cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ash deposition during biomass and coal combustion: A mechanistic approach

Abstract The variability in both inorganic and organic properties of biomass fuels is large. This paper discusses combustion-driven transformations and deposition of inorganic material found in solid fuels, with a focus on the formation of deposits and their properties. A small number of mechanisms is used to describe both the transformations and deposition. The discussion below outlines this mechanistic approach to describing the fate of inorganic material in solid fuels with a particular focus on the mechanisms of ash deposition. This mechanistic approach has the potential of embracing a large range of fuel variations, combustor types, and operating conditions without the need of developing extensive databases or testing procedures for each new situation. The approach has been successfully demonstrated for coal combustion, and examples from coal experiments will be used as illustrations. The same methodology and logic can be applied to biomass combustion. A comparison of coal and biomass is briefly presented, including the chemical structures and the modes of occurrence of inorganic material in the fuels. The major mechanisms of ash deposition during combustion of coal and biomass are related to the types of inorganic material in the fuel and the combustion conditions. The effects of fuel (biomass or coal) characteristics and combustor operating conditions on ash deposit properties such as tenacity, emissivity, thermal conductivity, morphology, strength, chemical composition, viscosity, and rate of growth are discussed. A mechanistic model describing ash deposition in solid-fuel combustors is presented and used to postulate characteristics of ash deposits formed in biomass combustors.
Pharmacological rescue of the 14CoS/14CoS mouse: hepatocyte apoptosis is likely caused by endogenous oxidative stress

Whereas ch/ch wild-type mice and ch/14CoS heterozygotes are viable, 14CoS/14CoS mice homozygous for a 3800 kb deletion on chromosome 7 die during the first day postpartum. Death is caused by disruption of the fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah) gene; absence of FAH, final enzyme in the tyrosine catabolism pathway, leads to accumulation of reactive electrophilic intermediates. In this study, we kept 14CoS/14CoS mice alive for 60 d with oral 2-(2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzyol)-1,3-cyclohexanedione (NTBC), an inhibitor of p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase, second enzyme in the tyrosine catabolic pathway. The 70% of NTBC-treated 14CoS/14CoS mice that survived 60 d showed poor growth and developed corneal opacities, compared with ch/14CoS littermates; NTBC-rescued Fah(-/-) knockout mice did not show growth retardation or ocular toxicity. NTBC-rescued 14CoS/14CoS mice also exhibited a striking oxidative stress response in liver and kidney, as measured by lower GSH levels and mRNA induction of four genes: glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic (Gclc) and modifier (Gclm) subunits, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (Nqo1), and heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox1). Withdrawal of NTBC for 24-48 h from rescued adult 14CoS/14CoS mice resulted in severe apoptosis of the liver, detected histologically and by cytochrome c release from the mitochondria, increased caspase 3-like activity, and further decreases in GSH content. In kidney, proximal tubular epithelial cells were abnormal. Human hereditary tyrosinemia type I (HT1), caused by mutations in the FAH gene, is an autosomal recessive disorder in which the patient usually dies of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis during early childhood; NTBC treatment is known to prolong HT1 children's lives-although liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocarcinoma, and corneal opacities sometimes occur. The mouse data in the present study are consistent with the possibility that endogenous oxidative stress-induced apoptosis may be the underlying cause of liver pathology seen in NTBC-treated HT1 patients.
Gone Platinum: Contraband and Chemistry in Eighteenth-Century Colombia

This article examines the strange career of platinum, an element first identified in colonial Colombia. Around the turn of the eighteenth century, a high-grade platinum alloy, nicknamed ‘platina,’ ...
Carnitine acetyltransferase activity in Trypanosoma lewisi.

Abstract 1. 1. The blood stream form (BSF) of Trypanosoma lewisi has demonstrable carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT) with a mean specific activity of 80 units/mg protein. 2. 2. An apparent K m of 4.6 × 10 −3 M was determined using whole cell extract and dl -acetylcarnitine. 3. 3. The ratio of the mean specific activities of CAT, malic enzyme (ME), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and malic dehydrogenase (MDH) was 1 : 2 : 4: 12. 4. 4. Small amounts of pyruvate-U-14C, acetate-2-14C and malonate-1-14C were decarboxylated by 12-day organisms. dl -Carnitine inhibited the decarboxylation of each substrate. 5. 5. Malonate inhibited acetate-2-14C decarboxylation, and trans- aconitic acid had the same effect on the decarboxylation of malonate.
Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus meningitis in a neonate

Summary Campylobacter species are an uncommon cause of meningitis. Campylobacter species may be suspected as the etiologic agent in neonatal meningitis when spinal fluid cultures are negative, or when the mother has recently had diarrheal illness. Neonates may develop meningitis due to Campylobacter in the absence of diarrhea or positive stool cultures for Campylobacter .
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA): an antiinflammatory ω-3 fat with potential clinical applications

