cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathways for CO2 Formation and Conversion During Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis on Iron-Based Catalysts

CO2 reaction and formation pathways during Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) on a co-precipitated Fe–Zn catalyst promoted with Cu and K were studied using a kinetic analysis of reversible reactions and with the addition of 13C-labeled and unlabeled CO2 to synthesis gas. Primary pathways for the removal of adsorbed oxygen formed in CO dissociation steps include reactions with adsorbed hydrogen to form H2O and with adsorbed CO to form CO2. The H2O selectivity for these pathways is much higher than that predicted from WGS reaction equilibrium; therefore readsorption of H2O followed by its subsequent reaction with CO-derived intermediates leads to the net formation of CO2 with increasing reactor residence time. The forward rate of CO2 formation increases with increasing residence time as H2O concentration increases, but the net CO2 formation rate decreases because of the gradual approach to WGS reaction equilibrium. CO2 addition to synthesis gas does not influence CO2 forward rates, but increases the rate of their reverse steps in the manner predicted by kinetic analyses of reversible reactions using non-equilibrium thermodynamic treatments. Thus the addition of CO2 could lead to the minimization of CO2 formation during FTS and to the preferential removal of oxygen as H2O. This, in turn, leads to lower average H2/CO ratios throughout the catalyst bed and to higher olefin content and C5+ selectivity among reaction products. The addition of 13CO2 to H2/12CO reactants did not lead to significant isotopic enrichment in hydrocarbon products, indicating that CO2 is much less reactive than CO in chain initiation and growth. We find no evidence of competitive reactions of CO2 to form hydrocarbons during reactions of H2/CO/CO2 mixtures, except via gas phase and adsorbed CO intermediates, which become kinetically indistinguishable from CO2 as the chemical interconversion of CO and CO2 becomes rapid at WGS reaction equilibrium.
A river that flows free connects up in 4D

Humans have altered the natural flow of rivers, adversely affecting biodiversity and the services that these watercourses provide. The mapping of millions of kilometres of rivers reveals the extent of human interference. Global maps of free-flowing rivers.
The Role of Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in the Development of Effective Quality Improvement Teams in Ghana: An Observational Study

As lower-income countries look to develop a mature healthcare workforce and to improve quality and reduce costs, they are increasingly turning to quality improvement (QI), a widely-used strategy in higher-income countries. Although QI is an effective strategy for promoting evidence-based practices, QI interventions often fail to deliver desired results. This failure may reflect a problem with implementation. As the key implementing unit of QI, teams are critical for the success or failure of QI efforts. Thus, we used the model of work-team learning to identify factors related to the effectiveness of newly-formed hospital-based QI teams in Ghana. This was a cross-sectional, observational study. We used structural equation modeling to estimate relationships between coaching-oriented team leadership, perceived support for teamwork, team psychological safety, team learning behavior, and QI implementation. We used an observer-rated measure of QI implementation, our outcome of interest. Team-level factors were measured using aggregated survey data from 490 QI team members, resulting in a sample size of 122 teams. We assessed model fit and tested significance of standardized parameters, including direct and indirect effects. Learning behavior mediated a positive relationship between psychological safety and QI implementation (β = 0.171, p = 0.001). Psychological safety mediated a positive relationship between team leadership and learning behavior (β = 0.384, p = 0.068). Perceived support for teamwork did not have a significant effect on psychological safety or learning behavior. Psychological safety and learning behavior are key for the success of newly formed QI teams working in lower-income countries. Organizational leaders and implementation facilitators should consider these leverage points as they work to establish an environment where QI and other team-based activities are supported and encouraged.
P79 Making the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice: An Online Training for Nutrition Education and Public Health Professionals Engaged in Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) Approaches

Objective Implement and evaluate an asynchronous online course to build capacity of professionals developing, implementing, and evaluating effective PSE approaches in their communities. Use of Theory or Research Developed using the socio-ecological model and results of a national needs assessment of SNAP-Ed and EFNEP educators and administrators. Target Audience Nutrition education and public health professionals serving low-income communities. Program Description The online, self-paced, six-module course introduces PSE terminology and approaches. Readings, interactive content, and videos then help learners design a PSE effort in their own communities. A personalized interactive workbook and group discussion guide help learners engage with content. The course provides links to newly developed and widely used resources. Graduates are required to pass six module tests based on course objectives. Enrollees have one year to complete the course. Evaluation Methods Enrollees complete pre-course surveys to collect demographics. Graduates complete an anonymous post-course program evaluation survey. Results In the first six months, 341 learners enrolled and 130 graduated. Graduates reported that level of content was just right (85%), too advanced (12%), or too basic (3%), and that course content extended their knowledge of PSE approaches (88% agree/strongly agree) and related to their responsibilities (83% agree/strongly agree). Graduates believed instructional material was well organized (85% agree/strongly agree) and the materials including readings, videos, and case studies conveyed content well (73% agree/strongly agree). Graduates agreed or strongly agreed that content met course objectives, preparing them to identify community needs (88%); build partnerships (87%); and create (82%) and implement (83%) PSE action plans. Conclusions This online training on PSE approaches met the learning needs identified by SNAP-Ed and EFNEP professionals. Course graduates felt prepared to plan, implement, and evaluate PSEs in their own communities. Funding None.
Language influences mass opinion toward gender and LGBT equality

