cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurological and Neurobehavioral Disorders Associated with Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Humans.

The intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii is estimated to infect up to 30% of the world population, leading to lifelong chronic infection of the brain and muscle tissue. Although most latent T. gondii infections in humans have traditionally been considered asymptomatic, studies in rodents suggest phenotypic neurological changes are possible. Consequently, several studies have examined the link between T. gondii infection and diseases such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, depression, bipolar disorder, dysphoria, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To date, there is varying evidence of the relationship of T. gondii to these human neurological or neurobehavioral disorders. A thorough review of T. gondii literature was conducted to highlight and summarize current findings. We found that schizophrenia was most frequently linked to T. gondii infection, while sleep disruption showed no linkage to T. gondii infection, and other conditions having mixed support for a link to T. gondii. However, infection as a cause of human neurobehavioral disease has yet to be firmly established.
Incidence and Extent of Disease Progression on MRI Between Surgery and Initiation of Radiotherapy in Glioblastoma Patients.

Purpose/objective(s) For patients with glioblastoma (GBM), the post-operative MRI (MRI1) is routinely used for radiation treatment planning, with radiotherapy starting within approximately 6 weeks of surgery. Some patients may also undergo an additional MRI (MRI2) prior to starting radiotherapy due to new symptoms, as a part of radiation therapy planning, or as a requirement of clinical trial enrollment. We sought to retrospectively analyze the incidence and extent of disease progression on MRI between surgery and initiation of radiotherapy in GBM patients. Materials/methods From our institutional oncology database, we identified 137 patients with GBM diagnosed between 2018-2020. Of these patients, 56 had both an MRI1 and a pre-radiotherapy MRI2 available for assessment of disease progression. RANO criteria was utilized to identify patients with disease progression. The resection cavity and enhancing disease on the MRI1 and MRI2 were contoured to create post-operative and pre-radiotherapy GTV2 volumes in order to assess changes in volume between these two time points. Results Surgery consisted of a gross total resection in 38% (21/56) of patients and a subtotal resection in 62% (35/56) of patients. Median time between MRI1 and MRI2 was 26 days. Indications for MRI2 included new symptoms 11% (6/56), radiotherapy planning 27% (15/56), and clinical trial enrollment 62% (35/56). Disease progression was identified in 70% (39/56) of patients. Patients who had a subtotal resection were more likely to have disease progression (OR 5.3, P = 0.008) while age, performance status, time to MRI2, MGMT methylation status, IDH status, and EGFR amplification were not found to be associated with increased risk of disease progression. The mean and median volume of the MRI2 GTV2 that was not covered by the MRI1 GTV2 volume was 14cc3 (28% of the MRI2 GTV2 volume) and 7cc3 (26% of the MRI2 GTV2 volume), respectively. In 21% (8/39) of patients, disease progression would not have been encompassed by a 2cm expansion on the MRI1 GTV2 volume. Conclusion This study adds further evidence that a significant number of patients with glioblastoma have disease progression between surgery and initiation of radiotherapy. Additionally, this study provides evidence for the potential impact of using MRI2 for radiation treatment planning given the incidence of disease progression extending outside a standard 2cm CTV expansion. Using a pre-radiotherapy MRI2 for treatment planning may allow for improved coverage of gross disease within radiation treatment fields, particularly in patients who underwent a subtotal resection. Author disclosure R.D. Kraus: None. C.R. Weil: None. F. Su: None. L.M. Burt: ARRO executive committee. J. Mendez: None.
Potential Contribution of the Intestinal Microbiome to Phenethylamine-Induced Hyperthermia.

Phenethylamines (e.g., methamphetamine) are a common source of drug toxicity. Phenethylamine-induced hyperthermia (PIH) can activate a cascade of events that may result in rhabdomyolysis, coagulopathy, and even death. Here, we review recent evidence that suggests a potential link between the gut-brain axis and PIH. Within the preoptic area of the hypothalamus, phenethylamines lead to changes in catecholamine levels, that activate the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and increase the peripheral levels of norepinephrine (NE), resulting in: (1) the loss of heat dissipation through α1 adrenergic receptor (α1-AR)-mediated vasoconstriction, (2) heat generation through β-AR activation and subsequent free fatty acid (FFA) activation of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in brown and white adipose tissue, and (3) alteration of the gut microbiome and its link to the gut-brain axis. Recent studies have shown that phenethylamine derivatives can influence the composition of the gut microbiome and thus its metabolic potential. Phenethylamines increase the relative level of Proteuswhich has been linked to enhanced NE turnover. Bidirectional fecal microbial transplants (FMT) between PIH-tolerant and PIH-naive rats demonstrated that the transplantation of gut microbiome can confer phenotypic hyperthermic and tolerant responses to phenethylamines. These phenethylamine-mediated changes in the gut microbiome were also associated with epigenetic changes in the mediators of thermogenesis. Given the significant role that the microbiome has been shown to play in the maintenance of body temperature, we outline current studies demonstrating the effects of phenethylamines on the gut microbiome and how these microbiome changes may mechanistically contribute to alterations in body temperature.
Electron Density and Nitrogen Abundance From FIR Lines

