cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-assembly of medium-chain alkyl monoglucosides in ammonium sulfate solutions with poly(ethylene glycol).

We study the phase behavior and microstructure of alkyl-β-monoglucosides with intermediate chain lengths (octyl- and nonyl-β-glucoside) in aqueous solutions containing ammonium sulfate and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). When the glucoside surfactants are mixed with PEG of molecular weight 3350 or larger, two different phase transitions are observed in the temperature range 0−100 °C, with lower and upper miscibility gaps separated by a one-phase isotropic region. Isothermal titration calorimetry is used to quantify the effect of PEG on the micellization properties of the alkyl monoglucosides, whereas small-angle neutron scattering gives insight into the microstructure of the surfactant/polymer mixtures near the liquid−liquid phase boundary. Results show that the range and the strength of the interactions in these solutions are highly affected by the presence of PEG. Solutions with nonyl-β-glucoside contain larger micelles than those with octyl-β-glucoside, and the intermicellar interactions are much stronger...
Charge density treatment of the molecule–charge interaction and its relation to the electrical component of hydrogen bonding: Accuracy and distance dependence

Abstract In a previous paper [J. Phys. Chem. A 109 (2005) 5608], we developed a charge density treatment of the electrical interaction between a molecule and point charges, which was applied to the electrical component of the hydrogen-bond interaction in donor-molecule/acceptor-charge model systems. This approach has two important advantages: it is very accurate by avoiding the deficiencies of multipole treatments, and it provides a complete electrostatic, polarization, and hyperpolarization description of interaction forces as well as energies. In this paper, we present a more general treatment of the theory and an extended demonstration of the physical accuracy of this approach, and we explore the geometric dependence of the parameters of this treatment (charge density, linearly and non-linearly induced charge density, and their derivatives) for a series of fluoromethane molecules interacting with a two-site FH. We find that, for variation in linear separation along the C–H⋯F–H line, these parameters are very well represented by a αr−β dependence, α and β being constants. For a large number of configurations, the relative rms between the predicted energies and atomic forces and the ab initio calculated values is ∼3–5%. This study opens the way to a more complete description of the three-dimensional characterization of these parameters.
Information-gathering processes: Diagnosticity, hypothesis-confirmatory strategies, and perceived hypothesis confirmation.

Abstract Recent research has investigated the information-gathering strategies that people employ as they attempt to test hypotheses. Three such strategies of information seeking were examined. Two kinds of hypothesis-confirmation strategies were considered. The first of these concerned evidence being sought to the extent that it is more likely under the hypothesis being tested than under the alternative. The second kind of hypothesis-confirmation strategy refers to the tendency to ask questions that will have the effect of making the hypothesis under test appear to be true. In addition, a third kind of strategy is a diagnosing strategy under which people prefer evidence that is most differentially probable under the hypothesis and the alternative. Important changes in methodology from past work were made, and the data supported a predominant diagnosing strategy and a less significant, but nonetheless strong and consistent, tendency to ask hypothesis-confirming questions. In addition, subjects' choice of questions made it likely that they would perceive as confirmed the specific hypotheses they were testing. This occurred even though the questions employed were not constraining. Discussion involves the strategies of information gathering and the reasons underlying them as well as the implications of these strategies for the inferences people make about their predictive abilities.
Counter-current chromatography

Abstract The simplicity of counter-current chromatography (CCC) is sometimes overshadowed by a complex description of its mechanical and chromatographic attributes. The universal features of chromatographic theory relevant to CCC are summarized here, using a partition coefficient elution scale to present th chromatogram in a general, readily visualized, format. The principal types of CCC apparatus are summarized, along with selected applications and an indication of the type of apparatus best suited for some specific applications.
Chlorpropamide-induced granulomas. A probable hypersensitivity reaction in liver and bone marrow.

Anicteric hepatitis, associated with fever and exfoliative dermatitis, developed in a diabetic patient two weeks after intake of a long-acting sulfonylurea, chlorpropamide (Diabinese). Granulomas showing heavy infiltration with eosinophils were found in the liver and bone marrow. These were interpreted as manifestations of an allergic reaction. The clinical signs, abnormal laboratory findings, and hepatic lesions subsided spontaneously on withdrawal of the drug. Bone marrow changes, however, persisted seven months after cessation of the drug. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with liver and bone marrow inflammation characterized by granulomas with eosinophilic infiltration following intake of chlorpropamide. ( JAMA 235:409-410, 1976)
On the Mechanisms of the Reduction in EHL Traction at Low Temperature

