cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photocatalytic oxidation of ketones in the gas phase over TiO2 thin films: a kinetic study on the influence of water vapor

Photocatalytic oxidation of two ketones having different hydrophilicity, acetone and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), over TiO2 thin films supported on glass rings was studied under different relative humidity (RH) conditions. Adsorption isotherms of both ketones in the dark under different concentrations of water vapor were also measured and modeled considering a two-site Langmuir model. As expected, an increase in RH resulted in a decrease in the surface concentration of the organic molecules, but the photocatalytic oxidation rates did not show a parallel variation. In the case of acetone, almost total mineralization was achieved, and the kinetic constants obtained from fitting the data to the Langmuir–Hinselwood–Hougen–Watson (LHHW) model, were significantly larger in the presence of water vapor. Photocatalytic elimination of methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) is proposed to take place simultaneously by a direct oxidation route and by a sequential mechanism. Acetone is a stable intermediate in this last reaction pathway. Photodegradation of MIBK at different levels of RH was also modeled using LHHW kinetic expressions, and the rates obtained were slightly lower than those obtained for the photooxidation of acetone. However, a carbon balance was not achieved for MIBK, very likely due to the accumulation of partially oxidized products on the surface of the photocatalyst. The influence of water vapor on the photocatalytic oxidation rate of this larger ketone is more complex, and both inhibition and promotion effects can be envisaged. In addition, experimental results show that humidity exerts a significant influence in the mineralization efficiency of MIBK.
Gas exchange, dispersion, and biological productivity on the west Florida shelf: Results from a Lagrangian tracer study

A Lagrangian tracer study was performed on the west Florida shelf in April 1996 using deliberately injected trace gases. Although such studies have been performed previously, this work is the first where the deliberate tracers, in conjunction with carbon system parameters, are used to quantify changes in water column carbon inventories due to air-sea exchange and net community metabolism. The horizontal dispersion and the gas transfer velocity were determined over a period of 2 weeks from the change in both the concentrations and the concentration ratio of the two injected trace gases, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and helium-3 (³He). The second moment of the patch grew to 1.6 × 10³ km² over a period of 11 days. The gas transfer velocity, normalized to CO2 exchange at 20°C, was 8.4 cm hr−1 at an average wind speed, U10, of 4.4 m s−1 for the duration of the experiment, which is in good agreement with empirical estimates. Remineralization rates exceeded productivity, causing an increase in dissolved inorganic carbon of about 1 µmol kg−1 day−1 in the water column. During this period of senescence, 80% of the increase in inorganic carbon is attributed to community remineralization and 20% due to invasion of atmospheric CO2.
Measuring Mold Infestation in Raw Tomato Juice

A modified fluorescent lectin test for molded raw tomato juice was compared with both the visual mold inspection method conducted by the California Processing Tomato Advisory Board and the Howard mold count (HMC) conducted by 4 commercial tomato processors. The assay quantifies fungal contamination by detecting fungal chitin using FITC-labeled lectin that selectively binds to chitin. The mold content of 100 naturally infected raw tomato juice samples was determined using these 3 methods. The coefficient of determination between the lectin assay and the HMC (r 2 = 0.73) was better than the coefficient of determination between the California processing tomato visual mold inspection method and the HMC (r 2 = 0.38). The coefficient of determination between the fluorescent lectin assay and the HMC (r2 = 0.73) was comparable to the coefficient of determination between different quality control laboratories' HMC values, which ranged from r 2 = 0.69 to r 2 = 0.81. The fluorescent lectin assay had consistently better precision (average CV = 8%) than the HMC (average CV = 38%). Les techniques de controle de la qualite du jus de tomate sont comparees: Une technique de dosage de l'interaction d'une lectine fluorescente avec la chitine de la paroi cellulaire des champpignons, une technique officielle microscopique de comptage (Howard) et l'inspection visuelle des moisissures visibles sur la tomate. La methode utilisant la lectine est 4 fois plus precise que la technique microscopique.
Parathion hydrolysis revisited: in situ aqueous kinetics by (1)h NMR.

The kinetics of parathion (PTH) decomposition into para-nitrophenolate (pNP) and O,O-diethylthiophosphate (DETP) were measured in high-pH aqueous solutions at 20 °C by proton nuclear magnetic reson...
Electron microscopic observations on accommodations to pregnancy in the uterus of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias.

