically capture the internal dynamics of the 2501 Program at the project level, (2) examine the implementation process of the 2501 Program and identify obstacles that impeded the successful implementation of the 2501 Program, and (3) determine if the 2501 Program has achieved its overall objective. The data for this study were collected using the case study qualitative methodological approach. Interviews, participant observations, and document analysis were used to collect the data. The findings of this study revealed that the 2501 Program; in particular the six participating small farm projects, were effective in ensuring the long-term
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder Under Treatment Outcomes Research (AUTOR): a European observational study in pediatric subjects

The ADHD Under Treatment Observational Research (AUTOR) study was a European prospective, observational study that assessed factors associated with changes in ADHD severity, estimated change from baseline in quality of life (QoL), and characterized changes in ADHD symptoms over a 2-year period as a function of baseline treatment. The primary objective was to identify factors associated with worsening in ADHD severity during a 2-year follow-up period for subjects aged 6–17 years, who were receiving the same pharmacotherapy for 3–8 months before enrollment and had a Clinical Global Impression (CGI)-ADHD-Severity score of mild/lower and a CGI-ADHD-Improvement score of improved/very much improved. Multivariate logistic regression examined the association of factors with worsening in ADHD. Mixed-model repeated measures regression analyzed QoL in terms of change from baseline in CHIP-CE PRF scores. There were 704 subjects analyzed. Variables associated with worsening ADHD severity were parental occupation, poorer school outcomes, and use of psychoeducation; baseline treatment was not significant. Among the secondary objectives, initial use of atomoxetine (vs. stimulants) was associated with a significant improvement on the CHIP-CE PRF total score, with an adjusted treatment difference of −6.0 (95 % CI −7.9, −4.1) at 24 months. Additionally, the odds of stability (CGI-ADHD-S ≤ 3 over the 2-year period) were significantly lower for subjects initially responding to stimulants compared with atomoxetine (OR 0.5; 95 % CI 0.3, 0.8). ADHD symptom worsening was associated with initial use of psychoeducation, parental occupation, and poorer school outcomes. Response to initial treatment with atomoxetine was associated with improved QoL over 2 years.
Topological Dynamics on the Interval

A great deal has been written about maps of the interval, especially in recent years. In addition to many detailed mathematical papers, there have been a number of numerical studies and descriptive works (Co, Fe, GM, HoH, Ma2, MeS, Mr) and studies relating one-dimensional dynamical systems to models in the biological (GOI, HLM, La5–6, Ma1, MaO, WL) and physical (CE, GM1, La3,6, LaR, Lo1–3) sciences. The subject is appealing because it is easy to talk about — very little technical apparatus is needed to pose many problems in the field - and yet one-dimensional systems can exhibit surprizingly complex dynamic behavior.
Deviation of innate circadian period from 24 h reduces longevity in mice

Summary The variation of individual life spans, even in highly inbred cohorts of animals and under strictly controlled environmental conditions, is substantial and not well understood. This variation in part could be due to epigenetic variation, which later affects the animal’s physiology and ultimately longevity. Identification of the physiological properties that impact health and life span is crucial for longevity research and the development of anti-aging therapies. Here, we measured individual circadian and metabolic characteristics in a cohort of inbred F1 hybrid mice and correlated these parameters to their life spans. We found that mice with innate circadian periods close to 24 h (revealed during 30 days of housing in total darkness) enjoyed nearly 20% longer life spans than their littermates, which had shorter or longer innate circadian periods. These findings show that maintenance of a 24-h intrinsic circadian period is a positive predictor of longevity. Our data suggest that circadian period may be used to predict individual longevity and that processes that control innate circadian period affect aging.
Laser radiation in the treatment of prosthetic graft stenosis: A preliminary study of prosthesis damage by laser energy***★

