cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure–function analysis and genetic interactions of the Yhc1, SmD3, SmB, and Snp1 subunits of yeast U1 snRNP and genetic interactions of SmD3 with U2 snRNP subunit Lea1

Yhc1 and U1-C are essential subunits of the yeast and human U1 snRNP, respectively, that stabilize the duplex formed by U1 snRNA at the pre-mRNA 5' splice site (5'SS). Mutational analysis of Yhc1, guided by the human U1 snRNP crystal structure, highlighted the importance of Val20 and Ser19 at the RNA interface. Though benign on its own, V20A was lethal in the absence of branchpoint-binding complex subunit Mud2 and caused a severe growth defect in the absence of U1 subunit Nam8. S19A caused a severe defect with mud2▵. Essential DEAD-box ATPase Prp28 was bypassed by mutations of Yhc1 Val20 and Ser19, consistent with destabilization of U1•5'SS interaction. We extended the genetic analysis to SmD3, which interacts with U1-C/Yhc1 in U1 snRNP, and to SmB, its neighbor in the Sm ring. Whereas mutations of the interface of SmD3, SmB, and U1-C/Yhc1 with U1-70K/Snp1, or deletion of the interacting Snp1 N-terminal peptide, had no growth effect, they elicited synthetic defects in the absence of U1 subunit Mud1. Mutagenesis of the RNA-binding triad of SmD3 (Ser-Asn-Arg) and SmB (His-Asn-Arg) provided insights to built-in redundancies of the Sm ring, whereby no individual side-chain was essential, but simultaneous mutations of Asn or Arg residues in SmD3 and SmB were lethal. Asn-to-Ala mutations SmB and SmD3 caused synthetic defects in the absence of Mud1 or Mud2. All three RNA site mutations of SmD3 were lethal in cells lacking the U2 snRNP subunit Lea1. Benign C-terminal truncations of SmD3 were dead in the absence of Mud2 or Lea1 and barely viable in the absence of Nam8 or Mud1. In contrast, SMD3-E35A uniquely suppressed the temperature-sensitivity of lea1▵.
A modified system for thiazolinone conversion to thiohydantoin derivatives and their separation by high-pressure liquid chromatography

An improved and very simple procedure for thiazolinone conversion to thiohydantoin derivatives and their separation by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography is described. Trifluoroacetic acid (10%) in ethyl acetate has been employed as a conversion reagent to circumvent the deamidation of acid amides and methylation of acidic amino acids, with a concomitant increase in the detection limits of these residues. Additionally, a very simple procedure has been developed for the separation of phenylthiohydantoin (PTH) derivatives of amino acids. The system takes advantage of the computer-controlled precise mixing of the solvents A and B to achieve accurate pH and thus avoid the necessity of pH adjustment of a buffer. The procedure is simple and highly reproducible, and separates all the 20 known PTH amino acids. The efficiency of the method has been examined on synthetic and natural proteins/peptides, in manual and autoconversion systems, over a period of more than 18 months.
Diffusion in zeolites containing mixed cations

Experimental results are reported for equilibrium adsorption and diffusivities of CH4, C2H6 and CO2 in type A zeolite containing mixed Na and K cations ranging from 0 to 100% in composition, at two temperatures and 1 atm. Two simple theoretical solutions are given for the diffusivity. One is for diffusion with pore (aperture) blocking using the effective medium approximation, which is readily available from the literature on percolation theory. The other is a kinetic solution derived in this work for cavities containing heterogeneous sites, which is a case where the percolation theory is not applicable. The equilibrium adsorption results show that K+ has a preference for the aperture (or pore-blocking) sites (site type II), and these results are interpreted by the bond percolation theory. The diffusivity results are successfully interpreted by the poreblocking theory in zeolites containing less than 25% K+ and by the kinetic theory for zeolites with higher K+ contents.
Diabetes: A potential enhancer of retinal injury in rat retinas

Abstract This study was performed to determine whether early diabetes accelerates retinal neuronal cell death and inhibits neurite regeneration. Five of ten rats were rendered diabetic with streptozotocin injection. After 3 weeks of diabetes, retinas were isolated and retinal explants were cultured in serum-free media. On day 6, the number of neurites was counted in retinal explants obtained from control and diabetic rat retinas. To identify neuronal cells undergoing apoptosis, retinas were fixed, cryosections prepared, and TdT-dUTP terminal nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was performed. Furthermore, the expression of Bax was determined in the retinas by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The number of TUNEL-positive cells in the ganglion cell layer of diabetic retinas was significantly increased (144.8 ± 33.6% of control, p p p p
Endorectal Ultrasound in the Follow-Up of Rectal Cancer Patients Treated by Local Excision or Radical Surgery

