cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protection from Myocardial Reperfusion Injury by Acute Administration of 17β-Estradiol

Although several studies have demonstrated that chronic exposure to estrogen appears to be cardioprotective, acute circulatory effects of estrogen are largely unknown. Therefore, we studied the effects of acute administration of 17 beta-estradiol in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. Cats were subjected to 90 min of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion and 270 min of reperfusion (MI/R). Either the estrogenic steroid, 17 beta-estradiol or its non-estrogenic isomer, 17 alpha-estradiol was administered (i.v.) 30 min prior to reperfusion at 1 microgram/kg bolus followed by a constant infusion lasting the remaining duration of the protocol at 1 microgram/kg/h. Control cats were subjected to sham MI/R. Cats treated with 17 beta-estradiol demonstrated a marked reduction in cardiac necrosis following MI/R compared to cats receiving 17 alpha-estradiol or phosphate buffered saline (17 +/- 2% v 33 +/- 1% or 34 +/- 4% area of necrosis indexed to the area-at-risk, P < 0.01). In addition, cats receiving 17 beta-estradiol exhibited reduced myocardial PMN infiltration in necrotic tissue as compared to 17 alpha-estradiol treated cats. Moreover, 17 beta-estradiol administration attenuated neutrophil adherence to ex vivo coronary vascular endothelium compared to the two controls (44 +/- 8 PMNs/mm2 v 79 +/- 7 PMNs/mm2 or 86 +/- 7 PMNs/mm2 P < 0.01). These data indicate that 17 beta-estradiol protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, in part, by attenuating PMN infiltration and subsequent injury due to PMN mediator release.
CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Single-Gene and Gene Family Disruption in Trypanosoma cruzi

ABSTRACT Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite of humans and animals, affecting 10 to 20 million people and innumerable animals, primarily in the Americas. Despite being the largest cause of infection-induced heart disease worldwide, even among the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) T. cruzi is considered one of the least well understood and understudied. The genetic complexity of T. cruzi as well as the limited set of efficient techniques for genome engineering contribute significantly to the relative lack of progress in and understanding of this pathogen. Here, we adapted the CRISPR-Cas9 system for the genetic engineering of T. cruzi, demonstrating rapid and efficient knockout of multiple endogenous genes, including essential genes. We observed that in the absence of a template, repair of the Cas9-induced double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in T. cruzi occurs exclusively by microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) with various-sized deletions. When a template for DNA repair is provided, DSB repair by homologous recombination is achieved at an efficiency several orders of magnitude higher than that in the absence of CRISPR-Cas9-induced DSBs. We also demonstrate the high multiplexing capacity of CRISPR-Cas9 in T. cruzi by knocking down expression of an enzyme gene family consisting of 65 members, resulting in a significant reduction of enzymatic product with no apparent off-target mutations. Lastly, we show that Cas9 can mediate disruption of its own coding sequence, rescuing a growth defect in stable Cas9-expressing parasites. These results establish a powerful new tool for the analysis of gene functions in T. cruzi, enabling the study of essential genes and their functions and analysis of the many large families of related genes that occupy a substantial portion of the T. cruzi genome. IMPORTANCE Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of human Chagas disease, is the leading worldwide cause of infectious myocarditis. Diagnostics for the infection are relatively poor, treatment options are limited and of variable effectiveness, and suitable vaccines are nonexistent. The T. cruzi genome is replete with genes of unknown function and greatly expanded gene families with hundreds of members. The absence of facile genetic engineering tools, including RNA interference, for T. cruzi has prevented elucidation of gene and gene family function and the development of better infection prevention and control measures. In this study, we demonstrate that the CRISPR-Cas9 system is a versatile and powerful tool for genome manipulations in T. cruzi, bringing new opportunities for unraveling the functions of previously uncharacterized genes and how this human pathogen engages its large families of genes encoding surface proteins to interact with human and animal hosts.
Immunohistochemistry detects differences between lichen planus‐like keratosis, lichen planus, and lichenoid actinic keratosis

Lichen planus-like keratosis (LPLK) (benign lichenoid keratosis) is a common skin lesion that shows some morphologic features of lichen planus (LP) and lichenoid actinic keratosis (LAK). To try to detect differences among these three entities, immunohistochemical staining for S100 protein and HLA-DR (with the antibody LN3) was performed in 31 cases of LPLK, 26 of LAK, and 25 of LP. Langerhans cells (LC) were counted per linear mm of epidermis in the S100 and LN3 slides. With anti-S100 staining, LP cases showed higher numbers of LC (mean = 25.3, SE = 2.84, median = 21.2) than did LPLK (mean = 17.3, SE = 2.26, median = 14.5) and LAK (mean = 9.7, SE = 1.5, median = 5.4). With LN3 stains, LP cases also showed higher numbers of LC than did LPLK and LAK. These results suggest that the involvement of LC in the production of lesions may be different in these three entities. However, due to the overlap in distribution of values observed, the use of these stains does not allow a definite diagnosis to be made exclusively based on the number of LC.
Hydrochlorination of acetylene: the effect of mercuric chloride concentration on catalyst life

