cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal conductivities of two-dimensional graphitic carbon nitrides by molecule dynamics simulation

Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) graphitic carbon nitrides (2D GCNs) are a rising class of 2D polymeric materials. Compared with graphene, they have many attractive merits, such as their great semi-conductivity and photo-catalyticity. Despite much progress in studying their various properties, their thermal properties have been given little attention. In this work, thermal conductivities of three kinds of 2D GCNs, heptazine-based g-C3N4 (HEP), triazine-based g-C3N4 (TRI), and 2D polyaniline g-C3N (PANI), were computationally investigated by non-equilibrium molecule dynamics (NEMD) simulations based on both Tersoff and ReaxFF potentials, which offer comprehensive understanding of their thermal properties. It was found that the PANI was predicted to show extrapolated bulk thermal conductivities of 810 W/(m⋅K) and 461.9 W/(m⋅K) by the Tersoff and ReaxFF potentials, respectively. The HEP and TRI have much lower bulk thermal conductivities, ranging from 14.1 to 119 W/(m⋅K). Nevertheless, they are still much higher than those of traditional polymers. The ReaxFF potential also shows that carbon–nitrogen bonds are stiffer than those modeled by the Tersoff potential, resulting in higher phonon harmonicity, and longer phonon mean free paths.
Great South Bay After Sandy: Changes in Circulation and Flushing due to New Inlet

The coastal ocean model FVCOM is applied to quantify the changes in circulation, flushing, and exposure time in Great South Bay, New York, after Superstorm Sandy breached the barrier island in 2012. Since then, the lagoon system is connected to the Atlantic via five instead of four inlets. The model simulations are run on two high-resolution unstructured grids, one for the pre-breach configuration, one including the new inlet, with tidal-only forcing, and summer and winter forcing conditions. Despite its small cross-sectional size, the breach has a relatively large net inflow that leads to a strengthening of the along-bay through-flow in Great South Bay (GSB); the tidally driven volume transport in central GSB quadrupled. The seasonal forcing scenarios show that the southwesterly sea breeze in summer slows down the tidally driven flow, while the forcing conditions in winter are highly variable, and the circulation is dependent on wind direction and offshore sea level. Changes in flushing and exposure time associated with the modified transport patterns are evaluated using a Eulerian passive tracer technique. Results show that the new inlet produced a significant decrease in flushing time (approximately 35% reduction under summer wind conditions and 20% reduction under winter wind conditions). Maps of exposure time reflect the local changes in circulation and flushing.
Projective Planes of Order q whose Collineation Groups have Order q 2

Translation planes of order q are constructed whose full collineation groups have order q2.
Data Warehousing and Mining in Supply Chains

Every finished product has gone through a series of transformations. The process begins when manufacturers purchase the raw materials that will be transformed into the components of the product. The parts are then supplied to a manufacturer, who assembles them into the finished product and ships the completed item to the consumer. The transformation process includes numerous activities (Levary, 2000). Among them are
Paraguay 2017: competencia política en las Cámaras, en las calles y en las urnas

En el ano 2017, la politica paraguaya estuvo dominada por dos eventos centrales: 1) el intento de modificacion de la Constitucion para permitir la reeleccion, y 2) las internas partidarias con miras a elecciones generales de 2018. Finalmente, la enmienda para permitir la reeleccion no fue aprobada pero el costo de los procesos informales fue la destruccion del edificio del Congreso y la muerte de una persona. En contrapartida, las mismas facciones politicas que compitieron por la reeleccion lo hicieron en las internas partidarias en un proceso pacifico y organizado. Prove­yendo un resumen de los eventos politicos, sociales y economicos del Paraguay en 2017, este articulo sugiere que los procesos institucionalizados permiten la resolu­cion de conflictos politicos de una manera constructiva.
The Effect of Timing of Physical Therapy for Acute Low Back Pain on Health Services Utilization: A Systematic Review

Abstract Objective To synthesize literature about the effect of early physical therapy (PT) for acute low back pain (LBP) on subsequent health services utilization (HSU), compared to delayed PT or usual care. Data Sources Electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase) were searched from their inception to May 2018. Study Selection Study selection included randomized control trials and prospective and retrospective cohort studies that investigated the association between early PT and HSU compared to delayed PT or usual care. Two independent authors screened titles, abstracts, and full-text articles for inclusion based on eligibility criteria, and a third author resolved discrepancies. Eleven out of 1146 articles were included. Data Extraction Two independent reviewers extracted data on participants, timing of PT, comparisons to delayed PT or usual care, and downstream HSU, and a third reviewer assessed the information to ensure accuracy and reach consensus. Risk of bias was assessed with the Downs and Black checklist using the same method. Data Synthesis Eleven studies met eligibility criteria. Early PT is within 30 days of the index visit for acute LBP. Five out of 6 studies that compared early PT to delayed PT found that early PT reduces future HSU. Random effects meta-analysis indicated a significant reduction in opioid use, spine injection, and spine surgery. Five studies compared early PT to usual care and reported mixed results. Conclusions Early PT for acute LBP may reduce HSU, cost, and opioid use, and improve health care efficiency. This review may assist patients, health care providers, health care systems, and third-party payers in making decisions for the treatment of acute LBP.
Definitions, predictors and outcomes of feeding intolerance in critically ill children: A systematic review.