Various experiments have revealed a dramatic traction reduction in elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) contacts under subambient temperatures or with fluids of high viscosity and high pressure-viscosity coefficients. This paper conducts a systematic theoretical analysis to identify and analyze the mechanisms of this reduction. A thermal EHL model is used for the analysis that is capable of capturing many possible effects, including a thermally induced cross-film shear localization within the EHL film. The analysis is carried out for a wide range of ambient viscosity and pressure-viscosity coefficients. The results and analysis suggest that the thermal effects are responsible for the dramatic reduction of the EHL traction. Two thermal effects become particularly pronounced with high viscosity and high pressure-viscosity coefficients. One is the lubricant re-circulation induced inlet shear that generates and accumulates heat in a prolonged inlet region and significantly increases the film temperature in th...
Statistical characteristics of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for a simple prognostic model using traditional and bootstrapped approaches

Prognostic models are increasingly common in the biomedical literature. These models are frequently evaluated with respect to their ability to discriminate between those with and without an outcome. The area under the receiver-operating curve (AROC) is often used to assess discrimination. In this study, we introduce a bootstrap method, and, using Monte Carlo simulation, we compare three different bootstrap approaches with four commonly used methods in their ability to accurately estimate 95% confidence intervals (CIs) around the AROC for a simple prognostic model. We also evaluated the power of a bootstrap method and the commonly used trapezoid rule to compare different prognostic models. We show that several good methods exist for calculating 95% CIs of AROC, but the maximum likelihood estimation method should not be used with small sample sizes. We further show that for our simple prognostic model a bootstrap z-statistic approach is preferred over the trapezoidal method when comparing the AROCs of two related models.
Coal fragmentation in a fluidized bed combustor

The fragmentation behavior of a Colorado bituminous, a Montana sub-bituminous and a Texas lignite coal during combustion in a 0.3 m by 2.1 m atmospheric fluidized bed was investigated. A sampling probe was developed to remove bed samples at different times, enabling the temporal determination of the number, size distribution, density, and surface appearance of the char particles. Fragmentation depends on coal type, weakly on bed particle size and not on fluidization velocity. Microphotographs of the char particles show distinctive surface fissures with a cell size of 0.2 mm for lignite and an order of magnitude greater for bituminous and sub-bituminous coal. Most of the fissure lines do not lead to fractures, but some secondary fragmentation does occur. Particle size distributions curves are presented. The coal feed had a narrow size distribution with a surface mean diameter of 5 mm, and the overall char size distribution was broader with the surface mean diameter reduced by a factor of two due to fragmentation. Calculations were made to separate the effects of size reduction due to burning and attrition from fragmentation.
Results of surgery for ventricular septal defects

Abstract The surgical correction of ventricular septal defects can be accomplished today by teams experienced in extracorporeal perfusion technics with a minimum of risk and a maximum of effectiveness. There has been no operative mortality during the past two years in the series reported, regardless of the degree of pulmonary hypertension. With this degree of success it is believed that patients with significant shunt flows (40 per cent or more) should have the shunts closed without waiting for the development of enlarged hearts, increased pulmonary vascularity and pulmonary hypertension. Operative intervention is delayed in infants less than one year of age or less than 20 pounds in weight because of the increased risk.
Automatic co-registration of space-based sensors for precision change detection and analysis

A variety of techniques were developed at JPL to assure sub-pixel co-registration of scenes and orthorectification of satellite imagery to other georeferenced information to permit precise change detection and analysis of low (e.g. 1-4km weather satellite) and moderate (e.g. 30m Landsat) resolution space sensors. The methodology employs the additive composition of all pertinent dependent and independent parameters contributing to image-to-image tiepoint misregistration within a satellite scene. Mapping and orthorectification (correction for elevation effects) of satellite imagery defies exact projective solutions because the data are not obtained from a single point (like a camera) but as a continuous process from the orbital path. Standard image processing techniques can apply approximate solutions with sufficient accuracy, but some advances in the state-of-the-art had to be made for precision change-detection and time-series applications. The basic technique first involves correlation and warping of raw satellite data to an orthorectified Landsat data base to give an approximate mapping. Then digital elevation models are used to correct perspective shifts due to height and view-angle. The image processing approach requires from three (e.g. geosynchronous weather satellite imagery) to six (e.g. polar weather satellite imagery) sequential processing steps that warp the dataset by resampling pixel values. To avoid degradation of the data by multiple resampling, each warp is represented by an ultra-fine grid of tiepoints. For successive warps, the grids can be composed mathematically into a single grid such that only one re-sampling occurs. Ultra-fine grids can currently be up to 1000 /spl times/ 1000, or more million points.
Things Change: An Intergenerational Examination of the Correlates of Police Contact

From demographics, to technology, to attitudes, the U.S. population has changes since the 1970s. Over the past 40 years, policing has also changed to include more individuals who are female and non-White. Despite all of the changes, no study has yet been conducted to determine whether predictors of police contact, including factors such as race and gender, are consistent over time. The current study used multilevel Bernoulli models and logistic regression to examine two generations of respondents from the National Youth Survey Family Study. Results indicate some consistency in predictors of police contact between the two generations, with two notable exceptions: gender and socioeconomic status. Implications for police policy and practice are discussed.
An Overview of Agastache Research