Abstract The effect of variation in the mercuric chloride concentration on the lifetime of catalysts for the hydrochlorination of acetylene is discussed. The mercuric chloride concentration is found to significantly affect the initial catalyst activity and the subsequent rate of reduction in conversion observed. In addition, the ratio of acetylene to hydrogen chloride is found to affect the rate of reduction in conversion. Both laboratory and plant scale data are discussed.
Application of bio-inspired algorithm to the problem of integer factorisation

This paper describes an attempt at developing an evolutionary algorithm capable of solving non-trivial cases of integer factorisation, which are at the heart of security behind the modern public key cryptography systems. After reviewing previous work in integer factorisation and describing the developed genetic algorithm the paper addresses issues of convergence to a local maxima associated with the performance of genetic algorithms. Specifically, properties and statistical distribution of local maxima points associated with the integer factorisation problems are reviewed. Finally, performance of the developed system is analysed and recommendations are made for future research paths.
Central neurocytoma: Management recommendations based on a 35-year experience

Purpose: To examine the outcomes of patients with histologically confirmed central neurocytomas. Methods and Materials: The data from 45 patients with central neurocytomas diagnosed between 1971 and 2003 were retrospectively evaluated. Various combinations of surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy had been used for treatment. Results: The median follow-up was 10.0 years. The 10-year overall survival and local control rate was 83% and 60%, respectively. Patients whose tumor had a mitotic index of Conclusion: Although the overall prognosis is quite favorable, one-third of patients experienced tumor recurrence or progression at 10 years, regardless of the extent of the initial resection. Postoperative RT significantly improved local control but not survival, most likely because of the effectiveness of salvage RT. For incompletely resected atypical tumors and/or those with a high mitotic index, consideration should be given to adjuvant RT because of the more aggressive nature.
Policies toward quality education and student learning: constructing a critical perspective

This paper argues that, in today's highly interconnected world, education models, practices, evidence and policies are quickly flowing across borders. Comparative information and science-derived knowledge about foreign education systems are being disseminated and “borrowed” to an unprecedented degree. The “demands” of a competitive world economy and calls for accountability and evidence-based policy have contributed to expanding networks of specialists, who create, interpret and disseminate educational research and policy recommendations. A results-oriented discourse currently prevails. It has shifted the debate about “quality” education from an examination of inputs and processes to one fixated on learning outcomes. Expanding large-scale learning assessments, despite many flaws and limitations, are provoking unwarranted calls for educational reform. A critical perspective toward assessments and their current uses is needed.
Evaluating zona pellucida structure and function using antibodies to rabbit 55 kDa ZP protein expressed in baculovirus expression system

A cDNA encoding the rabbit 55 kDa ZP protein was expressed using a baculovirus expression system and was evaluated for its ability to elicit antibodies which may interfere with sperm-ZP interaction. The expressed glycosylated protein, BV55, was purified by wheat germ agglutinin lectin affinity chromatography. Antisera made in guinea pigs immunized with BV55 (GP-α-BV55) is specific for the 55 kDa rabbit ZP protein. Indirect immunofluorescence studies indicate that GP-α-BV55 localizes to a filamentous meshwork on the surface of the ZP of isolated rabbit eggs. Immunohistochemical analysis of rabbit ovaries demonstrated that this antigen is localized within the ZP of primary and more advanced stage ovarian follicles but is not detected in primordial follicles. In addition, the 55 kDa antigen was detected in the granulosa cells of secondary stage follicles but not in the oocyte. GP-α-BV55 effectively blocked the binding of rabbit sperm to rabbit eggs in vitro. However, Fab fragments generated from GP-α-BV55 failed to block sperm binding, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of GP-α-BV55 was due to stearic hindrance rather than specific blocking of a sperm receptor site. Although the Fab fragment did not inhibit sperm binding, additional studies demonstrated that biotinylated BV55 protein bound to rabbit sperm in the acrosomal region in a manner consistent with ligand activity in the sperm-ZP interaction, and that BV55 bound to rabbit sperm in a dose-dependent manner. These studies therefore demonstrate that antibodies against recombinant ZP proteins recognize the native intact ZP and inhibit sperm-ZP interaction. They also provide evidence that the rabbit 55 kDa ZP protein, which is the homolog of the pig ZP3α sperm receptor protein, has sperm receptor activity. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Income is not enough: incorporating material hardship into models of income associations with parenting and child development.