Abstract Transluminal laser recanalization is potentially an important new treatment of anastomotic intimal hyperplasia. However, currently used grafts or sutures may be damaged by laser radiation at power and energy levels required for plaque removal. To investigate this problem, two commonly used grafts (Dacron and polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE]) and two types of vascular suture (polypropylene and PTFE) were exposed to argon laser radiation in vitro. Dacron and PTFE grafts recovered from amputations were also studied to determine whether graft "healing" affected graft resistance to laser damage. Power and energy levels required to perforate atherosclerotic superficial femoral arteries were determined for comparison. PTFE grafts were significantly (1.5 to 7 times) more resistant to perforation by laser energy than atherosclerotic arteries under all conditions. In contrast, Dacron grafts perforated at power and energy levels one half to one third of that required for vaporization of atherosclerotic plaque. PTFE sutures remained intact at power and energy levels above the levels that perforated atherosclerotic arteries, whereas polypropylene sutures were destroyed by very low levels of power and energy (0.5 joules at 0.5 watts). Because of the variable levels of power and energy that damage different types of prosthetic grafts and sutures, laser angioplasty should only be investigated clinically as a therapy for anastomotic intimal hyperplasia when PTFE grafts and sutures are present. (J VASC SURG 1987;6:221-5.)
Chapter 26 Applied general equilibrium analysis of agricultural and resource policies

Abstract This chapter reviews the literature on applied general equilibrium analysis of agricultural and resource policies. It begins with a historical overview, followed by an assessment of the benefits of this methodology for examining sectoral policies. The chapter then turns to questions of disaggregation of commodities, households, regions and factors of production. Parameter specification and model closure are discussed, as well as problems of modeling policies which affect agriculture. There are also special sections on agriculture and the environment, product differentiation and imperfect competition, and model validation. The chapter closes with a discussion of future challenges to the field.
Two-Phase Flow, Boiling and Condensation: Countercurrent Flow Limitation

General Description Countercurrent flow limitation (CCFL), or flooding, refers to an important class of gravity-induced hydrodynamic processes that impose a serious restriction on the operation of gas–liquid two-phase systems. Some examples in which CCFL is among the factors that determine what we can and cannot be done are the following: a) the emergency coolant injection into nuclear reactor cores following loss of coolant accidents, b) the “reflux” phenomenon in vertically oriented condenser channels with bottom-up vapor flow, and c) transport of gas–liquid fossil fuel mixtures in pipelines. In the first example the coolant liquid attempts to penetrate the overheated system by gravity while vapor that results from evaporation attempts to rise, leading to a countercurrent flow configuration. The rising vapor can seriously reduce the rate of liquid penetration, or even completely block it. In the third example, the occurrence of CCFL causes a significant increase in the pressure drop and therefore the needed pumping power. CCFL represents a major issue that must be considered in the design and analysis of any system where a countercurrent of a gas and a liquid takes place. To better understand the CCFL process, let us consider the simple experiment displayed in Fig. 9.1, where a large and open tank or plenum that contains a liquid is connected to a vertical pipe at its bottom. The vertical pipe itself is connected to a mixer before it drains into the atmosphere. Air can be injected into the mixer via the gas injection line.
A Simplified ``Ratchet'' Model of Molecular Motors

A limiting case of one of the ratchet models of Ajdari, Prost, et al. is analyzed. An explicit solution is obtained for the probability distribution as a function of the time for any initial distribution with all the transients included. In the long-time limit the drift velocity and diffusion coefficient are obtained in terms of the microscopic transition rates that are the parameters in the model. In spite of its extreme simplicity, with realistic values of its kinetic parameters the model yields values of the drift velocity and effective force that are of the right magnitude for a molecular motor. The model proves to be a simple special case of Derrida's periodic one-dimensional hopping model, for which he found a solution in the long-time limit.
Volume of geodesic balls in the real Stiefel manifold

Volume estimates of balls in Riemannian manifolds find many applications in information theory such as in the determination of the rate-distortion trade off for the quantization of a source randomly distributed over such surfaces. This paper computes the precise power series expansion of volume of small geodesic balls in a real Stiefel manifold of arbitrary dimension. An application of the result obtained is also demonstrated.
Lability of steroid hormone receptors following devascularization of breast tumors.