Evaluation of Eskimos, whose diets derive a large portion of dietary calories from v-3‐ containing fish, demonstrated a significantly lower rate of cardiovascular diseaseassociated mortality and malignancies compared to Western populations.2 Further evidence in support of v-3 fatty acid dietary consumption is derived from experimental studies demonstrating eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-mediated antiinflammatory and anticachexiogenic benefits. 3,4 Proinflammatory cytokines (specifically tumor necrosis factor [TNF] and interleukin-1 [IL-1]) are the proximal secondary pathway mediators of the multistep cascade that regulates the metabolic response to inflammation after a primary pathway stimulus, (injury, infection, malignancy, etc.).5 It is generally accepted that the prolonged and inappropriate production and release of proinflammatory cytokines result in clinically evident metabolic abnormalities of anorexia, weight loss, and lean body mass catabolism that as a whole describe the syndrome of cachexia.5,6 A logical approach to attenuate the development of cachexia, and in particular cancer-associated cachexia, would be to reduce or inhibit the propagation of secondary pathway intermediates such as proinflammatory cytokines and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism intermediates (prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes, etc.). Therefore, in our evaluation of new therapies for the treatment of patients with cancerassociated cachexia it would be ideal to use a readily available low-cost and non-toxic agent that would reduce the production and release of inflammatory mediators. In support of this effort, several experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated a benefit for consuming a diet supplemented specifically with EPA, one of the primary v-3 fatty acids found in fish oils. In animal models and for patients with progressive malignancy, EPA supplementation promotes weight maintenance, improves food intake, inhibits tumor growth, and may improve survival. These observations suggest a potential role for EPA in the clinical management of patients with progressive malignancy and justify the need for clinical trials. Exciting as these early observation have been, much work remains to be done. In the present paper the significant evidence supporting the role for EPA as a potential agent for the treatment of cancer-associated cachexia is presented.
Effects of the insect parasite, Hyposoter exiguae on the total body glycogen and lipid levels of its host, Trichoplusia ni

Abstract 1. 1. Parasitization of late 3rd instar Trichoplusia ni by Hyposoter exiguae resulted in a marked reduction in weight gain as well as delayed development. Similar effects were observed in partially starved larvae reared on nutrient deficient media. 2. 2. The total body lipid concentration and level in T. ni larvae were reduced following parasitization or starvation. 3. 3. The total body glycogen concentration and level in T. ni larvae were also reduced as a result of starvation. Parasitized individuals, however, had glycogen concentrations similar to control unparasitized larvae, but their small size reduced the total level considerably. 4. 4. The reduction of total body glycogen and lipid reserves in parasitized T. ni appeared to occur in a similar fashion to that which results from partial starvation, suggesting that these effects of parasitization may result from the competition between the developing parasite and host tissues for available nutrients.
Simple method for the rapid collection of murine blood avoiding death of the animal.

Viene descritto un semplice metodo che permette il prelievo di sangue dai topi senza che questi vengano sacrificati. Il metodo e raccomandato in tutti quei casi in cui si richiede il minimo stress da parte dell'animale ed in quei casi in cui, come in immunologia, si vogliono ottenere campioni di sangue dallo stesso animale in varie riprese.
“None of Us Is Sentimental About the Hand”: Dorothy Liebes, Handweaving, and Design for Industry

AbstractThis article addresses the ways in which American textile designer Dorothy Liebes (1899–1972) attempted to bridge the worlds of luxury handcraft production and design for industry in the early years of her studio. Liebes is perhaps best known today for her extremely expensive custom designs for drapes, screens, and furnishings, created for the very small number of clients who could afford them. She was, however, equally engaged with the creation of modernist Good Design, industrially produced, for the much larger population of Americans who furnished their homes on a middle-class budget. For Liebes there was no inherent conflict between her ambitions as both an “artist-craftsman,” creating custom designs, and as a designer-craftsman, translating her aesthetic into machine-made textiles and other products. It is in this capacity that she had the most profound influence on American design.
Bifurcation buckling eigenvector characteristics for structures exhibiting buckling mode interactions

Abstract Since the recognition that local buckling of plate elements can significantly reduce the column buckling load of thin walled beams and columns, significant research has established a firm basis for understanding the interplay between buckling modes in classical built-up structures. Recent work on a modal projection procedure for representing the results of both static and dynamic nonlinear collapse computations has demonstrated that for structures whose collapse process includes a predominantly linear prebuckling domain, the failure process can be well understood by tracking the growth of the bifurcation eigenvectors in the solution. It has recently been observed that for structures which exhibit mode coupling characteristics, the bifurcation eigenvectors by themselves do not form a set of orthogonal functions when their inner product is evaluated. For complex structures or structures exhibiting complex multi-modal postbuckling behavior, this procedure provides an approach to evaluate the design basis for buckling mode interactions. Examples are shown illustrating this for collapse analyses involving both the classical case of geometric imperfections and material imperfections such as delaminations in composite structures.
Modification of PET with sterically hindered diols

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) was modified by incorporating bis(hydroxyethyl) tetrasubstituted terephthalates (methyl, chlorine, and bromine) as a third component in the mole ratios of 2–50% (based on dimethyl terephthalate) which resulted in random copolyesters. The presence of steric hindrance imparted additional chain rigidity to the copolymer structure, as shown by increased glass transition temperature (Tg). The effectiveness of the steric groups for conferring rigidity to the copolymer structure was CH3 > Cl≃Br. The copolyesters which contained halogen substituents showed substantial enhancement in flame retardency compared with PET.
Thyroxine increases the rate but does not alter the pattern of innervation during embryonic chick corneal development.