To improve gender equality and tolerance toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities, several nations have promoted the use of gender-neutral pronouns and words. Do these linguistic devices actually reduce biases that favor men over women, gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals? The current article explores this question with 3 large-scale experiments in Sweden, which formally incorporated a gender-neutral pronoun into its language alongside established gendered pronouns equivalent to he and she. The evidence shows that compared with masculine pronouns, use of gender-neutral pronouns decreases the mental salience of males. This shift is associated with individuals expressing less bias in favor of traditional gender roles and categories, as reflected in more favorable attitudes toward women and LGBT individuals in public life. Additional analyses reveal similar patterns for feminine pronouns. The influence of both pronouns is more automatic than controlled.
Precision Therapy for Aggressive Endometrial Cancer by Reactivation of Protein Phosphatase 2A

Critically important to reducing uterine cancer mortality is the development of more effective therapy for aggressive endometrial cancers, including uterine serous cancer and uterine carcinosarcoma, which together account for over half of deaths due to endometrial cancer. About one-third of these aggressive endometrial cancers harbor mutations in the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) Aα scaffold subunit encoded by PPP2R1A In this issue, the study by Taylor and colleagues elucidates the role of a highly recurrent PP2A-Aα-subunit mutation PPP2R1A P179R as a biological driver of aggressive endometrial cancer. Compelling data demonstrate that the P179R mutation alters PP2A-Aα protein conformation, impairing holoenzyme formation and reducing PP2A phosphatase activity to promote endometrial cancer progression. Restoration of wild-type PPP2R1A in P179R-mutant endometrial cancer cells increases phosphatase activity and inhibits tumor growth in vivo Furthermore, a small-molecule activator of PP2A (SMAP) phenocopies restoration of wild-type PPP2R1A to suppress tumor growth. These promising results are an important advance toward effective precision therapy for aggressive endometrial cancer.See related article by Taylor et al., p. 4242.
Examining the Association between Item Specific Treatment Burden and Adherence in People Living with HIV

For the 1.1 million people with HIV (PWH) in the United States, adherence to a HIV anti-retroviral medication regimen, engagement in regular physical activity, and eating a healthy diet are essential for maintaining optimal health. However, treatment burden can increase the risk for self-management non-adherence. We analyzed data of 103 men and women diagnosed with HIV to examine the relationship between medication, physical activity, and diet-related treatment burden to corresponding measures of self-management adherence. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that one medication treatment burden item explained 11% (p=.01) of self-reported 30-day HIV anti-retroviral medication adherence; physical activity treatment burden, along with physical functioning, explained 25% (p<.001) of physical activity, measured by daily average steps; and diet-specific treatment burden was non-significant in maintaining a healthy diet, measured by a total Healthy Eating Index-2010 score. Findings demonstrate that specific treatment burden items can predict specific self-management outcome behavior in PWH.
Optimizing Narrowband UVB Phototherapy Regimens for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune condition characterized by abnormal epidermal hyperproliferation affecting about 3.2% of adults in the United States. Narrowband UVB (NBUVB) is a commonly used phototherapy option for patients with psoriasis and is an effective first-line therapy for generalized plaque psoriasis. This article covers fundamental considerations for physicians using NBUVB and highlights changes in the newest guideline recommendations for phototherapy treatment. Protocols for treatment initiation, maintenance, dose increases, and maintenance are compared and discussed. Readers will achieve a greater understanding of the fundamentals of NBUVB phototherapy and promising advances in the field, including home phototherapy and combination treatment.
Profile Entropy: A Fundamental Measure for the Learnability and Compressibility of Discrete Distributions

The profile of a sample is the multiset of its symbol frequencies. We show that for samples of discrete distributions, profile entropy is a fundamental measure unifying the concepts of estimation, inference, and compression. Specifically, profile entropy a) determines the speed of estimating the distribution relative to the best natural estimator; b) characterizes the rate of inferring all symmetric properties compared with the best estimator over any label-invariant distribution collection; c) serves as the limit of profile compression, for which we derive optimal near-linear-time block and sequential algorithms. To further our understanding of profile entropy, we investigate its attributes, provide algorithms for approximating its value, and determine its magnitude for numerous structural distribution families.
Animal Model To Study Klebsiella pneumoniae Gastrointestinal Colonization and Host-to-Host Transmission

