cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acyclovir, cidofovir, and amenamevir have additive antiviral effects on herpes simplex virus TYPE 1.

Abstract Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) affects a large portion of the global population and has been shown to cause more severe symptoms in immunocompromised patients. It is in immunocompromised populations that HSV-1 has shown to have higher rates of resistance to the most commonly used antiherpetics, such as acyclovir/valacyclovir/penciclovir/famciclovir. The development of drug resistance has forced research into new antiherpetic therapies, including combination drug therapies. One potential complication of multidrug therapies is the existence of drug-drug interactions; as more drugs are used in the therapy, those interactions tend to become more complicated. This study tested the combination of acyclovir/cidofovir/amenamevir, the last drug being a new antiherpetic that targets the helicase-primase complex to prevent replication of viral DNA, for multidrug intervention. We used the design of experiments (DOE) function in Minitab to analyze the drug-drug interactions in their ability to inhibit growth of HSV-1. The DOE software was unable to detect any significant drug-drug interactions among these three antiherpetics as dosed. This would imply that these drugs could be used in combination to suppress viral replication without synergistic or antagonistic effects. This study shows that this therapy holds potential for further study and that DOE software is a potentially useful tool for determining complex drug-drug interactions.
Money, Credit, and Commanding the Societal Heights

Within the original American Constitution, the only responsibility the federal government had with respect to money was to combat counterfeiting. The dollar itself was defined as an invariant weight of silver, later gold. This situation changed with the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, the effect of which was to make monetary policy a form of counterfeiting. Governmental domination over money and credit catapults political officials and their clients into the foreground of allocating credit among enterprises. The financial crisis of 2008 reflects neither market failure nor political failure, but rather is an intelligible outcome of a heavily entangled system of political economy.
Prostate SBRT With Intrafraction Motion Management Using a Novel Linear Accelerator–Based MV-kV Imaging Method

Abstract Purpose This study reports clinical experience using a linear accelerator-based MV-kV imaging system for intrafraction motion management during prostate stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Methods and Materials From June 2016 to August 2018, 193 prostate SBRT patients were treated using MV-kV motion management (median dose 40 Gy in 5 fractions). Patients had 3 fiducials implanted then simulated and treated with a full bladder and empty rectum. Pretreatment orthogonal kVs and cone beam computed tomography were used to position patients and evaluate internal anatomy. Motion was tracked during volumetric modulated arc therapy delivery using simultaneously acquired kV and MV images from standard on-board systems. Treatment was interrupted to reposition patients when motion >1.5-2 mm was detected. Motion traces were analyzed and compared with Calypso traces from a previously treated similar patient cohort. To evaluate “natural motion” (ie, if we had not interrupted treatment and repositioned), intrafraction couch corrections were removed from all traces. Clinical effectiveness of the MV-kV system was explored by evaluating toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0) and biochemical recurrence rates (nadir + 2 ng/mL). Results Median number of interruptions for patient repositioning was 1 per fraction (range, 0-9). Median overall treatment time was 8.2 minutes (range, 4.2-44.8 minutes). Predominant motion was inferior and posterior, and probability of motion increased with time. Natural motion >3 mm and >5 mm in any direction was observed in 32.3% and 10.2% of fractions, respectively. Calypso monitoring (n = 50) demonstrated similar motion results. In the 151 MV-kV patients with ≥3-month follow-up (median, 9.5 months; range, 3-26.5 months), grade ≥2 acute genitourinary/gastrointestinal and late genitourinary/gastrointestinal toxicity was observed in 9.9%/2.0% and 11.9%/2.7%, respectively. Biochemical control was 99.3% with a single failure in a high-risk patient. Conclusions The MV-kV system is an effective method to manage intrafraction prostate motion during SBRT, offering the opportunity to correct for prostate clinical target volume displacements that would have otherwise extended beyond typical planning target volume margins.
Launching a Geriatric Surgery Center: Recommendations from the Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement

To prepare for the increasing numbers of older adults undergoing surgery, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has recently launched the Geriatric Surgery Verification Program with the goal of encouraging the creation of centers of geriatric surgery. Meanwhile, the Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement (SPAQI) has published recommendations for the preoperative management of frailty, which state that teams should actively screen for frailty before surgery and that pathways, including geriatric comanagement, shared decision-making, and multimodal prehabilitation, should be embedded in routine care to help improve patient outcomes. Both SPAQI and the ACS advocate for a multidisciplinary approach to improve the value of care for older adults undergoing surgery. However, the best way to implement geriatric services in the surgical setting is yet to be determined. In this statement, we will describe the SPAQI recommendations for launching a geriatric surgery center and the process by which its value should be assessed over time.
Spinal cord protection practices used during endovascular repair of complex aortic aneurysms by the U.S. Aortic Research Consortium

