cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Screening metal-organic framework materials for membrane-based methane/carbon dioxide separations

Metal−organic frameworks (MOF) are a diverse family of highly porous materials that have potential advantages as adsorbents and membranes for gas separations. Because the fabrication of membranes from crystalline materials is challenging, nothing is currently known about what advantages MOFs may have over more conventional materials for membrane-based separations. We use atomically detailed simulations to present the first information about the performance of MOFs as membranes for gas separations using the separation of CO2/CH4 mixtures by MOF-5 as an example. Describing membrane performance requires information about both mixture adsorption and mixture diffusion in the membrane material. Our results show that mixture effects play a crucial role in determining the performance of MOF-5 membranes under conditions relevant for natural-gas applications, indicating that modeling or experimental studies that examine only single-component gases will be insufficient to understand the properties of MOF-based membr...
Phytoplankton productivity in relation to light intensity: A simple equation

Abstract A simple exponential equation is used to describe photosynthetic rate as a function of light intensity for a variety of unicellular algae and higher plants where photosynthesis is proportional to (1-e −β1 ). The parameter β ( =I k −1 ) is derived by a simultaneous curve-fitting method, where I is incident quantum-flux density. The exponential equation is tested against a wide range of data and is found to adequately describe P vs. I curves. The errors associated with photosynthetic parameters are calculated. A simplified statistical model (Poisson) of photon capture provides a biophysical basis for the equation and for its ability to fit a range of light intensities. The exponential equation provides a non-subjective simultaneous curve fitting estimate for photosynthetic efficiency ( a ) which is less ambiguous than subjective methods: subjective methods assume that a linear region of the P vs. I curve is readily identifiable. Photosynthetic parameters β and a are used widely in aquatic studies to define photosynthesis at low quantum flux. These parameters are particularly important in estuarine environments where high suspended-material concentrations and high diffuse-light extinction coefficients are commonly encountered.
Multiple Trait Sire Evalution Using the Relationship Matrix

Abstract A simple extension of efficient methods for utilizing relationships among sires in their evaluation by best linear unbiased prediction can be used for evaluation of multiple traits. The method is illustrated by defining first and second lactation records as two different traits. Computations are similar to those used in Cornell's Northeast AI Sire Comparison method.
Overpopulation and unemployment in Zimbabwe

This article argues that the population explosion in Zimbabwe can be traced to three causes: the country's economic prosperity during the period of the Central African Federation (1953–63), and its successful food policy, both before and after independence; the success of the health system, also in both periods; and the fact that women have not been incorporated into the economy as wage‐earners, which has contributed to a high birth rate.
Experimental Estimation of the Phase Front Under Local Thermal Non-Equilibrium Condition: Phase Change Phenomena in Porous Media

A systematic experimental method of estimating the extent of the phase front under local thermal non-equilibrium condition in porous media saturated with phase change material has been developed. During phase change in porous medium, the solid matrix and the pore material are under thermodynamic non-equilibrium condition until the phase change process is complete. It is often hypothesized that the solid matrix and the pore material are in local thermal equilibrium (LTE) condition hence, the arrival of the phase front is predicted based on this hypothesis. An understanding of the rate of freezing and thawing in a porous medium undergoing the phase change process is important to permit proper implementation of procedures such as cryopreservation, cryosurgery, and to predict the thermal performance of passive cooling systems for electronic devices. In this paper, a systematic method of estimating the extent of the phase change front is developed. Results show that during the phase change process the porous medium is far from local thermal equilibrium condition.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
tmRNAs that encode proteolysis-inducing tags are found in all known bacterial genomes: A two-piece tmRNA functions in Caulobacter.

