cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dual Role of Water in the Process of Methyl Mercaptan Adsorption on Activated Carbons

Adsorption of methyl mercaptan in moist conditions was performed on numerous samples of activated carbons of various origins. To broaden the spectrum of surface pH, carbons were acidified, treated with bases, or modified with urea. Their structural parameters were determined using sorption of nitrogen. Methyl mercaptan adsorption was tested by a dynamic method. The amount of products of surface reaction was evaluated using thermal analysis. The results revealed that the main product of oxidation, dimethyl disulfide, is adsorbed in pores smaller than 50 A. There is apparent competition for adsorption sites between water (moist conditions) and dimethyl disulfide. The competition is won by the latter molecule due to its strong adsorption in the carbon pore system. Although dimethyl disulfide has to compete with water for the adsorption sites it cannot be formed in a significant quantity without water. Water facilitates dissociation of methyl mercaptan, provided that the pH of carbon is above the required thr...
Pulmonary hypertension in rheumatic diseases: epidemiology and pathogenesis

The focus of this review is to increase awareness of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in patients with rheumatic diseases. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of PAH in rheumatic diseases is reviewed, with recommendations for early screening and diagnosis and suggestion of possible role of immunosuppressive therapy in treatment for PAH in rheumatic diseases. A MEDLINE search for articles published between January 1970 and June 2012 was conducted using the following keywords: pulmonary hypertension, scleroderma, systemic sclerosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, connective tissues disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, vasculitis, sarcoidosis, inflammatory myopathies, dermatomyositis, ankylosing spondylitis, spondyloarthropathies, diagnosis and treatment. Pathogenesis and disease burden of PAH in rheumatic diseases was highlighted, with emphasis on early consideration and workup of PAH. Screening recommendations and treatment were touched upon. PAH is most commonly seen in systemic sclerosis and may be seen in isolation or in association with interstitial lung disease. Several pathophysiologic processes have been identified including an obliterative vasculopathy, veno-occlusive disease, formation of microthrombi and pulmonary fibrosis. PAH in systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with higher prevalence of antiphospholipid and anticardiolipin antibodies and the presence of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Endothelial proliferation with vascular remodeling, abnormal coagulation with thrombus formation and immune-mediated vasculopathy are the postulated mechanisms. Improvement with immunosuppressive medications has been reported. Pulmonary fibrosis, extrinsic compression of pulmonary arteries and granulomatous vasculitis have been reported in patients with sarcoidosis. Intimal and medial hyperplasia with luminal narrowing has been observed in Sjogren’s syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease and inflammatory myopathies. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with rheumatic diseases carries a particularly grim prognosis with faster progression of disease and poor response to therapy. Though largely associated with systemic sclerosis, it is being increasingly recognized in other rheumatic diseases. An underlying inflammatory component may explain the poor response to therapy in patients with rheumatic diseases and is a rationale for consideration of immunosuppressive therapy in conjunction with vasodilator therapy in treatment for PAH. Further studies identifying pathogenetic pathways and possible targets of therapy, especially the role of immunomodulatory medications, are warranted.
Types and Patterns of Professional-Family Talk in Home-Based Early Intervention

This study examined the process of communication within the professional-family relationship by identifying and describing the types and patterns of talk during interactions between 15 families of ...
DETECTING COHERENT ENERGY

We apply the mathematics of cognitive radio to a single receiver to obtain a new coherent energy metric. This allows us to derive the time correlation law separating Gaussian colored noise from coherent signal energy.
Multistatic lidar measurements of non-spherical aerosols

Lidar is a powerful tool for measuring the vertical profiles of aerosols in the atmosphere using Rayleigh and Raman lidar techniques. Bistatic lidar can be used to obtain the angular structure of the scattered light. When the aerosols are uniformly distributed, this information can be analyzed to provide particle size distribution information. However, dusts tend to be irregularly shaped particles with varied composition. We investigate the impact of the irregular shape using optical scattering at several wavelengths, scanning electron microscopy, and T-matrix calculations. In particular, we study the rapid loss of Mie scattering resonances as the particle shape departs from spherical. Different size distributions produced by different size-cuts of Arizona Road Dust (ARD) are studied.
CARBON‐CARBON BOND FORMATION VIA TRANSITION METALS, ADDITION‐ELIMINATION OF ARYL AND ALKENYL HALIDES TO METHYLTRIS(TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE)RHODIUM

A′ Methyl-tris-triphenylphosphin-rhodium (I) liefert mit Phenyljodid (II) uber ein Einschiebungsprodukt (III) unter Ubertragung der Methylgruppe Toluol (IV) neben dem Rhodium-Komplex (V).
Lake level observations to detect crustal tilt: San Andreas Lake, California, 1979-1989