An important yet poorly understood facet of the life cycle of a successful pathogen is host-to-host transmission. Hospital-acquired infections (HAI) resulting from the transmission of drug-resistant pathogens affect hundreds of millions of patients worldwide. Klebsiella pneumoniae, a Gram-negative bacterium, is notorious for causing HAI, with many of these infections difficult to treat, as K. pneumoniae has become multidrug resistant. Epidemiological studies suggest that K. pneumoniae host-to-host transmission requires close contact and generally occurs through the fecal-oral route. Here, we describe a murine model that can be utilized to study mucosal (oropharynx and gastrointestinal [GI]) colonization, shedding within feces, and transmission of K. pneumoniae through the fecal-oral route. Using an oral route of inoculation, and fecal shedding as a marker for GI colonization, we showed that K. pneumoniae can asymptomatically colonize the GI tract in immunocompetent mice and modifies the host GI microbiota. Colonization density within the GI tract and levels of shedding in the feces differed among the clinical isolates tested. A hypervirulent K. pneumoniae isolate was able to translocate from the GI tract and cause hepatic infection that mimicked the route of human infection. Expression of the capsule was required for colonization and, in turn, robust shedding. Furthermore, K. pneumoniae carrier mice were able to transmit to uninfected cohabitating mice. Lastly, treatment with antibiotics led to changes in the host microbiota and development of a transient supershedder phenotype, which enhanced transmission efficiency. Thus, this model can be used to determine the contribution of host and bacterial factors toward K. pneumoniae dissemination.
These legs were made for propulsion: advancing the diagnosis and treatment of post-stroke propulsion deficits

Advances in medical diagnosis and treatment have facilitated the emergence of precision medicine. In contrast, locomotor rehabilitation for individuals with acquired neuromotor injuries remains limited by the dearth of (i) diagnostic approaches that can identify the specific neuromuscular, biomechanical, and clinical deficits underlying impaired locomotion and (ii) evidence-based, targeted treatments. In particular, impaired propulsion by the paretic limb is a major contributor to walking-related disability after stroke; however, few interventions have been able to target deficits in propulsion effectively and in a manner that reduces walking disability. Indeed, the weakness and impaired control that is characteristic of post-stroke hemiparesis leads to heterogeneous deficits that impair paretic propulsion and contribute to a slow, metabolically-expensive, and unstable gait. Current rehabilitation paradigms emphasize the rapid attainment of walking independence, not the restoration of normal propulsion function. Although walking independence is an important goal for stroke survivors, independence achieved via compensatory strategies may prevent the recovery of propulsion needed for the fast, economical, and stable gait that is characteristic of healthy bipedal locomotion. We posit that post-stroke rehabilitation should aim to promote independent walking, in part, through the acquisition of enhanced propulsion. In this expert review, we present the biomechanical and functional consequences of post-stroke propulsion deficits, review advances in our understanding of the nature of post-stroke propulsion impairment, and discuss emerging diagnostic and treatment approaches that have the potential to facilitate new rehabilitation paradigms targeting propulsion restoration.
Evaluating the effects of timber harvest on hydrologically sensitive areas and hydrologic response

Abstract Effects of forest treatments on watershed hydrology in terms of water yield and runoff processes is a primary concern. This paper evaluates the effects of long-term land cover change on hydrological processes in the Mica Creek Experimental Watershed (MCEW) in northern Idaho, USA. In the MCEW, effects of clearcut and partial cut harvest practices on streamflow were monitored and evaluated from 1991 to 2013. Firstly, snowpack dynamics in terms of snowmelt timing and average melt rate under different elevations, aspects, land covers, and climate conditions were analyzed at the point-scale with the snow accumulation and melt (SAM) model from the perspective of the energy balance. Then, the grid-based soil moisture routing (SMR) hydrology model was used to provide temporal and spatial hydrological changes in the MCEW. We assigned locations as hydrologically sensitive areas (HSAs) based on the probability of runoff generation (P(Ai = HS)) to capture potential downstream environmental effects of actual land cover change and optimal harvest patterns. The results highlight the strong impacts timber harvest can have on increasing streamflow and, in particular, peak flow. On average, the daily averaged degree of saturation increased by 20% after timber harvest resulting in higher risks of flooding from large rainfall events. Three logging scenarios including logging in areas with low P(Ai = HS), high P(Ai = HS), and in the entire watershed area, showed that logging areas had a positive relationship with water yield and that more extreme peak flow was likely to occur after clearcutting in high P(Ai = HS) areas (high elevation) under rainfall driven events or logging in low P(Ai = HS) areas (medium elevation) during snowmelt dominated events. Clearcutting on south-facing slopes at medium elevation strongly increased the average melt rate leading to potential flooding if a snowpack was present and temperatures increased. Scenario analysis suggests that partial cutting in areas with low P(Ai = HS) would reduce peak flow amount by as much as 40%. However, for watersheds to be logged entirely, choosing proper harvest locations such as clearcutting in high P(Ai = HS) areas having large snow events may effectively reduce extreme peak flow from spring snowmelt. Our findings inform forest management decisions favoring partial cutting over clearcutting, and how to avoid concentrating harvest practices in HSAs by adapting spatial distribution and timing of harvesting to climate conditions to minimize impacts on the water cycle.
Risk and Protective Pathways to Peer Victimization from Infancy to Adolescence: Role of Fathers

