cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anthropic signatures in alluvium of the Upper Little Tennessee River valley, Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, USA

Abstract Human activities have become important influences on the fluvial systems of eastern North America since post-colonial settlement. This research identifies post-settlement anthropic signatures in alluvial sediments in the Upper Little Tennessee River, USA. Agricultural and mining activities were scattered and discontinuous in this relatively remote region of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. We compared physical and chemical characteristics of sediments in post-settlement and pre-settlement stratigraphic units at three separate sites. Chronologies were calculated using non-linear power functions based on radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence ages, as well as dates from 137 Cs and historical records. These chronologies suggest that sedimentation rates increased with time during the post-settlement period but decreased with time during the pre-settlement period. In addition, long-term average sedimentation rates are one order-of-magnitude higher in the post-settlement time than in the pre-settlement time. Sediment becomes finer upward through the pre-settlement unit but coarsens-upward in the post-settlement unit. Statistical analyses on adsorbed elemental concentrations suggest that three elements (Ca, Hg, Pb) clearly differentiate sediments between pre-settlement and post-settlement periods. The identified anthropic signatures thus include higher sedimentation rates, coarser sediment texture, and higher concentrations of the three elements in the post-settlement units. These characteristics likely reflect human activities such as commercial timber harvest and scattered gold mining in the late 19th and early 20th century, modern agricultural practices, and urbanization since the 1970s. Findings of this study demonstrate significant impact on fluvial systems in regions with very limited history of intense human activities. This history stands in stark contrast to other parts of the world, like Europe and Asia, that record thousands of years of anthropic impact.
Assessing Simulations: Including Third Party Stakeholders

Simulations work because they provide our students with performance learning opportunities. Within classes that focus on this performance learning model, the faculty member can assess the preparation for the conference but what about at the conference? Often during a competitive simulation, the faculty member cannot be everywhere at once. Assessment of performance at the conference therefore can be less than ideal. As a consequence, assessment might need to include third party stakeholders such as the leaders of the conference and fellow participants. Creating a new model of assessment that focuses on student presentation without focusing on the awards of the competition can include outside stakeholders. This research centers on assessment tools (for both a state legislative simulation and a Model United Nations simulation) and challenges of including third party stakeholders in assessment.
A Multiscale Spectral Method for Learning Number of Clusters

We propose a novel multiscale, spectral algorithm for estimating the number of clusters in a data set. Our algorithm computes the eigenvalues of the graph Laplacian iteratively for a large range of values of the scale parameter, and estimates the number of clusters from the maximal eigengap. Thus variation of the scale parameter, which usually confuses the clustering problem, is used to infer the number of clusters in a robust and efficient way. Commute distances are used to transform the distance matrix into a block-diagonal form, allowing the algorithm to succeed on irregularly shaped clusters, and the algorithm is applied to test data sets (both simulated and real-world) for method validation.
Characterization of cellulose fibril aggregates isolated by the combination of ultrasonication and homogenizer

ABSTRACTCellulose fibril aggregates (CFAs) in micro/nano scales are made by the process of delaminating cellulosic fibers in high-pressure homogenizers. However, blockage of the slot during processing by cellulose fibers or particles is possible and so high-intensity ultrasonication was probed as a pretreatment method. This study was unique because of the combination of ultrasonication and homogenizer to produce high quality cellulose fibrils while preventing blockage that typically occurs using conventional homogenizer methods. The CFAs were characterized by the water-retention value (WRV), dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and two-dimensional (2-D) correlation spectroscopy. It was found that the ultrasonic treatment was helpful for CFA isolation before homogenizer processing. Less than 10 minutes of ultrasonic processing eliminated most of the blockage at the beginning of the homogenizer process. The results indicate that increasing the ultrasonic treatment...
Party Confederations and Political Naltionalization

I had originally preferred to write of "federative" or even "federational" parties so as to have something in between "federal" and "confederative." I still think of "federative" as a generally applicable term for American parties; but I also appreciate V.O. Key's description of party structure as "more nearly confederative than federal in nature."' In American party organization, he said, the independent national element was missing in a way that it was not in the formal government machinery of federalism. State and local machines enjoyed substantial independence of central control although they played a part in national campaigns. Not everyone put the point so sharply; but it was-and still is-standard to treat American parties as much less centralized than European parties.2 Insofar as they were perceived, especially in their heyday, as highly organized, their strength was found in state and local units. In that perception, defenders and critics of American parties could agree, despite their dispute over the advantages and disadvantages of what they observed. Both schools of thought recognized confederative party organization as a conventional feature of American political life. Its attraction for many of the defenders is understandable. They prized pluralistic representation of diverse interests, anchored in state and local organizations, but yet capable of freely coalescing to create electoral and governing majorities nationwide. Loose though these coalitions were, they struck their defenders as effective enough-or as effective as any
Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analyses of nuclear membrane phospholipid loss after reperfusion of ischemic myocardium.

