cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ECVT imaging of 3D spiral bubble plume structures in gas‐liquid bubble columns

Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography (ECVT) is a 3D, real-time imaging technique that is recently developed to image the multiphase flow behaviour in columns of regular or irregular geometries. In this study, the ECVT measurements are conducted to obtain phase holdups and flow structures in bubble columns of a straight-cylinder shape and a tapered-cylinder shape with porous and orifice gas distributors. The phase holdups obtained by the ECVT in a straight-cylinder bubble column with porous gas distributor are verified by other measurement techniques and correlation equations reported in the literature. The flow regimes of the bubble columns are also characterized by the ECVT. Particularly, a dynamic 3D flow structure, which is uniquely represented by the spiral motion of the bubble plumes occurring within the heterogeneous regime of the gas-liquid flow in a straight-cylinder shape bubble column with perforated distributor, is captured for the first time instantaneously over the entire flow field with the ECVT. Other flow behaviour such as the converging flow pattern of the gas bubbles in a tapered-cylinder shape bubble column is also revealed by the ECVT.
Tuning structural durability of yeast‐encapsulating alginate gel beads with interpenetrating networks for sustained bioethanol production

Microorganisms have become key components in many biotechnological processes to produce various chemicals and biofuels. The encapsulation of microbial cells in calcium cross-linked alginate gel beads has been extensively studied due to several advantages over using free cells. However, industrial use of alginate gel beads has been hampered by the low structural stability of the beads. In this study, we demonstrate that the incorporation of interpenetrating covalent cross-links in an ionically cross-linked alginate gel bead significantly enhances the bead's structural durability. The interpenetrating network (IPN) was prepared by first cross-linking alginate chemically modified with methacrylic groups, termed methacrylic alginate (MA), with calcium ions and subsequently conducting a photo cross-linking reaction. The resulting methacrylic alginate gel beads (IPN-MA) exhibited higher stiffness, ultimate strength and ultimate strain and also remained more stable in media either subjected to high shear or supplemented with chelating agents than calcium cross-linked alginate gel beads. Furthermore, yeast cells encapsulated in IPN-MA gel beads remained more metabolically active in ethanol production than those in calcium cross-linked alginate gel beads. Overall, the results of this study will be highly useful in designing encapsulation devices with improved structural durability for a broad array of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells used in biochemical and industrial processes.
Factors influencing oral mucositis in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Purpose: Oral mucositis is a painful complication of chemotherapy and can greatly affect patients' morbidity and mortality. Findings from two previous studies suggested a decrease in the prevalence of chemotherapy-induced mucositis in patients with solid tumors. The purposes of this study were to follow a large cohort of outpatients to determine the prevalence of mucositis and to identify whether certain clinical factors were significant in the development of mucositis. description of Study: In this prospective study, a convenience sample of 199 outpatients was followed for three cycles or until mucositis developed. The clinical factors monitored included the following: pretreatment dental examination/repair; initial standard chemotherapy dosage; prophylactic use of colony-stimulating factors; and use of preventive mouthwashes or other prophylactic measures. Results: Oral mucositis developed in 50 patients (25.1%). Prechemotherapy dental examination/repair and initial standard chemotherapy dosage were equivalent among both groups. Of the 48 patients in whom mucositis developed, 10 (20.8%) received prophylactic colony-stimulating factors. Of 134 patients in whom mucositis did not develop, 46 (34.3%) received prophylactic colony-stimulating factors. This difference was statistically nonsignificant. clinical Implications: Differences in the clinical factors investigated could not explain the lower prevalence of oral mucositis among the current patient cohort. The reason for the diminishing prevalence of this side effect remains unclear, and additional parameters, particularly detailed oral hygiene practices, should be evaluated. In the meantime, oncology clinicians should consider the teaching of patients and urging them to use good oral hygiene practices as necessary and potentially preventive measures against chemotherapy-induced mucositis.
Analysis of samples stored as individual plugs in a capillary by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

Droplets or plugs within multiphase microfluidic systems have rapidly gained interest as a way to manipulate samples and chemical reactions on the femtoliter to microliter scale. Chemical analysis of the plugs remains a challenge. We have discovered that nanoliter plugs of sample separated by air or oil can be analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry when pumped directly into a fused silica nanospray emitter tip. Using leucine-enkephalin in methanol and 1% acetic acid in water (50:50 v:v) as a model sample, we found carry-over between plugs was <0.1% and relative standard deviation of signal for a series of plugs was 3%. Detection limits were 1 nM. Sample analysis rates of 0.8 Hz were achieved by pumping 13 nL samples separated by 3 mm long air gaps in a 75 μm inner diameter tube. Analysis rates were limited by the scan time of the ion trap mass spectrometer. The system provides a robust, rapid, and information-rich method for chemical analysis of sample in segmented flow systems.
Getting to Going to the Show