PURPOSE. Embryonic chick corneal nerves reach limbal mesenchyme by embryonic day (E)5, encircle the cornea in several days, then defasciculate into the stroma simultaneously from all sides, while extracellular keratan sulfate proteoglycan (KSPG) accumulates from posterior to anterior stroma. Precocious thyroxine (T4)-induced increases in corneal thinning/transparency are blocked by 2-thiouracil (2-TU) inhibition of T3 synthesis. The hypothesis for this study was that precocious T4 exposure increases corneal innervation similarly. METHODS. E8 embryos received T4, 2-TU, T4+2-TU, or buffe r; corneas were harvested on E12. Corneal nerves were stain d with neuronal β-tubulin-specific TuJ1 antibody or chick nerve-specific CN antibody. Corneal thickness was determined from cryostat sections, and mRNA expression was measured y real-time PCR. RESULTS. Nerves avoided the cornea until E9, then entered t e anterior stroma, extended toward and reached the cornea center by E14, and never invaded posterior stroma. E7 to E18 corneal expressions of nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3 genes were unchanged; receptor gene expressions rose. E7 to E12 semaphorin 3A and 3F and ephrin A2 and A5 expressions did not change significantly; semaphorin and ephrin/eph expressions increased from E9 to E18. E8 T4 administration increased nerve extension by E11, but did not alter circumferential penetration, anterior-only penetration, or neurotrophin expressions. 2-TU prevented T4-induced precocious corneal thinning, but augmented T4 nerve stimulation. CONCLUSIONS. No changes in corneal neurotrophin or nerve pathfinding gene expressions accompany corneal transition to nerve growth cone permissiveness. T4 increases corneal nerve penetration rates by a non-T3-dependent mechanism. Results are consistent with possible roles for corneal KSPGs in regulating corneal nerve growth.
Performance of phosphor-coated light-emitting diode optics in ray-trace simulations

In commercial high-brightness phosphor-coated white LED packages the phosphor is put down on the die at the center of the hemispherical encapsulation, representing a quasi point source that provides convenient optical control in luminaire design. However, specific applications may benefit from other package geometries and beam shapes regarding efficiency, color uniformity and thermal management. In order to examine optical arrangements, a solid model of an InGaN LED die and the optical system including the phosphor were simulated using a Monte Carlo forward ray tracing technique. Photoluminescence was implemented as two separate processes: short-wavelength LED emission and phosphor absorption was traced first, followed by reemission of the down converted radiation by the phosphor layer; optical properties of existing phosphors were used. Output parameters of the two ray traces were combined and evaluated for the geometries examined.
The bookstore war on Orchard Road: a study of contemporary sponsors of literacy and ideologies of globalized book retailing in Singapore

Based on a year's worth of fieldwork in Singapore, this article is a case study of the much-publicized ‘bookstore war on Orchard Road’ that pitted Borders' American ‘loosey-goosey’ model of bookselling against Kinokuniya's ‘serious’ Japanese model. It examines the distinctive role that country-of-origin effects play in the cultural practices and perceptions of these two global sponsors of literacy, which have in recent decades rivaled traditional sponsors of literacy such as libraries in guiding individuals on ‘what, when and how’ to read. An analysis of the Orchard Road bookstore war captures some of the competing ideologies of textual practices circulating in Singapore as cosmopolitan print consumers and their professional counterparts express their acceptance and/or rejection of particular bookselling practices. For the professionals, good bookselling involves the promotion of local print cultures. In contrast, the cosmopolitan consumers seldom mentioned this criterion. In fact, many of them were drawn...
Data-Informed Decision Making on High-Impact Strategies: Developing and Validating an Instrument for Principals

In this study, the authors connect 3 streams of literature to develop an instrument for measuring the degree to which principals engage in data-informed decision making on high-impact strategies that are empirically associated with higher student achievement. The 3 literature streams are (a) the importance of data-informed decision making, (b) the role of principals in school effectiveness, and (c) high-impact strategies for raising student achievement. The authors used Marzano's (2003) 11 high-impact strategies as a framework to develop items and collected data from 256 principals in Michigan to test the reliability (internal consistency) and (construct and factorial) validities of the instrument. The instrument, “Data-Informed Decision-Making on High-Impact Strategies: An Inventory for Principals,” demonstrates good psychometric properties. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Solubility products, thermodynamic functions and stability constants for the praseodymium and ytterbium fluoride — Water systems