• Ischemia may invalidate hormone-receptor analyses. This study determined the effects of progressive ischemia on steroid hormone—receptor analyses. Breast cancer was induced in 50- to 60-day-old female Holtzman rats by intragastric administration of 25 mg of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]antracene. After 90 days, rats were anesthetized and breast tumors were devascularized in vivo. At 0, 30, 60, 90, and 150 minutes, a biopsy specimen from each tumor was taken and rapidly frozen. Steroid binding capacity for estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and androgen (AR) receptors was determined by incubation with tracer receptor ligand. Ischemia decreased ER and AR levels by 30 minutes, whereas PR levels were unchanged through 150 minutes of ischemia. Following mastectomy, tylectomy, or breast biopsy, PR may be the most reliable of the hormone receptors for determining endocrineresponsive breast cancer. However, for accurate determination of all hormone receptors, specimens should be frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately, then preserved at —70°C, or processed immediately. ( Arch Surg 1989;124:39-42)
GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION IN CULTURE OF TEN PHYTOPHTHORA FRAGARIAE RACES

Cultural characteristics were employed to develop a basis for characterizing each of the ten recognized races ofPhytophthora fragariaeHickman in the United States. Investigations were made into the relationships of temperature to growth and colony morphology, the effects of various media and s-sitosterol on growth and oospore production, and relative zoosporangium production capabilities of the ten races. On the basis of this information, the ten races were divided into two groups according to their colony morphologies. Further characterization was possible on the basis of differential oospore and zoosporangium production in different media, and, to a lesser extent, with contrasting increments in mycelial mass and linear extension.
A framework for market-based organizational learning: Linking values, knowledge, and behavior

The authors review the concept of organizational learning and present a broad conceptual framework for its modeling. Within this framework, one specific process for market-based organizational learning is postulated. An empirical test of this model leads the authors to conclude that a more positive learning orientation (a value-based construct) will directly result in increased market information generation and dissemination (knowledge-based constructs), which, in turn, directly affects the degree to which an organization makes changes in its marketing strategies (a behavioral construct). Managerial implications are discussed.
Rodent carcinogens: setting priorities

The human diet contains an enormous background of natural chemicals, such as plant pesticides and the products of cooking, that have not been a focus of carcinogenicity testing. A broadened perspective that includes these natural chemicals is necessary. A comparison of possible hazards for 80 daily exposures to rodent carcinogens from a variety of sources is presented, using an index (HERP) that relates human exposure to carcinogenic potency in rodents. A similar ordering would be expected with the use of standard risk assessment methodology for the same human exposure values. Results indicate that, when viewed against the large background of naturally occurring carcinogens in typical portions of common foods, the residues of synthetic pesticides or environmental pollutants rank low. A similar result is obtained in a separate comparison of 32 average daily exposures to natural pesticides and synthetic pesticide residues in the diet. Although the findings do not indicate that these natural dietary carcinogens are important in human cancer, they cast doubt on the relative importance for human cancer of low-dose exposures to synthetic chemicals.
Life span of mice fed a high fat diet at various ages.

The effect of a high fat diet on life span depends on strain and sex of the animal tested and is specifically due to the fat content, and not to the high caloric value, of the diet. In male mice of strain C57BL, feeding of a high fat diet from the ages of 1, 6, or 12 months on through life shortened the life span. If the high fat diet was given for a limited period of time, the effect on life span depended on the age at which these mice were placed on the high fat ration.
Viscous effects in the acoustic manipulation of algae for biofuel production

Microalgae are emerging as a promising source for environmentally friendly biofuels. Acoustic manipulation of algal cells using standing waves is a relatively new method for dewatering and/or sorting algae harvests. Recent work in the field has shown that acoustic dewatering methods may be more efficient and economical than traditional methods. Optimization of acoustic algal cell manipulation requires a knowledge of the acoustic radiation force upon the cells. Previous work in the field does not account for viscosity of the algal cells or surrounding fluid. We have implemented inviscid and viscous acoustic force models for standing waves incident upon algal cells in salt and freshwater. The results presented in this paper show that significant viscous effects can occur at certain frequencies and/or cell sizes and may need to be taken into account in the development of efficient experimental techniques.
On the Spectral Signature of Weakly Bilinear Oscillators

An analytical relationship is derived between the strength of a weak stiffness discontinuity and the magnitudes of superharmonic peaks in the Fourier spectrum of a bilinear oscillator. Expressions are obtained for three ranges of forcing frequencies: far from resonances, and near primary and superharmonic resonances. The difference between the two linear stiffness coefficients is used as the small parameter, e, in a modified perturbation analysis. Closed-form expressions for the extra harmonic components in the spectrum are obtained as functions of the strength of the stiffness discontinuity. These results are relevant to the problem of detecting small cracks in structures and shafts; they suggest that greater sensitivity to small cracks can be obtained by exploiting superharmonic resonance.
Electric power requirement in the United States for large-scale production of hydrogen fuel