ABSTRACT A comprehensive review of research investigations on the genus Agastache, sections Agastache and Brittonastrum, is presented. Morphologic, cytogenetic, taxonomic, agonomic/horticultural, and biochemical studies, along with protocols for extraction and analyses of a total of 16 enzyme systems, are analyzed for the 22 morphologically distinct, diploid (haploid chromosome number of n = 9) Agastache species. In addition, the extraction procedures of flavonoids and terpenoids (common constituents of many medicinal plants with biological effects demonstrated in humans or animals) from inflorescences, leaves, stems, and roots of Agastache are surveyed. Details on the safety and uses of methylchavicol (estragole), the main constituent among the 77 compounds reported in the essential oil of Agastache, in the food industry are included and the herbal, flavoring, and medicinal uses of Agastache per se are summarized.
Stereo Reconstruction from Multiple Views

We present a unified framework for 3-D shape reconstruction that allows us to combine multiple information sources—such as stereo and shape-from-shading—derived from images whose vantage points may be very different. A formal integration framework is critical because, in recovering complicated surfaces, the information from a single source is often insufficient to provide a unique answer.
Naive CD8+ T cells differentiate into protective memory-like cells after IL-2–anti–IL-2 complex treatment in vivo

An optimal CD8(+) T cell response requires signals from the T cell receptor (TCR), co-stimulatory molecules, and cytokines. In most cases, the relative contribution of these signals to CD8(+) T cell proliferation, accumulation, effector function, and differentiation to memory is unknown. Recent work (Boyman, O., M. Kovar, M.P. Rubinstein, C.D. Surh, and J. Sprent. 2006. Science. 311:1924-1927; Kamimura, D., Y. Sawa, M. Sato, E. Agung, T. Hirano, and M. Murakami. 2006. J. Immunol. 177:306-314) has shown that anti-interleukin (IL) 2 monoclonal antibodies that are neutralizing in vitro enhance the potency of IL-2 in vivo. We investigated the role of IL-2 signals in driving CD8(+) T cell proliferation in the absence of TCR stimulation by foreign antigen. IL-2 signals induced rapid activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 in all CD8(+) T cells, both naive and memory phenotype, and promoted the differentiation of naive CD8(+) T cells into effector cells. IL-2-anti-IL-2 complexes induced proliferation of naive CD8(+) T cells in an environment with limited access to self-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and when competition for self-MHC ligands was severe. After transfer into wild-type animals, IL-2-activated CD8(+) T cells attained and maintained a central memory phenotype and protected against lethal bacterial infection. IL-2-anti-IL-2 complex-driven memory-like CD8(+) T cells had incomplete cellular fitness compared with antigen-driven memory cells regarding homeostatic turnover and cytokine production. These results suggest that intense IL-2 signals, with limited contribution from the TCR, program the differentiation of protective memory-like CD8(+) cells but are insufficient to guarantee overall cellular fitness.
Integration of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on to CMOS Circuitry with Parylene-C Encapsulation

This paper presents heterogeneous integration of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with CMOS integrated circuits using die-level post processing. The chip was fabricated using the AMI 0.5 mum CMOS Technology. An electroless zincation process was performed over the Aluminum assembly electrodes (Metal 3 of CMOS technology) to clean and to coat the electrodes with a thin Zinc layer. Low temperature dielectrophoretic assembly was utilized for the placement of the SWNTs on to these electrodes. Encapsulating the CMOS chip with a thin (1 mum) parylene-C layer stabilized the SWNT-electrode contact resistance and also provided environmental protection. Electrical measurements from the assembled SWNTs yield ohmic behavior with a two-terminal resistance of ~44K Omega. The SWNTs were incorporated on to the CMOS chip as a feedback element of a two-stage Miller compensated high gain operational amplifier. The measured small signal ac gain (~1.95) from the inverting amplifier confirmed the successful integration of carbon nanotubes with the CMOS circuitry. This paper lays the foundation for the realization of next generation integrated nanosystems with active nanostructures on CMOS integrated circuits.
Grassland songbirds in a dynamic management landscape: behavioral responses and management strategies.