By comparing nonpregnant, pregnant, and postpartum uteri of the spiny dogfish at light and electron microscopic levels, differences in the uterine mucosae were observed which were interpreted as adaptations for pseudoplacental exchange in this species. The pregnant mucosa exhibited an enormous relative increase in surface area. During pregnancy, there was a great proliferation of blood vessels with the result that the mucosa became highly vascularized by an extensive, ramifying system of juxtaepithelial capillaries. The tissues which collectively formed the “barrier” to passage of materials between maternal blood and uterine lumen were reduced in number and in thickness. The definitive barrier in the pregnant uterus was seen to consist of (1) two layers of mucosal epithelial cells with a closely related basement membrane, (2) the endothelium of juxtaepithelial capillaries with a poorly developed related basement membrane, and (3) between these basement membranes, scattered reticular fibers. These changes are believed to facilitate the exchange of respiratory gases between the mother and the intrauterine embryos, or fetuses. In addition to converting into a respiratory membrane, the mucosa of the pregnant uterus was also believed somehow to regulate transport of water and electrolytes against diffusion gradients between maternal body fluids and the uterine content. Consequently, of the differences which were observed in the pregnant uterus, some, e.g., compartmentalization of intraepithelial, inter-cellular spaces, were thought to be adaptations for osmoregulation which appeared to take place concomitant with respiration.
The Physician–Patient Working Alliance and Patient Psychological Attachment, Adherence, Outcome Expectations, and Satisfaction in a Sample of Rheumatology Patients

Over the past twenty years, the physician-patient relationship (eg, the physician-patient working alliance) has emerged as an integral component to the treatment of patients for a myriad of health conditions. Psychological, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of patients' working alliance with their physicians, along with patients' attachment styles, were examined in relation to rheumatology patients' adherence to treatment plans, outcome expectations, and satisfaction. Study participants were 101 adult outpatients from a rheumatology clinic. Path analyses demonstrated that the physician-patient working alliance predicted outcome expectations (Standardized Beta [SB] = 0.27), and patient satisfaction (SB = 0.62), and that patient satisfaction in turn predicted patient adherence (SB = 0.48). Physicians' ratings of patient adherence were significantly and positively correlated with patients' ratings of the physician-patient working alliance. No significant paths were evident with respect to patient attachment. The physician-patient working alliance directly predicts patient satisfaction, and outcome expectations, and indirectly predicts adherence through patient satisfaction.
Adolescent Sexual Activity: Links Between Relational Context and Depressive Symptoms

Little is known about the impact of the relational context of adolescent sexual activity on depressive symptoms. The present study examined trajectories of depressive symptoms among 6,602 adolescents (44% male, 60% White) taken from a nationally representative study (Add Health). Sexually active youth in romantic and casual relationships were first compared to virgins and then to each other by relational context. Longitudinal, multilevel models examined differences in the course of depressive symptoms based on sexual activity separately by gender and age group (ages 12–14 and 15–18). Results indicated that when compared to virgins, any differences in depressive symptoms by relational context of sex were present prior to youth’s sexual debut. The few significant differences found between youth who had sex in romantic relationships verses those who had casual sex were present before sexual initiation and not maintained over time, suggesting that casual sex in adolescence is not associated with long-term risks for depressive symptoms.
Myocardial Preservation with Nifedipine: A Comparative Study at Normothermia

Sixty-four dogs were placed on normothermic total cardiopulmonary bypass, and global ischemia was induced for 1 hour during which continuous infusions (240 ml per hour) (N = 39) or bolus injections (150 to 200 ml every 30 minutes) (N = 23) into the proximal aortic root were performed. The control groups (N = 26) had infusion or injection of normal saline solution, normal saline solution + 25 mEq/L of potassium chloride, or Normosol-R pH 7.4. The cardioplegic solution (N = 15) contained 25 mEq/L of potassium chloride in Normosol-R pH 7.4, 0.25 mg/ml of lidocaine, 500 mg/dl of glucose, and 1.8 microU/ml of insulin. The nifedipine group (N = 23) had infusion or injection of 0.167 to 0.2 microgram/ml of nifedipine in saline solution, Normosol-R pH 7.4, or the cardioplegic solution. Left ventricular performance was assessed by phasic and mean measurements of left ventricular peak and end-diastolic pressures and its first derivative, left and right atrial pressures, and ascending aortic blood flow. Calculations of stroke work index and total peripheral resistance were performed. Morphological examinations, and light and electron microscopic examinations of heart slices were done. The results demonstrated a consistent superiority of the nifedipine group in terms of performance after bypass compared with the cardioplegic or control group. Normal preischemic stroke work indices and Sarnoff curves were present 2 hours after bypass for the nifedipine-treated groups. The cardioplegic solution was ineffective when given continuously but gave modest protection when given as a bolus injection. It is concluded that the concept of the efficacy of calcium blockade during ischemia and the initial reperfusion period for enhanced myocardial protection is valid.
Scatter fractions from linear accelerators with x‐ray energies from 6 to 24 MV

Computation of shielding requirements for a linear accelerator must take into account the amount of radiation scattered from the patient to areas outside the primary beam. Currently, the most frequently used data are from NCRP 49 that only includes data for x-ray energies up to 6 MV and angles from 30 degrees to 135 degrees. In this work we have determined by Monte Carlo simulation the scattered fractions of dose for a wide range of energies and angles of clinical significance including 6, 10, 18, and 24 MV and scattering angles from 10 degrees to 150 degrees. Calculations were made for a 400 cm2 circular field size impinging onto a spherical phantom. Scattered fractions of dose were determined at 1 m from the phantom. Angles from 10 degrees to 30 degrees are of concern for higher energies where the scatter is primarily in the forward direction. An error in scatter fraction may result in too little secondary shielding near the junction with the primary barrier. The Monte Carlo code ITS (Version 3.0) developed at Sandia National Laboratory and NIST was used to simulate scatter from the patient to the barrier. Of significance was the variation of calculated scattered dose with depth of measurement within the barrier indicating that accurate values may be difficult to obtain. Mean energies of scatter x-ray spectra are presented.
Novel ring transformations for 5,5a-dibromobicyclomycin and derivatives