A general mechanism in bacteria to rescue stalled ribosomes and to clear the cell of incomplete polypeptides involves an RNA species, tmRNA (SsrA), which functions as both a tRNA and an mRNA. This RNA encodes a peptide tag that is incorporated at the end of the aberrant polypeptide and targets it for proteolysis. We have identified a circularly permuted version of the tmRNA gene in α-proteobacteria as well as in a lineage of cyanobacteria. The genes in these two groups seem to have arisen from two independent permutation events. As a result of the altered genetic structure, these tmRNAs are composed of two distinct RNA molecules. The mature two-piece tmRNAs are predicted to have a tRNA-like domain and an mRNA-like domain similar to those of standard one-piece tmRNAs, with a break located in the loop containing the tag reading frame. A related sequence was found in the mitochondrial genome of Reclinomonas americana, but only the tRNA-like portion is retained. Although several sequence and structural motifs that are conserved among one-piece tmRNAs have been lost, the α-proteobacterium Caulobacter crescentus produces a functional two-piece tmRNA.
Isothermal Elastohydrodynamic Theory for the Full Range of Pressure-Viscosity Coefficient

The isothermal, elastohydrodynamic (EHD) solutions in the inlet region of line contacts are extended to cover the full range of pressure-viscosity parameter, G, and the region of extremely heavy loads. The effect of a composite exponential model for the pressure-viscosity dependence on the film thickness is also studied. Results of the film thickness are compared with those based on work by Grubin, Dowson-Higginson, Bell and Kannel, and Herrebrugh. Comparison is also made between the theoretical results with the recently obtained X-ray film thickness measurements.
Optical instruments and realism in European art ca. 1400-1800

This paper will review opinions among historians of European art concerning the importance of optical devices for the making of naturalistic images from about 1400 onward, and will compare David Hockney’s sweeping claims on the same subject. His examples and others, including paintings by Van Eyck and Vermeer, will be considered. It will be shown that optical aids were regarded by pioneers of naturalism like Leonardo not as “secret knowledge” (Hockney’s notion) but as curiosities that were of little use to mature artists.
Audible vision for the blind and visually impaired in indoor open spaces

In this paper we introduce Audible Vision, a system that can help blind and visually impaired users navigate in large indoor open spaces. The system uses computer vision to estimate the location and orientation of the user, and enables the user to perceive his/her relative position to a landmark through 3D audio. Testing shows that Audible Vision can work reliably in real-life ever-changing environment crowded with people.
Novel techniques to characterize clustering in doped fibers

We present rate equations describing the effects of clusters on Nd-doped fibers. Two models are presented, based on formalisms found in the literature. The first one, valid for any cluster size, describes the interaction between an excited ion and a ground state ion in proximity to each other as a non-radiative process referred to as cross relaxation. The second model, valid only for large clusters, describes this interaction as cooperative upconversion. The effects of clustering on two experimental applications are explored: nonlinear phase shift in all-optical fiber switches and cw transmission saturation behavior of clustered fibers. Both measurements suggest that in some fibers as many as 60% of the available dopant ions are clustered. The extent of clustering is experimentally linked to the concentration of Nd in the fibers tested, and perhaps to the use of co-dopants as well.
Diagnostic and interventional ultrasonography in neonatal and infant lumbar puncture.

Background. Lumbar puncture (LP) may be unsuccessful clinically, prompting image-guided LP by radiologists. Objective. To investigate the utility of ultrasound (US) in diagnosing the cause of failed LP and in guiding LP. Materials and methods. Neonates and infants referred for image-guided LP underwent spine US of the thecal sac. When indicated, image-guided LP was performed. Results. Forty-seven evaluations and interventions were performed in 32 patients. All patients were initially evaluated after failed blind LP attempts. Twenty-three of the initial US studies showed intrathecal and/or epidural echogenic hematoma, which obliterated the CSF space; 5 showed minimal fluid, and 4 had normal examinations. LP was deferred or cancelled in 14 cases based upon initial US findings. Image-guided LP was performed 32 times in 19 patients. US guidance was used in 26, fluoroscopy in 3, and fluoroscopy with US assistance in 3. Using US, LP was performed in 9 patients with no visible CSF: 2 samples were sufficient for culture only. Six patients had minimal CSF US: 4 provided usable CSF samples. Clear CSF space was seen in 11: all had successful LP. Conclusions. US can disclose the cause of failed LP, can help determine whether or not to intervene further, and can provide guidance for LP.
Scaling, bounds, and inequalities for the noninteracting density functionals at finite temperature