In order to study the physical properties of nebulae and determine their elemental abundances, it is important to observe lines from many different ionic species. Such studies have been enhanced in recent years with the measurement of lines in the far-infrared (FIR). The [N iii]57μm line provides a way to assess the N++ abundance — which is not readily done from any other spectral region. Recent detection of the [Nii]122 and 205μm lines provides a new way to assess both the electron density in the N+ region and the total N abundance in an object. When there are few observations to warrant a detailed modeling approach, it may be necessary to use another approach which has been referred to as a semi-empirical method (hereafter SEM) (e.g. Aller 1984). We delineate a SEM scheme for doing this and apply it to observations for the H ii region G333.6–0.2.
XML Queries via SQL

As XML [12] becomes more popular, we expect XML documents to be stored in databases with different representations. So an important issue is to translate XML queries into the language of the database. XPath[13], the XML Path Language, is a standard for expressing navigation and selection in XML documents. Hence it can be used to specify certain kinds of XML queries. If XML documents are stored in a relational database, XPath queries have to be translated into SQL [11]. This paper proposes an algorithm to translate queries expressed in XPath to SQL statements. The algorithm uses information that specifies the mapping of XML documents to relational tables.
No evidence for sex biases in milk macronutrients, energy, or breastfeeding frequency in a sample of filipino mothers

Maternal reproductive investment includes both the energetic costs of gestation and lactation. For most humans the metabolic costs of lactation will exceed those of gestation. Mothers must balance reproductive investment in any single offspring against future reproductive potential. Among mammals broadly mothers may differentially invest in offspring based on sex and maternal condition provided such differences investment influence future offspring reproductive success. For humans there has been considerable debate if there are physiological differences in maternal investment by offspring sex. Two recent studies have suggested that milk composition differs by infant sex with male infants receiving milk containing higher fat and energy; prior human studies have not reported sex-based differences in milk composition. This study investigates offspring sex-based differences in milk macronutrients milk energy and nursing frequency (per 24 h) in a sample of 103 Filipino mothers nursing infants less than 18 months of age. We found no differences in milk composition by infant sex. There were no significant differences in milk composition of mothers nursing first-born versus later-born sons or daughters or between high- and low-income mothers nursing daughters or sons. Nursing frequency also showed no significant differences by offspring sex sex by birth order or sex by maternal economic status. In the Cebu sample there is no support for sex-based differences in reproductive investment during lactation as indexed by milk composition or nursing frequency. Further investigation in other populations is necessary to evaluate the potential for sex-based differences in milk composition among humans. Copyright (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
WHAT'S TO KNOW ABOUT HYPOTHETICAL BIAS IN STATED PREFERENCE VALUATION STUDIES?

Abstract Hypothetical bias arises in stated preference valuation studies when respondents report a willingness to pay (WTP) that exceeds what they actually pay using their own money in laboratory or field experiments. Although this bias is not found in all stated preference surveys, hypothetical WTP typically exceeds the actual value by a factor of two to three. Unfortunately, there is no widely accepted general theory of respondent behaviour that explains hypothetical bias. Therefore, two meta-analyses are reviewed to test current hypotheses regarding the causes of this overstatement of WTP and the associated recommendations to mitigate the bias. Suggestions for future research are made including the development of a general theory.
Clinical response of patients with gonococcal endocervicitis and endometritis-salpingitis-peritonitis to doxycycline

The clinical response to single-drug therapy with doxycycline was evaluated in 25 patients with gonococcal endoceruicitis and was correlated with the bacterial isolates present within the cul-de-sac. The 10 patients with gonococcal salpingitis salpingitis and the three patients with gonococcal peritonitis exhibited excellent clinical responses. When polymicrobial infection coexisted with gonococcal peritonitis or functioned without the concomitant presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a significantly altered therapeutic response was observed in four of the 12 patients. Four patients in this grouping exhibited either secondary temperature elevations or lack of a significant alteration of the white blood cell count, two features which were not characteristic of the patients with either gonococcal salpingitis or peritonitis. In the cases of polymicrobial peritonitis, there was a poor correlation between ensuing clinical response and in vitro resistance of one or more cul-de-sac isolated to doxycycline. The presence of a resistant organism did not preclude a good or satisfactory clinical response. The absence of a resistant organism correlated well with a good clinical response.
Nonlinear Features for SHM Applications