This study was designed to investigate the role of a scheduled follow-up protocol using endorectal ultrasonography for the diagnosis of local recurrence after local excision and radical surgery for rectal cancer. A selected group of 275 patients with invasive rectal cancer followed prospectively by endorectal ultrasonography after curative-intent local excision (n = 108) or radical surgery (n = 167) was reviewed. For the radical-surgery group, results were compared with a group of 176 rectal cancer patients who had similar operations during the same period of time and were not entered in follow-up protocol. Excluded were patients with invasive cancers removed by snare excision, male patients treated by abdominoperineal resection, and patients treated by endocavitary radiation. Student’s unpaired t-test was used to compare tumor and patient characteristics. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. In the local-excision group, 32 patients developed local recurrence, 26 (81 percent) were asymptomatic, and 10 of them (31 percent) were diagnosed only by endorectal ultrasound. We found no difference in the rates of salvage surgery or survival between patients diagnosed of recurrence by ultrasound or other methods. In the radical-surgery group, 12 patients developed local recurrence, 5 (42 percent) were asymptomatic, and 4 of them (33 percent) were diagnosed only by endorectal ultrasound. More patients with isolated local recurrence in the follow-up group underwent salvage surgery (4/9 patients; 44 percent) compared with patients without follow-up (3/13 patients; 23 percent), but the differences were not significant. Endorectal ultrasound identifies one-third of asymptomatic local recurrences that were missed by digital examination or proctoscopic examination. However, the impact of the earlier diagnosis in patient survival can only be determined by a larger, prospective, randomized trial.
Near band edge optical absorption and photoluminescence dynamics in bulk InAsN dilute-nitride materials

Abstract Dilute-nitride InAs bulk materials with up to 2.25% of nitrogen were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on InAs substrates. Photoluminescence (PL) and optical absorption measurements demonstrate a bandgap reduction by up to 150 meV with increasing nitrogen incorporation. Close correspondence of the energies of the photoluminescence peak and absorption edges indicate limited Moss–Burstein shift. Minority carrier lifetimes in the nanosecond range are measured using an ultra-fast PL up-conversion technique for the samples with up to 2% of nitrogen. Orders of magnitude advance of the carrier relaxation lifetimes as compared to GaSbN encourage development of the InAsN as a potential material for mid-IR detector applications.
Transthoracic intracardiac catheters in pediatric patients recovering from congenital heart defect surgery: associated complications and outcomes.

ObjectivesTo characterize transthoracic intracardiac catheter uses and associated morbidities in pediatric patients recovering from congenital heart defect surgery and to identify potential risk factors associated with their use.DesignProspective data collection and review.SettingAn 18-bed pediatric
Estimated workplace protection factors for positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.

An analytical model is presented that estimates the distribution of workplace protection factor (WPF) values for positive-pressure respirators. Input for the model is (1) the instantaneous facepiece pressure measured as a function of time and (2) the distribution of WPF values for a negative-pressure version of the respirator. As an example application, the model was applied to 57 measurements of facepiece pressure made in a previous National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health study called “Firesmoke.” That study involved professional firefighters wearing positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). During Firesmoke, there were four donnings in which facepiece pressure momentarily went negative one or more times during use. The purpose of the effort described here was to assess the significance of these momentary, negative excursions in facepiece pressure. To that end, an analytical model was developed that estimates the ratio of the mass of contaminant that enters the facepiece ...
State of the Art Survey of Reference Sources in American History

Today's historian of American history and culture is part of a highly diversified profession. While politics, economics, and social and intellectual history remain basic categories for historical inquiry, new subareas have appeared over the past decade or so. Contemporary historians have found it necessary to adapt the methodologies of psychologists, sociologists, and demographers to their own purposes. As a result of this gradual process, psychohistory (including the history of childhood and the family), urban history, popular culture studies, and studies of the impact of science and scientists on American society have evolved into separate areas of historical scholarship. These new study areas have made certain types of historical records more important than ever before — fiscal documents, censuses, electoral data, parish records (births, deaths, marriages), slave owners' records, etc. It is expected that such documents will light up formerly dark historical corners. The concurrent development of comput...
Solar cycle signal in Earth rotation: nonstationary behavior.

Following the discovery of the 11-year solar cycle signal in earth rotation, linear techniques were employed to investigate the amplitude and phase of the difference between ephemeris time and universal time ( ΔT ) as a function of time. The amplitude is nonstationary. This difference was related to Δ (LOD), the difference between the length of day and its nominal value. The 11-year term in Δ (LOD) was 0.8 millisecond at the close of the 18th century and decreased below noise level from 1840 to 1860. From 1875 to 1925 , Δ (LOD) was about 0.16 millisecond, and it decreased to about 0.08 millisecond by the 1950's. Except for anomalous behavior from 1797 to 1838 , ΔT lags sunspot numbers by 3.0 ± 0.4 years. Since ΔT lags Δ (LOD) by 2.7 years, the result is that Δ (LOD) is approximately in phase with sunspot numbers .
Analysis of the Solid Phase Copolymerization Grafting Process