Abstract Background Spinal cord ischemia/infarction (SCI) is a devastating complication of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair that can result in permanent paresis or paralysis. The reported incidence of SCI after aortic interventions has ranged from 2% to 10%. Methods to prevent SCI are a topic of ongoing research, and many current practices have been based on expert opinion. Methods In an effort to better delineate the best practice models for SCI prevention during endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, a 65-question survey was completed by the eight principal investigators of the U.S. Aortic Research Consortium to capture data related to current practices and management strategies related to the prevention and treatment of SCI. Specific categories of interest included considerations for the “high-risk” classification of SCI, current perioperative prevention practices, indications for and management of spinal drains, and SCI rescue maneuvers. Results The most common practices routinely included blood pressure elevation (7 of 8; 87.5%), with most having a mean arterial pressure goal of not less than 90 mm Hg in the perioperative period (5 of 7; 71%), a hemoglobin goal intra- and postoperatively of not less than 10 mg/dL (6 of 8; 75%), and the use of prophylactic spinal drains in high-risk patients (6 of 8; 75%). Significant variation was found among the group for the timing of the resumption of antihypertensive medications, duration of hemoglobin goals after the procedure, and management of spinal drains. Many methods described in reported studies were not routinely used by most of the group, including a perioperative steroid bolus (1 of 8; 12.5%), mannitol (2 of 8; 25%), and naloxone infusion (1 of 8; 12.5%). Rescue maneuvers included placement of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drain if not already present (8 of 8; 100%), decreasing the target CSF drain pop-off pressure (6 of 8; 75%), increasing the CSF drainage volume (5 of 8; 62.5%), increasing the mean arterial pressure goal (8 of 8; 100%), increasing the hemoglobin goal (8 of 8; 100%), and imaging the spine using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (7 of 8; 87.5). Conclusions In general, consistent broad practices were used by most of the consortium; however, the details of specific parameters (ie, spinal drain management, therapy duration, and timing of resumption of antihypertensive medication) varied among the group. The U.S. Aortic Research Consortium group used the results of the survey for discussion and agreed on standardized SCI prevention recommendations in accordance with the group's collective expert opinion and experience. Variations in current practice were also identified to act as a foundation for future study, the most notable of which was the comparative effectiveness of therapeutic vs prophylactic use of CSF drains in the prevention of SCI.
Writing Quantum Entanglement into International Relations: Temporality, Positionality, and the Ontology of War:

AbstractLaura Zanotti’s Quantum Entanglements offers something unique to the burgeoning literature surrounding quantum physics, social science, and international relations. Rather than emphasizing ...
A Classification-Based Approach to Estimate the Number of Resting Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Dynamic Functional Connectivity States.

Aim: To determine the optimal number of connectivity states in dynamic functional connectivity analysis. Introduction: Recent work has focused on the study of dynamic (vs. static) brain connectivity in resting functional magnetic resonance imaging data. In this work, we focus on temporal correlation between time courses extracted from coherent networks called functional network connectivity (FNC). Dynamic FNC is most commonly estimated using a sliding window-based approach to capture short periods of FNC change. These data are then clustered to estimate transient connectivity patterns or states. Determining the number of states is a challenging problem. The elbow criterion is one of the widely used approaches to determine the connectivity states. Materials and Methods: In our work, we present an alternative approach that evaluates classification (e.g., healthy controls [HCs] vs. patients) as a measure to select the optimal number of states (clusters). We apply different classification strategies to perform classification between HCs and patients with schizophrenia for different numbers of states (i.e., varying the model order in the clustering algorithm). We compute cross-validated accuracy for different model orders to evaluate the classification performance. Results: Our results are consistent with our earlier work which shows that overall accuracy improves when dynamic connectivity measures are used separately or in combination with static connectivity measures. Results also show that the optimal model order for classification is different from that using the standard k-means model selection method, and that such optimization improves cross-validated accuracy. The optimal model order obtained from the proposed approach also gives significantly improved classification performance over the traditional model selection method. Conclusion: The observed results suggest that if one's goal is to perform classification, using the proposed approach as a criterion for selecting the optimal number of states in dynamic connectivity analysis leads to improved accuracy in hold-out data.
THE WHITE DWARF COMPANION OF A 2 M ☉ NEUTRON STAR

We report the optical discovery of the companion to the 2 M_☉ millisecond pulsar PSR J1614–2230. The optical colors show that the 0.5 M_☉ companion is a 2.2 Gyr old He-CO white dwarf. We infer that M during the accretion phase is <10^(-2), M_(edd). We show that the pulsar was born with a spin close to its current value, well below the rebirth line. The spin-down parameters, the mass of the pulsar, and the age of the system challenge the simple recycling model for the formation of millisecond pulsars.
Imaging Updates to Breast Cancer Lymph Node Management.