This paper asserts the need for a scholarly and teaching practice that tries to understand cinema as experience: a set of processes, practices and relationships associated with but not reducible to films. It further calls for reimagining the history of cinema as the history of the experience of cinema, and for a corresponding historiographic practice that, however problematically, attempts to represent that which is representable about cinema as experience. Going to the Show (www.docsouth.unc.edu/gtts) is a digital library project that documents and illuminates the experience of moviegoing in North Carolina between 1896 and 1930. Information about and content associated with more than 1300 cinema venues in operation across 200 communities in the state are displayed upon more than 1000 geo-referenced urban ground plan maps. A number of historiographic questions arise from this experiment in the historical geography of cinema: How has the experience of cinema, particularly the experience of moviegoing, been...
Recent applications of PIXE spectrometry in archaeology part II Observations on early glassmaking in the Near East

Abstract The study of glass offers some special challenges for PIXE spectrometry, because of the complex trace element patterns which will result from the mixing of several ingredients to produce certain colors. This paper addresses such issues, to the extent that they influence characterization of ancient glass and related frits. Emphasis is placed upon the role of selective filtering in the sensitive measurement of Co, Mn, Ag, Sn, Sb and Pb, all of which seem to be important in the processes of glass coloration in antiquity. Application of these ideas focuses upon innovations of glassmaking that emerged in the Near East early in the 2nd millennium B.C., at settlements such as Dinkha Tepe and Geoy Tepe (Azerbaijan) and Nuzi (northeast Iraq).
Reassurance: A Mechanism by Which the Presence of others Reduces Anxiety

Summary The current investigation was designed to test the hypothesis that reassurance is at least one mechanism by which the presence of others reduces anxiety. In two separate experiments Ss (female undergraduates n = 38 and n = 40, respectively) waited to participate in an anxiety provoking shock experiment with two Cs. In one condition the Cs were reassuring and in the other they were not. Results of both experiments showed anxiety reduction only when the Cs were reassuring. Birth order differences could not be found; nor could the results of Experiment 2 confirm the hypothesis that reassurance causes people cognitively to re-evaluate the anxietyarousing situation.
The relevance of psychoactive agents to psychotherapy.

It would appear that psychiatrists trained in psychodynamic and medical approaches are best equipped to evaluate the relevance of drugs to psychotherapy. Psychiatrists working in a general hospital setting should especially consider it their province to study and understand the uses and abuses of pharmacologic agents as they influence all patients, since their non-psychiatrist colleagues often turn to them for help in this area.
Impact de pollution sur l'asthme de la petite enfance

Resume La prevalence de l’asthme et des allergies a double a la fin du siecle dernier, notamment chez les sujets les plus jeunes. On ne peut, dans ces conditions invoquer une cause exclusivement genetique. L’augmentation des maladies allergiques est en fait en relation avec des facteurs environnementaux, incluant l’exposition aux allergenes et aux polluants physicochimiques de l’air et les modifications des caracteristiques des infections survenant dans la petite enfance. L’exposition durant la petite enfance a une pollution liee au trafic automobile pourrait accelerer, voire provoquer, chez des sujets genetiquement predisposes, un processus inflammatoire bronchique qui pourrait contribuer a l’augmentation de l’incidence de l’asthme et des allergies dans les pays industrialises.
Addressing brain tumors with targeted gold nanoparticles: A new gold standard for hydrophobic drug delivery?

EGF-modified Au NP-Pc 4 conjugates showed 10-fold improved selectivity to the brain tumor compared to untargeted conjugates. The hydrophobic photodynamic therapy drug Pc 4 can be delivered efficiently into glioma brain tumors by EGF peptide-targeted Au NPs. Compared to the untargeted conjugates, EGF-Au NP-Pc 4 conjugates showed 10-fold improved selectivity to the brain tumor. This delivery system holds promise for future delivery of a wider range of hydrophobic therapeutic drugs for the treatment of hard-to-reach cancers.
Poly(ethylene glycol)-Conjugated PAMAM Dendrimer for Biocompatible, High-Efficiency DNA Delivery

We demonstrate a simple and successful synthetic approach to devise a highly efficient DNA delivery system with low cytotoxicity and low cost. Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer is a highly efficient DNA delivery agent, when compared to other chemical transfection reagents. Partially degraded, high-generation dendrimers offer even higher efficiency, presumably due to enhanced flexibility of the otherwise rigid dendrimer chains.1 We hypothesized that chemical modification of low generation dendrimer with biocompatible poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains would create a conjugate of PAMAM core with flexible PEG chains, which mimics the fractured high-generation dendrimer and produces high transfection efficiency. Generation 5 PAMAM was modified with 3400 molecular weight PEG. The novel conjugate produced a 20-fold increase in transfection efficiency compared with partially degraded dendrimer controls. The cytotoxicity of PEGylated dendrimers was very low. This extremely efficient, highly biocompatible, low-cost...
A model for high-pressure vaporization of droplets of complex liquid mixtures using continuous thermodynamics