In recent decades, earlier and more frequent harvests of agricultural grasslands have been implicated as a major cause of population declines in grassland songbirds. From 2002 to 2005, in the Champlain Valley of Vermont and New York, USA, we studied the reproductive success of Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) and Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) on four grassland treatments: (1) early-hayed fields cut before 11 June and again in early- to mid-July; (2) middle-hayed fields cut once between 21 June and 10 July; (3) late-hayed fields cut after 1 August; and (4) rotationally grazed pastures. Both the number of fledglings per female per year and nest success (logistic-exposure method) varied among treatments and between species. Although birds initiated nests earlier on early-hayed fields compared to others, haying caused 99% of active Savannah Sparrow and 100% of active Bobolink nests to fail. Both the initial cutting date and time between cuttings influenced renesting behavior. After haying, Savannah Sparrows generally remained on early-hayed fields and immediately renested (clutch completion 15.6 6 1.28 days post-haying; all values are reported as mean 6 SE), while Bobolinks abandoned the fields for at least two weeks (mean clutch completion 33 6 0.82 days post-haying). While female Savannah Sparrows fledged more offspring per year (1.28 6 0.16) than female Bobolinks (0.05 6 0.05), reproductive success on early-hayed fields was low. The number of fledglings per female per year was greater on middle-hayed fields (Savannah Sparrows, 3.47 6 0.42; Bobolinks, 2.22 6 0.26), and late-hayed fields (Savannah Sparrows, 3.29 6 0.30; Bobolinks, 2.79 6 0.18). Reproductive success was moderate on rotationally grazed pastures, where female Savannah Sparrows and female Bobolinks produced 2.32 6 0.25 and 1.79 6 0.33 fledgling per year, respectively. We simultaneously conducted cutting surveys throughout the Champlain Valley and found that 3-8% of hayfield habitat was cut by 1-4 June, 25-40% by 12-16 June, and 32-60% by 28 June-2 July. Thus, the majority of grassland habitat was cut during the breeding season; however, late-hayed fields served as high-quality reserves for late-nesting female Bobolinks that were displaced from previously hayed fields. For fields first cut in May, a 65-day interval between cuts could provide enough time for both species to successfully fledge young.
Self-Assembling Functionalized Amino Acids into Unusual Shapes

Multi-component small molecule systems that are amphiphilic or that can hydrogen bond end-to-end or side-to-side have been shown to self-assemble into a variety of shapes including fibers, rods, sheets, plates, spheres, and tubes. Recently, we have identified a simple route to self-assemble the same shapes from one-component systems. The structures form by attaching ethyl vinyl sulfone (EVS) to amino acids in water at room temperature. Choice of amino acid, amount of EVS substitution, and solvent conditions determine the final shape. Functionalized amino acids spontaneously form structures like fibers, spheres, tubes, and donuts when dried from solution. Here we focus on fibers and tubes.
Self-healing: A new paradigm in materials design

AbstractSelf-healing materials, when damaged, are designed to sense the failure and respond in an autonomous fashion to restore structural function. Inspired by biological systems, synthetic self-h...
The Double Occupancy of Hispanics: Counting Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. Census

This article presents a critical, new historical analysis of the 2010 U.S. Census form. The authors demonstrate that the Hispanic origin and race questions, as currently formulated, imply a “double...
Novel enhanced-thickness magnetic nanoparticle thin-films for system-on-chip (SOC) wireless applications

In this paper, the propagation characteristics of an enhanced-thickness magnetic nanoparticle thin film are investigated on high resistivity silicon substrate (10,000 ohm-cm) for the first time up to 60 GHz. Contrary to other thin films, this nanoparticle thin film can achieve a thickness up to several hundred nanometers, even to micron. The enhanced thickness of this thin film is achieved by repeated coating of CoFe 2 O 4 and poly, thus providing the thin film with the high permeability capable of potential practical wireless applications. Finite Ground Coplanar (FGC) waveguides are fabricated and characterized on silicon with the novel thin film. The measured attenuation and effective dielectric/magnetic constant are reported. Results show that the FGC waveguides with the thin film feature a lower attenuation compared to those on silicon for frequencies higher than 18 GHz. The extracted relative permeability has a value of 68 by matching of the effective dielectric/magnetic constant between simulation and measurement.
The Sialyltransferase ST3Gal-I Is Not Required for Regulation of CD8-Class I MHC Binding during T Cell Development

The CD8 coreceptor plays a crucial role in thymocyte and T cell sensitivity by binding to class I MHC and recruiting downstream signaling molecules to the TCR. Previous studies reported considerable changes in TCR-independent CD8/class I MHC binding (i.e., CD8 noncognate interactions) during T cell development, changes that correlated with altered glycosylation of surface molecules. In particular, expression of the sialyltransferase ST3Gal-I has been proposed as a critical factor regulating the attenuation of CD8 avidity during the double-positive to CD8 single-positive progression. This hypothesis is strengthened by the fact that ST3Gal-I −/− animals show a profound disregulation of CD8 T cell homeostasis. In contrast to this model, however, we report in this study that ST3Gal-I deficiency had no detectable impact on CD8 noncognate binding to multimeric peptide/MHC class I ligands at any stage of thymocyte development. We also found that the susceptibility to CD8-induced cell death is not markedly influenced by ST3Gal-I deficiency. Thus, the profound effects of ST3Gal-I on CD8 T cell survival evidently do not involve a role for this enzyme in controlling CD8-class I binding.
Use of in vitro maturation of oocytes, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in vitro culture to the blastocyst stage in a commercial equine assisted reproduction program