Summary Background & aims Clinicians and researchers often use feeding intolerance (FI) as main cause for insufficient enteral nutrition (EN). However, there is no uniform definition for FI. A uniform definition is essential for future studies focusing on predictors and outcomes of FI and enteral nutrition. A systematic review was performed to investigate the definitions, prevalence, predictors and outcomes of FI in critically ill children. Methods The databases Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science were searched. Inclusion criteria were interventional, observational or case-control studies (>10 patients) in which a definition of FI was reported in critically ill children (0–21 years). Results FI was defined in 31 unique studies performed in 2973 critically ill children. FI was most commonly defined as presence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and/or large gastric residual volume (GRV) (n = 21), followed by discontinuation of EN due to GI symptoms (n = 7) and inadequate delivery of EN (n = 3). Median prevalence of FI was 20.0% [IQR 7.4%–33.0%]. Large GRV, abdominal distention, diarrhoea and vomiting/emesis, were the predominantly reported GI symptoms to define FI. FI was associated with severity of illness, mortality and nosocomial infections. Conclusions Feeding intolerance is inconsistently defined in the current literature, but appears to be a prevalent concern in critically ill children. FI is most frequently defined by the presence of GI symptoms. A standardized definition is needed for both clinical and research purpose to determine the consequences of FI in relation to short-term and long-term outcomes. The new proposed definition for FI entails the inability to achieve enteral nutrition target intakes in combination with the presence of GI symptoms indicating GI dysfunction. Protocol registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018092967. Registered on 07 June 2018.
Through-wall k-band and v-band synthetic aperture radar imaging of building structures and utility infrastructure

We demonstrate active millimeter wave (mmWave) 3D synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging through common building and construction materials. Human-safe mmWaves penetrate many non-metallic construction materials to a surprising degree, allowing for non-destructive structural and utility integrity analysis. We demonstrate that mmWave imaging can be used to locate pipes, electrical wiring, wood and metal studs, rebar, and other structural elements and utility infrastructure embedded in building walls. Millimeter wave imaging can also be used to find contraband items hidden inside walls. In addition, liquid water strongly reflects mmWave energy, allowing the localization of potential leaks. We present K-Band (15 - 26:5 GHz) and V-Band (50 - 65 GHz) 3D SAR images of brick, drywall, tile, wood, and concrete wall test structures. Imaging was performed using a 2D raster scan of a bistatic horn antenna pair, yielding a 3D SAR image with a voxel resolution of approximately 1.5 cm (K-band) and 5 mm (V-band).
Gaussian Mixture Models for Parking Demand Data

To mitigate congestion caused by drivers cruising in search of parking, performance-based pricing schemes have received a significant amount of attention. However, several recent studies suggest location, time-of-day, and awareness of policies are the primary factors that drive parking decisions. Harnessing data provided by the Seattle Department of Transportation and considering the aforementioned decision-making factors, we analyze the spatial and temporal properties of curbside parking demand and propose methods that can improve traditional policies with straightforward modifications by advancing the understanding of where and when to administer pricing policies. Specifically, we develop a Gaussian mixture model based technique to identify zones with similar parking demand as quantified by spatial autocorrelation. In support of this technique, we introduce a metric based on the repeatability of our Gaussian mixture model to investigate temporal consistency.
Final Report on the “New Directions in the Variational Multiscale Formulation of Large Eddy Simulation of Turbulence”

The work performed as part of this grant may be described in the context of developing numerical methods for solving an abstract, nonlinear variational problem for which the straightforward Galerkin approximation on a space of reasonable dimension is inaccurate. Target applications include flows with turbulence and systems with shocks. With this in mind, an alternate finite dimensional problem is proposed in which a model term (with unknown parameters) is added to the Galerkin approximation to improve its performance. We have developed new formulations for this model term especially for turbulent flows and for systems with shocks. We have also developed a dynamic approach for evaluating the parameters that appear in this model term. We have conducted several numerical studies to confirm the usefulness of the proposed approach.
Analysis of intra-operative variables as predictors of 30-day readmission in patients undergoing glioma surgery at a single center.