A pair precision lake level gauging stations, installed in 1978, have been monitoring differential crustal uplift (crustal tilt) at San Andreas lake, California, near the suspected epicenter on the San Andreas fault of the M = 8.3, 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The stations are installed in the lake with a 4.2 km station separation parallel to the San Andreas fault. The gauging stations use quartz pressure transducers that are capable of detecting intermediate to long-term vertical displacements greater than 0.4 mm relative to a fluid surface. Differencing data from the two sites reduces the noise contributed by atmospheric pressure, temperature, and density changes, and isolates the relative elevation changes between the ends of the lake. At periods less than 20 minutes, the differenced data are dominated by lake seiches which have a fundamental mode at a period of 13 {plus minus} 0.3 minutes. These seiche harmonics can be filtered or predicted and removed from the data. Wind shear, typically lasting several days, can generate apparent short term tilt of the lake and large seiche amplitudes. The tilt noise power spectrum obtained from these data decreases by about 15 dB/decade of frequency. Monthly averages of the data between 1979-1989 indicate amore » tilt rate of 0.02 {plus minus} 0.08 microradians/yr (down S34{degree}E). No measurable horizontal tilt has apparently occurred in this region of the San Andreas fault during the last decade, however, measurements of trilateration networks show this region to be undergoing a horizontal strain of 0.6 {plus minus} 0.2 {mu}strain/yr.« less
Differentiating Possible Surface Properties in an Unsymmetrical Crystal by Contact Angle Measurements

4,4‘-Dibromodiphenylacetylene (2) and 4-bromodiphenylacetylene (3) were synthesized via a Sonogashira coupling procedure, and the crystal structures were obtained. Both structures pack in a nearly identical structure due to the influence of bromine−bromine interactions across the interlayer packing region. This directing influence results in the unsymmetrical compound 3 with a bromine−bromine interface at every alternate layer. To determine the macroscopic properties of the crystal faces for compound 3, water contact angles were obtained and compared among a homologous crystal packing series.
The Application of Scientific Methodology to a Contemporary Sports Journal

Often neglected as a foundation for scientific inquiry are contemporary sports journals and the articles contained within them. It is common to encounter authoritative assertions by various authors that are in truth ordinary suppositions infrequently based on tenable scientific data. This article outlines a model for transforming an ordinary “factual” statement, taken from a recent sporting journal, into an educational experience that includes experimental design, supporting documentation, methods of experimental verification, and the scientific method as a whole.
Investigation of spore surface antigens in the genus Bacillus by the use of polyclonal antibodies in immunofluorescence tests.

Fluorescein-conjugated rabbit antibodies to formalized spores of Bacillus anthracis were tested against strains of B. anthracis and other Bacillus species in a subjective immunofluorescence test. The lack of reaction of B. anthracis Vollum spores with conjugated antibody raised against B. anthracis Sterne spores indicated that spores of the Vollum strain lacked a major surface antigen present in most of the other anthrax strains tested, including the non-encapsulated strains Sterne and the Soviet ST1, variants cured of the pX01 plasmid that codes for the toxin, and several virulent strains. Four other antibody preparations, raised against B, anthracis Vollum, New Hampshire, Ames and Strain 15, reacted to an approximately similar degree with spores of all four strains and of Sterne, indicating that Vollum has at least one spore antigen in common with these other strains. The anti-Sterne and anti-Vollum conjugates both displayed cross-reactions with spores of strains of B. cereus, B. coagulans, B. subtilis, B. megaterium, B. polymyxa, B. pumilus and B. thuringiensis. Absorption of the anti-anthrax conjugates with B. cereus NCTC 8035 and NCTC 10320 removed all these cross-reactions, demonstrating the existence of spore antigens specific for anthrax.
Effect of leukotriene inhibitor on salicylate induced morphologic changes of isolated cochlear outer hair cells.

Our previous studies have shown that salicylate ototoxicity is associated with decreased levels of prostaglandins (PGs) and increased levels of leukotrienes (LTs) in the perilymph. Other studies have demonstrated that salicylate ototoxicity is associated with decreased cochlear blood flow, reversible changes in isolated cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs), and decreased otoacoustic emission. We have shown that pretreatment with an LT inhibitor prevents salicylate induced hearing loss, a decrease in cochlear blood flow and changes in otoacoustic emissions. The objectives of the current study were to determine the effect of exposure of salicylate and LTs on the morphology of isolated OHSc and to determine the effect of LT inhibitors on salicylate induced morphologic changes of isolated OHCs. Isolated OHCs from chinchilla cochlea were exposed to different test solutions. The groups included sodium salicylate (10 mM) with or without pretreatment with an LT inhibitor (L-663,536, 30 μM), 0.1 or 1.0 μM solution of ...
Contrast of Repair Capabilities Between Laser Metal Deposition and TIG Welding on Ti-6Al-4V

Ti-6Al-4V is a popular aerospace alloy employed in various aerospace structures and their critical components. Irrespective of cause, a defect of few cubic millimeters in volume could declare the disposal of a component making it a costly affair. In the current effort, a hybrid approach of additive and subtractive processes was adopted to repair material removal and plastic deformation defects. Laser metal deposition and welding were the additive processes chosen for repair of the defects, and mini-tensile testing was employed as the characterization technique. A two-way statistical analysis was performed on the outputs obtained from the testing to establish the superiority in repair capability for each of the additive processes. The avg. yield strength obtained from laser repaired samples was found to be around 25% more than weld repaired specimens and avg. grain size for the laser repaired specimens was found to be approximately 1/3rd the size from weld repair.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Ad-induced affect: The effects of forewarning, affect intensity, and prior brand attitude