Although research has clearly established that low family income has negative impacts on children's cognitive skills and social–emotional competence, less often is a family's experience of material hardship considered. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 1998–1999 (N=21,255), this study examined dual components of family income and material hardship along with parent mediators of stress, positive parenting, and investment as predictors of 6-year-old children's cognitive skills and social–emotional competence. Support was found for a model that identified unique parent-mediated paths from income to cognitive skills and from income and material hardship to social–emotional competence. The findings have implications for future study of family income and child development and for identification of promising targets for policy intervention.
Predicting child maltreatment in the first 4 years of life from characteristics assessed in the neonatal period.

Abstract Objective: To examine the significance of neonatal risk factors from the individual, family, social, and parenting behavior domains of the ecological model of child maltreatment in predicting maltreatment reports in the first 4 years of life, and to examine the extent to which the interactions of life event stress and social support modify those risk factors. Method: Mothers of 708 predominantly at-risk infants were interviewed in their homes soon after their infants’ discharge from the hospital. State child abuse and neglect central registry data were tracked every 6 months until the infants reached their fourth birthdays. Results: The incidence of maltreatment reports was higher in households where the mothers were depressed, complained of psychosomatic symptoms, had not graduated from high school, consumed alcohol, participated in public income support programs, cared for more than one dependent child, or were separated from their own mothers at age 14 years ( p p Conclusion: Some predisposing risk factors measured soon after birth continue to be significant predictors of child maltreatment reports through the fourth year of life. In general, families with low levels of social support had a higher risk of a maltreatment report. For families with lower levels of maternal depression and/or life event stress, low social support significantly increased the risk of a maltreatment report by as much as a factor of four. Spanish abstract not available at time of publication.
Antagonism of morphine by β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and by tetracosactin

Abstract Using the decerebrate—spinal Lloyd preparation morphine depressed evoked mono- and polysynaptic reflex activity, β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone enhanced monosynaptic reflex activity, and tetracosactin had no effect. When morphine injection was preceded either by β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone or by tetracosactin a statistically significant depression was not observed. The stimulant actions of β-melanocyte-stimulating hormone did not appear to account for its capacity to antagonize morphine. The fall of blood pressure which follows the administration of morphine in this preparation was not antagonized by the prior administration of either polypeptide.
The plastic yielding of double notched bars due to pure bending

It is believed that all practical cases of notch shapes are covered by the above analysis. The experiments are in favour of the upper bound solution, though, for practical cases, the mean value derived from the limit analysis differs very little from that of the bounds, and it can be used with confidence.
Contamination profiles and mass loadings of macrolide antibiotics and illicit drugs from a small urban wastewater treatment plant

Information is limited regarding sources, distribution, environmental behavior, and fate of prescribed and illicit drugs. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents can be one of the sources of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCP) into streams, rivers and lakes. The objective of this study was to determine the contamination profiles and mass loadings of urobilin (a chemical marker of human waste), macrolide antibiotics (azithromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin), and two drugs of abuse (methamphetamine and ecstasy), from a small ( methamphetamine>azithromycin with percentages of removal of 99.9%, 54.5% and 47%, respectively, indicating that the azithromycin and methamphetamine are relatively more recalcitrant than others and have potential for entering receiving waters.
Selective encapsulation of single cells and subcellular organelles into picoliter- and femtoliter-volume droplets.

This paper describes a method, which combines optical trapping and microfluidic-based droplet generation, for selectively and controllably encapsulating a single target cell or subcellular structure, such as a mitochondrion, into a picoliter- or femtoliter-volume aqueous droplet that is surrounded by an immiscible phase. Once the selected cell or organelle is encased within the droplet, it is stably confined in the droplet and cannot be removed. We demonstrate in droplet the rapid laser photolysis of the single cell, which essentially “freezes” the state that the cell was in at the moment of photolysis and confines the lysate within the small volume of the droplet. Using fluorescein di-β-d-galactopyranoside, which is a fluorogenic substrate for the intracellular enzyme β-galactosidase, we also assayed the activity of this enzyme from a single cell following the laser-induced lysis of the cell. This ability to entrap individual selected cells or subcellular organelles should open new possibilities for carr...
Cytoprotective protein C pathways and implications for stroke and neurological disorders

Recent studies indicate that single-action–single-target agents are unlikely to cure CNS disorders sharing a pathogenic triad consisting of vascular damage, neuronal injury/neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Here we focus on a recent example of a multiple-action–multiple-target approach for CNS disorders based on newly discovered biological properties of activated protein C (APC), an endogenous plasma protease with antithrombotic, cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities in the CNS. We propose that APC-mediated signaling through the protease activated receptor-1 (PAR1) can favorably regulate multiple pathways within the neurovascular unit in non-neuronal cells and neurons during acute or chronic CNS insults, leading to stabilization of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), neuroprotection and control of neuroinflammation. Although much remains to be understood regarding the biology of APC, preclinical studies suggest that APC has promising applications as disease-modifying therapy for ischemic stroke and other neuropathologies whose underlying pathology involves deficits in the vasculo-neuronal-inflammatory triad.
Further Application of the Semenov Model to Evaluate the Possibility of Spontaneous Combustion in Tumble Dryers