Use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro culture (IVC) of embryos to the blastocyst stage for transcervical embryo transfer has seen increased clinical interest, but little information is available on results of these procedures in a commercial setting. We report here the results from the ICSI/IVC program at Texas AM66:955-63.] Presumptive zygotes were cultured in a modified commercial human embryo culture medium (LifeGlobal) and were evaluated for blastocyst development on Days 6 to 12. Blastocysts were transported by air to the embryo transfer center of the owner’s choice, or were vitrified for later transfer. Overall, 103 aspiration sessions were performed on 67 mares; 1604 follicles were aspirated (average 15.6 follicles/aspiration) and 877 oocytes recovered (55% recovery) for an average of 8.5 oocytes recovered per mare aspiration. Of the recovered oocytes, 39 (4%) were degenerating and one was lost; culture of the remaining oocytes yielded a 72% maturation rate (602/837), or an average of 5.8 mature oocytes per aspiration. Twelve mature oocytes
Effect of depressor septi resection in rhinoplasty on upper lip length.

ImportanceResection of the depressor septi in rhinoplasty has been used to correct the smiling deformity. Studying the effects of this maneuver on the upper lip length is important for operative pl...
Tympanostomy tube placement and vestibular function in children.

Objective. To determine the effect of bilateral myringotomy with tube placement (BMT) on balance in children 4 to 7 years old.Study Design. Case-control study.Setting. Tertiary-care academic hospital.Subjects and Methods. Children with otitis media with effusion (OME) who were scheduled for BMT underwent rotational chair testing (RCT) and computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Control children without a significant history of middle ear disease were tested at the same intervals. Analysis of covariance was performed to evaluate the effect of BMT on RCT and CDP outcomes with age as a covariate.Results. Seventy-two cases and 56 controls were enrolled. Mean (SD) age was 69 (12) months for cases and 72 (15) months for controls. No difference was seen between groups on RCT outcomes or sensory organization test (SOT) scores. Higher sway velocity during CDP was observed in the OME group both preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. This difference was...
Consumer product search and purchase behaviour using various retail channels: the role of perceived retail usefulness

The purpose of this study was to examine the influences of consumers' perceptions of retail usefulness for product information search and their previous purchase satisfaction on their frequencies of product information search and product purchase behaviours for apparel products. These relationships were investigated in five retail settings - Internet shopping, catalogue shopping, television shopping, local retail shopping, and non-local retail shopping. One hundred seventy-six students in a US Midwestern university provided usable responses. The results of causal model analyses showed that the proposed model fits the data well for all five retail channels. Consumers who perceived a certain retail channel more useful for product information search searched for product information more frequently via that retail channel, and purchased products more often via that retail channel. Consumers who were more satisfied with apparel purchases from a retail channel purchased the products more frequently via that retail channel. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.
A Novel Liposome Radiolabeling Method Using 99mTc-“SNS/S” Complexes: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

Liposomes are important carriers for controlled drug release, for gene or antisense therapy, and for immunization. Radiolabeled liposomes can be used to evaluate the in vivo behavior of different liposome formulations, as well as for diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy. A novel method for radiolabeling liposomes with (99m)Tc-"SNS/S" complexes is introduced. This labeling method can be applied to liposome radiolabeling with not only (99m)Tc but also two therapeutic radionuclides, (186)Re and (188)Re. Liposomes encapsulating glutathione (GSH) were studied for (99m)Tc labeling. N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-N',N'-diethyl-ethylenediamine (BMEDA), N,N-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1-butylamine (BMBuA), and benzene thiol (BT) were investigated to make (99m)Tc-"BMEDA", (99m)Tc-"BMEDA + BT", (99m)Tc-"BMBuA", and (99m)Tc-"BMBuA + BT", for liposome labeling. The labeling efficiencies of (99m)Tc-GSH liposomes were from 36.9 to 69.2%. After incubation in serum, (99m)Tc-GSH liposomes labeled with (99m)Tc-"BMEDA" or (99m)Tc-"BMEDA + BT" had the best labeling stability of the formulations tested. Distribution studies after intravenous injection of (99m)Tc-liposomes composed of distearoyl phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and cholesterol had a slow blood clearance and a high spleen accumulation demonstrating the in vivo labeling stability of the radiolabeled liposomes. The (99m)Tc-liposomes have great potential as a radiopharmaceutical system for evaluating various kinds of liposomes with different lipid composition, for evaluating in advance a subsequent radionuclide therapy using (186)Re or (188)Re labeled liposomes and for diagnostic imaging.
Genetic Engineering of Escherichia coli for Biofuel Production