The role of nuclear membrane phospholipids as targets of phospholipases resulting in the generation of nu- clear signaling messengers has received attention. In the present study, we have exploited the utility of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to determine the phospho- lipid content of nuclei isolated from perfused hearts. Rat heart nuclei contained choline glycerophospholipids com- posed of palmitoyl and stearoyl residues at the sn -1 position with oleoyl, linoleoyl, and arachidonoyl residues at the sn -2 position. Diacyl molecular species were the predominant molecular subclass in the choline glycerophospholipids, with the balance of the molecular species being plasmalo- gens. In the ethanolamine glycerophospholipid pool from rat heart nuclei approximately 50% of the molecular spe- cies were plasmalogens, which were enriched with arachi- donic acid at the sn -2 position. A 50% loss of myocytic nu- clear choline and ethanolamine glycerophospholipids was observed in hearts rendered globally ischemic for 15 min followed by 90 min of reperfusion in comparisons with the content of these phospholipids in control perfused hearts. The loss of nuclear choline and ethanolamine glycerophos- pholipids during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium was partially reversed by the calcium-independent phospholi- pase A 2 (iPLA 2 ) inhibitor bromoenol lactone (BEL), sug- gesting that the loss of nuclear phospholipids during ischemia/reperfusion is mediated, in part, by iPLA 2 . West- ern blot analyses of isolated nuclei from ischemic hearts demonstrated that iPLA 2 is translocated to the nucleus after myocardial ischemia. Taken together, these studies have demonstrated that nuclear phospholipid mass decreases after myocardial ischemia by a mechanism that involves, at least in part, phospholipolysis mediated by iPLA 2 . — Williams, S. D., F-F. Hsu, and D. A. Ford. Electrospray ion- ization mass spectrometry analyses of nuclear membrane phospholipid loss after reperfusion of ischemic myocar- dium. J. Lipid Res. 2000. 41: 1585-1595.
Four decades of experience with resections for bronchogenic carcinoma at the Massachusetts General Hospital

Experience at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) with resections for primary lung carcinoma is brought up to the clinical staging era (1971) with a 5 year cumulative survival statistic of 30 percent for the period 1964 through 1970. Comparison of four decades of experience reveals no change in cumulative survival for pulmomary resections for primary lung carcinoma in the years 1941 through 1970. Attention is directed to the hospital mortality rates for pneumonectomy and lobectomy and to the principal causes for these rates. Lymph node metastasis continues to be the single most ominous predictor of potential survival after pulmonary resection for carcinoma, particularly for all non-squamous cell types.
How important is thermal expansion for predicting molecular crystal structures and thermochemistry at finite temperatures

Molecular crystals expand appreciably upon heating due to both zero-point and thermal vibrational motion, yet this expansion is often neglected in molecular crystal modeling studies. Here, a quasi-harmonic approximation is coupled with fragment-based hybrid many-body interaction calculations to predict thermal expansion and finite-temperature thermochemical properties in crystalline carbon dioxide, ice Ih, acetic acid and imidazole. Fragment-based second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) and coupled cluster theory with singles, doubles and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] predict the thermal expansion and the temperature dependence of the enthalpies, entropies and Gibbs free energies of sublimation in good agreement with experiment. The errors introduced by neglecting thermal expansion in the enthalpy and entropy cancel somewhat in the Gibbs free energy. The resulting ∼ 1-2 kJ mol(-1) errors in the free energy near room temperature are comparable to or smaller than the errors expected from the electronic structure treatment, but they may be sufficiently large to affect free-energy rankings among energetically close polymorphs.
Teppanyaki/Hibachi Pneumonitis: An Exotic Cause of Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia.

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP) is a rare type of inflammatory lung disease caused by aspiration and/or inhalation of fatty substances and characterized by a chronic foreign body-type reaction to intra-alveolar lipid deposits. The usual clinical presentation occurs with insidious onset of nonspecific respiratory symptoms and radiographic findings that can mimic other pulmonary diseases. Diagnosis of ELP is often missed or delayed as it requires a high index of suspicion and familiarity with the constellation of appropriate history and radiologic and pathologic features. We herein report a case of occupational exposure to tabletop “Teppanyaki” entertainment cooking as a cause of ELP, confirmed by surgical lung biopsies in a 63-year-old Asian woman who worked as a Hibachi-Teppanyaki chef for 25 years.
Mastopexy/Breast Lift

Mastopexy/breast lift is performed to correct breast ptosis. This chapter describes indications, essential steps, variations, and complications of this procedure. It provides a detailed template operative note for the procedure.
Longitudinal Relations Between Childhood Maltreatment, Maltreatment-Specific Shame, and Postpartum Psychopathology