Previously, Jones applied the Semenov boundary conditions and thermal explosion theory to the problem of predicting spontaneous combustion of laundered clothing in a commercial tumble dryer. This problem is revisited here with a modification of the limiting assumptions made in the previous work. Relaxation of the limiting assumptions (i.e., considering air flow through the drum) demonstrates that the self-heating processes within the laundered load are limited by the forced convection through the tumbling clothing load. The conclusions of this paper demonstrate that inclusion of this heat loss term soundly refutes the possibility of spontaneous combustion of an uncontaminated, tumbling clothing load. The critical temperature predictions indicate that even in the case of overheating of the garment load (dryer malfunction), the garment load temperature is unlikely to exceed its critical temperature in the absence of contamination.
Marked acute tissue swelling following percutaneous sclerosis of low-flow vascular malformations: a predictor of both prolonged recovery and therapeutic effect

Purpose. To evaluate the significance of marked, acute swelling in patients after percutaneous sclerosis of low-flow vascular malformations, as a predictor of both prolonged recovery and likelihood of therapeutic effect.¶Materials and methods. In 22 patients who underwent percutaneous ethanol sclerosis of low-flow vascular malformations, we compared the incidence of prolonged recovery and lasting therapeutic effect between those patients with and without marked soft-tissue swelling following the procedure.¶Results. Five patients exhibited marked swelling after sclerosis. Four of these five had causes of prolonged recovery. These four recovered and all five eventually had marked therapeutic effect. Seventeen patients did not meet criteria for severe swelling. Only one of these patients had prolonged recovery. Eighteen of the 22 total patients had therapeutic effect. All 4 of the 22 total patients who had no therapeutic effect were in the group without marked swelling.¶Conclusions. Marked soft-tissue swelling, which occurs after percutaneous sclerosis of vascular malformations, is both a predictor of prolonged recovery and high likelihood of therapeutic effect.
A marker-free alignment method for electron tomography

In electron tomography of biological specimens, fiducial markers are normally used to achieve accurate alignment of the input projections. We address the problem of alignment of projections from objects that are freely supported and do not permit the use of markers. To this end we present a new alignment algorithm for single-axis tilt geometry based on the principle of Fourier-space common lines. An iterative scheme has been developed to overcome the noise-sensitivity of the common-line method. This algorithm was used to align a data set that was not amenable to alignment with fiducial markers.
Comparison of baseline characteristics and one-year outcomes between African-Americans and Caucasians undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

The objectives of this study were to determine whether there are race-based differences in baseline characteristics and in short- or long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). African-Americans have a higher incidence of coronary artery disease but are less likely to undergo coronary revascularization than Caucasians. Little is known about the profiles and outcomes of African-Americans who undergo PCI. Consecutive series of 1,268 African-Americans and 10,561 Caucasians with symptomatic coronary artery disease who underwent PCI between January 1994 and June 2001 were analyzed. Patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction were excluded. African-Americans were older, were more likely to be women, and had more co-morbid baseline conditions compared with Caucasians. Preprocedure lesion characteristics were similar with regard to vessel size, length, and complexity. The rate of clinical success did not differ between the groups. African-Americans experienced more in-hospital combined events of death and Q-wave myocardial infarction (p = 0.03). After propensity score adjustment, African-American race was not an independent predictor for in-hospital events. At 1 year, African-Americans had a slightly lower rate of target lesion revascularization and a 50% higher rate of death (9.8% vs. 6.4%, p <0.001), with a relative risk of 1.52 (95% confidence interval 1.22 to 1.89). In multivariate analysis, African-American race remained a significant predictor of increased 1-year mortality (hazard ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.06 to 1.71, p = 0.01). African-Americans undergoing angioplasty have more co-morbid baseline conditions than Caucasians. Despite similar clinical success, 1-year outcomes are impaired in African-Americans.
Strategic Global Human Resource Management: The Role of Inpatriate Managers

Abstract The need for highly qualified multicultural managers will increase as more organizations globalize their operations. These global managers may be perceived as organizational resources and, therefore, a resource-based view of human resource management is utilized. At the same time, relational view of human capital provides insight into the value of managers who have unique local market knowledge (i.e., social knowledge). By integrating the two aspects of the resource-based view, one can develop a dynamic capabilities approach to staffing global assignments. Within this integrative theoretical perspective, inpatriate managers (i.e., host or third country managers who are transferred into the home country organization on a semi-permanent to permanent basis) can be explored as a potential pool of uniquely qualified global managers to be utilized in global organizations. It is envisioned that through this unique building of managerial talents, organizations can develop/maintain a distinct competitive advantage in the markets they enter. This article explores inpatriation as an innovative means to develop managers as strategic resources to be used in formulating and implementing a global strategic plan.
A Right to Speak Out: The Morin Case and its Implications for Teachers’ Free Expression