Long-term growth in substitution of hydrogen for fossil fuels in motor vehicles will require a significant increase in the rate of adding electric power generating facilities in the United States, where the number of vehicles is estimated to reach about 250 million by 2010. Electrolysis of water may become the primary means to produce hydrogen in sufficient quantity for so large a vehicle fleet. Estimation of the increased annual electric energy requirement to sustain long-term growth of adequate hydrogen fuel production was made in two time sequences with the use of a dynamic model. In the first sequence, from 1995 to 2010, when a fuel-cell engine vehicle industry is likely to expand rapidly, extrapolation of historic data on US population, vehicle, and energy statistics from Federal agencies provides the initial conditions for the year 2010 for the second time sequence. In the second sequence, the model examines a range of growth scenarios to the year 2050, when a significant fraction of the total United States vehicle fleet could be operated with hydrogen fuel. The results of the model calculations show that even with improved energy consumption efficiency of electrolytic production facilities, the additional electric energy demand to sustain replacement growth of hydrogen fuel in the fleet will require installation of significant additional electric power generating capacity.
Why power laws?: an explanation from fine-grained code changes

Throughout the years, empirical studies have found power law distributions in various measures across many software systems. However, surprisingly little is known about how they are produced. What causes these power law distributions? We offer an explanation from the perspective of fine-grained code changes. A model based on preferential attachment and self-organized criticality is proposed to simulate software evolution. The experiment shows that the simulation is able to render power law distributions out of fine-grained code changes, suggesting preferential attachment and self-organized criticality are the underlying mechanism causing the power law distributions in software systems.
The Actively Caring for People Movement at Virginia Tech and Beyond: Cultivating Compassion and Relationships in Residence Halls

AbstractA professor and a group of student leaders initiated the Actively Caring for People (AC4P) Movement to establish a more civil, compassionate, and inclusive culture by inspiring intentional acts of kindness. This article explores the AC4P Movement in a first-year residence hall at Virginia Tech and a second-year residence hall at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with a discussion of the findings. Using research-informed practice, the AC4P Movement on college campuses aims to foster student engagement, sense of belonging, and reinforce shared community values and beliefs.
Fields, Organizations, and Agency: Toward a Multilevel Theory of Institutionalization in Action

Melding key concepts from structuration theory with the organizational field framework, this article builds on current work establishing a micro foundation for neoinstitutional organizations theory...
Stabilization of phytochrome intermediates by low temperature.

— The photocon versions between the red-absorbing form (Pr) and the far-red absorbing form (Pfr) of phytochrome were examined at low temperatures. Partially purified preparations of the chromoprotein were examined in phosphate buffer and in 25 per cent buffer plus 75 per cent glycerol. Actinic irradiation of P, below – 150°C produces an intermediate with maximum absorbance near 695 nm, R695. Actinic irradiation of R695 converts it back to P. Above – 150°C R695 decays to a low extinction form of phytochrome, R, which in turn decays to Pfr upon further warming. Light absorption by Pfr below – 150°C results in the formation of an intermediate form of phytochrome with maximum absorbance near 660 nm, FR660. FR660 decays upon warming to a lower extinction form, FR'. which in turn decays to Pr on continued warming. No evidence was obtained to suggest that any of the observed intermediate states are involved in more than one direction of phytochrome photocon version.
Clustering algorithm for solving group technology problem with multiple process routings

Cell formation is an important problem in the design of a cellular manufacturing system. Most of the cell formation methods in the literature assume that each part has a single process plan. However, there may be many alternative process plans for making a specific part, specially when the part is complex. Considering part multiple process routings in the formation of machine-part families in addition to other production data is more realistic and can produce more independent manufacturing cells with less intercellular moves between them. A new comprehensive similarity coefficient that incorporates multiple process routings in addition to operations sequence, production volumes, duplicate machines, and machines capacity is developed. Also, a clustering algorithm for machine cell formation is proposed. The algorithm uses the developed similarity coefficient to calculate the similarity between machine groups. The developed similarity coefficient showed more sensitivity to the intercellular moves and produced better machine grouping.
Delbidine, an alkaloid from a hybrid population of delphinium occidentale and delphinium barbeyi

