cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adenosinetriphosphatase activity of cardiac myosin. Comparison of the enzymatic activities and activation by actin of dog cardiac, rabbit cardiac, rabbit white skeletal and rabbit red skeletal muscle myosins.

Examination of the ATPase activities of rabbit cardiac, rabbit red skeletal and rabbit white skeletal muscle myosins has demonstrated the existence of two types of myosin. One type, characterized by the higher ATPase activity, is present in white skeletal muscle; the other is found in red skeletal and cardiac muscle. The differences between myosin preparations could not be attributed to varying degrees of actin contamination nor to changes occurring in the myosins during the preparative procedure. Chromatography of dog cardiac myosin on DEAE-cellulose showed a single component. No differences were observed between the cardiac myosins of the dog and rabbit. Activation of the ATPase activity of cardiac myosin by Ca++ was less than that of white skeletal myosin while the extent of inhibition by Mg++ was similar for both. The stoichiometry of the interaction with actin of both cardiac and white skeletal myosins was similar but actin caused less activation of the cardiac myosin ATPase. Cardiac and white skelet...
Quantitative analysis of methadone and two major metabolites in hair by positive chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and specific method for the quantitative determination of D,t-methadone (MD) and its metabolites, D,L-2-ethyl-l,5dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolinium (EDDP) and D,t-2-ethyl-5methyl-3,3-diphenyl-l-pyrroline (EMDP), in hair has been developed. Deuterated internal standards of MD, EMDP, and EDDP were added to 20-rag hair samples and digested overnight at room temperature with 1N sodium hydroxide. Calibration standards containing known concentrations of MD, EMDP, and EDDP dried onto human hair were also digested. Digest solutions were extracted by a liquid-liquid extraction procedure and
Circadian Food Anticipation Persists in Capsaicin Deafferented Rats

The feeding-entrained circadian oscillator (FEO) organizes locomotor activity and other variables to anticipate daily timed meals. Whether the biological substrate for the FEO is in the central nervous system or in the periphery, there must be communication between the gut and the brain to result in a behavioral output. To investigate potential neural routes of communication, rats with suprachiasmatic lesions were given systemic capsaicin (total dose: 100 mg/kg, ip) to produce visceral deafferentation. Deafferentation was confirmed using the phenyl-p-benzoquinone stretch test and the corneal irritation test. A 3-h meal was made available at the same time each day while wheel running was recorded for several weeks. Results indicated that rats with capsaicin lesions were somewhat more active overall and during nonanticipation times, but the onset time and the amount of anticipatory wheel running did not differ from vehicle-treated controls. In addition, reentrainment following a phase delay of mealtime and ...
The coordination of aluminum and silicon in zeolites as studied by X-ray spectrometry

Abstract The aluminum K β line was used to determine the coordination state of aluminum in acid forms of zeolite Y. The A1 K β line of sodium zeolite A was used as a reference in the determination of the line shift, zinc spinel was used as the standard for hexacoordinated Al. The difference in the position of the Al K β line between these two samples is about 0.240° 2θ. The energy of the Al K β line differed slightly with Si/Al ratio and crystal structure. Therefore, the sodium form of the zeolite to be investigated, in this instance NaY, was the preferred standard for tetracoordinated Al. All the aluminum in a true hydrogen zeolite Y was found to be tetracoordinated. About 19% of the aluminum in a stabilized hydrogen zeolite Y was hexacoordinated, other samples contained 10 and 12% hexacoordinated Al. It is likely that mixed forms of true HY and stable HY with 0 to 25% hexacoordinated Al can be prepared. The samples of dehydroxylated zeolite Y investigated contained between 30 and 50% hexacoordinated Al, while the silicon remained tetracoordinated.
PET Imaging: Advances in the Detection of Locally Advanced and Nodal Disease

Promising PET tracers for the visualization of bladder wall invasion and metastastic disease in bladder cancer include [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose performed with rigorous forced diuresis and [11C]choline. Dedicated PET/CT imaging is preferred for better anatomical identification of suspicious lesions. Future applications may include the use of handheld intraoperative beta and high-energy gamma probes as well as endoscopic probes to detect very small-volume disease.
Rac1 activation in podocytes induces rapid foot process effacement and proteinuria

The kidney's vital filtration function depends on the structural integrity of the glomerulus, the proximal portion of the nephron. Within the glomerulus, the architecturally complex podocyte forms the final cellular barrier to filtration. Injury to the podocyte results in a morphological change called foot process effacement, which is a ubiquitous feature of proteinuric diseases. The exact mechanism underlying foot process effacement is not known, but recently it has been proposed that this change might reflect activation of the Rac1 GTPase. To test this hypothesis, we generated a podocyte-specific, inducible transgenic mouse line that expressed constitutively active Rac1. When the Rac1 transgene was induced, we observed a rapid onset of proteinuria with focal foot process effacement. Using superresolution imaging, we verified that the induced transgene was expressed in damaged podocytes with altered foot process morphology. This work sheds new light on the complex balance of Rho GTPase signaling that is required for proper regulation of the podocyte cytoskeleton.
Specification and measurement of the frequency versus temperature characteristics of crystal oscillators