In 1988, Richard Morin, a Grade 9 teacher in Prince Edward Island, Canada was removed from the classroom for showing his students a film that was critical of Christian fundamentalism. The ensuing court battle, which eventually resulted in Morin’s vindication in 2002, has received surprisingly little attention. I begin the analysis with a careful examination of the legal issues involved in Morin’s trial and subsequent successful appeal, and also explain the relationship of these decisions to the famous case of James Keegstra in Alberta. Following this, I discuss the implications of the Morin case for teacher free expression in Canada. I conclude by suggesting that Canadian teachers may well have more scope for free expression than they realize.
Proof of the existence of the cluster free energy

LetZ p be the partition function over internal configurational degrees of freedom of ap-particle cluster. The existence of the limit, asp→∞, of (βp)−1 logZ p is demonstrated for the square, triangle, hexagon, simple cubic, face-centered cubic, and body-centered cubic lattice gas models, and for continuous space models with potentials satisfying stability and tempering conditions. Pairwise, finite-range bonding is assumed throughout.
Fault Simulation and Emulation Tools to Augment Radiation-Hardness Assurance Testing

As of 2013, the gold standard for assessing radiation-hardness assurance (RHA) for a system, subsystem, or a component is accelerated radiation testing and/or pulsed laser testing. Fault injection tools, which include both fault simulation and emulation tools, have become more common in the last 15 years. Fault simulation tools use analytical methods for assessing RHA, whereas fault emulation uses hardware methods. Both fault simulation and emulation allow designers to augment traditional RHA techniques to determine whether circuit designs, microarchitectures, components, and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) meet the requirements for a particular mission. Fault simulation and emulation can provide the designers the luxury of testing on the benchtop without the time and financial constraints of accelerated radiation testing. This paper explores how to design, implement, and validate a fault simulation or emulation system. The paper ends with several case studies of currently used fault simulation and emulation systems.
Comment on Ambassador Okawara’s Speech

Ambassador Okawara has given us a highly intelligent speech, as one would expect from such a distinguished Japanese diplomat. It was also a creative and innovative speech. It was a remarkable sign of how far the Japanese debate on security issues has advanced in the last decade.
Post-Injection Involutional Lipoatrophy: Ultrastructural Evidence for an Activated Macrophage Phenotype and Macrophage Related Involution of Adipocytes

We describe a 53-year-old white female with distinctive clinical and histologic changes of involutional lipoatrophy on the right elbow that developed 6 months following a steroid injection to the site. Morphologically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally macrophages were seen in close proximity to the altered adipocytes. The macrophages displayed an activated phenotype and were observed engulfing segments of altered adipose and stromal tissue. Other inflammatory cells were lacking and up-regulation of the intra-epidermal Langerhan cells and dermal dendrocytic populations were not observed suggesting non-immune causal mechanisms in the disease process. We believe that the progression model of involutional lipoatrophy is similar to that of glomerulonephritis in which macrophage accumulation can result from non-immune mechanisms such as trauma and lead to the production of several cytokines that induce tissue injury and subsequent fibrosis and sclerosis.
Aging and drying of gels

Abstract This review describes the chemical and physical processes occurring during the aging and drying of an inorganic gel. The chemical reactions that lead to gelation are shown to continue long after the solution gels, causing changes in the composition, structure, and properties of the gel. The formation of new crosslinks produces shrinkage (syneresis) and increases the modulus and viscosity of the gel, so that aging reduces the subsequent shrinkage during drying. If the solubility of the solid phase is drying, the small pores of the gel develop high capillary pressures that results in shrinkage. If the exterior surface shrinks much faster than the interior, the differential strain can cause warping and cracking; very slow drying is generally required to prevent such catastrophes. Fracture is most likely at the moment that shrinkage stops and the liquid/vapor meniscus moves into the gel; after that point, the meniscus may remain smooth or may become unstable and ragged. The theory of drying is reviewed and shown to account for the observed behavior. Several strategies are described that minimize the tendency of the gel to crack.
Evaluation Research in Long-Term Care Scope and Methodology

Several policy issues pertaining to long-term care (LTC) were assessed, and they include (1) What are the cost-effective alternatives in long-term care? (2) What are the major societal and individual factors that are amenable to program interventions for reducing unnecessary and inappropriate institutionalization of the chronically ill? (3) What are the critical elements of a successful evaluation research design in long-term care? (4) How can LTC research findings be transmitted into policy relevant guides for program planning and development? The strengths and weaknesses of a variety of evaluation designs in long-term care research were discussed.
A Simple Analytic Model for Transport by Fluctuating Winds.