Abstract A new C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloid delbidine has been isolated from a hybrid population of Delphinium occidentale (S. Wats.) S. Wats. and Delphinium barbeyi (Huth) Huth and its structure elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The structure was confirmed by its correlation with geyeridine.
Reduction in Surface Urokinase Receptor Forces Malignant Cells into a Protracted State of Dormancy

Considerable evidence links urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) bound to its surface receptor (uPAR) with enhanced invasiveness of cancer cells. By blocking uPAR expression in human epidermoid carcinoma cells (HEp3), we have now identified an additional and novel in vivo function for this receptor by showing that receptor-deficient cells enter a state of dormancy reminiscent of that observed in human cancer metastasis. Its main characteristic is survival without signs of progressive growth. Five clones transfected with a vector expressing uPAR antisense RNA under the β-actin promoter were isolated and shown to have uPAR (at the mRNA and protein levels) reduced by 50 to 80%; four clones, transfected with vector alone and having uPAR levels similar to those of parental cells, served as controls. In confirmation of our previous results, reduced uPAR always coincided with a significantly reduced invasiveness. Each of the control clones produced rapidly growing, highly metastatic tumors within 2 wk of inoculation on chorioallantoic membranes (CAMs) of chick embryos. In contrast, each of the clones with low surface uPAR, whose proliferation rate in culture was indistinguishable from controls, remained dormant for up to 5 mo when inoculated on CAMs. Thus, the reduction in uPAR altered the phenotype of HEp3 tumor cells from tumorigenic to dormant. Although protracted, tumor dormancy was not permanent since in spite of maintaining low uPAR levels, each of the in vivo–passaged antisense clones eventually reemerged from dormancy to initiate progressive growth and to form metastases at a level of 20 to 90% of that of fully malignant control. This observation suggested that other factors, whose expression is dependent on cumulative and prolonged in vivo effects, can compensate for the lack of a full complement of surface uPAR required for the expression of malignant properties. These “reemerged,” uPAR-deficient clones were easily distinguishable from the vector-transfected controls by the fact that after only 1 wk in culture, the invasion of CAM by all five clones and tumorigenicity of four of the five clones were reduced back to the values observed before in vivo maintenance. In contrast, dissociated and in vitro–grown cells of control tumors were fully invasive and produced large, metastatic tumors when reinoculated on CAMs. Quantitation of the percent of apoptotic and S-phase cells in vivo, in the control and uPAR-deficient, dormant clones, showed that the mechanism responsible for the dormancy was a diminished proliferation.
Reusable adsorbents for dilute solution separation. 6. Batch and continuous reactors for the adsorption and degradation of 1,2-dichlorobenzene from dilute wastewater streams using titania as a photocatalyst

Two types of external lamp reactors were investigated for the titania catalyzed photodegradation of 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) from a dilute water stream. The first one was a batch mixed slurry reactor and the second one was a semi-batch reactor with continuous feed recycle with titania immobilized on inert supports (quartz and low density polyethylene, LDPE). The batch reactor was used to study the intermediates and reaction kinetics of DCB degradation. Four intermediate products were observed in the degradation of DCB; these being 2-chlorophenol (CP), 2,3-dichlorophenol (DCP), 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol) and, o-benzoquinone. A mechanism based on these observations is proposed. Increasing the pH of the solution increased the intial rate of photodegradation of DCB. Added oxidant (hydrogen peroxide) did not have any appreciable effect on the degradation of DCB. The Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic parameters for DCB, DCP and CP were obtained. The steady state removals and apparent rate constants were obtained for the plug-flow reactor with different supports and compared under similar conditions. The titania supported on LDPE showed a better rate of photocatalysis than titania supported on quartz, although the titania film thickness on LDPE was five times lower than on quartz. The modification of titania surface by adsorption of a non-photodegradable polyfluorinated surfactant vastly improved the rate of DCB degradation on both LDPE and quartz. The rate of photodegradation in the immobilized tubular reactor was mass transfer controlled for the flow regimes investigated, viz., Reynolds numbers, Re<550. The steady state removal was directly proportional to the radiant flux within the range 4–16 mW cm−2.
Redistribution of electric charge accompanying photo-synthetic electron transport in Chromatium