Abstract Both 5,5a-dibromobicyclomycin ( 2 ) and 5,5a-dibromobicyclomycin-2′,3′-acetonide ( 3 ) were observed to undergo unique ring fragmentation processes under basic conditions. Treatment of 2 and 3 with DBU gave (3 S , 4 S , 5 S )-3-(3-bromobutoxy-3-ene)-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-5-methyl-3-oxamido-γ-lactone ( 4 ) and (1′ S , 2′ S , 6 S )-6-(3-bromobutoxy-3-ene)-6-(l-hydroxy-2,3- O , O -isopropylidene-2-methyl-2,3-dioxapropyl)- piperazine-2,3,4-trione ( 5 ) in moderate yields. Dissolution of 3 with KF and 18-crown-6 in DMF yielded 5 and (1 S , 5 R , 1′ S , 2′ S )-l-bromomethyl)-8,10-diaza-l-(l-hydroxy-2,3- O , O -isopropylidene-2-methyl-2,3-dioxapropyl)-2-oxabicyclo[3.3.2]decan-6,7,9-trione ( 6 ). The facility of these ring cleavage transformations has been attributed to the favorable stereoelectronic arrangement of the C(6) hydroxy and C(5a) bromo groups in 2 and 3 for elimination.
Multi-tissue analyses reveal limited inter-annual and seasonal variation in mercury exposure in an Antarctic penguin community

Inter-annual variation in tissue mercury concentrations in birds can result from annual changes in the bioavailability of mercury or shifts in dietary composition and/or trophic level. We investigated potential annual variability in mercury dynamics in the Antarctic marine food web using Pygoscelis penguins as biomonitors. Eggshell membrane, chick down, and adult feathers were collected from three species of sympatrically breeding Pygoscelis penguins during the austral summers of 2006/2007–2010/2011. To evaluate the hypothesis that mercury concentrations in penguins exhibit significant inter-annual variation and to determine the potential source of such variation (dietary or environmental), we compared tissue mercury concentrations with trophic levels as indicated by δ15N values from all species and tissues. Overall, no inter-annual variation in mercury was observed in adult feathers suggesting that mercury exposure, on an annual scale, was consistent for Pygoscelis penguins. However, when examining tissues that reflected more discrete time periods (chick down and eggshell membrane) relative to adult feathers, we found some evidence of inter-annual variation in mercury exposure during penguins’ pre-breeding and chick rearing periods. Evidence of inter-annual variation in penguin trophic level was also limited suggesting that foraging ecology and environmental factors related to the bioavailability of mercury may provide more explanatory power for mercury exposure compared to trophic level alone. Even so, the variable strength of relationships observed between trophic level and tissue mercury concentrations across and within Pygoscelis penguin species suggest that caution is required when selecting appropriate species and tissue combinations for environmental biomonitoring studies in Antarctica.
Deracialization as an Analytical Construct in American Urban Politics

The author examines the usefulness of the deracialization concept as an analytical construct for explaining contemporary American urban politics. Deracialization is a useful concept for explaining recent black electoral victories because several African-American candidates have successfully employed this campaign strategy. As an electoral strategy, deracialization is especially useful to African-American candidates running in majority-white districts and jurisdictions. Deracialization as a campaign strategy does not automatically lead to deracialized governance. Black elected officials who conduct deracialized campaigns often pursue themes of racial justice in their governance.
Affinity of fatty acid for rRat intestinal fatty acid binding protein: Further examination

The enhancement of the fluorescence quantum yield of 1,8-anilinonaphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) upon binding to intestinal fatty acid protein (I-FABP) was exploited to devise an assay for free I-FABP. With this assay, we monitored the competition for free I-FABP between ANS and fatty acids and thereby extracted values for the dissociation constants (K(FA)) of fatty acids for I-FABP. We obtained these constants for the I-FABP ligands oleic acid, arachidonic acid, and palmitic acid. In addition, we measured the dependence of K(FA) for oleic acid upon temperature and at two pH values. From these data, we calculate the van't Hoff enthalpy of oleic acid binding. This enthalpy is compared with the enthalpies of binding obtained directly from titration calorimetry. Our experiments with the fluorescence-based assay generate values of K(FA) which disagree with older values obtained from calorimetry and other methods. Our own calorimetric data were analyzed with a view to improving the technique involved in subtraction of a "reference" dilution of the ligand into solution in the absence of the protein. By this maneuver, we obtained "corrected" titrations which could be fitted to values of K(FA) more in agreement with the values we determined via the fluorescence-based assay than wer the older literature values. Our new values for K(FA) also agree substantially with values derived using a complementary assay technique, one measuring the concentration of free fatty acid, that has recently been developed by Richiere et al [Richiere et al. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 15076-15084]. We compare the values of delta H degrees, delta S degrees, and delta C(p)degrees for fatty acid binding we have obtained in this work with those we found in earlier work with ANS binding to I-FABP [Kirk et al. (1996) Biophys. J. 70, 69-83]. Our interpretation of the origin of the thermodynamic changes for ANS binding in our earlier work is here substantiated and extended to include an evaluation in physical terms of the interaction of I-FABP with fatty acids.
Model for spontaneous frequency sweeping of an Alfvén wave in a toroidal plasma