In structural health monitoring, it is often the case that the dynamics of the structure being monitored are appropriately described by a nonlinear model. The statistical properties of the structural response data are therefore different from those contained in a linear structure's response. Taking these properties into account when computing damage-sensitive features results in a more powerful approach to assessing damage presence, magnitude, location, and type over methods that rely on linear statistical properties. This article describes a variety of ways in which nonlinearity appears in structural dynamics and reviews a number of strategies for incorporating nonlinearity in the feature-extraction process. Keywords: structural health monitoring; nonlinearity; phase space; surrogates; higher-order spectra; harmonics
Regime Switches in Adverse Selection Problems within IPO Markets: Implications for Intertemporal Variations in the Determination of IPO Underpricing

I find regime switches in the severity of adverse selection problems induce systematic intertemporal variations in the determination of IPO underpricing such that while increases in IPO underpricing (initial returns to IPOs) are indicative of an increase in IPO risk during periods characterized by less severe adverse selection problems, increases that occur during periods characterized by relatively severe adverse selection problems result from the hedging objectives of the representative agent who can be characterized by risk aversion. These findings imply that while intertemporal increases in initial returns to IPOs always are evidence of an increase in market risk, they are not always evidence of an increase in IPO risk; that is, less risky IPOs can be conferred with higher underpricing during periods characterized by relatively severe adverse selection problems. Consistent with hedging objectives, I find the price of market volatility risk is negative only during regimes characterized by relatively severe adverse selection problems. I also find IPO volume is not sensitive to changes in market risk only during regimes characterized by relatively severe adverse selection problems.
Adolescent Substance Use & Psychopathology: Interactive Effects of Cortisol Reactivity and Emotion Regulation

How are emotional processes associated with the increased rates of substance use and psychological disorders commonly observed during adolescence? An index of emotion-related physiological arousal-cortisol reactivity-and subjective emotion regulation have both been independently linked to substance use and psychological difficulties among youth. The current study (N = 134 adolescents) sought to elucidate the interactive effects of cortisol reactivity following a stressful parent-child interaction task and self-reported emotion regulation ability on adolescents' substance use and externalizing and internalizing behavior problems. Results revealed that adolescents with low levels of cortisol reactivity and high emotion regulation difficulties were more likely to use substances, and also had the highest parent-reported symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder. With respect to internalizing symptoms, high emotion-related physiological reactivity coupled with high emotion regulation difficulties were associated with higher self-reported major depression symptoms among youth. Findings reveal that different profiles of HPA axis arousal and emotion regulation are associated with substance use and symptoms of psychopathology among adolescents.
Concurrent Materials and Manufacturing Process Selection in Design Function Deployment

This paper aims to enunciate a model for concurrent materials and associated manufacturing process selection within a comprehen sive design system called Design Function Deployment (DFD) The stages of the materials and manufacturing process functions deployment pro cess and how it interfaces with the DFD design model, is fully elucidated The interactions during the design process, between materials proper ties, manufacturing processes and form (shape, geometry and size) and how this impinges on the selection process is also discussed The paper concludes by discussing the software system architecture for the proposed materials and manufacturing process selection within DFD, and how it can be implemented
Special considerations in the therapy of diabetic hypertension.

Abstract Patients with diabetes mellitus have an increased prevalence of hypertension and associated cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary and cerebrovascular disease. The risk of an individual of developing CVD is much greater when both diseases coexist and is further magnified by their frequent association with dyslipidemia, coagulation, platelet, and endothelial abnormalities. Metabolic abnormalities frequently associated with hypertension are insulin resistance, enhanced coagulation, and decreased fibrinolytic activity. Drug treatment of hypertension in diabetic subjects is fraught with potential difficulties, including altered efficacy of medications, possible side effects, worsening of glycemic control, and impairment of lipid metabolism. Because hypertension is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in diabetes, it should be recognized and treated early and aggressively despite these difficulties. This article reviews the efficacy and side effects of the various classes of antihypertensive agents in patients with diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, Vol. 41, No. 6 (May/June), 1999: pp 461-470
1141 A NEW FORM OF X-LINKED GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASE

Seven members in 5 generations of a Midwestern family suffer with a form of glycogenosis involving liver and muscle. The illness is characterized during childhood by hepatomegaly, muscle weakness, delayed puberty and growth retardation. As adults, the disabilities decrease. Metabolic studies revealed elevation of serum uric acid in 2 subjects, but no disturbance in glucose homeostasis. One adult has clinical gout. In 7 liver biopsy specimens, an accumulation of PAS positive-diastase removable material was found. Biochemical analysis of liver specimens from 3 family members for glucose-6-phosphatase, debrancher enzyme, phosphorylase, phosphorylase kinase, glycogen synthetase and fructose-1, 6-diphosphatase, revealed no explanation for the glycogen accumulation. In all cases, glycogen structure was normal, and glycogen content increased (12-16% W/W). In 2, muscle glycogen was increased. In this family, only males were afflicted, and the trait was passed through females, suggesting an X-linked pattern of inheritance. The previously described X-linked glycogenosis was associated with phosphorylase kinase deficiency. Since this enzyme is present in this family, a new form of X-linked glycogen storage disease is suggested.
Numerical Simulations of Fe II Emission Spectra