Finite-temperature density functional theory requires representations for the internal energy, entropy, and free energy as functionals of the local density field. A central formal difficulty for an orbital-free representation is the construction of the corresponding functionals for noninteracting particles in an arbitrary external potential. That problem is posed here in the context of the equilibrium statistical mechanics of an inhomogeneous system. The density functionals are defined and shown to be equal to the extremal state for a functional of the reduced one-particle statistical operators. Convexity of the latter functionals implies a class of general inequalities. First, it is shown that the familiar von Weizs\"acker lower bound for zero temperature functionals applies at finite temperature as well. An upper bound is obtained in terms of a single-particle statistical operator corresponding to the Thomas-Fermi approximation. Next, the behavior of the density functionals under coordinate scaling is obtained. The inequalities are exploited to obtain a class of upper and lower bounds at constant temperature, and a complementary class at constant density. The utility of such constraints and their relationship to corresponding results at zero temperature are discussed.
FTIR ATR analysis for microstructure and water uptake in poly(methyl methacrylate) spin cast and Langmuir-Blodgett thin films

Spin cast and Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of atactic PMMA (poly(methyl methacrylate)) were studied at 25 "C by FTIR ATR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection) spectroscopy before and after annealing at 140 "C and after contact with water vapor or liquid. The dichroic ratios of the carbonyl groups revealed that the average molecular orientations of the films remained unchanged upon annealing and also upon exposure to water. However, annealing helped avoiding cracks which appeared in the nonannealed film after contacting liquid water. The absorbances of individual water bands (of the non-hydrogen-bonded monomers, hydrogen-bonded dimers, larger clusters, and associated chains of water) were determined by detailed spectral analysis and compared with a one-dimensional Fickian model. The absorbance data for the annealed spin cast film of thickness of 5.4 pm showed poor fit to the one-dimensional Fickian diffusion model, but the apparent diffusion coefficient, DBpp, ranged from 5 x to 4 x lo-" cm2/s. The process of film hydration was found to precede the transfer of bulklike water. For the annealed LB and spin cast films of thickness of 0.1 pm, Dapp ranged between and cm2/s. It was estimated from ATR carbonyl band intensities that the thin films were about 44% more dense than the thick film, indicating that they had a tighter structure with fewer structural defects or voids. Having more hydrophobic and less rough surface, the LB film showed a longer initial delay in liquid water transport than the spin cast film of the same thickness.
Study of Condensational Growth of Water Droplets by Optical Mie Scattering Spectroscopy

Optical Mie scattering technique is applied in the study of the growth of a single saline solution droplet. A quadrupole particle chamber is used to suspend a charged sodium chloride solution droplet in a water vapor environment. The droplet-vapor equilibrium is momentarily shifted by the heating effect of an infrared laser and the subsequent condensational growth of this droplet is monitored by means of right angle Mie scattering. Simultaneous mass and heat transfer processes are considered, and the mass accommodation coefficient for water is deduced.
A laboratory study of NMR relaxation times in unconsolidated heterogeneous sediments

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation-time measurements can provide critical information about the physiochemical properties of water-saturated media and are used often to characterize geologic materials. In unconsolidated sediments, the link between measured relaxation times and pore-scale properties can be complicated when diffusing water molecules couple the relaxation response of heterogeneous regions within a well-connected pore space. Controlled laboratory experiments have allowed us to investigate what factors control the extent of diffusional coupling in unconsolidated sediments and what information is conveyed by the relaxationtime distribution under varied conditions. A range of sediment samples exhibiting heterogeneity in the form of a bimodal mineralogy of quartz and hematite were mixed with varied mineral concentration and grain size. NMR relaxation measurements and geometric analysis of these mixtures demonstrate the importance of two critical length scales controlling the relaxation response: the diffusion length ‘D, describing the distance a water molecule diffuses during the NMR measurement, and the separation length ‘S, describing the scale at which heterogeneity occurs. For the condition of ‘S >‘ D, which prevails for samples with low hematite concentrations and coarser grain size, coupling is weak and the bimodal relaxation-time distribution independently reflects the relaxation properties of the two mineral constituents in the heterogeneous mixtures. For the condition of ‘S <‘ D, which prevails at higher hematite concentrations and finer grain size, the relaxationtime distribution no longer reflects the presence of a bimodal mineralogy but instead conveys a more complex averaging of the heterogeneous relaxation environments. This study has shown the potential extent and influence of diffusional coupling in unconsolidated heterogeneous sediments, and can serve to inform the interpretation of NMR measurements in near-surface environments where unconsolidated sediments are commonly encountered.
Review: The nucleation of disorder