As the use of neoadjuvant systemic therapy in metastatic lymph node involvement in breast cancer has increased and surgical management has evolved toward less extensive surgery when possible, radio...
Ten-Year Impacts of Individual Development Accounts on Homeownership: Evidence From a Randomized Experiment

This paper presents evidence from a randomized field experiment to evaluate the longterm impact of an incentive for household saving. We examine the effect on homeownership of an Individual Development Account (IDA) program which ran from 1998 to 2003 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The IDA program provided low-income households with financial education and matching funds for qualified savings withdrawals, including a 2:1 match for housing down payments. About 90 percent of treatment group members opened IDA accounts, and contributions averaged about $1,800. Homeownership rates for both treatment and control groups increased substantially throughout the experiment. Prior work shows that from 1998 to 2003, homeownership rates increased more for treatment group members than for controls. We show in this paper, however, that control group members caught up rapidly with the treatment group after the experiment ended, so that the IDA program had no significant effect on homeownership rates among the full sample in 2009 and had no effect on the duration of homeownership during the study period. The program had a positive impact on homeownership rates among those with above-sample median income ($15,840) at the time they entered the program, but not on other subgroups that we tested.
Diode laser endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation in the normal equine eye.

Objective To determine the clinical and histologic effects of diode endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) in the phakic equine eye. Animals studied Phase I: 10 equine cadaver eyes. Phase II: four normal adult horses. Procedures Phase I: ECP probe angle of reach (AR) was determined. Multiple ECP energy levels: 0.75, 0.90, 1.05, 1.20, 1.35, 1.50 J, and the resulting visible and histologic ciliary process changes were evaluated. Phase II: Ocular quadrants were treated with ECP at 0.90, 1.14, 1.38 J, and a control. The contralateral eye underwent a sham operation. Tissue changes (clinical and histologic) were evaluated. Results Phase I: Mean combined AR was 162 ± 29 degrees. Mean visible tissue scores: 2.60 ± 0.58 (0.75 J) to 5.04 ± 0.30 (1.50 J) from possible total of 6. Tissue ‘popping’ was observed at 1.50 J. Histologic ciliary tissue damage was present at all settings. Phase II: Mean visible tissue scores: 2.90 ± 0.48 (0.90 J), 3.61 ± 0.57 (1.14 J), and 4.52 ± 0.56 (1.38 J). Tissue ‘popping’ was observed at 1.38 J. Histologic ciliary tissue damage was present at all settings. Clinical effects included acute inflammation, intraocular pressure reduction, cataract formation, corneal edema, corneal ulceration, and postoperative ocular hypertension. Conclusions Diode ECP between 0.90 and 1.14 J is a potential treatment option for glaucoma in horses based on visible tissue effects and target ciliary epithelium damage. Iatrogenic cataract development may limit the use of an anterior chamber approach in phakic horses. Supported in part by an ACVO VAF grant.
Fundamentals of Image Processing in Nuclear Medicine

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the fundamentals of image processing in Nuclear Medicine. It is not meant as a comprehensive guide, but more as an overview and introduction to those topics important to understanding the various forms of image processing.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of neuraminic acid containing C-glycoside polymers.

Two neuraminic acid-based, C-glycoside polymers were synthesized. Preliminary studies on one of these polymers showed potent neuraminidase inhibitory activity, suggesting potential utility as an antipathogenic surface coating for the preparation of antimicrobial biomaterials.
Modeling pathogen and host: in vitro, in vivo and in silico models of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Tuberculosis remains a significant global health burden. Little is understood regarding the critical pathogen-driven factors and host immune responses that result in latent infection and reactivation. The Wayne model is an in vitro model of latent infection in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis undergoes a hypoxia induced nonreplicating persistent state of metabolism. Using this model, important findings in genomic and proteomic factors involved in newly defined metabolic pathways and drug susceptibility have been identified. The mouse remains the most popular in vivo model latent infection. The Cornell model, reflecting chronic infection altered by antibiotic treatment, and the low to moderate dose chronic infection model have been used. Studies using this model have revealed important insights regarding TNF, IFN, reactive nitrogen intermediates, IL-10, CD4 and CD8 function during latent infection. However, the immune responses in the murine model most likely reflect chronic infection rather than true latency. The non-human primate model is the only animal model in which a true latent state occurs. However, its limited availability, high cost and support required are impractical for frequent use. Disparate data from multiple studies can be used to predict complex biologic interactions through mathematical simulations (in silico model). Mathematical modeling can be use to foresee important insights into host–pathogen interactions that can then be confirmed by in vivo experiments. Since no single perfect model of latent infection exists, the use of multiple models has and will continue to provide significant contributions in our understanding of latency and reactivation of tuberculosis.
Determinants of cardiac electrophysiological properties in mice

Introduction: The transgenic mouse is a popular model for human inherited cardiac disease. Electrophysiology (EP) studies have recently been performed in transgenic mice to characterize the electrical phenotype of the heart. However, little is known regarding the impact of experimental conditions or model selection on the outcome of EP studies in mice.
Poly(2‐methoxyphenylene vinylene): Synthesis, electrical conductivity, and control of electronic properties

Preparation par polycondensation du 2-methoxy-p-xylylenedi(bromure de thienylium) suivie d'une elimination thermique des groupes thienylium. Le polymere par est isolant mais le dopage par l'iode permet d'atteindre une conductivite de 1S/cm; la conductivite atteint 100 S/cm lorsque AsF 5 est le dopant
Microfluidics: pensioning off pipettes.