The persistence of shame-based reactions to child maltreatment (CM) has been associated with poor posttraumatic adjustment. Despite evidence that the postpartum period is a vulnerable time for women with CM histories, little is known about the consequences of maltreatment-specific (MS) shame for postpartum functioning. The current study examined individual differences in MS shame among a sample of women during the postpartum period ( n = 100) as well as prospective relations from MS shame to postpartum psychopathology at 6-, 12-, 15-, and 18-month postpartum. Linear growth curve (LGC) analyses showed that MS shame predicted higher levels of depression symptoms but not post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms at all time points whereas path analyses showed that shame mediated the relations from multi-maltreatment to both depression and PTSD symptoms at all time points. Results point to the long-term consequences of MS shame during postpartum and the importance of attending to shame in clinical care of maltreatment survivors who present with postpartum psychopathology.
Efficient Carrier Multiplication in Colloidal Silicon Nanorods.

Auger recombination lifetimes, absorption cross sections, and the quantum yields of carrier multiplication (CM), or multiexciton generation (MEG), were determined for solvent-dispersed silicon (Si) nanorods using transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS). Nanorods with an average diameter of 7.5 nm and aspect ratios of 6.1, 19.3, and 33.2 were examined. Colloidal Si nanocrystals of similar diameters were also studied for comparison. The nanocrystals and nanorods were passivated with organic ligands by hydrosilylation to prevent surface oxidation and limit the effects of surface trapping of photoexcited carriers. All samples used in the study exhibited relatively efficient photoluminescence. The Auger lifetimes increased with nanorod length, and the nanorods exhibited higher CM quantum yield and efficiency than the nanocrystals with a similar band gap energy Eg. Beyond a critical length, the CM quantum yield decreases. Nanorods with the aspect ratio of 19.3 had the highest CM quantum yield of 1.6 ± 0.2 at 2....
Let His Voice Be Heard: A Community's Response to Inclusion of an Indigenous Counter-Narrative in the District Curriculum

Curricular counter-narratives can affirm the experiences of marginalized youth, but, given their complexity and unfamiliarity, they can also generate discord between community members. This case study analyzes documents, observations, and interviews to explore ways an Indigenous counter-narrative can create space for multicultural education within a Montana school district. The findings demonstrate both positive and negative community responses to the focus novel, the importance of teaching about context and multiple perspectives, and the potential for student agency and social action. The results also provide cautionary notes about the complexity of critical pedagogy and the importance of community consultation.
Doctoral conceptual thresholds in cellular and molecular biology

In the biological sciences, very little is known about the mechanisms by which doctoral students acquire the skills they need to become independent scientists. In the postsecondary biology educatio...
Human bone marrow and peripheral blood T lymphocyte depletion: efficacy and effects of both T cells and monocytes on growth of hematopoietic progenitors.

The efficacy of four separate methods of human bone marrow T lymphocyte depletion was assessed, and the effect of T cells and monocytes on in vitro growth of marrow (CFU-GEMM, BFU-E, and CFU-GM) and peripheral blood (BFU-E) hematopoietic progenitors was determined. Extent of T cell depletion was assessed by multiparameter fluorescent cell sorter (FACS) analysis and by functional studies. Cells staining positively by FACS analysis for one or more of three separate fluorescent pan-T cell monoclonal antibodies (MCAbs) comprised 8.4% to 9.5% of control marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs). T cells constituted 3.2% to 5.1% of marrow following single, sequential, or combination treatment with two different pan-T cell MCAbs (Leu 1 and TM1) plus complement, 1.5% to 2.2% of marrow following solid-phase immunoabsorption ("panning"), 0.2% of marrow after sheep cell rosetting, and only 0.05% of marrow after FACS selective cell sorting and gated separation. T cells made up 59% to 73% of control peripheral blood MNCs and 0.8% to 2.8% of peripheral MNCs following sheep cell rosetting plus treatment with Leu 1 MCAb and complement. Mitogen (PHA, Con A) and allogeneic MLC-induced blastogenic responses (stimulation indices, experimental/control or E/C) revealed a concordant decrement in marrow T cell function after MCAb plus complement (E/C of 3.9 to 9.0), after panning (E/C of 1.6 to 3.5) and after sheep cell rosetting (E/C of 0.7 to 1.3), compared with control marrow (E/C of 5.3 to 15.7). After T cell depletion, marrow BFU-E growth was 95% to 120% of control, CFU-GM growth was 90% to 108% of control, and CFU-GEMM growth was 89% to 111% of control. Marrow T cell and/or monocyte depletion did not alter erythropoietin-dependent BFU-E growth in the absence of Mo-conditioned medium (81% to 95% of control), and the addition of as many as 50 to 100 X 10(3) purified marrow monocytes or T cells to 10(5) autologous nonadherent T cell-depleted marrow target cells had a negligible (P greater than .1) effect on marrow BFU-E growth in vitro. Peripheral blood (PB) BFU-E/10(5) T-depleted target cells were 106% +/- 19% of expected; PB BFU-E growth was significantly diminished after monocyte depletion alone (7% +/- 6% of expected) or after monocyte plus T cell depletion (8% +/- 4% of expected).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Victim Blaming, Protests, and Public Space: News Coverage of the Occupy Wall Street Sexual Assaults