Emotion in marketing communication is important because it influences the manner consumers process information. Using emotional appeal ads, a between-subjects experiment was conducted to examine the role of forewarning of persuasive intent, affect intensity, and prior attitude. Results indicate that forewarning of persuasive intent of the advertiser had negative attitudinal effects on the dependent variables regardless of experimental conditions. Forewarning of persuasive intent had negative attitudinal effects even among participants who had positive attitudes toward the company, and those who had high affect intensity. Results also indicate that participants who already had negative attitudes toward the brand were not influenced by ad-induced affect.
An energy approach to the link-up of multiple cracks in thin aluminum alloy sheets

Abstract An energy approach has been used in the study of the coalescence or linkage of multiple cracks in aluminum alloy sheets. The study was motivated by concern for the structural integrity of aging aircraft. Forty reported tests for 2024-T3 aluminum panels with a major crack and several multiple-site damage (MSD) cracks have been analyzed via a simple computational model with a Dugdale–Barenblatt [D.S. Dugdale, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 8 (1960) 100–104; G.I. Barenblatt, in: H.L. Dryden, Th. VonKarman (Eds.), Advances in Applied Mechanics, vol. II, 1962, pp. 55–130] type of plastic or inelastic deformation. For simplicity, the computational model considers only the plastic interaction between the major crack and two symmetrically adjacent MSD cracks in an infinite sheet under remote tensile stress. By following the approach given in [B. Cotterell, J. K. Reddel, Int. J. Fract. 13 (1977) 267–277], the specific work to cause ligament failure is found to be a linear function of the normal extent of the confined plastic region for most tests considered. A few exceptions to this linear relation are attributed to the limitation of the employed computational model. A new criterion and an engineering method to predict crack link-up in an MSD sheet are proposed based on this specific work concept, and they have been demonstrated through application to stiffened panels.
Performance Characteristics of a 425-MHz RFQ Linac

A radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) focused proton linac has been developed and successfully tested at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) for the purpose of evaluating its performance and applicability as a low-beta accelerator. The geometry of the structure was designed to accept a 100-keV beam, focus, bunch, and accelerate it to 640 keV in 1.1 m with a high-capture efficiency and minimum emittance growth. The accelerator test facility includes an injector, low-energy transport section for transverse matching, and a high-energy transport section for analysis of the beam properties. The accelerator cavity is exited through a manifold powered by a 425-MHz klystron. Diagnostic instrumentation was prepared to facilitate operation of the accelerator and to analyze its performance. Measurements of the beam properties are presented and compared with the expected properties resulting from numerical calculations of the beam dynamics.
Ownership and Management of the Firm-Another Look

This financial, economic, and organizational behavior literatures have been reviewed in order to evaluate three competing theories regarding ownership and management of the firm: 1) firms are not affected in terms of performance and policy by control status; 2) owner-controlled firms attempt to provide larger dividend payouts; and 3) owner-controlled firms tend to have smaller dividend payouts. No generalizations regarding either the superiority or the equality of employee-owned firms to professionally-managed firms can be drawn.
Pharmacokinetic modeling of motexafin gadolinium disposition in mouse tissues using optical pharmacokinetic system measurements

Summary Clinical use of radio- or photo-sensitizing agents in anti-cancer treatments may be limited by patient specific variability in the pharmacokinetics (PK) of the sensitizing compound. Previously, our group reported motexafin gadolinium (MGd) concentrations in mouse tissues measured noninvasively by the optical pharmacokinetic system (OPS) in vivo, nondestructively by OPS in situ, and destructively by HPLC ex vivo. This study utilized those reported data to develop compartmental PK models of MGd disposition in plasma, tumor, and skin. The model predicted both the rapid initial distribution and slow elimination phases of MGd in plasma, the fast transport of MGd out of the skin (with no MGd detectable after 120 min), and MGd retention at long times in the tumor (with detectable MGd at 24 h). The same compartmental structure was used to model MGd concentrations vs. time as measured by OPS in situ and HPLC ex vivo. In vivo tumor MGd concentrations measured using OPS were estimated by a linear combination of the model predicted PK profiles in plasma and tumor tissue, which suggests that tissue-specific PK knowledge may be needed in order to interpret volume-averaged optical measurements in vivo. The PK modeling techniques presented here are extensible to other optically active compounds and, potentially, to the development of patient-specific treatment schedules.
Complete nucleotide sequences of the coat protein messenger RNAs of brome mosaic virus and cowpea chlorotic mottle virus