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive model for the transient high-pressure vaporization process of droplets of complex liquid mixtures with large number of components in which the mixture composition, the mixture properties, and the vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) are described by using the theory of continuous thermodynamics. Transport equations, which are general for the moments and independent of the distribution functions, are derived for the semi-continuous systems of both gas and liquid phases. A general treatment of the VLE is conducted which can be applied with any cubic equation of state (EOS). Relations for the properties of the continuous species are formulated. The model was further applied to calculate the sub- and super-critical vaporization processes of droplets of a representative petroleum fuel mixture – diesel fuel. The results show that the liquid mixture droplet exhibits an intrinsic transient vaporization behavior regardless of whether the pressure is sub- or super-critical. The regression rate of the liquid mixture droplet is reduced significantly during the late vaporization period. The comparison with the results of a single-component substitute fuel case emphasizes the importance of considering the multi-component nature of practical mixture fuel and the critical vaporization effects in practical applications. This paper provides a practical means for more realistically describing the high-pressure vaporization processes of practical fuels.
TU‐A‐217BCD‐01: Introductory CT Dosimetry (and What We Can Learn from Making Measurements on Cylinders)

A variety of methods are used to describe and control the radiation output of a CTscanner. Different approaches may serve to emphasize one facet of a particular scan over another, favor the lexicon and style of a specific manufacturer or simply reflect history. The multiplicity of terms often adds confusion to what should be a simple task: to characterize the output of a CT machine in terms of the radiation dose to a cylinder. We will begin by examining radiation dose to cylinders with an emphasis on isolating superfluous parameters. We start, as in TG111, with an infinite helical scan of an infinitely long cylindrical phantom. During such a scan the dose at any point in the cylinder will asymptotically build up to its ultimate value Deq . The spatial average of this value, Deq , can serve as an indicator of scanner output and along with the total number of rotations N determine Etot , the total energy absorbed by the cylinder. If a finite cylinder is long enough ( ≥ Leq ), a scan through it from one end to the other will yield these values in its central plane. The approach to Deq can conveniently be described by h(L), a robust function of scan length L which depends only weakly on z axis collimation and tube potential. This function facilitates the simple calculation of the lower dose to the central plane resulting from a finite scan. If the length of the cylinder is finite, as it is for the standard CTDI phantom, the dose is reduced further in a predictable fashion resulting in good correlation between Deq,bar and CTDIvol which in turn has been shown to be a useful tool in equating the radiation output between scanners differing in model and vendor. Though CTDIvol (and Deq,bar) are useful for characterizing CT machine output, we need to include the effect of patient size in assessing patient dose. TG204 has used measurements on phantoms of varying size to determine a size specific dose estimate (SSDE) which serves to accomplish this task. The SSDE has also proven to be very helpful in designing protocols for patients of varying size, especially pediatric patients. Learning Objectives: 1. To describe the radiation dose to a cylinder in uncomplicated terms, starting with the particularly simple case of an infinite scan to an infinite cylinder. 2. To extend the description to finite scans to infinite cylinders in terms of the h(L) function and then to the standard CTDI phantoms. 3. To describe some of the subtleties in making reliable CTDI measurements. 4. The demonstrated fact that dose indices (e.g., CTDIvol) provide a reliable indicator of machine output will be used to show, for example, how patient scans from machines of varying model and manufacturer can be compared. 5. To describe how characterizing the dose to cylinders of varying size can be used both to provide a reasonable index of patient dose and as a useful tool in the design of pediatric protocols.
Autoradiographic and cytochemical studies of phagocytic cells in selected fibre tracts of the mouse periodontium

Proliferative and protein synthetic activities of phagocytic cells of specific fibre tracts of the periodontium of C57B1 mice were studied employing autoradiographic techniques; these were combined with a histochemical technique for horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a marker for phagocytic activity. Animals were injected either with [3H]thymidine as a marker for proliferative activity, or with [3H]proline as a marker for protein synthetic activity prior to HRP injection. Blocks from the maxillae of experimental and control animals were fixed, decalcified, and sectioned at 50μm. These were incubated with HRP localization media, dehydrated and flat embedded in Epon 812 wafers. The entire length of the periodontium, including adjacent tooth and bone, were selectively cut from the wafers, mounted on epoxy blocks and serially sectioned at 2 μm. Slides containing these sections were then dipped in NTB-3 nuclear track emulsion, and after appropriate exposure times, were developed and post-stained. Sections were examined microscopically, employing an ocular grid, and phagocytic cells within each area examined were delineated as either ‘fibroblast-like’ (FL cells) or ‘endothelial/macrophage-like’ (EML cells) according to criteria such as morphology, location, orientation and proximity to a vascular channel. They were then subclassified as labelled or unlabelled with respect to the autoradiographic markers. The thymidine labelling index obtained for non-phagocytic FL cells was 3.09%; this was more than twice that for phagocytic FL cells (1.35%). Similarly phagocytic FL cells in all regions studied incorporated less than half as much [3H]proline as did their non-phagocytic counterparts. This was determined by silver grain counts over HRP-stained and unstained cells using a matched pair system. In addition, the variation of the relative number of phagocytic FL cells in specific fibre tracts suggested a relationship to functional demand. The distribution of these cells was closely related to experimentally determined rates of protein turnover. Phagocytic FL cells have a markedly reduced proliferative rate and synthesize proline-containing proteins at a reduced rate. This may reflect protein production primarily for the purpose of cell maintenance. These findings are consistent with the presence of subpopulations of fibroblasts (or fibrocytes) developmentally or functionally modified for phagocytosis; alternatively, this could signify modulation of fibroblasts from primarily biosynthetic activities to degradative functions in response to varying microenvironmental conditions.
HDLQ: A HDL environment for QCA design