A microfluidic device design that allows a nanolitre droplet to be trapped and sequentially diluted without the need for any moving parts opens up new possibilities in high-throughput screening.
Hagedoorn told us how to do Kirchhoff migration and inversion

Migration and inversion, as I expound on it, is often lost on my audience because of my tendency to couch my explanations in mathematical terms. Well, I really do come at these problems from the mathematical, rather than the (geo)physical point of view, and it is kind of hard for us leopards to change our spots. On the other hand, I really would like to expand my audience of Kirchhoff inversion aficionados, so I am always looking for alternative ways to explain our mathematical esoterica. Chalk this article up as an attempt to do just that.
“Polydiffusion” in Intergovernmental Programs Information Diffusion in the School-to-Work Network

Traditional notions of “point source diffusion” fail to describe the multiple channels of information that states have regarding a federally promoted innovation and the mobilization of groups into intergovernmental, intersectoral information networks. This article tests the concept of “polydiffusion” in school-to-work programs, exploring participation and information in the network, state variation in information search, the role of the Internet, and implications for policy learning in the federal system.
Goals and Goal Orientation in Decision Support Systems for Ecosystem Management

We explore a goal-oriented as opposed to a problem-oriented approach to DSS development for ecosystem management. Ecosystem management ordinarily is guided by a set of goals that may conflict in various ways. Problems are perceived obstacles to realizing goals. Identifying and resolving conflicts between goals, testing current or projected situations for goal satisfaction, and problem identification all require a robust model of the goal structure for the intended domain. The lowest level of this goal structure must be represented as desirable future conditions consisting of proposed values for observable indicators. A model of the causal, legal, and other institutional relations between these desirable future conditions is also needed. Two projects based on a goal-oriented approach to DSS development are described. The first project has produced an initial prototype that incorporates goals for forest management in rules representing three tiers: management unit goals, stand-level goals, and desirable future conditions. The second, at an initial knowledge acquisition stage, is an attempt to develop a participatory decision-making methodology for socially and environmentally sensitive economic development in Central America.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math: AGU's Commitment to the Next Generation

AGU is committed to the progress of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educational programming for the next generation of scientists. STEM ensures the future of science and technology by providing academic and professional support to students in these fields.
High speed all-optical encryption and decryption using quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers

A scheme to realize high speed all-optical encryption and decryption using key-stream generators and an XOR gate based on quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers (QD-SOAs) was studied. The key used for encryption and decryption is a high speed all-optical pseudorandom bit sequence (PRBS) which is generated by a linear feedback shift register (LFSR) composed of QD-SOA-based logic XOR and AND gates. Two other kinds of more secure key-stream generators, i.e. cascaded design and parallel design, were also designed and investigated. Nonlinear dynamics including carrier heating and spectral hole-burning in the QD-SOA are taken into account together with the rate equations in order to realize all-optical logic operations. Results show that this scheme can realize all-optical encryption and decryption by using key-stream generators at high speed (~250 Gb/s).
Androgen metabolism by and binding to rabbit epididymal tissue: Studies on nuclei

Abstract When minces of epididymides from 3-day castrated rabbits are incubated with [3H]-testosterone at 23°C, macromolecular bound radioactivity enters nuclei. The increase in radioactivity associated with the nuclear fraction is accompanied by a decrease in radioactivity bound to the cytoplasmic receptor indicating that the classically described transfer of the hormone-receptor complex has occurred. Radioactivity is associated with at least two distinct compartments within nuclei. Macromolecular bound hormone can be released from one of these compartments by extracting the nuclei with 1.0 M KCl. The other compartment, which is associated with the post KC1 treated nuclear debris, is resistant to salt extraction. Radioactivity can be released from this compartment by treatment of the debris with ethanol. The kinetics of association of radioactivity appears to be more rapid in the salt-solubilized than in the salt resistant fraction. On an absolute basis more radioactivity is associated with the salt resistant than with the salt solubilized fraction of nuclei. [3H]-testosterone and [3H]-5α-dihydrotestosterone (5αDHT) can be detected in both compartments. No other metabolite of testosterone could be isolated from nuclei. When the minces were incubated for 1 hr with increasing concentrations of [3H]-testosterone at 23°C, [3H]-testosterone was the predominant androgen present in both nuclear compartments. When the incubation at 23°C was extended for 2 h [3H]-5αDHT was the predominant androgen in the salt-solubilized compartment, but [3H]-testosterone remained the major androgen in the salt resistant compartment. The [3H]-testosterone and the [3H]-5αDHT binding sites are saturable in both compartments.
Pharmacological Evidence for the Existence of Multiple Functional Pools of Brain Serotonin: Analysis of Brain Perfusate From Conscious Rats