Several factors are reviewed for specifying and measuring the frequency vs. temperature (f-T) characteristics of precision quartz crystal oscillators. Topics include static vs. dynamic measurement, thermal time constant, activity dips, condensables, hysteresis, and trim effect. This work reviews some f-T considerations that are not discussed in detail in MIL-0-55310. >
Emerging Approaches to Counseling Intervention Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive, multimodal cognitive behavioral treatment originally developed for individuals who met criteria for borderline personality disorder (BPD) who displayed suicidal tendencies. DBT is based on behavioral theory but also includes principles of acceptance, mindfulness, and validation. Since its development, DBT has been adapted to various populations and has been successfully used in a wide array of settings. This article presents the approaches used in DBT with a particular emphasis on (a) the philosophy and assumptions on which the treatment is based, (b) the major theoretical constructs and the DBT conceptualization of the client, (c) the intervention and specific techniques used, (d) research supporting the theory and treatment, and (e) the integration of diversity, culture, and social justice.
Achieving 10 Gb/s using safe and transparent network interface virtualization

This paper presents mechanisms and optimizations to reduce the overhead of network interface virtualization when using the driver domain I/O virtualization model. The driver domain model provides benefits such as support for legacy device drivers and fault isolation. However, the processing overheads incurred in the driver domain to achieve these benefits limit overall I/O performance. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of two approaches to reduce driver domain overheads. First, Xen is modified to support multi-queue network interfaces to eliminate the software overheads of packet demultiplexing and copying. Second, a grant reuse mechanism is developed to reduce memory protection overheads. These mechanisms shift the bottleneck from the driver domain to the guest domains, improving scalability and enabling significantly higher data rates. This paper also presents and evaluates a series of optimizations that substantially reduce the I/O virtualization overheads in the guest domain. In combination, these mechanisms and optimizations increase the maximum throughput achieved by guest domains from 2.9Gb/s to full 10 Gigabit Ethernet link rates.
Ppb-level detection of nitric oxide using an external cavity quantum cascade laser based QEPAS sensor

Geometrical parameters of micro-resonator for a quartz enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy sensor are optimized to perform sensitive and background-free spectroscopic measurements using mid-IR quantum cascade laser (QCL) excitation sources. Such an optimized configuration is applied to nitric oxide (NO) detection at 1900.08 cm−1 (5.26 µm) with a widely tunable, mode-hop-free external cavity QCL. For a selected NO absorption line that is free from H2O and CO2 interference, a NO detection sensitivity of 4.9 parts per billion by volume is achieved with a 1-s averaging time and 66 mW optical excitation power. This NO detection limit is determined at an optimal gas pressure of 210 Torr and 2.5% of water vapor concentration. Water is added to the analyzed mixture in order to improve the NO vibrational-translational relaxation process.
The chemical composition of serpentine/chlorite in the Tuscaloosa Formation, United States Gulf Coast; EDX vs. XRD determinations, implications for mineralogic reactions and the origin of anatase

The chemical composition of mixed-layer serpentine/chlorite (Sp/Ch) in Tuscaloosa Formation sandstone was analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in the scanning electron miscro- scope (SEM) and by X-ray diffraction (XRD). EDX results indicate little depth-controlled variation in composition, whereas XRD results suggest distinct decreases in octahedral Fe and tetrahedral A1. XRD- determined compositions appear to be erroneous and actually reflect progressive changes in Sp/Ch unit- cell dimensions caused by polytype transformations of Ibb layers to Iaa layers in a mixed-layer IbblIaa polytype. The relative lack of variation in Sp/Ch composition, especially when compared to other studies of chlorite minerals over similar temperature ranges, is attributed to a reaction mechanism whereby mineralogic transformations (serpentine layers to chlorite layers and Ibb layers to Iaa layers) occur on a layer-by-layer basis within coherent crystallites, rather than by dissolution-precipitation crystal growth. The lack of titanium in chlorite minerals is attributed to high levels of octahedral A13§ that prohibit inclusion of the highly charged Ti 4+ in the octahedral sheet. Anatase (TiO2) in the Tuscaloosa Formation apparently formed when Ti was liberated during crystallization of Sp/Ch following !he breakdown of a Ti-bearing precursor (detrital ultramafic clasts and/or odinite). Odinite, an Fe-rich 7-A phyllosilicate that forms in some shallow marine sands, apparently existed as a short-lived, poorly crystallized intermediary between dissolution of the ultramafic clasts and formation of Sp/Ch.
Establishment of product offering and production leveling principles via supply chain simulation under order-to-delivery environment