This study examined the developmental pathways from fathers’ psychopathology in early childhood to child peer victimization (bullying and cyber victimization) in late adolescence via family relationships and early adolescent psychosocial functioning (anxiety, emotion regulation, social problems). A conceptual model with pathways through inter-parental aggression and fathers’ parenting (harshness and sensitivity) was tested. Participants were 227 families (51% female children recruited as infants) who participated in a longitudinal study examining the role of parental alcohol problems and associated risks on developmental and family processes from infancy to late adolescence. Multi-method (observational, parent report, adolescent report) assessments of family processes and child outcomes were conducted across all time points. Fathers’ alcohol problems and depressive symptoms in early childhood was prospectively associated with inter-parental aggression in middle childhood and social problems in early adolescence. For boys only, early adolescent social problems were predictive of bullying victimization. Fathers’ antisocial behavior in early childhood was associated with less sensitive parenting in middle childhood. Fathers’ sensitivity in middle childhood was protective, being associated with lower cyber victimization in late adolescence. Fathers’ sensitivity was also associated with higher emotion regulation in early adolescence; however, counter to expectations, higher emotion regulation was associated with more bullying and cyber victimization. Findings shed light on differences in the etiological pathways to bullying and cyber victimization, as well as how distinct forms of paternal psychopathology in early childhood associate with family relationships, child adjustment, and vulnerability to peer victimization in late adolescence.
On Rainbow Cycles and Proper Edge Colorings of Generalized Polygons.

An edge coloring of a simple graph $G$ is said to be \textit{proper rainbow-cycle-forbidding} (PRCF, for short) if no two incident edges receive the same color and for any cycle in $G$, at least two edges of that cycle receive the same color. A graph $G$ is defined to be \textit{PRCF-good} if it admits a PRCF edge coloring, and $G$ is deemed \textit{PRCF-bad} otherwise. In recent work, Hoffman, et al. study PRCF edge colorings and find many examples of PRCF-bad graphs having girth less than or equal to 4. They then ask whether such graphs exist having girth greater than 4. In our work, we give a straightforward counting argument showing that the Hoffman-Singleton graph answers this question in the affirmative for the case of girth 5. It is then shown that certain generalized polygons, constructed of sufficiently large order, are also PRCF-bad, thus proving the existence of PRCF-bad graphs of girth 6, 8, 12, and 16.
Articular Cartilage and Meniscus Predictors of Patient-Reported Outcomes 10 Years After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background:Articular cartilage and meniscal damage are commonly encountered and often treated at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Our understanding of how these injurie...
Extension of a thickened flame model to highly stratified combustion—Application to a spark-ignition engine

Abstract An extension to the dynamic thickened flame model for large-eddy simulations (DTFLES) is presented, which allows modeling highly stratified combustion and accounts for spatial variations of flow and combustion metrics. The extension, called the stratified DTFLES (or SDTFLES) relies on a local thermodynamic formulation to calculate combustion parameters that are required for the thickened flame model, more specifically the wrinkling factor Ξ . The advantage of this method is that model parameters are calculated locally without information from outside the computational cell. The extension is developed using user-defined functions in STAR-CD v4.2, and tested first in a baseline parametric study and then in a computational four-valve direct-ignition spark-ignition engine operating in a highly-stratified late-injection mode. The large-eddy simulation (LES) results are compared to experimental results for validation purposes. The comparison covers the spatial variation of combustion parameters, qualitative flame progression, and quantitative in-cylinder pressure, indicated mean-effective pressure (IMEP), and heat release. The model extension is able to reproduce the in-cylinder flame behavior, wrinkling, and burn rate.
Development of a Biosensor-Based Rapid Urine Test for Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis affects up to 300 million people in regions of South America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, and sub-Saharan Africa. Chronic consequences of schistosomiasis include anemia, physical and cognitive retardation in children, and organ failure. With predilection for the genitourinary tract, Schistosoma haematobium increases the risk of bladder cancer and HIV infection in women. Microscopic identification and enumeration of parasite eggs in urine (S. haematobium) or stool (Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum) has remained the standard for schistosomiasis diagnosis [1]. Limitations of microscopy include the need for skilled personnel in the field with microscopy equipment and its time-consuming nature. Particularly in infrastructure-limited regions, point-of-care (POC) molecular diagnostics hold the potential to transform the management of infectious diseases such as schistosomiasis that carry significant long-term morbidity if left undiagnosed. POC diagnosis could allow selective drug administration to individuals with confirmed infection rather than entire schools or communities, and an integrated diagnosis–single dose therapy approach could reduce costs of drug administration campaigns and minimize treatment-associated adverse effects. Electrochemical biosensors are well suited for molecular diagnostics because of their high sensitivity, low cost, ease of integration into POC devices, and portability of the reader instrumentation [2]. We have developed a strategy for rapid (one hour) molecular diagnosis of bacterial urinary tract infections using electrochemical biosensors [3,4]. Urinary cells are lysed and directly applied to an array of sensors functionalized with oligonucleotide probes targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of common uropathogens [3,4]. Formation of the sequence-specific hybridization complex between the pathogen rRNA and the labeled capture and detector probe pairs is detected by an enzyme tag that mediates an amperometric signal output (Fig 1). Fig 1 Biosensor-based molecular detection of urinary pathogen. In this work, we demonstrate the use of our biosensor-based platform for detection of S. haematobium in urine. We developed capture and detector probes targeting S. haematobium rRNA and integrated them into our established molecular diagnostics strategy. After determining an efficient egg lysis strategy, we demonstrated direct electrochemical detection of S. haematobium eggs spiked in human urine.
Subgroup Relations among Pitch-Class Sets within Tetrachordal K-Families