Four types of phase transformation that involve the conversion of crystalline phases into more disordered forms are reviewed: melting, disordering of superlattices, amorphization by diffusion between crystalline phases, and irradation amorphization. In the review emphasis is placed on evidence for the heterogeneous nucleation of the product phases; in this connection, the role of surfaces, antiphase domain boundaries, dislocations, vacancies, and grain boundaries is specifically discussed. All of these features have been either observed, or hypothesized, to play a role as heterogeneous nucleation sites in one or more of the four transformations. An attempt is made to draw parallels between nucleation mechanisms in the various processes.
Deadline constrained packet scheduling for wireless networks

Third generation (3G) wireless communication net- works aim to provide quality-of-service (QoS) sensitive services to downlink users. Amongst these are real-time multimedia services like video-conferencing and live media streaming, where the packets to be delivered to the user have deadlines associated with them. Downlink packet scheduling plays a key role in efficiently allocating base station resources to meet the desired level of QoS for various users. In this paper, we study the design of a downlink wireless packet scheduler that is capable of supporting applications with packet deadlines. We use a dynamic programming (DP) approach to study a parsimonious model of the scheduling problem. We propose a heuristic scheduling policy based on the structural properties of the optimal solution to the DP. We contrast the performance of the proposed scheduler to that of standard benchmark schedulers via extensive link-level simulations. The proposed scheduler offers a significantly better trade-off between user fairness and system performance. I. INTRODUCTION
Standards for Qualitative (and Quantitative) Research: A Prolegomenon

The proliferation of qualitative methods in educational research has led to considerable controversy about standards for the design and conduct of research. This controversy has been playing itself out over the last several decades largely in terms of the quantitative-qualitative debate. In this paper we argue that framing the issue of standards in terms of quantitative-qualitative debate is misguided. We argue instead that the problem of standards—for qualitative and quantitative research—is best framed in terms of the “logics in use” associated with various research methodologies. In particular, rather than being judged in terms of qualitative versus quantitative paradigms, logics in use, which are often drawn from other academic disciplines and adapted for the purposes of educational research, are judged in terms of their success in investigating educational problems deemed important. Finally, we proffer five general standards that can apply to educational research of all kinds.
San Nicol´s de Zurite: Religion and Daily Life of a Peruvian Andean Village in a Changing World

San Nicol´s de Zurite: Religion and Daily Life of. Peruvian Andean Village in. Changing World. Fred Spier. Amsterdam: VU University Press, 1995. 130 pp.
Distinct structural and mechanical properties of the nuclear lamina in Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome

The nuclear lamina is a network of structural filaments, the A and B type lamins, located at the nuclear envelope and throughout the nucleus. Lamin filaments provide the nucleus with mechanical stability and support many basic activities, including gene regulation. Mutations in LMNA, the gene encoding A type lamins, cause numerous human diseases, including the segmental premature aging disease Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). Here we show that structural and mechanical properties of the lamina are altered in HGPS cells. We demonstrate by live-cell imaging and biochemical analysis that lamins A and C become trapped at the nuclear periphery in HGPS patient cells. Using micropipette aspiration, we show that the lamina in HGPS cells has a significantly reduced ability to rearrange under mechanical stress. Based on polarization microscopy results, we suggest that the lamins are disordered in the healthy nuclei, whereas the lamins in HGPS nuclei form orientationally ordered microdomains. The reduced deformability of the HGPS nuclear lamina possibly could be due to the inability of these orientationally ordered microdomains to dissipate mechanical stress. Surprisingly, intact HGPS cells exhibited a degree of resistance to acute mechanical stress similar to that of cells from healthy individuals. Thus, in contrast to the nuclear fragility seen in lmna null cells, the lamina network in HGPS cells has unique mechanical properties that might contribute to disease phenotypes by affecting responses to mechanical force and misregulation of mechanosensitive gene expression.
Non-Debye and CPA Behaviors of Ionic Materials