Abstract We study the frequency chirping signals arising from spontaneously excited toroidial Alfven eigenmode (TAE) waves that are being driven by an inverted energetic particle distribution whose free energy is tapped from the generic particle/wave resonance interaction. Initially a wave is excited inside the Alfven gap with a frequency determined from the linear tip model of Rosenbluth, Berk and Van dam (RBV) [1] . Hole/clumps structures are formed and are observed to chirp towards lower energy states. We find that the chirping signals from clump enter the Alfven continuum which eventually produce more rapid chirping signals. The accuracy of the adiabatic approximation for the mode evolution is tested and verified by demonstrating that a WKB-like decomposition of the time response for the field phase and amplitude agree with the data. Plots of the phase space structure correlate well with the chirping dependent shape of the separatrix structure. A novel aspect of the simulation is that it performed close to the wave frame of the phase space structure, which enables the numerical time step to remain the same during the simulation, independent of the rest frame frequency.
Colon carcinogenesis in wild type and immune compromised mice after treatment with azoxymethane, and azoxymethane with dextran sodium sulfate

The association between inflammation and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is well documented in animal models and in humans, but the mechanistic role of inflammation in CRC is less well understood. To address this question, the induction of colon tumors was evaluated in (i) wild type (WT) and athymic BALB/c mice treated with the colon carcinogen azoxymethane (AOM) as a single agent, and (ii) in an inflammation model of colon cancer employing AOM and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in WT, athymic, TCRβ(-/-) , TCRδ(-/-) and TCRβ(-/-) TCRδ(-/-) C57Bl/6 mice. The athymic BALB/c mice treated with only AOM developed 90% fewer tumors than the WT mice. The difference in response was not due to metabolic activation of AOM or repair of DNA adducts. In the inflammation model using a standard sequential exposure to AOM followed by DSS treatment, the tumor incidence in WT mice was 58% with 7 adenomas and 6 adenocarcinomas. In contrast, the TCRβ(-/-) , TCRδ(-/-) and TCRβ(-/-) TCRδ(-/-) C57Bl/6 mice showed adenoma incidences of 10, 33, and 11%, respectively, and none of the immune compromised mice developed adenocarcinomas. When the DSS exposure was increased and the AOM lowered, no difference was observed between WT and TCRβ(-/-) mice due to an increase in the incidence in the TCR null mice without concomitant increase in the WT mice. No tumors were observed in mice treated with AOM or DSS alone. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Medication history reconciliation by pharmacists in an inpatient behavioral health unit

Purpose. The effectiveness of a pharmacy-obtained medication history on the medication reconciliation process in the behavioral health unit (BHU) of a community hospital was studied. Methods. Patients admitted to the BHU of a 411-bed, not-for-profit hospital from 6 a.m. on Monday through 12 p.m. on Friday from September 1, 2005, through October 6, 2005, were candidates for the study. Within 18 hours of admission to the BHU and after the medication history had been obtained by a nurse, a pharmacy technician gathered patient demographic and medication information from the chart and the patient’s medication bottles. Once the technician completed the documentation, the pharmacist was notified of a new admission. The pharmacist reviewed the collected documentation and patient chart before interviewing the patient. Results. Of the 54 patients who met the study’s inclusion criteria, 91% were seen by a pharmacist within 18 hours of admission. The mean ± S.D. time delay to interview the patient was 11.6 ± 5.1 hours. Pharmacists spent a mean of 13.9 minutes completing patients’ medication histories. The mean ± S.D. number of medications identified by nursing on admission was 4.0 ± 3.2, compared with 5.3 ± 3.7 identified by pharmacists ( p < 0.05). The mean number of medication discrepancies identified per patient was 2.9. Of the discrepancies, 48% were related to an omitted or incorrect medication, 31% to an omitted or incorrect dose, and 13% to an omitted or incorrect frequency; 8% were categorized as miscellaneous. Conclusion. Pharmacists’ participation in obtaining patients’ medication histories through chart review and patient interview increased the effectiveness of the medication reconciliation process in an inpatient BHU.
A physicochemical framework for interpreting the biological calcification response to CO 2 -induced ocean acidification