Abstract The nucleotide sequences of the subgenomic coat protein messengers (RNA4's) of two related bromoviruses, brome mosaic virus (BMV) and cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV), have been determined by direct RNA and CDNA sequencing without cloning. BMV RNA4 is 876 b long including a 5' noncoding region of nine nucleotides and a 3' noncoding region of 300 nucleotides. CCMV RNA 4 is 824 b long, including a 5' noncoding region of 10 nucleotides and a 3' noncoding region of 244 nucleotides. The encoded coat proteins are similar in length (188 amino acids for BMV and 189 amino acids for CCMV) and display about 70% homology in their amino acid sequences. Length difference between the two RNAs is due mostly to a single deletion, in CCMV with respect to BMV, of about 57 b immediately following the coding region. Allowing for this deletion the RNAs are indicate that mutations leading to divergence were constrained in the coding region primarily by the requirement of maintaining a favorable coat protein structure and in the 3' noncoding region primarily by the requirement of maintaining a favorable RNA spatial configuration.
Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma With Nephrectomy, Interleukin-2 and Cytokine-Primed or CD8(+) Selected Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes from Primary Tumor

AbstractPurpose: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma is a disease with a mean survival of 6 to 10 months. Interleukin-2 (IL-2), the only approved therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma, is associated with a 14% response rate and durable remissions in some patients with high performance status. We performed a series of trials of IL-2 plus tumor infiltrating lymphocyte cell therapy and report the clinical results from 62 patients enrolled in these trials.Materials and Methods: Patients were eligible if they had metastatic renal cell carcinoma with the primary tumor in place and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Patients were treated with cytokines before nephrectomy and preparation of cytokine primed tumor infiltrating lymphocytes or CD8(-) tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were isolated for infusion into patients. Of 62 patients enrolled 55 were treated with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes and IL-2, and were evaluable for toxicity, response and survival.Results: There were no...
Can urethral mobility be assessed using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system? An analysis of the correlation between point Aa and Q-tip angle in varying stages of prolapse.

Abstract Objectives To determine whether the Pelvic Organ Prolapse-Quantification (POP-Q) system can be used as a replacement for Q-tip testing to assess urethral mobility in women. Methods We performed a retrospective review of a clinical database of 1490 patients presenting to a urogynecology clinic. The evaluation included both Q-tip straining angle and POP-Q examination. Urethral hypermobility was defined by the Q-tip test as a straining angle of 30° or greater relative to the horizontal. The correlation between point Aa of the POP-Q system and the maximal Q-tip straining angle was determined using the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results The mean age of the 1490 patients was 59.5 ± 13.1 years; the median parity was 2. A total of 62 patients (4.2%) reported prior surgery for incontinence or prolapse. The mean Q-tip straining angle was 44.7° ± 21.8°. The point Aa values were +3 to −3 cm (median −2). The correlation coefficient between the Q-tip straining angle and point Aa was 0.54 (P Conclusions The correlation between point Aa of the POP-Q and the Q-tip straining angle was moderately strong when analyzed across all degrees of prolapse. However, urethral hypermobility could not be reliably predicted from POP-Q measurement alone. Therefore, the Q-tip test remains an essential part of the urogynecologic evaluation.
Intestinal and hepatic microsomal metabolism of testosterone and progesterone by a 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase to the 3α-hydroxy derivatives in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Intestinal or hepatic microsomes from channel catfish converted [4-14C]-testosterone to three major metabolites: 6 beta-hydroxytestosterone, androstenedione and a third metabolite. Formation of the unknown metabolite required NADPH as cofactor. When incubated with 200 microM testosterone, the rate of formation of the unknown metabolite was 265+/-158 pmol/(min mg) protein (mean+/-S.D.) in microsomes from the proximal intestine, 515+/-93 pmol/(min mg) protein in distal intestine and 226+/-42 pmol/(min mg) protein in hepatic microsomes. Comparison of the chromatographic and spectral properties of the unknown metabolite with those of authentic testosterone derivatives showed that this metabolite corresponded to 4-androstene-3 alpha,17 beta-diol. No 3 alpha-reduced metabolite was formed in incubations of testosterone with catfish intestinal cytosol. Testosterone was reduced to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone primarily in the cytosolic fraction and not in microsomes. Incubation of progesterone with intestinal microsomes resulted in the formation of a metabolite with properties similar to that of the 3 alpha-reduced testosterone, and this metabolite was identified by co-chromatography with authentic standard as 3 alpha-reduced progesterone. Thus, 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is an important pathway in intestinal microsomes of the channel catfish.
Electron-tunneling search for bound states in superconducting manganese-doped aluminum

It has been predicted that the virtual bound states localized at Mn atoms in bulk samples of Al-Mn alloys in the normal state will yield an observable band of bound states below the gap edge of the alloy when it is cooled and becomes superconducting. We present reasons why we believe that such bound states would be too broad to be seen in such samples but might be present in quench-condensed films. We have used electron-tunneling measurements to look for these bound states in superconducting, quench-condensed, Al-Mn alloy films, but have not found them. We believe our results indicate that the manganese atoms are nonmagnetic and that any bound states that exist must be too broad to be seen in this tunneling experiment.
Toward a Reflexive Positive Psychology Insights from the Chinese Buddhist Notion of Emptiness