Abstract The statistical properties of airborne tracer concentrations, and the time-lagged correlation between concentration and wind velocity, are calculated from a simple model for the fluctuations in wind velocity. The mean concentration distribution thus calculated is compared with that obtained using the usual diffusivity formulation for transport, and the limitations on the diffusivity approximation discussed for various sources and sinks. It is shown that the model provides a method for calculation of the concentration statistics in the presence of velocity-dependent sources.
Liquid-vapor equilibria in binary systems containing 4He or 3He with nH2 or nD2☆

Abstract Equilibrium liquid and vapor compositions are reported at 2 K intervals for binary systems containing 4He or 3He with nH2 or nD2 between 20 and 30 K at pressures up to 20.3 × 105 Pa (20 atm). Vapor pressures measured at 1 K intervals are also reported for nH2 from 20 to 30 K and for nD2 from 20 to 34 K. A vapor-recirculation apparatus was used with equilibrium compositions determined by gas chromatographic analysis. The results show that, at the same temperature and partial pressure, (1) 4He and 3He are three to five times more soluble in liquid nH2 than in liquid nD2, (2) 4He is slightly more soluble than 3He in either liquid solvent, and (3) within the precision of measurement, vapor compositions are independent of the helium isotope present. Comparisons are made with corresponding liquid-vapor equilibria and vapor pressure data reported in the literature.
Combat damage control surgery.

Background:Although the use of damage control surgery for blunt and penetrating injury has been widely reported and defined, the use of damage control surgery on the battlefield (combat damage control surgery) has not been well detailed.Discussion:Damage control surgery is now well established as th
Sexuality discussions in santería: A case study of religion and sexuality negotiation

This article examines everyday discussions of sexuality among practitioners of Santeria, an Afro-Cuban religious-cultural practice in the United States derived from Africa’s Yoruba tradition. Santeria incorporates gay, lesbian, and bisexual identified (GLB) practitioners, who educate each other and other practitioners on sexuality and sexual orientation. I used a case study approach based on ethnographic methods with extended interviews to look at Santeria’s religious structure, the interception of gender and sexuality with Santeria’s hierarchical practice, and the sexual and religious knowledge used by the religion’s practitioners. The relationship between ethno-racial minorities and sexual minorities is elaborated in detail—theoretically, as well as in the specific scenario of Santeria. GLB practitioners are inserted into the religious setting through a set of roles or perceived responsibilities within Santeria. This research elucidates newer ways of thinking about religion that incorporate discussions of sexuality.
Shell-model calculations of the neutron-rich 40Cl nucleus

The low-lying spectrum of the neutron-rich doubly-odd nucleus 40Cl is studied with a shell-model space consisting of all configurations of neutron and proton 0d3/2 and 0f7/2 orbitals, a space which emphasizes the effects of multiparticle-multihole excitations. The effective interaction among the valence particles was obtained from a systematic fit to the low-lying spectra of nuclei within the model space. The model predictions are compared with other shell-model calculations which emphasize spaces characterized by many orbits but only 0ħω configurations, as well as with the limited available experimental data.
Potential of adult neural stem cells in stroke therapy

Despite state-of-the-art therapy, clinical outcome after stroke remains poor, with many patients left permanently disabled and dependent on care. Stem cell therapy has evolved as a promising new therapeutic avenue for the treatment of stroke in experimental studies, and recent clinical trials have proven its feasibility and safety in patients. Replacement of damaged cells and restoration of function can be accomplished by transplantation of different cell types, such as embryonic, fetal or adult stem cells, human fetal tissue and genetically engineered cell lines. Adult neural stem cells offer the advantage of avoiding the ethical problems associated with embryonic or fetal stem cells and can be harvested as autologous grafts from the individual patients. Furthermore, stimulation of endogenous adult stem cell-mediated repair mechanisms in the brain might offer new avenues for stroke therapy without the necessity of transplantation. However, important scientific issues need to be addressed to advance our u...
More on the reaction of graphite/potassium with water

Abstract The first stage intercalation compound of graphite with K°, C 8 K, will react with water at room temperature to yield a solid product containing graphite inserted with potassium cations and water molecules. Temperature-variant 1 H NMR shows that both T 1 and T 2 decrease as temperature decreases from 298 K to 213 K (T 1 > T 2 at these temperatures) with an activation energy of 0.25 eV. Starting with a C 8 K D 2 O product, one can isotopically exchange with H 2 O to yield a product with 17% H 2 O after 48 hours at room temperature, showing the inserted species are not kinetically “encapsulated.” X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance are used to distinguish the graphite compound from a mixture of graphite and hydrates of potassium hydroxide.
Initial Experience with Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery: the Need for Understanding the Limitations

