cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimum scheduling during combination chemotherapy of murine leukemia. Additional examples of schedule-dependent synergism between S-phase-specific antimetabolites and agents inducing mitotic or pre-mitotic (G2) arrest.

In an extension of our prior studies with methotrexate and vinca alkaloids, three additional drug combinations incorporating an S-phase-specific antimetabolite and an agent inducing blockade at mitosis or G2 were found to exhibit potent schedule-dependent synergism against the L1210 leukemia. Combinations employed include cytosine arabinoside with vindesine and methotrexate with teniposide (VM-26) or the-deaza-pteridine derivative, NSC 181,928. Synergism was observed following sequential administration (antimetabolite given 24 h before the second agent), but effects following simultaneous administration or sequential administration in the reverse order (antimetabolite given 24 h after the second agent) were only additive.
Distributions of Two Groups of Obligate Crayfish Ectosymbionts—Branchiobdellidans and Entocytherid Ostracods—in New England

North American crayfishes are hosts for 2 major groups of obligate ectosymbionts, namely annelids of the order Branchiobdellida and ostracods of the family Entocytheridae. These symbionts are widely distributed across the continent, coincident with their typical hosts; however, the diversity and distribution of both groups are poorly known in much of the northeastern US. We examined 93 crayfishes collected from 30 sites across New England for the presence of branchiobdellidans and entocytherids. We recovered 4 branchiobdellidan and 3 entocytherid species, with both groups displaying curiously dissimilar distributions. We present here the first published records of the branchiobdellidan Cambarincola vitreus in New England, the first record of the Procambarus acutus (White River Crayfish) from New Hampshire, and begin to fill substantial gaps in the known distribution of 2 major groups of obligate crayfish ectosymbionts.
A semi-supervised CNN learning method with pseudo-class labels for vascular calcification detection on low dose CT scans

The recent rapid success of deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) on many computer vision tasks largely benefits from the well-annotated Pascal VOC, ImageNet, and MS COCO datasets. However, it is challenging to get ImageNetlike annotations (1000 classes) in the medical imaging domain due to the lack of clinical training in the lay crowdsourcing community. We address this problem by presenting a semi-supervised training method for neural networks with true-class and pseudo-class (un-annotated class) labels on partially annotated training data. The true-class labels are supervised annotations from clinical professionals. The pseudo-class labels are unsupervised clustering of unannotated data. Our method rests upon the hypothesis of better coherent annotations with discriminative classes leading to better trained CNN models. We validated our method on extra-coronary calcification detection in low dose CT scans. The CNN trained with true-class and 10 pseudo-classes achieved a 78.0% sensitivity at 10 false positives per scan (0.3 false positive per slice), which significantly outperformed the CNN trained with true-class only (sensitivity=25.0% at 10 false positives per patient).
Evidence-Based Treatment

This chapter introduces evidence-based practice and empirically supported treatments for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The chapter begins by providing a brief history of the evolution of evidence-based practice, which is rooted in the field of medicine. The key components of evidence-based practice (i.e., research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient variables) are discussed, followed by a section outlining the methods used to identify empirically supported treatments. The chapter concludes with a brief discussion regarding barriers to implementing evidence-based practice, as well as future directions.
Bayesian Subspace Recovery with Approximate Prior Knowledge for Radar Detection

We examine the problem of subspace recovery when approximate prior knowledge of the subspace is available. The problem originates from a recent work [1], which presents a subspace knowledge learning (SKL) algorithm for subspace recovery by exploiting partial and partly erroneous prior knowledge of the subspace. However, SKL is limited by the assumption that the subspace bases coincide with some basis vectors of a known overcomplete dictionary matrix. In the presence of grid mismatch, SKL may degrade considerably. Another issue is that SKL is computationally quite intensive, since it is an iterative algorithm involving matrix operations in each iteration. To address these issues, we present herein a modified SKL (mSKL) algorithm for subspace recovery which can exploit approximate prior knowledge of the subspace and cope with the grid mismatch problem. The mSKL algorithm is further integrated with generalized approximate message passing (GAMP) which replaces matrix operations in SKL with scalar approximations and is hence computationally efficient. The resulting subspace recovery algorithm, referred to as the mSKL-GAMP, is used to solve a radar detection problem that involves detecting a multichannel target signal in subspace interference. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Experiments, observations, and group psychology

Abstract In this paper I interpret the debate between experimental and observational approaches to science as an example of human group psychology. According to this interpretation, this debate reflects our mutually reinforcing tendencies to cooperate within groups and compete between groups. As within-group identity solidifies, out-groups and their ideas may be increasingly problematized and dismissed. This dynamic can make it difficult to maintain scientifically productive discourses between groups that differ in their approaches to knowledge production. I discuss possible workarounds that take this group psychology into account in order to better facilitate increased understanding between intellectually distinct groups, ultimately supporting more effective mixed methods approaches to development and science.
The Financial and Clinical Impact of an Electronic Health Record Integrated Pathway in Elective Colon Surgery.