: The serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine significantly reduced levels of endogenous 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in brain perfusate of rats implanted with push-pull cannulas. This occurred in conjunction with its suppressant effect upon fixed-ratio operant behavior. Behavior suppressed with the serotonin agonist lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) occurred in conjunction with a reduction of 5-HIAA only after 5-HIAA was elevated, shortly before, by 5 mg/kg of the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan. Our data demonstrate the likely existence of multiple functional pools of serotonin in brain and support the notion that LSD preferentially affects a newly synthesized pool of this transmitter.
Exogenous epidermal growth factor exerts promoting action during the early phase of rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis.

Using the heterotopically transplanted rat urinary bladder (HTB) model that was developed in our laboratory, we examined the relationship between the duration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) treatment and acquisition of EGF-independence of urinary bladder tumors that were induced by EGF stimulation. After treatment with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) (0.25 mg/0.5 ml of 0.9% NaCl once a week for 3 consecutive weeks), animals at week 3 received EGF [250 ng/ 0.5 ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)] into the HTBs once a week for 20, 28, or 36 weeks. For examination of the effect of EGF withdrawal, one half of the rats received the vehicle (PBS) only beginning at week 23 or week 31 for 8 weeks. When animals were examined at week 23, the incidence and the mean number of tumors per bladder were low, irrespective of EGF treatment. In the bladders that had been exposed to EGF during the first 20 weeks after MNU administration, however, both the incidence and the mean number of tumors per bladder had increased significantly at week 31, regardless of whether or not EGF treatment was continued beyond week 23. Between weeks 31 and 39, EGF treatment demonstrated no effect; both the incidence of tumors and the mean number of tumors were the same as those at week 31. These results suggest that EGF exerts its promoting effect only during the early phase of MNU-initiated bladder carcinogenesis, but that its effect becomes manifest during the subsequent 8 weeks. EGF independence may be due to establishment of an autocrine growth-stimulatory mechanism in bladder tumors.
THE WORKS OF RICHARD MOLLIER

ON the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Richard Mollier, a brief review of his published works and of the influence of these works upon the engineering profession is appropriate. We have attempted, in the paragraphs which follow, to provide such a review. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Tradeoffs in microbial carbon allocation may mediate soil carbon storage in future climates

Climate-induced changes in soil microbial physiology impact ecosystem carbon (C) storage and alter the rate of CO2 flux from soils to the atmosphere (Allison et al., 2010). The direction and magnitude of these microbial feedbacks depend on changes in saprotrophic bacterial and fungal C allocation in response to altered temperature, precipitation, and nutrient availability. Soil microbes may differentially allocate C in changing environments by altering processes such as enzyme production, C use efficiency (CUE), or biomass stoichiometry (Figure ​(Figure1).1). However, because these mechanisms may operate simultaneously and interact, microbial physiological feedbacks on soil C storage are difficult to predict. For example, initial increases in microbial CUE or biomass C:N may be counteracted by increases in enzyme production to acquire limiting organic nutrients. Figure 1 Three mechanisms through which microorganisms can shift C allocation: (A) extracellular enzyme activities, (B) carbon use efficiency, or (C) biomass stoichiometry. Each of these pathways can alter C storage in soils. Trend lines indicate expected responses ... Few studies have standardized microbial process rates, such as extracellular enzyme production or respiration, to the size of the microbial biomass. Examining process rates alone may obscure the microbial physiological mechanisms that underlie climate-induced changes in soil C cycling, leading to contradictory patterns among different studies. For instance, in a large-scale survey of soil protease activities from climate manipulations, drier and warmer conditions resulted in lower extracellular enzyme activities (EEA) compared to ambient conditions (Brzostek et al., 2012). In contrast, drier soils have also been found to stabilize extracellular enzymes in water films, reducing enzyme turnover rates and increasing potential activities (Lawrence et al., 2009; German et al., 2012).
Non-coding RNAs and DNA methylation in plants

Cytosine DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification in eukaryotes that maintains genome integrity and regulates gene expression. The DNA methylation patterns in plants are more complex than those in animals, and plants and animals have common as well as distinct pathways in regulating DNA methylation. Recent studies involving genetic, molecular, biochemical and genomic approaches have greatly expanded our knowledge of DNA methylation in plants. The roles of many proteins as well as non-coding RNAs in DNA methylation have been uncovered.
Study of EOS‐Gex mixing rules for liquid–liquid equilibria