Abstract The isoionic pH of Chromatium chromatophores is 5.2±0.1. At pH 7.7, the net charge on the chromatophore is approx. −1·10 4 . If a change in this charge accompanies the oxidation of an electron carrier, the midpoint redox potential ( E m ) of that carrier should be a function of the solution ionic strength ( I ). of that carrier should be a function of the solution ionic strength ( I ). The E m values of P870 and cytochrome c -555 increase strongly with increasing I at low values of I . The E m of cytochrome c -552 also increases with increasing I , though not so strongly. These effects probably cannot be attributed to an influence of I on the activity coefficient of a dissociable ion. We conclude that, when either P870 or cytochrome c -555 loses an electron, no specific ions (including protons) are bound or released in significant amounts, and the absolute value of the charge on the chromatophore decreases. The E m values of the primary and secondary electron acceptors, X and Y , do not depend on I . Because these E m values have been shown previously to depend on pH, we conclude that the uptake of a proton keeps the charge on the chromatophore constant when either X or Y accepts an electron. This means that the primary and secondary electron transfer reactions in Chromatium result in a net decrease in the charge on the photosynthetic membrane. They do not result in the translocation of protons across the membrane. The E m of the soluble flavocytochrome c -552 from Chromatium depends only weakly on I , but depends strongly on the pH. The uptake of a proton appears to keep the net charge on this cytochrome constant upon reduction.
Nonreligious Group Factors Versus Religious Belief in the Prediction of Prosociality

Previous research has suggested that religious belief is associated with a range of prosocial behaviors such as social embeddedness and generosity. However, this literature has often conflated belief in God with group involvement and failed to control for demographic and social network effects. Rather than assessing prosociality by comparing religious group members with the unaffiliated, the present study also includes secular/nonreligious group members. Multiple regression analyses controlling for confounds diminishes many of the apparent differences between religious and nonreligious individuals. Belief in God itself accounts for approximately 1–2 % of the variance in social embeddedness domains and <1 % of the variance in the domains of outside-group charity and community volunteering. Belief in God is associated with homophily and parochial behavior such as within-group charitable donations and constrained contact with different others. These findings indicate that prosocial benefits are more related to general group membership equally available to religious and secular group members alike than they are to specifically religious content. Religious beliefs are related to within-group prosociality as well as homophily and parochialism directed to those outside the group.
A carboxyl-terminal serine of the bovine papillomavirus E1 protein is phosphorylated in vivo and in vitro

The E1 protein of bovine papillomavirus (BPV) plays several key roles in viral DNA replication. E1 binds the viral origin, unwinds template DNA at the replication fork and recruits cellular replication machinery to the viral DNA. E1 is phosphorylated at multiple sites, and phosphorylation of E1 regulates E1 function and viral DNA replication. A consensus motif for the cellular kinase CK2 was identified at serine 584 near the carboxyl terminus of BPV E1, and found to be highly conserved among papillomavirus E1 proteins. Serine 584 was identified as a substrate of CK1 and CK2 in vitro by mutational and biochemical analysis, and was phosphorylated by a cellular kinase in cultured cells.
[RuII(hedta)]− complexes of 2,2′-dipyridylamine (dpaH) and a bifunctional tethered analog, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)adipamide (tpada)

Abstract [RuII(hedta)L]− complexes (hedta3−=N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine-N,N,N′-triacetate); L=dpaH (2,2′-dipyridylamine) and tpada (N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)adipamide)) have been studied by 1H NMR and electrochemical methods in aqueous solution. The bidentate rings of dpaH and tpada are differentiated as shown by NMR upon coordination to RuII due to differences in the local environment. The dpa–R headgroup of each ligand binds ‘in-plane’ with the en backbone of hedta3− and with one pyridyl ring being nearer the amine of hedta3− having the pendant glycinato group (matching the known arrangement with bpy (2,2′-bipyridine)). RuII/III E1/2 values follow the order dpaH (0.32 V)
High Molecular Orientation in Mono- and Trilayer Polydiacetylene Films Imaged by Atomic Force Microscopy.