Background Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) pathways have been shown to reduce length of stay, but there have been limited evaluations of novel electronic health record (EHR)-based pathways. Compliance with ERAS in real-world settings has been problematic. Objective This article evaluates a novel ERAS electronic pathway (E-Pathway) activity integrated with the EHR for patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of surgical patients age ≥ 18 years hospitalized from March 1, 2013 to August 31, 2016. The primary cohort consisted of patients admitted for elective colon surgery. We also studied a control group of patients undergoing other elective procedures. The E-Pathway was implemented on March 2, 2015. The primary outcome was variable costs per case. Secondary outcomes were observed to expected length of stay and 30-day readmissions. Results We included 823 (470 and 353 in the pre- and postintervention, respectively) colon surgery patients and 3,415 (1,819 and 1,596 in the pre- and postintervention) surgical control patients in the study. Among the colon surgery cohort, there was statistically significant (p = 0.040) decrease in costs of 1.28% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06–2.48%) per surgical encounter per month over the 18-month postintervention period, amounting to a total savings of $2,730 per patient at the 1-year postintervention period. The surgical control group had a nonsignificant (p = 0.231) decrease in monthly costs of 0.57% (95% CI 1.51 to – 0.37%) postintervention. For the 30-day readmission rates, there were no statistically significant changes in either cohort. Conclusion Our study is the first to report on the reduced costs after implementation of a novel sophisticated E-Pathway for ERAS. E-Pathways can be a powerful vehicle to support ERAS adoption.
In-Vivo Study of Passive Musculotendon Mechanics in Chronic Hemispheric Stroke Survivors

We characterized the passive mechanical properties of the affected and contralateral musculotendon units in 9 chronic stroke survivors as well as in 6 neurologically-intact controls. Using a position-controlled motor, we precisely indented the distal tendon of the biceps brachii to a 20 mm depth from skin, recording both its sagittal motion using ultrasound movies and the compression force at the tip of the indenter. Length changes of 8 equally-spaced features along the aponeurosis axis were quantified using a pixel-tracking protocol. We report that, on the aggregate and with respect to contralateral and control, respectively, the affected side initiates feature motion at a shorter indentation distance by 61% and 50%, travels further by 15% and 9%, at a lower rate of 28% and 15%, and is stiffer by 40% and 57%. In an extended analysis including the spatial location of the 8 designated features, we report that in contrast to the contralateral and control muscles, the affected musculotendon unit does not strain measurably within the imaging window. These results confirm that chronic stroke-induced spasticity changes musculotendon unit passive mechanics, causing it to not strain under stretch. The mechanisms responsible for altered passive mechanics may lie within extracellular matrix fibrosis.
Populism, citizenship, and post-truth politics

This paper is an expanded version of a paper presented at the 22nd meeting of the International Association for Critical Realism at Southampton, England. The paper presents a critical realist take ...
Towards an Expanded Conception of Publication Bias

This short essay argues for an expanded conception of publication bias. In addition to considering the selective publication of results, I argue that we need to also consider the selective publication of epistemic by-products—observations and knowledge that scientists accumulate incidentally in the process of carrying out their work. There are three reasons why we should be concerned about the exclusion of epistemic by-products from the published literature: first, because they play an important role in robust replication attempts; second, because their absence can result in misplaced scientific certainty; and third, because they contribute to a holistic understanding of natural phenomena. However, identifying and addressing publication bias against epistemic by-products and other undervalued forms of knowledge is more difficult than identifying bias against quantitative findings. I argue that scientific pluralism and making data publicly accessible are two potential remedies for addressing this form of publication bias.
The Digital Gap Still Exists, Generationally, Rurally, and Academically

We all live in a digital-driven world where some communities and countries are provided with high quality broadband connectivity, while others are deprived. Most people faced digital discrepancies due to a lack of funding and physical access to resources. Underserved and underrepresented populations are not provided with equal opportunities for healthcare, education, social enrichment, and employment due to digital divides. Researcher van Deursen and van Dijk (found that even though some of these communities are provided with broadband connectivity, access is restricted, and connections are unreliable. Even academic institutions, public libraries, and other public entities are not left out of the digital split. Older adults still lag behind younger generations but mostly due to their preferability and academic and financial stance. It will take a collective effort to bridge the digital gaps, as potential solutions are addressed. Also, for theoretical support, van Dijk resources and appropriation theory (RAT) is applied to aid in understanding the digital divide phenomenon. Although there is no distinctive header, this is the abstract. This submission template allows authors to submit their papers for review to an ACM Conference or Journal without any output design specifications incorporated at this point in the process. The ACM manuscript template is a single column document that allows authors to type their content into the pre-existing set of paragraph formatting styles applied to the sample placeholder text here. Throughout the document you will find further instructions on how to format your text.
Convergent evolution of a novel blood-red nectar pigment in vertebrate-pollinated flowers