Solid phase grafting, which is an emerging process for the production of graft copolymers, was analyzed and reviewed as an environmentally friendly and inexpensive graft copolymerization process. The effect of the process variables; amount of initiator, catalyst, interfacial agent, monomer, reaction temperature and reaction time were examined. Two graft copolymers, produced by solid phase grafting, were used to show differences in graft percentage by changing the process conditions. The two graft copolymers used were maleic anhydride graft onto polypropylene and acrylic acid graft onto polystyrene. A proposed mechanism was given for each example and characteristic bonds proposed in the PP-g-MA mechanism was positively identified by NMR spectroscopy. Graft levels of 4 wt% PS-g-AAc and 9.6 wt% PP-g-MA were obtained providing comparable or superior graft levels to other grafting processes. Successful scale-up of the solid phase technique proved that this process is efficient and marketable.
Kaon correlation systematics in E859

Abstract Bose-Einstein correlations between K+'s and between π+'s produced in central collisions of 14.6 A · GeV/c 28 Si ions and 197Au nuclei have been measured using the E859 spectrometer. Correlations in πK+ and pK+ pairs extracted from the same data set were also studied.
Does ethanol explain the acidosis commonly seen in ethanol-intoxicated patients?

Objective. Emergency physicians frequently treat ethanol-intoxicated trauma patients. In patients with apparently minor injuries, the presence of metabolic acidosis is often attributed to serum ethanol. We tested whether there is justification for the bias that ethanol reliably explains the acidosis commonly seen in alcohol-intoxicated patients. Methods. Prospective, observational. Inclusion criteria: Ethanol-intoxicated patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) following significant trauma mechanisms, in whom diagnostic evaluation revealed only minor injury. Exclusion criteria: Major trauma (blood transfusions, drop in Hct > 10 points over 24 h, or Injury Severity Score [ISS] > 5) or positive urine toxicology screen. Definitions: Ethanol Intoxication: (Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) ≥ 80 mg/dl), Acidosis: BD ≤ − 3.0 mMol/L; Lactic Acidosis (LAC > 2.2 mMol/L). Data were reported as mean ± SD. Data were compared by t-tests or Fishers exact test as appropriate (α = 0.05, 2 tails) and correlations by Pea...
The training of biostatistical scientists

This concluding session has the ambitious title of Biostatistical Training in the 21st Century. The Biomedical Sciences are changing so rapidly that it would be foolhardy for us to project training needs very much in the future. I am certain that if the biometricians and statisticians contemplating training needs at the turn of the 20th century were alive today they would be stunned as they would not even recognize the proper nouns and verbs that we use every day in our profession. Looking ahead another hundred years from now, the Biostatistical Scientists would look back at our time and comment on the 'quaint' way we planned and analysed studies. They might very well wonder why it was necessary to carry out clinical trials, enlisting hundreds if not thousands of patients, taking many years to complete, when in fact they need only look at a therapeutic drug's chemical composition and predict benet, conditional on knowing an individual's genetic prole. But of course that is a hundred years from now and we must grapple with today's problems. My remarks are targeted at training biostatistical scientists. Not at training biostatisticians. My denition of a biostatistical scientist is an individual trained in statistics, probability, com- puter science and applied mathematics that uses these disciplines to advance our understanding and enlarge our knowledge of important problems in the health and biomedical sciences. Our profession continues to be in a golden period. Mainly because the number of biosta- tistical scientists continues to grow and we are major contributors to the advancement of the health sciences. The major issue in the education of biostatistical scientists is how can we keep the training relevant and make the education meet not only today's needs—but tomorrow's as well. My remarks will be mainly directed at doctoral training—although we would all acknowl- edge that individuals without formal doctoral training could make important contributions. One role model was Jerry Corneld who did not have a doctorate. Sam Greenhouse had made many important contributions to the biomedical sciences long before he received a doctorate. I believe a biostatistical scientist should be broadly trained in statistics, probability, com- puting and applied mathematics. It is possible to be a successful investigator in theoretical statistics by focusing on a very narrow topic. Even a person who is not particularly gifted can make contributions by virtue of long-term contact with the same class of problems. However, a biostatistical scientist must be familiar with a broad range of methodology must have a sound knowledge of theory and must be a capable data analyst. The biostatistical scientist
The Birefringence and Molecular Fine- Structure of Axonemes