The performance of two Gibbs free-energy-based equation-of-state (EOS) mixing rules is tested for the correlation and prediction of liquid-liquid equilibria (LLE). The LLE of ten binary mixtures were examined using the Peng Robinson EOS combined with the Wong Sandler and MHVl mixing rules with two excess free-energy models (NRTL and UNIQUAC). Good agreement with low-pressure experimental data was obtained for nonassociating and self-associating mixtures using temperature-independent parameters. However, in the case of aqueous mixtures that exhibit both a lower and an upper critical solution temperature, it was necessary to use temperature-dependent parameters, as is also true when activity coefficient models are used directly to describe such systems. The Wong Sandler mixing rule was capable of predicting the high-pressure phase behavior of the systems studied using parameters from correlation of only low-pressure LLE data, while the MHVl model required the introduction of a binary interaction parameter. Consequently, the MHVl model was useful for the correlation, but not for the prediction of high-pressure LLE from low-pressure data.
Luminescence investigation of SiO2 surfaces damaged by 0.35-nm laser illumination

Following initiation at absorbing surface flaws, UV laser- induced damage to polished fused-silica surfaces continues to grow upon subsequent illumination. In this study photoluminescence spectroscopy was used to detect the formation of a modified, absorbing layers of silica that could be responsible for the continued growth of the damage site. For damage sites created with pulsed 355 nm illumination, three characteristic photoluminescence peaks are detected within the damage sites when excited with a 351 nm CW beam. Two of the peaks are likely due to the well- known E' and NBOHC defects associated with oxygen vacancies and broken Si-O bonds, respectively. The third, and dominant, peak at 560 nm has not been clearly identified, but is likely associated with a change in stoichiometry of the silica. The relative intensities of the peaks are non- uniform across individual damage sties. The photoluminescence data is being combined with insights from various optical and optical and electron microscopies to develop an understanding of laser-induced damage sties. The objective is to develop strategies to slow or stop the growth of the damage sites.
Cyber physical system approach for design of power grids: A survey

Cyber physical systems (CPSs) refer to the class of systems which offer close integration of computation, networking, and physical processes. CPS approach to system design has been conventionally used in several domains, such as smart homes and health-care systems, however, its use in the design of power systems is relatively new. The unique features of CPSs are expected to greatly benefit the smart power grids of tomorrow. In this paper, we review several recent advancements made in the field of CPS approach in design and operation of power grids. We also discuss the application of CPSs in other domains to gain insights into the techniques and design approaches which could also be beneficial for power systems. We present a classification of research work and identify the challenges in wide-scale adoption of CPSs. This survey is intended to enable the researchers and power system operators to get insights into working of CPSs and understand their potential in transforming the future power grids.
Re-Conceptualizing Spirituality in the Light of Educating Young Children.

What is meant by spirituality in relation to a young child? Palmer (2003) asserted that spirituality is an elusive word with a variety of definitions—some compelling, some witty, some downright dangerous. The spirituality of a young child involves actively living by being connected to a natural source within the moral universe and affectively belonging with relationships that are interconnected within a child’s culture and community. Children’s spirituality is transformational by inspiring others and directive by facilitating and encouraging peers by connecting with others within a classroom community. This paper discusses a re‐conceptualization of children’s spirituality through autobiographical experiences and self‐reflection that embrace early childhood relationships and involve interconnected transformational and directive spiritual experiences. These spiritual experiences build trustful, moral, relational learning moments in an early childhood classroom with peers.
An evaluation of input-decentralized and output-decentralized realizations for large-scale systems

In this paper we investigate the role of input-decentralized representations of large-scale systems (LSS) in stabilization, estimation, and control. We conclude that a systematic procedure for transforming a general LSS to input-decentralized form does not exist at the present time.
Bioluminescent nanosensors for protease detection based upon gold nanoparticle–luciferase conjugates

This communication reports the use of click chemistry to site-specifically conjugate bioluminescent Renilla luciferase proteins to gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) for sensing protease activity. The bioluminescent emission from luciferase was efficiently quenched by Au NPs, but significantly recovered after the proteolytic cleavage.
Theory of lattice thermal conductivity: Role of low-frequency phonons

The lattice thermal conductivity arises from contributions by phonons of all frequencies. The mean free path l(ω) is limited mainly by three-phonon interactions, and l i(ω)∝ω−2 T −1 where ω is the phonon frequency, and T is the absolute temperature. Since the spectral specific heat varies as ω 2, the spectral thermal conductivity is independent of frequency, and low frequencies play a larger role than they do in the heat content. The effect of additional scattering processes due to defects must be compared to intrinsic scattering, not just at the highest frequency, but over the full spectral range. This enhances the resistance due to grain boundaries and large obstacles, and reduces the effect of point defects. Some typical examples are discussed. The role of low-frequency phonons may be even further enhanced if longitudinal low-frequency phonons have their interaction with other phonons reduced by wave vector conservation. Such modes would then contribute substantially to the overall thermal conductivity, and this contribution would be sensitive to grain size and to large-scale defects. However, the mean free path must be consistent with ultrasonic attenuation data. This enhanced sensitivity may be observable.
Supercritical fluid extraction of a crude oil, bitumen-derived liquid and bitumen by carbon dioxide and propane☆