In order to mitigate climate change without adversely affecting global energy supply, there is growing interest in the possibility of producing transportation fuels from renewable sources via microbial fermentation. Central to this challenge is the design of biocatalysts that can efficiently convert cheap lignocellulosic raw materials into liquid fuels. Owing to the wealth of genetic and metabolic knowledge associated with Escherichia coli, this bacterium is the most convenient starting point for engineering microbial catalysts for biofuel production. Here, we review the range of liquid fuels that can be produced in E. coli and discuss the underlying biochemistry that enables these metabolic products. The fundamental and technological challenges encountered in the development of efficient fermentation processes for biofuel production are highlighted. The example of biodiesel is a particularly illustrative case study and is therefore discussed in detail.
Fluorene-Based Hydroxide Ion Conducting Polymers for Chemically Stable Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Three novel fluorene-based polymers with pendant alkyltrimethylammonium groups were synthesized and characterized. The polymers were soluble in dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide at room temperature and methanol at 40 °C while remaining insoluble in water. The polymeric membranes were transparent and flexible and exhibited hydroxide ion conductivities above 100 mS/cm at 80 °C. The results of 1H NMR and titration measurements demonstrated an excellent chemical stability of the synthesized polyfluorene, even after treatment in 1 M NaOH solution at 80 °C for 30 days. The results of this study suggest a feasible approach to the synthesis and practical applications of a new class of alkaline anion exchange membranes.
Influence of Pantothenic Acid Deficiency on Resistance of Mice and Rats to Experimental Pneumococcal Infection.

SummaryA study of the resistance to the intraperitoneal injection of Type I pneumococci of 39 rats showing pantothenic acid deficiency in contrast to 36 controls fed pantothenic acid failed to reveal a significant change in the susceptibility of the experimental group. Similarly, no marked change in susceptibility was observed in 175 mice showing pantothenic acid deficiency in contrast to the survival percentage of 141 controls receiving the vitamin (normal animals). However, the difference is great enough to warrant the conclusion that acute pantothenic acid deficiency in mice may slightly increase the resistance to Type I pneumococcus. Certainly the results give no indication of decreased resistance to this organism in pantothenic acid deficiency.
Carbon Nanotube Immobilized Composite Hollow Fiber Membranes for Pervaporative Removal of Volatile Organics from Water

This paper reports the development of novel carbon nanotube immobilized composite membranes (CNIM) for pervaporative removal of organics from an aqueous matrix. The nanotubes were immobilized into the pores of a composite, where they served as sorption sites that provided additional pathways for enhanced solute transport, affecting both the partitioning and diffusion through the membrane. Depending upon the process conditions, the enhancement in organic removal and mass transfer rates were higher by 108 and 95%, respectively. The CNIM demonstrated several advantages including enhanced recovery at low concentrations, lower temperatures, and higher flow rates. Overall, these lead to more energy efficient processes.
Changes in the Payday Lending Industry: Does Regulation Depend Solely on Which Party Holds Power?

Payday lenders are not everyone's favorite firms. Many individuals consider the typical 300 to 400 percent interest rate that they charge typically on a $300 two-week loan outrageously high. Many assert that payday lenders are engaging in predatory lending because relatively low-income and less-educated individuals are getting the loans and paying the high rates. The response of the payday lending industry to these concerns is that their customers take out such loans due to financial distress and are charged high-interest rates because they are riskier than other borrowers. Given all the focus on the two political parties these days and the current controversy over the payday lending industry, it seems only appropriate to examine whether Democrats or Republicans are more favorably disposed to this industry. We do this by first determining which of the two political parties controls the Governorship and Senate and House of the Legislature in each of the states and then by examining the degree of stringency imposed on the operations of payday lenders associated with the different parties in those states.
Bronchoalveolar lavage in a girl with Gaucher's disease: A case report

A case of Gaucher's disease with pulmonary involvement occurred. Numerous Gaucher cells were seen in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid on two occasions in a girl with Gaucher's disease and respiratory symptoms. The Gaucher cells resembled macrophages with eccentric, small, oval nuclei but were distinguished by their abundant cytoplasm with the characteristic "rumpled tissue paper" appearance. The Gaucher cells were in a cellular background composed mainly of macrophages. These cells stained strongly positive with periodic acid-Schiff stain. Electron microscopy revealed numerous intracytoplasmic, elongated, membrane-bound lysosomes containing the characteristic twisted tubular structures. Severe pulmonary involvement is seen infrequently in all types of Gaucher's disease, and it is especially rare in the adult and juvenile forms (types I and III). To our knowledge, Gaucher cells have never been found before in BAL fluid. This case shows that BAL can be a useful adjunct in diagnosing and following the progression of pulmonary involvement in patients with Gaucher's disease.
Computer-Assisted Urodynamics