Reducing the time from surgery to adjuvant chemoradiation, by decreasing unnecessary readmissions, is paramount for patients undergoing glioma surgery. The effects of intraoperative risk factors on 30-day readmission rates for such patients is currently unclear. We utilized a predictive model-driven approach to assess the impact of intraoperative factors on 30-day readmission rates for the cranial glioma patient. Retrospectively, the intraoperative records of 290 patients who underwent glioma surgery at a single institution by a single surgeon were assessed. Data on operative variables including anesthesia specific factors were analyzed via univariate and stepwise regression analysis for impact on 30-day readmission rates. A predictive model was built to assess the capability of these results to predict readmission and validated using leave-one-out cross-validation. In multivariate analysis, end case hypothermia (OR 0.28, 95% CI [0.09, 0.84]), hypertensive time > 15 min (OR 2.85, 95% CI [1.21, 6.75]), and pre-operative Karnofsky performance status (KPS) (OR 0.63, 95% CI [0.41, 0.98] were identified as being significantly associated with 30-day readmission rates (chi-squared statistic vs. constant model 25.2, p < 0.001). Cross validation of the model resulted in an overall accuracy of 89.7%, a specificity of 99.6%, and area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) of 0.763. Intraoperative risk factors may help risk-stratify patients with a high degree of accuracy and improve postoperative patient follow-up. Attention should be paid to duration of hypertension and end-case final temperature as these represent potentially modifiable factors that appear to be highly associated with 30-day readmission rates. Prospective validation of our model is needed to assess its potential for implementation as a screening tool to identify patients undergoing glioma surgery who are at a higher risk of post-operative readmission within 30 days
Carboxylesterases: Pharmacological Inhibition Regulated Expression and Transcriptional Involvement of Nuclear Receptors and other Transcription Factors

Carboxylesterases (CESs, E.C.3.1.1.1) constitute a large class of enzymes that determine the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of ester/amide drugs. Without exceptions, all mammalian species studied express multiple forms of carboxylesterases. Two human carboxylesterases, CES1 and CES2, are major contributors to hydrolytic biotransformation. Recent studies have identified therapeutic agents that potently inhibit carboxylesterases-based catalysis. Some of them are reversible whereas others irreversible. The adrenergic antagonist carvedilol, for example, reversibly inhibits CES2 but this carboxylesterase is irreversibly inhibited by orlistat, a popular anti-obesity medicine. Kinetically, the inhibition occurs competitively, non-competitively or in combination, depending on a carboxylesterase. For example, the calcium channel blocker diltiazem competitively inhibits CES1 but non-competitively inhibits CES2. In addition to inhibited catalysis, several therapeutic agents or disease mediators have been shown to regulate the expression of carboxylesterases. For example, the antiepileptic drug phenobarbital induces both human and rodent carboxylesterases, whereas the antibiotic rifampicin induces human carboxylesterases only. Conversely, the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) suppresses the expression of carboxylesterases across species, but depending on the concentrations of glucose in the culture medium. Transactivation, transrepression and altered mRNA stability contribute to the regulated expression. Several nuclear receptors are established to support the regulation including constitutive androstane receptor, glucocorticoid receptor and pregnane X receptor. In addition, non-ligand transcription factors are also involved in the regulation and exemplified by differentiated embryo chondrocyte-1, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 and tumor protein p53. These transcription factors coordinate the regulated expression of carboxylesterases, constituting a regulatory network for the hydrolytic biotransformation.
An Internal Model Control-Based Approach for Characterization and Controller Tuning of Turbocharged Gasoline Engines

This brief develops a method for system characterization and controller tuning for the boost control system of automotive turbocharged gasoline engines. The method utilizes the relay feedback technique for system characterization, followed by the internal model control (IMC) technique for controller tuning. The novelty is that instead of a high fidelity plant model, an ultrasimplified gain-integrator-delay model is employed in the IMC controller. As we show, our method leads to a time-efficient calibration process, assigns a desired closed-loop bandwidth exactly , and leads to good stability margins. A detailed and thorough analysis of the method, including its fundamental limitations, is provided. The method is experimentally applied to the boost control system of a turbocharged gasoline engine, where it is shown that the controller gains can be reliably computed at various engine operating points. The method identifies turbocharger speed as the best scheduling parameter for the controller gains, and the resulting controller is experimentally shown to yield good tracking performance.
Revisiting the role of testosterone: Are we missing something?

Testosterone is a pleiotropic hormone that plays an important role in the human body. Classically, testosterone was thought to be predominantly involved in androgenesis and physiology in boys and men. Through its conversion to estrogen, testosterone affects bone health, including bone density. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the systemic role of testosterone in pain, well-being, and cardiovascular function in women and men alike. In this review, we discuss the historic significance of testosterone, its traditionally known physiology, and its molecular and cellular effects. We also discuss evidence for testosterone’s lesser known effects, including its role in women’s health. We suggest a need to revisit the clinical role of testosterone given its potential for applications to treat mood, cognitive health, and other illnesses, and its anabolic role in bone and muscle; we also suggest consideration of the current debate on risks of its use.
Addressing injustice in green infrastructure through socio-ecological practice: What is the role of university–community partnerships?