This paper describes the techniques that we have used to incorporate a large-scale model of the Fe+ ion and resulting Fe II emission into CLOUDY, a spectral synthesis code designed to simulate conditions within a plasma and model the resulting spectrum. We describe the numerical methods we use to determine the level populations, mutual line overlap fluorescence, collisional effects, and the heating-cooling effects of the atom on its environment. As currently implemented, the atom includes the lowest 371 levels (up to 11.6 eV) and predicts intensities of 68,635 lines. We describe our data sources, which include the most recent transition probabilities and collision strengths. Although we use detailed fits to temperature-dependent collision strengths where possible, in many cases the uncertain approximation is the only source for collision data. The atom is designed to be readily expanded to include more levels and to incorporate more accurate sets of collision and radiative data as computers grow faster and the atomic databases expand. We present several test cases showing that the atom goes to LTE in the limits of high particle and radiation densities. We give an overview of general features of the Fe II spectra as their dependencies on the basic parameters of our models (density, flux, microturbulent velocity, the Fe abundance, and Lyα pumping). Finally, we discuss several applications to active galactic nuclei to illustrate the diagnostic power of the Fe II spectrum and make some predictions for UV observations.
Comparing Local Government Systems across Countries: Conceptual and Methodological Challenges to Building a Field of Comparative Local Government Studies

Despite increasing research on comparative local government, the resulting literature remains disappointing in that it is difficult to generalize across the range of diffuse studies. The main problem is the lack of a common framework to conduct such research and into which results can be placed and built upon. Partly, this is a consequence of insufficient attention to the requirements of building a classification system that can serve as a framework. In the spirit of contributing to the conceptual and methodological development of the literature on comparative local government, I set forth criteria for a classification system, review and assess the literature with respect to these criteria, and suggest a possible approach for building an empirically based classification system for local government that can serve as a common framework.
A Novel Approach for Targeting and Optimal Design of Efficient Seawater Reverse Osmosis Desalination Networks

Abstract Seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination processes are widely used. The optimal design of such systems resembles a network synthesis problem and has been addressed using superstructure optimization approaches. However, to date these approaches suffer from a limited ability to identify structurally distinct design alternatives, despite requiring significant computational times to determine globally optimal solutions, even for simple cases involving superstructures of only two membrane units. Moreover, existing approaches do not adequately take into consideration water quality information to keep the optimization problems solvable within reasonable times. However, SWRO design strongly depends upon the quality of the feed water and the product water specifications. This casts doubt about the relevance of the results obtained from current superstructure optimization approaches. This paper introduces a novel approach to optimal SWRO design that addresses the major shortcomings of previous approach...
Theoretical analysis of the piezoelectric effect in bone

Abstract A recent paper by Gundjian and Chen proposed that the piezoelectric behavior of bone could be mathematically formulated using a Standard Equivalent Single Crystal Structure derived from knowledge of the piezoelectric nature of collagen fibers and their spatial arrangement in skeletal tissue. This paper is an attempt to clarify and pursue that concept. Certain errors in the previous paper are corrected, producing new results which, if correct, have profound implications with regard to the form of bone's piezoelectric tensor. These results are compared with available experimental data and with an alternative theory by Korostoff. It is concluded that the two theories produce different yet similar results, and that inconsistencies in the experimental data currently preclude an evaluation of relative merits of the two theories.
Magnetic resonance measurements in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron spin resonance (ESR) are useful techniques for obtaining information about local structural order and defects in hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). In particular, NMR is a useful probe of the bonding of hydrogen to silicon and of the trapping of molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) in a-Si:H. ESR is a useful probe of localized electronic states, such as silicon dangling bond defects and optically excited electrons and holes trapped in the conduction and valence band tails, respectively. Recent NMR measurements have shown that H 2 exists in two environments, one clustered and one dilute. The fraction of H 2 , which is greater than previously thought, is approximately 10% of the total hydrogen concentration. ESR measurements of the growth and decay of silicon dangling bonds after optical excitation at low temperatures (one probe of the Staebler–Wronski effect) show that these defects are created at a slower rate and anneal at lower temperatures than those created at 300 K. Recent NMR measurements suggest the presence of a paired-hydrogen site, which may be the stabilizing center for the defects that control the Staebler–Wronski effect. ESR results show that the decay of optically excited, band-tail electrons and holes is a universal feature of amorphous semiconductors for which the electron–lattice interaction can be neglected. Although the research is less developed in microcrystalline silicon, NMR and ESR are proving to be useful probes of local order and defects in this material as well.
How non-uniform can a uniform sample be: a histogram approach

