cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methodology for Reactor Vessel Head Drop Accident Analysis

Nuclear power plants are required to evaluate the risks associated with a potential accident in which the reactor vessel closure head is dropped onto a reactor with fuel installed. This is done as part of an overall effort to safely control the movement of heavy loads in a nuclear facility per NUREG-0612 [1]. In some cases, this requires that an analysis be done of the potential accident to confirm no damage to fuel would occur. This paper provides a methodology for such analysis, along with the basis for the methodology, for a typical pressurized water reactor design. The methodology uses nonlinear, dynamic transient finite element analysis to analyze the event. An example of typical results and acceptance criteria is provided.Copyright © 2008 by Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
Activation of natriuretic peptides and the sympathetic nervous system following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is associated with gonadal adipose tissues browning

Objective Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is an effective method of weight loss and remediation of type-2 diabetes; however, the mechanisms leading to these improvements are unclear. Additionally, adipocytes within white adipose tissue (WAT) depots can manifest characteristics of brown adipocytes. These ‘BRITE/beige’ adipocytes express uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and are associated with improvements in glucose homeostasis and protection from obesity. Interestingly, atrial and B-type natriuretic peptides (NPs) promote BRITE/beige adipocyte enrichment of WAT depots, an effect known as “browning.” Here, we investigate the effect of RYGB surgery on NP, NP receptors, and browning in the gonadal adipose tissues of female mice. We propose that such changes may lead to improvements in metabolic homeostasis commonly observed following RYGB.
Evidence for an action of araboascorbic acid on dopaminergic pathways of the corpus striatum

Abstract The relative decrease in the 2 h accumulation of administered [ 3 H]-spiperone (SPI)-2 μCi/kg, 0.0004 mg/kg, SC-in mouse corpus striatum, a brain area with a high dopaminergic input (specific plus nonspecific dopamine receptor ligand binding) and the cerebellum, a brain area with little, if any, dopaminergic input (an index of nonspecific dopamine receptor ligand binding) were used to compare the influence of araboascorbic acid (AraA) with ascorbic acid (AsA) on the dopamine receptor. The abilities of these compounds to potentiate haloperidolinduced catalepsy were also investigated. Pretreatment for 30 min with AraA (1000 or 2000 mg/kg, IP) produced the same dose-dependent decrease in SPI accumulation in corpus striatum as observed with AsA. Accumulation in cerebellum was unaffected by either agent. Furthermore, as previously shown for AsA in rats and monkeys, AsA (1000 mg/kg) potentiated the cataleptogenic effect of haloperidol (0.2 mg/kg, SC). AraA was at least as effective as AsA in potentiating catalepsy produced by the neuroleptic. Thus, it would appear that AraA influenced the dopamine receptor in a manner not unlike that already shown for AsA. Because both agents have almost identical redox potentials but divergent antiscorbutic activities, their reductive properties might be more pertinent to the observed effects than their antiscorbutic properties.
Invasive staging: The guidelines

A variety of invasive staging tests are available, including mediastinoscopy, thoracoscopy (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery), transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), transthoracic needle aspiration (TTNA), and endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (EUS-NA). Each of these tests requires specific skills, has particular risks, and has technical considerations making it more or less suitable for masses in particular locations. Therefore, direct comparisons among the tests are not possible, and the issue is to define which procedure is most useful for a particular situation. Invasive staging procedures are sometimes used to confirm the stage of a lung cancer, ie, when radiographic staging is not reliable. However, invasive staging procedures are also often used to confirm the diagnosis (ie, when the radiographic stage is reliable). The first situation requires a test with a low false-negative rate; the latter requires a test with high sensitivity. Clinicians must be clear about the question at hand and how to assess the value of a test when selecting an invasive staging procedure. When confirmation of the diagnosis is the primary issue, TBNA (or EUS-NA, if available) are good choices because of high sensitivity and low morbidity. When the primary issue is to confirm that there is no involvement of mediastinal lymph nodes, mediastinoscopy appears to be best suited to most situations. When the primary goal is to confirm malignant involvement of mediastinal nodes, mediastinoscopy also appears to be best in general, although TBNA, TTNA, and EUS-NA may be reasonable alternatives in certain situations. However, selection of a test will also depend on the local availability of expertise, and patient-specific anatomic and physiologic considerations. Selection of the optimal approach is best achieved through a multidisciplinary discussion so that all aspects can be weighed appropriately.
Increased Expression of Colonic Wnt9A through Sp1-mediated Transcriptional Effects involving Arylsulfatase B, Chondroitin 4-Sulfate, and Galectin-3