Abstract A generalized physicochemical model of the response of marine organisms’ calcifying fluids to CO2-induced ocean acidification is proposed. The model is based upon the hypothesis that some marine calcifiers induce calcification by elevating pH, and thus ΩA, of their calcifying fluid by removing protons (H+). The model is explored through two end-member scenarios: one in which a fixed number of H+ is removed from the calcifying fluid, regardless of atmospheric pCO2, and another in which a fixed external–internal H+ ratio ([H+]E/[H+]I) is maintained. The model is able to generate the full range of calcification response patterns observed in prior ocean acidification experiments and is consistent with the assertion that organisms’ calcification response to ocean acidification is more negative for marine calcifiers that exert weaker control over their calcifying fluid pH. The model is empirically evaluated for the temperate scleractinian coral Astrangia poculata with in situ pH microelectrode measurements of the coral’s calcifying fluid under control and acidified conditions. These measurements reveal that (1) the pH of the coral’s calcifying fluid is substantially elevated relative to its external seawater under both control and acidified conditions, (2) the coral’s [H+]E/[H+]I is approximately the same under control and acidified conditions, and (3) the coral removes fewer H+ from its calcifying fluid under acidified conditions than under control conditions. Thus, the carbonate system dynamics of A. poculata’s calcifying fluid appear to be most consistent with the fixed [H+]E/[H+]I end-member scenario. Similar microelectrode experiments performed on additional taxa are required to assess the model’s general applicability.
Analysis of the question–answer service of the Emma Children’s Hospital information centre

The information centre of the Emma Children’s Hospital AMC (EKZ AMC) is a specialised information centre where paediatric patients and persons involved with the patient can ask questions about all aspects of disease and its social implications. The aim of the study was to evaluate the question–answer service of this information centre in order to determine the role of a specialised information centre in an academic children’s hospital, identify the appropriate resources for the service and potential positive effects. For this purpose, a case management system was developed in MS ACCESS. The characteristics of the requester and the question, the time it took to answer questions, the information sources used and the extent to which we were able to answer the questions were registered. The costs of the service were determined. We analysed all questions that were asked in the year 2007. Fourteen hundred thirty-four questions were asked. Most questions were asked by parents (23.3%), healthcare workers (other than nurses; 16.5%) and nurses (15.3%). The scope of the most frequently asked questions include disease (20.2%) and treatment (13.0%). Information on paper was the main information source used. Most questions could be solved within 15 min. Twelve percent to 28% of total working hours are used for the question–answer service. Total costs including staff salary are rather large. In conclusions, taking over the task of providing additional medical information and by providing readily available, good quality information that healthcare professionals can use to inform their patients will lead to less time investment of these more expensive staff members. A specialised information service can anticipate on the information need of parents and persons involved with the paediatric patient. It improves information by providing with relatively simple resources that has the potential to improve patient and parent satisfaction, coping and medical results. A specialised information centre is therefore a valuable and affordable asset to an academic children’s hospital.
Parental safety concerns and active school commute: correlates across multiple domains in the home-to-school journey

Empirical evidence of the relationship between safety concerns and walking to school (WTS) is growing. However, current research offers limited understanding of the multiple domains of parental safety concerns and the specific mechanisms through which parents articulate safety concerns about WTS. A more detailed understanding is needed to inform environmental and policy interventions. This study examined the relationships between both traffic safety and personal safety concerns and WTS in the U.S. This cross-sectional analysis examined data from the Texas Childhood Obesity Prevention Policy Evaluation (T-COPPE) project, an evaluation of state-wide obesity prevention policy interventions. All study data were from the survey (n = 830) of parents with 4th grade students attending 81 elementary schools across Texas, and living within two miles from their children's schools. Traffic safety and personal safety concerns were captured for the home neighborhood, en-route to school, and school environments. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the odds of WTS controlling for significant covariates. Overall, 18% of parents reported that their child walked to school on most days of the week. For traffic safety, students were more likely to walk to school if their parent reported favorable perceptions about the following items in the home neighborhood environment: higher sidewalk availability, well maintained sidewalks and safe road crossings. For the route to school, the odds of WTS were higher for those who reported "no problem" with each one of the following: traffic speed, amount of traffic, sidewalks/pathways, intersection/crossing safety, and crossing guards, when compared to those that reported "always a problem". For personal safety in the en-route to school environment, the odds of WTS were lower when parents reported concerns about: stray or dangerous animals and availability of others with whom to walk. Findings offered insights into the specific issues that drive safety concerns for elementary school children’s WTS behaviors. The observed associations between more favorable perceptions of safety and WTS provide further justification for practical intervention strategies to reduce WTS barriers that can potentially bring long-term physical activity and health benefits to school-aged children.
Cluster Analysis: Overview†

This article discusses analysis techniques for clustering objects into hopefully meaningful sets. Hierarchical methods are presented for clustering both variables and cases. Examples are presented for variations on the methods. A nonhierarchical method, k-means, is discussed for continuous data. Finally, an example comparing the results of k-means clustering to an ad hoc method using principal components analysis is given. Keywords: clustering; distance functions; hierarchical; principal components; single-linkage
Monogenic hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia: current insights into the pathogenesis and management.