Let μn be the empirical probability measure associated with n i.i.d. random vectors each having a uniform distribution in the unit square S of the plane. After μn is known, take the worst partition of the square into k≦n rectangles R i, each with its short side at least δ times as long as the long side, and let Z= n∑|μn(R j)−μ(R j)|. We prove distribution inequalities for Z implying the right half of c p,δ(n,k)p/2 ≦ EZ p ≦ C p,δ(n,k p/2, p > 0. (The left half follows easily by considering non-random partitions.) Similar results are obtained in other dimensions, and for population distributions other than uniform, and our results are related to data based histogram density estimation.
Parallel resonant converter with LLC-type commutation

It is shown that by using a proper transformation of state variables, the third-order system of the parallel resonant converter (PRC) with LLC-type commutation can be analyzed by means of a two-dimensional state-plane diagram. A set of characteristic curves which can be used for the converter design is derived from the analysis. It is shown from these curves that the converter possesses more desirable features than the conventional PRC. >
Pollen-pistil interactions and interspecific-incompatibility among Panicum antidotale, P. coloratum, and P. deustum

Because previous attempts to produce interspecific hybrids between different Panicum species were unsuccessful, we undertook this study to investigate the impediments to hybridization. Accessions of P. antidotaleRetz. (blue panicgrass), P. coloratum L. (kleingrass), and P. deustumThunb. were self-pollinated and also crossed with one another. Following pollination, pollen germination and tube growth were studied in vivo by observing the pollinated pistils with fluorescence microscopy. Examination of the self-pollinated pistils revealed that pollen germination was approximately 90% for each species and germination occurred shortly after pollination. Pollen tubes grew to the micropyle within one hour after pollination in kleingrass and two hours in blue panicgrass and P. deustum. One P. deustum accession (PI 364953) was self-incompatible with pollen tube inhibition occurring in the style. In the cross-pollinations, the pollen also germinated shortly after pollination, and the overall germination ranged from 77 to 88% for the different crosses. In crosses between kleingrass and P. deustum, most pollen tube growth was arrested shortly after penetration of the stigma papilla, but a limited number of tubes grew to different locations within the stigma. Only four reached the upper part of the style. In crosses between blue panicgrass and P. deustum, the pollen tubes failed to grow beyond the stigma except in one cross where they grew into the upper half of the style. In the blue panicgrass x kleingrass crosses, the tubes grew into the style but were arrested before entering the ovary. In the reciprocal cross the tubes grew into the ovary, but the tubes became disoriented and grew in an apparently random manner, never penetrating the micropyle. Thus, cross-incompatibility systems are responsible for the failure to produce hybrids among these Panicum species.
Fertilization of partially jellied and jellyless oocytes of the frog Rana pipiens.

The oocyte of Rana pipiens is coated by three visible jelly layers designated V1, V2, and V3 from inner to outer. Oocytes with V1 were rarely fertilized, while oocytes with V1 and V2, V1 and V3, and V3 were fertilized. Oocytes with V1 and V3 lost their fertilizability more rapidly after being placed in 10% Ringer's than did oocytes with V1, V2, and V3. When jellied oocytes were dejellied with KCN, they were not fertilized on insemination. The addition of a water extract of jellied oocytes (egg-water) insured fertilization of dejellied oocytes. The finding that the factors necessary for fertilization are diffusible decreases the importance of locating them in a given jelly layer. The activity of the egg-water survived lyophilization and was heatlabile. Both a dialyzable and a non-dialyzable fraction were required to insure a high frequency of fertilization. Egg-water had to be present with the sperm and the oocytes in order for fertilization to occur. Sperm incubated in egg-water lost their fertilizing ability with time. Mature body cavity oocytes, which had not been coated with jelly by the oviduct, were fertilized at a low frequency under the same conditions that resulted in a high frequency of fertilization of dejellied oocytes. Similarly, dejellied oocytes of the toad Bufo americanus were fertilized in toad or frog egg-water, while body cavity toad oocytes were not fertilized.
Bean cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have similar high antioxidant capacity, in vitro inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase while diverse phenolic composition and concentration

Abstract Common beans are a good source of essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals; they also contain phenolic compounds and other phytochemicals. Phenolic compounds exhibit high antioxidant capacity that promotes health benefits by reducing oxidative stress. The objective was to compare the composition and quantity of anthocyanins and other non-colored phenolic compounds in fifteen improved bean cultivars from Mexico and Brazil and their relation to antioxidant capacity and enzymes related to type-2 diabetes. Samples were analyzed for total phenolic compounds (TP), flavonoids, antioxidant capacity (AC), tannins and total anthocyanins. Type and quantity were evaluated by HPLC-ESI-MS. Delphinidin glucoside (0.9–129.0 mg/100 g dry coat), petunidin glucoside (0.7–115.0 mg/100 g dry coat) and malvidin glucoside (0.14–52.0 mg/100 g dry coat). Anthocyanidins were positively correlated when quantified by HPLC and colorimetric analysis (R = 0.99). Cultivar Negro-Otomi presented the highest concentration of anthocyanins (250 mg/100 g dry coat). Seventeen non-colored phenolic compounds were identified among cultivars; catechin, myricetin 3-O-arabinoside, epicatechin, vanillic acid, syringic acid and o-coumaric acid, presented the highest concentrations among identified phenolic compounds. The AC of all fifteen bean cultivars did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) ranging from 185.2 (FM-67) to 233.9 (FM-199) mmol TE/g coat. Compounds in the coat extracts of pinto and black cultivars were the most efficient to inhibit α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Studied cultivars differed in composition and concentration of phenolics including anthocyanins; however, there was no effect on AC as measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity. Black beans contained delphinidin and ferulic acid, compounds commonly used as ingredients in functional foods due to their associated health benefits.
Wasserkraft — neuer Schwung durch neue Technologien