In cultured human colonic epithelial cells and mouse colonic tissue, exposure to the common food additive carrageenan leads to inflammation, activation of Wnt signaling, increased Wnt9A expression, and decline in the activity of the enzyme arylsulfatase B (ARSB; N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase). In this study, the novel transcriptional mechanism by which carrageenan and decline in ARSB increase Wnt9A expression in NCM460 and HT-29 human colonic epithelial cells and in mouse colon is presented. Increased expression of Wnt9A has been associated with multiple malignancies, including colon carcinoma, and with ectodermal and mesoendodermal morphogenesis. When ARSB activity was reduced by siRNA or by exposure to carrageenan (1 μg/ml for 24 h), degradation of chondroitin 4-sulfate (C4S) was inhibited, leading to accumulation of more highly sulfated C4S, which binds less galectin-3, a β-galactoside-binding protein. Nuclear galectin-3 increased and mediated increased binding of Sp1 to the Sp1 consensus sequence in the Wnt9A promoter, shown by oligonucleotide-binding assay and by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. When galectin-3 was silenced, the increases in Sp1 binding to the Wnt9A promoter and in Wnt9A expression, which followed carrageenan or ARSB silencing, were inhibited. Mithramycin A, a specific inhibitor of Sp1 oligonucleotide binding, and Sp1 siRNA blocked the carrageenan- and ARSB siRNA-induced increases in Wnt9A expression. These studies reveal how carrageenan exposure can lead to transcriptional events in colonic epithelial cells through decline in arylsulfatase B activity, with subsequent impact on C4S, galectin-3, Sp1, and Wnt9A and can exert significant effects on Wnt-initiated signaling and related vital cell processes.
Transcriptional regulation of mouse alpha A-crystallin gene in a 148kb Cryaa BAC and its derivates

αA-crystallin is highly expressed in the embryonic, neonatal and adult mouse lens. Previously, we identified two novel distal control regions, DCR1 and DCR3. DCR1 was required for transgenic expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein, EGFP, in lens epithelium, whereas DCR3 was active during "late" stages of lens primary fiber cell differentiation. However, the onset of transgenic EGFP expression was delayed by 12–24 hours, compared to the expression of the endogenous Cryaa gene. Here, we used bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and standard transgenic approaches to examine temporal and spatial regulation of the mouse Cryaa gene. Two BAC transgenes, with EGFP insertions into the third coding exon of Cryaa gene, were created: the intact αA-crystallin 148 kb BAC (αA-BAC) and αA-BAC(ΔDCR3), which lacks approximately 1.0 kb of genomic DNA including DCR3. Expression of EGFP in the majority of both BAC transgenics nearly recapitulated the endogenous expression pattern of the Cryaa gene in lens, but not outside of the lens. The number of cells expressing αA-crystallin in the lens pit was higher compared to the number of cells expressing EGFP. Next, we generated additional lines using a 15 kb fragment of αA-crystallin locus derived from αA-BAC(ΔDCR3), 15 kb Cryaa/EGFP. A 15 kb region of Cryaa/EGFP supported the expression pattern of EGFP also in the lens pit. However, co-localization studies of αA-crystallin and EGFP indicated that the number of cells that showed transgenic expression was higher compared to cells expressing αA-crystallin in the lens pit. We conclude that a 148 kb αA-BAC likely contains all of the regulatory regions required for αA-crystallin expression in the lens, but not in retina, spleen and thymus. In addition, while the 15 kb Cryaa/EGFP region also supported the expression of EGFP in the lens pit, expression in regions such as the hindbrain, indicate that additional genomic regions may play modulatory functions in regulating extralenticular αA-crystallin expression. Finally, deletion of DCR3 in either αA-BAC(ΔDCR3) or Cryaa (15 kb) transgenic mice result in EGFP expression patterns that are consistent with DCR's previously established role as a distal enhancer active in "late" primary lens fiber cells.
Novel Therapeutics in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is an excellent tumor model for evaluating novel therapeutic strategies. Development of a mechanistic understanding of how this cancer develops, spreads, and grows allows a tailored approach to all stages of treatment: prevention, adjuvant treatment, and therapy of advanced disease. We focus on therapy in the advanced disease setting, although progress in this area could lend itself to treatment of early or premalignant disease. In the last 20 years, information has been generated about the intracellular pathways of tumor formation, invasion, and metastasis. As a result, specific molecular processes have been targeted for therapeutic intervention, including cell surface growth factor receptors, proliferation signaling, cell cycling, apo-ptosis, angiogenesis, and matrix metalloproteinases. We review the scientific rationale for recently developed novel therapeutics in colorectal cancer, and the results of clinical trials to date. We also suggest appropriate clinical settings for specific targets and outline future directions of research.
Principles of nutritional therapy