Emerging technologies have attracted a substantial interest in overcoming the physical limitations of CMOS as projected at the end of the Technology Roadmap; among these technologies, quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) relies on different and novel paradigms to implement dense, low power circuits and systems for high-performance computing. As applicable to existing technologies, a hierarchical process can be utilized to facilitate the design of QCA circuits. Tools and methodologies both at system and physical levels are required to support all design phases. This article presents an HDL model to describe QCA “devices” (also referred elsewhere in the technical literature as building blocks, i.e., majority voter, inverter, wire, crossover) and facilitate the evaluation of their design. This tool, referred to as HDLQ, allows a designer to verify the logic characteristics of a QCA system, while supporting within a design environment different operational mechanisms (such as fault injection) and the unique features of QCA (such as bidirectionality and timing/clocking partitioning). The applicability of this design environment to various memory circuits for logic and timing verification is presented in detail. Various defective conditions for kinks due to thermodynamic effects and permanent faults due to manufacturing defects are considered for injection.
MAPK and PI3K kinase inhibition reduces proliferation of Barrett’s adenocarcinoma in vitro

Background Esophageal adenocarcinoma often arises from Barrett's esophagus. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) play critical roles in cell survival. We hypothesized that inhibition of these pathways in Barrett's adenocarcinoma would decrease cell proliferation and alter apoptosis in vitro. Materials and methods. Two Barrett's-associated adenocarcinoma cell lines, SEG-1 (wild-type p53) and BIC-1 (mutant p53), were treated with MAPK (U0126) and PI3K (LY294002) inhibitors at 20 μM concentrations. After 24 and 72 h, cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis and necrosis were evaluated by the Annexin V-FITC assay. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA. Results. LY294002 and U0126 treatment produced significant reductions (range 15.7 to 62.0%, P < 0.05) in cellular proliferation at both 24 and 72 h in the SEG-1 cells. BIC-1 cell viability was reduced (39.3 to 56.4%, P < 0.05) at 72 h. Both early and late apoptotic activity were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the SEG-1 cells using both inhibitors. Necrosis was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) using both inhibitors. No changes in either early or late apoptosis or necrosis were observed in the BIC-1 cells. Conclusions. Herein, we report significant antiproliferative effects against Barrett's adenocarcinoma by MAPK and PI3K inhibition in vitro. Pro-apoptotic mechanisms prevail in the wild-type p53 cells. Further investigation is warranted to advance the clinical treatment of this devastating disease.
An identity for the Wishart distribution with applications

Let Sp×p have a Wishart distribution with unknown matrix Σ and k degrees of freedom. For a matrix T(S) and a scalar h(S), an identity is obtained for E∑tr[h(S)T∑−1]. Two applications are given. The first provides product moments and related formulae for the Wishart distribution. Higher moments involving S can be generated recursively. The second application concerns good estimators of ∑ and ∑−1. In particular, identities for several risk functions are obtained, and estimators of ∑ (∑−1) are described which dominate aS(bS−1), a ≤ 1k (b ≤ k − p − 1). Haff [(1977) J. Multivar. Anal. 7 374–385; (1979) Ann. Statist. 7 No. 5; (1980) Ann. Statist. 8 used special cases of the identity to find unbiased risk estimators. These are unobtainable in closed form for certain natural loss functions. In this paper, we treat these case as well. The dominance results provide a unified theory for the estimation of ∑ and ∑−1.
Application of laplace approximation to record values

Let Y1, Y2,...,Yn,... be a sequence of independent and identically distributed random variables with a continuous distribution function F(y) and corresponding probability density function f(y). If {K(n),n ≥ 1} is defined by K(1)=1 for n ≥2 , then is said to be a sequence of record values. We develop accurate approximations based on the Laplace approximation method as developed by Tierney and Kadane (1986) to the predictive distribution of a future observation based on (1) the availability of just a sequence of record values, and (2) the full likelihood. It is seen that this approximation is remarkable in small sample sizes leading to tractable results for any distribution of the observations.
An Investigation of the Structures, Vibrational Spectra, and Relative Energetics of CH3COBrO3 Isomers