Abstract Extractions of a crude oil, a bitumen-derived liquid and bitumen were conducted at several temperatures and pressures with carbon dioxide and propane in order to assess the effect of the size and type of compounds in the feedstocks on the extraction process. The pure-solvent density at the extraction conditions was not the only variable governing extraction, and the proximity of the extraction conditions to the pure-solvent critical temperature affected the extraction yields and the compositions of the extract phases. Higher oil yields were obtained at lower solvent reduced densities when the extraction temperatures were in the vicinity of the pure solvent critical temperature. In the crude oil and native bitumen extractions, as the extraction time and/or the extraction pressure increased, heavier compounds were found in the extract phases. This preferential extraction was not observed with the bitumen-derived liquid. The non-discriminatory extraction behaviour of the bitumen-derived liquid was attributed to its thermal history and to the presence of olefins and significant amounts of aromatics. Phase behaviour calculations using the Peng-Robinson equation of state and component lumping procedures provided reasonable agreement between calculated and experimental results for the crude oil and bitumen extractions, but failed to predict the bitumen-derived liquid extractions.
Tracing the Conceptions and Treatment of Genre in Anglo-American Cataloging

This study examines the conceptions and treatment of genre in four sets of modern Anglo-American cataloging rules spanning 171 years. Genre-related rules are first identified through “genre(s),” “form(s),” and “type(s)” keyword searches, and manual examination of the contents, then analyzed by level of treatment genre receives and by user tasks, as defined in the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records. While genre is found to be sporadically addressed across the rules, its significance has increased over time. In conclusion, the authors call for a rigorous and functional definition of genre and an integrated approach to genre in cataloging.
Quantitative fourier transform-infrared internal reflection spectroscopy (FT-IR/IRS) for adsorption density measurements

Abstract Use of the FT-IR/IRS adsorption density equation or any other equation based on the Beer—Lambert law can result in incorrect quantitative values when applied to cases where only part of the internal reflection element (IRE) is coated. Experimental methods that can lead to incorrect quantitative analyses are identified as well as methods to correct such problems. The validity of the (FT-IR/IRS) adsorption density equation is demonstrated using transferred Langmuir—Blodgett films of stearic and oleic acids with proper consideration of coated and uncoated dimensions of the IRE. Results from this study clearly show the FT-IR/IRS adsorption density equation can be used with confidence for quantitative analyses of surfactant adsorption phenomena.
Evolution of the Congo rift basin, West Africa: an inorganic geochemical record in lacustrine shales

The inorganic geochemistry and mineralogy of synrift lacustrine shales from the Early Cretaceous Congo rift basin provide insight into source terrane, palaeoclimate and evolution of rift topography. The basin formed in a Late Proterozoic metamorphic belt as South America and Africa began to separate. Within the synrift section, a late rift sequence (Marnes Noires and Argilles Vertes Formations) can be distinguished from an underlying active rift sequence (Vandji, Sialivakou and Djeno Formations), based on diminished faulting and more uniform subsidence. Provenance did not vary significantly until deposition of the youngest part of the rift sequence. Al2O3/TiO2 and K2O/Na2O ratios, generally constant, rise sharply in upper Marnes Noires and Argilles Vertes, demonstrating decreased contribution from Proterozoic volcanic sources. Parameters including (quartz+feldspar)/total clay and SiO2/Al2O3 suggest that depositional systems reorganized during lower Djeno deposition, possibly due to rejuvenation of faulting. Grain size decreases in the late rift section; however, the parameter SiO2/Al2O3 increases. This is attributed to chemical or biogenic deposition of silica. The proportion of chemical sedimentation increases upward in the synrift section, peaking in the Marnes Noires Formation, where the concentrations of organic carbon and carbonate and the proportion of SiO2 to siliciclastic-associated elements reach a maximum. This is interpreted as resulting from input of high dissolved chemical load in the late rift stage and is attributed to increased chemical weathering in the basin as rift topography diminishes. The slower flow of ground and surface water to the rift lakes enhanced weathering and dissolution of minerals in rocks and sediments surrounding the rift lake. The carbon isotopic composition of carbonate decreases from +6 at the base of the rift section, associated with carbon from Late Proterozoic carbonates, to 0, indicating increasing contribution of light carbon; the source of light carbon is interpreted as vegetation, which increases as rift topography degrades.
Boxplot-Based Outlier Detection for the Location-Scale Family