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is an alternative to transanal excision or radical surgery for benign and carefully selected malignant rectal tumors. Advantages over transanal excision include better visualization, access to more proximal lesions, higher likelihood of negative margins, and lower recurrence rates. Compared to radical resection, patients experience lower rates of morbidity and mortality but may have higher rates of local recurrence. A review of a prospectively maintained database of patients scheduled for transanal endoscopic microsurgery was performed. Ninety-three patients underwent 96 procedures for 13 carcinoid tumors, 1 submucosal mass, 46 adenomas, 12 in situ adenocarcinomas, and 21 invasive adenocarcinomas. Of these cases, 81.2% was successfully completed. There were nine complications (11.5%). Final pathology demonstrated 33 in situ and invasive adenocarcinomas. The mean follow-up was 25.9 months. The four recurrences (12.1%) occurred in: one tubulovillous adenoma, two in situ carcinomas, and one T2 lesion. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is appropriate for benign lesions such as carcinoid tumors and adenomas and can also be curative in carefully selected patients with early-stage invasive rectal cancer. In cases of invasive adenocarcinoma, it should be reserved for low-risk cancers in patients who accept the possible increased risk of recurrence.
Recursive data-based prediction and control of batch product quality

In typical batch and semibatch processes, process/feedstock disturbances occur fiequently and on-line measurements of product quality uariables are not auailable. As a result, most batch processes have not been able to achieue tight quality control. Empirical, data-driven approaches are ueiy attractive for dealing with this problem because of the difficulties associated with developing accurate process models from first principles. An approach for recursive on-line quality prediction was deueloped around data-based model structures. Techniques designed to incorporate the predictive models into on-line monitoring and control of batch product quality were also examined. The proposed control approach can be viewed as shrinking-horizon model-predictiue control based on empirical models. The effectiveness of the proposed prediction and control methods are illustrated by using an industrially releuant simulated polymerization example.
Auditory brainstem responses in ground squirrels arousing from hibernation.

Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded in ground squirrels (Citellus lateralis) arousing from hibernation. Squirrels implanted with recording screws to record ABRs, and a thermistor to record brain temperature, were placed in a cold room at 9 °C on a 2L:22D light-dark cycle. Hibernating animals were moved from the cold room and ABRs recorded during arousal. The responses showed a gradual development of all brainstem peaks.
Various approaches in analyzing Android applications with its permission-based security models

Permission-based security models use a computer security technique that allows the administrator and operating system to restrict applications to access specific resources. The restrictions used in this model are not designed by the users, but instead are designed by developers or administrators. Therefore, the user's system security is dependent on the user's belief that the developers and administrators are legitimate, which can be easily exploited by malicious developers. In this paper, we perform a high-level contextual analysis and an exploration of Android [3] applications based on their implementation of permission-based security models by applying network visualization techniques and clustering algorithms. Throughout the analysis, we discover several phenomena that verify past research [4, 5], and new potentials in permission-based security models that may provide additional security to the users.
Water and NaCl intake of chicks as mediated by angiotensin II, renin, or salt deficiency.

Water, feed and NaCl intakes were measured in response to angiotensin II (ANGII) injected SC and ICV, and renin injected ICV, as well as to dietary salt deficiency in female broiler chicks (Gallus domesticus). In the first experiment, SC (100 μg/bird) and ICV (10 μg/bird) ANGII injection resulted in increased initial water intake. An additive effect on drinking was noted in response to consecutive daily SC injections. In addition, feed efficiency and growth were depressed following repeated ANGII injections (p<0.001). In a 2nd experiment, ICV ANGII stimulated increased cumulative water intake through 18 hours postinjection (p<0.05). Intake of 3.0% NaCl solution and feed was unaffected through 48 hours. Renin (1 μg ICV) failed to affect cumulative water intake up to 48 hours postinjection. In the third experiment, dietary salt deficiency reduced feed intake after just 48 hours on salt-deficient diets (p<0.01), and growth and feed efficiency were significantly impaired (p<0.001) through 20 days of age. Intakes of NaCl solutions (0.8, 0.7 or 0.6%), however, were unaffected in salt-deficient vs. control birds. While the chicks in these experiments demonstrated a consistent drinking response to ANGII when injected peripherally or centrally, a salt appetite could not be elicited in these birds by components of the renin-angiotensin system or by dietary salt depletion.
Electrolytic deposition of PZT on carbon fibers for fabricating multifunctional composites