In 1990 and 1991, Henry Klumpenhouwer and David Lewin introduced Klumpenhouwer networks (K-nets) as theoretical tools that display transformational interpretations of dyads contained within pitch-class multisets (Lewin 1990; Klumpenhouwer 1991). Informally, K-nets are directed graphs that employ pitch classes as nodes and elements of the T/I group as edges. In order for a K-net to be well defined, its edges must commute throughout the directed graph and its nodes must map to adjacent nodes according to the corresponding edge transformations. Several types of K-nets emerged by varying the cardinalities of the underlying pitch-class multisets, the number of constituent dyads subject to transformational interpretation, the number of transpositional and inversional operators employed, and the relative positions of these operators. We will work exclusively with two common types of K-nets: trichordal K-nets and box-style tetrachordal K-nets. See Examples 1a and 1b, respectively, for representatives of these two types.
Random Search versus Genetic Programming as Engines for Collective Adaptation

We have integrated the distributed search of genetic programming (GP) based systems with collective memory to form a collective adaptation search method. Such a system significantly improves search as problem complexity is increased. Since the pure GP approach does not scale well with problem complexity, a natural question is which of the two components is actually contributing to the search process. We investigate a collective memory search that utilizes a random search engine and find that it significantly outperforms the GP-based search engine. We examine the solution space and show that as problem complexity and search space grow, a collective adaptive system will perform better than a collective memory search employing random search as an engine.
Opioids and the Law

As physicians, one of the most important aspects of our job is the alleviation of pain, both acute and chronic. Opioids have been an integral part of easing pain for thousands of years and continue to play an important role in the medical landscape today. The downside of these often powerful medications is the possibility of those taking them to become addicted and divert them away from the intended use.
Genomic Sequencing (Core Article)

Beginning with the landmark work of Watson and Crick and continuing with the technological breakthroughs of the 1970s, 1980s, and the 1990s, molecular genetics and genomics has revolutionized all aspects of biology. Today, scientists are able to decipher the precise order of every nucleotide of an organism's complete genome, using a conceptually simple approach called shotgun sequencing. Briefly described, shotgun sequencing involves randomly breaking the target genome into smaller pieces, which are sequenced and reassembled into a complete sequence using computer software. Genome sequences provide a basis for further research into gene regulation, pathology, evolution, and metabolism. In order to appreciate a complete genome sequence for the experimental data that it is, it is necessary to review the steps taken to generate genomic sequence. This article will review both the technical aspects of genome sequencing as well as the various strategies employed for sequencing large, eukaryotic genomes. Keywords: Annotation; Assembly; Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC); Base-calling; Fingerprinting; Genetic Map; Genome; Physical Map; Production or Shotgun Sequencing
Abstract 19641: Novel Microprinted Elisa Platform for High Throughput Screening of Protein Secretion Reveals a Comprehensive Strategy to Prevent Ischemia Reperfusion Induced Apoptosis