The solubility products and thermodynamic functions for the praseodymium and ytterbium fluoride-water systems have been measured using different analytical techniques for comparison among the measured values as well as with values reported in literature. Although there is not much difference among our values obtained by potentiometric, conductometric and radiometric methods, the values for PrF3 disagree with at least two of the reported values. The effects of precipitant, aging of the precipitate and pH of the saturated solutions on the solubility product were studied and found to be significant. The standard enthalpy and free energy changes for the dissolution of both fluorides were found to be positive although the enthalpy for YbF3 is about twice as high as that for PrF3. The standard entropy change for PrF3 is negative, but that for YbF3 is positive. The overall stability constants for the mono- and difluoride complexes of both Pr and Yb have also been measured potentiometrically using a simplified approach.
Synthesis and Characterization of Lewis Base-Free, σ-Bonded Lithium Aryls: A Structural Model for Unsolvated Phenyllithium in the Solid State

The synthesis and characterization of four Lewis base-free, σ-bonded lithium aryls are reported. This work was undertaken in order to provide a model for the solid-state structure of phenyllithium, which is currently unknown. Nondonor hydrocarbon solubility of the four lithium aryls (LiC6H3-3,5-t-Bu2)6 (1), (LiC6H4-4-t-Bu)n (2), (LiC6H4-4-n-Bu)n (3), and {LiC6H4-4-SiMe2(t-Bu)}n (4) was achieved by the incorporation of meta- or para-substituents on the aryl rings. This permitted 13C NMR spectroscopy and crystal growth using their solutions. It is proposed that the absence of bulky ortho-substituents allows association of the lithium aryls to occur in a manner similar to that of phenyllithium itself. The 13C NMR data for the ipso-carbon atoms suggest an association number of at least four or, more probably, six in solution. These data are in agreement with the X-ray crystal structure of 1, which is hexameric, with a distorted octahedral (trigonal antiprismatic) array of lithium ions. Six of the eight Li3 fa...
Marijuana smoking and fungal sensitization

The possible role of marijuana (MJ) in inducing sensitization to Aspergillus organisms was studied in 28 MJ smokers by evaluating their clinical status and immune responses to microorganisms isolated from MJ. The spectrum of illnesses included one patient with systemic aspergillosis and seven patients with a history of bronchospasm after the smoking of MJ. Twenty-one smokers were asymptomatic. Fungi were identified in 13 of 14 MJ samples and included Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, Mucor, Penicillium, and thermophilic actinomycetes. Precipitins to Aspergillus antigens were found in 13 of 23 smokers and in one of 10 controls, while significant blastogenesis to Aspergillus was demonstrated in only three of 23 MJ smokers. When samples were smoked into an Andersen air sampler, A. fumigatus passed easily through contaminated MJ cigarettes. Thus the use of MJ assumes the risks of both fungal exposure and infection, as well as the possible induction of a variety of immunologic lung disorders.
Food Habits and Prey Selection of Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Cisco (Coregonus artedii) in Relation to Zooplankton Dynamics in Pallette Lake, Wisconsin

Abstract Insects, large zooplankton, and some fishes were the main diet of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) stocked in Pallette Lake, Wisconsin. From May to early July, coho (117–210 mm total length) were found inshore and in the epilimnion offshore and ate mostly winged flies, ants, and beetles. In late July and August they were primarily captured in the metalimnion and selected some underyearling cisco (Coregonus artedii) and numerous large, rare zooplankton. The latter included Chaoborus punctipennis larvae and pupae, Leptodora kindtii, and Holopedium gibberum. Coho were captured mainly inshore in November and consumed some underyearling cisco and adult hemipterans. Native cisco (129–260 mm) fed on small, seasonally abundant zooplankton. Copepods (chiefly Cyclops bicuspidatus thomasi) reached peak abundance in May-June and October-November, when they were the most important items in cisco stomachs. Cladocerans (especially Chydorus sphaericus, Bosmina longirostris, and Daphnia spp.) reached peak abund...
Optical design and development of a small barcode scanning module

High quality molded optical components and strict optomechanical tolerances have led to a new class of barcode scanner. Dynamic analysis of the scanning system and diffraction analysis of the thru focus laser spots are used to optimize the design. The outcome of this analysis is presented herein. 2 . 0© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A random cycle length approach for assessment of myocardial contraction in isolated rabbit myocardium.

It is well known that the strength of cardiac contraction is dependent on the cycle length, evidenced by the force-frequency relationship (FFR) and the existence of postrest potentiation (PRP). Bec...
Degradation of sinterability and superconducting properties of fine particle YBa2Cu3O7−y by exposure to moisture

The effect at room temperature of ambient level humidity on fine particle YBa2Cu3O7−y powder has been studied. Reaction with moisture, as detected by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, was found to proceed rapidly initially (<48 hours), but then became quite slow. The sinterability and the superconducting properties (magnetic flux exclusion) of the powder also degraded rapidly at first while subsequent degradation was relatively slow, suggesting that surface reaction products are responsible for property degradation. The lower sinterability was the result of two contributions: (1) lower green density due to increasing agglomeration and (2) lower surface reactivity with regard to sintering. Suggestions are presented for minimizing the presence of moisture by processing the superconducting oxide in an appropriate non-aqueous solvent.
The ‘Jewish Question’ and the ‘Italian Peril’: Vichy, Italy, and the Jews of Tunisia, 1940–2