Abstract Nesocodon mauritianus (Campanulaceae) produces a blood-red nectar that has been proposed to serve as a visual attractant for pollinator visitation. Here we show that the nectar’s red color is derived from a novel alkaloid termed nesocodin. The first nectar produced is acidic and pale yellow in color, but slowly becomes alkaline before taking on its characteristic red color. Three enzymes secreted into the nectar are either necessary or sufficient for pigment production, including (1) a carbonic anhydrase that creates an alkaline environment, (2) an aryl alcohol oxidase that generates sinapaldehyde, a pigment precursor, and (3) a ferritin-like catalase that protects nesocodin from degradation by hydrogen peroxide. Our findings demonstrate how these three enzymatic activities allow for the condensation of sinapaldehyde and proline to form a novel pigment with a stable imine bond, which in turn is attractive to Phelsuma geckos, the presumed pollinators of Nesocodon. We also identify nesocodin in the red nectar of the distantly related Jaltomata herrerae and provide evidence for convergent evolution of this trait. While the overall enzymatic activities required for red pigment formation in both Nesocodon and J. herrerae nectars are identical, the associated genes encoding the enzymes are not orthologous and, in the case of the aryl alcohol oxidase, even belong to different protein families. This work cumulatively identifies a novel, convergently evolved trait in two vertebrate-pollinated species, suggesting the red pigment is selectively favored and that only a limited number of compounds are likely to underlie this adaptation. Significance Nearly 90% of flowering plants produce nectar to attract pollinators. Beyond sugars, many types of nectar solutes play important ecological roles; however, the molecular basis for the diversity of nectar composition across species is less explored. One rare trait among flowering plants is the production of colored nectar, which may function to attract and guide prospective pollinators. Our findings indicate convergent evolution of a red-colored nectar across two distantly related plant species. Behavioral data show that the red pigment attracts diurnal geckos, a presumed pollinator of one of these plants. These findings join a growing list of examples of distinct biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying evolutionary convergence, and provide a fascinating system for testing how interactions across species drive the evolution of novel pigments in an understudied context.
Investigating ARFI Geometry effects on Shearwave Viscoelasticity Reconstructions

Biological tissues exhibit frequency-dependent shear wave dispersion ( $c_{ph}(\omega)$ ) and absorption ( $\alpha(\omega)$ ), which carries potential diagnostic value. However, the frequency content in different elastographic excitation and tracking schemes varies, presenting systematic uncertainty and biases in quantitative shear wave imaging. We propose a maximum aposteriori probability (MAP) estimator for a single track location (STL) elastogra-phy scheme to represent shearwave propagation. The estimator accommodates wavefront and rheological modeling to arrive at material property estimates for tissue mimicking phantoms. We show that a combination of cylindrical wave (CW) geometry and fractional Kelvin-Voigt rheology demonstrate consistent estimates across acquisition parameters. We report a reduction $c_{ph}$ reconstruction bias over a range of shear wave frequencies (200–800 Hz). Results are compared with an existing 2D Fourier transform-based inversion approach and group velocity as the state-of-the-art.
Motorola's 88000: integration, performance and applications

A discussion is presented of Motorola's microprocessor family, the 88000. Specifically, the 88100 central processing unit and the 88200 cache/memory management unit are addressed. Topics covered include the architecture, integration, performance, and applications for the chip set. >
The Cayley-Hamilton theorem for noncommutative semirings

The Cayley-Hamilton theorem (CHT) is a classic result in linear algebra over fields which states that a matrix satisfies its own characteristic polynomial. CHT has been extended from fields to commutative semirings by Rutherford in 1964. However, to the best of our knowledge, no result is known for noncommutative semirings. This is a serious limitation, as the class of regular languages, with finite automata as their recognizers, is a noncommutative idempotent semiring. In this paper we extend the CHT to noncommutative semirings. We also provide a simpler version of CHT for noncommutative idempotent semirings.
With a focused intent: evolution of DCMI as a research community

The Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI) has played a pivotal role in developing and nurturing a metadata domain. DCMI's conference has become an international venue for metadata researchers and professionals. The purpose of this study was to discover the epistemological consensus and social semantics, if any, of a metadata domain based in DCMI conferences. Specifically, we identified the patterns of emergent and evolving themes over time. To do so we used bibliometric tools including co-word analysis and author co-citation analysis of the DCMI conferences from 2001-2012. The results showed a domain with an underlying teleology (Dublin Core metadata) and with social semantics, represented by semantic coherence in the use of terms. Social semantics also demonstrates shared epistemology as revealed by the co-citation perceptions of the domain. The domain clearly has a focused intent, albeit with a limited focus. User groups are missing from the domain's definition as it emerges in this analysis. There is much room for the domain to nurture so-far under-represented research topics.
Party Platforms and Public Childcare: Structural and Ideational Factors Shaping Policy in Norway and Sweden