Non-Debye and constant-phase-angle (CPA) behaviors associated with the bulk and interfacial processes involving ionic materials are discussed in terms of complex impedance, admittance, and dielectric spectra. The yielding of a CPA and/or a broad non-Debye dielectric loss peak in a spectrum from fractal, pore, and ion-hopping models are compared and reviewed. The observed wide frequency ranges of the CPA behavior suggest that the fractal and pore models, which require a wide range of special structures down to very fine scales, may not be realistic. The ion-hopping model treats the bulk and interfacial processes as a chemical reaction having a thermally-activated Arrhenius form. Because of thermal fluctuations, the activation energies for ion hopping (e.g., in a potential double-well) have a double-exponential distribution which yields a non-Debye dielectric loss peak and a CPA spectrum over a wide frequency range above the loss peak. The distribution also has a special temperature dependence which may explain the invariance of dielectric spectral shapes with temperature, an observation by Joscher. The construction of CPA elements (in a generalized Warburg impedance form) using three distinct types of resistor-capacitor networks are presented and used to aid the discussion.
Macular Hole Closure With Internal Limiting Membrane Abrasion Technique.

Importance Internal limiting membrane (ILM) abrasion is an alternative surgical technique for successful full-thickness macular hole (MH) repair. Objective To study the effects of ILM abrasion as an alternative method of MH repair. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective consecutive case series from January 2006 to December 2008. Demographic data and preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative examination records of all patients were reviewed for patients who underwent ILM abrasion with a diamond-dusted membrane scraper during vitrectomy for MH repair. A total of 100 eyes underwent ILM abrasion as an alternative to traditional ILM peeling. Main Outcomes and Measures Rate of MH closure and visual acuity (VA) outcomes at 3 months after surgery. Results Macular hole closure was achieved with a single surgical procedure in 94 of 100 eyes (94.0%; 95% CI, 87.4%-97.8%). Among all patients, the median preoperative VA was 20/100 (range, 20/30 to hand motions; 25th quartile, 20/60; and 75th quartile, 20/160), and the median postoperative VA at 3 months after surgery was 20/60 (range, 20/20 to hand motions; 25th quartile, 20/40; and 75th quartile, 20/100). Among all patients with stage 2 MHs, 30 of 38 patients (78.9%) had at least 2 lines of VA gain: 15 of 23 (65.2%) were phakic, and 15 of 15 (100%) were pseudophakic. Four of 38 patients (10.5%) with stage 2 MHs had at least 2 lines of VA loss, and all were phakic. Among all patients with stage 3 or 4 MHs, 42 of 62 (67.7%) had at least 2 lines of VA gain, of which 30 of 38 (78.9%) were phakic and 22 of 24 (91.7%) were pseudophakic. Six of 62 patients (9.7%) with stage 3 or 4 MHs had at least 2 lines of VA loss: 4 were phakic, and 2 were pseudophakic. In total, 35.0% (95% CI, 25.7%-44.3%) of patients achieved 20/40 vision or better, and 52.0% (95% CI, 42.2%-61.8%) of patients achieved 20/50 vision or better. Conclusions and Relevance Abrasion of the ILM with a diamond-dusted membrane scraper at the time of vitrectomy achieves high rates of MH closure. This technique avoids complete removal of the retinal ILM basement membrane and subjacent tissues and appears to provide MH closure rates similar to those of traditional ILM peeling.
Gamma Interferon Is Critical for Neuronal Viral Clearance and Protection in a Susceptible Mouse Strain following Early Intracranial Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus Infection

