Correlation between Fischer-Tropsch catalytic activity and composition of catalysts

This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of monometallic and bimetallic cobalt and iron nanoparticles supported on alumina. The catalysts were prepared by a wet impregnation method. Samples were characterized using temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO), CO-chemisorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM-EDX) and N2-adsorption analysis. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) was carried out in a fixed-bed microreactor at 543 K and 1 atm, with H2/CO = 2 v/v and space velocity, SV = 12L/g.h. The physicochemical properties and the FTS activity of the bimetallic catalysts were analyzed and compared with those of monometallic cobalt and iron catalysts at similar operating conditions

Algorithmic iteration for computational intelligence

Machine awareness is a disputed research topic, in some circles considered a crucial step in realising Artificial General Intelligence. Understanding what that is, under which conditions such feature could arise and how it can be controlled is still a matter of speculation. A more concrete object of theoretical analysis is algorithmic iteration for computational intelligence, intended as the theoretical and practical ability of algorithms to design other algorithms for actions aimed at solving well-specified tasks. We know this ability is already shown by current AIs, and understanding its limits is an essential step in qualifying claims about machine awareness and Super-AI. We propose a formal translation of algorithmic iteration in a fragment of modal logic, formulate principles of transparency and faithfulness across human and machine intelligence, and consider the relevance to theoretical research on (Super)-AI as well as the practical import of our results

Evaluation of appendicitis risk prediction models in adults with suspected appendicitis

Background Appendicitis is the most common general surgical emergency worldwide, but its diagnosis remains challenging. The aim of this study was to determine whether existing risk prediction models can reliably identify patients presenting to hospital in the UK with acute right iliac fossa (RIF) pain who are at low risk of appendicitis. Methods A systematic search was completed to identify all existing appendicitis risk prediction models. Models were validated using UK data from an international prospective cohort study that captured consecutive patients aged 16–45 years presenting to hospital with acute RIF in March to June 2017. The main outcome was best achievable model specificity (proportion of patients who did not have appendicitis correctly classified as low risk) whilst maintaining a failure rate below 5 per cent (proportion of patients identified as low risk who actually had appendicitis). Results Some 5345 patients across 154 UK hospitals were identified, of which two‐thirds (3613 of 5345, 67·6 per cent) were women. Women were more than twice as likely to undergo surgery with removal of a histologically normal appendix (272 of 964, 28·2 per cent) than men (120 of 993, 12·1 per cent) (relative risk 2·33, 95 per cent c.i. 1·92 to 2·84; P < 0·001). Of 15 validated risk prediction models, the Adult Appendicitis Score performed best (cut‐off score 8 or less, specificity 63·1 per cent, failure rate 3·7 per cent). The Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score performed best for men (cut‐off score 2 or less, specificity 24·7 per cent, failure rate 2·4 per cent). Conclusion Women in the UK had a disproportionate risk of admission without surgical intervention and had high rates of normal appendicectomy. Risk prediction models to support shared decision‐making by identifying adults in the UK at low risk of appendicitis were identified

A Novel Method for Retention of an Orbital Prosthesis in a Case with Continuous Maxillary and Orbital Defect

Exenteration of the orbital contents as well as removal of a part of maxilla with an ablative surgery for the removal of a malignant tumor can severely affect a person in terms of function, esthetics and psychological trauma. A well-retained, user-friendly, removable maxillofacial prosthesis is the key to successful prosthetic rehabilitation in such cases. Various retentive techniques include using spectacle frame, conformers, adhesives, osseointegrated implants, magnets or buttons. This paper describes a novel technique for retention of silicone orbital prosthesis using acrylic resin base attached to maxillary obturator with the help of pin and socket of an electric plug wherein the latter is attached to the eye prosthesis with the help of a mechanical undercut. This helps in better retention of both the prostheses

On the classification of non-equal rank affine conformal embeddings and applications

We complete the classification of conformal embeddings of a maximally reductive subalgebra k into a simple Lie algebra g at non-integrable non-critical levels k by dealing with the case when k has rank less than that of g. We describe some remarkable instances of decomposition of the vertex algebra Vk (g) as a module for the vertex subalgebra generated by k. We discuss decompositions of conformal embeddings and constructions of new affine Howe dual pairs at negative levels. In particular, we study an example of conformal embeddings A1 × A1 → C3 at level k = −1/2, and obtain explicit branching rules by applying certain q-series identity. In the analysis of conformal embedding A1 × D4 → C8 at level k = −1/2 we detect subsingular vectors which do not appear in the branching rules of the classical Howe dual pairs

Cell cycle related signalling in neuro2A cells proceeds via the receptor for advanced glycation end products

Re-expression of cell cycle related genes such as cyclin-dependent kinases (cdk), cyclins, or cdk inhibitors in differentiated neurons in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is rooted in aberrant mitogenic signaling. Since microglia and astroglia proliferate in the vicinity of amyloid plaques, it is likely that plaque components or factors secreted from plaque-activated glia induce mitogenic signaling in neurons. Mitogenic compounds might be S100B, overexpressed by activated astrocytes, or advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a component of plaques. Both S100B and AGEs may interact with the multiligand receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and trigger for the activation of the p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p42/44 MAPK), whether they also count for cell cycle related signaling in neurons remains unresolved. By immunohistochemical staining, we confirmed that cyclin D1 positive neurons are surrounded by AGE deposits, demonstrating the potential relevance in vivo. For exploring the mitogenic signal cascade, we used Neuro2a cells overexpressing human full-length RAGE (FL-RAGE) or the cytosolic deletion mutant (Δ-RAGE). In both cell lines, S100B and AGEs induced the production of reactive oxygen species but not in a RAGE-dependent manner. By contrast, in FL-RAGE cells but not in Δ-RAGE cells S100B and AGEs activate p42/44 MAPK, augment cyclin D1/cdk4 protein and RNA levels and the transition into the S-phase. Moreover, in FL-RAGE cells, decreased protein levels of the cdk inhibitor p16 were observed, and the p42/44 MAPK inhibitor UO126 prevented AGE and S100B stimulated cyclin D1 expression and hindered cells to enter the S-phase. Our results demonstrate that S100B and AGE may serve as mitogenic sources for the stimulation of neurons to progress through the cell cycle whereby signaling proceeds via RAGE → p42/44 MAPK → cyclin D1/cdk4