Hyperinsulinism (HI) is the leading cause of persistent hypoglycemia in children,which if unrecognized may lead to development delays and permanent neurologicdamage. Prompt recognition and appropriate treatment of HI are essential toavoid these sequelae. Major advances have been made over the past two decades inunderstanding the molecular basis of hyperinsulinism and mutations in nine genesare currently known to cause HI. Inactivating KATP channel mutationscause the most common and severe type of HI, which occurs in both a focal and adiffuse form. Activating mutations of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) lead tohyperinsulinism/hyperammonemia syndrome, while activating mutations ofglucokinase (GK), the “glucose sensor” of the beta cell, causeshyperinsulinism with a variable clinical phenotype. More recently identifiedgenetic causes include mutations in the genes encoding short-chain3-hydroxyacyl-CoA (SCHAD), uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), hepatocyte nuclearfactor 4-alpha (HNF-4α), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-alpha (HNF-1α),and monocarboyxlate transporter 1 (MCT-1), which results in a very rare form ofHI triggered by exercise. For a timely diagnosis, a critical sample and aglucagon stimulation test should be done when plasma glucose is < 50 mg/dL.A failure to respond to a trial of diazoxide, a KATP channel agonist,suggests a KATP defect, which frequently requires pancreatectomy.Surgery is palliative for children with diffuse KATPHI, but childrenwith focal KATPHI are cured with a limited pancreatectomy. Therefore,distinguishing between diffuse and focal disease and localizing the focal lesionin the pancreas are crucial aspects of HI management. Since 2003,18 F-DOPA PET scans have been used to differentiate diffuse andfocal disease and localize focal lesions with higher sensitivity and specificitythan more invasive interventional radiology techniques. Hyperinsulinism remainsa challenging disorder, but recent advances in the understanding of its geneticbasis and breakthroughs in management should lead to improved outcomes for thesechildren.
Models of Esophageal Carcinogenesis

Attempting to formulate a model for the development of esophageal cancer, we have undertaken three interrelated projects: (1) identification and characterization of stem cells as a basis to understand lineage specification in the normal esophageal squamous epithelium and possibly transdifferentiation into an intestinal metaplastic phenotype that defines Barrett's esophagus; (2) elucidation of the role of epidermal growth factor receptor and signaling mechanisms in proliferation and transformation in squamous cell carcinoma; and (3) modeling transformation in organotypic culture, a 3-dimensional culture system, as a platform for investigating epithelial-stromal interactions. It is hoped that development of these models for carcinogenesis will permit formulation of effective chemoprevention, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies.
Neurologic Complications in Infective Endocarditis: Identification, Management, and Impact on Cardiac Surgery

Neurologic complications of infective endocarditis (IE) are common and frequently life threatening. Neurologic events are not always obvious. The prediction and management of neurologic complications of IE are not easily approached algorithmically, and the impact they have on timing and ability to surgically repair or replace the affected valve often requires a painstaking evaluation and joint effort across multiple medical disciplines in order to achieve the best possible outcome. Although specific recommendations are always tailored to the individual patient, there are some guiding principles that can be used to help direct the decision-making process. Herein, we review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, manifestations, and diagnosis of neurological complications of IE and further consider the impact they have on clinical decision making.
Integration of genomic datasets to predict protein complexes in yeast

The ultimate goal of functional genomics is to define the function of all the genes in the genome of an organism. A large body of information of the biological roles of genes has been accumulated and aggregated in the past decades of research, both from traditional experiments detailing the role of individual genes and proteins, and from newer experimental strategies that aim to characterize gene function on a genomic scale. It is clear that the goal of functional genomics can only be achieved by integrating information and data sources from the variety of these different experiments. Integration of different data is thus an important challenge for bioinformatics. The integration of different data sources often helps to uncover non-obvious relationships between genes, but there are also two further benefits. First, it is likely that whenever information from multiple independent sources agrees, it should be more valid and reliable. Secondly, by looking at the union of multiple sources, one can cover larger parts of the genome. This is obvious for integrating results from multiple single gene or protein experiments, but also necessary for many of the results from genome-wide experiments since they are often confined to certain (although sizable) subsets of the genome. In this paper, we explore an example of such a data integration procedure. We focus on the prediction of membership in protein complexes for individual genes. For this, we recruit six different data sources that include expression profiles, interaction data, essentiality and localization information. Each of these data sources individually contains some weakly predictive information with respect to protein complexes, but we show how this prediction can be improved by combining all of them. Supplementary information is available at http:// bioinfo.mbb.yale.edu/integrate/interactions/.
Theory of dielectric elastomers