University–community partnerships provide a valuable mechanism to support socio-ecological practice to address complex urban water issues. University–community partnerships have the potential to become a model for engagement that can be replicated to enhance participation around green infrastructure (GI), to expand access to GI in disadvantaged communities, and ultimately, to mitigate injustice and heighten urban resilience. In this Perspective, we describe our team’s experience designing and leading a university–community partnership to better understand injustices in GI planning, design, and implementation, and to help mitigate those injustices, in Tucson, Arizona, US. We build from scholarship on university–community partnerships and draw from our involvement to highlight three keys lessons for successful partnerships: (1) understanding and valuing the socio-ecological context; (2) investing, and reinvesting, in the collaborative process; and (3) embracing a diverse set of roles for universities.
Titanium Elastic Nails are a Safe and Effective Treatment for Length Unstable Pediatric Femur Fractures

Background: Controversy exists regarding the treatment of length unstable pediatric femoral shaft fractures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the outcomes of skeletally immature children with length unstable femur fractures treated with titanium elastic nails (TEN). Methods: Retrospective review was conducted on all patients with femoral shaft fractures at a tertiary care pediatric hospital from April 2006 to January 2018. Patients with femoral shaft fractures treated with TEN and minimum 6 months follow-up were included. Exclusion criteria were age > 11 years, weight > …
Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) of the anorectum: evaluation of clinicopathological associations and the utility of a novel RNA in-situ hybridisation stain.

AIMS Recent studies from multiple global regions have reported a resurgence of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) proctitis, which is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT). LGV proctitis is histologically indistinguishable from other forms of sexually transmitted proctitis and is difficult to differentiate from inflammatory bowel disease. While immunohistochemical stains are available for syphilis, there is no commonly available stain for the tissue identification of CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 200 positive CT nucleic acid tests (NAT) from anorectal swabs, we identified 12 patients with biopsies collected from the distal colorectum or anus within 90 days of the positive NAT. We collected basic demographic information and tabulated clinical and histological findings. We examined the performance of a novel RNA in-situ hybridisation (ISH) stain targeting CT 23s rRNA on these 12 cases and 10 controls from the anorectum. RESULTS All 12 patients were male; nine were HIV+, two had concurrent gonococcal infection, one had concurrent syphilis and one had cytomegalovirus co-infection. The majority of biopsies (11 of 12) showed mild or moderate acute inflammation, had a prominent lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate (eight of 11) and lacked marked crypt distortion (10 of 10). The RNA ISH stain was positive in 10 of 12 cases (sensitivity 83%). One case showed equivocal staining. No controls showed definitive positive staining (specificity 100%). One had equivocal staining. CONCLUSION Our series showed that anorectal LGV had similar histological findings to those of prior STI proctitis series predominantly comprised of syphilis. The novel RNA ISH stain was sensitive and specific and may show utility in differentiating types of STI proctitis.
Fabry-Perot Filter-Based Mode-Group Demultiplexers

A novel mode-group demultiplexer using Fabry-Perot (FP) filters has been proposed and designed to enable low-crosstalk demultiplexing of mode groups with degeneracies commensurate with those of graded-index (GRIN) MMFs.
An equilibrium constant pH molecular dynamics method for accurate prediction of pH-dependence in protein systems: Theory and application

Computational modeling and simulation of biomolecular systems at their functional pH ranges requires an accurate approach to exploring the pH dependence of conformations and interactions. Here we present a new approach - the Equilibrium Constant pH (ECpH) method - to perform conformational sampling of protein systems in the framework of molecular dynamics simulations in an N, P, T-thermodynamic ensemble. The performance of ECpH is illustrated for two proteins with experimentally determined conformational responses to pH change: the small globular water-soluble bovine b-lactoglobulin (BBL), and the dimer transmembrane antiporter CLC-ec1 Cl-/H+. We show that with computational speeds comparable to equivalent canonical MD simulations we performed, the ECpH trajectories reproduce accurately the pH-dependent conformational changes observed experimentally in these two protein systems, some of which were not seen in the corresponding canonical MD simulations. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=153 SRC="FIGDIR/small/394015v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (79K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@b9c6bdorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a6d0d3org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d7fb23org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a8f760_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Table of Contents artwork C_FIG
The Moment of Transformation: Time and the Critical Turn in the Inaugural Dissertation

This chapter argues that Kant’s thinking about time in the 1770 Inaugural Dissertation fundamentally altered his metaphysics. After exposing how metaphysicians illegitimately combine the notions of space and time with purely rational ideas and principles, his earlier philosophy of simple substances is effectively demolished. This is the result of recognizing that the cognitive subject is the metaphysical ground of the relations between events in the external, sensible world. Kant’s argument for that is that the qualitative, directional features of time (the A-series relations of the present, past, and future) are necessary for there to be relations of before and after (B-series relations). Objective temporal relations between events exist and are outside of the mind, but they are only possible because of the existence of the essentially indexical cognitive subject who has a present, past, and future. This is because nature is made up of infinite continua without any intrinsic metric (unit of measure) or rules of measurement. Thus, Kant offers a transcendental constructivism, in which individuation, determinacy, measurement, and directionality are introduced to world through the metric of time (the simple “now”) and the rules of its transformation, which are bound to the existence of a cognitive subject.
Copyright in a Nutshell for Artists & Filmmakers

This is an annotated transcript of a lecture introducing basic concepts in copyright law, intended for artists and filmmakers with no background in the law. Among other things, it discusses copyrightable subject matter, authorship, ownership, duration, infringement, plagiarism, and fair use.
Dietary Diversity in Nepal: A Latent Class Approach.