We evaluated the role of gamma interferon (IFN-) in protecting neurons from virus-induced injury following central nervous system infection. IFN- / and IFN- / mice of the resistant major histocompatibility complex (MHC) H-2 b haplotype and intracerebrally infected with Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) cleared virus infection from anterior horn cell neurons. IFN- / H-2 b mice also cleared virus from the spinal cord white matter, whereas IFN- / H-2 b mice developed viral persistence in glial cells of the white matter and exhibited associated spinal cord demyelination. In contrast, infection of IFN- / mice of the susceptible H-2 q haplotype resulted in frequent deaths and severe neurologic deficits within 16 days of infection compared to the results obtained for controls. Morphologic analysis demonstrated severe injury to spinal cord neurons in IFN- / H-2 q mice during early infection. More virus RNA was detected in the brain and spinal cord of IFN- / H-2 q mice than in those of control mice at 14 and 21 days after TMEV infection. Virus antigen was localized predominantly to anterior horn cells in infected IFN- / H-2 q mice. IFN- deletion did not affect the humoral response directed against the virus. However, the level of expression of CD4, CD8, class I MHC, or class II MHC in the central nervous system of IFN- / H-2 q mice was lower than those in IFN- / H-2 q mice. Finally, in vitro analysis of virus-induced death in NSC34 cells and spinal motor neurons showed that IFN- exerted a neuroprotective effect in the absence of other aspects of the immune response. These data support the hypothesis that IFN- plays a critical role in protecting spinal cord neurons from persistent infection and death.
THE CONTINUOUS VALUE ENHANCEMENT PROCESS TO EFFICIENTLY ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE PROJECT OBJECTIVES

Sustainable building projects present numerous challenges to project management teams that are not always addressed effectively. Few explicit project management processes are available for managing sustainability goals and requirements on construction projects. Consequently, sustainable objectives are often managed separately from other project objectives and treated as “tack ons” to regular project requirements. This creates inefficiencies in the delivery process leading to additional costs and schedule overruns, as well as missing opportunities to improve sustainable building performance. To minimize missed opportunities and maximize the integration and advancement of sustainability in building projects, the Continuous Value Enhancement Process (CVEP) was developed. This process harnesses the knowledge and competencies of construction professionals to enable project teams to take advantage of inherent synergies between sustainable building and constructability practices. CVEP provides a systematic process to evaluate project decisions and generate potential solutions that improve project performance and sustainable project objectives while and monitoring the process with an in-process metric. In this paper, four tests are described that show how CVEP collects sustainable building solutions that improve project constructability; provides a systematic evaluation process; consistently generates potential value enhance ments from project team members; and produces significant sustainable building solutions that result in actual first cost savings. Initial results of CVEP implementation on the Pentagon renovation project indicate that the process is working as intended resulting in previously untapped sustainability ideas being exposed.
7+b2 criteria for assessing and comparing spatial data structures

Spatial data structures have evolved under the influence of several forces: 1) Database technology, with its emphasis on modeling and logical organization; 2) the long history of data structures developed in response to requirements from other applications; and 3) the recent rapid progress in computational geometry, which has identified typical queries and access patterns to spatial data. Rather than attempting a comprehensive survey of many spatial data structures recently developed, we aim to identify the key issues that have created them, their common characteristics, the requirements they have to meet, and the criteria for assessing how well these requirements are met. As a guideline for tackling these general goals, we begin with a brief history and recall how past requirements from other applications have shaped the development of data structures. Starting from the very early days, five major types of applications generated most of the known data structures. But the requirements of these applications do not include one that is basic to spatial data: That objects are embedded in Euclidian space, and access is mostly determined by location in space.
On-chip short-time interval measurement system for high-speed signal timing characterization

In this paper, we present an on-chip short-time interval measurement circuit to characterize the ever-faster communication systems. The proposed circuit consists of time parameters extraction subcircuit and measurement subcircuit, which contain a charge pump, a comparator with hysteresis, a digital counter, and a capacitor. During the measurement, we control a current source and a current sink to charge or discharge a common capacitor, and record the time length ratio of the charging and discharging process. Using this method, we can easily measure most of the time-domain parameters. Also this method minimizes the impacts of the process variations to get high measurement accuracy.
15-Year Cause Specific and All-Cause Survival Following Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer: Negative Impact of Long-Term Hormonal Therapy

Purpose: We analyzed factors influencing 15-year cause specific and all-cause survival in men treated with prostate brachytherapy.Materials and Methods: A total of 1,669 men with a median age of 66 years who had T1-T3 prostate cancer were treated with prostate brachytherapy and followed a mean of 10 years. Treatments were implant alone, implant plus hormone therapy, or external beam irradiation or implant plus hormone therapy plus external beam irradiation. Hormone therapy was administered in 898 men (53.8%) for a median of 6 months. Cause specific and all-cause survival were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method with comparisons made by logistic regression and Cox proportions hazard rates.Results: The 15-year cause specific survival rate was 94.1%. Cause specific survival in the 3 NCCN® risk groups was 96.3%, 97.5% and 85.2% (p <0.001). Hormone therapy did not positively impact cause specific survival. The 15-year all-cause survival rate was 57%. Cox regression revealed age (HR 1.09, p <0.001), hormone th...
A living cell quartz crystal microbalance biosensor for continuous monitoring of cytotoxic responses of macrophages to single-walled carbon nanotubes