Das Produkt Wasserkraft ist klassisch und altbewahrt, neue Technologien ermoglichen jedoch in vielfaltiger Weise eine moderne Anpassung an die aktuellen Bedurfnisse der E-Wirtschaft.
Accelerator Driven Systems (ADSs) for nuclear transmutation

Abstract The paper summarizes the rationale and the objectives of Partitioning and Transmutation (P&T) research and technology development activities. It then provides overviews of both the various nuclear fuel cycle options and the transmutation technologies (with particular emphasis on ADS), as well as a brief worldwide summary of the main research and technology development efforts in the field of ADS.
Cellular Lipid Extraction for Targeted Stable Isotope Dilution Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis

The metabolism of fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid (AA) and linoleic acid (LA), results in the formation of oxidized bioactive lipids, including numerous stereoisomers1,2. These metabolites can be formed from free or esterified fatty acids. Many of these oxidized metabolites have biological activity and have been implicated in various diseases including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, asthma, and cancer3-7. Oxidized bioactive lipids can be formed enzymatically or by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Enzymes that metabolize fatty acids include cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LO), and cytochromes P450 (CYPs)1,8. Enzymatic metabolism results in enantioselective formation whereas ROS oxidation results in the racemic formation of products. While this protocol focuses primarily on the analysis of AA- and some LA-derived bioactive metabolites; it could be easily applied to metabolites of other fatty acids. Bioactive lipids are extracted from cell lysate or media using liquid-liquid (l-l) extraction. At the beginning of the l-l extraction process, stable isotope internal standards are added to account for errors during sample preparation. Stable isotope dilution (SID) also accounts for any differences, such as ion suppression, that metabolites may experience during the mass spectrometry (MS) analysis9. After the extraction, derivatization with an electron capture (EC) reagent, pentafluorylbenzyl bromide (PFB) is employed to increase detection sensitivity10,11. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) is used to increase the selectivity of the MS analysis. Before MS analysis, lipids are separated using chiral normal phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The HPLC conditions are optimized to separate the enantiomers and various stereoisomers of the monitored lipids12. This specific LC-MS method monitors prostaglandins (PGs), isoprostanes (isoPs), hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs), oxoeicosatetraenoic acids (oxoETEs) and oxooctadecadienoic acids (oxoODEs); however, the HPLC and MS parameters can be optimized to include any fatty acid metabolites13. Most of the currently available bioanalytical methods do not take into account the separate quantification of enantiomers. This is extremely important when trying to deduce whether or not the metabolites were formed enzymatically or by ROS. Additionally, the ratios of the enantiomers may provide evidence for a specific enzymatic pathway of formation. The use of SID allows for accurate quantification of metabolites and accounts for any sample loss during preparation as well as the differences experienced during ionization. Using the PFB electron capture reagent increases the sensitivity of detection by two orders of magnitude over conventional APCI methods. Overall, this method, SID-LC-EC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization APCI-MRM/MS, is one of the most sensitive, selective, and accurate methods of quantification for bioactive lipids.
Components of the dynamic response of mammalian muscle spindles that originate in the sensory terminals.

One component of the dynamic response of muscle spindles is characterized by a phase lead and frequency dependent sensitivity in response to sinusoidal stretches at frequencies around 1 Hz. Possible mechanisms producing this component, designated the “mid-frequency” dynamics, were investigated by testing the hypotheses that they arise from the mechanical behavior of the intrafusal muscle and alternatively from within the sensory terminals. Destruction of the myofibrillar structure of the intrafusal muscle fibers did not alter the mid-frequency dynamics, indicating that they do not arise from viscoelastic properties of the intrafusal muscle. An Arrhenius plot of the temperature dependence of the mid-frequency dynamics yielded an equivalent activation energy of 6.5 Kcal/M in the temperature range 23–42° C and a 3-fold higher activation energy at lower temperatures. These observations are consistent with a dynamic process associated with a membrane-bound bio-chemical process. The addition of Ca++ and Ca++-activated-K+ (K(Ca)) channel blockers (ZnCl2, Apamin and TEA) to the bathing solution altered the response dynamics by reducing the mid-frequency phase lead. The results suggest a negative feedback on the membrane potential generated by K++ efflux following a Ca++ influx that opens K(Ca) channels. A quantitative model fit to the experimental data yields a time constant of about 80 ms representing the limiting process associated with activation of the K(Ca) channels in this system. The results indicate that the mechanism underlying the mid-frequency dynamics includes at least two processes: one, not identified in this study, generates the phase lead and another, involving Ca++ and K(Ca) channels, provides a negative feedback that modifies the phase lead.
Effective methods of using CFRP bars in shear strengthening of concrete girders