During the Second World War, the Vichy government published many of the same antisemitic laws in Tunisia as it did in the metropole. But in Tunisia, the ‘Jewish Question’ also became a question of ...
Comparison of 2 stitches vs 1 stitch for transvaginal cervical cerclage for preterm birth prevention

Objective The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and outcomes of 2 vs 1 stitch at the time of cervical cerclage placement for preterm birth prevention. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study of women with singleton gestation undergoing history- or ultrasound-indicated transvaginal cervical cerclage prior to 24 weeks . The primary outcome was delivery at less than 37 weeks. The secondary outcomes included gestational age at delivery at less than 35, less than 34, less than 32, less than 28, and less than 24 weeks, perioperative details at the time of cerclage placement and removal, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Comparison was made between patients with 2 vs 1 stitch at the time of cerclage placement. History- and ultrasound-indicated cerclages were analyzed separately. Results Four hundred forty-four patients met inclusion criteria, 237 being history indicated (2 stitches, n=86, 1 stitch, n=151), and 207 ultrasound indicated (2 stitches, n=117, 1 stitch, n=90). Gestational age at delivery at less than 37 weeks was not significantly different between the 2 groups for both history- and ultrasound-indicated cerclage, even after adjusting for demographic differences and suture type (39% vs 35%; adjusted odds ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.64–3.01; and 44% vs 49%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval, 0.27–1.61, respectively). Conclusion Two stitches at the time of cerclage do not appear to improve pregnancy outcome either in the history- or the ultrasound-indicated procedures, compared with 1 stitch.
Motivational synergy: Toward new conceptualizations of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in the workplace

The foundation for a model of motivational synergy is presented. Building upon but going beyond previous conceptualizations, the model outlines the ways in which intrinsic motivation (which arises from the intrinsic value of the work for the individual) might interact with extrinsic motivation (which arises from the desire to obtain outcomes that are apart from the work itself). In a modification of the prevailing psychological view that extrinsic motivation undermines intrinsic motivation, this conceptualization proposes that certain types of extrinsic motivation can combine synergistically with intrinsic motivation, particularly when initial levels of intrinsic motivation are high. Such synergistic motivational combinations should lead to high levels of employee satisfaction and performance. Two mechanisms are proposed for these combinations: extrinsics in service of intrinsics, and the motivation-work cycle match. Personality and work-environment influences on motivation are discussed, and implications are outlined for management practice and management development.
The development of dislocation substructure in hydrogen embrittled niobium-8 to 10 at % vanadium alloy

The development of dislocation substructure in niobium-8 to 10 at % vanadium alloy single and polycrystals is presented to emphasize the effect of interstitial hydrogen and substitutional vanadium. The formation of cross grid of straight long screw dislocations in the initial stages of deformation is associated with a high lattice frictional stress caused by the substitutional vanadium. Similarly, the presence of non-screw segments, edge dipoles and loop debris at higher strains is also considered to arise from the high lattice frictional stress. On the other hand, the formation of cell structure at 195 K in both single and polycrystals tested in tension is related to the presence of hydrogen. In addition, the nucleation of cracks along the active {1 0 1} or {1 1 2} type slip planes is related to the accumulation of hydrogen atoms along cell walls. Furthermore, the stress concentration due to the array of long straight dislocations is believed responsible for twinning observed at 77 K in the presence of hydrogen. The dislocation substructure associated with deformation twins indicates that hydrogen embrittlement through crack nucleation cannot be linked with deformation twinning in this alloy.
Treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 with sequential liver and kidney transplants from the same living donor

Alanine-glyoxalate aminotransferase deficiency occurs in patients with primary hyperoxaluria type 1. Increased hepatic oxalate production leads to high urine concentrations of glycolate and oxalate. Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis occur, and renal function progressively declines until patients develop end-stage renal disease. Renal transplantation alone is inadequate therapy because the primary enzyme deficiency remains. We report what we believe to be the second-youngest recipient to undergo successful sequential liver and kidney transplantation from a single living-related donor for treatment of primary hyperoxaluria type 1. We also discuss the changes in this patient's serum oxalate levels after transplantation.
Individuals with patellofemoral pain exhibit greater patellofemoral joint stress: a finite element analysis study