In support of the order-to-delivery (OTD) business initiative, a simulation framework has been developed at GM R and D. The OTD simulation program is aimed at simulating the behavior of the OTD supply chain using detailed inputs associated with demand, supply, and production processes. Customer demand variation is a key source of uncertainty in GM's supply chain. Early capture of customer demand fluctuation enables GM to effectively reduce aggregate mismatch between production and sales and appropriate time series models have been suggested to capture demand patterns based on actual data. The vehicle model and option mix with a given demand variation influences the performance of the OTD supply chain and provides a means to establish certain principles determining the extent of product offering and the scope of production leveling. Analyzing the impact of the model and option mix on primary supply chain performance measures, such as customer wait time, condition mismatch, and parts usage, capacitates reduction of the mismatch between demand and production and stabilizes supply chain operations.
Detection of DNA by graphene-on-silicon FET structures simultaneously at DC and 101 GHz

Two graphene-silicon field-effect transistor samples are characterized as a biological sensor of single-stranded DNA at DC and 101 GHz. In the first sample the 13-mer DNA is detected at DC and 101 GHz at three different molarities: 0.01, 1.0 and 100 nM. In the second sample it is so detected at only 1.0 nM but under progressive dilution by de-ionized water. In both cases, the mechanism for detection appears to be the same: (1) at DC it is the DNA-induced decrease in sheet conductance, and (2) at 101 GHz it is a correlated decrease in RF sheet conductance and the associated increase in 101-GHz transmission through the GFET acting as an optical etalon.
Catalogus Fossilium Austriae. Band 2. Echinoidea Neogenica : Book Review

Catalogus Fossilium Austriae. Band 2. Echinoidea Neogenica. Andreas Kroh. 2005. Verlag der Osterreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna, 210 p., 82 pls., pb. ISBN 3-7001-3491-6 (printed edition), ISBN 3-7001-3560-2 (online edition). Many types of sea urchins fossilize well, with preservation of minute details. Fossil echinoids are therefore of great scientific value. From them, much can be learned about past environmental conditions, biogeography, and biodiversity. However, echinoids are also objects of great beauty, holding fascination at both macroscopic and microscopic inspection. In spite of the rather dry, ancient-sounding title, this book captures much of this scientific and aesthetic fascination. It is also an object lesson in how to do taxonomic monography in a time when this activity is regarded by many bandwagon-jumping peers as something to be left in their dust. A monograph of this kind should put that attitude where it belongs. Long after trendy works in current vogue have had their electronic and paper corpora fully recycled, solid books like the Catalogus will continue to be consulted for …
Special divisors on marked chains of cycles

Abstract We completely describe all Brill–Noether loci on metric graphs consisting of a chain of g cycles with arbitrary edge lengths, generalizing work of Cools, Draisma, Payne, and Robeva. The structure of these loci is determined by displacement tableaux on rectangular partitions, which we define. More generally, we fix a marked point on the rightmost cycle, and completely analyze the loci of divisor classes with specified ramification at the marked point, classifying them using displacement tableaux. Our results give a tropical proof of the generalized Brill–Noether theorem for general marked curves, and serve as a foundation for the analysis of general algebraic curves of fixed gonality.
Fiber formation in trypsinogen solutions; an electron optical study.

SummaryThe coiled threads and filaments described by Gross as essential components of elastin, liberated from the tissue by tryptic digestion, and later described by Franchi and DeRobertis as products of tryptically digested bacterial flagellae have been demonstrated to be present in Armour's crystalline trypsin, but not in the more highly purified product “Tryptar,” and can be produced by incubation from clear, sterile solutions of crystalline trypsinogen. This process probably represents a fibrous transformation of trypsinogen, a component or contaminant thereof.
Teaching science writing in an introductory lab course.

One challenge that many neuroscience instructors face is how to teach students to communicate within the field. The goal of this project was to improve students’ scientific writing in an introductory psychology laboratory course that serves as a feeder course into the neuroscience curriculum. This course included a scaffolded approach - breaking assignments into different sections that build upon each other to allow for more direction and feedback on each section. Students were also provided with examples of scientific writing, given direction on finding and reading journal articles, and were taught how to effectively peer review a paper. Research papers were assessed before (Year 1) and after (Year 2) this scaffolded approach was instituted. The assessment included measures of “Genre Knowledge” for each section of a research paper (abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion) as well as measures of “Writing Elements” (grammar, formatting, clarity, transitions, building to the hypothesis, using evidence). The results indicated that there was an improvement for Genre Knowledge scores when comparing Year 1 to Year 2. However, there was no systematic improvement in Writing Elements. This suggests that this teaching technique was most effective in improving students’ ability to write within the scientific genre. The logistics of implementing such an approach are discussed.
Decreased accessibility of platelet-bound fibrinogen to antibody and enzyme probes.