While the Scandinavian countries are well-known for their gender-egalitarian policies, there are important intra-Scandinavian policy differences. Through a comparative-historical analysis of Norway and Sweden, this article illustrates how structural factors (economic and political) and ideational factors (gender and religion) interact and combine to produce the particular national policy outcomes in the post- Second World War period, using public childcare as a comparative case study. The economic developments pursued by the countries in the postwar period are key to understanding the political party dynamics, the perpetuation (or lack thereof) of religious and centre-periphery cleavages, as well as the change in the political leadership's gender-ideological orientations, and the consequences of these factors for the evolution of public childcare policy. Norway has no institutionalised childcare guarantee, private ownership of childcare is high and religion plays a role in the national preschool curriculum. In contrast, Sweden has a binding national childcare guarantee, public ownership remains high and religion plays no role in the preschool curriculum. The policy differences are theoretically interesting as factors commonly hypothesised as important to gender-egalitarian policy outcome – on their own, or combined – cannot explain these differences. Thus, this article contributes important knowledge about the causal mechanisms behind gender-egalitarian policy development. The study fills a gap in the comparative welfare state literature by showing how structural and ideational factors are mutually reinforcing.
Interactive neural-network simulation: A textbook pattern-recognition problem yields to art-enhanced counterpropagation

We explain our motivation for truly interactive dynamic-system simulation and apply DESIRE/NEUNET software to a classical textbook problem in neural-network pattern recognition. Neural-network designs which can distinguish two closely spaced spirals must discriminate precisely between complicated, nonconvex pattern clusters. This classical textbook problem is quite difficult. It was finally solved by an unconventional back-propagation network using ad hoc layer skipping and, more accurately, by Boston University's ARTMAP algorithm. We discuss competitive learning and present a new accurate solution using a counterpropagation network whose novel competitive layer separates closely spaced patterns cleanly with the CLEARN algorithm, a very fast computer routine which emulates simplified adaptive-resonance functionality.
Structured Partisan Competition: A Vote Shares Model of Party Alignments and Realignments*

Objective. This study develops and tests an aggregate “vote shares” model of party alignments and realignments, building a theoretical framework around “structured political composition” (Rabinowitz, Gurian, and Macdonald, 1984, p. 6). The vote shares model conceptualizes party alignments as latent class constructs, or factors, and changes in these latent class constructs as party realignments. Methods. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model with bias corrected bootstrap estimates and standard errors is used where the cases are counties and the variables are aggregate election outcomes. The data come from Kansas from 1900 to 2010. Results. Comparing the findings of the vote-shares approach to those of Nardulli (2005) and Sundquist (1983) suggests that the vote shares model provides a greater depth of understanding and a more accurate portrait of the timing of realignments and the partisan bias of new alignments in Kansas. The vote shares model also overcomes the major problem of false positives associated with landslide elections, a problem that plagued most previous aggregate voting models. Conclusion. The vote-shares model of party alignments and realignments provides a viable alternative for analyzing historic and current election returns where the votes are aggregated by a geographically defined government jurisdiction (parish, county, city, or district).
Molecular determinants of TCR expression and selection

Abstract The process of T cell development in the thymus is tightly regulated, being dependent on the integration of signals required for thymocyte maturation and survival. Rearrangements, expression and signaling of TCR genes play an indispensable role in this developmental program. Recent advances have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms that regulate TCR repertoire formation at the level of αβ versus γδ T cell fate and CD4 + versus CD8 + lineage determination.
Synthesis and spectral characterization of a thiol-reactive long-lifetime Ru(II) complex

We report the synthesis and spectral properties of a long-lifetime luminescent Ru complex containing a sulfhydryl-reactive maleimide group, [Ru (2,2'-bipyridine)2(1, 10-phenanthroline-5-maleimide)](PF6)2. [Ru(bpy)2(phen-mi)]2+ was covalently linked to human serum albumin, immunoglobulin G, and beta-galactosidase. The lifetimes for probe bound to proteins were near 1.1 micros. In the absence of rotational motions, the probe displayed an anisotropy near 0.17 for excitation near 475 nm. Anisotropy decay data were used to determine rotational correlation times of the proteins, which showed local probe motions in addition to overall rotational diffusion. This long-lifetime sulfhydryl-reactive probe can be used to recover microsecond rotational motions and/or domain motions of proteins and/or macromolecular complexes.
Diffusion-controlled reactions among stationary sinks

We summarize results of some of our calculations in diffusion-controlled reaction theory. We derive the transport equation describing a diffusing species which can react with a set of randomly distributed spherical sinks. Both the form of the transport equation and the dependence on sink volume fraction of the reaction rate and the effective diffusion coefficient are discussed.
Addressing universal-broadband-service implications with wireless mesh networks