Introduction: A major challenge in using stem cells to treat myocardial infarction (MI) is the massive cell death post transplant. Many progenitor cell types limit disrepair post MI without significant cardiac differentiation, possibly by anti-apoptotic signals in their secretions. The signature of these secretions is however not well known. Methods: We created a novel high throughput microELISA platform by combining microprinting and microfluidics to precisely estimate secretions of a small population of cells over time. Screening the secretions in many stem cell types used previously to treat MI, i.e. BMSCs (Bone marrow derived stem cells), CDCs (Cardiosphere derived cells), and iPSC-CMs (induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes), we found a common preserved secretory signature of growth factors. Results: Using a high throughput screen of pro-apoptotic factors that prevent CDCs from peroxide induced cell death, we surprisingly found that these factors were identical to the preserved secretory signature. Using the constituents of the anti-apoptotic secretory signature in combination with ischemic and mechanical preconditioning in myocardium mimicking rigidity, we created a comprehensive cytoprotective cocktail to prevent CDCs from ischemia induced cell death. We tested the cocktail in a rat model of ischemia reperfusion, and found a stark reduction in CDC retention post injection. Figures: (A) MicroELISA schematic. Secretions from cells in left are detected by rows of microprinted capture antibodies; photograph in (C-D). Bioluminescence imaging of CDCs treated with comprehensive cocktail show significantly high cell retention vs untreated CDCs.
Some Aspects of The Influence of Surface and Ground Water Chemistry on The Mobility of Thorium in the “Morro Do Ferro” - Environment.

Information concerning the migration of thorium in natural environments is of interest in studies related to impact evaluations of mining and milling operations, to geochemical prospecting and at some point, to predict the long-term behavior of critical waste nuclides.
Obesity, but not ethanol, promotes tumor incidence and progression in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major global health burden. Although chronic, heavy alcohol abuse is an established risk factor for HCC, obesity is emerging as an increasingly important factor in HCC development. Given that other risk factors for HCC act synergistically to promote tumorigenesis, we investigated the effects of diet-induced obesity and chronic ethanol consumption on tumor progression. A diethylnitrosamine (DEN) mouse model of HCC was established and mice randomized to control (CD; 10 % kcal% fat) or high fat (HFD; 60 % kcal% fat diet) at 5 weeks of age. At 35 weeks, mice were randomized to 10/20 % ethanol (EtOH) in drinking water (alternate days), or drinking water (H2O) alone. Tumor incidence/size were measured and confirmed. Liver tissue was analyzed for oxidative stress and EtOH-metabolizing enzymes and serum analyzed for liver function and nutritional status. DEN treatment induced HCC formation in 60 % CD-H2O mice (6 of 10), an effect exacerbated by HFD (89 %). Tumors in HFD animals occupied significantly more of the liver than mice on CD. EtOH-feeding did not impact HCC incidence or tumor size. HFD resulted in increased liver injury and liver:body weight ratio regardless of EtOH consumption. Increased tumor incidence was associated with elevated hepatic oxidative stress in the absence of changes in intrinsic antioxidant (glutathione) levels. Obesity independently promoted HCC formation in the absence or presence of a known hepatocarcinogen (DEN), and enhanced both number and size of hepatic tumors independent of chronic EtOH consumption in mice.
Echocardiographic evaluation of Carpentier mitral valvuloplasty

Carpentier's technique for reconstructive mitral valve surgery is an alternative to mitral valve replacement in patients with mitral regurgitation. The procedure involves reconstruction of the mitral valve and insertion of a ring into the mitral anulus. To study the results of this operation, pre- and postoperative M-mode, two-dimensional (2DE), and Doppler echocardiography were performed on 13 patients with severe, symptomatic mitral regurgitation, who underwent reconstructive mitral surgery. A significant clinical improvement was noted in all patients. This correlated with the hemodynamic and angiographic improvement in six of the patients who underwent postoperative cardiac catheterization. Postoperative echocardiography showed that the mitral valve E-F slope decreased from 129 ± 30 mm/sec preoperatively to 53 ± 13 mm/sec postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mitral valve excursion decreased from 28 ± 6 mm preoperatively to 19 ± 2 mm postoperatively. The left ventricular minor axis shortening decreased from 32 ± 9% to 28 ± 6%. In seven patients the mitral valve area decreased from 4.5 ± 0.9 cm2 to 2.8 ± 0.5 cm2 (p < 0.005). In each patient a new echocardiographic finding was observed: two parallel dense linear echoes from the prosthetic ring were noted on M-mode echocardiogrphy near the base of the mitral valve. 2DE visualized the entire ring. Doppler echocardiography suggested moderate or severe mitral regurgitation in eight of eight patients studied preoperatively. Postoperatively 10 of 11 patients had no Doppler echocardiography finding of mitral regurgitation.
Accessibility of epitopes on UvrB protein in intermediates generated during incision of UV-irradiated DNA by the Escherichia coli Uvr(A)BC endonuclease.

