cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surfactant oil recovery in fractured carbonates: Experiments and modeling of different matrix dimensions

Abstract Oil recovery from fractured carbonate reservoirs by water flooding is often inefficient due to the commonly oil-wet nature of these rocks and the lack of sufficient spontaneous capillary imbibition driving force to push oil out from the matrix to the fracture network. Chemical processes such as surfactant/alkali-induced wettability alteration and interfacial tension (IFT) reduction have shown great potential to reduce the residual oil saturation in matrix blocks, leading to significant incremental oil recovery (IOR). However, the time required to achieve a significant amount of oil recovery is the most crucial deciding factor in field projects. The magnitude of recovery and response time of any chemical process depends on the degree of wettability alteration and IFT reduction, the nature and density of fracture network, and the matrix block size. Oil recovery experiments were performed for the same matrix rock and chemical formulation, but for different sized cores to gain a better understanding of the time dependence of the recovery process. The measured oil recoveries were history-matched. The simulation models were then used to predict the recovery response times for larger cores. The controlled and systematic laboratory measurements for several core sizes helped in developing dimensionless scaling groups to aid in understanding the time dependence and the upscaling of laboratory results to field-scale applications. This finding is significant as it illustrates the extent of wettability alteration and IFT reduction needed in fractured reservoirs. Laboratory measurements and simulation work substantiate the validity and the range of applicability of upscaled procedures and indicate the importance of viscous and buoyancy forces in larger field cases. The results of this work will be useful for the design of future field projects.
PAI-1 in tissue fibrosis

Fibrosis is defined as a fibroproliferative or abnormal fibroblast activation-related disease. Deregulation of wound healing leads to hyperactivation of fibroblasts and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the wound area, the pathological manifestation of fibrosis. The accumulation of excessive levels of collagen in the ECM depends on two factors: an increased rate of collagen synthesis and or decreased rate of collagen degradation by cellular proteolytic activities. The urokinase/tissue type plasminogen activator (uPA/tPA) and plasmin play significant roles in the cellular proteolytic degradation of ECM proteins and the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The activities of uPA/tPA/plasmin and plasmin-dependent MMPs rely mostly on the activity of a potent inhibitor of uPA/tPA, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Under normal physiologic conditions, PAI-1 controls the activities of uPA/tPA/plasmin/MMP proteolytic activities and thus maintains the tissue homeostasis. During wound healing, elevated levels of PAI-1 inhibit uPA/tPA/plasmin and plasmin-dependent MMP activities, and, thus, help expedite wound healing. In contrast to this scenario, under pathologic conditions, excessive PAI-1 contributes to excessive accumulation of collagen and other ECM protein in the wound area, and thus preserves scarring. While the level of PAI-1 is significantly elevated in fibrotic tissues, lack of PAI-1 protects different organs from fibrosis in response to injury-related profibrotic signals. Thus, PAI-1 is implicated in the pathology of fibrosis in different organs including the heart, lung, kidney, liver, and skin. Paradoxically, PAI-1 deficiency promotes spontaneous cardiac-selective fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the significance of PAI-1 in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in multiple organs.
Failure of Spill-Through Bridge Abutments during Scour: Flume and Field Observations

AbstractThis paper presents early findings from laboratory tests and field observations on the failure of spill-through abutments subject to abutment scour. These findings show that geotechnical and hydraulic processes interact to erode embankment soil during abutment scour, producing lesser scour depths than predicted using leading abutment scour equations. A major failure location is the flow waterline beginning at an abutment’s upstream corner where soil is exposed to the highest values of flow velocity and turbulence. Undercutting and toppling of soil blocks occurs sequentially along the face of the spill slope, eroding it back and eventually exposing the abutment column. Further erosion then may breach the embankment. The laboratory findings, based on uniform sand compacted to varying densities and thereby shear strengths, show that soil strength influences scour depth.
Spatial localization of motion-defined and luminance-defined contours

Thresholds for the vernier alignment of contours defined by luminance and coherent random-dot motion were measured. The luminance-defined contours were localized with a precision better than the receptor grain, while the motion-defined contours were localized more poorly than this limit. When motion-defined and luminance-defined targets were matched for dot density, vernier thresholds were equivalent at low densities. When the targets were also equated for perceived contrast, the vernier thresholds became equivalent at higher densities as well. These results suggest that the precision with which motion-defined contours are localized is contrast and sample limited. Next, the localization mechanism for motion-defined targets was investigated. Length summation limits were similar for motion-defined and luminance-defined targets, suggesting that these targets could be localized by a common mechanism. Vernier targets were then flanked by two additional bars. Motion-defined flanks interfered with the localization of motion-defined targets and luminance-defined flanks interfered with the localization of luminance-defined targets. However, motion-defined and luminance-defined bars did not interact to produce spatial interference. This result indicates that the mechanisms for localizing luminance-defined and motion-defined targets are independent. We suggest that parallel mechanisms govern the vernier localization of motion-defined and luminance-defined targets.
Differential growth of the neural retina inXenopus laevis larvae