Atomically flat monolayer and trilayer films of polydiacetylenes have been prepared on mica and silicon using a horizontal deposition technique from a pure water subphase. Langmuir films of 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (I) and N-(2-ethanol)-10,12-pentacosadiynamide (II) were compressed to 20 mN/m and subsequently polymerized by UV irradiation at the air-water interface. Blue and red forms of the films were prepared by varying exposure times and incident power. Polymerization to the blue-phase films produced slight contractions in the film of 2 and 5% for the films of II and I, respectively. Longer UV exposures yielded red-phase films with dramatic film contraction of 15 and 32% for II and I, respectively. The horizontal deposition technique provided transfer ratios of unity with minimal film stress or structure modification. Atomic force microscopy images revealed nearly complete coverage of the substrate with atomically flat films. Crystalline domains of up to 100 microns of highly oriented polydiacetylene molecules were observed. The results reported herein provided insight into the roles of molecular packing and chain orientations in converting the monomeric film to the polymerized blue- and red-phases.
Protective effects of zinc in indomethacin‐induced gastric mucosal injury: evidence for a dual mechanism involving lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide

Background: Indomethacin causes gastric mucosal injury, although the pathogenesis is not fully understood. Zinc, is known to have gastroprotective effects in both humans and experimental animals. Aim: To determine (i) the protective effects of zinc in indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats, and (ii) whether these cytoprotective effects are mediated by changes in gastric lipid peroxidation and/or nitric oxide synthase activity. Methods: Gastric lesions were induced in rats by the intragastric administration of indomethacin. Morphological changes, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels) and nitric oxide synthase activity were determined in animals pre-treated with zinc sulphate and in controls. Results: Indomethacin significantly increased malondialdehyde levels and decreased NOS activity. These effects were attenuated by pre-treatment with zinc (P < 0.005 and 0.0001, respectively). The protective effects of zinc were readily abolished in animals pre-treated with N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Morphologically, indomethacin induced large areas of mucosal ulcerations, which were completely prevented by zinc pre-treatment. Conclusions: Zinc provides protection against indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury. These protective effects result from the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the preservation of mucosal nitric oxide synthase.
Scaffold Proteins IRSp53 and Spinophilin Regulate Localized Rac Activation by T-lymphocyte Invasion and Metastasis Protein 1 (TIAM1)

The Rac exchange factor Tiam1 is involved in diverse cell functions and signaling pathways through multiple protein interactions, raising the question of how signaling and functional specificity are achieved. We have shown that Tiam1 interactions with different scaffold proteins activate different Rac-dependent pathways by recruiting specific Rac effector proteins, and reasoned that there must be regulatory mechanisms governing each interaction. Fibroblasts express at least two Tiam1-interacting proteins, insulin receptor substrate protein 53 kDa (IRSp53) and spinophilin. We used fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) to measure localized Rac activation associated with IRSp53 and spinophilin complexes in individual fibroblasts to test this hypothesis. Pervanadate or platelet-derived growth factor induced localized Rac activation dependent on Tiam1 and IRSp53. Forskolin or epinephrine induced localized Rac activation dependent on Tiam1 and spinophilin. In spinophilin-deficient cells, Tiam1 co-localized with IRSp53 in response to pervanadate or platelet-derived growth factor. In IRSp53-deficient cells, Tiam1 co-localized with spinophilin in response to forskolin or epinephrine. Total cellular levels of activated Rac were affected only in cells with exogenous Tiam1, and were primarily increased in the membrane fraction. Downstream effects of Rac activation were also stimulus and scaffold-specific. Cell ruffling, spreading, and cell adhesion were dependent on IRSp53, but not spinophilin. Epinephrine decreased IRSp53-dependent adhesion and increased cell migration in a Rac and spinophilin-dependent fashion. These results support the idea that Tiam1 interactions with different scaffold proteins couple distinct upstream signals to localized Rac activation and specific downstream pathways, and suggest that manipulating Tiam1-scaffold interactions can modulate Rac-dependent cellular behaviors.
Kinases and Circadian Clocks: PER Goes It Alone

In the January 30, 2004, issue of Molecular Cell, Nawathean and Rosbash describe how kinases cooperate to create a small but active pool of PER that can localize to the nucleus and act on its own in a transcriptional feedback loop underlying the Drosophila circadian clock.
Current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for effort vein thrombosis