Occupy Wall Street was a national protest centered on wealth redistribution and sparked a national dialogue about economic reform. The movement faced internal challenges of crime occurring in the camps including sexual assault; these crimes were covered by news outlets as part of their Occupy Wall Street coverage. This article will expand upon previous feminist research on sexual violence news coverage by using a feminist media analysis to examine the coverage of sexual assaults occurring during Occupy Wall Street. Previous feminist research on sexual assault coverage argues that newspapers use myths about rape to discredit the crime and blame the victim. I argue that the coverage of sexual assaults during Occupy Wall Street used a “blame the victim” narrative to link the participation of women protesting in public space to gender based violence. I will explore how the actions of activists, the physical space of Occupy camps and the lack of crime prevention of the protesters and police were used by reporters to shift the blame from the perpetrator onto the victim. News coverage is considered an objective source of information so biased narratives of sexual assaults can reinforce society's traditional ideology about sexual assault, which can affect the needs of survivors.
Combined Ultrasonography, Computerized Tomography, and Radiology in Evaluation of Orbital Disease

Several very effective non-invasive tests have become available for evaluation of orbital disorders in recent years, increasing diagnostic accuracy considerably. Ultrasonography and computerized tomography have each proven capable of demonstrating soft tissue abnormalities, including inflammatory changes as well as tumors, many of which could not be detected with other tests. Hypocycloidal polytomography has improved the evaluation of bony changes often associated with orbital tumors. Vascular contrast studies have a specific role in the diagnosis of arteriovenous malformations and shunts. We have analyzed the results of these tests in a series of 421 consecutive cases of exophthalmos to check their diagnostic accuracy for various orbital problems and to learn of specific sources of errors with them.
N15 tracer studies on the transformation of applied nitrogen in submerged rice soils

A study of the transformation of applied nitrogen in submerged rice soils, using N15 tagged compounds is reported. A part of the nitrogen applied as (N15H4)2SO4 and N15H4Cl was immobilized within ten days of submergence, due to microbial immobilization and the proportion of this remained fairly constant for a seventy-five day period of submergence. Fraction of the tagged nitrogen recovered in the ammonium fraction decreased with incubation. Application of extraneous inorganic nitrogen appeared to stimulate the mineralization of soil organic nitrogen. About 23–24% of the applied nitrogen was not accounted for at the end of seventy-five days of incubation. This loss is attributed to the oxidation of ammonium nitrogen to the nitrate form in the surface layer of the soil with subsequent leaching and denitrification in the reduced sub-surface zone.
Developmental regulation of the L-type calcium channel α1C subunit expression in heart

We used Northern analyses, RNase protection assays and immunoblot analyses to examine the relationship among developmental age of the heart, abundance of mRNA and L-type calcium channel α1Csubunit protein, and to establish the size of the native protein in heart. Northern analysis, RNase protection assays, and immunoblots were used to study RNA and protein from rat heart of various ages. In fetal and adult ventricles there was a predominant 8.3-kb transcript for the α1C subunit with no change in transcript size during development. RNase protection assays demonstrated a 2-fold increase in abundance of the DHP receptor message during postnatal development. Immunoblots identified a 240 kD protein, corresponding to the predicted molecular mass of the full length α1C subunit. No change in size of protein for the α1C subunit was observed at any developmental stage and there was no evidence for a truncated isoform. There was an approximate 2-fold increase in α1C subunit protein in ventricular homogenates during postnatal development. Thus, in the developing rat heart, alterations in calcium channel properties during development appear to result neither from alternative splicing that produces a smaller transcript for the α1C subunit nor from expression of a truncated protein, but at least in part from transcriptionally-regulated expression of the 240 kDa polypeptide.
Neural underpinnnings of auditory salience in natural soundscapes

Salience is the mechanism whereby attention is automatically directed towards critical stimuli. Measuring the salience of a stimulus using behavioral methods risks confounds with top-down attention, particularly in the case of natural soundscapes. A distraction paradigm is employed here to measure physiological effects of salient auditory stimuli using electroencephalography. Several such effects are presented. In particular, a stimulus entrainment response is reduced by the presentation of distractor salient sounds. A reduction in oscillatory neural responses in the gamma frequency band is also observed following salient stimuli. These measures are used to identify salient portions of the natural scene. Finally, envelope decoding methods also indicate that salient stimuli attract attention away from other, task-related sounds.
Regulating Corporate Criminal Sanctions: Evidence on the Effect of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines

This paper investigates the impact of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines governing organizational defendants, which came into effect in 1991. Our empirical analysis focuses on publicly held firms convicted of crimes in Federal courts in 1988-1996, and analyzes both criminal fines and total sanctions (defined as nonfine criminal sanctions, civil sanctions and administrative sanctions). The empirical analysis has two parts. First we examine the extent to which criminal fines and total sanctions are higher under the Guidelines than they were previously. We find that both tend to be substantially higher than before, although the increase in criminal fines exceeds the increase in total sanctions. The second part investigates these observed penalty increases more closely. We are interested in whether increased sanctions are attributable to the mandatory constraint imposed by the Guidelines, or whether judges would have increased sanctions during this period even if not subjected to mandatory sentencing provisions. Empirical tests derive from the observation that many of the sanctions imposed after the enactment of the Guidelines are not governed by the Guidelines' mandatory fine provisions. Comparing post-Guidelines sanctions that were constrained by the Guidelines with those that were not, we find that criminal fines are significantly higher in cases constrained by the Guidelines, but total pecuniary sanctions are not. This finding is consistent with the view that, while the Guidelines may have forced judges to impose higher fines than they would otherwise have imposed, the Guidelines did not constrain the total sanction. That is, substitution between mandatory criminal fines and other non-fine pecuniary sanctions appears to have occurred. We explore several alternative explanations for this somewhat surprising finding.
Ultrastructure of trophic and encysted Polytomella agilis.

Abstract Cellular organization of Polytomella agilis changes when the trophic form undergoes encystment: 1) initially a thin capsule is secreted about the organism which in the mature cyst develops into a thick 3-layered wall; 2) starch bodies increase in number and volume; and 3) mitochondria, ribosomes and other organelles disappear. These data point to the need for metabolic studies on homogeneous populations and suggest that Polytomella agilis may serve as a useful tool for investigation of mitochondrial biogenesis.
Thermal abiotic emission of CO2 and CH4 from leaf litter and its significance in a photodegradation assessment

Photodegradation has been recognized as a significant driver of plant litter decomposition in drylands. Another potential driver is the thermal emission of trace gases that occurs in the absence of solar radiation and microbial activity. Most field assessments documenting photodegradation have employed filters that absorb solar radiation, along with transparent filter controls; faster litter decay under transparent filters is taken as evidence of photodegradation. However, the temperature of litter under transparent filters is often higher, and its faster decay might conceivably stem from greater thermal emission, rather than photodegradation. If true, the growing consensus that photodegradation is a significant driver of litter decay needs rethinking. We assessed the contribution of thermal emission of CO₂ and CH₄ to the C loss of 12 litter types over a 34‐month photodegradation study in the Sonoran Desert by quantifying thermal emission responses and using field litter temperatures to estimate emissions. Emission of both gases from litter increased exponentially with temperature. Emission of CO₂ was much greater than CH₄, but their rates were strongly correlated. Concentrations of surface waxes and dissolved organic C in litter were strong predictors of emission of both gases. Emission declined from dried green leaves to naturally senesced litter, and as litter decayed. Diurnal litter temperature averaged 39.8°C under transparent filters over the field experiment and averaged 1.7°C higher than that of litter under filters that absorbed UV through blue solar wavelengths. Through all mechanisms, litter lost an average of 77.8% of its original C under transparent filters and 60.8% under filters that absorbed UV through blue wavelengths. However, thermal emission of these gases accounted for only 0.8% of the original C in litter under transparent filters and 1.0% under filters that absorbed UV through blue wavelengths, corresponding to only 1.2% and 2.0% of the total C lost from litter. While litter temperatures were higher under transparent filters, thermal emission losses from this litter were lower because emission from this litter declined faster with decay. We conclude that thermal abiotic emission was a minor C loss pathway and that photodegradation was responsible for the faster decay of litter in sunlight.
Developmental differences in health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer.