During late larval stages ofXenopus laevis the neural retina increases in area in concert with the increase in diameter of the eye. At the same time there is an increase in thickness of the inner nuclear layer over the whole expanse of the retina. Colchicine was used to determine the sites of cell proliferation. Arrested metaphase figures were found in two places; at the margin of the retina and throughout the fundus of the retina. Thymidine-3H was used to label the nuclei of the dividing cells. The movements and final locations of labeled daughter cells were followed with radioautography. New cells added to the retina at its margin differentiate at this location into ganglion cells, receptors, and cells of the inner nuclear layer. The continued addition of new cells to the margin gradually increases the area of the retina. Daughter cells derived from cell divisions in the fundus accumulate in the inner nuclear layer. The addition of these cells to the inner nuclear layer increases the thickness of this layer over the whole expanse of the retina.
Analysis of genetic abnormalities provides insights into genetic evolution of hyperdiploid myeloma.

Aneuploidy is ubiquitous in human cancer and is seen as whole chromosome gains and losses, unbalanced translocations and inversions, duplications, deletions and loss of heterozygosity. Within this complexity, some subgroups of aneuploid tumors emerge as distinct biological and clinical entities. Hyperdiploid myeloma (H-MM), characterized by hyperdiploid chromosome numbers because of nonrandom trisomies, is one such example. We undertook a comprehensive survey of the karyotypes of a large number of H-MM (n = 469) to describe fully genomic instability in these tumors, to dissect pathways of genetic evolution, and identify distinct subgroups based on their genetic changes. While selective pressure apparently favors the emergence of clones with gains of chromosomes 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 19, and 21, a background of ongoing genomic instability results in gains of other chromosomes, albeit at a much lower prevalence. A deduced temporal analysis of these karyotypes indicates that selected gains are early events. Other events occurring later in the course of the disease include secondary chromosome translocations and monosomies. The development of these genetic aberrations is thus highly ordered and undoubtedly of biological relevance. Within this framework, we propose a model of genetic evolution in H-MM. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans from residual carbon on municipal solid waste incinerator fly ash using Na37Cl

Abstract Na 37 Cl was used to study the role of chlorine in the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) from carbon. Adding Na 37 Cl to fly ash showed that this compound was a (relatively) poor chloride source; chlorine naturally present on the ash – which could include both chlorine in residual carbon and (metal) chlorides – was found to be ca. 17x more reactive. When both Na 37 Cl and CuCl2 were added to aqueous extracted fly ash, the percentage of 37 Cl from Na 37 Cl included in PCDD/F increased, compared to the combination of Na 37 Cl / fly ash. When Na 37 Cl and CuCl2 were exchanged in water, followed by evaporation of the solvent, and mixed with aqueous extracted fly ash, the percentage of 37 Cl included in PCDD/F was much higher. Apparently, direct transfer of 37 Cl from CuCl2 to carbon and PCDD/F was much faster than transfer of 37 Cl − from Na 37 Cl via a metal chloride (such as CuCl2) to carbon and PCDD/F. In addition to chlorine in PCDD/F originating from exchanged NaCl/CuCl2, chloride left on the fly ash after aqueous extraction and chlorine present in residual carbon could also have been incorporated in PCDD/F.
Surface-modified silicon nano-channel for urea sensing

Abstract Silicon nano-channels have been surface functionalized with the enzyme urease for biosensor applications to detect and quantify urea concentration. The device is nanofabricated from a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer with a top down lithography approach. The differential conductance of silicon nano-channels can be tuned for optimum performance using the source drain bias voltage, and is sensitive to urea at low concentration. The experimental results show a linear relationship between surface potential change and urea concentration in the range of 0.1–0.68 mM. The sensitivity of our devices shows high reproducibility with time and different measurement conditions. The nano-channel urea biosensor offers the possibility of high quality, reusable enzyme sensor array integration with silicon-based circuits.
Left ventricular outflow tract and mid-cavity obstruction may cause false-positive dobutamine stress echocardiograms

Left ventricular (LV) outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) occurs in up to 20% of patients undergoing dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE). Mid-cavity LV obstruction occurs less commonly during DSE. LV regional wall motion abnormalities during DSE may occur despite normal coronaries due to hypertensive blood pressure response and takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy. We describe herein two cases of LVOTO and one case of mid-cavity LV obstruction during DSE associated with transient apical hypokinesis.
Interleukin-6 selectively enhances the intracellular calcium response to NMDA in developing CNS neurons

