Analytic expressions for the isosteric heat of adsorption from adsorption isotherm models and two-dimensional SAFT-VR equation of state

The isosteric heat of adsorption is an important thermodynamic property used to characterize and optimize adsorption processes. In this work, analytic expressions for isosteric heats of adsorption are derived for a collection of commonly used isotherm models and a two-dimensional molecular equation of state based on the SAFT-VR approach. The use of these expressions is presented with an example of adsorption of nitrous oxide, N₂O, on biochar, which is a waste biomass charcoal that exhibits high adsorption potential. The results show that accurate fitting of the adsorption isotherms leads to consistent results obtained with different approaches; however, the predicted isosteric heat of adsorption exhibits strong variations in the regions where experimental data is insufficient such in the region of low pressure/low coverage. Convergence on the prediction of the isosteric heat of adsorption by the different models is only observed in the region where no extrapolation of experimental data is needed.     

Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Gain Suppressive Function during Neonatal Bacterial Sepsis

Neonates are at an increased risk of an infectious disease. This is consistent with an increased abundance of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) compared with older children and adults. Using a murine model of neonatal bacterial sepsis, we demonstrate that MDSCs modulate their activity during an infection to enhance immune suppressive functions. A gene expression analysis shows that MDSCs increased NOS2, Arg-1 and IL-27p28 expression in vitro and in vivo in response to Escherichia coli O1:K1:H7 and this is regulated at the level of the gene expression. Changes in the effector gene expression are consistent with increased enzymatic activity and cytokine secretion. The neonatal MDSCs express toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, 4 and 5 capable of recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) on E. coli. However, a variable level of effector expression was achieved in response to LPS, peptidoglycan or flagellin. Individual bacterial PAMPs did not stimulate the expression of Arg-l and IL-27p28 equivalently to E. coli. However, the upregulation of NOS2 was achieved in response to LPS, peptidoglycan and flagella. The increased immune suppressive profile translated to an enhanced suppression of CD4+ T cell proliferation. Collectively, these findings increase our understanding of the dynamic nature of MDSC activity and suggest that these cells abundant in early life can acquire activity during an infection that suppresses protective immunity.     

Optimization of Novel Human Acellular Dermal Dressing Sterilization for Routine Use in Clinical Practice

Gamma rays and electrons with kinetic energy up to 10 MeV are routinely used to sterilize biomaterials. To date, the effects of irradiation upon human acellular dermal matrices (hADMs) remain to be fully elucidated. The optimal irradiation dosage remains a critical parameter affecting the final product structure and, by extension, its therapeutic potential. ADM slides were prepared by various digestion methods. The influence of various doses of radiation sterilization using a high-energy electron beam on the structure of collagen, the formation of free radicals and immune responses to non-irradiated (native) and irradiated hADM was investigated. The study of the structure changes was carried out using the following methods: immunohistology, immunoblotting, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. It was shown that radiation sterilization did not change the architecture and three-dimensional structure of hADM; however, it significantly influenced the degradation of collagen fibers and induced the production of free radicals in a dose-dependent manner. More importantly, the observed effects did not disrupt the therapeutic potential of the new transplants. Therefore, radiation sterilization at a dose of 35kGy can ensure high sterility of the dressing while maintaining its therapeutic potential.     

Economics of small-scale on-farm use of canola and soybean for biodiesel and straight vegetable oil biofuels

While the cost competitiveness of vegetable oil-based biofuels (VOBB) has impeded extensive commercialization on a large-scale, the economic viability of small-scale on-farm production of VOBB is unclear. This study assessed the cost competitiveness of small-scale on-farm production of canola- [Brassica napus (L.)] and soybean-based [Glycine max (L.)] biodiesel and straight vegetable oil (SVO) biofuels in the upper Midwest at 2007 price levels. The effects of feedstock type, feedstock valuation (cost of production or market price), biofuel type, and capitalization level on the cost L⁻¹ of biofuel were examined. Valuing feedstock at the cost of production, the cost of canola-based biodiesel ranged from 0.94 to 1.13 $ L⁻¹ and SVO from 0.64 to 0.83 $ L⁻¹ depending on capitalization level. Comparatively, the cost of soybean-based biodiesel and SVO ranged from 0.40 to 0.60 $ L⁻¹ and from 0.14 to 0.33 $ L⁻¹, respectively, depending on capitalization level. Valuing feedstock at the cost of production, soybean biofuels were cost competitive whereas canola biofuels were not. Valuing feedstock at its market price, canola biofuels were more cost competitive than soybean-based biofuels, though neither were cost competitive with petroleum diesel. Feedstock type proved important in terms of the meal co-product credit, which decreased the cost of biodiesel by 1.39 $ L⁻¹ for soybean and 0.44 $ L⁻¹ for canola. SVO was less costly to produce than biodiesel due to reduced input costs. At a small scale, capital expenditures have a substantial impact on the cost of biofuel, ranging from 0.03 to 0.25 $ L⁻¹.     

Using Survey Data and Mathematical Modeling to Prioritize Water Interventions in Developing Countries

Water Resources Management - A traditional cost-benefit analysis of potential water interventions in a given locality is a laborious and time-intensive process. To help decision makers identify...     

Binocular fixation disparity in single word displays.

It has been claimed that the recognition of words displayed in isolation is affected by the precise location at which they are fixated. However, this putative role for fixation location has yet to be reconciled with the finding from reading research that binocular fixations are often misaligned and, therefore, more than 1 location in a word is often fixated simultaneously. The accuracy and alignment of binocular fixations during single word processing have not been assessed previously. To investigate this issue, words were presented for lexical decision at locations around a central fixation point. Eye-tracking data revealed that participants often fixated inaccurately and that fixations were frequently misaligned, but that this did not affect word recognition. The findings show that binocular fixation disparity is pervasive even in single word displays and a potential source of confound for research into effects of fixation location on word recognition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Medicare/medicaid billing fraud and abuse by psychologists.

Medicare/Medicaid billing fraud and abuse can be prosecuted under a wider array of laws than apply within the private sector. Cases are typically initiated by whistleblowers or through detection of unusual billing patterns. Few psychologists in independent practice have ever been convicted of Medicare/Medicaid billing fraud or abuse, but government antifraud efforts against psychologists appear to be on the rise. These efforts are pursued under the auspices of containing spiraling health care costs, but they can uncover unintentional billing abuse by psychologists, arising from general ignorance of claim-processing procedures, lack of uniformity across insurance programs, constantly changing guidelines, and ambiguous interpretations. Recent investigations in south Texas have especially targeted the use of extenders for psychological and neuropsychological testing. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of β-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on endurance performance and body composition in men; a double-blind trial

Background  

Intermittent bouts of high-intensity exercise result in diminished stores of energy substrates, followed by an accumulation of metabolites, promoting chronic physiological adaptations. In addition, β-alanine has been accepted has an effective physiological hydrogen ion (H⁺) buffer. Concurrent high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and β-alanine supplementation may result in greater adaptations than HIIT alone. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of combining β-alanine supplementation with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on endurance performance and aerobic metabolism in recreationally active college-aged men.     

The effects of four weeks of creatine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on cardiorespiratory fitness: a randomized controlled trial

Background  

High-intensity interval training has been shown to be a time-efficient way to induce physiological adaptations similar to those of traditional endurance training. Creatine supplementation may enhance high-intensity interval training, leading to even greater physiological adaptations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and creatine supplementation on cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance performance (maximal oxygen consumption (VO_2PEAK), time-to-exhaustion (VO_2PEAKTTE), ventilatory threshold (VT), and total work done (TWD)) in college-aged men.