Background:Nutritional status has important implications for labor productivity, lifetime earnings, and country-wide economic development. Dietary diversity is an important contributor to nutrition...
A quantitative metric for organic radical stability and persistence using thermodynamic and kinetic features.

Long-lived organic radicals are promising candidates for the development of high-performance energy solutions such as organic redox batteries, transistors, and light-emitting diodes. However, “stable” organic radicals that remain unreactive for an extended time and that can be stored and handled under ambient conditions are rare. A necessary but not sufficient condition for organic radical stability is the presence of thermodynamic stabilization, such as conjugation with an adjacent π-bond or lone-pair, or hyperconjugation with a σ-bond. However, thermodynamic factors alone do not result in radicals with extended lifetimes: many resonance-stabilized radicals are transient species that exist for less than a millisecond. Kinetic stabilization is also necessary for persistence, such as steric effects that inhibit radical dimerization or reaction with solvent molecules. We describe a quantitative approach to map organic radical stability, using molecular descriptors intended to capture thermodynamic and kinetic considerations. The comparison of an extensive dataset of quantum chemical calculations of organic radicals with experimentally-known stable radical species reveals a region of this feature space where long-lived radicals are located. These descriptors, based upon maximum spin density and buried volume, are combined into a single metric, the radical stability score, that outperforms thermodynamic scales based on bond dissociation enthalpies in identifying remarkably long-lived radicals. This provides an objective and accessible metric for use in future molecular design and optimization campaigns. We demonstrate this approach in identifying Pareto-optimal candidates for stable organic radicals.
Thinner and Faster Photodetectors Producing Lower Phase Noise

Design parameters of a high-performance photodetector are further optimized using the Nelder-Mead method minimizing the phase noise calculated with a logarithmic time evolution algorithm. The new design is thinner, faster, and has 6 dBc/Hz lower phase noise than the original design.
The history of the first decade of the observing system in the Gulf of Maine, and plans for the second decade

The coastal ocean observing system in the Gulf of Maine was deployed in the summer of 2001. The system operated a real-time data buoy array that collected oceanographic and meteorological measurements in a 24/7 operation at as many as 11 locations in the Gulf of Maine (GoM). The data return of the GoM sensor array has averaged approximately 90% over its first decade of operation. In addition to the hourly operational data delivery to several online websites, the University of Maine provides an archive of data and model output that are significantly advancing the scientific understanding of the GoM as a physical and ecological system. Over the decade of operation, the data have revealed marked seasonal and interannual variability of the circulation and physical properties of the gulf.
Impact of the biophysical features of a 3D gelatin microenvironment on glioblastoma malignancy

Three-dimensional tissue engineered constructs provide a platform to examine how the local extracellular matrix (ECM) contributes to the malignancy of cancers such as human glioblastoma multiforme. Improved resolution of how local matrix biophysical features impact glioma proliferation, genomic and signal transduction paths, as well as phenotypic malignancy markers would complement recent improvements in our understanding of molecular mechanisms associated with enhanced malignancy. Here, we report the use of a gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) platform to create libraries of three-dimensional biomaterials to identify combinations of biophysical features that promote malignant phenotypes of human U87MG glioma cells. We noted key biophysical properties, namely matrix density, crosslinking density, and biodegradability, that significantly impact glioma cell morphology, proliferation, and motility. Gene expression profiles and secreted markers of increased malignancy, notably VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9, HIF-1, and the ECM protein fibronectin, were also significantly impacted by the local biophysical environment as well as matrix-induced deficits in diffusion-mediated oxygen and nutrient biotransport. Overall, this biomaterial system provides a flexible platform to explore the role biophysical factors play in the etiology, growth, and subsequent invasive spreading of gliomas.
Carcinoma in situ of the vulva: A continuing challenge

The epidemiologic data, clinical features, associated diseases, and histologic characteristics present in 50 cases of carcinoma in situ of the vulva are analyzed. A comparison of follow-up results obtained with various treatment methods is presented. With primary surgery the recurrence rate is dependent on the presence or absence of tumor at the surgical margins. Deoxyribonucleic acid patterns, determined by microspectrophotometry, were aneuploid in 92% of the cases studied. Five patients (10%) with aneuploid lesions, observed without therapy, experienced spontaneous regression of tumor and replacement of abnormal areas by euploid epithelium.
Proper Motions of H2 Jets and Variability of Young Stars in the Serpens NW Region