Increasing evidence supports a role for cytokines as chemical signals in the CNS, either under normal conditions or in the pathologic state. CNS levels of the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) are known to be elevated in several diseases associated with developmental disorders and may contribute to the pathological state. To investigate the potential role of IL-6 in such disorders, neuronal effects of IL-6 were examined during development using an in vitro model system, cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons. The cultures were prepared from 8 d postnatal rat pups and exposed chronically to IL-6 (5 ng/ml) by addition to the culture medium. Neuronal effects of IL-6 were assessed by a comparison of calcium signals produced in control and IL-6 treated neurons by the glutamate receptor agonists NMDA and domoate and by K+ depolarization. IL-6 treatment significantly enhanced the response to NMDA and altered the developmental pattern of NMDA sensitivity, whereas only minor changes were observed for the response to domoate and K+. Reducing extracellular calcium and depleting intracellular stores significantly decreased the amplitude of the response to NMDA in control and IL-6 treated neurons. However, the IL-6 treated neurons were significantly more sensitive to these treatments than control neurons. These results suggest that elevated levels of IL-6 can significantly alter CNS neuron development and response to excitatory transmitters, and that IL-6 pretreatment selectively enhances the intracellular calcium responses to NMDA by altering the relative contribution of extracellular calcium influx and release of calcium from stores to the calcium signal.
Pulmonary resection after concurrent chemotherapy and high dose (60Gy) radiation for non-small cell lung cancer is safe and may provide increased survival.

Background: We have used doses of 60 Gy or higher for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for select patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including patients with N2 disease and those with Pancoast lesions, to avoid gaps in radiotherapy in case surgery is ultimately not offered. Methods: A retrospective cohort study using a prospective database. Patients underwent initial staging with CT, PET/CTand lymph node biopsy (mediastinoscopy, endoscopic esophageal ultrasound and endobronchial ultrasound) and then received neoadjuvant high dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy, followed by thoracotomy with intent to cure. Results: Between January 1998 and June 2008 there were 216 patients who were eligible for this study. The median dose of radiation was 60 Gy (range 60—72 Gy). Lobectomy was performed in 152 patients (70%) about 7 weeks after radiotherapy finished (mean 51 days, range 34—89 days).The bronchus was buttressed with an intercostal muscle flap in 97% patients. Median hospital stay was 4.5 days (range 2—57). Major morbidity occurred in 17%. There were five (2.3%) deaths. There were no bronchial-pleural fistulas after lobectomy, but two occurred after right pneumonectomy. Predictors of morbidity were FEV1 75 years (p = 0.008). The overall 5-year Kaplan—Meier survival was 34%. It was 42% for those who underwent R0 resection, 38% for those with initial N2 disease and 45% for the 71 complete responders. Conclusions: Pulmonary resection after high dose (60 Gy) neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is safe. Lobectomy can be safely performed and bronchopleural fistula prevented. Sixty Gy allows for maximal medical therapy in case resection is not offered. Since complete response rates may be higher than when 45 Gy is used and since surgery is safe, its use deserves further investigation. # 2009 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Response of hydrilla (hydrilla ver ticillata (L.f.) royle) to diquat and a model of uptake under nonequilibrium conditions

Response of the aquatic macrophyte hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle) to the herbicide diquat was measured by dissolved oxygen concentration in the surrounding water, chlorophyll a concentration in plant tissue and membrane permeability of hydrilla cells. Dissolved oxygen concentration was the most rapid and sensitive measure of response, followed by membrane permeability. Chlorophyll a was an inadequate measure of response because of high variability in measurements and slow response time. The lethal concentration of diquat in hydrilla tissue was approximately 600 μg/g dry weight. The uptake of diquat by hydrilla was modeled under nonequilibrium conditions and assuming exponential decay of diquat from the surrounding water. The modeled uptake depended on the rate of decay of diquat from the water column, the rate of uptake of diquat by hydrilla and the rate of depuration of diquat from hydrilla. The observed uptake closely matched the calibrated, predicted uptake.
In Situ X-Ray Diffraction Study of Electric-Field-Induced Domain Switching and Phase Transition in PZT-5H

In situ X-ray experiments were conducted to examine the electric-field-induced phase changes in PZT-5H materials. The X-ray diffraction profiles at different electric-field levels were analyzed by peak fitting and were used to identify the occurrence of non-180° domain switching and phase transition. We found that in depolarized samples, there exists a threshold electric field for the phase changes, whereas in polarized samples, no such threshold exists. The profound difference in the diffraction profile changes under positive and negative electric fields in polarized samples is responsible for the asymmetry of piezoelectric effects. Peak fitting results show phase transition as well as domain switching at different electric-field levels. These observations further indicate the importance of residual stresses in materials' behavior.
Micro/Nano Fluidics Mechanics and Transducers