This paper presents the results of an experimental study that investigated the shear strength contribution of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) bars attached with concrete beams using a near surface mounted (NSM) technique. In this research, four concrete beams were cast with regular steel reinforcement in flexure. The control beam had typical shear steel and the other three beams were strengthened in shear with CFRP bars. Strain gauges were attached with the shear reinforcement of all four beams at various shear critical locations. Strains during loading to failure of the beams were recorded using a data acquisition system. The performance of the NSM technique was found to be very effective with no occurrence of delamination, debonding or fracture of FRP. Effective strains in the NSM CFRP bars were determined through analyzing the collected strain data. A new formula to calculate the nominal shear strength provided by NSM CFRP bars has also been proposed.
Ground Consolidation with Liquid Nitrogen (LN2)

Abstract A brief introduction to the method is given and the technical details of practical interest, such as the nitrogen supply system, materials, equipment and safety precautions, are discussed. Laboratory tests were carried out to ascertain basic data. The test setup, test procedure and results are set forth. Information essential to the planning of nitrogen freeze operations has been obtained. The practical application of the method is illustrated by reference to several examples. Nitrogen freezing is gaining steadily in importance, thanks to a series of technical benefits allied to the need for cleaner and safer building methods. The specific nitrogen consumption is indicated and the question of efficiency is discussed.
New archaeogastropod limpets from hydrothermal vents: new family Peltospiridae, new superfamily Peltospiracea

Seven new species of limpets from hydrothermal vents are described in five new genera in the new family Peltospiridae (new superfamily Peltospiracea). Limpets in this family are known only from the hydrothermal vent community at two sites, near 21°N and 13°N, on the East Pacific Rise. New genera and species are: Peltospira, type species P. operculuta from both sites, and P. delicata from 13°N; Nodopelta, type species N. heminoda from both sites, and N. subnoda from 13°N; Rhynchopelta, type species R. concentrica from both sites; Echinopelta, type species E. fistulosa from 21°N; Hirtopelta, type specics H. hirta from 13°N. These limpets are associated with the Pompei worm Alvinella, except for Rhynchopelta, which is associated with the vestimentifcran worm Riftia.
Illness-related and treatment-related factors in psychological adjustment to breast cancer

Seventy-eight breast cancer outpatients were interviewed and their medical records were reviewed to document illness-related and treatment-related factors associated with psychosocial adjustment. Poor prognosis and more radical surgery both independently predicted poor psychological adjustment. The effect of type of surgery appeared to be mediated by the patient's sense of disfigurement and by changes in the sexual and affectional patterns in the marriage, rather than by prognosis or disability. Degree of dysfunction and whether or not the patient had radiation therapy or chemotherapy had no independent effects on psychological adjustment. Results point to the problematic psychosocial outcomes associated with mastectomy and, more generally, to the illness- and treatment-related factors that may place a breast cancer patient at risk for psychosocial adjustment problems.
Team strategies and tools to enhance performance and patient safety training: The effect of training on both nursing staff perceptions regarding physician behaviors and patient satisfaction scores in the ED

Introduction: Background: Program used to enhance teamwork and communication among health professionals to improve patient safety and employee satisfaction. Objective: We hypothesized that Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) training would improve communication between physicians and nurses and between physicians and their patients and family members, and that it would improve patient perceptions of emergency department teamwork. Methods: Design: Before and after prospective observational study. Setting: Tertiary Care Hospital Emergency Department. Participants/Subjects: Twelve core physicians and 43 nurses underwent two, 4-hour TeamSTEPPS training sessions in July 2011 and July 2012. The first session consisted of didactic instruction using the TeamSTEPPS material. The second session was comprised of simulations focusing on the content of the initial training course. Nurses were asked to rate individual physicians on five distinct aspects of communication, both before and after the training sessions. Statistical Methods: Survey results were compared using theWilcoxon signed rank test. Patient satisfaction survey questions regarding teamwork (4th Quarters 2010 and 2011) were analyzed using two-sample t-tests. Results: TeamSTEPPS improved nurse’s perception regarding physician communication with patients and their families (post: 4.28 ± 0.37 vs. pre: 4.16 ± 0.42, p = .0479), with a trend towards improvement in nurse’s perception of physician’s communication with nursing staff regarding changes in patient care plans (post: 3.94 ± 0.38 vs. pre: 3.81 ± 0.5, p = .0942). TeamSTEPPS was also associated with a significant improvement in patient’s rating of teamwork between doctors and nurses as “excellent” (post: 62.9% vs. pre: 48.3%, p = .0132). Conclusions: Team training with the TeamSTEPPS program improved selected aspects of nursing and patient perceptions of teamwork and communication between emergency department physicians and nurses.
General Solid-Phase Method for the Preparation of Mechanism-Based Cysteine Protease Inhibitors