e21524Background: AYAs experience many distinct periods of developmental transition within this life stage. AYA survivors of childhood cancer are at risk for chronic physical and psychosocial healt...
In vitro evaluation and in vivo use of a novel surgical stent to minimize suture pressure necrosis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of stents to distribute pressure when incorporated into tension-relieving sutures. STUDY DESIGN An in vitro study and case report. ANIMAL One common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncates). METHODS Three novel silicone stents, a traditional stent, and a control were tested in vitro by using a suture simulator. Stent surface area was measured by using a pressure mapping sensor. Pressure was derived from the measured surface area and the downward force of the suture simulator. Novel silicone stents were also used in the closure of an incision in a bottlenose dolphin. RESULTS No difference was found in surface area or pressure among the three silicone stents (adjusted P > .05). Silicone stents yielded an average, 2.69 cm2 more surface area and 842.37 kPa less pressure compared with the control as well as 1.67 cm2 more surface area and 110.67 kPa less pressure compared with the traditional stent. The traditional stent yielded 1.02 cm2 more surface area and 731.7 kPa less pressure compared with the control. Incision site and silicone stent assessment performed postoperatively revealed no obvious pressure necrosis. CONCLUSION Stents improved distribution of suture pressure, and novel silicone stents were more effective compared with traditional stents. Novel silicone stents appear to have preliminary clinical success in vivo. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Our study provides evidence that stents effectively help distribute suture pressure, and their incorporation might minimize the risk of suture pressure necrosis. Novel silicone stents should be integrated into tension-relieving suture patterns when closing wounds and incisions, particularly in aquatic animals.
Leakage and swell in emulsion liquid membrane systems: Comparing continuous stirred-tank reactor and batch experiments

Abstract Emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) systems can efficiently extract and concentrate dilute solutes in a variety of applications and chemistries. Internal phase leakage and swell reduce extraction efficiency and concentration, which limits their use. Nearly all studies of ELM leakage and swell have been conducted in batch systems, although continuous flow systems are preferred for industrial applications. The objective of this investigation was to assess the ability of batch experiments to predict continuous system performance with respect to internal phase leakage and swell. The effects of five factors (surfactant concentration, osmotic pressure, membrane viscosity, internal phase volume fraction, and extraction vessel stir rate) on leakage and swell were measured in a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) system without solute extraction. The results were compared with those reported previously for a batch system with the same experimental conditions and vessel geometry. Overall, the effects of the five factors in the CSTR system are qualitatively consistent with the batch system observations, suggesting that the influential variables in the batch system are similarly influential in the CSTR system. Leakage and swell in the CSTR and batch systems are correlated with similar amounts of swell in both systems but consistently smaller leakage in the CSTR configuration.
4 – OLIGOSACCHARIDE CATABOLISM

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses oligosaccharide catabolism. Life on our planet continues because the elements of protoplasm become available for reuse by another generation of organisms by the action of saprophytic microorganisms. The carbon cycle begins with the production of sugars by green plants using energy from sunlight; plants use the energy stored in sugars for growth and animals use it by feeding on the plants; plants and animals die, and microorganisms convert their complex structures partly to cell material and partly to carbon dioxide, thereby, obtaining energy. Starch and glycogen, which are the storage carbohydrates of plants and animals, are composed of varying proportions of amylose, a linear a-(l-4) glucoside, and amlopectin, an a-(l-4) glucoside with (1-6) branching. The two best known hydrolytic enzymes active against starch and glycogen are and β-amylases. Some bacteria form polysaccharidases different in action from and β-amylases. One such enzyme is the amylase of Bacillus macerans, which is actually a transglycosylase with little or no hydrolytic activity. Cellulose is one of the world's most abundant polysaccharides, and the ability to digest this substance is widespread among a number of diverse microorganisms. Cellulolytic bacteria include a number of gram negative aerobic saprophytes, anaerobic rumen bacteria of several genera, and anaerobic thermophilic sporeformers. One very unusual group of organisms engaged in the digestion of cellulose is the genus Cytophaga, the slime bacteria.
Social determinants of racial and socioeconomic disparities in CKD and ESRD

Abstract Race and ethnicity imprecisely align with genetic differences based on ancestral origin. Rather, they reflect a complex and interacting mix of social, cultural, and biological factors. While genetic differences clearly contribute to some racial and ethnic disparities, including those in chronic kidney disease (CKD), these disparities are also fueled by the clustering of negative social determinants of health, or social risks, in minority and socially disadvantaged populations. These social risks have clear and strong associations with both CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and contribute to the substantial disparities that exist in CKD and ESRD across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines. This chapter reviews the socially constructed nature of race and ethnicity, discusses the substantial disparities that exist in CKD and ESRD populations across race, ethnicity, and social class, and describes the role that social risks play in the development of CKD and ESRD and in their disparate impact on low-income and racial/ethnic minority populations.
GAMMA-RAY EMISSION FROM SUPERNOVA REMNANT INTERACTIONS WITH MOLECULAR CLUMPS