This paper claims that the missing value dimension in positive psychology's model of the good life is attributable to its focus on the unreflective first-order desires, as exemplified by hope theory, and its misguided claim of scientific neutrality that renders invisible the moral maps of human experiences. It is argued that the solution of the problem lies in self-reflexivity, which is an extra mental space needed for the drawing and redrawing of moral maps. Exposition of self-reflexivity shows how a self-to-self transaction adds a so far neglected intrapersonal dimension to cross-cultural analysis, and how moral maps are rendered visible and transformative in second-order desires, as exemplified by the Chinese Buddhist notions of savoring and `emptiness.'
Surface characterization of electrochemically oxidized carbon fibers

High strength PAN-based carbon fibers were continuously electrochemically oxidized by applying current to the fibers serving as an anode in 1% wt aqueous KNO3. Progressive fiber weight loss occurred with increasing extents of electrochemical oxidation. XPS studies (C 1s and O 1s) indicated that the oxygen/carbon atomic ratio rose rapidly to 0.24 as the extent of electrochemical oxidation was increased from 0 to 133 C/g and then remained almost constant as the extent of electrochemical oxidation rose to 10 600 C/g. Fitting the C 1s spectra demonstrated that the rise in surface oxygenated functional groups was mainly due to an increase in carboxyl (COOH) or ester (COOR) groups. An increase in the intensity of the O 1s peak (534.6–535.4 eV) after electrochemical oxidation corresponded to chemisorbed oxygen and/or adsorbed water. Electrochemical oxidation increased surface activity by generating more surface area via the formation of ultramicropores, and by introducing polar oxygen-containing groups over this extended porous surface. FT-IR spectra showed a broad peak at about 1727 cm−1 from C=O stretching vibrations of carboxyl and/or ketone groups, the relative intensity of which increased significantly with the extent of electrochemical oxidation. Post-oxidation heat-treatments in flowing nitrogen at 550°C for 30 min. caused further weight losses due to decarboxylation of carboxyl groups and other reactions in which oxygenated functions decomposed. These weight losses increased with the extent of electrochemical oxidation. This demonstrated that more oxygenated groups formed on the internal pore surfaces as pores increasingly penetrated deeper into the fibers with increased electrochemical treatment. Weight loss depended on the heat treatment temperature since different types of carbon–oxygen surface groups were formed during the electrochemical oxidations. Different functions have different abilities to decarboxylate or decarbonylate. The amount of Ag+ and NaOH uptake by electrochemically oxidized fibers rapidly decreased as the temperature of the post heat treatment increased to 550°C. Beyond 550°C the progressive decrease in Ag+ adsorption and NaOH uptake continued at a slower rate and approached 0 μmol/g after heating to 850°C. Conversely, after heat treatment I2 adsorption showed a marked increase as the treatment temperature was raised. Thermal decomposition of carbon–oxygen complexes within the pore structure leads to a lower hydrophilicity of the pore surface. The extensive micropore surface area generated by electrochemical oxidation becomes more accessible to I2 as CO2 and CO evolve. Very narrow pores (<10 A diameter) blocked by hydrogen bonding and oxygenated functions become more open. XPS analyses illustrated that the surface oxygen content decreased significantly after heat-treating to 550 or 850°C and was lowest after the 850°C treatment.
Albumin Catabolism in Diabetic Rats

Abstract The kinetics of albumin catabolism were studied in normal rats and rats with streptozotocin induced diabetes (blood glucose > 500 mg%). Whether determined from the clearance of 125 I-albumin from plasma or from the whole body, after 10 days of severe, uncontrolled diabetes there was a 30–35% decrease in the catabolic rate for albumin in the diabetic rats compared to normals. There was also about a 35% contraction of the relative extravascular distribution volume for albumin in the diabetic rats, and about a 25% decrease in the total body mass of albumin. However, the concentration of albumin in the circulation was the same in normal and diabetic animals. We conclude that when the rate of albumin synthesis is substantially depressed in diabetes, the rat maintains normal plasma albumin concentration both by decreasing albumin's fractional catabolic rate and by shifting albumin from the extravascular to the vascular compartment.
On the determining role of network structure titania in silicone against bacterial colonization: Mechanism and disruption of biofilm

Abstract Silicone-based biomedical devices are prone to microbial adhesion, which is the primary cause of concern in the functioning of the artificial device. Silicone exhibiting long-term and effective antibacterial ability is highly desirable to prevent implant related infections. In this regard, nanophase titania was incorporated in silicone as an integral part of the silicone network structure through cross-link mechanism, with the objective to reduce bacterial adhesion to a minimum. The bacterial adhesion was studied using crystal violet assay, while the mechanism of inhibition of biofilm formation was studied via electron microscopy. The incorporation of nanophase titania in silicone dramatically reduced the viability of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and the capability to adhere on the surface of hybrid silicone by ~ 93% in relation to stand alone silicone. The conclusion of dramatic reduction in the viability of S. aureus is corroborated by different experimental approaches including biofilm inhibition assay, zone of inhibition, and through a novel experiment that involved incubation of biofilm with titania nanoparticles. It is proposed that the mechanism of disruption of bacterial film in the presence of titania involves puncturing of the bacterial cell membrane.
Improving the performance of P3HT/PCBM solar cells with squaraine dye