Abstract Structural intermediates generated during incision of damaged DNA by the Uvr(A)BC endonuclease were probed with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against the Escherichia coli UvrB protein. It was found that the epitope of B2C5 mAb, mapped at amino acids (aa) 171–278 of UvrB, is not accessible in any of the preformed Uvr intermediates. Preformed B2C5-UvrB immunocomplexes, however, inhibited formation of those intermediates. B2C5 mAb seems to interfere with the formation of the UvrA-UvrB complex due to overlapping of its epitope and the UvrA binding region of UvrB. Conversely, the epitope of B3C1 mAb (aa 1–7 and/or 62–170) was accessible in all Uvr intermediates. The epitope of B*2E3 mAb (aa 171–278) was not accessible in any of the nucleoprotein intermediates preceding UvrB-DNA preincision complex. However, B*2E3 was able to immunoprecipitate this complex and to inhibit overall incision. B2A1 mAb (aa 8–61) inhibited formation of those Uvr intermediates requiring ATP binding and/or hydrolysis by UvrB. B*2B9 mAb (aa 473–630) inhibited Uvr nucleoprotein complexes involving UvrB. B*2B9 seems to prevent the binding of the UvrA-UvrB complex to DNA. The epitope of the B*3E11 mAb (aa 379–472) was not accessible in Uvr complexes formed at damaged sites. These results are discussed in terms of structure-functional mapping of UvrB protein.
Does recognition memory improve with age

Abstract In order to test the hypothesis that recognition is a developmentally stable component of the memory system, age differences in recognition of faces were examined while controlling for nonmemory factors that might contribute to differences between the groups. Three groups of children (mean ages: 3 years, 4 months; 4 years, 9 months; and 6 years, 11 months) and a group of college students were tested on a recognition task and a similar matching task. The results indicated no change in recognition across the preschool years but an improvement from the later preschool period to the first grade. Further analyses indicated that this improvement was not due to changes in decision criteria or perceptual skills. These findings call into question the view that recognition is a developmentally invariant component of the memory system.
Recent advances in instrumentation for positron emission tomography

Abstract Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging technique which allows the non-invasive assessment of regional tissue function. This review article briefly traces the development of the modern clinical PET scanner and highlights a number of recent research developments in the field of PET instrumentation.
Combining Agrarian and Industrial Livelihood: Rural Households in the Saxon Oberlausitz in the Nineteenth Century

The article examines the various strategies that members of rural house holds employed in the textile district of the Saxon Oberlausitz during the region's successful industrial development. The household was sustained by complex com binations of agricultural and industrial activities. These included home textiles and subsistence farming in the first half of the century and, later on, wage work in the new mechanized mills, the machine and garment industries, and construc tion. But these workers never gave up their ties to the countryside, residing in rural areas and commuting, if need be, up to two hours for industrial jobs. Main taining such close ties to agriculture provided subsistence and welfare security and offered a crucial buffer during episodes of unemployment. The perspective of the household, not that of the factory or construction site, most clearly reveals these intricate combinations of agrarian and industrial livelihood.
Phosphazene Bases: A New Category of Organocatalysts for the Living Ring-Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Esters

We demonstrate that phosphazene bases, such as 2-tert-butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylperhydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphorine (BEMP) and N‘-tert-butyl-N,N,N‘,N‘,N‘ ‘,N‘ ‘-hexamethylphosphorimidic triamide (P1-t-Bu), are active organocatalysts for the living ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters. Polyesters prepared through this organocatalytic route possess predictable molecular weights, narrow polydispersities, and high end-group fidelity. Mechanistic studies suggest that the intermolecular hydrogen bonding of the alcohol initiator to phosphazene bases activates the alcohol for ROP of cyclic esters.
Biochemical and Physiological Properties of the DNA Binding Domain of AraC Protein

Intact AraC protein is poorly soluble and difficult to purify, whereas its dimerization domain is the opposite. Unexpectedly, the DNA binding domain of AraC proved also to be soluble in cells when overproduced and is easily purified to homogeneity. The DNA binding affinity of the DNA binding domain for its binding site could not be measured by electrophoretic mobility shift because of its rapid association and dissociation rates, but its affinity could be measured with a fluorescence assay and was found to have a dissociation constant of 1 x 10(-8)M in 100 mM KCl. The binding of monomers of the DNA binding domain to adjacent half-sites occurs without substantial positive or negative cooperativity. A simple analysis relates the DNA binding affinities of monomers of DNA binding domain and normal dimeric AraC protein.
Transformation and Verification of Office Procedures

An office procedure is a structured set of office activities for accomplishing a specific office task. A unified model, called office procedure model (OPM), is presented to model office procedures. The OPM describes the relationships among messages, databases, alerters, and activities. The OPM can be used to coordinate and integrate the activities of an office procedure. The OPM also allows the specification of office protocols in an office information system. A methodology for the verification of office procedures is presented. With this methodology, potential problems in office procedure specification, such as deadlock, unspecified message reception, etc., can be analyzed effectively.
Land Speculation in Southern California: The Roles of Railroads, Trolley Lines and Autos

. Southern California's transporation system was subjected to speculative manipulation from the time of the railroads, through the period of the electric interurban trolleys and the rise of the automobile up until the energy crisis of the 1970s. The dominant underlying force in each period is shown to have been combinations of developer-speculators and local politicians. These groups, motivated by a desire for rapid development for speculative reasons, were able to exercise effective control over the provision of major infrastructural improimnents The argument is made that such control, and the developmental pattern resulting from it, can never be in the public interest.
Tribal Languages and the Challenges of Revitalization