Provision of adequate nutrition makes a major contribution toward improvement of clinical, biochemical, cellular, and psychologic status of the cancer patient in the face of the disease process and the side effects of various treatments. The principles of nutrition support include the following: 1) Malnutrition induced by cancer and its treatment adversely affects the patient and complicates further treatment of the disease. 2) Malnutrition is not an obligatory response of the host to cancer. 3) A rational nutritional therapeutic program for a patient requires analysis of the factors inducing depletion in that patient. 4) Every patient should have an early and periodic assessment of nutritional status. 5) Nutrition therapy, when indicated, should be instituted early. 6) The application and effectiveness of therapeutic programs must become part of the medical audit and general clinical procedure for inpatients and outpatients. 7) The objectives of nutritional therapy are: a) supportive, b) adjunctive, and c) definitive. 8) Nutritional status, tumor growth and anti-tumor treatment are intimately related. 9) Nutritional therapy has the potential for difficulties as well as benefits. 10) The provision of optimal nutrition care requires a multidisciplinary approach with physicians, nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists working as a team with adequate laboratory facilities and administrative and financial support.
Evolution and termination of H-modes in NSTX

The dynamic evolution of the first National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) H-modes will be discussed. The H-modes were obtained in lower-single null divertor discharges with various forms of plasma heating. The exact timing of divertor formation and also the NBI power level affects both whether or not the discharge exhibits ELMs and the duration of the ELM-free phase. ELM-free discharges had energy confinement as high as 120 ms, whereas the few discharges with ELMs had confinement times ∼50-70 ms. Buildup of a steep edge density gradient and formation of ears' on the density profile were observed within a few ms of the L-H transition, yielding broader density and pressure profiles. The L-H transition was marked by a decrease in edge visible light and simultaneous increase in electron Bernstein wave emission, reflecting a steepening of the edge density gradient. Gas puff imaging of He-i light during the H-mode phase showed rapid formation of a narrow emission layer ∼2 cm wide in the H-mqde phase, which returned within 20 microseconds at termination of the H-mode phase to a broader turbulent emission layer. All of the H-modes were terminated by an MHD reconnection event. The first power threshold (P th ) study showed the neutral beam injection power (P b ) component of P th to be ≤0.84 MW, higher than that predicted by the ITER database scaling.
Role of preoperative intact parathyroid hormone levels in predicting the likelihood of multiglandular disease in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy has become increasingly popular for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism, but is not a feasible option for multiglandular disease. It has been suggested that preoperative intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels may predict multiglandular disease. We examined this hypothesis in patients who underwent surgical intervention for primary hyperparathyroidism at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 502 consecutive patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroidectomy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis assessed preoperative iPTH levels as a predictor of multiglandular disease and a positive sestamibi scan, after adjustment for age, sex, and race. Results. Preoperative iPTH levels were not significantly associated with a greater likelihood of multiglandular disease. However, sestamibi scan positivity was significantly more likely in patients with higher preoperative iPTH levels. Conclusion. Preoperative iPTH levels are not helpful in predicting multiglandular disease and should not be used to exclude a minimally invasive parathyroidecotomy for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Functional results of muscle flap closure for sternal infection

The morbidity and mortality of infection after median sternotomy have been substantially reduced with the advent of treatment by wide sternal resection and muscle flap closure. A study was performed comparing the cardiorespiratory function of 13 such patients before and after operation as well as with a control group of 15 patients who underwent similar procedures without complication. The groups were comparable in preoperative pulmonary function, though more patients in the study group had evidence of chronic lung disease. Patients were studied 2 to 39 months after the original procedure. Late postoperative pulmonary function test results, exercise tolerance, and oxygen uptake were not significantly different between the groups, and pulmonary function test results were unchanged in those patients who were tested preoperatively. We conclude that muscle flap reconstruction for sternal infection can be expected to give good long-term functional results. Exercise tolerance and pulmonary function may not differ from a control group of cardiac surgical patients, despite the altered composition of the chest wall. Patients with chronic lung disease may be more prone to have this complication.
Tongue Motion Patterns in Post-Glossectomy and Typical Speakers: A Principal Components Analysis

Purpose In this study, the authors examined changes in tongue motion caused by glossectomy surgery. A speech task that involved subtle changes in tongue-tip positioning (the motion from /i/ to /s/) was measured. The hypothesis was that patients would have limited motion on the tumor (resected) side and would compensate with greater motion on the nontumor side in order to elevate the tongue tip and blade for /s/. Method Velocity fields were extracted from tagged magnetic resonance images in the left, middle, and right tongue of 3 patients and 10 controls. Principal components (PCs) analysis quantified motion differences and distinguished between the subject groups. Results PCs 1 and 2 represented variance in (a) size and independence of the tongue tip, and (b) direction of motion of the tip, body, or both. Patients and controls were correctly separated by a small number of PCs. Conclusions Motion of the tumor slice was different between patients and controls, but the nontumor side of the patients' tongues ...
Synthesis and antibacterial activity of antibiotic-functionalized graphite nanofibers