Numerous engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) exist and new ENMs are being developed. A challenge to nanotoxicology and environmental health and safety is evaluating toxicity of ENMs before they become widely utilized. Cellular assays remain the predominant test platform yet these methods are limited by using discrete time endpoints and reliance on organic dyes, vulnerable to interference from ENMs. Label-free, continuous, rapid response systems with biologically meaningful endpoints are needed. We have developed a device to detect and monitor in real time responses of living cells to ENMs. The device, a living cell quartz crystal microbalance biosensor (QCMB), uses macrophages adherent to a quartz crystal. The communal response of macrophages to treatments is monitored continuously as changes in crystal oscillation frequency (Δf). We report the ability of this QCMB to distinguish benign from toxic exposures and reveal unique kinetic information about cellular responses to varying doses of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). We analyzed macrophage responses to additions of Zymosan A, polystyrene beads (PBs) (benign substances) or SWCNT (3-150 μg/ml) in the QCMB over 18 hrs. In parallel, toxicity was monitored over 24/48 hrs using conventional viability assays and histological stains to detect apoptosis. In the QCMB, a stable unchanging oscillation frequency occurred when cells alone, Zymosan A alone, PBs alone or SWCNTs without cells at the highest dose alone were used. With living cells in the QCMB, when Zymosan A, PBs or SWCNTs were added, a significant decrease in frequency occurred from 1-6 hrs. For SWCNTs, this Δf was dose-dependent. From 6-18 hrs, benign substances or low dose SWCNT (3-30 μg/ml) treatments showed a reversal of the decrease of oscillation frequency, returning to or exceeding pre-treatment levels. Cell recovery was confirmed in conventional assays. The lag time to see the Δf reversal in QCMB plots was linearly SWCNT-dose dependent. Lastly, the frequency never reversed at high dose SWCNT (100-150 μg/ml), and apoptosis/necrosis was documented in conventional 24 and 48 hr-assays. These data suggest that the new QCMB detects and provides unique information about peak, sub-lethal and toxic exposures of living cells to ENMs before they are detected using conventional cell assays.
The Physicality of Technological Devices in Education: Building a Digital Experience for Learning

Technological devices are being rapidly adopted into schools for education, but we have limited understanding of the value and ways through which the devices can benefit learning. As opposed to research placing the value of these devices in terms of digitality, we make use of theories of embodiment to under-stand how the physicality of the devices can support learning and sensemaking. We conducted a month-long study to collect data on students' strategies, patterns, attitudes and behaviors toward the use of a suite of devices, for the completion of a course assignment. Themes uncovered include the objectification of information, the immediate awareness of possibilities, an expectation of interaction, coherence of interaction and territorialization of technology spaces. We present a model for the role of physicality of devices with regards to educational activities, and argue for the need to construct a digital ecology to provide a cohesive experience of learning.
Small-world networks of residue interactions in the Abl kinase complexes with cancer drugs: topology of allosteric communication pathways can determine drug resistance effects