Expanding the spectral absorption breadth and efficiently harvesting excitons are crucial towards creating highly efficient polymer solar cells. Here we describe a strategy to realize broad-band light harvesting in poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT)-based solar cells. We introduce the use of squaraine dye molecules that play a dual role towards improving P3HT-based solar cells. The first benefit is an increase in the spectral absorption in the near infrared region. The second advantage is the collection of excitons close to the interfacial heterojunctions via Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). Unlike traditional multi-blend systems, where each donor works independently in separate spectral responses, FRET-based systems enable the effective use of multiple donors with significant improvements in light absorption and conversion. Ultrafast transient absorption experiments show that the excitation energy from P3HT can be transferred rapidly (within a few picoseconds) and efficiently (up to 96%) to the squaraine via FRET. As a result, the overall power conversion efficiency is improved. This architecture opens up a new paradigm towards transformative improvements of polymer solar cells.
Forskolin attenuates the evoked release of [3H]GABA from striatal neurons in primary culture

Abstract The actions of the diterpene forskolin, and cyclic AMP analogues, on the evoked release of [3H]GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) was examined in intact striatal neurons in primary culture, generated from the fetal mouse brain. Exposure of striatal neurons to forskolin (100 μM) resulted in a 40–55% attenuation of [3H]GABA release evoked by either KCl (30 mM) or veratrine (2 μg/ml), while baseline levels of release were unaffected. The dose-dependence for forskolin in striatal neurons. Exposure of striatal neurons to membrane-permeable identical to the dose-dependent elevation of cyclic AMP levels by forskolin in striatal neurons. Exposure of striatal neurons to membrane-permeable analogues of cyclic AMP, such as p-chlorophenylthio cyclic AMP (0.5 mM) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (1 mM), resulted in a 25 and 26% attenuation of [3H]GABA release, respectively; dibutyryl cyclic GMP (1 mM) was without effect. The similarity between the actions of forskolin and the cyclic AMP analogues suggests that, in striatal neurons in primary culture, the elevation of cyclic AMP levels results in the attenuation of the evoked release of [3H]GABA. The greater effectiveness of forskolin, compared to the cyclic AMP analogues, may be related to the recently reported, additional direct actions of forskolin on neuronal membrane ion channels.
Electrophysiology of beta blockers in supraventricular arrhythmias.

Abstract β-adrenergic blocking agents are efficacious in the treatment of patients with a variety of supraventricular tachycardias, based directly on their capacity to counter the effects of β-adrenergic stimulation on sinus and atrioventricular nodal tissue. Specifically, β blockers depress sinus node automaticity and inhibit atrioventricular nodal function by prolonging refractoriness and slowing conduction. Supraventricular arrhythmias that depend on these structures either for perpetuation or for conduction to the ventricles are predictably sensitive to β blockade. These arrhythmias include sinus tachycardia, sinoatrial reentrant, atrioventricular nodal reentrant (dual pathway) and atrioventricular reciprocating (concealed bypass tract) tachycardias, as well as atrial flutter and fibrillation, β blockers may also be used, in selected patients, to inhibit catecholamine-facilitated accessory pathway function by prolonging refractoriness. β blockers offer particular clinical advantages, including an acceptable side-effect profile, titratable effect, varied pharmacology and reasonable concordance between efficacy of parenteral and oral dosage forms. The key element in the most effective use of these drugs appears to be an accurate arrhythmia diagnosis that allows for the most appropriate application of a reliable treatment form.
The Prenatal Diagnosis of Adrenoleukodystrophy. Demonstration of Increased Hexacosanoic Acid Levels in Cultured Amniocytes and Fetal Adrenal Gland

Amniocentesis was performed in two women heterozygous for adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). One fetus was male, and the hexacosanoic acid (C26) level in the cultured amniotic cells was 0.808 microgram per mg of protein, compared to 0.104 +/- 0.069 (S.D.) in controls. Pregnancy was interrupted at 22 wk gestation. The fetal adrenal cortex showed the ultrastructural inclusions characteristic of ALD and C26 accounted for 35% of the fatty acids in the cholesterol esters extracted from this tissue, more than one thousand times control. The second amniocentesis was performed in a woman who was also heterozygous for an electrophoretic variant of glucose 6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and a member of a kindred showing genetic linkage of loci for ALD and G6PD. The fetus was female and the C26 level in cultured amniotic cells was 0.577. Pregnancy was interrupted at 11 wk for reasons unrelated to ALD. Study of C26 level and G6PD type in cultured fetal tissues confirmed heterozygosity for ALD.
Effect of Lyophilized Autologous Plasma on Periodontal Healing of Replanted Teeth