Surface functionalization of nanomaterials is an area of current investigation that supports the development of new biomaterials for applications in biology and medicine. Herein we describe the synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial properties of the first examples of antibiotic-labeled graphitic carbon nanofibers (GCNFs) covalently functionalized with aminoglycoside and quinolone antibiotics. Ruthenium tetroxide oxidation of herringbone GCNFs gave higher amounts of surface carboxyl groups than previous methods. These carboxyl groups served as sites of attachment for antibiotics by acyl substitution. Bioassay of these novel, functionalized GCNFs using serial dilution and optical density methods demonstrated that antibiotic-labeled GCNFs possess significant antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The activity we observe for aminoglycoside-functionalized GCNFs suggests a membranolytic mechanism of action.
Rings satisfying Wilson's equality

A generalization ofWilson's theorem [1] states that the product of all the nonzero elements of a finite field is equal to −1. It is shown here, without assuming the associativity or commutativity of a finite ringR, if the product in any association and permutation of all the nonzero elements ofR is equal to −1 thenR is a field.
Finding new mutator strains of Escherichia coli--a review.

Abstract Mutations in the lacZ gene were constructed that allowed the detection of mutators that caused specific transversion mutations. This allowed the detection of two new mutator genes, mutt and mutM, which are involved in the repair of the 8-oxodguanine (8oxodG) lesion.
Federalist No. 7: Is Disunion among the States a Hidden Source of Strength?

Federalist Nos. 6 and 7 address the problems of disunion that led the founders to imagine a stronger national government, arguing that the states were and would continue to be a source of unyielding conflict without national supremacy. This essay asks how the states have adjusted to the Constitution under the Tenth Amendment and posits that the states are a hidden source of energy toward good government in their own right.
Adult age differences in temporal memory for cyclic actions

Adult age differences in temporal memory for bipolar or cyclic actions were investigated in three experiments. Cyclic actions are ones that have opposite poles in regard to their effect on an object (e.g., opening and closing a purse). For such actions, the critical memory function is to remember which pole occurred last. Temporal memory was tested by having subjects judge which component of a series of bipolar actions had been performed more recently (e.g., opening or closing a purse). Recency judgments were found to be as accurate under incidental memory conditions as they were under intentional memory conditions for both young and elderly adults. The accuracy of recency judgments was less for bipolar actions performed in three cycles than for bipolar actions performed in one cycle for both young and elderly adults. Adult age differences in the accuracy of recency judgments were found to be negligible.
Angular distributions of the recoil nuclei from the reactions 12C(3He, α)11C and 12C(3He, d)13N

Abstract Angular distributions of the 11 C and 13 N recoil nuclei from the reactions of 24.8 MeV 3 He particles with 12 C have been determined by assay of the radioactive nucleides after their collection in catcher foils. Data for laboratory angles from 7° to 170° are presented. Structure in the 11 C angular distribution is readily apparent. A calculated 11 C angular distribution, based upon the distorted-wave theory of direct reactions, can reproduce essentially all of the details of the experimental data. It is concluded from these data that the 12 C( 3 He, α) 11 C reaction proceeds predominantly by direct pick-up. Contrastingly, the 13 N recoil data, when compared with the data of Wegner and Hall for the 12 C( 3 He, d 0 ) 13 N reaction which can be fitted with the results of a direct stripping calculation, indicate that the ( 3 He, pn) reaction is a significant contributor (> 60 %) to the 12 C → 13 N cross section. Neither the shape nor the magnitude of the 13 N angular distribution can be explained on the basis of ( 3 He, d) stripping alone.
Evaluating threaded discussion forum activity: faculty and student perspectives on categories of activity

Although the threaded discussion forum is widely used to support a variety of course requirements, there is little understanding of what instructors and students perceive as essential categories of online participation. There has been considerable discussion in the literature on the theoretical foundation for discourse analysis of discussion forum activity, but little research has been done to determine if the environment itself influences the perceptions of participation at a categorical level. This paper extends the research into SCAFFOLD (scale for forums/online discussion assessment) presented at the FIE 2004 conference by addressing the following questions: 1) Do faculty and students develop the same description of the forum interaction when using SCAFFOLD? 2) Do the same major categories of interaction emerge for both faculty and student evaluators? 3) What are the strengths and weaknesses of SCAFFOLD as an instrument for promoting feedback on discussion forum assignments
The myth of the risk-tolerant entrepreneur:

Entrepreneurs have long been assumed to be more risk-tolerant than the general population. In this article, we analyze the financial risk propensity of business founders using a unique, representat...
Breakdown characteristics of Argon in partial vacuum under KHZ pulsed voltage with varying duty cycle for point-topoint electrode geometry