We present deep H2 1–0 S(1) line and continuum images as well as K-band proper-motion data on a system of emission knots in the Serpens NW region. Our data demonstrate that the jet outlined by these knots originates in knot "a" of the SMM 9 molecular clump in Serpens NW. Kinematic indications for remnants of molecular material being expelled from the star EC 37 were found. The jet associated with SMM 1 (FIRS1) was shown indeed to move in the direction suggested by its morphology. The faint star (EC 41) seen in the near-infrared close to the apex of that jet is almost certainly not identical with the driving source of the outflow. Extremely red stars, associated with some nebulosity, were found very close to the positions of the outflow sources S68 N/SMM 9 and SMM 10, suggesting that these stars found in the K band are identical to the objects detected at submillimeter wavelengths. We also report on the photometric monitoring of the Serpens Deeply Embedded Outburst Star (DEOS), discovered in 1995 and other young stars in Serpens. After an initial steeper drop in brightness by 0.84 mag in the first 290 days after the recorded maximum, the DEOS brightness is now decreasing at a slower average rate of 0.33 mag yr-1. Its spectrum has changed since the time of discovery and now shows faint indications of CO band head absorption. The cometary nebula EC 53 (associated with SMM 5) shows repeated outbursts between 1994 and 1998; a periodicity of about 550 days is suggested. This Class I source is probably an EX Orionis variable.
Period tripling and energy dissipation of breaking standing waves

We examine the dynamics of two-dimensional steep and breaking standing waves generated by Faraday-wave resonance. Jiang et al. (1996) found a steep wave with a double-peaked crest in experiments and a sharp-crested steep wave in computations. Both waveforms are strongly asymmetric in time and feature large superharmonics. We show experimentally that increasing the forcing amplitude further leads to breaking waves in three recurrent modes (period tripling): sharp crest with breaking, dimpled or flat crest with breaking, and round crest without breaking. Interesting steep waveforms and period-tripled breaking are related directly to the nonlinear interaction between the fundamental mode and the second temporal harmonic. Unfortunately, these higher-amplitude phenomena cannot be numerically modelled since the computations fail for breaking or nearly breaking waves. Based on the periodicity of Faraday waves, we directly estimate the dissipation due to wave breaking by integrating the support force as a function of the container displacement. We find that the breaking events (spray, air entrainment, and plunging) approximately double the wave dissipation.
Joint polarization and spatial-mode entanglement of photons

Simultaneous multidimensional entanglement can improve quantum communication protocols, measurements and fundamental studies. Using photons from parametric downconversion, we demonstrate a source of joint polarization and spatial-mode entanglement, and characterize the state by tomographic reconstruction.
Pressure Transducer Method for Measuring Gas Production by Microorganisms

A simple method for measuring gas production by microorganisms by using a pressure transducer to sense pressure buildup was developed and tested with members of the coliform group. The test system consisted of a 5.0 lb/in(2) pressure transducer and a pressure equalizer valve attached to the metal cap of a test tube (20 by 150 mm); gas pressure was recorded on a strip-chart recorder. Gas pressure response curves consisted of (i) a lag period with no marked increase in pressure, (ii) a rapid pressure buildup period, and (iii) a leveling-off period. A linear relationship was established between inoculum size and length of the lag period. Cultures shaken at 200 oscillations/min showed a marked increase in rate of gas release over stationary cultures. Cell concentrations at the time of rapid buildup in pressure were 10(8)/ml. Mean maximum pressure recordings, lb/in(2) per 10 ml of broth, were: Enterobacter aerogenes, 3.70; Citrobacter intermedium, 2.70; and Escherichia coli, 2.10. Mean CO(2) concentrations, ppm of headspace gas, for E. coli were: (i) 2,000 at time of inoculation, (ii) 25,000 at time of rapid buildup in pressure, and (iii) 150,000 at maximum pressure. These results indicate the potential application of the pressure transducer method for rapidly detecting coliforms and other gas-producing microorganisms in clinical samples and in sterility testing of foods.
Effect of hypothalamic lesions and androgen on plasma LH levels in castrated male gerbils.

The effects of hypothalamic lesions, androgen implants and systemically injected androgen on plasma LH levels in castrated male gerbils were studied using a radioimmunoassay to measure LH. Untreated and sham—operated controls were used in all experiments. Testosterone propionate injected sc daily into 30#x2013;day castrates decreased plasma LH 78% within 48 hr, but pituitary LH was unchanged. DC anodal lesions between the ventromedial nucleus and medial mammillary nucleus (VMH#x2014;MM) and in the preoptic area (POA) in 4#x2013;day castrates had no effect on plasma LH. Lesions in the arcuate nucleus (ARH) and median eminence (ME) resulted in plasma LH decreases of 55 and 77%, respectively, within 48 hr. Subcutaneous injections of 500 ¼g testosterone propionate in gerbils with VMH#x2014;MM or POA lesions and in controls produced a marked decrease in plasma LH, but in gerbils with ARH or ME lesions androgen injection significantly slowed the rate of plasma LH decrease previously induced by the lesions. In a...
Structures of carbon nanotubes studied by HRTEM and nanodiffraction