The first general method has been developed for the expedient solid-phase synthesis of ketone-based cysteine protease inhibitors. The synthesis approach was designed to allow the introduction of diverse functionality at all variable sites about the ketone carbonyl using readily available precursors. The chloromethyl ketone scaffold 7 is attached to the solid support through the newly developed hydrazine linker 6. Successful nucleophilic displacement of the support-bound α-chloro hydrazones 8 with carboxylates, thiolates, and amines provides entry to the acyloxymethyl, mercaptomethyl, and amidomethyl ketone classes of cysteine protease inhibitors. Further transformations followed by cleavage from support provides the fully substituted ketone products in 40−100% overall yields after release from support. Significantly, racemization of the α-stereocenter does not occur during loading onto support, nucleophilic displacement, or cleavage from support.
The effects of pressure on the yields of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons produced during the supercritical pyrolysis of toluene

Abstract To understand better the reactions leading to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)—and ultimately carbonaceous solids—within the context of supercritical fuel pyrolysis, we have pyrolyzed the model fuel toluene (critical temperature, 319 °C; critical pressure, 41 atm) in an isothermal silica-lined stainless steel coil reactor at 535 °C, 140 s, and pressures of 20–100 atm. Analysis of the reaction products by gas chromatography and high-pressure liquid chromatography reveals that the yields of benzene and 27 individual PAH increase exponentially with pressure. For 26 of these 28 products, the experimentally measured yield/pressure data conform well to a first-order global kinetics model—permitting determination of the preexponential factor A and the activation volume ΔV≠, which appear in the pressure-dependent expression for the kinetic rate constant: k = A exp [(−ΔV≠/RT)p]. For most of the PAH, derived values of ΔV≠ lie between −2.5 and −4 L/mol, signifying the doubling of PAH formation rates by pressure increases of only 18.4 or 11.5 atm, respectively. Some of the larger PAH, such as the 8-ring benzo[a]coronene and the 9-ring naphtho[8,1,2-abc]coronene, exhibit negative activation volumes of even greater magnitude—a result of particular relevance to the formation of carbonaceous solids, as large PAH are thought to be precursors to these solids. The PAH yield data also reveal product yield ratios, within certain PAH isomer families, that are peculiar to the high-pressure supercritical pyrolysis environment—suggesting that mechanisms for PAH formation differ significantly from those in atmospheric-pressure gas-phase pyrolysis environments.
Continuous tuning of W-doped VO2 optical properties for terahertz analog applications

Vanadium dioxide (VO2), with its characteristic metal-insulator phase transition, is a prospective active candidate to realize tunable optical devices operating at terahertz (THz) frequencies. However, the abrupt phase transition restricts its practical use in analog-like continuous applications. Incorporation of tungsten is a feasible approach to alter the phase transition properties of thin VO2 films. We show that amplitude THz modulation depth of ∼65%, characteristic phase transition temperature of ∼40 °C, and tuning range larger than 35 °C can be achieved with W-doped VO2 films grown on sapphire substrates. W-doped VO2 films can also be used to suppress Fabry-Perot resonances at THz frequencies but at temperatures much lower than that observed for undoped VO2 films. The gradual phase transition temperature window allows for precise control of the W-doped VO2 optical properties for future analog based THz devices.
Compressive Surface Strengthening of Brittle Materials by a Residual Stress Distribution

A theoretical approach is presented for predicting the strengthening of brittle materials subjected to a residual stress distribution represented by a polynomial series. In the approach, the stress intensity factor for a surface crack is derived incorporating the effect of crack closure. The crack-closure distance is then calculated using an approximate approach which allows the strengthening due to the residual stresses to be estimated. Illustrating the approach using residual stresses typical of tempering, it was found the approach agreed well with previous work. The influence of partial crack closure was found to give higher values of the stress intensity factor than would be calculated if the crack were assumed to be open. This effect decreases the amount of strengthening predicted and gives a wide range of conditions for which subcritical crack-growth processes can occur. For the example of tempering it was also found that these are conditions when weakening or spontaneous failure of the body can occur.
Epidemiology of tetracycline-resistance determinants

Resistance to tetracycline is generally due either to energy-dependent efflux of tetracycline or to protection of the bacterial ribosomes from the action of tetracycline. The genes that encode this resistance are normally acquired via transferable plasmids and/or transposons. Tet determinants have been found in a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and have reduced the effectiveness of therapy with tetracycline.