The binding of fibrinogen to platelets is a multiphasic process leading to apparently nonreversible associations between fibrinogen and stimulated platelets. To further investigate changes in platelet- fibrinogen interactions, the present study examined the accessibility of platelet-bound fibrinogen and its GPIIb-IIIa receptor to antibody and enzyme probes as a function of time after platelet stimulation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Whereas only minimal changes in fibrinogen and 10E5 binding were observed within 60 minutes after platelet stimulation and equilibrium fibrinogen binding, the binding of polyclonal antifibrinogen antibodies decreased significantly (75% +/- 13%, mean +/- SD, n = 9). Similar decreases were noted with rabbit antifibrinogen Fab and F(ab')2 fragments. In addition, plasmin (32 mU/mL) added to platelets five minutes compared with 60 minutes after equilibrium fibrinogen binding dissociated 52% +/- 12% compared with 33% +/- 7% of platelet-bound fibrinogen in five minutes, and 83% +/- 15% compared with 66% +/- 14% of bound fibrinogen in 15 minutes. No difference in plasmin cleavage products was observed, however, by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacryl-amide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Complete fibrinogen dissociation occurred 30 minutes after plasmin addition, confirming that fibrinogen was not internalized. In contrast, dissociation of platelet-bound fibrinogen by chymotrypsin was less affected by time after equilibrium fibrinogen binding, and minimal changes in antifibrinogen antibody recognition and plasmin-induced dissociation of fibrinogen bound to stimulated but glutaraldehyde-fixed platelets were observed. The data suggest that ADP-induced fibrinogen binding to fresh platelets is accompanied by progressive rearrangements of fibrinogen on the platelet surface.
Isokinetic Gradient Sedimentation of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the use of isokinetic gradient sedimentation (IGS) for the isolation of hematopoietic progenitor cells from normal rodent and human marrow. To study the role of the specific humoral and cellular interactions on the proliferation and differentiation of a particular progenitor cell population, it necessary to obtain the cells of interest free from the other types of hematopoietic cells contained within the marrow. The use of virus-transformed hematopoietic cell lines, which can be serially maintained in culture, is not a satisfactory substitute for freshly explanted normal cells because the extent to which the responses of such cell lines are physiological is undefined. A variety of techniques have been employed to isolate distinct populations of hematopoietic cells from the marrow for study. They include immune lysis of unwanted cells, continuous and discontinuous gradient centrifugation, flow cytometry immunological panning, centrifugal elutriation, and velocity sedimentation at unit gravity. IGS offers an alternative approach to the fractionation of marrow cells into distinct populations without some of the problems associated with velocity sedimentation at unit gravity.
The Representation of Production

“Tastes” and “technology” are the fundamentals upon which neoclassical general equilibrium models are built. While the representation of tastes is expressed through utility and demand functions, the underlying productive technology of the economy is represented by production functions that relate various quantities of various inputs to the output produced by firms. This approach requires a behavioral theory that describes the activity of firms as they carry out the processes of production. The behavioral theory is profit maximization, which parallels the utility maximization of consumers on the demand side of the economy. While some of the conceptual and mathematical difficulties that plague the representation of preferences are common to the treatment of production in the models, there are several important differences.
Teaching Clinical Decision Making and Cost-Effectiveness in Medical School: A Simulated Back Pain Case

To practice in the 21st Century, medical students must learn to practice evidence-based medicine in a cost-effective manner. As part of UCLA’s longitudinal Doctoring curriculum, medical students learn to practice evidence-based medicine in a cost-effective manner using a number of simulated cases. Medical students meet every two weeks throughout the academic year in small groups of 8 students with two faculty tutors. The small groups function like group practices in which they diagnose and treat standardized patients with common clinical diagnoses. For the low back pain case, students critically review the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) Clinical Practice Guidelines on Acute Low Back Problems and clinical trials from the primary literature. A 45 year-old male teacher (standardized patient) presents to the student group practice with acute low back pain. The faculty tutors help the students generate a focused history that has high positive and negative predictive value. Two students conduct a focused history and physical exam on the patient in front of the small group. When the patient requests a spine x-ray, the students explore ways to negotiate with patients to discourage unnecessary costly testing. Two weeks later, the patient wants to know if he should see a chiropractor or physical therapist. The students discuss the costs and benefits of these interventions with the patient. They apply rules of evidence-based medicine and learn to deal with uncertainty and the need to be cost-effective in how they order tests and prescribe treatments.
P161 The road less traveled: Calling a novel HLA-DPB1 allele against the ASHI proficiency testing consensus