To shed light on the molecular arrangements and structural changes occurring inside microtubule based structures, we observed single axonemes using a liquid crystal polarized light microscope (LC-PolScope, Oldenbourg et al., Biophys J., 74, 645-54, 1998) to measure their birefringence, a sensitive indicator of structural parameters characterizing “crystal-like” biopolymers directly in living cells. The birefringence of rod-like particles such as axonemes is caused by their shape and by the arrangement of molecular bonds inside their structure. The latter is called intrinsic birefringence and can be used to monitor the molecular conformation during dynamic processes such as axoneme beating under physiological conditions. Similar to microtubules, we found that axonemes have an intrinsic birefringence that is about 10% of their total birefringence and that can be used to detect structural changes inside axonemes by measuring their retardance (=birefringence times thickness of sample) with polarized light microscopy. We analyzed individual axoneme retardance and found that the maximum retardance of a single demembranated axoneme was 1.7nm. After extracting the outer dynein arms the retardance decreased to ∼1.3nm. Thus, dynein molecular motors contribute to the birefringence of axonemes. We also analyzed the retardance of static axonemes that were bent as a result of axonemal beating frozen due to ATP depletion. The axoneme retardance varied in a systematic manner that seemed to be related to the curvature of the bends. Our combined results lead us to propose that the structure of microtubules and dynein contribute to axoneme birefringence, in addition to its form birefringence. The intrinsic birefringence of bent axonemes is likely caused by structural changes inside axonemes and is affected by the mutual interactions between microtubules and dynein molecular motors.
The Cramér‐Rao lower bound on variance: Adam and Eve's “uncertainty principle”

Purpose – The editorial aims to describe the importance of the Cramer‐Rao lower bound (CRLB) in matters of risk, and consider why this inequality generally receives less attention than it deserves.Design/methodology/approach – The CRLB is discussed in the context of other celebrated equations, one of which (Heisenberg's uncertainty principle) is actually implied by the CRLB. A hypothetical world with no randomness on the macroscopic level is then imagined, and the role of the CRLB in that world is considered.Findings – It is found that in a world with no macroscopic uncertainty, the CRLB would play a central role in describing the “counterintuitive” concept of randomness.Originality/value – The editorial identifies and explores an important epistemological result that is under‐appreciated.
Civic service worldwide: Defining a field, building a knowledge base

Civic service appears to be a global phenomenon. The growth of service may warrant a distinct field of study in which a comparative knowledge base could inform development and implementation of policies and programs. In this article, the authors summarize results of a global assessment of civic service. Searching by country and using information from organizational memberships, publications, and the Internet, 210 civic service programs were identified in 57 countries. This study has many limitations, raising more questions than it answers. Nonetheless, it is the first worldwide empirical glimpse of service, shedding light on several key questions: What are the current status and forms of civic service? What are its structures, goals, and effects? This introductory article of the special issue frames these questions for consideration by the authors, who identify historical and cultural determinants, forms, and mediators of civic service in different regions of the world.
Thermoelectrical numerical model of electrosurgical rf cutting

We developed a 3D thermo-electrical model of RF tissue cutting that takes into account variations in electrical and thermal properties with temperature and water content, dynamics of water evaporation and thermal and electrical processes at the tissue-scalpel interface. The model predicts measurable parameters of the electric circuit (tissue impedance, ESU output RMS voltage and current) and tissue cutting rate. Results of numerical simulations suggest that high circuit impedance during electrosurgical cutting can result not only from tissue dehydration but from the configuration of the electric field as well. It appears that the area of tissue-scalpel electric contact is significantly smaller than the area of the scalpel itself but is large enough to rule out electric sparks as a major mechanism of electrosurgical cutting.
The photoionization cross section for diatomic CH

Abstract Many body perturbation theory is used to calculate an approximate Hartree-Fock photoionization cross section for CH. the results show a large increase at threshold compared to that obtained from unperturbed atomic matrix elements. At higher energies the cross section approaches the atomic value.
Effective speed-up of slowly responding measurement systems.

Abstract In some applications, the slow response of measurement systems can present significant control problems or cause difficulties in interpreting data sequences, even though they are quite accurate in indicating the value of an unchanging measured parameter. Happily, instrument systems often have characteristics which make it possible to apply certain advanced systems control techniques which can compensate for the inherent slowness of the instrument system. In this paper, some means of dealing with this problem in some scenarios are described.
Radiographic evaluation of esophagus immediately after pneumatic dilatation for achalasia

Forty-one (98%) of 42 patients with achalasia of the esophagus had pneumatic dilatation performed successfully using the Brown-McHardy dilator. One to four dilatations (mean, 1.9) were done on each patient with inflation pressures of 8–15 psi (mean, 11.1 psi). Immediately after the procedure, all patients were examined radiographically by injection of contrast material into the lower esophagus through a nasoesophageal tube. Two immediate and two delayed perforations occurred. Six intramural hematomas were noted, five of which resolved spontaneously. The luminal diameter at the esophagogastric junction increased from a mean of 4.2 mm before dilatation to 7.5 mm following treatment. Four patients with previous Heller myotomy were dilated without complications. Perforation was more common in patients with a minimal change in the esophagogastric diameter. Thirty-five patients (85%) improved symptomatically within several days following pneumatic dilatation. Excluding patients with perforation, the postdilatation appearance of the lower esophagus poorly correlated with clinical response.
Updates from the Study of Acoustic Ultra-high energy Neutrino Detection phase II