Power devices and systems operating in partial vacuum are susceptible to partial discharges, corona, or volume discharge [1]. In most cases, it is important to understand the characteristics of the discharge such as the space-charge distribution, the electron energy distribution, and collision processes in which the species are involved. Breakdown and spectroscopic studies of the discharge are the most commonly used methods of obtaining such information [2]. The breakdown characteristics of Argon as a function of pressure for kHz and dc applied fields are presented in partial vacuum of 0.1 Torr to 3 Torr. A unipolar pulsed signal is applied to a point-to-point electrode configuration [3]. It is found that the breakdown voltage vs pressure data resembles the well known Paschen curves for dc. It is determined that the minimum breakdown voltage corresponds to approximately 0.4 to 0.5 Torr pressure for 1 cm electrode gap. It is observed that the pulsed breakdown voltages are relatively lower than the dc data for the same experimental conditions. Furthermore, it is determined from the breakdown data as a function of pressure at constant pressure, that the breakdown voltage is a decreasing function of frequency. There different frequencies, namely 20 kHz, 50 kHz, and 100 kHz with varying duty cycle from 10% to 90% are used in the experiments to determine the duty cycle effects on the breakdown voltage. For these experiments the pressure is kept at a constant. Three sets of data are obtained for three different pressure values, namely 0.4 Torr (the minimum breakdown voltage), 0.8 Torr, and 1.2 Torr. As expected, the breakdown voltage curves resemble a parabolic function. As the duty cycle decreases from 40% to 10%, the breakdown voltage increases, approaching the “impulse” breakdown voltage. Similarly, as the duty cycle increases to 90%, the breakdown voltage increases and approaches to dc breakdown voltage.
Second-order effects as related to critical coolant flow velocities and reactor parallel plate fuel assemblies

Abstract Second-order effects, removed by the linearization process in the analyses of Miller, Rosenberg and Youngdahl, and others, are retained in a stability analysis of the equation of motion of a flat fuel plate in a reactor parallel plate fuel assembly. The second-order terms generate an additional stability criterion is the form of an upper bound (critical deflection on the amplitude of quasi-static deflections for stable oscillations, or neutral stability, about the undeflected fuel plate position. The critical flow velocities derived in the earlier studies, and again as a consequence of this analysis, are upper bounds to insure local stability about the undeflected plate position. A constant of proportionality, relating the critical deflection to the initial channel depth, is designated as a design constant . When assigned a value, the design constant defines new critical coolant flow velocities which are lower than those first arrived at by Miller.
Molecular Evidence of Perinatal Transmission of Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Bartonella henselae to a Child

Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii, Bartonella henselae, or DNA of both organisms was amplified and sequenced from blood, enrichment blood cultures, or autopsy tissues from four family members. Historical and microbiological results support perinatal transmission of Bartonella species in this family. It is of clinical relevance that Bartonella spp. may adversely influence human reproductive performance.
Mindfulness and experiential avoidance as predictors and outcomes of the narrative emotional disclosure task

This randomized study examined whether narrative emotional disclosure improves mindfulness, experiential avoidance, and mental health, and how baseline levels of and changes in mindfulness and experiential avoidance relate to mental health. Participants (N=233) wrote repeated traumatic (experimental condition) or unemotional daily events narratives (control condition). Regression analyses showed neither condition nor gender effects on mental health or experiential avoidance at a 1-month follow-up, although the control condition significantly increased in one component of mindfulness. Decreased experiential avoidance (across conditions) and increased mindfulness (in the experimental condition) significantly predicted improved mental health. Narrative disclosure thus did not improve outcomes measured here. However, increasing mindfulness when writing narratives with traumatic content, and decreasing experiential avoidance regardless of writing content, was associated with improved mental health.
The Correspondence Between Software Quality Models and Technical Debt Estimation Approaches

Technical debt has recently become a major concern in the software industry. While it has been shown that technical debt has an adverse effect on the quality of a software system, there has been little work to explore this relationship. Further, with the growing number of approaches to estimate the technical debt principal of a software system, there is a dearth of work to empirically validate the relationship between technical debt scores produced by practical tools against established theoretical quality models. We conducted a case study across 10 releases of 10 open source systems in order to evaluate three proposed methods of technical debt principal estimation. The evaluation compares each technique against an external quality model. We found that only one estimation technique had a strong correlation to the quality attributes reusability and understand ability. In a multiple linear regression analysis we also found that a different estimation technique had a significant relationship to the quality attributes effectiveness and functionality. These results indicate that it is important that industry practitioners, ensure that the technical debt estimate they employ accurately depicts the effects of technical debt as viewed from their quality model.
The unbearable lightness of MCI

The title of this Editorial, with apologies to Milan Kundera (Kundera, 1985) implies no lack of gravitas in the concept of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Rather, it refers to the current definitions of MCI being somewhat free-floating, loosely anchored to diagnostic frameworks, and more conceptual than operational. In their defense, we cannot completely obliterate the flexibility clinicians need in order to exercise expert judgment and take individual patients’ circumstances into account when making clinical diagnoses. Further, it would be imprudent to prematurely codify diagnostic criteria for MCI; after all, we are still gathering basic information about the wide range of mildly impaired states that we encounter in different clinical settings and in the population at large.
On the properties of washed straw