Summary Objective To test the hypothesis that individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP) exhibit greater patellofemoral joint stress profiles compared to persons who are pain-free. Methods Ten females with PFP and ten gender, age, and activity-matched pain-free controls participated. Patella and femur stress profiles were quantified utilizing subject-specific finite element (FE) models of the patellofemoral joint at 15° and 45° of knee flexion. Input parameters for the FE model included: (1) joint geometry, (2) quadriceps muscle forces, and (3) weight-bearing patellofemoral joint kinematics. Using a nonlinear FE solver, quasi-static loading simulations were performed to quantify each subject's patellofemoral joint stress profile during a static squatting maneuver. The patella and femur peak and mean hydrostatic pressure as well as the peak and mean octahedral shear stress for the elements representing the chondro-osseous interface were quantified. Results Compared to the pain-free controls, individuals with PFP consistently exhibited greater peak and mean hydrostatic pressure as well as peak and mean octahedral shear stress for the elements representing the patella and femur chondro-osseous interface across the two knee flexion angles tested (15° and 45°). Conclusions The combined finding of elevated hydrostatic pressure and octahedral shear stress across the two knee flexion angles supports the premise that PFP may be associated with elevated joint stress. Therefore, treatments aimed at decreasing patellofemoral joint stress may be indicated in this patient population.
Disease clusters, exact distributions of maxima, and P-values.

This paper presents combinatorial (exact) methods that are useful in the analysis of disease cluster data obtained from small environments, such as buildings and neighbourhoods. Maxwell-Boltzmann and Fermi-Dirac occupancy models are compared in terms of appropriateness of representation of disease incidence patterns (space and/or time) in these environments. The methods are illustrated by a statistical analysis of the incidence pattern of bone fractures in a setting wherein fracture clustering was alleged to be occurring. One of the methodological results derived in this paper is the exact distribution of the maximum cell frequency in occupancy models. Language: en
The Colon From Banal to Brilliant

The colon serves as the habitat for trillions of microbes, which it must maintain, regulate, and sequester. This is managed by what is termed the mucosal barrier. The mucosal barrier separates the gut flora from the host tissues; regulates the absorption of water, electrolytes, minerals, and vitamins; and facilitates host-flora interactions. Colonic homeostasis depends on a complex interaction between the microflora and the mucosal epithelium, immune system, vasculature, stroma, and nervous system. Disruptions in the colonic microenvironment such as changes in microbial composition, epithelial cell function/proliferation/differentiation, mucus production/makeup, immune function, diet, motility, or blood flow may have substantial local and systemic consequences. Understanding the complex activities of the colon in health and disease is important in drug development, as xenobiotics can impact all segments of the colon. Direct and indirect effects of pharmaceuticals on intestinal function can produce adverse findings in laboratory animals and humans and can negatively impact drug development. This review will discuss normal colon homeostasis with examples, where applicable, of xenobiotics that disrupt normal function.
Macromolecule mediated transport and retention of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in saturated porous media

The role of extracellular macromolecules on Escherichia coli O157:H7 transport and retention was investigated in saturated porous media. To compare the relative transport and retention of E. coli cells that are macromolecule rich and deficient, macromolecules were partially cleaved using a proteolytic enzyme. Characterization of bacterial cell surfaces, cell aggregation, and experiments in a packed sand column were conducted over a range of ionic strength (IS). The results showed that macromolecule-related interactions contribute to retention of E. coli O157:H7 and are strongly linked to solution IS. Under low IS conditions (IS or = 1 mM) showed that a significant amount of the cells were reversibly retained in the column, which contradicts predictions of DLVO theory. Furthermore, a non-monotonic cell retention profile was observed under favorable attachment conditions. These observations indicated that the presence of macromolecules hindered irreversible interactions between the cells and the quartz surface.
Reliability of the three-dimensional pendulum test for able-bodied children and children diagnosed with cerebral palsy

This prospective study compared the test–retest reliability of thirteen variables calculated from the pendulum test in able-bodied children to those of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Ten healthy children and 10 children with a primary diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) (mean age 13 years) participated in the study. Data were collected using a three-dimensional motion analysis system on two separate occasions 73 � 28 days apart. The between day reliability ICC scores of all variables were moderate to very high (0.60–0.98) for children with CP and high to very high (0.71–0.98) for able-bodied children. The children with CP demonstrated slower maximum angular velocity compared to the able-bodied children (2028/s versus 2938/s, p < 0.01). The time to maximum angular velocity occurred sooner for children with CP compared to able-bodied children (0.22 s versus 0.34 s, p < 0.001). For some children with CP, the knee motions demonstrated were not oscillations of decreasing magnitude. Therefore the integrals of knee motion in each plane were calculated. For both groups of subjects the largest integrals of motion were in the sagittal plane (knee flexion/extension). The able-bodied subject’s integrals were twice as large compared to subjects diagnosed with CP ( p < 0.01). High test–retest reliability of the variables suggests that the pendulum test provides an objective and reliable method to assess quadriceps spasticity in children with cerebral palsy. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Extension of Color Bias Research to Young French and Italian Children

Previous research has documented a pancultural tendency for positive evaluation to be associated with the color white and negative evaluation to be associated with black. This pro-white/anti-black bias has been demonstrated among both Euro-and Afro-American preschoolers using the Color Meaning Test (CMT) and other procedures. Translated versions of CMT and a companion measure, the Preschool Racial Attitude Measure (PRAM), were administered to samples of five-and six-year-old children in France and Italy. A tendency toward pro-white/anti-black bias was found in both groups; however, this bias was less pronounced in the French group than in the Italian group, or in previous Euro-American samples. The European children also displayed a tendency toward the positive evaluation of light-skinned figures relative to dark-skinned figures, but not to the degree usually found with Euro-American children. Theories of the development of color and race bias in young children are discussed.
Accurate structure prediction of peptide-MHC complexes for identifying highly immunogenic antigens.