We describe a novel HLA-DPB1 allele identified in an ASHI proficiency testing (PT) sample. We tested the sample by rSSO (One Lambda), SSP (One Lambda), Real Time-PCR (Linkage Biosciences), SBT (Conexio) and NGS (Immucor). Initial results by rSSO and SSP resulted in no assignment because probes and primers detected shared recognition sites between DPB1 ∗ 01:01 & 40:01 in exon 2 and a group of alleles including DPB1 ∗ 01:01 but not 40:01 in exon 3. Typing by Real Time-PCR & SBT resulted in DPB1 ∗ 01:01:01, 40:01 based on exon 2 sequences (Fig. 1-A). Mia Fora software auto-assigned DPB1 ∗ 01:01:01, 40:01 based on exon 2 as IMGT currently does not have reference sequences for DPB1 ∗ 40:01 beyond exon 2. However Mia Fora provides sequence data for exon 3 and most of exon 4 for DPB1 ∗ 40:01 (Fig. 1-B). The non-DPB1 ∗ 01:01:01 allele has 0 mismatches in exon 2 but 7 mismatches in exon 3 with DPB1 ∗ 40:01. We identified DPB1 ∗ 39:01 to have 0 mismatches in exon 3 and 1 mismatch in exon 2. This variant has a novel non-synonymous G > T substitution at the 2nd nucleotide of codon 84 (Gly > Val) in DPB1 ∗ 39:01 or a recombination between exon 2 of DPB1 ∗ 40:01 and exon 3 of DPB1 ∗ 39:01. DPB1 ∗ 39:01v also has a synonymous C > T substitution at the 3rd position of codon 3 in exon 1 (Data not shown). Exclusion of exon 3 probes in rSSO assigns DPB1 ∗ 01:01:01, 40:01 (Fig. 1-C). We designed hemizygous primers to sequence DPB1 ∗ 39:01v by Sanger’s SBT and results are concordant with NGS for both substitutions (Fig. 1-D). The sequence was submitted to Gene Bank (KX121039) and IMGT (HWS10026456). The haplotype carrying DPB1 ∗ 39:01v is predicted as A ∗ 30:01, C ∗ 04:01, B ∗ 53:01, DRB1 ∗ 03:02, DRB3 ∗ 02:02, DQA1 ∗ 04:01, DQB1 ∗ 04:02, DPA1 ∗ 02:01. With exception of our lab 56/57 labs participating in this PT who reported results for this allele made the assignment of DPB1 ∗ 01:01, 40:01 (98% consensus). Table 1 shows unsupervised assignments by different methods in our, number of adjustments needed to make different assignments & number of labs using various methods who participated in this HLA Class II PT. Download high-res image (470KB) Download full-size image
Diplomatic Asylum in Latin American Practice

A singular feature of most asylum cases in Latin America is the fact that the controversy seldom centers around the question whether or not the state of refuge, in granting protection to persons pursued for political offences, is exercising a right which the territorial state is legally bound to respect. This study has already indicated that, in a great many cases, political expediency and lack of concern on the part of the territorial state seem to be the primary considerations and there is no evidence that legal issues were ever discussed.
Material structure and size effects on the nonlinear dynamics of electrostatically-actuated nano-beams

Abstract An accurate nonlinear model for electrostatically actuated beams made of nanocrystalline materials is proposed accounting for the beam material structure and the beam size effects. Two sets of measures are incorporated in the context of the proposed model to account for the inherent properties (the material structure related properties) and the acquired properties (the size dependent properties) of the beam. The inherent properties of the beam are modeled via a micromechanical model while the acquired properties are modeled via a non-classical continuum beam theory. The micromechanical model for nanocrystalline materials is proposed where the necessary measures to account for the effects of the grain size, the voids percent and size, and the interface (grain boundary) are incorporated. All the measures presented in the micromechanical model are related to the material structure to correctly model the structure of nanocrystalline materials. According to the classical couple stress and Gurtin-Murdoch surface elasticity theories, a size-dependent Euler-Bernoulli beam model is developed to model the mechanics of electrostatically actuated nano-beams. For the first time, the impacts of the beam material structure along with the beam size on the nonlinear dynamics and pull-in instability behaviors of electrostatically actuated nano-beams are intensively studied. The performed analyses through the present effort reflect the great impacts of the beam material structure and the beam size on the static pull-in, the natural frequencies, the dynamic pull-in, and nonlinear dynamics of electrostatically actuated nano-beams.
Head Direction Cells: From Generation to Integration

To maintain spatial orientation and guide navigation, an animal must have knowledge of its location and displacement of distance and direction from that location. Cells within the hippocampal formation and connected structures are spatially correlated to location and direction. Specifically, head direction (HD) cells discharge as a function of the directional heading of an animal, independent of their location or behavior. HD cells are found in many brain regions, but the classic circuit involved in generating, updating, and controlling their responses originates in the dorsal tegmental nucleus and projects serially to the lateral mammillary nucleus, anterior thalamic nuclei, and post- and parasubiculum and terminates in the entorhinal cortex. The HD signal is generated by self-movement cues, with the vestibular system playing a critical role. However, HD cells become strongly controlled by environmental cues, particularly visual landmarks. HD cells provide a continuous signal that an animal will use to guide its behavior and maintain orientation. Information provided by HD cells may be critical for generating the grid cell, but not for the place cell signal. Collectively, information from HD, place, and grid cells provide a complete representation of the animal’s orientation in space.
Accounting and Control in the Persepolis Fortification Tablets