Updates from the second phase of the Study of Acoustic Ultra-high energy Neutrino Detection (SAUND) experiment are presented. The data accumulated since July 2006 are discussed. Signal processing techniques intended to isolate neutrino-induced acoustic signals are also reported.
Rule-based approach for the determination of solute types in unknown sample mixtures as a first step of optimization parameter selection in reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography

Abstract The combination and range of mobile phase variables for selectivity optimization in reversed-phase ion-pair chromatography can be selected rationally by considering the nature (charge type and relative hydrophobicity) of the sample components. An experimental procedure and a rule-based evaluation strategy are described that can be used to determine the charge type and relative hydrophobicity of the components in unknown sample mixtures. Solute-type determination is based on the characteristic retention-shift patterns of charged solutes observed in seven carefully selected methanol-water gradient runs. The gradients are run at three different pH values (2.5, 5 and 7.5) with and without (positively and negatively charged) pairing ions. This retention data set is evaluated by a novel rule-based strategy, which requires neither peak tracking nor other extra-chromatographic information ( e.g. , spectral data, peak areas). The evaluation rules are based on the combinations of the ideal retention-shift patterns and the experimentally determined retention-shift limits of different solute types. The rule set has been used to develop a computer program, which was tested with a variety of complex samples.
Socially and Individually Optimal Routing of Stochastic Jobs in Parallel Processor Systems

This paper considers a stochastic system where a fixed number of nonpreemptive jobs no new jobs arrive are to be processed on multiple nonidentical processors. Each processor has an increasing hazard rate processing time distribution and the processors are ordered in ascending order of their expected processing times. It is shown that the policy which minimizes the total expected delay of all the jobs flowtime has a threshold structure. This policy would utilize the fastest available processor only if its mean processing time is less than a critical number. Furthermore, a previously rejected processor must never be utilized at later times. This policy is also individually optimal in the sense that it minimizes the delay of each job subject to the constraint that processor preference is given to jobs at the head of the buffer. This result proves the conjecture of P. R. Kumar and J. Walrand regarding socially and individually optimal policies in parallel routing systems.
PARAGUAY: LA VUELTA DEL PARTIDO COLORADO AL PODER

El transcurso del 2013 fue marcado por las campanas electorales nacionales, seguido por los comicios de abril, el comienzo del nuevo periodo legislativo en julio, y el establecimiento de la nueva administracion del presidente Horacio Cartes, del Partido Colorado. La vuelta al poder del Partido Colorado despues de cinco anos termino con el novelesco pero fracasado y derrotado gobierno de la oposicion. Las instituciones politicas aparecen practicamente sin cambios desde el 2008, cuando los colorados dejaron el poder, y el partido sigue siendo una coleccion de las facciones que luchan por el control de los recursos del Estado. Sin embargo, cambios en la cultura politica desde 2008 pueden ensanchar la brecha entre las demandas sociales y la capacidad del gobierno a responder. Este ensayo evalua si el nuevo gobierno puede adaptarse a la cambiante cultura politica para tratar eficazmente a las demandas de la sociedad.
Thermal analysis methods for the estimation of thermal life of magnet wire

Abstract DTA and dynamic and isothermal TG analyses have been performed on a series of commercial magnet wires, in dry oxygen. Good correlations have been observed between the results of each technique and the thermal life ratings of the magnet wire enamels as given by ASTM D-2307. In dynamic TG, correlation is observed between the temperature at 5% weight loss and thermal life rating. Two straight lines are observed, one for low temperature rating enamels, which are primarily aliphatic, the other for high temperature rating enamels, which are primarily aromatic. In DTA, a similar, but less pronounced, breakdown into two curves is seen. Log isothermal rate of weight loss, plotted against reciprocal temperature and extrapolated to 10 −7 /min, yields a temperature close to the thermal rating temperature. A bimodal distribution is observed in this correlation, also. The correlations are useful for predicting probable values of thermal ratings for new magnet wire enamels, but cannot supplant the ASTM procedure.
The discovery of adamantyl-derived, inhaled, long acting β2-adrenoreceptor agonists

Abstract The design and profile of a series of adamantyl-containing long acting β 2 -adrenoreceptor agonists are described. An optimal pharmacokinetic profile of low oral bioavailability was combined with a strong pharmacology profile when assessed using a guinea pig trachea tissue model. A focus was then placed on developing a robust synthetic route to ensure rapid delivery of material for clinical trials.
Phagocytic labeling of leukocytes with 99mTc-albumin colloid for nuclear imaging.

Abstract A procedure is described for the phagocytic labeling of white blood cells (WBC) with high specific activity 99m Tc-albumin colloid (TAC). The preparation contains approximately equal activities of granulocytes and monocytes. Heparinized whole blood (40 cm 3 ) yields a preparation containing a total of 148–222 MBq (4–6 mCi) TAC-WBC including about 20% free TAC. The complete preparation time is 75 min. Imaging is completed 30 min to 4 h post administration of the TAC-WBC. Quality control methods and imaging protocols are described.
Craniosynostosis: posterior two-third cranial vault reconstruction using bioresorbable plates and a PDS suture lattice in sagittal and lambdoid synostosis.