Designing an optimal HIV-1 vaccine faces the challenge of identifying antigens that induce a broad immune capacity. One factor to control the breadth of T cell responses is the surface morphology of a peptide–MHC complex. Here, we present an in silico protocol for predicting peptide–MHC structure. A robust signature of a conformational transition was identified during all-atom molecular dynamics, which results in a model with high accuracy. A large test set was used in constructing our protocol and we went another step further using a blind test with a wild-type peptide and two highly immunogenic mutants, which predicted substantial conformational changes in both mutants. The center residues at position five of the analogs were configured to be accessible to solvent, forming a prominent surface, while the residue of the wild-type peptide was to point laterally toward the side of the binding cleft. We then experimentally determined the structures of the blind test set, using high resolution of X-ray crystallography, which verified predicted conformational changes. Our observation strongly supports a positive association of the surface morphology of a peptide–MHC complex to its immunogenicity. Our study offers the prospect of enhancing immunogenicity of vaccines by identifying MHC binding immunogens.
Synergistic Effects of a Combination of Low-Dose Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Citicoline After Temporary Experimental Focal Ischemia

Background and Purpose—Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and citicoline (cytidine 5′-diphosphate choline, an endogenous compound that stabilizes membrane function) have demonstrated neuroprotective effects after focal cerebral ischemia. Both agents are candidates for future stroke therapy in humans. For evaluation of synergistic effects of bFGF and citicoline, a low-dose combination of both compounds was tested against each compound alone and placebo. Methods—Four groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (n=12 per group) underwent 90 minutes of focal cerebral ischemia with the use of the suture model of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Animals were randomly and blindly assigned to one of the following treatment groups: placebo, low-dose citicoline (250 mg/kg IP daily for 4 days), low-dose bFGF (10 μg/kg per hour IV for 3 hours), and the combination of both (250 mg/kg citicoline and 10 μg/kg per hour bFGF). Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was used after 4 days to determine postmortem infarction. Neurologi...
Untersuchung der Rißbildung in Salzgestein mit Hilfe der Schallemissionsanalyse

Zur Erkundung der Spannungsverhaltnisse in Gesteinen werden haufig Aufreis-, sog. Frac- Versuche durchgefuhrt, bei denen von einem Bohrloch aus Risse durch hydraulischen Innendruck erzeugt werden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden solche Untersuchungen im Salzgestein der Schachtanalyse Asse und im Modellversuch an einem Bohrkern von 200 mm Durchmesser vorgenommen. Schallemissionsmessungen wurden dabei durchgefuhrt mit dem Ziel, die raumliche Rislage und die fortschreitende Risgrose zu erfassen. Die dazu angewandte Mesmethode der mehrkanaligen Signalanalyse wird beschrieben. Die Ergebnisse der Messungen stimmen mit der zerstorend festgestellten Rislage gut uberein. Acoustic Emission Measurements During Hydraulic Fracturing Tests in Rock salt To investigate the state of stress in the rock, during a hydraulic fracturing experiment the hydraulic pressure in a sealed volume of a borehole is increased up to the initiation of a fracture. In this paper hydraulic fracturing experiments are described which were performed in the salt rock of the former Asse salt mine and in a laboratory specimen of 200mm diameter. Acoustic Emission measurements were applied to evaluate the three-dimensional orientation and the extension of the fracture area. A multi-channel signal analysis system was used. The results correlate fairly well with the fracture locations which were surveyed after the experiments.
Accelerating Profile Queries in Elevation Maps

Elevation maps are a widely used spatial data representation in geographical information systems (GIS). Paths on elevation maps can be characterized by profiles, which describe relative elevation as a function of distance. In this research, we address the inverse of this mapping - given a profile, how to efficiently find paths that could have generated it. This is called the profile query problem. Profiles have a wide variety of uses that include registering tracking information, or even other maps, to a given map. We describe a probabilistic model to characterize the maximal likelihood that a point lying on a path matches the query profile. Propagation of such probabilities to neighboring points can effectively prune the search space. This model enables us to efficiently answer queries of arbitrary profiles with user-specified error tolerances. When compared to existing spatial index methods, our approach supports more flexible queries with orders of magnitude speedup.
The outcome of manuscripts submitted to the American Journal of Ophthalmology between 2002 and 2003.