The removal of troublesome elements in biomass to reduce slagging and fouling in furnaces and other thermal conversion systems was tested by washing (leaching) the fuel with water. Rice straw and wheat straw were washed by various techniques and analyzed for composition and ash fusibility. Potassium, sodium, and chlorine were easily removed in both tap and distilled water. Total ash was reduced by about 10% in rice straw and up to 68% in wheat straw, although washing was more effective in increasing ash fusion temperatures for rice straw than for wheat straw due to the higher initial silica concentrations in rice straw. Untreated straw ash which fused below 1000°C was observed to become more refractory at higher temperatures when washed. Scanning electron microscopy of untreated and treated rice straw ashed at 1000°C revealed all untreated ash particles to be fused and glassy, while treated particles remained unfused, were heavily depleted in most elements other than Si, and displayed structures characteristic of original cellular morphology. The fusion temperatures of the straw ash were consistent with predicted temperatures from alkali oxide-silica phase systems based on the observed concentrations of elements in the ash. A simple attempt at simulating a possible full scale washing process was carried out by spraying the surface of a bed of straw with water for an arbitrary time of 1 min. This proved less effective in removing alkali metals and chlorine than soaking the samples in water, flushing water through them in a more controlled manner, or leaving the straw exposed in the field to natural precipitation. Electrical conductivity measurements of leachate revealed that extraction was mostly complete after application of 0.04 l g−1, equivalent to 24 mm of precipitation over uniformly spread rice straw. Full scale furnace experiments have not yet been conducted, and issues involving the practical application of the technique require further investigation, but these results suggest that fouling rates should decline for treated fuels compared to untreated fuels in conventional and advanced biomass power systems.
Killing activity from lysed kappa particles of Paramecium

Lysis of stock 7 killers with ½% sodium deoxycholate, yields preparations with one half as much killing activity as homogenates, while lysing virtually all of the bright particles known to have killing activity in homogenates. The killing activity which persists is associated with particles which sediment at the same rate as the refractile bodies, the only visible remnant of the bright particles. It is concluded that killing activity is probably associated primarily, if not exclusively, with the refractile bodies of the bright kappa particles. Partially purified killer particles when stored at 27° C. for more than one day, progressively lose their ability to produce spinning of sensitives but retain their ability to produce paralysis. Loss of activity in crude preparations of refractile bodies kept 2 hours at 31° C. can be retarded by homogenates of either killers or sensitives.
Seizure Associated with Clozapine: Incidence, Etiology, and Management

Seizures are a known adverse effect of clozapine therapy. The literature varies on incidence rates of seizures, secondary to varying time frames in which each seizure occurred. Tonic-clonic seizures comprise the majority of seizures experienced secondary to clozapine use, but it is imperative to recognize the potential variety of seizure presentation. The exact etiology of clozapine-induced seizure is unknown. Conflicting reports regarding total oral dose, serum concentration, dose titration, and concomitant medications make it difficult to identify a single cause contributing to seizure risk. Following seizure occurrence, it may be in the best interests of the patient to continue clozapine treatment. In this clinical situation, the use of an antiepileptic drug (AED) for seizure prophylaxis may be required. The AED of choice appears to be valproate, but several successful case reports also support the use of lamotrigine, gabapentin and topiramate. Well-designed clinical trials regarding clozapine seizure prophylaxis are lacking. Given clozapine's strong evidence for efficacy in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, every attempt to manage side effects, including seizure, should be implemented to allow for therapeutic continuation.
Age-Structured Assessment of Walleyes, Saugers, and Naturally Produced Hybrids in Three Missouri River Reservoirs

Abstract Walleye Sander vitreus and sauger Sander canadensis naturally hybridize in many populations, but the factors influencing the recruitment of hybrids are unknown. We determined relative year-class strength for 1,454 saugers, walleyes, and naturally produced hybrids from three Missouri River reservoirs. Hybridization rates varied from 4% in Lakes Sharpe and Francis Case to 21% in Lewis and Clark Lake. Hybrids comprised multiple year-classes in each system, indicating that hybridization does not occur in erratic pulses but at a consistent low-level recruitment rate. The year-class strength of hybrids was not correlated with that of either walleyes or saugers. Our models suggest that higher than average recruitment of walleyes, saugers, and hybrids can be expected during years with warmer spring and early summer water temperatures in Lake Sharpe and Lewis and Clark Lake and during years when inflow (from main-stem discharge for hybrids and tributary inputs for saugers and walleyes) is reduced in Lewis...
The Elderly's Reactions toward the Dying: The Effects of Perceived Age Similarity.