Piezoelectric fiber composites (PFCs) have been developed in order to overcome the fragile nature of monolithic piezoelectric materials by embedding piezoceramic inclusions into a polymer matrix. The flexible nature of the polymer matrix protects the piezoelectric fiber from damage or fracture under mechanical loading and allows the composites to be easily conformed to curved surfaces for use in many applications. Although PFCs have many useful properties, they still suffer from several drawbacks, namely the required separate electrodes make it impossible to embed the composites into the host structure, and the relatively low tensile modulus of the piezoelectric inclusion means that it contributes little to structural properties. To resolve the inadequacies of current PFCs, a novel active structural fiber (ASF) was developed that can be embedded into a composite structure to perform sensing and actuation, and provide load bearing functionality. The concept and feasibility of this ASF has been validated by coating a silicon carbide (SiC) fiber with a barium titanate (BaTiO3) shell using electrophoresis deposition techniques. However, lead based ceramics react with SiC fiber during high temperature sintering and thus the use of these highly coupled piezoceramics requires alternative deposition approaches. This paper will introduce a new ASF fabricated by coating a single carbon fiber with a concentric PZT (PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3) shell using electrolytic deposition (ELD). ELD quickly and uniformly coats the fiber and, since the PZT precursor has a low crystallization temperature, the carbon fiber is not exposed to high sintering temperatures which typically degrade the in-plane material properties of the fiber and composite. Carbon fiber has been widely used in industry and studied in academia due to its excellent mechanical properties, while PZT has been extensively used for sensing or actuation because of its high piezoelectric coupling. Crystal structures of the PZT before and after annealing are characterized by means of x-ray diffraction, and a pure perovskite structure of the PZT after annealing is shown.
Genetic Associations With Hypoxemia and Pulmonary Arterial Pressure in COPD

Background Hypoxemia, hypercarbia, and pulmonary arterial hypertension are known complications of advanced COPD. We sought to identify genetic polymorphisms associated with these traits in a population of patients with severe COPD from the National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT). Methods In 389 participants from the NETT Genetics Ancillary Study, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in five candidate genes previously associated with COPD susceptibility (EPHX1, SERPINE2, SFTPB, TGFB1, and GSTP1). Linear regression models were used to test for associations among these SNPs and three quantitative COPD-related traits (Pao 2 , Paco 2 , and pulmonary artery systolic pressure). Genes associated with hypoxemia were tested for replication in probands from the Boston Early-Onset COPD Study. Results In the NETT Genetics Ancillary Study population, SNPs in microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EPHX1) [p = 0.01 to 0.04] and serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E, member 2 (SERPINE2) [p = 0.04 to 0.008] were associated with hypoxemia. One SNP within surfactant protein B (SFTPB) was associated with pulmonary artery systolic pressure (p = 0.01). In probands from the Boston Early-Onset COPD Study, SNPs in EPHX1 and in SERPINE2 were associated with the requirement for supplemental oxygen. Conclusions In participants with severe COPD, SNPs in EPHX1 and SERPINE2 were associated with hypoxemia in two separate study populations, and SNPs from SFTPB were associated with pulmonary artery pressure in the NETT participants.
Alfonso X y la conquista de la otredad

En este articulo se estudia el papel que las aventuras de Carlos Maynet y Alfonso VI, narradas en la Estoria de Espana , desempenaron en la articulacion de las aspiraciones imperiales del Rey Sabio; quien defendio sus ambiciones haciendo un habil uso del folclor y de las leyes de la otredad codificadas por el. La principal ley de la otredad establecia que para vencer, en este caso a los moros, los cristianos tenian que mezclarse con ellos, y esto es lo que hicieron Carlos Maynet y Alfonso VI cuando se asentaron en Toledo y se casaron con Galiana y Caida, respectivamente. Los episodios tratados pueden leerse como una sutil justificacion de la ambicion imperial de Alfonso X, rey de Toledo y el lider mas mezclado de Europa, que anhelaba ostentar, en su persona, las herencias de Carlomagno y Alfonso VI.
Geographical variation in male advertisement calls and female preference of the wide-ranging canyon treefrog, Hyla arenicolor

We surveyed the geographical variation in male advertisement calls of the wide-ranging canyon treefrog, Hyla arenicolor, and found large call differences among geographically distant lineages that had been characterized by a recent phylogeographical study. To test whether these call differences were biologically relevant and could allow reproductive isolation of different lineages should they come into secondary contact, we assessed female preference in a lineage occurring in southern Utah and north-western Arizona, USA. These females exhibited a strong preference for their own lineage's call type over the calls of two Mexican lineages, but not over the calls from the geographically nearest lineage. We also identified traits that female frogs probably use to discriminate between lineage-specific advertisement calls. Our behavioural results, together with recent molecular estimates of phylogenetic relationships among lineages, will guide future work addressing the evolutionary forces that have led to this biologically significant variation in male sexual signals. © 2012 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, ••, ••–••.
Use of a Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction to Rapidly Differentiate Neospora Caninum from Toxoplasma Gondii in an Adult Dog with Necrotizing Myocarditis and Myocardial Infarct

This report describes a 3-year-old male castrated Mastiff dog that died unexpectedly with locally extensive, acute, necrotizing myocarditis and myocardial infarction. Intralesional protozoal tachyzoites in the affected myocardium were confirmed to be Neospora caninum by a novel multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Protozoal organisms were not identified in other tissues by histology, immunohistochemistry, or PCR. The multiplex PCR assay was used to quickly provide preliminary results on fresh myocardium to differentiate N. caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. Neosporosis is an uncommon cause of myocarditis in adult dogs and differential diagnoses for myocarditis in this population of dogs are reviewed.