The structures, vibrational spectra, and relative energetics of CH3COBrO3 isomers have been examined using the B3LYP method in conjunction with different basis sets. The CH3COOBrO2 structural form is found to possess the lowest energy with an estimated heat of formation of −38.2 kcal mol-1, at 0 K, as determined from G2MP2 theory. The next lowest energy structural form is CH3COOOOBr, which lies 7.7 kcal mol-1 above CH3COOBrO2. The isomeric forms possessing higher energies are CH3COOOBrO and CH3COBrO3. We have examined the implication of the formation of CH3COBrO3 isomers from the atmospheric cross-reactions of the acetylperoxy (CH3COO2) and bromine monoxide (BrO) radicals and determined the possible dissociation products of the most likely CH3COBrO3 isomers.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer in young patients: A contemporary review

Abstract Purpose Little is known about prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in young patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). The goal of this study is to define the clinical features of this subgroup. Material and methods Patients age 55 or younger with either ATC or well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) with anaplastic changes were identified using electronic medical record at the Cleveland Clinic. The same number of patients older than 55 was randomly selected to serve as control. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival time (OST) and cause-specific mortality (CSM) were measured against age, tumor histology, extent of disease, and treatment modalities. Results Twelve patients age 55 or younger were identified. The median age was 51 years. Four patients had WDTC with anaplastic components — mixed tumor group (MTG). Their median PFS, OST, and CSM at 24 months were 21.5 months, 51 months, and 25%, respectively. For the other 8 patients who had pure ATC, their median PFS, OST, and CSM were 3.5 months, 6 months, and 100%, respectively. Patients in the MTG had better survival compared to the pure ATC and control group in terms of PFS (p = 0.0047 and p = 0.0053), OST (p = 0.0028 and p = 0.0029) and the CSM at 24 months (p = 0.0339 and p = 0.0096). In the pure ATC group, patients with positive cervical lymph node and distant metastases had similar overall survival outcomes (6 vs. 8 months, p = 0.4995). Conclusion Prognostic factors favoring survival in young patients with ATC include ATC arising within WDTC. Once full anaplastic transformation occurs, age was not a significant factor in survival.
Effects of road salts on the composition of seasonal pond communities: can the use of road salts enhance mosquito recruitment?

Road deicing agents can enter nearby wetlands and alter the composition of aquatic communities by directly eliminating salt-intolerant species and modifying ecological interactions between tolerant species. We conducted field experiments to examine the sensitivity of taxa that inhabit seasonal wetlands and to determine whether salt contamination could increase the production of ovipositing insects. In two outdoor mesocosm experiments, cladocerans and copepods rarely survived concentrations of commercial road salt >1,200 mg L−1, while wood frog eggs and hatchlings (Lithobates sylvaticus) were not strongly impacted until concentrations exceeded 4,500 mg L−1. Shore flies (Ephydridae), mosquitoes (Culex restuans; Anopheles punctipennis) and midge larvae (Chironomidae) were more salt tolerant than macrozooplankton. These taxa tended to be absent or relatively rare in experimental mesocosms with low salinities, but abundant in mesocosms with intermediate to high salinities. We conducted two additional experiments to examine whether adult choice of oviposition sites may in part explain the rarity of Cx. restuans in pools with low salinity. These revealed that Cx. restuans reduced oviposition rates in water-filled containers with cladocerans, and reduced clutch size in the presence of Lithobates larvae. However, salt concentration per se did not influence the propensity of Cx. restuans to oviposit. Collectively, our results suggest that aquatic habitats that are biologically compromised by deicing agents favor salt-tolerant insects, and that the use of road salts could increase the production of adult mosquitoes that are pests and vectors of disease.
Domino reaction of anilines with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran catalyzed by cation-exchange resin in water: an efficient synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives

A highly efficient method for the synthesis of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivatives by using a domino reaction of aromatic amines with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran over cation-exchange resin (H form) catalysts in water is described.
A newScaevola (Goodeniaceae) from Kauai Hawaiian plant studies 92

Based on morphology, there is describedScaevola wahiawaensis, native to the mountains of Kauai Island, Hawaiian Islands. It has the blades tomentose below with erect, subequal hairs; corolla lateral lobes 12–14 mm long, 6–7 mm wide, and the thickened body 2.5–3 mm wide. Its closest relative,S. mollis, of Oahu, has the blades closely tomentose below and ascending pilose; corolla lateral lobes 7–11 mm long, 3–3.5 (−5) mm wide, and the thickened body 1.5 mm wide.
Assessing Risk in Focal Arboviral Infections: Are We Missing the Big or Little Picture?