The bookkeeping records collected and retained by accountants of the Persian Empire centered at Persepolis from 509-494 B.C. are examined in this paper. A powerful bureaucracy exercised control over foodstuffs to supply an immense number of royal and state personnel and workers with their ration needs. A sophisticated accounting system facilitated this control, making visible not only the quantities of food assets distributed but also the locations and individuals responsible for these distributions.
The Pursuits of Ultimate Membrane Technology including Low Pressure Seawater Reverse Osmosis Membrane developed by “Mega-ton Water System” Project

Reverse osmosis (RO) technology has been widely applied to water treatment such as seawater desalination, and large RO plants are many in operation around the world. Moreover, much larger plants will be required to secure sufcient water resource in the near future because global water shortage and quality problems are still getting more serious. Mega-ton Water System project was carried out for sustainable management of water environment and for low-carbon path to develop advanced key technologies of water treatment. Lowpressure RO membrane for seawater desalination has been studied in the project as a part of the core technologies to realize mega plant that is capable of producing 1,000,000 m3 of freshwater per day. Fundamental and scientifc research for RO membranes based on fne structure analyses by means of transmission electron microscopy with a special technique was conducted, and practical tools for designing new innovative RO membrane were acquired by the structure analyses to quantify the physicochemical and chemical properties of RO membranes. As the result of studying on structural design of RO membrane, low pressure SWRO membrane was obtained to reduce energy consumption compared to conventional ones in the past of SWRO. The vision of the “Mega-ton Water System” is sustainable desalination and reclamation. The missions are: 1) energy reduction (20-30%), 2) water production cost reduction (50%), and 3) low environmental impact (fewer chemical operations). Water cycle in “Mega-ton Water System” is separated into two parts including i) Seawater RO (SWRO) system, and ii) Seawater RO system with PRO system. The main challenge of development goal is the construction of mega-ton-scale system for seawater desalination for half the current cost. Accordingly, we developed the world’s frst low-pressure, multi-stage, high yield RO system, using a low-pressure seawater desalination membrane, and as a result of incorporating into it the elemental technologies gained from research in subthemes, such as highly-efcient pressure energy recovery, low-cost and highly durable plastic piping, pretreatment without the use of chemicals.
"Growth and Decline of Community Based Organizations Before, During, and After the Great Recession"

Organizations are an essential element in the fabric of the urban community. The Great Recession (2008-09) impacted urban communities in the U.S. in many different ways. This paper focuses on the c...
Percutaneous epicardial pacing using a novel transverse sinus device

Background Transvenous lead implantation has multiple drawbacks and complications that can be overcome by epicardial lead placement. We aimed to design percutaneously implanted epicardial leads that are anchored through the transverse sinus (TS). Methods and results We designed a novel multielectrode pacing device with four bipole electrode pairs. The device is advanced through the TS, with both ends externalized out of the pericardium. We tested the prototype in one proof-of-concept and 5 additional acute canine experiments. The TS device recorded ventricular and atrial electrograms. The median amplitude of near-field ventricular electrograms was 3.3 mA (IQR 2.0-4.3) and of near-field atrial electrograms was 2.1 mA (IQR 1.3-2.2). The median ventricular threshold (N = 30) was 1.1 mA (IQR 0.7-3.1) at a median pulse width of 0.5 ms (IQR 0.5-0.5). The median atrial threshold (N = 10) was 2.4 mA (IQR 1.1-7.8) at a median pulse width of 0.5 ms (IQR 0.5-0.9). Right and left ventricular and atrial pacing morphologies were noted while pacing electrodes adjacent to these chambers. Simultaneous left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) pacing showed reduction in QRS duration from 116 ms (RV) and 105 ms (LV) to 91 ms. On necropsy, the device was located in the TS in all animals. There were TS abrasions in one animal, and no other acute complications. Conclusions This study highlights a novel approach to epicardial pacing harnessing the unique anatomy of the transverse sinus as an anchoring point. Placement of this novel transverse sinus device was safe and feasible, with acceptable atrial and ventricular thresholds.
Trust as a Computational Concept

Trust is a frequently used concept in many disciplines. In social sciences, the emphasis is on understanding how trust impacts the way people make decisions. The computing literature concentrates on the design of tools that can assist people in various tasks.
Activation of BMP Signaling by FKBP12 Ligands Synergizes with Inhibition of CXCR4 to Accelerate Wound Healing.