Boxplots are among the most widely used exploratory data analysis (EDA) tools in statistical practice. Typical applications of boxplots include eliciting information about the underlying distribution (shape, location, etc.) as well as identifying possible outliers. This article focuses on a modification using a type of lower and upper fences similar in concept to those used in a traditional boxplot; however, instead of constructing the upper and lower fences using the upper and lower quartiles, respectively, and a multiple of the interquartile range (IQR), multiples of the upper and the lower semi-interquartile ranges (SIQR), respectively, measured from the sample median, are used. Any observation beyond the proposed fences is labeled a potential outlier. An exact expression for the probability that at least one sample observation is wrongly classified as an outlier, the so-called “some-outside rate per sample” (Hoaglin et al. (1986)), is derived for the family of location-scale distributions and is used ...
X-ray Structural and Biological Evaluation of a Series of Potent and Highly Selective Inhibitors of Human Coronavirus Papain-like Proteases

Structure-guided design was used to generate a series of noncovalent inhibitors with nanomolar potency against the papain-like protease (PLpro) from the SARS coronavirus (CoV). A number of inhibitors exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV infected Vero E6 cells and broadened specificity toward the homologous PLP2 enzyme from the human coronavirus NL63. Selectivity and cytotoxicity studies established a more than 100-fold preference for the coronaviral enzyme over homologous human deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), and no significant cytotoxicity in Vero E6 and HEK293 cell lines is observed. X-ray structural analyses of inhibitor-bound crystal structures revealed subtle differences between binding modes of the initial benzodioxolane lead (15g) and the most potent analogues 3k and 3j, featuring a monofluoro substitution at para and meta positions of the benzyl ring, respectively. Finally, the less lipophilic bis(amide) 3e and methoxypyridine 5c exhibit significantly improved metabolic stability and are viable candidates for advancing to in vivo studies.
On the spectral quality of scanner illumination with LEDs

Document scanner illumination has evolved along with general illumination technologies. LEDs have become more and more popular as the illumination sources for document scanning. LED technologies provide a wide range of choices both in terms of structural design and spectral compositions. In this report, we examine some popular LED technologies used for document scanner. We evaluate the color rendering performance of scanner models with different illumination technologies by examining their rendering of the Macbeth ColorChecker™ in sRGB. We found that more phosphors in phosphor conversion types of white LEDs may not be necessarily advantageous in terms of scanner color rendering performance. Also CIS type of scanner may be sensitive to the peak wavelength shift and can be particularly problematic when the peaks are out of certain range.
Expression of Tight-Junction Protein Claudin-7 Is an Early Event in Gastric Tumorigenesis

Trefoil factor-1 (Tff1) expression is remarkably down-regulated in nearly all human gastric cancers. Therefore, we used the Tff1 knockout mouse model to detect molecular changes in preneoplastic gastric dysplasia. Oligonucleotide microarray gene expression analysis of gastric dysplasia of Tff1 −/− mice was compared to that of normal gastric mucosa of wild-type mice. The genes most overexpressed in Tff1−/− mice included claudin-7 (CLDN7), early growth response-1 (EGR1), and epithelial membrane protein-1 (EMP1). Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry showed that Cldn7 was overexpressed in all 10 Tff1−/− gastric dysplasia samples. Comparison with our serial analysis of gene expression database of human gastric cancer revealed similar deregulation in human gastric cancers. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction of human gastric adenocarcinoma samples indicated that, of these three genes, CLDN7 was the most frequently up-regulated gene. Using immunohistochemistry, both mouse and human gastric glands overexpressed Cldn7 in dysplastic but not surrounding normal glands. Cldn7 expression was observed in 30% of metaplasia, 80% of dysplasia, and 70% of gastric adenocarcinomas. Interestingly, 82% of human intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinomas expressed Cldn7 whereas diffuse-type gastric adenocarcinomas did not (P < 0.001). These results suggest that Cldn7 expression is an early event in gastric tumorigenesis that is maintained throughout tumor progression.
A Bayesian approach to modelling the natural history of a chronic condition from observations with intervention

To assess the costs and benefits of screening and treatment strategies, it is important to know what would have happened had there been no intervention. In today's ethical climate, however, it is almost impossible to observe this directly and therefore must be inferred from observations with intervention. In this paper, we illustrate a Bayesian approach to this situation when the observations are at separated and unequally spaced time points and the time of intervention is interval censored. We develop a discrete-time Markov model which combines a non-homogeneous Markov chain, used to model the natural progression, with mechanisms that describe the possibility of both treatment intervention and death. We apply this approach to a subpopulation of the Wisconsin Epidemiologic Study of Diabetic Retinopathy, a population-based cohort study to investigate prevalence, incidence, and progression of diabetic retinopathy. In addition, posterior predictive distributions are discussed as a prognostic tool to assist researchers in evaluating costs and benefits of treatment protocols. While we focus this approach on diabetic retinopathy cohort data, we believe this methodology can have wide application.