Background Focal arboviral infections affecting a subset of the overall population present an often overlooked set of challenges in the assessment and reporting of risk and the detection of spatial patterns. Our objective was to assess the variation in risk when using different at-risk populations and geographic scales for the calculation of incidence risk and the detection of geographic hot-spots of infection. We explored these variations using a pediatric arbovirus, La Crosse virus (LACV), as our model. Methods and Findings Descriptive and cluster analyses were performed on probable and confirmed cases of LACV infections reported to the Tennessee Department of Health from 1997 to 2006, using three at-risk populations (the total population, the population 18 years and younger, and the population 15 years and younger) and at two geographic levels (county and census tract) to assess the variation in incidence risk and to investigate evidence of clustering using both global and local spatial statistics. We determined that the most appropriate at-risk population to calculate incidence risk and to assess the evidence of clustering was the population 15 years and younger. Based on our findings, the most appropriate geographical level to conduct spatial analyses and report incidence risk is the census tract level. The incidence risk in the population 15 years and younger at the county level ranged from 0 to 226.5 per 100,000 persons (median 41.5) in those counties reporting cases (n = 14) and at the census tract level it ranged from 50.9 to 673.9 per 100,000 persons (median 126.7) in those census tracts reporting cases (n = 51). To our knowledge, this is the highest reported incidence risk for this population at the county level for Tennessee and at the census tract level nationally. Conclusion The results of this study indicate the possibility of missing disease clusters resulting from performing incidence risk investigations of focal diseases using inappropriate at-risk populations and/or at large geographic scales. Improved disease surveillance and health planning will result through the use of well defined at-risk populations and the use of appropriate geographic scales for the analysis and reporting of diseases. The finding of a high incidence risk of LACV infections in eastern Tennessee demonstrates that the vast majority of these infections continue to be under-diagnosed and/or underreported in this region. Persistent prevention and surveillance efforts will be required to reduce exposure to infectious vectors and to detect new cases of infection in this region. Application of this study's observations in future investigations will enhance the quantification of incidence risk and the identification of high-risk groups within the population.
PTH and PTH antagonist induce different conformational changes in the PTHR1 receptor.

Interaction of ligands with their specific receptors is accompanied by conformational shifts culminating in receptor activation and expression of hormonal activity. Using an engineered disulfide bond formation strategy, we characterized the relative conformational changes taking place within the PTH type 1 receptor (PTHR1) at the interface of transmembrane (TM)5 and TM6 on binding the PTH agonist, PTH(1-34), compared with the antagonist PTH(7-34). Cysteines were singly incorporated into a portion of the extracellular-facing region of TM5 (365–370), while simultaneously a second cysteine was introduced at position 420, 423, or 425 at the extracellular end of TM6, leading to a total of 18 double cysteine-containing PTHR1 mutants. All mutants, except P366C/V423C and P366C/M425C, were expressed in the cell membrane preparations. In the presence of agonist, H420C and M425C in TM6 formed disulfide bonds with all and with most, respectively, of the substituted cysteines incorporated in TM5. In contrast to the conformational shift induced (or stabilized) by agonist in activating the receptor, antagonist binding produced no detectable change from the basal (inactive) conformation of PTHR1. Our studies provide physicochemical evidence that the extracellular-facing ligand binding regions of receptor, TM5 and TM6, are dynamic and move relative to each other on ligand binding. The distinct differences in receptor conformation induced (or stabilized) by agonist PTH(1-34) compared with antagonist PTH(7-34) begin to provide insight into the early events in and mechanism of PTHR1 activation.
α‐helix to random coil transitions: Determination of peptide concentration from the CD at the isodichroic point

A method is presented for determining the concentrations of peptides and proteins having isodichroic points near 203 nm. The existence of an isodichroic point for a given substance indicates a local two-state (alpha-helix, random coil) population. The mean residue ellipticity at the isodichroic point, [theta lambda i], is, of course, independent of helix content. For a wide variety of synthetic and natural peptides, including both single helices and coiled coils, it is shown that [theta lambda i] is also essentially independent of substance and of whether the transition is induced by temperature, ionic strength, pH, chain length changes, amino acid substitution, or solvent perturbation. Averaging [theta lambda i] values culled from various laboratories gives -151 +/- 16 (SD, 7 sources) deg.cm2.mmol-1. In our laboratory, nonpolymerizable rabbit alpha-tropomyosin and two alpha-tropomyosin subsequences yield -135 +/- 10 (SD, 190 values) deg.cm2.mmol-1. Thus, given [theta lambda i] for a peptide of known concentration, it is possible to estimate the concentration of any other peptide provided that it has an isodichroic point at which the ellipticity is accurately measurable. It is then possible to calculate [theta lambda] at any other wavelength for which theta is known. It is advisable to determine [theta lambda i] for the best known peptide in one's own laboratory, since it depends on absolute instrument and cell calibrations and an absolute concentration determination.
Fatigue Crack Growth of Duplex Stainless Steel Castings at 4 K

Constant-load-amplitude stage II fatigue crack growth rates at 4 K were measured for duplex stainless steel castings. The results show that at a ΔK of 60 MPa•m1/2 , da/dN = 7.6 × 10−4 mm/cycle for an alloy with 1 percent ferrite. For an alloy with 8 percent ferrite, da/dN is 35 percent, and for an alloy with 29 percent ferrite, da/dN is 260 percent greater than for the 1 percent ferrite alloy. However, the exponent in the Paris equation does not change appreciably (less than 18 percent) as the ferrite content changes from 1 to 29 percent.
Tooth pulp-driven neurons in somatosensory cortex of primates: role in pain mechanisms including a review of the literature.