Summary The combination of AMD3100 and low-dose FK506 has been shown to accelerate wound healing in vivo. Although AMD3100 is known to work by releasing hematopoietic stem cells into circulation, the mechanism of FK506 in this setting has remained unknown. In this study, we investigated the activities of FK506 in human cells and a diabetic-rat wound model using a non-immunosuppressive FK506 analog named FKVP. While FKVP was incapable of inhibiting calcineurin, wound-healing enhancement with AMD3100 was unaffected. Further study showed that both FK506 and FKVP activate BMP signaling in multiple cell types through FKBP12 antagonism. Furthermore, selective inhibition of BMP signaling abolished stem cell recruitment and wound-healing enhancement by combination treatment. These results shed new light on the mechanism of action of FK506 in acceleration of wound healing, and raise the possibility that less toxic FKBP ligands such as FKVP can replace FK506 for the treatment of chronic wounds.
Explaining effort substitution in performance systems: the role of task demands and mission orientation

This article contributes to a theory of performance gaming, as it studies why public organizations engage in effort substitution (i.e. directing effort towards rewarded as opposed to unrewarded are...
Use of Compost as a Media Amendment for Containerized Production of Two Subtropical Perennials

Abstract Growth of Orthosiphon stamineus (cat whiskers) and Angelonia angustifolia Benth. (angelonia) was evaluated in media containing 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% compost (biosolids and yard trimmings ...
Implementing Service-learning to the Information Systems and Technology Management Program: A study of an Undergraduate Capstone Course

Service-learning has been identified as an extremely valuable educational tool and applied to different disciplines and areas, but literature review on service learning has indicated that service-learning is little used in Information Systems education. This paper presents our design and development of a service-learning capstone course for graduating college seniors enrolled in an Information Systems and Technology Management program. A conceptual model is proposed to guide the implementation of service-learning into such a course. Following this model, we discuss our experiences and reflections on designing the course and particularly, how to assess students’ performance.
Epidemiology, clinical presentation, and evaluation of upper-tract urothelial carcinoma

An overview of epidemiological pattern of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), including outcome of UTUC over past decades as well as factors responsible for observed epidemiological changes was performed. Gender and racial disparities influencing incidence of UTUC were reviewed. The incidence of multifocal urothelial carcinoma and relation of UTUC to urothelial carcinoma of bladder were examined.
Neonatal cerebral hemodynamics monitoring

Serious and/or continuous cerebral hemodynamics disorder is the main cause of neonatal brain injury.Monitoring its changes by using simple,accurate and effective techniques has guiding significances in maintaining the stability of neonatal cerebral hemodynamics.This paper aims to introduce several cerebral hemodynamic monitoring techniques,including color Doppler ultrasound,near infrared spectroscopy,noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging,and provide references to the clinical application in neonatal field. Key words: Hemodynamics; Newborn; Color Doppler ultrasound; Near infrared spectroscopy; oninvasive magnetic resonance imaging
Cholesterol deficiency carriers have lowered serum cholesterol and perform well at an elite cattle show

Abstract Cholesterol deficiency (CD) in Holstein cattle results from an insertion in the APOB gene, which traces to the bull Maughlin Storm and was spread to elite show cattle largely through his grandson Braedale Goldwyn. Calves that are homozygous for CD can neither transport dietary fat from the gut nor synthesize low-density lipoproteins, and they perish before 6 mo of age. The mutation may have a partially dominant effect, with lowered cholesterol in heterozygous animals. Our aims were to evaluate serum cholesterol in heterozygous animals, evaluate daily phenotypic records of lactating CD carriers, and determine whether CD carrier status is associated with show ring success. Blood was collected on a single date in May 2018 from 12 carriers and 14 controls and 1 yr later from 17 carriers (7 repeated for 2018) and 27 controls (6 repeated from 2018); animals ranged in age from 14 to 84 mo and varied in stage of lactation and pregnancy status. Serum samples were analyzed for cholesterol concentration (mg/dL) and results were analyzed using mixed models that included linear and quadratic effects of days in milk and days carried calf. Daily phenotypic records of milk yield, milking time, milk conductivity, activity, and body weight were compared between carriers and controls. Additionally, the CD carrier status of cows that were sired by known CD carriers and had available genotypes was recorded. Cows placing in the top 5 and top 10 of their classes at World Dairy Expo between the years of 2006 and 2019 were included in our analysis. Chi-squared tests for equal proportions were evaluated to determine whether the following were associated with CD status: placing in the top 10 with repeated placings from the same cow included, placing in the top 5 with repeated placings, top 10 cows considering individuals only once, and top 5 cows considering individuals only once. Control animals (noncarriers) had significantly higher serum cholesterol (116.21 ± 6.45 mg/dL) than CD carriers (90.15 ± 7.49 mg/dL). There was no difference between carriers and controls in milk yield, milk conductivity, or activity. However, CD carriers had shorter milking times and lower body weights than their herdmates. Further, there were more CD carriers in the top 5 and more carriers tended to place in the top 10 at World Dairy Expo when repeated placings were included. These data support observations that CD is partially dominant and indicate that CD carriers display other phenotypic differences from their herdmates that may give them a small advantage at elite cattle shows.
A Forensic Breakthrough: Proteomic Analysis of Human Hair for Individuation Evidence