Introduction Beginning in 2004, we modified our surgical technique for a cranial vault remodeling in sagittal and lambdoid synostosis. Beginning in the early 1990s, we started using a calvarial vault remodeling technique in sagittal and lambdoid synostosis that involves removing the posterior two thirds of the skull, extending from the coronal suture to below the lambdoid suture to within 1–1.5 cm of the foramen magnum. Up until 2004, the bone fixation evolved from wire fixation, then micro-metallic fixation plates and resorbable sutures.
Procesamiento no térmico de alimentos

Conventional approaches to process foods have proven to offer very safe products but, in some cases, the quality of the final product is significantly lower to the original one. Nonthermal processing of foods has emerged as a viable alternative to those conventional processing by offering safe products of excellent quality and at very reasonable cost. These emerging technologies utilize nonthermal microbial stress factors as the main inactivation mechanism. In some cases, external sources of heat or self-generated heat are utilized to supplement the main inactivation mechanism. This combination becomes very relevant in the case of the sterilization of low-acid foods by pressure assisted thermal processing (PATP). This article presents some of the most relevant nonthermal technologies where some of them are already in use by the food industry and others will be adopted in the very near future. It is the case; these nonthermal technologies could be used in combination among themselves or with other preservation approaches seeking synergistic effects in order to have shorter processes and very good quality food products.
Identification of a free energy functional in an integro-differential equation model for neuronal network activity

Neuronal activity in a synaptically-coupled network of excitatory and inhibitory neurons can be modeled by an integro-differential equation. Solutions to this equation represent cellular activity and are dependent on the neuron's spatial location and time. One area of interest to researchers has been the identification and analysis of stationary bump solutions which are steady states of the evolution problem. In this brief report, we furnish an energy functional. It is expected that this energy will be useful in analyzing the dynamic behavior of the system, finding steady states, studying the stability of these stationary solutions, and developing numerical methods.
Causes and Presenting Features in 85 Consecutive Patients With Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

OBJECTIVE To assess the current spectrum of causes and clinical features associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied consecutive patients with HP diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, from January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2002. Diagnostic criteria for HP included the following: (1) presence of respiratory symptoms, (2) radiologic evidence of diffuse lung disease, (3) known exposure or a positive serologic test result to an inciting antigen, and (4) no other identifiable cause for the lung disease. If there was no identifiable inciting antigen, 1 of the following 2 criteria was required: (1) lung biopsy specimen that demonstrated features of HP or (2) bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis and high-resolution computed tomographic evidence of ground-glass opacities or centrilobular nodules bilaterally. RESULTS The mean ± SD age of the 85 study patients was 53±14 years; 53 patients (62%) were women. Only 2 patients (2%) were current smokers. Chronic (≥4 months) respiratory symptoms were present in 66 patients (78%). Histopathologic confirmation was obtained in 64 patients (75%). The cause was identified in 64 patients (75%), and the most common causes were avian antigens (34%) and Mycobacterium avium complex in hot tub water (21%). Farmer's lung disease accounted for 11% of cases, and an additional 9% were related to household mold exposure. The inciting antigen was not identifiable in 25% of patients. CONCLUSION Most patients with HP seen at this tertiary care referral center in the Midwest region of the United States had chronic HP, and the most common causes were exposure to birds and exposure to hot tubs.
Effects of different doses and combinations of spotting genes in the leopard frog, Rana pipiens.

Abstract A conspicuous variant of the common-spotted leopard frog, Rana pipiens, is the burnsi or nonspotted frog. The expression of the deviant phenotype depends not only on a main mutant gene, B, but also on a complex of minor genes or modifiers, each with a small effect. The mode of mutant action was inferred by studying the phenotypic effects of different doses and combinations of the dominant burnsi gene, B, and its wild-type allele, b. This was accomplished by adding an additional set of chromosomes to the diploid complement, i.e., by producing triploid individuals. Consequently, the numerical change at the main burnsi locus was accompanied by corresponding dosage changes at the modifying loci. Precluding the activity of modifiers, the mutant phenotype is not altered by different doses of the main burnsi gene. The action of the main burnsi gene (B) is so contrary to that of the wild-type allele (b) that its inhibitory effects on spotting prevail even in the presence of an increased dosage of the wild-type allele. Spotting modifiers provide a margin of stability. They are spotting genes in their own right, which serve to mitigate the otherwise strong adverse action of the main burnsi gene. The spotting or “+” modifiers tend to shift the expression of the burnsi phenotype toward a wild-type spotting pattern. However, even increased dosages of the “+” modifiers in a triploid burnsi frog cannot promote the formation of sufficient spots to produce the normal spotting pattern characteristic of the wild type. Other modifiers, nonspotting or “−,” act in the opposite direction; these increase the expressivity of the main burnsi gene. It is postulated that the main burnsi gene (B) is inhibiting completely the production of some substance normally elaborated by its wild-type allele. However, the “+” modifiers ensure the synthesis of a limited amount of the substance to form a few spots in the mutant phenotype, while the “−” modifiers tend to keep the substance below the minimum or threshold level.
Relationship status of battered women over time