Abstract The tooth pulp of primates was stimulated electrically while searching for evoked unit potentials in the cerebral cortex. Control procedures were employed to assure that the electrical stimuli reached only tooth pulp fibers but no extrapulpal sensory fibers. In addition, an electrode was inserted in soft tissue surrounding the tooth for separate excitation of extrapulpal axons. A tooth pulp projection area was identified in the “face area” of primary somatosensory cortex. Two major neuron groups were encountered, one excited only by the extrapulpal soft tissue stimulus, the other by tooth pulp stimuli. Within the pulp-projection area, soft tissue-driven neurons were most numerous in superficial cortex of the postcentral gyrus, pulp-driven neurons dominated in deep cortex in the base of the central sulcus. The pulp-driven population divided into several functional subsets: those excited from one pulp only (conceivably capable of localizing pulpal stimuli), those excited from more than one pulp and those excited from both pulp and extrapulpal soft tissue. Within each of these 3 pulp-driven subsets, some units responded to single shock, others only to a train of shocks. Mean discharge latency was shortest for the population excited only from soft tissue, intermediate for pulp-driven units excited by single shock and longest for pulp-driven units excited only by trains of shocks. Both soft tissue and pulp stimuli evoked extensive inhibitory effects. In the Discussion, the possible role of pulp-driven neurons in pain is considered. The functional properties of some neurons are consistent with a role in stimulus localization but those of the remaining neurons suggest other roles in pain. An examination of the literature on cortex and pain suggests that normally somatosensory cortex is important for localizing painful stimuli and that it contributes to other pain mechanisms as well. After certain lesions, somatosensory cortex has the capacity for generating “central” pain just like other structures in the nociceptive pathway.
Improving local infrastructure finance in developing countries through grant-loan linkages: ideas from indonesia's water sector

In recent years, developing countries under fiscal pressure have increasing recognized significant weaknesses in their intergovernmental mechanisms for financing local infrastructure. Many countries are in the process of rationalizing poorly coordinated and subjectively allocated grant systems as well as loans. Such efforts, however, are typically undertaken independently of each other, often providing conflicting incentives for local fiscal behavior. I argue that the reform of grant and loan mechanisms should be explicitly linked to improve the overall effectiveness of the infrastructure finance system. The potential complications involved in designing grant-loan linkages, however, are considerable. I illustrate some key issues by examining the water sector in Indonesia, concluding with suggestions for how to think about creating such linkages in other sectors and countries.
Nonlinear analysis of the human visual evoked response.

Using time-domain correlation techniques, the first- and second-order Wiener kernels have been calculated for the system mediating the human visual evoked response. The first-order kernels indicate the linear element is a resonant one, with a natural frequency near 20 Hz, and a memory of approximately 250 ms. The transport delay associated with this element is approximately 56 ms. The second-order kernels indicate a quadratic nonlinear element with a memory less than 20 ms. The analytic form of this element can be approximated by a parabola shifted to the right of the origin. A close correspondance between the spectrum of the first-order kernel and the spectrum of the main diagonal of the second-order kernel suggests the nonlinear element preceeds the linear one. Tests of reproducibility on the first-order kernel and the main diagonal of the second-order kernel suggest they are reliable describing functions for the system mediating the human visual evoked response.
Contributions of child behavior and marital dissatisfaction to maternal perceptions of child maladjustment

Abstract Prior research has indicated that parent perceptions of child behavior problems are related to marital dissatisfaction and to child disruptive behavior. The hypothesis tested in the present study was that a combination of marital dissatisfaction and child disruptive behavior is more important than either variable alone. In Study 1, 51 mothers and their young clinic-referred children served as S s. Child behavior was assessed in the home by independent observers, and the Marital Adjustment Test was used to establish marital satisfaction. The Parent Attitude Test served as the measure of parent perceptions of child behavior. Median splits were performed on child behavior and subsequently on marital satisfaction within each level of child behavior. A priori comparisons were performed on the data. The second study was designed to replicate and extend the first study by examining maternal perceptions of maladjustment with a group of 36 nonclinic mothers and adolescent daughters. Rather than forming groups on the basis of child noncompliant/deviant behavior, maternal perceptions of conflict with her adolescent daughter were examined. Again, measures of marital quality were obtained. For both the preschool-aged and the adolescent sample, the hypothesis was supported, as a high level of marital dissatisfaction plus a high level of child disruptive behaviour (noncompliance, deviance, conflict) was associated with greater perceptions of behavior problems than either a high level of marital dissatisfaction alone or a high level of child disruptive behavior alone. The results were discussed in terms of the existing literature on stress and the importance of the findings for the assessment and treatment of clinic-referred children was noted.
Differential retention and divergent resolution of duplicate genes following whole-genome duplication