Fueled by some successes in urban areas, demand is increasing for broadband telecommunications in non-urban areas, but many of the latter areas lack adequate means of delivering the desired services to residential customers and businesses--at least for the last mile of connectivity. This research examines wireless's potential to mitigate the so-called "last-mile" problem by supplying broadband services to non-urban areas using a wireless mesh network configuration. Methodologically, 270 randomly generated "last mile," low-density neighborhoods are studied, each under nine different conditions indicating various quality-of-service (QoS) (bandwidth; number of hops) offerings. Results indicate that for the neighborhoods studied, wireless mesh networks are not a panacea providing broadband universally. Rather, it is first shown that even when bandwidth is reduced dramatically, Internet service providers must include in their planning of the mesh such factors as hops, bandwidth, visibility, network density, and interactions of these factors to ensure that favorable conditions exist for profitable operation. Then, guidelines are given assuming current equipment and service-provision costs. Finally, cost reductions and/or transmission-range improvements necessary to bring economic broadband service to areas that are more rural are prescribed.
Provisional guidelines for Cell and Tumor Tissue Banking

These recommendations for cell and tissue banking were drafted by the Committee on Standardization, Collection and Distribution of Cells and Tissues of the Tissue Culture Association (TCA) jointly with the Cell and Tumor Council of the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). Reviewed and endorsed by the TCA Executive Board and Council (1980) and by the AATB (1980), the guidelines are reprinted here to assure their availability to the widest possible spectrum of workers involved in cell and tissue culture.
Metamaterials with custom emissivity polarization in the near-IR

Metamaterials have been previously studied for their ability to tailor the dispersive IR emissivity of a surface. Here, we investigate a metamaterial structure based on an electromagnetic band-gap surface for use as near-IR emitters with custom polarization selectivity. A genetic algorithm is successfully employed to optimize a metamaterial structure to exhibit maximum circularly polarized emissivity in the normal direction.
Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of Conical and Cylindrical Isolators

In practical situations where two interconnected systems are isolated from one another to prevent vibration transmission, isolators are inserted between the two systems. The ability of conical and cylindrical isolators to control longitudinal vibration transmission is investigated in this paper. Theoretical predictions obtained by means of finite element modeling are compared with experimental results. Both experimental and theoretical results have converged in pointing to the effectiveness and better performance of conical isolators compared to cylindrical isolators. While isolators investigated in this paper are made from plastic material called delrin, future investigations will compare conical and cylindrical isolators made from other types of material including composite material.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Hydrogen Production in a Single Chamber Microbial Electrolysis Cell Lacking a Membrane

Hydrogen gas can be produced by electrohydrogenesis in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) at greater yields than fermentation and at greater energy efficiencies than water electrolysis. It has been assumed that a membrane is needed in an MEC to avoid hydrogen losses due to bacterial consumption of the product gas. However, high cathodic hydrogen recoveries (78 ± 1% to 96 ± 1%) were achieved in an MEC despite the absence of a membrane between the electrodes (applied voltages of 0.3 < Eap < 0.8 V; 7.5 mS/cm solution conductivity). Through the use of a membrane-less system, a graphite fiber brush anode, and close electrode spacing, hydrogen production rates reached a maximum of 3.12 ± 0.02 m3 H2/m3 reactor per day (292 ± 1 A/m3) at an applied voltage of Eap = 0.8 V. This production rate is more than double that obtained in previous MEC studies. The energy efficiency relative to the electrical input decreased with applied voltage from 406 ± 6% (Eap = 0.3 V) to 194 ± 2% (Eap = 0.8 V). Overall energy efficienc...
Multiple specifications radio-frequency integrated circuit design with automatic template-driven layout retargeting

This paper presents an automatic layout retargeting tool that generates analog and RF layouts incorporating new device sizes and geometries based on new circuit specifications. A graph-based symbolic template is automatically constructed from a practical layout such that expert designer embedded in the layout is preserved. The template can be solved for multiple layouts based on different device sizes and geometries, satisfying several different specifications. Symmetry conservation and passive device modification are also embedded in the tool. The retargeting tool is demonstrated on a voltage controlled oscillator to generate three layouts with different target goals. While manual re-design is known to take days to finish, the automatic layout retargeting tool takes a few hours to generate a reusable template and takes minutes to generate comparable layouts.
Solvent-Controlled Intramolecular [2 + 2] Photocycloadditions of α-Substituted Enones

The regio- and stereoselectivity of intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloadditions of 2‘-hydroxyenones are shown to be solvent-dependent. In the presence of aprotic solvents, 2‘-hydroxyenones undergo photocycloadditions in a manner consistent with the presence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the carbonyl group and the tether's hydroxy functionality. In protic solvents, intermolecular interactions appear to disrupt the intramolecular hydrogen bond, providing products with complementary diastereoselectivity. If the facial accessibility of the α-tethered olefin is limited, the cycloadditions proceed to give head-to-tail or head-to-head regioisomers, depending on the nature of the solvent employed.
Optically activated GaAs MMIC switch for microwave and millimeter wave applications