A longitudinal study of 114 women, all having serious problems in intimate relationships, recruited from the community was undertaken in order to investigate relationship and battering status over time. In the original sample (N=193), 97 women were battered and 96 were not battered, as determined by an adaptation of the Conflict Tactics Scale. Of the 114 who returned approximately 2 and 1/2 years later, only 25% of the 51 originally battered women were still in that category. Discriminant function analysis using a combination of variables from established instruments (depression, self-esteem, physical symptoms, self-care agency) and in depth interview (education, relationship control, relationship duration, childhood abuse) failed to distinguish those battered from those not abused at Time 2. Results do not support a learned helplessness model for most women experiencing abuse, and they suggest that battered women seen in the health care and/or social services systems should be supported in a process of healthy decision making about their relationship status.
Public Organizations in the Age of Globalization and Technology

Both globalization and information and communications technologies (ICT) have been shown to be important factors in defining organizational environment. However, the cumulative effects of these two factors together on decision-making and the exercise of power within large organizations are currently not well explored. This paper attempts to fill that gap by conceptually analyzing the combined effect on globalization and communications technology. ICT has had the cumulative effect of shrinking an organization’s effective size. Globalization contributes to this effect of removing geographic boundaries by centralizing control over certain functions. In other words, globalization and ICT, in conjunction with each other, have considerably heightened the concentration of power and decision-making authority within the organization.
Non-canonical agreement is canonical

This paper examines the phenomenon of cross-clausal agreement, where the controller (trigger) of agreement and the agreement target seem to be in distinct local domains. It is argued that most instances of cross-clausal agreement can be reduced to properly local agreement and are thus unproblematic for theories of agreement. A typology of such apparent violations is proposed. In addition, the paper considers a more challenging instance of cross-clausal agreement where the controller and the target are indeed in distinct local domains (Long-Distance Agreement, LDA). It is demonstrated that LDA involves the relationship between the periphery of the embedded clause and the embedding verb. The attested cases of LDA argue for the syntactic conception of agreement that closely resembles government.
Female anthropometric variability and their effects on predicted thermoregulatory responses to work in the heat.

The use of thermoregulatory models for assessing physiological responses of workers in thermally stressful situations has been increasing because of the risks and costs related to human studies. In a previous study (Yokota et al. Eur J Appl Physiol 104:297–302, 2008), the effects of anthropometric variability on predicted physiological responses to heat stress in U.S. Army male soldiers were evaluated. Five somatotypes were identified in U.S. Army male multivariate anthropometric distribution. The simulated heat responses, using a thermoregulatory model, were different between somatotypes. The present study further extends this line of research to female soldiers. Anthropometric somatotypes were identified using multivariate analysis [height, weight, percent body fat (%BF)] and the predicted physiological responses to simulated exercise and heat stress using a thermoregulatory model were evaluated. The simulated conditions included walking at ~3 mph (4.8 km/h) for 300 min and wearing battle dress uniform and body armor in a 30°C, 25% relative humidity (RH) environment without solar radiation. Five major somatotypes (tall-fat, tall-lean, average, short-lean, and short-fat), identified through multivariate analysis of anthropometric distributions, showed different tolerance levels to simulated heat stress: lean women were predicted to maintain their core temperatures (Tc) lower than short-fat or tall-fat women. The measured Tc of female subjects obtained from two heat studies (data1: 30°C, 32% RH, protective garments, ~225 w·m−2 walk for 90 min; data2: 32°C, 75% RH, hot weather battle dress uniform, ~378 ± 32 w·m−2 for 30 min walk/30 min rest cycles for 120 min) were utilized for validation. Validation results agreed with the findings in this study: fat subjects tended to have higher core temperatures than medium individuals (data2) and lean subjects maintained lower core temperatures than medium subjects (data1).
Hormone therapy and Alzheimer's disease: benefit or harm?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. After menopause, circulating levels of oestrogens decline markedly and oestrogen influences several brain processes predicted to modify AD risk. For example, oestrogen reduces the formation of β-amyloid, a biochemical hallmark of AD. Oestrogen effects on oxidative stress and some effects on inflammation and the cerebral vasculature might also be expected to ameliorate risk. However, AD pathogenesis is incompletely understood and other oestrogen actions could be deleterious. Limited clinical trial evidence suggests that oestrogen therapy, begun after the onset of AD symptoms, is without substantial benefit or harm. Observational studies have associated oestrogen-containing hormone therapy with reduced AD risk. However, in the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study – a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of women 65 – 79 years of age – oral oestrogen plus progestin doubled the rate of dementia, with heightened risk appearing soon after treatmen...
The method of angled derivatives