In biochemical analyses, sample fluid volume in the nano or pico liter range is commonly encountered in various processes. For example, the preparation, mixing, separation, and concentration of cells and biomolecules in such small amount of fluids are very often needed in most analyses. From the science and technology point of view, efficient momentum and energy transfers of the desired fluid and particle motions in such small scales need sufficient comprehension of mechanics and MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) transducers of similar length scales. Interestingly, MEMS/NEMS technologies do enable us to match the device and the fluid length scale for handling fluids in extremely small volume. This opens up a tremendous opportunity for research and development. In traditional fluid dynamics, the flow length scale is much larger than the molecular length scale. Continuum mechanics is the most common hypothesis used for flow research. In the case of micro/nano engineering systems, however, one may encounter regimes from continuum all the way down to molecule-dominated conditions. Therefore, in micro/nano fluidics, there are many new challenges that are very different from those in traditional fluidic systems. In this chapter, we discuss these special issues related to micro/nano fluidics and MEMS transducers in handling extremely small amount of fluids, including embedded particles.
Modulation of Histone Acetyltransferase Activity through Interaction of Epstein-Barr Nuclear Antigen 3C with Prothymosin Alpha

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 3C (EBNA3C) is essential for EBV-dependent immortalization of human primary B lymphocytes. Genetic analysis indicated that amino acids 365 to 992 are important for EBV-mediated immortalization of B lymphocytes. We demonstrate that this region of EBNA3C critical for immortalization interacts with prothymosin alpha (ProTalpha), a cellular protein previously identified to be important for cell division and proliferation. This interaction maps to a region downstream of amino acid 365 known to be involved in transcription regulation and critical for EBV-mediated transformation of primary B lymphocytes. Additionally, we show that EBNA3C also interacts with p300, a cellular acetyltransferase. This interaction suggests a possible role in regulation of histone acetylation and chromatin remodeling. An increase in histone acetylation was observed in EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines, which is consistent with increased cellular gene expression. These cells express the entire repertoire of latent nuclear antigens, including EBNA3C. Expression of EBNA3C in cells with increased acetyltransferase activity mediated by the EBV transactivator EBNA2 results in down-modulation of this activity in a dose-responsive manner. The interactions of EBNA3C with ProTalpha and p300 provide new evidence implicating this essential EBV protein EBNA3C in modulating the acetylation of cellular factors, including histones. Hence, EBNA3C plays a critical role in balancing cellular transcriptional events by linking the biological property of mediating inhibition of EBNA2 transcription activation and the observed histone acetyltransferase activity, thereby orchestrating immortalization of EBV-infected cells.
Effects of Temperature and of Fatty Acid Substitutions on Colicin K Action

The temperature dependence of an early phase of colicin K action was studied. At temperatures of 10 C or lower, colicin K adsorbed to Escherichia coli cells, but its ability to cause physiological damage was greatly diminished. Cells treated with colicin K at 10 C exhibited nearly normal levels of beta-galactoside accumulation for that temperature, whereas a similar treatment at 27 C strongly reduced the levels of accumulation. Low temperatures also protracted the period during which viability could be restored to a colicin K-treated cell by a treatment with trypsin. Arrhenius plots for the progression of colicin K-treated E. coli cells from a trypsin-rescuable to an irrescuable state were biphasic in nature, with an increase in apparent activation energy occurring at temperatures below 21 C. Similar studies carried out with an E. coli unsaturated fatty acid auxotroph grown on structurally diverse unsaturated fatty acids revealed that the temperature profile for this phase of colicin K action is influenced by the fatty acid composition of the membrane phospholipids. The results are consistent with the interpretation that the action of colicin K on E. coli cells is sensitive to changes in the fluid properties of the membrane.
Vasoconstriction in Telencephalic Microvessels: A Response to One Model for Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Beagle Pups

Telencephalic microvessels were morphologically and morphometrically evaluated in beagle pups at 24, 48, and 72 hours of age following an experimental insult consisting of exposure to acute hypovolemic hypotension followed by rapid corrective blood reinfusion. Animals were anesthetized throughout the procedure and maintained for 75 minutes prior to sacrifice. Microvessels from the germinal matrix, where intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) most commonly occurs, were compared to those of the adjacent cerebral cortex and choroid plexus. Perfusion, fixation and processing of the tissue followed our previously published protocol (Leuschen et al.: Anatomical Record 208:435-443, 1984). Both germinal matrix and cortical microvessels had collapsed lumens and normal endothelial cell morphology; mitochondria contained distinct cristae, junctional complexes were present and a basement lamina completely surrounded most vessels. Morphometric data on matrical and cortical microvessels supported vasoconstriction. Microvessels from choroid plexus were not vasoconstricted; tight junctions were infrequently seen and microvesicular elements were present. An increased cerebral blood flow to the germinal matrix and the adjacent cerebral cortex has been reported during and immediately following hypovolemic hypotensive insult. By 75 minutes following insult, our ultrastructural studies support a rebound phenomena including vasoconstriction of microvessels. The resulting vasoconstriction and associated cerebral ischemia may play an important role in subsequent tissue damage to the matrical area and ultimately to the etiology of IVH.
Molecular prognostic testing in uveal melanoma

Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignancy and it has a strong propensity for hematogenous metastasis to the liver and elsewhere. Despite substantial improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of the primary tumor over the past 50 years, there has not been a concomitant improvement in survival, indicating that our understanding of this cancer is still incomplete. Recently, however, research into the molecular pathobiology of uveal melanoma has provided new insights that may explain these clinical shortcomings and will soon usher in a new era of clinical management that promises to improve patient outcomes. Indeed, recent research has made uveal melanoma a model cancer for the concept of individualized, information-driven clinical decision-making based on predictive risk assessment and pre-emptive therapy. This article summarizes current clinical management of uveal melanoma and its limitations, describes traditional clinical and histopathological prognostic factors and presents a ne...
Bridging theory to practice with classroom rounds

Pre-service candidates' perceptions of how to teach were challenged after going through the process of Classroom Rounds, the process that was used in this study. Classroom Rounds consisted of a pre-conference meeting with an in- service teacher, followed by a classroom observation of that teacher, and finally a discussion focusing on proven evidence-based practices. The pre-service candidates had the opportunity to share their observational data and beliefs about teaching with that experienced classroom teacher, and then they learned the practical context of research-based pedagogical practices in a classroom setting. Rounds, in combination with clinical experience, extended the pre-service candidates' awareness of research-based practices, conveyed the importance of these practices, and showed specific techniques for implementing these practices in their classrooms. The positive impact these observed practices had on the pre- service candidates' classroom procedures were later revealed in surveys that they completed after their student teaching.
Antenna matching in ε-near-zero metamaterial channels

Here we explore the matching properties of coaxial cables in ultranarrow channels filled with zero permittivity metamaterials. We discuss how the anomalous properties of such channels may allow a simple matching design, valid for arbitrary waveguides, with large degrees of freedom in terms of geometry, length and possible bending of the connecting channel. Moreover, the static-like properties of the channel may allow complete matching, independent of the relative position of the antenna inside the channel. We propose a simple verification of these concepts in rectangular channels operating at cut-off, which realize a simple and powerful mechanism for achieving effective permittivity near zero in this geometry. Our findings may constitute an elegant and powerful method for matching coaxial antennas to waveguides of arbitrary shape and geometry.
Preoperative Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery Compared With Primary Surgery in Resectable Stage I (Except T1N0), II, and IIIa Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether preoperative chemotherapy (PCT) could improve survival in resectable stage I (except T1N0), II, and IIIA non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized trial compared PCT to primary surgery (PRS). PCT consisted of two cycles of mitomycin (6 mg/m2, day 1), ifosfamide (1.5 g/m2, days 1 to 3) and cisplatin (30 mg/m2, days 1 to 3), and two additional postoperative cycles for responding patients. In both arms, patients with pT3 or pN2 disease received thoracic radiotherapy. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-five eligible patients were randomized. Overall response to PCT was 64%. There were two preoperative toxic deaths. Postoperative mortality was 6.7% in the PCT arm and 4.5% in the PRS arm (P = .38). Median survival was 37 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 26.7 to 48.3) for PCT and 26.0 months (95% CI, 19.8 to 33.6) for PRS (P = .15). Survival differences between both arms increased from 3.8% (95% CI, 1.3% to 25.1%) at 1 year to 8.6% (95% CI, 2.64% to 24.4%)...
Loss and Gain of Elicitor Function of Soybean Mosaic Virus G7 Provoking Rsv1-Mediated Lethal Systemic Hypersensitive Response Maps to P3

Rsv1, a single dominant resistance gene in soybean PI 96983 (Rsv1), confers extreme resistance against all known American strains of Soybean mosaic virus (SMV), except G7 and G7d. SMV-G7 provokes a lethal systemic hypersensitive response (LSHR), whereas SMV-G7d, an experimentally evolved variant of SMV-G7, induces systemic mosaic. To identify the elicitor of Rsv1-mediated LSHR, chimeras were constructed by exchanging fragments between the molecularly cloned SMV-G7 (pSMV-G7) and SMV-G7d (pSMV-G7d), and their elicitor functions were assessed on PI 96983 (Rsv1). pSMV-G7-derived chimeras containing only P3 of SMV-G7d lost the elicitor function, while the reciprocal chimera of pSMV-G7d gained the function. The P3 regions of the two viruses differ by six nucleotides, of which two are translationally silent. The four amino acid differences are located at positions 823, 915, 953, and 1112 of the precursor polypeptide. Analyses of the site-directed point mutants of both the viruses revealed that nucleotide substitutions leading to translationally silent mutations as well as reciprocal amino acid substitution at position 915 did not influence the loss or gain of the elicitor function. pSMV-G7-derived mutants with amino acid substitutions at any of the other three positions lost the ability to provoke LSHR but induced SHR instead. Two concomitant amino acid substitutions at positions 823 (V to M) and 953 (K to E) abolished pSMV-G7 elicitor function, provoking Rsv1-mediated SHR. Conversely, pSMV-G7d gained the elicitor function of Rsv1-mediated LSHR by a single amino acid substitution at position 823 (M to V), and mutants with amino acid substitutions at position 953 or 1112 induced SHR instead of mosaic. Taken together, the data suggest that strain-specific P3 of SMV is the elicitor of Rsv1-mediated LSHR.
Inherited material from the protosolar cloud: composition and origin