Abstract Nanodiffraction, with an electron beam of diameter 1 nm, has been used in conjunction with high resolution electron microscopy (HREM) and selected area electron diffraction to investigate the structures of carbon nanotubes having diameters of a few nanometers. It is shown that, in addition to nonotubes of circular cylindrical cross-section, with zero, one or several helix angles, there are many tubes having polygonal cross-sections, made up of flat regions joined by regions of high, but uniform curvature. The HREM evidence for such structure is that the patterns of lattice fringes on the two sides of the tube may be very different, with spacings varying from the 0.34 nm given by circular cylinder tubes, up to 0.41 nm. The nanodiffraction patterns show that the flat regions of the polyhedral tubes may have a well crystallized graphite structure but may also show considerable rotational disorder.
A comparison model for measuring individual agreement.

This article proposes a general comparison model for assessing individual agreement of k ≥ 2 raters evaluating n subjects with m ≥ 2 replicated readings. Users can explore total-rater agreement relative to intrarater agreement where any subset of the k raters can be selected in the numerator and denominator. Users are also allowed to compare intrarater agreement among selected raters. Based on the ratio of mean squared deviations (MSDs), two comparative agreement indices, total–intra ratio (TIR) and intra–intra ratio (IIR), are proposed. The TIR is a noninferiority assessment such that the differences of individual readings from different raters cannot be inferior by a prespecified margin to the differences of the replicated readings within raters. TIR can be used whether a reference exists or not. The method used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for evaluating individual bioequivalence under relative scale becomes the special case of our approach. The IIR is a classical assessment such that ...
Review of progress on scintillation fluors for the detectors of the SSC

Abstract The limits of scintillation decay time (t) in polystyrene of ≈2 nsec have been recognized, and the combinations of extinction coefficient (e) and fluorescence quantum yield (FQE) required to obtain this decay time from a fluor with a specific emission wavelength peak have been delineated. Some oligophenylenes with very high light output, fast decay time, and good radiation hardness were discovered; but, while useful in plates, their emission wavelengths are too short for use in fibers without suitable shifters. A new proprietary shifter from Bicron, Inc., was reported which gave good attenuation lengths in polystyrene, very fast decay time, and moderate radiation hardness. Many derivatives of 3-hydroxyflavone (3HF) have been prepared to improve all of the above properties as well as improving solubility in polystyrene, in some cases by copolymerizing vinyl derivatives of 3HF A new derivative of 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzothiazole (HBT) called CNHBT tripled the FQE of HBT and improved other properties making CNHBT comparable with 3HF overall. A promising new family of proprietary fluors from Nanoptics, Inc., was reported which are apparently superior to 3HF in all properties, except for emission wavelength peaks 30 nm shorter.
The Future of Biothermal Engineeringa

This is a report on a three-day workshop held at the Allerton House of the University of Illinois. The first day consisted of invited tutorials on topics related to biothermal engineering: biological structures, analysis of microvascular heat transfer, temperature measurement, cryobiology and cryosurgery, burns, and industrial and consumer applications. The rest of the workshop consisted of discussions in small groups and in plenary sessions dealing with relevant topics. Although the discussions endeavored to be as comprehensive as possible, the specific topics were selected by the participants based on their expertise and interests. The main areas examined were: Instrumentation, Priority applications, Mathematical modeling, Thermal injury. The reliable measurement of the temperature distribution inside the living tissue is still the premier problem of instrumentation although the measurement of other parameters, such as properties, blood perfusion or heat flux, is also of great importance. The most important applications are medical, industrial, consumer, agricultural, space, and military. The degree of sophistication needed in the analysis of specific problems varies a great deal from relatively simple heat conduction models to complicated ones including blood perfusion, anisotropy, and the influence of large blood vessels. For many applications new experimental data are still needed. There have been significant advances in the modeling of living tissue with increasing understanding of its thermal behavior. The consensus was, however, that the models will always have to be tissue or organ specific and some new models are still to be developed.
A Novel Buoyantly-Driven Shutdown Rod Design for Passive Reactivity Control of the PB-AHTR

The modular Pebble Bed Advanced High Temperature Reactor (PB-AHTR), with a nominal power output of 900 MWth, is the most recent US Berkeley design for a liquid fluoride salt cooled reactor. Due to the high volumetric heat capacity of the primary coolant, the PB-AHTR operates with a high power density core with a similar average coolant temperature as in modular helium reactors. The reactivity control system for the PB-AHTR uses a novel buoyantly-driven shutdown rod system that can be actively or passively activated during reactor transients. In addition to a traditional active insertion mechanism, the new shutdown rod system is designed to also operate passively, fulfilling the role of a reserve shutdown system. The physical response of the shutdown rod was simulated both computationally and experimentally, using scaling arguments where applicable, with an emphasis on key phenomena identified by a preliminary PIRT study. This paper discusses preliminary results from this effort.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Spectral Properties of Topical Retinoids Prevent DNA Damage and Apoptosis After Acute UV-B Exposure in Hairless Mice¶