Purpose To investigate the outcome of manuscripts submitted to the American Journal of Ophthalmology (AJO) between July 23, 2002 and December 31, 2003. Design Observational series. Methods Data were collected on all Full-Length Articles and Brief Reports submitted to the AJO. Data were recorded for rejected or withdrawn manuscripts about the date of submission and decision, category of decision, type of article, manuscript region of origin, alternate journal of manuscript, date of publication, and impact factor and immediacy index of the subsequent journal. Corresponding data were collected from the manuscripts accepted over the same period. The Advanced PubMed online database was searched to determine if the rejected or withdrawn manuscripts were published elsewhere. The impact factor and the immediacy index of the journal of the subsequent journal was then recorded and compared with those of the AJO, using the year 2004 for comparison. Results Of 2,026 manuscripts submitted, 1,444 were rejected by the AJO or withdrawn by the authors and 50% of these were subsequently published elsewhere in a PubMed listed journal. The rejected or withdrawn articles were typically published in lower impact journals, most commonly in general ophthalmology journals in the author's region or in subspecialty journals, although several were published in higher impact journals. The 727 articles were published in 94 different journals and usually with an extended delay. Conclusions Rejection of a manuscript by the AJO does not preclude publication, but rejected manuscripts are published more often in journals that serve a smaller readership and are cited less frequently, although exceptions exist.
The parametric g-formula to estimate the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on incident AIDS or death.

The parametric g-formula can be used to contrast the distribution of potential outcomes under arbitrary treatment regimes. Like g-estimation of structural nested models and inverse probability weighting of marginal structural models, the parametric g-formula can appropriately adjust for measured time-varying confounders that are affected by prior treatment. However, there have been few implementations of the parametric g-formula to date. Here, we apply the parametric g-formula to assess the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on time to AIDS or death in two US-based HIV cohorts including 1,498 participants. These participants contributed approximately 7,300 person-years of follow-up of which 49% was exposed to HAART and 382 events occurred; 259 participants were censored due to drop out. Using the parametric g-formula, we estimated that antiretroviral therapy substantially reduces the hazard of AIDS or death (HR=0.55; 95% confidence limits [CL]: 0.42, 0.71). This estimate was similar to one previously reported using a marginal structural model 0.54 (95% CL: 0.38, 0.78). The 6.5-year difference in risk of AIDS or death was 13% (95% CL: 8%, 18%). Results were robust to assumptions about temporal ordering, and extent of history modeled, for time-varying covariates. The parametric g-formula is a viable alternative to inverse probability weighting of marginal structural models and g-estimation of structural nested models for the analysis of complex longitudinal data.
Structure of amorphous Fe-Cr-P alloys prepared by electrodeposition

Iron-chromium-phosphorus (Fe–Cr–P) alloys were prepared by electrodeposition from an acidic citrate electrolyte using sodium hypophosphite as the source of phosphorus. These alloys form a passive oxide layer when exposed to air and are useful as protective coatings on steel. The current efficiency of the plating process reaches a maximum of 20% at a current density of 100 mA/cm2 where the alloy has 10% Cr and 19% P. X-ray diffraction patterns and TEM analysis show that the alloy is amorphous. TEM results also indicate that small oxide particles (5–20 nm) are dispersed in the amorphous structure. Besides Fe, Cr, and P, the alloys contain a low level of oxygen (4–7%) in the form of mixed iron and chromium oxides, as confirmed by AES analysis. When heated, the amorphous structure transforms into a mixture of Fe3P and Cr3P, along with α–Fe–Cr grains. This phase transformation occurs in the temperature range of 450–460 °C for alloys with 19% P.
An Updated Focused Review of Dexmedetomidine in Adults

Objective:To evaluate recent comparative studies regarding the safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine in adults.Data Sources:Articles evaluating safety and efficacy of dexmedetomidine were identified from an English-language MEDLINE search (1996–July 2009), with a focus on data published since our previous review in 2007 to the present. MeSH terms included dexmedetomidine, medetomidine, α2:-agonist, and sedation. References from selected articles were also reviewed for additional material.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Experimental and observational English-language studies that focused on the efficacy, safety, and pharmacoeconomics of dexmedetomidine in humans were selected.Data Synthesis:Dexmedetomidine is an α2-agonist used for sedation during procedures and in critical illness. Compared with placebo, use of dexmedetomidine during procedures was associated with decreased use of rescue midazolam and a similar degree of sedation compared with various agents used during surgery or for procedures. Use...
Reliability of Frozen Section of Uterine Curettings in Evaluation of Possible Ectopic Pregnancy

Abstract Study Objective To assess the accuracy of frozen section evaluation of uterine curettings to look for chorionic villi and rule out ectopic pregnancy before laparoscopy. Design Retrospective review (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting Northeastern medical school-affiliated teaching hospital. Patients Thirty-six women. Intervention Dilatation and curettage, laparoscopy, and laparotomy. Measurements and Main Results Of 36 cases, 13 showed evidence of intrauterine pregnancy, either chorionic villi or implantation site, on final permanent sections. Five false negatives were identified in which no villi were identified on frozen section, although villi or evidence of an implantation site was noted on permanent sections (sensitivity 62%, 95% CI 0.32, 0.86). Conclusion Frozen section evaluation of uterine curettings can produce false negative diagnoses, and this should be considered in the operative planning of women with suspected ectopic pregnancy.