When the most primitive types of meteorite, the chondrites, formed, all of them incorporated small amounts of at least two types of unprocessed pre–solar material: interstellar organic matter and circumstellar grains. The organic matter formed in the protosolar molecular cloud. To date, six types of circumstellar grain have been identified and their isotopic compositions show that they formed around red giant/asymptotic giant branch (RGB/AGB) stars, supernovae and, possibly, novae and Wolf–Rayet stars. The range of isotopic compositions exhibited by the pre–solar grains requires a minimum of 35–40 stellar sources, suggesting that the circumstellar grains are a fairly representative sample of circumstellar dust production in the Galaxy. Comparison of the observed proportions of circumstellar grains with astronomical estimates reveals both striking similarities and differences. The differences probably reflect our ignorance of circumstellar dust formation rather than differential destruction in the interstellar medium or the Solar System. Silicates are predicted to be one of the dominant types of circumstellar grain, but they have yet to be isolated from meteorites. However, interstellar silicates may have been identified in interplanetary dust particles. The pre–solar materials demonstrate that some matter was never strongly heated during Solar System formation. There is no evidence for one dominant source of circumstellar grains, as might have occurred if Solar System formation was triggered by a supernova/AGB–generated shock wave or if refractory supernova condensates produced the widespread mass–independent oxygen isotopic variations found in Solar System materials.
Distensibility and Water Content of Heart Muscle Before and After Injury

In open-chest dogs the circulation was carried on a heart-lung machine. The right heart and the left atrium were drained. A balloon was placed in the virtually bloodless left ventricle and filled with a known volume of air at the beginning of an experiment; left ventricular pressure was recorded after a steady state had become established. After this control observation, the preparation was exposed to experimental maneuvers, such as variation of the systemic flow rate or changes of the air volume in the balloon. At one or more later stages of the same experiment, the balloon was emptied, the heart was allowed to beat empty for several minutes, and the standard observation was again repeated. Comparison of left ventricular pressures from the initial and later observations showed that the diastolic pressure in the left ventricle increased in the course of the experiment even though other conditions were comparable. From this we conclude that experimental maneuvers injuring the heart muscle reduce its distensibility. The water content of injured hearts was abnormally elevated; myocardial edema is therefore not excluded as one of the mechanisms explaining the reduced distensibility of injured heart muscle.
An FPGA implementation of (3, 6)-regular low-density parity-check code decoder

Because of their excellent error-correcting performance, low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes have recently attracted a lot of attention. In this paper, we are interested in the practical LDPC code decoder hardware implementations. The direct fully parallel decoder implementation usually incurs too high hardware complexity for many real applications, thus partly parallel decoder design approaches that can achieve appropriate trade-offs between hardware complexity and decoding throughput are highly desirable. Applying a joint code and decoder design methodology, we develop a high-speed (3, k)-regular LDPC code partly parallel decoder architecture based on which we implement a 9216-bit, rate-1/2 (3, 6)-regular LDPC code decoder on Xilinx FPGA device. This partly parallel decoder supports a maximum symbol throughput of 54 Mbps and achieves BER 10-6 at 2 dB over AWGN channel while performing maximum 18 decoding iterations.
James Lewis's Plans for an Opera House in the Haymarket (1778)