Optical control of microwave devices particularly MMIC is a rapidly growing research area. The GaAs MESFET is the prime candidate as the optical detector for MMIC applications. In this paper a theoretical analysis is presented which predicts the photoresponse in the MESFET. The analysis includes both internal and external photovoltaic and photoconductive effects. The paper also describes the operation of an optically activated GaAs MMIC switch using GaAs MESFET as the optical detector.
Thermal stability of alumina aerogel doped with yttrium oxide, used as a catalyst support for the thermocatalytic cracking (TCC) process: An investigation of its textural and structural properties

Abstract Undoped and yttria doped alumina aerogel are prepared by the (solution) sol–gel method using a supercritical drying technique. The doping concentrations are in the range of 2.5–20.0 wt.% Y2O3, using yttrium(III) nitrate as a precursor. The effect of yttria doping on the structural and textural properties of alumina aerogel is investigated by BET surface area measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD), TEM and 27Al MAS NMR. This method of preparation of alumina aerogel provides the most important increases in surface area at 750 °C and up to 1000 °C, when compared to conventional alumina that is obtained via thermal dehydration of boehmite. These results show that the much smaller size of crystallites of alumina aerogel is quite efficient to retard the sintering occurring at these high temperatures. Further improvements in thermal stability are obtained by incorporation of yttrium species during the aerogel preparation. The stabilizing effect goes through a maximum with a yttrium content of ca. 10 wt.%. The presence of yttrium significantly delays the lattice rearrangement into new phases, as normally experienced by the conventional alumina when the temperature increases. These yttrium species induce the formation of distorted tetrahedral Al sites. Such binding effect of Y to Al is clearly detected by 27Al MAS NMR already at 750 °C. However, at 1200 °C, even the doped aerogel cannot withstand the combined effect of sintering and α-phase transformation, so that extremely low surface areas corresponding to those of alumina α-phase and segregated Y-Al2O3 are obtained.
Energy Balance in the Solar Transition Region. II. Effects of Pressure and Energy Input on Hydrostatic Models

The radiation of energy by hydrogen lines and continua in hydrostatic energy-balance models of the transition region between the solar chromosphere and corona is studied using models which assume that mechanical or magnetic energy is dissipated in the hot corona and is then transported toward the chromosphere down the steep temperature gradient of the transition region. These models explain the average quiet sun and also the entire range of variability of the Ly-alpha lines. The relations between the downward energy flux, the pressure of the transition region, and the different hydrogen emission are described.
Heart rate and metabolic responses to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise: a comparison of graded walking and ungraded jogging at a constant perceived exertion.

Abstract In this study, we assessed how ungraded jogging and graded walking at the same rating of perceived exertion (RPE) affect heart rate and oxygen consumption ([Vdot]O2). Twenty untrained participants completed a treadmill test to determine peak [Vdot]O2 (mean = 40.3 ± 6.3 ml · kg−1 · min−1). Participants completed separate 30-min trials of moderate exercise (RPE of 13 on the Borg 6–20 scale) in random order on the treadmill: graded walking and ungraded jogging. Treadmill speed or grade was adjusted throughout the trial by the experimenter based on participant responses to maintain an RPE of 13. The jogging trial produced a significantly higher heart rate (161 ± 18 vs. 142 ± 24 beats · min−1) and [Vdot]O2 (7.4 ± 1.8 vs. 5.8 ± 1.5 METs) (P 0...
Polynomial representations, algebraic monoids, and Schur algebras of classical type

First we study Zariski-closed subgroups of general linear groups over an infinite field with the property that their polynomial representation theory is graded in a natural way. There are “Schur algebras” associated with such a group and their representations completely determine the polynomial representations of the original subgroup. Moreover, the polynomial representations of the subgroup are equivalent with the rational representations of a certain algebraic monoid associated with the subgroup, and the aforementioned Schur algebras are the linear duals of the graded components of the coordinate bialgebra on the monoid. Then we study the monoids and Schur algebras associated with the classical groups. We obtain some structural information on the monoids. Then we characterize the associated Schur algebras as centralizer algebras for the Brauer algebras, in characteristic zero.
Nitrogen-fixing homogenates of Myrica pensylvanica (bayberry) non-legume root nodules

Abstract A procedure was developed for preparing active N2-fixing (C2H2-reducing) homogenates of root nodules from the non-legume Myrica pensylvanica L. Plants were grown in sand culture and inoculated with a crushed nodule suspension. Homogenates were prepared by freezing and crushing 4–6 month old nodules to a fine powder in liquid N2. The homogenate was taken up in buffered sodium dithionite under Ar. Such homogenates reduced up to 2 μmol C2H2 h−1 g−1 fresh nodule for at least 3 h when assayed anaerobically in the presence of ATP, Mg2+, and sodium dithionite. All activity was particle bound. Acetylene reduction was prolonged by sequestering inhibitory phenolics with solid polyvinylpolypyrrolidone. Highest responses were obtained with 30 m m ATP and Mg2+ and 150 m m sodium dithionite. The high concentrations of ATP, Mg2+, and sodium dithionite required may indicate barriers to the uptake. The temperature optimum was between 25–28°C. Activity was retained after storage for 30 min at −10, 5° and 10°C but was lost at 50°C and reduced by 60% at 27°C. The preparation of active C2H2-reducing homogenates from this symbiotic association opens the way to further physiological and biochemical studies on the bayberry nitrogenase.
Acute lower respiratory tract infections in nonhospitalized children.