A hybrid numerical method is presented for a linear, first order, hyperbolic partial differential equation (PDE): the nonhomogeneous one-way advection equation. The unifying thread is the reduction of the PDE to an ordinary differential equation (ODE) along a characteristic emanating backward in time from each mesh point. These ODEs are then integrated numerically to advance in time. Such integration requires an interpolation procedure dependent upon the slope of the local characteristic. If the local Courant number is less than one then the interpolation is afforded by the angled derivative method while if greater than one then a reflected angled derivative approximation is introduced. Otherwise, if the Courant number is transitioning through one then the box scheme is employed. At the boundary, parabolic tracing of the characteristics provides a comparable level of accuracy. The net result is a compact, nondissipative, three-level explicit method which is second-order accurate and unconditionally stable. The efficacy of this method of angled derivatives (MAD) scheme for both constant and variable coefficient problems, with or without inhomogeneities, is demonstrated numerically.
A generalized multidimensional model for precipitation scavenging and atmospheric chemistry

Abstract This paper describes a new, general-purpose computer code for modeling air pollutants, both in the gas phase and in conjunction with cloud and precipitation systems. The code is based on Eulerian representations of conservation equations for chemical species, energy, and the physical media (e.g. air, cloud water, rain water, ice,…) in which the chemical species reside. Because energy and moisture conservation equations are included, the code is capable of simulating cloud and storm formation, and can deal directly with the attachment, wet-chemistry and deposition processes associated with precipitating systems. The code has been structured to allow considerable flexibility in its use. One-, two- or three-dimensional simulations can be performed, and selection of modeled chemical species, physical media, physicochemical interaction mechanisms, spatial/temporal domain and grid spacing is at the option of the user. A simple example simulation, corresponding to the scavenging of sulfur and nitrogen oxides in a frontal storm system, is presented to illustrate the code's use.
A Closed Marketplace: Religious Claims in the Public Square

AbstractThis article argues that the rules governing religious contributions to public debates are unnecessarily restrictive and grounded in a faulty understanding of the nature of all truth claims. After critically assessing the current limits on arguments made in the public domain, this study analyses the Ramsey Colloquium’s statement on ‘The Homosexual Movement’ as a paradigmatic illustration of the difficulties that accompany the public proclamation of religious convictions. It suggests that the rules currently governing cultural conversations marginalize distinctive religious contributions and call into question the reality of a genuine marketplace of ideas.
The sensitivity of opiate receptors and ligands to short wavelength ultraviolet light

Abstract The sensitivity of the opiate receptor, opiates and opioid ligands to ultraviolet light has been examined with the view of using this property to aid in characterizing the receptor. It is demonstrated that the opiate receptor is very sensitive to short wavelength ultraviolet light which causes rapid destruction of opiate binding activity. It is also shown that tritiated and cold opiate ligands are sensitive to light of this wavelength and when the receptor and opiate ligands are irradiated together, irreversible binding occurs. Along with the sensitivity of the receptor system to proteases and phospholipase the photosensitivity will aid in receptor isolation as well as in development of specific photoaffinity labels.
Kinetics of Radical Polymerization with Primary Radical Termination

The polymerization initiated by 1-phenylethyl radical (PER) and diphenylmethyl radical (DPMR) at 50°C was studied to clarify the causes of deviation in the polymerization rate Rp from Rp∝[C]1/2[M] ([C], initiator concentration and [M], monomer concentration). In the polymerization of styrene initiated by PER, the term defined as primary radical termination (PRT) can not be used to explain the deviation, because of ki≃kp (ki, rate constant of addition of primary radical to monomer and kp, propagation rate constant). Thus, the deviation should be explained by the dependence of polymer-polymer termination (PPT) on chain length. In the polymerization initiated by DPMR, both the PRT term and the dependence of PPT on chain length are necessary to explain the deviation, because of ki≪kp, where ki=37 dm3 mol−1 s−1 (styrene) and 2.5 (methyl methacrylate).
Surface characterization and adhesion of carbon fibers to epoxy and polycarbonate

Surface characterization of the specially prepared Toray high-strength sample carbon fiber was undertaken with a view to evaluate and understand adhesion to polymer matrices. Surface chemical analysis by XPS, surface free energy determination from the dynamic contact angle, and microstructural characterization by STM was conducted and compared with before and after surface treatment of this fiber and with other PAN-based high-strength carbon fibers as well. It was found that the surface of Toray sample carbon fibers has higher O/C and N/C ratios than those of other PAN-based carbon fibers, such as the IM-7 and AS-4. The fiber surface free energy appears slightly lower than those of the IM7 and AS4. Adhesion of Toray Lab-carbon fibers measured by the single fiber fragmentation was determined to be in a similar level to AS-4 and IM-7 in various epoxy-amine thermoset systems and polycarbonate thermoplastic matrix.