Following a number of reports casting serious doubt on the validity of commonly used methods, the forensic sciences are in a state of crisis. Optical hair analysis for individuation has been shown to be particularly susceptible to erroneous findings. This error comes both in the form of incorrect identifications as well as examiners overstating the weight of optical hair analysis evidence. Absent DNA, there is currently no method available to forensic scientists to provide individuation evidence using a hair sample. Hair protein individuation (“HPI”) aims to fill in this crucial gap in the forensic sciences. HPI utilizes well-established scientific techniques including tandem mass spectrometry, which is already used heavily by forensic scientists for drug identification, to offer an objective, instrument-based analysis of the human hair proteome for individuation evidence. To date there is no legal scholarship concerning HPI, this article provides the first legal analysis of the admissibility of HPI. First, the article details the process of HPI, including literature review, and analyzes the technique for admissibility as evidence of individuation under the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Daubert standard. The article finds that HPI is built on a strong foundation of well-established scientific principles and therefore likely passes the requirement of foundational validity. Next, an examination of validity as applied finds that HPI is likely admissible under certain circumstances relating to the extent of the research conducted to date. Specifically, HPI in its current state may be admissible evidence if the examiner has cranial hair of European origin in sufficient quantity to perform the technique in duplicate. The article concludes with recommendations for future research and collaborations to expand the admissibility of HPI. HPI is a rapidly growing field of study and its admissibility is likely to expand with further research. Forensic hair analysis is undergoing a paradigm shift and HPI stands ready to replace outdated methods, judges and forensic scientists alike should stay informed of its progression.
Facilitated cascade testing (FaCT): a randomized controlled trial.

Background Identifying mutation-carrying relatives of patients with hereditary cancer syndromes via cascade testing is an underused first step in primary cancer prevention. A feasibility study of facilitated genetic testing of at-risk relatives of patients with a known pathogenic mutation demonstrated encouraging uptake of cascade testing. Primary objective Our primary objective is to compare the proportion of genetic testing of identified first-degree relatives of probands with a confirmed BRCA1/2 mutation randomized to a facilitated cascade testing strategy versus standard of care, proband-mediated, information sharing. Study hypothesis We hypothesize that facilitated cascade testing will drive significantly higher uptake of genetic testing than the standard of care. Trial design The FaCT (Facilitated Cascade Testing) trial is a prospective multi-institutional randomized study comparing the efficacy of a multicomponent facilitated cascade testing intervention with the standard of care. Patients with a known BRCA1/2 mutation (probands) cared for at participating sites will be randomized. Probands randomized to the standard of care group will be instructed to share a family letter with their first-degree relatives and encourage them to complete genetic testing. First-degree relatives of probands randomized to the intervention arm will receive engagement strategies with a patient navigator, an educational video, and accessible genetic testing services. Major inclusion/exclusion criteria Adult participants who are first-degree relatives of a patient with a BRCA1/2 mutation and have not had prior genetic testing will be included. Primary endpoint Analyses will assess the proportion of first-degree relatives identified by the proband who complete genetic testing by 6 months in the intervention arm versus the control arm. Sample size One hundred and fifty probands with a BRCA1/2 mutation will be randomized. Each proband is expected to provide an average of 3 relatives, for an expected 450 participants. Estimated dates for completing accrual and presenting results January 2024. Trial registration NCT04613440
The Myth of the DrinkerAS Bonus

Drinkers earn more than non-drinkers, even after controlling for human capital and local labor market conditions. Several mechanisms by which drinking could increase productivity have been proposed but are unconfirmed; the more obvious mechanisms predict the opposite, that drinking can impair productivity. In this paper we reproduce the positive association between drinking and earnings, using data for adults age 27-34 from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979). Since drinking is endogenous in this relationship, we then estimate a reduced-form equation, with alcohol prices (proxied by a new index of excise taxes) replacing the drinking variables. We find strong evidence that the prevalence of full-time work increases with alcohol prices %u2013 suggesting that a reduction in drinking increases the labor supply. We also demonstrate some evidence of a positive association between alcohol prices and the earnings of full-time workers. We conclude that most likely the positive association between drinking and earnings is the result of the fact that ethanol is a normal commodity, the consumption of which increases with income, rather than an elixer that enhances productivity.
Field-flow fractionation techniques for polymer characterization

Abstract Field-flow fractionation (FFF) is an increasingly important family of techniques for macromolecular separations spanning synthetic, biological, and natural polymers and intricate complexes. FFF's many advantageous characteristics originate from its open channel (no packing material) and the ability to relate retention time to physicochemical properties of the analyte using FFF theory. Normal mode separation of analytes up to ~ 1 μm in size in a single channel provides a wide applicable size range. When FFF is coupled with online concentration and light scattering detectors, detailed information about molecular weight, size, and conformation distributions may be obtained. Flow and thermal FFF are the two main techniques for polymer analyses and are the subjects of this chapter. Asymmetrical flow FFF separates by differences in diffusion coefficient while thermal FFF is sensitive to (co)polymer composition and polymer architecture. This chapter first introduces readers to FFF fundamentals and then gives detailed descriptions of flow and thermal FFF theory, experimentation, and applications.