The purpose of this histologic and autoradiographic study of replanted teeth was (1) to evaluate the beneficial effect, if any, of lyophilized autologous plasma (LAP) application on periodontal healing and (2) to re-examine rates of repair in different areas of the associated periodontium following replantation. Maxillary and mandibular incisors and premolars of three rhesus monkeys were used. Teeth were extracted with forceps and placed in sterile physiologic saline. After 5 minutes each tooth was returned to its socket and immobilized by interproximal acid-etch splints. Splints were removed after 1 week. Of the 48 replants performed, 24 (controls) were replanted as described. Of the 24 experimental teeth, during the 5 minute interval between tooth extraction and replantation, the root surface and the inner socket walls were bathed with 1 ml of the reconstituted LAP-saline solution (800 mg/ ml). Replants and animal sacrifice were scheduled to provide observations at 1, 3, 7, 14, 28 and 45 days following ...
Atypical bacteria accompanying the scallop Argopecten purpuratus

A simple bacteriological analysis for accompanying culturable microflora from different regions of the body of Argopecten purpuratus showed a rather atypical bacteria considering that farming is done in the sea-water column. High numbers of Vibrio strains, Gram-positive cocci, and sporeformers were present. Also members of the Enterobacteriaceae family were isolated.
Universal deformation rings and dihedral blocks with two simple modules

Abstract Let k be an algebraically closed field of characteristic 2, and let W be the ring of infinite Witt vectors over k. Suppose G is a finite group and B is a block of kG with a dihedral defect group D such that there are precisely two isomorphism classes of simple B-modules. We determine the universal deformation ring R ( G , V ) for every finitely generated kG-module V which belongs to B and whose stable endomorphism ring is isomorphic to k. The description by Erdmann of the quiver and relations of the basic algebra of B is usually only determined up to a certain parameter c which is either 0 or 1. We show that R ( G , V ) is isomorphic to a subquotient ring of WD for all V as above if and only if c = 0 , giving an answer to a question raised by the first author and Chinburg in this case. Moreover, we prove that c = 0 if and only if B is Morita equivalent to a principal block.
Response to My Critics

My critics make serious and sensible points, all of which are undoubtedly true but not all of which I feel that I can accept.
Organizing the Extended Family as a Self-Help Group:

In many situations, it can be of benefit to the clients to connect them as members of a new group with a relatively new pattern of organization and a new purpose: to help one another and overcome feelings of alienation. It may be of further benefit if the members of that group consist of those people who are extended family who already care about each other. The idea is supported by several different family therapy theories, ancient family traditions, and the popularity in American culture of self-help groups. The procedures for the therapist to organize and lead such a group and some of the issues that come up are discussed. The ultimate goal is for the group to lead itself. There are opportunities for the clients to experience new options and learn and practice new beliefs and patterns of behavior. The technique can be used with the nuclear system alone.
An FMRI study of saccadic and smooth-pursuit eye movement control in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE. To compare the cortical networks that underlie oculomotor function in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with those in normally sighted control subjects, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). METHODS. Six patients with bilateral geographic retinal atrophy due to AMD (age range, 55– 83 years) were recruited for the study. The visual acuities of the patients ranged from 20/76 (0.58 logMAR) to 20/360 (1.26 logMAR). An additional six younger (age range, 22–31 years) and six older (age range, 54 –78 years) normally sighted individuals were recruited as control subjects. fMRI data were acquired on a 3.0-Tesla, scanner while subjects performed visually guided saccade (VGS) and smooth-pursuit (SmP) tasks. RESULTS. Contrasts between VGS and fixation on a stationary target identified a network of activation that included the frontal eye fields (FEFs), supplementary eye fields (SMA/SEFs), prefrontal cortex (PFC), intraparietal sulci (IPS), and the areas of the visual cortex (MT/V5, V2/V3, and V1) in control subjects and patients. A similar network was identified for comparisons between SmP and periods of fixation. Marked variability was observed in the performance of both tasks across all patients. For both tasks, the patients generally showed increased PFC and IPS activation, with decreased activation in visual cortex compared with the control subjects. The patients showed significantly increased activation of the FEFs and SMA/SEFs in the SmP task, compared with the control subjects. CONCLUSIONS. These data suggest that performance of both eye movement tasks required greater involvement of the cortical regions generally implicated in attention and effort in patients with AMD. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008;49:1728 –1735)
Synthesis and binding to striatal membranes of no carrier added I‐123 labeled 4′‐iodococaine.

An 123I labeled cocaine analog, 4′-[123I]iodococaine, has been prepared by oxidative destannylation of the tributyltin analog and shown to interact with cocaine binding sites in rat brain striatal membranes. It may thus be a suitable SPECT radiotracer for studies of the dopamine reuptake site in neurodegenerative diseases.
Nuclear Magnetic Shielding Constants for Several 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐Electron Atoms and Ions

Nuclear magnetic shielding constants have been calculated for H—, He, Li+, Be++, Li, Be+, and Be using both open‐ and closed‐configuration wave functions with optimized orbital exponents. The accuracy of the values reported is supported by the close agreement between the values obtained for He, σ=5.9856×10—5 and σ=5.9913×10—5, respectively, and that obtained by Hylleraas and Skavlem using the first five terms of the Hylleraas wave function, σ=5.9938×10—5.
Effect of Supranutritional Organic Selenium Supplementation on Postpartum Blood Micronutrients, Antioxidants, Metabolites, and Inflammation Biomarkers in Selenium-Replete Dairy Cows