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the elderly's feelings about and willingness to help (by telephoning or visiting) a similar (old) or dissimilar (young) aged dying patient versus a non-dying patient. Based on reasoning from experimental and clinical research, it was predicted and confirmed that elderly respondents would exhibit less positive affect and greater avoidance (decreased willingness to volunteer) towards a patient dying of cancer compared to a patient with a broken leg. In addition, it was predicted, based upon the social-psychological research findings of the sometimes negative effects of perceived similarity, that elderly respondents would exhibit less positive affect and greater avoidance towards a similar aged dying patient, while no such differences would be expected for the non-dying patient. No support was obtained for this prediction. However, data from supplementary analyses and explanations from the Just World Model were provided as to why this prediction was n...
Simple Algorithms for Complex Relation Extraction with Applications to Biomedical IE

A complex relation is any n-ary relation in which some of the arguments may be be unspecified. We present here a simple two-stage method for extracting complex relations between named entities in text. The first stage creates a graph from pairs of entities that are likely to be related, and the second stage scores maximal cliques in that graph as potential complex relation instances. We evaluate the new method against a standard baseline for extracting genomic variation relations from biomedical text.
Contraband in Spanish Colonial Ships

The investigation of a shipwreck must extend beyond the uniqueness of the single event in order to have interpretative value for social scientists. One or even several shipwrecks will not necessarily represent a universe. Since statistically significant numbers of shipwrecks may never be studied, methods of inquiry must be devised where quantity is not a prime concern. When we noted the discrepancy between cargoes listed on ships manifests and cargoes actually recovered from shipwrecks of the Spanish Colonial period, the challenge was to determine where and under what circumstances contraband behavior occurred and might be predicted.
Creating Community and Support Using Native American Values in an Inclusive Third Grade Setting: An Action Research Case Study

This action research case study describes the collaboration of five third-grade teachers and a special educator to create a grade block system of support for all students to encourage learning and to meet school-wide and classroom expectations. Three goals guided the development of this integrated system: to create an inclusive caring classroom community, to provide positive behavioral support to all students, and to integrate strong ties and values of the local Native American culture. This article describes classroom and community activities, including class meetings and service learning projects. A case study of Steven, a classmate with Emotional-Behavioral Disorders (EBD) who needed intensive support, is presented. After a functional behavior analysis was conducted, individualized strategies were developed and implemented based on his needs. These included modifying assignments and encouraging peer compliments and positive attention. Results of an AB research design indicated a substantial drop in Steven’s disruptive behavior after the implementation of these individualized interventions. Recommendations for practitioners based on the integrated classroom system are presented. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Terrorism and the Media: A Rhetorical Genre.

La creation d'une peur de masse par les terroristes a echoue a susciter la moindre comprehension de leurs objectifs dans les populations «cibles» et le terrorisme est, par la-meme, voue a l'impuissance, etant incapable sans le soutien d'une opinion, d'atteindre des objectifs a long terme
Generating Middle Range Theory: From Evidence to Practice by Sister Callista Roy with the Roy Adaptation Association

Sister Callista Roy, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been a primary voice in the world of nursing education and research, especially nursing theory, since 1974 with the publication of Conceptual Models for Nurs...
The metabolic basis for developmental disorders due to defective folate transport

Folates are essential in the intermediary metabolism of amino acids, synthesis of nucleotides and for maintaining methylation reactions. They are also linked to the production of neurotransmitters through GTP needed for the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin. During pregnancy, folate is needed for fetal development. Folate deficiency during this period has been linked to increased risk of neural tube defects. Disturbances of folate metabolism due to genetic abnormalities or the presence of autoantibodies to folate receptor alpha (FRα) can impair physiologic processes dependent on folate, resulting in a variety of developmental disorders including cerebral folate deficiency syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. Overall, adequate folate status has proven to be important during pregnancy as well as neurological development and functioning in neonates and children. Treatment with pharmacologic doses of folinic acid has led to reversal of some symptoms in many children diagnosed with cerebral folate deficiency syndrome and autism, especially in those positive for autoantibodies to FRα. Thus, as the brain continues to develop throughout fetal and infant life, it can be affected and become dysfunctional due to a defective folate transport contributing to folate deficiency. Treatment and prevention of these disorders can be achieved by identification of those at risk and supplementation with folinic acid.
Treatment options for apnoea of prematurity

Apnoea of prematurity (AOP) affects almost all infants born at <28 weeks gestation or with birth weight <1000 g. When untreated, AOP may be associated with negative outcomes. Because of these negative outcomes, effective treatment for AOP is an important part of optimising care of preterm infants. Standard treatment usually involves xanthine therapy and respiratory support. Cutting-edge work with stochastic vibrotactile stimulation and new pharmaceutical agents continues to expand therapeutic options. In this article, we review the pathophysiology of AOP, associated conditions and treatment options.
Salts deposited on the lower stem of bell pepper contribute to a basal stem disorder in soilless, greenhouse-grown plants