Observations of the middle-aged supernova remnants IC 443, W28, and W51C indicate that the brightnesses at GeV and TeV energies are correlated with each other and with regions of molecular clump interaction, but not with the radio synchrotron brightness. We suggest that the radio emission is primarily associated with a radiative shell in the interclump medium of a molecular cloud, while the γ-ray emission is primarily associated with the interaction of the radiative shell with molecular clumps. The shell interaction produces a high pressure region, so that the γ-ray luminosity can be approximately reproduced even if shock acceleration of particles is not efficient, provided that energetic particles are trapped in the cooling region. In this model, the spectral shape 2 GeV is determined by the spectrum of cosmic ray protons. Models in which diffusive shock acceleration determines the spectrum tend to underproduce TeV emission because of the limiting particle energy that is attained.
Elucidating the kinetics of ammonia inhibition to anaerobic digestion through extended batch experiments and stimulation-inhibition modeling

Abstract Ammonia can be accumulated to a level inhibitory to methanogenesis. There are large discrepancies in the reported inhibition thresholds. Through extended batch digestion experiments (up to 110 d) at 6 ammonia concentrations (0.70–13 g N/L), this study discovered sequential occurrence of adaptable and unadaptable inhibition that reveals the discrepancies. Lag phase length representing adaptable inhibition increased exponentially with ammonia concentration. The kinetics of specific biogas yield that reveals unadaptable inhibition was best simulated with the Han & Levenspiel model. The 50% unadaptable inhibition thresholds were 10.7 g N/L with active inoculum and 6.8 g/L with stressed inoculum. The digesters with stressed inoculum had faster adaptation to adaptable inhibition though less resistance to unadaptable inhibition. The inhibition sequence was evidenced by microbial population shifts and confirmed by earlier studies employing short (2–65 d) and long (80–198 d) batch experiments. Distinguishing adaptable from unadaptable inhibition provides precise guidance for mitigating ammonia inhibition.
Taxing Smarter and Fairer: Proposals for Increased Accountability and Transparency in the Connecticut Tax Structure

The Connecticut tax structure contains glaring defects, especially in the corporate income tax, which have allowed it to hemorrhage to a point where, for some of the largest corporations in the state, it is essentially a voluntary tax. The corporate income tax must be revitalized in order to reduce the massive losses that have resulted from both an aged tax infrastructure and the Legislature’s failure to equip the Department of Revenue Services with a statutory regime to slow the erosion of the tax base. This Report discusses how and why Connecticut’s rickety tax structure is resulting in a loss of tax revenue by breaking the issue down into 5 sections. The Report first discusses the major defects with the corporate tax including a lack of combined reporting, the single-factor apportionment formula for manufacturing, and the failure to utilize a throwback rule. These weaknesses allow many of the largest corporations to pay an unfathomably low amount of tax. The Report then looks at the erosion of the sales tax base that has occurred as a result of internet and mail order sales, combined with the Connecticut Legislature’s passive stance. This had resulted, according to one report, in a revenue loss of $230 million to the state in 2003. Part Three examines and exposes the $4 billion of invisible backdoor spending that occurs through the tax system called tax expenditures, which although is detailed in a tax expenditure budget, is not integrated into the explicit spending budget or taken into account by the Legislature. Part Four argues that research shows cutting taxes is not the most effective way to increase economic growth. Lastly, this Report discusses whether there should be public, firm-specific disclosure of what each corporation pays in income tax, and concludes that this kind of transparency would bring accountability to the state system.
UNIT 18.3 Synthetic Peptides for Production of Antibodies that Recognize Intact Proteins

Antibodies that recognize intact proteins can be produced through the use of synthetic peptides based on short stretches of the protein sequence, without first having to isolate the protein. The procedure for selecting the antigenic sequence is relatively straightforward. This unit identifies ways to determine the best sequence and to chemically couple the synthetic peptide to a carrier protein to boost the immune response. Another method entails direct synthesis of a MAP covalent multimer of the simple peptide sequence. Peptides can also be coupled to carrier proteins through either their amino or carboxyl groups. Alternate protocols in this unit cover these scenarios. In addition, methods for assaying free sulfhydryl content and for reducing disulfide bonds in synthetic peptides are provided. Finally, once the coupling procedure has been performed, it is possible to determine the approximate degree of coupling by amino acid analysis, and a procedure for this is also provided.
Comments on the International Law Commission's Draft Articles on the Law of Transboundary Aquifers (2006)

The U.N. International Law Commission (ILC) adopted a set of draft articles on the Law of Transboundary Aquifers on first reading at its 2006 session. It is likely that the ILC will give the draft a second and final reading at its session to be held in the summer of 2008. The draft, which many expected to deal with a form of transboundary groundwater not covered by the 1997 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, in fact overlaps with the 1997 Convention in terms of the subject matter it covers and thereby gives rise to confusion. Moreover, the draft introduces a dangerous and novel concept into the law of shared freshwater resources: sovereignty over the portion of those resources located in the territory of a state. For these reasons, the draft is fundamentally flawed and should not be adopted by the Commission without revisions that eliminate these problems.
Healing Ways: Navajo Health Care in the Twentieth Century