In 1780 James Lewis published the first of two magnificent folios, entitled Original Designs in Architecture . The title page explains that it consists of ‘Plans, Elevations, and Sections, for Villas, Mansions, Town-Houses, &c. and a New Design for a Theatre. With Descriptions, and Explanations of the Plates, and an Introduction’. Plates XIX-XXII are for ‘a New Theatre, designed for the Opera’. In fact, the designs are for a new opera house intended to occupy the site on which John Vanbrugh's Queen's/King's Theatre in the Haymarket had stood since 1705. The building would consume all the existing site and much of the surrounding property. Lewis explains the origins of his plans: ‘Our Theatres being upon a very small scale, compared with those of other principal cities in Europe, about two years ago [that is, in 1778] a report prevailed that a New Theatre was intended to be built by subscription, which might serve as well for all Dramatick Performances, as Concerts, Assemblies, Masquerades, &c. And the proprietors of the Opera House intending to purchase several adjoining houses and ground, to render the theatre eligible for the various purposes mentioned, suggested the idea of making a design adapted to the situation of the present Opera House, with the principal front towards Pall Mall’ (p. 12). This grand edifice would be like no other theatre in London.
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are hollow, long cylinders with extremely large aspect ratios, made of one atomic sheet of carbon atoms in a honeycomb lattice. They possess extraordinary thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties and are considered as one of the most promising nanomaterials for applications and basic research. This chapter describes the structural, electronic, vibrational, optical, transport, mechanical, and thermal properties of these unusual one-dimensional (1-D) nanomaterials. The crystallographic (Sect. 4.2.1), electronic (Sect. 4.2.2), vibrational (Sect. 4.2.3), optical (Sect. 4.4), transport (Sect. 4.5), thermal (Sect. 4.6.1), and mechanical (Sect. 4.6.2) properties of these unusual 1-D nanomaterials will be outlined. In addition, we will provide an overview of the various methods developed for synthesizing SWCNTs in Sect. 4.3.
Maximizing Time with the Patient: the Creative Concept of a Physician Scribe

The universal implementation of electronic health records has transformed the practice of medicine. However, there is a general perception that electronic health records impede effective communication with patients. Clinicians feel that they paradoxically spend more time doing nonclinical tasks like documentation and writing orders and less time interacting with their patients. This article evaluates the role of medical scribes in augmenting physician workflows and examines if employing a scribe can enhance physician-patient interactions.
The Transmission of Gun and Other Weapon-Involved Violence Within Social Networks

Fatal and nonfatal injuries resulting from gun violence remain a persistent problem in the United States. The available research suggests that gun violence diffuses among people and across places through social relationships. Understanding the relationship between gun violence within social networks and individual gun violence risk is critical in preventing the spread of gun violence within populations. This systematic review examines the existing scientific evidence on the transmission of gun and other weapon-related violence in household, intimate partner, peer, and co-offending networks. Our review identified 16 studies published between 1996 and 2015 that suggest that exposure to a victim or perpetrator of violence in one's interpersonal relationships and social networks increases the risk of individual victimization and perpetration. Formal network analyses find high concentrations of gun violence in small networks and that exposure to gun violence in one's networks is highly correlated with one's own probability of being a gunshot victim. Physical violence by parents and weapon use by intimate partners also increase risk for victimization and perpetration. Additional work is needed to better characterize the mechanisms through which network exposures increase individual risk for violence and to evaluate interventions aimed at disrupting the spread of gun and other weapon violence in high-risk social networks.
Distinct populations of label-retaining cells in the adult kidney are defined temporally and exhibit divergent regional distributions

DNA label-retention, or retention of a thymidine analog, is a characteristic of slow cycling cells and has been used to identify stem cells in several organ systems. Recent findings have demonstrat...
Prevention of heterotopic ossification after spinal cord injury with indomethacin.

Study design: A randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Objectives: To determine the effect of indomethacin on the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) following spinal cord injury (SCI). Setting: County Hospital, Miami, Florida, USA. Methods: Sixteen patients were treated with slow-release indomethacin 75 mg daily and 17 patients received placebo for a period of 3 weeks. Prevention was started 21±14 days after SCI. In both groups of patients there was similar age of the patients as well as the level of SCI and ASIA impairment scale. Two methods were used to diagnose HO, bone scintigraphy and radiographic examination. Bone scintigraphy with technetium labeled methylene-diphosphonate was used for diagnosis of early stage, while radiography was used for diagnosis of late stage of HO development. Results: A significantly lower incidence of early HO was found in the indomethacin group (25%) than in the placebo group (65%; P<0.001). Similarly there was a significant reduction of late HO in the indomethacin group (12.5%) as compared to the placebo group (41%; P<0.001). Conclusion: Our data suggest that indomethacin used during the first 2 months after SCI is effective in prevention of HO in a significant number of patients. Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 370–374.
Reflection on the Education of Social Work Professional Value Predicament in China

In social work practice,social workers are facing two major problems:technological problems and values problems.Technological problems are relatively objective,definite and easy to comprehend,but values work l problems have certain subjective factors,often equivocal and difficult to comprehend,so it is very essential to deal with ethical problems.But current situation of Professional values of social work in our country is not well performed.If we say that Professionalism is the premise of Social Work Development,Professional values of social work education is the assurance to continue professional characteristics,the foundation to carry on other specialized education,the basic means to steady professional team,the important way to realize the goal of quality-oriented education.
Accuracy of Basic Knowledge of Traumatic Historical Events: The Armenian Genocide