Revue des causes possibles d'infection respiratoire basse chez l'enfant non hospitalise: virales, mycoplasmiques ou bacteriennes; incidence selon l'âge, le type de l'infection (laryngite, tracheite, bronchiolite, pneumonie), le germe en cause, la saison; influence de la combinaison de ces facteurs. Implications pratiques pour le medecin traitant
Frequency Response of Nanoelectromechanical Cantilevers Operating in Fluid

Nano-electro-mechanical resonators used for sensing, data storage, and nano-fabrication applications are often operated as feed-back control systems. To determine the transfer function of silicon cantilevers with a width of 5.0 mum, a thickness of 800 nm, and lengths of 10, 15, 30, and 45 mum, the damping in air and liquid was simulated numerically using an integrated fluid- structure solver. Bode diagrams and Nyquist plots of the cantilever transfer function indicate that the resonator will behave as a heavily damped system in liquid, and a lightly damped system in air. After experimental validation, this computational method is expected to allow prediction of frequency response prior to fabrication of NEMS resonators.
The Benefit of Blogging for Archaeology

Blogging (or “web logging”) has evolved from online journaling to a multi-million dollar enterprise involving over 100 million blogs worldwide. And while journalists and news organizations have been quick to adopt blogging as a publishing tool, the academy has been slow to adopt the technology as a legitimate scholarly enterprise. This article argues that blogging is the next logical step for independent scholars and researchers who seek to publish their original work, and that universities should begin accepting blogging as a legitimate scholarly endeavor. Specifically, archaeologists should embrace blogging because of its ease of use, decreased time to publication, affordability, ability to publish multiple forms of media, and for the increased exposure publishing online brings to a scholar’s work. The article details the impact of blogging on existing publishing models, the peer-review process, and discusses the numerous benefits of blogging for archaeology.
Interfacial surfactant concentrations on an oscillating droplet: solution of a singular boundary-initial value problem

Abstract Using singular spectral theory, a boundary-initial value problem is solved for the interfacial concentration of a surfactant on a liquid droplet oscillating in a surrounding second immiscible liquid phase. Besides being of value to the specific application the methodology of this paper is useful for a variety of boundary-initial value problems of interest to chemical engineers in which material domains have infinite or semi-infinite extents.
The cost effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's esophagus.

Background & Aims Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) reduces the risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) with high-grade dysplasia (HGD), but its effects in patients without dysplasia are debatable. We analyzed the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of RFA for the management of BE. Methods We constructed a decision analytic Markov model. We conducted separate analyses of hypothetical cohorts of patients with BE with dysplasia (HGD or low-grade [LGD]) and without dysplasia. In the analysis of the group with HGD, we compared results of initial RFA with endoscopic surveillance with surgery when cancer was detected. In analyzing the group with LGD or no dysplasia, we compared 3 strategies: endoscopic surveillance with surgery when cancer was detected (S1), endoscopic surveillance with RFA when HGD was detected (S2), and initial RFA followed by endoscopic surveillance (S3). Results Among patients with HGD, initial RFA was more effective and less costly than endoscopic surveillance. Among patients with LGD, when S3 was compared with S2, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $18,231/quality-adjusted life-year, assuming an annual rate of progression rate from LGD to EAC of 0.5%/year. For patients without dysplasia, S2 was more effective and less costly than S1. In a comparison of S3 with S2, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were $205,500, $124,796, and $118,338/quality-adjusted life-year using annual rates of progression of no dysplasia to EAC of 0.12%, 0.33%, or 0.5% per year, respectively. Conclusions By using updated data, initial RFA might not be cost effective for patients with BE without dysplasia, within the range of plausible rates of progression of BE to EAC, and be prohibitively expensive, from a policy perspective. RFA might be cost effective for confirmed and stable LGD. Initial RFA is more effective and less costly than endoscopic surveillance in HGD.
Abstract 5035: The MEK inhibitor AZD6244 is active in GNAQ mutant ocular melanoma cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Uveal melanoma represents the most common intraocular malignancy in the United States. However, there are no effective treatments for this aggressive metastatic disease. While activating mutations in B-RAF are rare in ocular melanoma, oncogenic G protein alpha subunit q (GNAQ) mutations at codon 209 have been described in about 50% of uveal melanomas. Knock-down of GNAQ by siRNA inhibits p-ERK and the MEK inhibitor U0126 has been shown to inhibit growth of a GNAQ mutant cell line (Van Raamsdonk CD et al, Nature 2009). AZD6244 (ARRY-142886) is a MEK inhibitor now in clinical trials. Published phase I results have indicated clinical benefit in a patient with ocular melanoma (Adjei AA et al, J Clin Oncol. 2008). In view of this, we elected to test AZD6244 across a panel of ocular melanoma cell lines that differ in their GNAQ mutational status. Treatment with AZD4244 inhibited cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner, with IC50s in the 100-150nM range. This corresponded to the inhibition ERK phosphorylation and down-regulation of cyclin D1 in GNAQ mutant (both Q209L and P209L), but not in GNAQ wild-type cells. Over-expression of mutant GNAQ(Q209L) in wild type OCM290 cells, which are highly resistant to AZD6244, resulted in drug sensitization with inhibition of ERK phosphorylation. Depletion of GNAQ by siRNA in the GNAQ mutant cells resulted in inhibition of ERK phosphorylation and growth suppression. Interestingly, GNAQ depletion had no effect on ocular melanoma cells with wild type GNAQ or mutant B-RAF. We conclude that the GNAQ activating mutation in ocular melanoma can mediate sensitivity to AZD6244. This data provide a rationale for the clinical evaluation of AZD6244 in uveal melanoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5035.
A new dimension: robotic reconstruction in plastic surgery.