In response to a stimulus, a soft material deforms, and the deformation provides a function. We call such a material a soft active material (SAM). This review focuses on one class of soft active materials: dielectric elastomers. When a membrane of a dielectric elastomer is subject to a voltage through its thickness, the membrane reduces thickness and expands area, possibly straining over 100%. The dielectric elastomers are being developed as transducers for broad applications, including soft robots, adaptive optics, Braille displays, and electric generators. This paper reviews the theory of dielectric elastomers, developed within continuum mechanics and thermodynamics, and motivated by molecular pictures and empirical observations. The theory couples large deformation and electric potential, and describes nonlinear and nonequilibrium behavior, such as electromechanical instability and viscoelasticity. The theory enables the finite element method to simulate transducers of realistic configurations, predicts the efficiency of electromechanical energy conversion, and suggests alternative routes to achieve giant voltage-induced deformation. It is hoped that the theory will aid in the creation of materials and devices.
Effect of Organic Pest Management Practices on Apple Productivity and Apple Food Safety

ABSTRACT Research was conducted in a certified organic apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) orchard in 2000 to determine the effect of organic pest management techniques on pest control, apple yields and microbial populations on harvested apples. In Experiment 1, apple colouring bags, sticky red spheres, kaolin particle film, kaolin particle film plus sticky red spheres, or colouring bags plus sticky red spheres were applied to Redfree, Jonafree and Liberty apple trees in a split-plot design. Insects and diseases were sampled in the control and kaolin particle film treatments. Apple yields and insect damage ratings at harvest were determined for all treatments. There was a significant treatment x cultivar interaction related to insect damage on apples. Insect and disease damage ratings throughout the growing season and at harvest were lowest in Jonafree trees treated with kaolin particle film or colouring bags. There was no effect of treatment on beneficial insects during the growing season. Marketability was...
Dynamic Supercoiling Bifurcations of Growing Elastic Filaments

Certain bacteria form filamentous colonies when the cells fail to separate after dividing. In Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thermus, and Cyanobacteria, the filaments can wrap into complex supercoiled structures as the cells grow. The structures may be solenoids or plectonemes, with or without branches in the latter case. Any microscopic theory of these morphological instabilities must address the nature of pattern selection in the presence of growth, for growth renders the problem nonautonomous and the bifurcations dynamic. To gain insight into these phenomena, we formulate a general theory for growing elastic filaments with bending and twisting resistance in a viscous medium, and study an illustrative model problem: a growing filament with preferred twist, closed into a loop. Growth depletes the twist, inducing a twist strain. The closure of the loop prevents the filament from unwinding back to the preferred twist; instead, twist relaxation is accomplished by the formation of supercoils. Growth also produces viscous stresses on the filament which even in the absence of twist produce buckling instabilities. Our linear stability analysis and numerical studies reveal two dynamic regimes. For small intrinsic twist the instability is akin to Euler buckling, leading to solenoidal structures, while for large twist it is like the classic writhing of a twisted filament, producing plectonemic windings. This model may apply to situations in which supercoils form only, or more readily, when axial rotation of filaments is blocked. Applications to specific biological systems are proposed.
A new MIMO detector architecture based on a Forward-Backward trellis algorithm

In this paper, a recursive forward-backward (F-B) trellis algorithm is proposed for soft-output MIMO detection. Instead of using the traditional tree topology, we represent the search space of the MIMO signals with a fully connected trellis and a forward-backward recursion is applied to compute the a posteriori probability (APP) for each coded data bit. The proposed detector has the following advantages: (a) it keeps a fixed throughput and has a regular datapath structure which makes it amenable to VLSI implementation, and (b) it attempts to maximize the a posteriori probability by tracing both forward and backward on the trellis and it always ensures that at least one candidate exists for every possible transmitted bit xk isin {-1, +1}. Compared with the soft K-best detector, the proposed detector significantly reduces the complexity because sorting is not required, while still maintaining good performance. A maximum throughput of 533 Mbps is achievable at a cost of 576 K gates for 4 times 4 16-QAM system.
Tin(IV) Chloride–Zinc Chloride†

(SnCl4) [7646-78-8] Cl4Sn (MW 260.51) InChI = 1S/4ClH.Sn/h4*1H;/q;;;;+4/p-4 InChIKey = HPGGPRDJHPYFRM-UHFFFAOYSA-J (ZnCl2) [7646-85-7] Cl2Zn (MW 136.29) InChI = 1S/2ClH.Zn/h2*1H;/q;;+2/p-2 InChIKey = JIAARYAFYJHUJI-UHFFFAOYSA-L (catalyst for bond formation between silyl nucleophiles and carbonyl groups or enones1) Physical Data: SnCl4: mp −33 °C; bp 114.1 °C; d 2.226 g cm−3; ZnCl2: mp ca. 290 °C; bp 732 °C. Solubility: both reagents react violently with water. SnCl4: sol cold H2O; dec hot H2O; sol alcohol, ether, CCl4, benzene, toluene, acetone. ZnCl2: sol H2O (432 g/100 g at 25 °C, 614 g/100 g at 100 °C); 2% HCl (4 g/1 mL); alcohol (1 g/1.3 mL); glycerol (1 g/2 mL); freely sol acetone. Form Supplied in: blend not commercially available. Anhydrous SnCl4: colorless liquid; 1 M soln CH2Cl2 or heptane; widely available. Anhydrous ZnCl2: white, odorless granules, lumps, or rods; 1 M soln in Et2O, 0.5 M soln in THF; widely available. Purification: SnCl4: heat to reflux with mercury or P2O5 for several hours, then distil under reduced nitrogen pressure into receiver with P2O5. Redistil. Typical impurities: hydrates. ZnCl2: heat to reflux in dioxane (100 g/800 mL) with zinc dust (10 g), filter hot, and cool to precipitate ZnCl2. Crystallize from dioxane. Impurities: H2O, zinc oxychloride. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: both reagents are hygroscopic and should be stored in a glove box or over P2O5 to minimize exposure to moisture. Containers should be flushed with N2 or Ar and tightly sealed. Perform all manipulations under N2 or Ar. Solvating SnCl4 with H2O is highly exothermic. Use in a fume hood.
Mars Smart Lander Parachute Simulation Model