A physiological disorder in greenhouse-grown pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants was observed in Florida, wherein the base of the main stem becomes swollen below the cotyledonary node level and crack-like wounds develop at the base of the stem's epidermis. The disorder may predispose the plant to a localized rot and result in a sudden plant wilt. The effects of soilless media type, transplant depth, and amount of nutrient solution applied per day were studied to evaluate the development of what was termed Elephant's Foot disorder, on a greenhouse-grown bell pepper crop in Gainesville, Fla. The percentage of plants with epidermal wounds at the base of the stem was highest (83%) on plants transplanted at half of the cell height (3.8 cm), compared to plants transplanted to the cotyledonary node level (6%) and the second leaf node (0%). Salts were washed from the surface of basal stem epidermis and electrical conductivity measured in the washing solution was expressed per unit area of epidermal sample (ECA). The ECA in the solutions from plants transplanted at half of the cell height was higher than that from plants transplanted to the cotyledonary node level and to the second leaf node. There was a positive linear relationship (r = 0.81) between the percentage of plants with epidermal wounds and the ECA of the solution obtained from washing the epidermal tissues. Salts deposited on the epidermis beneath the cotyledonary node provoked a tissue injury that may predispose the plant to a Fusarium infection. Simple management practices, such as transplanting deep, using cultivars with lower susceptibility to salt damage, and gradually moving back the emitter from the base of the plant after transplanting (to reduce humid conditions near the base of the stem) would help reduce the appearance of this basal stem disorder in soilless-grown peppers.
Encapsulation of hydrophobic or hydrophilic iron oxide nanoparticles into poly(lactic acid) micro/nanoparticles via adaptable emulsion setup

In this study, a one-step water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion process was employed to encapsulate either hydrophilic (∼10 nm) or hydrophobic (∼5 nm) iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) into poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Via the simple adjustment of emulsification temperature to high temperature (HT, 60 °C) or room temperature (RT, 25 °C), a transformation of PLA-IONPs composite particles from hollow microparticles to solid nanospheres can be achieved. At RT, PLA nanocomposite particles (30 − 200 nm) encapsulating IONPs were generated regardless of the hydrophobicity of IONPs. On the other hand, at HT, our method resulted in the hollow microparticles (2 − 5 µm). This study presents a fast and easily adaptable process to encapsulate either hydrophobic or hydrophilic IONPs into the hydrophobic polymeric particles, with different shapes and sizes, by simply adjusting the emulsification temperature through the one-step W/O/W emulsion. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43749.
Research on Energy Shifting Benefits of Hybrid Wind Power and Pumped Hydro Storage System Considering Peak-Valley Electricity Price

Combined operation of hybrid wind power and pumped hydro storage(WP-PHS) system can realize peak load shifting and convert cheap valley-energy to expensive peak-energy,reduce spinning reserve and obtain good economic benefits.Considering peak-valley electricity price,a quantitative model to evaluate the energy shifting benefits of hybrid WP-PHS system is built.The influence of pumped storage power station on peak load shifting by wind power generation is researched,and case simulation results validate the effectiveness of the built model.Simulation results show that under the peak-valley electricity pricing policy the hybrid WP-PHS system can realize peak load shifting and convert cheap valley-energy to expensive peak-energy,reduce spinning reserve and obtain satisfied economic benefits.Meanwhile,the output power of wind farm can be smoothed effectively and voltage fluctuation of wind power can be reduced.
Printing Low Density Protein Arrays in Microplates

Here, we provide methods for the creation of protein microarrays in microplates. The microplate consists of 96 wells with each well capable of holding a protein microarray at a spot density of up to 400 (20 x 20) individual elements. Arrays of capture monoclonal antibodies, corresponding to specific interleukins, were printed onto the bottom of the wells which had been surface activated for covalent attachment. A Biomek 2000 laboratory automation workstation (Beckman Coulter, Inc., Fullerton, CA) equipped with a high-density replicating tool was used for printing low density 3 x 3 to 5 x 5 arrays. For higher density arrays, a microarrayer system (Cartesian PS7200, Genomic Solutions, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI) was employed. Multiple antigens were simultaneously analyzed without detectable cross-reactivity associated with capture antibody or secondary antibody interactions. Detection of interleukin antigens, spiked into cell culture media containing 10% fetal calf serum, was specific and sensitive.
Efficient cardinality estimation for k-mers in large DNA sequencing data sets

We present an open implementation of the HyperLogLog cardinality estimation sketch for counting fixed-length substrings of DNA strings (k-mers). The HyperLogLog sketch implementation is in C++ with a Python interface, and is distributed as part of the khmer software package. khmer is freely available from \url{https://github.com/dib-lab/khmer} under a BSD License. The features presented here are included in version 1.4 and later.
Treatment of Rupture of the Bladder

Herein we review our 6-year experience with operative and non-operative treatment of bladder ruptures. Many ruptured bladders with extraperitoneal and intraperitoneal extravasation of urine can be treated without an operation and with less patient morbidity.