AbstractWe have assembled a computer hardware system and have written software programs that convert analogue urodynamic input to digital data. This has allowed for 1) extremely accurate recording of urodynamic events with a higher frequency response than existing units, 2) data storage of urodynamic events in digital form on floppy disks, 3) retrieval and plotting of urodynamic studies during and at times remote from the study performance, and 4) manipulation of the parameters in the urodynamic study for patient care and research purposes. Software is now available for the performance of cystometrograms (volume, total pressure, intravesical pressure and dP/dt), electro-myograms, flow studies and dynamic renal pelvic pressure testing. Programs are in the development phase for computer analysis of urodynamic studies.
Biofuel Supply Chain Network Design and Operations

The rapidly growing biofuel industry poses considerable challenges to its supply chain network design and operations. In this chapter, we introduce key characteristics of the biofuel supply chain that comprises of feedstock production, biomass logistics, biofuel production and distribution. We then discuss the recent literature on biofuel supply chain models. Using an illustrative biofuel supply chain model to facilitate the understanding of the core trade-offs in this context, we discuss various issues including logistics network optimization, transportation and inventory management, uncertainty management, land use competition, governmental policies, and the resulting environmental and social impacts.
Nesting leatherback sea turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea ) packed cell volumes indicate decreased foraging during reproduction

Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are hypothesized to be capital breeders, whereby they forage little to none during the nesting season. The capital breeding hypothesis can be tested in marine turtles using physiological measures of health, which are much less expensive than studies that use satellite tags or other physiological monitoring equipment to make inferences about behavior and foraging status during the nesting season. In this study, we analyzed packed cell volumes (PCVs), a simple and inexpensive, hematologic health parameter, in nesting leatherback turtles from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands (17°40′40″N, 64°54′0″W) across the nesting season (April–July 2009) in an effort to determine foraging status. We found that PCV in nesting females significantly declined using two longitudinal measures: nest number and level of reproductive effort. We also found that PCVs of remigrants were significantly higher in comparison with neophytes, suggesting that experience in reproductive activities (e.g., migration, breeding, nesting) might increase foraging success on feeding grounds. Lastly, we found that leatherbacks with a greater reproductive output had significantly higher PCVs. While the northwest Atlantic leatherback population is evaluated as least concern by the IUCN, Pacific leatherbacks are critically endangered. The assumed behaviors of turtles from this study provide insight into reproductive strategies and energy reserves in all marine turtle populations. Thus, the results presented here are applicable to (1) veterinarians, rehabilitation facilities, and conservationists and (2) other more vulnerable marine turtle populations.
Prevalence of Undiagnosed Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Primary Eye Care.

Importance Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision impairment in older adults in the United States, yet little is known about whether AMD is appropriately diagnosed in primary eye care. Objectives To examine the prevalence of eyes with AMD in patients seen in primary eye care clinics who purportedly have normal macular health per their medical record and the association of AMD with patient and physician characteristics. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study of primary eye care practices in Birmingham, Alabama, 644 persons 60 years or older with normal macular health per medical record based on their most recent dilated comprehensive eye examination by a primary eye care ophthalmologist or optometrist were enrolled from May 1, 2009, through December 31, 2011. Data analysis was performed from May 1, 2016, through December 20, 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures Presence of AMD as defined by the Clinical Age-Related Maculopathy Staging system based on color fundus photography and a masked grader. Types of AMD-associated lesions were noted. Patient health and physician characteristics were collected. Results The sample consisted of 1288 eyes from 644 participants (231 [35.9%] male and 413 [64.1%] female; mean [SD] age, 69.4 [6.1] years; 611 white [94.9%]) seen by 31 primary eye care ophthalmologists or optometrists. A total of 968 eyes (75.2%) had no AMD, in agreement with their medical record; 320 (24.8%) had AMD despite no diagnosis of AMD in the medical record. Among eyes with undiagnosed AMD, 32 (10.0%) had hyperpigmentation, 43 (13.4%) had hypopigmentation, 249 (77.8%) had small drusen, 250 (78.1%) had intermediate drusen, and 96 (30.0%) had large drusen. Undiagnosed AMD was associated with older patient age (odds ratio [OR], 1.06; 95% CI, 1.04-1.09;P Conclusions and Relevance Approximately 25.0% of eyes deemed to be normal based on dilated eye examination by primary eye care physicians had macular characteristics that indicated AMD revealed by fundus photography and trained raters. A total of 30.0% of eyes with undiagnosed AMD had AMD with large drusen that would have been treatable with nutritional supplements had it been diagnosed. Improved AMD detection strategies may be needed in primary eye care as more effective treatment strategies for early AMD become available in the coming years.
Directionally unbiased linear-optical multiports for quantum information processing

The concept of directionally unbiased optical multiport is introduced, in which photons may reflect back out the input direction. It acts as universal qubit and Bell-state processor to implement probabilistic quantum gates.
Characterization of thymus-associated lymphoid depletion in bovine calves acutely or persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus 1, bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 or HoBi-like pestivirus.