A multi-body flight simulation for the Mars Smart Lander has been developed that includes six degree-of-freedom rigid-body models for both the supersonically-deployed and subsonically-deployed parachutes. This simulation is designed to be incorporated into a larger simulation of the entire entry, descent and landing (EDL) sequence. The complete end-to-end simulation will provide attitude history predictions of all bodies throughout the flight as well as loads on each of the connecting lines. Other issues such as recontact with jettisoned elements (heat shield, back shield, parachute mortar covers, etc.), design of parachute and attachment points, and desirable line properties can also be addressed readily using this simulation.
DICOM SOPs: Basic

Remember what the “C” in DICOM and PACS stands for? Communications of course; and DICOM networking is the glue that holds any medical imaging system together. While most of us used to think of DICOM as a simple medical image file format, it really is a much broader standard that directs all facets of the clinical workflow and goes far beyond the scope of managing formats for image files. The entire digital medical universe is created and populated by DICOM objects as they travel and interact through computer networks.
What moves people to action? Culture and motivation.

The study of motivation answers the question: what moves people to action in particular situations. A large volume of research provides compelling evidence that the answer to this question depends on the cultural context. In the individualist West, particularly in middle-class, college educated North America, the motivation for ‘good’ actions such as persistent productive performance is commonly understood to come from preferences and values inside the person. Yet in most contexts (those of the majority world), motivation takes form as being receptive to specific others, realizing expectations, and following culturally inscribed norms. Explaining the actions of people with a mismatched model of motivation can lead to inferences of irrationality, deficiency or immorality and is a barrier to intercultural communication.
Complex Litigation: Punitive Damages Class Actions

Commentary and analysis of the possibility for class certification of a “punitive damage” class under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23. Federal courts are split over whether it is appropriate to certify a punitive damage class, either for a determination of liability for punitive damages or for actual classwide determination of damages. This article discusses several federal court decisions evaluating whether it is appropriate to certify a punitive damage class. Many federal courts have rejected punitive damage classes in a number of seminal mass tort cases. Punitive damage classes have failed for the inability of plaintiffs to prove the existence of a limited fund under Rule 23(b)(1)(B); because of choice of law problems in proposed Rule 23(b)(3) class; and as a possible violation of the Anti-Injunction Act (28 U.S.C. § 2283). However, some other federal courts have been willing to entertain requests for punitive damage classes. The concept for punitive damage classes is simple and compelling. If certified, a punitive damage class could provide a means to pay all class claimants a share of a single punitive damage fund. Theoretically, the punitive damage class eliminates the problem of successive punitive damage awards against a defendant. However, punitive damage classes have proved elusive in federal practice.
The role of tissue expansion in reconstruction of the ear.

Many of the major congenital and acquired auricular defects involve shortage of both skin and cartilage; therefore, the technique of tissue expansion would seem to be a natural addition to the spectrum of procedures commonly used to augment the deficient skin. This article discusses the benefit of tissue expansion to gain more specialized regional tissue, while avoiding the need for skin grafts from distant donor sites. A list of guidelines for the use of tissue expansion is included.
Diplomat: using delegations to protect community repositories

Community repositories, such as Docker Hub, PyPI, and RubyGems, are bustling marketplaces that distribute software. Even though these repositories use common software signing techniques (e.g., GPG and TLS), attackers can still publish malicious packages after a server compromise. This is mainly because a community repository must have immediate access to signing keys in order to certify the large number of new projects that are registered each day. This work demonstrates that community repositories can offer compromise-resilience and real-time project registration by employing mechanisms that disambiguate trust delegations. This is done through two delegation mechanisms that provide flexibility in the amount of trust assigned to different keys. Using this idea we implement Diplomat, a software update framework that supports security models with different security / usability tradeoffs. By leveraging Diplomat, a community repository can achieve near-perfect compromise-resilience while allowing real-time project registration. For example, when Diplomat is deployed and configured to maximize security on Python's community repository, less than 1% of users will be at risk even if an attacker controls the repository and is undetected for a month. Diplomat is being integrated by Ruby, CoreOS, Haskell, OCaml, and Python, and has already been deployed by Flynn, LEAP, and Docker.