Effort vein thrombosis, or Paget-Schroetter syndrome, can disable otherwise healthy, active young adults. The cause is multifactorial but almost always involves extrinsic compression of the subclavian vein at the thoracic inlet, causing a venous stenosis from repetitive trauma. Treatment of acute thrombosis should include catheter-directed thrombolysis, which reestablishes patency and reduces long-term sequelae in a large majority of patients. Management of patients after thrombolysis remains controversial. Anticoagulation and diagnostic venography performed with the patient in evocative positions are widely accepted. Development of collateral vessels may obviate further treatment, but surgical decompression of the thoracic inlet is beneficial for those with residual or recurrent symptoms. Advances in cross-sectional imaging may eventually provide prognostic clues concerning patient management.
New insights into the development of ordered structure in poly(ethylene terephthalate). II: Results from transmission infrared spectroscopy of thin films

To complement our earlier work involving external reflection infrared spectroscopy of PET, a set of thin PET films with different crystalline structures (amorphous, strain-induced crystallinity, thermally induced crystallinity) was prepared and analyzed in detail in the transmission mode. In analogy with the reflection work, factor analysis was used to generate three basis spectra corresponding to three distinct structures: G = an arrangement involving gauche glycol conformers and disordered terephthalate groups; TX = an arrangement involving trans glycol conformers and disordered terephthalate groups (probably a mixture of cis and trans conformers); and TC = the all-trans arrangement found in the true crystalline phase. The TX structure is believed to play an important role in the widely reported intermediate phase of PET, which is particularly significant in cold-drawn samples. The transmission spectra confirm the validity of the reflection spectra and also provide more detailed information. In addition, analysis of two biaxially oriented industrial films has provided further information on the geometry of certain vibrational modes. Overall, the results lead to a better understanding of the complex crystalline structure of PET and its relationship to the infrared spectrum.
Organocatalytic Asymmetric Assembly Reactions: One-Pot Synthesis of Functionalized β-Amino Alcohols from Aldehydes, Ketones, and Azodicarboxylates

l-Proline catalyzed the enzyme-like direct asymmetric assembly of aldehydes, ketones, and azodicarboxylic acid esters to provide optically active β-amino alcohols. This assembly reaction uses both aldehydes and ketones as donors in one pot. The aldol-derived stereocenter is formed with a reduced facial selectivity in reactions involving (R)-amino aldehydes. The reactions can be performed on a multigram scale under operationally simple and safe conditions without the requirement of an inert atmosphere or dry solvents.
Using the Internet to Meet Sexual Partners: Research and Practice Implications

ABSTRACT Recent research studies suggest increasingly widespread use of Internet sexual networking sites to initiate sexual relationships among men who have sex with men. Concerns are growing in regard to use of such sites in promoting participation in higher-risk sexual activities by providing easier access to partners who are willing to participate. One such activity surrounds substance abuse including using crystal methamphetamine and is commonly termed “party and play” (PNP) during sexual encounters, particularly unprotected anal sex. Current studies indicate conflicting results on PNP and the meeting of sexual partners from the Internet. A critical examination of these studies is presented along with recommendations designed to support future scholarly inquiry.
The Weak Square Property

We formulate and prove a combinatorial property assuming AD + V = L(ℝ). As a consequence, we show that every regular κ which is either a Suslin cardinal or the successor of a Suslin cardinal is -supercompact. In particular, all the projective ordinals are -supercompact.
Visuoperceptual function in visual agnosia

Two patients with visual agnosia underwent visual recognition and neuropsychological tests to characterize their perceptual functioning. Both had an initial "apperceptive profile" and evolved from cortical blindness. One had carbon monoxide intoxication and incidental agenesis of the splenium of the corpus callosum; the other had the clinical features of MELAS (mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like syndrome). The agnosia profile showed impaired object recognition but adequate visual matching and copying of unrecognized items. The patients were successful on form discrimination, mental rotation, and visuospatial skills, but did poorly on figure-ground discrimination, visual integration, facial discrimination, and constructional tasks. Their performances were characterized by slow, serial analysis of visual features and a decreased useful field of view. The pattern of results suggests a form of visual agnosia caused by disturbances of parallel distributed processing.