Healing Ways: Navajo Health Care in the Twentieth Century. Wade Davies. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press, 2001. xv. 248 pp.
Onboard science software enabling future space science and space weather missions

On the path towards an operational Space Weather System are science missions involving as many as 100 spacecraft (Magnetospheric Constellation, DRACO, 2010). Multiple spacecraft are required to measure the macro, meso, and micro scale plasma physics that underlies Geospace phenomena. To be feasible, however, multiple spacecraft missions must be no more costly to operate than single spacecraft missions are today. Furthermore, communication availability places severe constraints on an entire mission architecture and hampers the resolution, coverage, timeliness, and hence, usefulness of spacecraft data. To address some of these constraints, we have been studying the possibility of performing some science data processing functions on board a pathfinding mission in NASA's Solar-Terrestrial Probe Line, Magnetospheric Multi Scale (MMS, 2008). Our multi level approach to developing an onboard science analysis system for potential use onboard the MMS mission will enhance MMS science by improving sensor coverage and by returning to Earth high-resolution data that would otherwise be discarded or not generated. Results of our work using Space Physics data sets from previous missions illustrate our approach.
Does pharmacotherapy improve cardiovascular outcomes in hemodialysis patients

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) occurs commonly in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) including those treated with hemodialysis (HD), and is associated with poor outcomes in this population. Pharmacologic management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, acute and chronic coronary artery disease, and atrial fibrillation in the general population is supported by the results of high-quality, randomized, controlled clinical trials. Pharmacotherapy of these disorders in the general population is effective in improving clinical outcomes. In contrast, information concerning the effect of pharmacotherapy on mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CKD, and particularly in HD patients, is limited. Available data suggest that, in general, pharmacotherapy of hypertension and dyslipidemia, anti-platelet therapy of CVD, and anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation are less effective in HD patients than in the general population or even in patients with early stage of CKD.
The effects of age and dietary restriction on the tissue-specific metabolome of Drosophila

Dietary restriction (DR) is a robust intervention that extends lifespan and slows the onset of age-related diseases in diverse organisms. While significant progress has been made in attempts to uncover the genetic mechanisms of DR, there are few studies on the effects of DR on the metabolome. In recent years, metabolomic profiling has emerged as a powerful technology to understand the molecular causes and consequences of natural aging and disease-associated phenotypes. Here, we use high-resolution mass spectroscopy and novel computational approaches to examine changes in the metabolome from the head, thorax, abdomen, and whole body at multiple ages in Drosophila fed either a nutrient-rich ad libitum (AL) or nutrient-restricted (DR) diet. Multivariate analysis clearly separates the metabolome by diet in different tissues and different ages. DR significantly altered the metabolome and, in particular, slowed age-related changes in the metabolome. Interestingly, we observed interacting metabolites whose correlation coefficients, but not mean levels, differed significantly between AL and DR. The number and magnitude of positively correlated metabolites was greater under a DR diet. Furthermore, there was a decrease in positive metabolite correlations as flies aged on an AL diet. Conversely, DR enhanced these correlations with age. Metabolic set enrichment analysis identified several known (e.g., amino acid and NAD metabolism) and novel metabolic pathways that may affect how DR effects aging. Our results suggest that network structure of metabolites is altered upon DR and may play an important role in preventing the decline of homeostasis with age.
The Role of Hepatic Steatosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is a global public health burden, and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Although viral factors such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis B e antigen, and genotype are known determinants of risk for histologic progression and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), other host factors can also play key roles. Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) is increasingly common in the general population as a reflection of a rising prevalence of obesity in both Western and Eastern countries. Whereas the impact of superimposed hepatic steatosis on chronic hepatitis C infection is well-described, its role in the natural history, management, and clinical outcomes of CHB remains less defined. This article summarizes existing evidence on the prevalence and risk factors for hepatic steatosis in CHB, proposed pathogenetic links between HBV and hepatic steatosis, impact on the risk for liver fibrosis and HCC, and implications for antiviral therapy.
Polarization Control via Tunable Nano-Structures in PDMS

We propose a compact and low-cost design for polarization control using tunable form-birefringence on PDMS nanostructures fabricated by nano-imprint lithography (NIL). The operation principle is demonstrated in a fabricated device by changing the nanostructure electrostatically
Polarity and division site specification in yeast

A significant component of polarization in budding yeast involves the regulated restructuring of the actin cytoskeleton in response to defined cellular signals. Recent evidence suggests that such cytoskeletal organization arises through the action of large protein complexes that form in response to signals from small GTP-binding proteins, such as Cdc42, Rho, and Ras. These actin-organizing complexes may be fairly diverse, but generally consist of one or more central scaffold proteins, such as those of the formin class, that bind to signaling molecules and recruit actin-binding proteins to bring about desired polarizing events.