ABSTRACTThis research assumes that accuracy of shared historical knowledge of genocide might help new generations cope with the trauma lived by previous generations, while the longer the denial of a genocide the more fragmented the macronarrative and the longer the collective trauma. The Armenian genocide (1915) is generally represented in opposite ways by the Turks and Armenians. The study explores the knowledge accuracy of the 1915 events before and after the centennial commemoration of the genocide and uses convenience samples from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Romania, United States, Venezuela, and a representative sample (Romania, N = 1231). The major findings suggest a very low basic knowledge of genocide, with a few exceptions, despite a significant increase of this knowledge after the 100-year commemoration.
Research Progress in Etiopathology of AIDS Complicated with Tuberculosis

Research progress in etiopathology of AIDS complicated with tuberculosis from the several aspects including epidemiology,immunology,clinical manifestations,diagnosis and treatment,and the development of anti-tuberculosis vaccine development,is reviewed and the reference for the control of AIDS complicated with tuberculosis is provided.
Discussion on the Industry Innovation from the Status Quo of Medical Devices Registration

Development of medical devices,registration,problems and affected factors were discussed and analyzed in the paper.Countermeasures were suggested to strengthen innovation ability on Medical device in our country.
Abstract P30: Disparities in Geographic Access to Emergency Stroke and Myocardial Infarction Care

Stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) are serious health conditions that require emergency care; thus, geographic access to appropriate care facilities is critical. However, little is known regarding disparities in timely geographic access to stroke and MI care based on actual travel time, instead of distance to the healthcare facility. Current methods for determining access can be inaccurate since they typically do not include road characteristics and driving restrictions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify disparities in access to appropriate and timely stroke and MI care in East Tennessee utilizing a novel epidemiological method. Travel times to stroke and cardiac specialty care centers were computed using network analysis in ArcGIS9.3, while adjusting for distance, speed limits, road connectivity, and turn impedances for each street segment. Neighborhoods represented by census tracts that were within 30, 60, or 90 minutes travel time were identified and described. Travel time by air ambulance was also calculated in ArcGIS9.3 using a 130 mph flying speed, a 3.5 minute warm-up delay, and a 20 minute patient preparation time delay. Approximately 8% (66,379 of 857,138) and 15% (127,143 of 857,138) of the study area population do not have timely access to appropriate stroke and MI emergency care, respectively. The disparity was greatest for populations in rural areas. However, the entire study population had timely access to emergency stroke and MI care by air ambulance. In conclusion, there are disparities in timely access to emergency stroke and MI care in East Tennessee. With specific time sensitive treatments, timely access to appropriate care is critical in improving stroke and MI outcomes. Use of air ambulance or telemedicine programs in the rural areas could play a vital role in addressing these disparities. This information is invaluable for evidence-based population health planning initiatives that seek to address disparities in access to care for stroke and MI.
DEFINING AND ASSESSING SPECIFIED EDUCATIONAL GOALS IN FORMATIVE AND SUMMATIVE EVALUATION

This chapter focuses on defining and assessing specified educational goals in formative and summative evaluation. If the accomplishment of educational goals cannot be assessed, then it makes little difference what the referent, level, function, or agent of the evaluation may be. The chapter also highlights the importance of specified goals that refer to domains of knowledge and skill for which states that are equivalent to full attainment or mastery can be defined and recognized in the performance of learners. The content that is required of all learners is usually of considerable importance to the learner and to the society. Instruction should be designed so as to maximize each learner's chances of success. It is suggested that in spite of arguments to the contrary by Ebel (1971), it does appear that both academic and vocational curricula are likely to include a significant proportion of specified educational goals.
Informed Consent for Transfusion

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the basis for informed consent and its necessary elements, particularly as they relate to transfusion. The chapter describes the components of a well-developed informed consent policy. Informed consent is a process and not a document. It consists of a dialogue between patient and physician in which the physician discloses to the patient the information needed to make a sound decision about the proposed transfusion. Disclosure does not need to be exhaustive; however, it should provide the patient with the information a reasonable person would want to have before making a decision about undergoing a transfusion. This information must be provided in an appropriate manner, taking into consideration the patient's facility with language, education level, and health care experience. The concept of informed consent has its basis in both law and ethics. From these two sources the concept has developed that physicians may not make decisions for patients but must provide them with the information necessary to make intelligent decisions about treatment. The ethical origin of concept of informed consent is based on regard for the rights of patients, including individual autonomy and self-determination. Patients have the right to make decisions about medical intervention that may affect their well being. In addition to the legal and ethical rationale for obtaining informed consent for transfusion, there are also statutory and regulatory requirements.
The economics of international child adoption: An analysis of adoptions by U.S. parents

Abstract The paper develops a two-period model of international child adoption by considering decision-making by a poor household and derive a number of testable predictions: the negative effect of income and the positive effect of household size on adoption. We provide supporting evidence based on a panel of U.S. adoptions from 178 countries during the last three decades. Our findings suggest that, on average, a one hundred-dollar increase in real per capita income in a sending nation reduces U.S. adoptions by three cases while a ten-million increase in child population raises adoptions by 18 cases.