The Paramecium aurelia complex is a group of 15 species that share at least three past whole-genome duplications (WGDs). The macronuclear genome sequences of P. biaurelia and P. sexaurelia are presented and compared to the published sequence of P. tetraurelia. Levels of duplicate-gene retention from the recent WGD differ by >10% across species, with P. sexaurelia losing significantly more genes than P. biaurelia or P. tetraurelia. In addition, historically high rates of gene conversion have homogenized WGD paralogs, probably extending the paralogs’ lifetimes. The probability of duplicate retention is positively correlated with GC content and expression level; ribosomal proteins, transcription factors, and intracellular signaling proteins are overrepresented among maintained duplicates. Finally, multiple sources of evidence indicate that P. sexaurelia diverged from the two other lineages immediately following, or perhaps concurrent with, the recent WGD, with approximately half of gene losses between P. tetraurelia and P. sexaurelia representing divergent gene resolutions (i.e., silencing of alternative paralogs), as expected for random duplicate loss between these species. Additionally, though P. biaurelia and P. tetraurelia diverged from each other much later, there are still more than 100 cases of divergent resolution between these two species. Taken together, these results indicate that divergent resolution of duplicate genes between lineages acts to reinforce reproductive isolation between species in the Paramecium aurelia complex.
Ultra Widefield Fundus Imaging for Diabetic Retinopathy

For decades, the standard method for screening and grading severity of diabetic retinal disease has relied upon a montage of photographs using normal angle fundus cameras. With the development of ultrawide field (UWF) fundus imaging, more of the retina can be imaged with fewer pictures, less dependence on photographer skill, and, often, greater ease on the patient. Recent studies have shown comparability between traditional and UWF imaging for standard grading of diabetic retinopathy. Moreover, UWF images can detect peripheral pathology not typically seen in standard photographs, which may enlighten our understanding of disease severity and suggest new indications for treatment.
60Co in lunar samples

Abstract Concentrations of the (n, γ)-produced radionuclide 60 Co were measured in lunar samples at various depths from the surface down to 360 g/cm 2 . By comparing the data obtained to calculated production rates (based on the work of Lingenfelter et al. [8]) we determined the present day lunar neutron production rate, which was found to be (12 ± 3)neutrons/cm 2 sec ( E
Properties of Metastable Solid Helium Below the Normal Melting Pressure

In this note we report on simple estimates of the properties of metastable solid helium that is at a pressure below the normal melting pressure. We calculate the nucleation rate for formation of the liquid phase and estimate the “spinodal” pressure at which the solid becomes macroscopically unstable.
Persistence, Engagement, and Migration in Engineering Programs

Records from the Multiple-Institution Database for Investigating Engineering Longitudinal Development indicate that engineering students are typical of students in other majors with respect to: persistence in major; persistence by gender and ethnicity; racial/ethnic distribution; and grade distribution. Data from the National Survey of Student Engagement show that this similarity extends to engagement outcomes including course challenge, faculty interaction, satisfaction with institution, and overall satisfaction. Engineering differs from other majors most notably by a dearth of female students and a low rate of migration into the major. Noting the similarity of students of engineering and other majors with respect to persistence and engagement, we propose that engagement is a precursor to persistence. We explore this hypothesis using data from the Academic Pathways Study of the Center for the Advancement of Engineering Education. Further exploration reveals that although persistence and engagement do not vary as much as expected by discipline, there is significant institutional variation, and we assert a need to address persistence and engagement at the institutional level and throughout higher education. Finally, our findings highlight the potential of making the study of engineering more attractive to qualified students. Our findings suggest that a two-pronged approach holds the greatest potential for increasing the number of students graduating with engineering degrees: identify programming that retains the students who come to college committed to an engineering major, and develop programming and policies that allow other students to migrate in. There is already considerable discourse on persistence, so our findings suggest that more research focus is needed on the pathways into engineering, including pathways from other majors.
“Will It Ever End?”: A (Re)examination of Uncertainty in College Student Long-Distance Dating Relationships

This study examines uncertainty in long-distance dating relationships (LDDRs) from two different perspectives. While uncertainty reduction theory (URT) posits that uncertainty could be problematic for LDDRs, uncertainty management theory (UMT) recognizes that evaluations of future possibilities should be considered before determining whether or not uncertainty is problematic. Results indicated that participants who were uncertain about ever living in the same city as their partners were significantly more distressed, less satisfied, and rated communication coping strategies as less helpful than those who felt more certain about reunion. Uncertainty was not as problematic when evaluations about the future were taken into account.