Background Robot-assisted surgery was first approved by the Federal Drug Administration in 1994. The robotic system has the advantages of three-dimensional visualization of the operating field, 7° range of motion, tremor elimination, 360°of freedom at 10-mm distance, and a comfortable, seated operating posture. The purpose of this paper is to present a new surgical tool, the robot, for use in reconstructive surgery.
The Polyamine Inhibitor Alpha-Difluoromethylornithine Modulates Hippocampus-Dependent Function after Single and Combined Injuries

Exposure to uncontrolled irradiation in a radiologic terrorism scenario, a natural disaster or a nuclear battlefield, will likely be concomitantly superimposed on other types of injury, such as trauma. In the central nervous system, radiation combined injury (RCI) involving irradiation and traumatic brain injury may have a multifaceted character. This may entail cellular and molecular changes that are associated with cognitive performance, including changes in neurogenesis and the expression of the plasticity-related immediate early gene Arc. Because traumatic stimuli initiate a characteristic early increase in polyamine metabolism, we hypothesized that treatment with the polyamine inhibitor alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) would reduce the adverse effects of single or combined injury on hippocampus structure and function. Hippocampal dependent cognitive impairments were quantified with the Morris water maze and showed that DFMO effectively reversed cognitive impairments after all injuries, particularly traumatic brain injury. Similar results were seen with respect to the expression of Arc protein, but not neurogenesis. Given that polyamines have been found to modulate inflammatory responses in the brain we also assessed the numbers of total and newly born activated microglia, and found reduced numbers of newly born cells. While the mechanisms responsible for the improvement in cognition after DFMO treatment are not yet clear, the present study provides new and compelling data regarding the potential use of DFMO as a potential countermeasure against the adverse effects of single or combined injury.
Commentary: Intraarterial stroke revascularization training guidelines.

STROKE is a devastating disease for patients, their families, the health care system, and society. In the United States alone there are 795,000 strokes per year, with a yearly medical cost of nearly $69 billion (1). Approximately 87% of these strokes are ischemic, and approximately 20% of these are considered “major” strokes as defined by a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of at least 10 (2). For those patients who have experienced a major stroke, with loss of speech, difficulty swallowing, and loss of independence, life as they had known it is over. It is no surprise that the vast majority of stroke victims would prefer to risk dying rather than remain severely disabled (3). Formerly, treatment for acute ischemic stroke was solely damage control. Swallowing is assessed to prevent aspiration pneumonia. Prophylactic anticoagulant agents are given to prevent phlebitis or recurrent stroke from atrial fibrillation. Physical and occupational therapy are consulted to maximize function in the face of persistent neurologic deficit. For a small minority of patients,
Dopamine release within forebrain sites perfused with tetrahydroisoquinolines or tryptoline in the rat

The localized effect of amine-aldehyde condensation products on the endogenous release of dopamine (DA) was examined in dopaminergic-rich areas of the brain. In the unanesthetized rat, dopaminergic stores were labeled by 14C-dopamine (1.0 microCi) microinjected in a volume of 1.0 microliters into the caudate nucleus, tuberculum olfactorium, nucleus accumbens or other contiguous sites within the ventral forebrain. Subsequently, each labeled site was locally perfused with an artificial CSF, by means of push-pull cannulae, at a rate of 25.0 microliters per min. Two tetrahydroisoquinolines, tetrahydropapaveroline and 4,6,7-TH-tetrahydroisoquinoline, as well as the tetrahydro-beta-carboline, tryptoline, significantly enhanced the release of 14C-DA when each alkaloid metabolite was perfused in a concentration of 250 nanograms per min. Tetrahydroisoquinoline was without effect on the local kinetics of 14C-DA, whereas salsolinol had an intermediary action on DA release. These findings suggest that an alkaloid conjugate when given in the cerebral ventricle could exert its central effects by way of a dopaminergic mechanism in the telencephalon.