Although school- and university-based language programs can help strengthen threatened Indigenous languages, language revitalization at its heart involves reestablishing traditional functions of language use in the context of everyday speaker interactions. The inherent dynamics of Native oral language traditions suggest the limitations of institutions in supporting critical language learning activities that are the key to successful language renewal efforts.
Coded multipulse modulation in optical communication systems

An optical communication system using coded multipulse position modulation is described. The position of the pulses in each signalling interval are derived from general binary constant weight codes. The combined coding and modulation of multiple pulses provides a minimum distance between any two signaling frames. Photon counting is used at the receiving end for noiseless optical channel in which only quantum noise exists. For noisy optical channel with avalanche photodetector, threshold demodulation is used in which an optical pulse is considered present in a slot where the photoelectron count exceeds a given threshold. It is shown that this multipulse system gives better performance than the conventional single pulse system. The performance analysis can be applied to and binary constant weight code since only the general parameters of length, minimum distance, and weight of the code are needed. >
Effect of stiffness variability on the response of isolated structures

Results are presented of an investigation, the objective of which was to determine the relationship between the stiffness variability of the bearings of an isolation system and the response variability of the structure. The system is modeled as a rigid, rectangular structure that is free to translate and rotate. The isolation system consists of N isolation bearings arranged in a rectangular pattern, each with a stiffness ki that is an independent, normally distributed, random variable. Response spectrum analysis is used to obtain the analytical solution for the structure response. Approximate closed-form expressions are obtained for the variance of the centreline displacement, rotation, corner displacement and base shear, that are in terms of the variability of the isolator stiffness, aspect ratio of the structure, and the number and layout of isolation bearings. Results show that the standard deviation of the centreline displacement and base shear decrease with increasing number of isolation bearings, and are independent of the aspect ratio and layout of isolators, and in all cases are less than 1/4 the standard deviation of the isolator stiffness. The standard deviation of the corner displacement is a function of all of the system parameters, and is bounded below by the standard deviation of the centreline displacement and above by the standard deviation of a bar aligned perpendicular to the direction of ground motion with m isolation bearings distributed along the length. The approximate expressions are shown to be in good agreement with the results of Monte Carlo simulations. The results should be of use to designers of isolated structures and manufacturers of isolation systems, in assessing the significance of stiffness variability on the response of the isolated structure. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a complex skeletal disorder in which compromised bone strength increases the risk of fragility fractures. Recent scientific advances in bone biology and immunology have greatly expanded our insights into the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. For those with osteoporotic fractures, however, the physical and psychological effects remain severe. Primary care physicians need to understand the basic mechanisms of bone physiology and pathophysiology in order to both prevent and treat this devastating disorder.
Relationship between gender and work related attitudes: A study of temporary agency employees.

Abstract The objective of this research is to investigate the relationship between gender and employee attitudes among temporary employees. Drawing on gender role theory, we hypothesized that female temporary employees, compared to male counterparts, will have more positive attitudes toward their organizations. We studied the above relationship in relation to both client organization and temporary agency as temporary employees associate themselves with these two types of organization. We also tested the moderating influence of age and education on the relationship between gender and work-related attitudes. The results based on a survey of temporary employees (N = 1261), indicate that female temporary employees have more positive work related attitudes toward the client organization. The results also indicated that education and, to a limited extent, age, acted as a moderator for the relationship between gender and employee attitudes. We discuss implications of these findings for the research and practice of managing temporary employees in organizations.
The sex offender next door: deconstructing the United States' obsession with sex offender registries in an age of neoliberalism

In the 1990s, against the backdrop of an ascending Age of Neoliberalism, sex offender registration statutes were passed in the United States. These laws require law enforcement officials to utilize computer technologies in order to publicly identify individuals who have been convicted of sexual offenses. In this study, we conducted in-depth interviews with twenty-four respondents who were forced to register as sex offenders. All of these participants resided within Southeast Texas, which is arguably one of the most punitive regions within the United States. The vast majority of the sample reported moderate to severe forms of harassment as a result of being outed as sex offenders via computer technologies. We conclude that in the post-Keynesian United States, the Web-based monitoring of sex offenders will continue to remain a popular American pastime and may even expand to other industrialized democracies throughout the world.
Electrical and optical properties of GaN studied by surface photovoltage and photoluminescence

We have studied the electrical and optical properties of undoped and Si-doped n -type GaN layers grown on c -plane sapphire by Kelvin probe and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The maximum SPV value of ∼0.7 eV indicates that the band bending decreased by this amount. The PL intensity depended on ambient and surface treatments such as cleaning, storage in air ambient, and extended UV exposure. Interestingly, variations in PL intensity, at least for n -type GaN, were too large to be explained solely by changes in depletion region width under illumination. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)