Naive pregnant cattle exposed to pestiviruses between 40-125 days of gestation can give birth to persistently infected (PI) calves. Clinical presentation and survivability, in PI cattle, is highly variable even with the same pestivirus strain whereas the clinical presentation in acute infections is more uniform with severity of symptoms being primarily a function of virulence of the infecting virus. The aim of this study was to compare thymic depletion, as measured by comparing the area of the thymic cortex to the medulla (corticomedullary ratio), in acute and persistent infections of the same pestivirus isolate. The same general trends were observed with each pestivirus isolate. Thymic depletion was observed in both acutely and persistently infected calves. The average thymic depletion observed in acutely infected calves was greater than that in age matched PI calves. PI calves, regardless of infecting virus, revealed a greater variability in amount of depletion compared to acutely infected calves. A trend was observed between survivability and depletion of the thymus, with PI calves surviving less than 5 weeks having lower corticomedullary ratios and greater depletion. This is the first study to compare PI and acutely infected calves with the same isolates as well as to evaluate PI calves based on survivability. Further, this study identified a quantifiable phenotype associated with potential survivability.
Applying the new SABV (sex as a biological variable) policy to research and clinical care.

Abstract Sex as a biological variable (SABV) is a key part of the new National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative to enhance reproducibility through rigor and transparency. The SABV policy requires researchers to factor sex into the design, analysis, and reporting of vertebrate animal and human studies. The policy was implemented as it has become increasingly clear that male/female differences extend well beyond reproductive and hormonal issues. Implementation of the policy is also meant to address inattention to sex influences in biomedical research. Sex affects: cell physiology, metabolism, and many other biological functions; symptoms and manifestations of disease; and responses to treatment. For example, sex has profound influences in neuroscience, from circuitry to physiology to pain perception. Extending beyond the robust efforts of NIH to ensure that women are included in clinical trials, the SABV policy also includes rigorous preclinical experimental designs that inform clinical research. Additionally, the NIH has engaged journal editors and publishers to facilitate reproducibility by addressing rigor and promoting transparency through scientifically appropriate sex-specific study results reporting. The Sex And Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) guidelines were developed to assist researchers and journal editors in reporting sex and gender information in publications [1].
Increasing equitable care for youth through coordinated school health

Nearly a quarter of the students in the U.S. education system have a chronic health condition, disability, or special healthcare need. Students living in poverty and those at risk for or with disabilities have higher rates of health issues and encounter more barriers to accessing appropriate health care than their peers. The reciprocal influences between health and education as critical social determinants for youth are well established and prompted the development of a comprehensive model of school-based coordinated health, the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. A brief overview of (a) education-related health issues experienced by students living in poverty and those at risk for or with disabilities, (b) access to health care, (c) the need for coordinated care, and (d) the WSCC model are provided. The WSCC model represents an unprecedented opportunity to increase equitable care for youth through coordinated school health.
Fetal distress after hydralazine therapy for severe pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Hydralazine is the most commonly used antihypertensive agent for patients with severe toxemic states. Its use, however, can produce hypotension and acute uteroplacental insufficiency, resulting in fetal distress. Our review of hospital charts of severely preeclamptic or eclamptic patients observed during a two-year period showed that 24 of 77 patients were treated with hydralazine; the remainder were not. Of those receiving hydralazine, 38% (9/24) were delivered by cesarean section because of fetal distress, as compared to 9% (5/53) of those not receiving hydralazine (P less than .01). Of patients whose hydralazine therapy was inappropriate, 82% (9/11) incurred fetal distress versus 38% (5/13) when hydralazine was appropriately administered (P less than .05). In patients receiving hydralazine, fetal distress is in part the consequence of the severity of the disease, but excess use of antihypertensive agents appears to increase this risk.
Detection of nanoparticles in edible plant tissues exposed to nano-copper using single-particle ICP-MS

The increasing use of nanopesticides has raised concerns about their effects on crop plants and the impact of human health as well as ecological effects. While increased uptake of metal ions has been observed before, to date, very few studies have demonstrated the presence of nanoparticles in edible tissues. Single-particle inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) has been suggested as a powerful tool to detect inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) in environmental samples. Here, we exposed edible plant tissues from lettuce, kale, and collard green to nano-CuO, simulating its use as a nanopesticide. We applied sp-ICP-MS to demonstrate the presence of nanoparticles, both in the water used to rinse crop leaf surfaces exposed to nano-CuO and within the leaf tissues. Lettuces retained the highest amounts of nCuO NPs on the leaf surface, followed by collard green and then kale. Surface hydrophilicity and roughness of the leaf surfaces played an important role in retaining nano-CuO. The results indicate that most of the nanoparticles are removed via washing, but that a certain fraction is taken up by the leaves and can result in human exposure, albeit at low levels.