Dairy cows have increased nutritional requirements for antioxidants postpartum. Supranutritional organic Se supplementation may be beneficial because selenoproteins are involved in regulating oxidative stress and inflammation. Our objective was to determine whether feeding Se-yeast above requirements to Se-replete dairy cows during late gestation affects blood micronutrients, antioxidants, metabolites, and inflammation biomarkers postpartum. During the last 8-weeks before calving, dairy cows at a commercial farm were fed either 0 (control) or 105 mg Se-yeast once weekly (supranutritional Se-yeast), in addition to Na selenite at 0.3 mg Se/kg dry matter in their rations. Concentrations of whole-blood (WB) Se and serum Se, erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), and serum albumin, cholesterol, α-tocopherol, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A (SAA), calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, non-esterified fatty acids, and β-hydroxybutyrate were measured directly after calving, at 48 h, and 14 days of lactation in 10 cows of each group. Supranutritional Se-yeast supplementation affected indicators of antioxidant status and inflammation. Cows fed a supranutritional Se-yeast supplement during the last 8-weeks of gestation had higher Se concentrations in WB (overall 52 % higher) and serum (overall 36 % higher) at all-time points, had higher SAA concentrations at 48 h (98 % higher), had higher erythrocyte GSH (38 % higher) and serum albumin concentrations (6.6 % higher) at 14 days, and had lower serum cholesterol concentrations and higher α-tocopherol/cholesterol ratios at calving and at 48 h compared with control cows. In conclusion, feeding Se-replete cows during late gestation a supranutritional Se-yeast supplement improves antioxidant status and immune responses after calving without negatively impacting other micronutrients and energy status.
A quantum-mechanical treatment of Szilard's engine: Implications for the entropy of information

We present a quantum-mechanical analysis of Szilard's famous single-molecule engine, showing that it is analogous to the double-slit experiment. We further show that the energy derived from the engine's operation is provided by the act of observing the molecule's location. The engine can be operated with no increase in physical entropy, and the second law of thermodynamics does not compel us to relate physical entropy to informational entropy. We conclude that information per seis a subjective, idealized, concept separated from the physical realm. Physical entropy depends on physical objects and physical interactions, and any entropy change owing to observations is entirely a result of the entropy created in the physical apparatus by the process of observation.
A simple method for the radioactive iodination of CD4 molecules.

A method for the vectorial radioiodination of CD4 and other membrane proteins having few or no tyrosine residues in the extracytoplasmic domains is described. Incubation of the cells with sulfosuccinimidyl (hydroxyphenyl) propionate (sulfo-SHPP), a water-soluble derivative of the Bolton-Hunter reagent results in the coupling of hydroxyphenyl groups to free amino groups of cell surface proteins and these groups are then vectorially radioiodinated using 1,3,4,6-tetrachloro-3α,6α-diphenylglycoluril (Iodogen). The method is highly efficient, gentle, fast, simple, and does not require the previous radiolabelling of the Bolton-Hunter reagent.
Fixed Eigenvector Analysis of Thermographic NDE Data

Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has been shown effective for reducing thermographic NDE data. This paper will discuss an alternative method of analysis that has been developed where a predetermined set of eigenvectors is used to process the thermal data from both reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) and graphiteepoxy honeycomb materials. These eigenvectors can be generated either from an analytic model of the thermal response of the material system under examination, or from a large set of experimental data. This paper provides the details of the analytic model, an overview of the PCA process, as well as a quantitative signal-to-noise comparison of the results of performing both conventional PCA and fixed eigenvector analysis on thermographic data from two specimens, one Reinforced Carbon-Carbon with flat bottom holes and the second a sandwich construction with graphite-epoxy face sheets and aluminum honeycomb core.
Problem Solving in Implant Dentistry

Dental implants have become an accepted form of dental care, with reported functional 5-year success rates of 90% and higher. These impressive statistics include, but do not identify, the problems that may have been created by clinical ineptitude. Diagnostic acumen and preventive measures at each stage of the implant treatment can avoid many problems. Also, appropriate measures of timely recognition, rescue, and repair can often restore ailing implants and their prosthetic applicances to full function.
Optimization of pulsating heaters in forced convection

Abstract This is a theoretical, numerical and experimental study that shows how to optimize the performance of on and off pulsating heaters in forced convection. Scale analysis shows that there exists an optimal heat pulse interval or frequency that maximizes the overall thermal conductance between the heater and the free stream U∝. Numerical results for a flat plate heater and experimental results for a cylinder in cross-flow validate the theory. Numerically it is shown that the optimal pulsating regime can be identified accurately by using a complete simulation of the flow and temperature field around the heater. Boundary layer simplified numerical methods fail to simulate the short-times (high frequency) range of the process. The maximized overall conductance of a pulsating heater does not exceed the conductance associated with a steady (continuous) heater. The experimental and numerical results are nondimensionalized and correlated by using the scales recommended by theory. When the ‘on’ and ‘of’ intervals are comparable, the optimal heat pulse interval is approximately 0.1 L U ∝ , where L is the scale of the swept length of the heater shape. This conclusion also applies to a pulsating heater embedded in a porous medium with uniform flow.