We showed in a recent study that topical retinyl palmitate prevented UV-B-induced DNA damage and erythema in humans. Given that retinyl palmitate is a precursor of retinoic acid, the biological form of vitamin A that acts through nuclear receptors, we wondered whether these protective effects toward UV-B exposure were either receptor dependent or linked to other properties of the retinoid molecule such as its spectral properties. We determined the epidermal retinoid profile induced by topical retinoic acid in hairless mice and analyzed its effect on markers of DNA photodamage (thymine dimers) and apoptosis following acute UV-B exposure; we compared these effects to those induced by other natural topical retinoids (retinaldehyde, retinol and retinyl palmitate) which do not directly activate the retinoid receptors. We then analyzed the direct action of these retinoids on UV-B-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in cultured A431 keratinocytes. Topical retinoic acid significantly decreased (approximately 50%) the number of apoptotic cells, as well as the formation of thymine dimers in the epidermis of mice exposed to acute UV-B. Interestingly, the other topical retinoids decreased apoptosis and DNA damage in a similar way. On the other hand, neither retinoic acid nor the other retinoids interfered with the apoptotic process in A431 keratinocytes exposed to UV-B, whereas DNA photodamage was slightly decreased. We conclude that the decrease of apoptotic cells in hairless mouse epidermis following topical retinoids and UV-B irradiation reflects a protection of the primary targets of UV-B (DNA) by a mechanism independent of the activation of retinoid nuclear receptors, rather than a direct inhibition of apoptosis.
Diet-induced protection against lipopolysaccharide includes increased hepatic NO production.

The host response to Gram-negative infection includes the elaboration of numerous proinflammatory agents, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and nitric oxide (NO). A component of the hepatic response to infection is an elevation in serum lipids, the so-called “lipemia of sepsis,” which results from the increased production of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins by the liver. We have postulated that these lipoproteins are components of a nonadaptive, innate immune response to endotoxin [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] and have previously demonstrated the capacity of TG-rich lipoproteins to protect against endotoxicity in rodent models of sepsis. Herein we report the capacity of a high-fructose diet to protect against LPS, most likely by inducing high circulating levels of endogenous TG-rich lipoproteins. The protective phenotype included the increased production of NO by hepatic endothelial cells. Rats, made hypertriglyceridemic by fructose feeding, experienced decreased LPS-induced mortality (P< 0.03) and systemic TNFα levels (P< 0.05) as compared with normolipidemic (chow-fed) controls. The increased survival was associated with elevated levels of inducible NO synthase (NOS2) mRNA levels and NO production (82 ± 26 vs 3 ± 3 nmol nitrite/106cells,P< 0.001) by hepatic endothelial cells. Nonselective NOS inhibitors reversed the protective phenotypein vivoand readily decreased NO production by cultured endothelial cells from hypertriglyceridemic ratsin vitro.This study suggests that a high-fructose diet can protect against endotoxicity in part through induction of endogenous TG-rich lipoproteins and hepatic endothelial cell NO production. This is the first report of diet-induced hyperlipoproteinemia and subsequent protection against endotoxemia.
Tethered Spectroscopic Probes Estimate Dynamic Distances with Subnanometer Resolution in Voltage-Dependent Potassium Channels

Measurements of inter- and intramolecular distances are important for monitoring structural changes and understanding protein interaction networks. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer and functionalized chemical spacers are the two predominantly used strategies to map short-range distances in living cells. Here, we describe the development of a hybrid approach that combines the key advantages of spectroscopic and chemical methods to estimate dynamic distance information from labeled proteins. Bifunctional spectroscopic probes were designed to make use of adaptable-anchor and length-varied spacers to estimate molecular distances by exploiting short-range collisional electron transfer. The spacers were calibrated using labeled polyproline peptides of defined lengths and validated by molecular simulations. This approach was extended to estimate distance restraints that enable us to evaluate the resting-state model of the Shaker potassium channel.
A statistical semantic language model for source code

Recent research has successfully applied the statistical n-gram language model to show that source code exhibits a good level of repetition. The n-gram model is shown to have good predictability in supporting code suggestion and completion. However, the state-of-the-art n-gram approach to capture source code regularities/patterns is based only on the lexical information in a local context of the code units. To improve predictability, we introduce SLAMC, a novel statistical semantic language model for source code. It incorporates semantic information into code tokens and models the regularities/patterns of such semantic annotations, called sememes, rather than their lexemes. It combines the local context in semantic n-grams with the global technical concerns/functionality into an n-gram topic model, together with pairwise associations of program elements. Based on SLAMC, we developed a new code suggestion method, which is empirically evaluated on several projects to have relatively 18-68% higher accuracy than the state-of-the-art approach.