The human protein kinases play a fundamental regulatory role in orchestrating functional processes in complex cellular networks. Understanding how conformational equilibrium between functional kinase states can be modulated by ligand binding or mutations is critical for quantifying molecular basis of allosteric regulation and drug resistance. In this work, molecular dynamics simulations of the Abl kinase complexes with cancer drugs (Imatinib and Dasatinib) were combined with structure-based network modeling to characterize dynamics of the residue interaction networks in these systems. The results have demonstrated that structural architecture of kinase complexes can produce a small-world topology of the interaction networks. Our data have indicated that specific Imatinib binding to a small number of highly connected residues could lead to network-bridging effects and allow for efficient allosteric communication, which is mediated by a dominant pathway sensitive to the unphosphorylated Abl state. In contrast, Dasatinib binding to the active kinase form may activate a broader ensemble of allosteric pathways that are less dependent on the phosphorylation status of Abl and provide a better balance between the efficiency and resilience of signaling routes. Our results have unveiled how differences in the residue interaction networks and allosteric communications of the Abl kinase complexes can be directly related to drug resistance effects. This study offers a plausible perspective on how efficiency and robustness of the residue interaction networks and allosteric pathways in kinase structures may be associated with protein responses to drug binding.
Leptin Deficiency Causes Insulin Resistance Induced by Uncontrolled Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Depletion of body fat stores during uncontrolled, insulin-deficient diabetes (uDM) results in markedly reduced plasma leptin levels. This study investigated the role of leptin deficiency in the genesis of severe insulin resistance and related metabolic and neuroendocrine derangements induced by uDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Adult male Wistar rats remained nondiabetic or were injected with the β-cell toxin, streptozotocin (STZ) to induce uDM and subsequently underwent subcutaneous implantation of an osmotic minipump containing either vehicle or leptin at a dose (150 μg/kg/day) designed to replace leptin at nondiabetic plasma levels. To control for leptin effects on food intake, another group of STZ-injected animals were pair fed to the intake of those receiving leptin. Food intake, body weight, and blood glucose levels were measured daily, with body composition and indirect calorimetry performed on day 11, and an insulin tolerance test to measure insulin sensitivity performed on day 16. Plasma hormone and substrate levels, hepatic gluconeogenic gene expression, and measures of tissue insulin signal transduction were also measured. RESULTS Physiologic leptin replacement prevented insulin resistance in uDM via a mechanism unrelated to changes in food intake or body weight. This effect was associated with reduced total body fat and hepatic triglyceride content, preservation of lean mass, and improved insulin signal transduction via the insulin receptor substrate–phosphatidylinositol-3-hydroxy kinase pathway in the liver, but not in skeletal muscle or adipose tissue. Although physiologic leptin replacement lowered blood glucose levels only slightly, it fully normalized elevated plasma glucagon and corticosterone levels and reversed the increased hepatic expression of gluconeogenic enzymes characteristic of rats with uDM. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that leptin deficiency plays a key role in the pathogenesis of severe insulin resistance and related endocrine disorders in uDM. Treatment of diabetes in humans may benefit from correction of leptin deficiency as well as insulin deficiency.
New Strategies in Lung Cancer: Translating Immunotherapy into Clinical Practice

Recent breakthroughs in translating the early development of immunomodulatory antibodies into the clinic, notably with the anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 antibody, ipilimumab, have led to durable benefits and prolonged survival for a subgroup of patients with advanced melanoma. Subsequent studies have shown that related immune checkpoint antibodies, specifically those targeting the programmed death-1 pathway, have activity in non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is the commonest cause of cancer death worldwide and this exciting avenue of clinical investigation carries with it great promise and new challenges. In this article, we discuss recent developments in lung cancer immunotherapy, reviewing recent findings from therapeutic vaccine studies and in particular we focus on the refinement of immunomodulation as a therapeutic strategy in this challenging disease.
Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of noninvasive thymomas using one-lung ventilation in two dogs.

Objective— To report the technique and outcome of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for resection of cranial mediastinal thymoma in 2 dogs. Study Design— Case report. Animals— Eleven-year-old Labrador Retrievers (n=2). Methods— Two dogs had VATS resection of thymoma. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans revealed well-circumscribed cranial mediastinal masses with dimensions of 4.5 cm × 4.2 cm × 3.7 cm and 2.1 cm × 2.1 cm × 4.1 cm (at the time of resection) without CT evidence of vascular invasion. One-lung ventilation (OLV) was achieved using a bronchoscopically placed double-lumen endobronchial tube. A 3-portal technique was used for VATS access to the thorax. Thymomas were dissected from the tissues of the cranial mediastinum with the aid of a harmonic scalpel and retrieved in specimen retrieval bags. Results— Two cranial mediastinal thymomas were resected successfully, with their capsules intact, using a VATS technique. One dog developed aspiration pneumonia postoperatively which resolved with treatment and remains healthy 18 months postoperatively with no radiographic evidence of tumor recurrence. The second dog was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, megaesophagus, and aspiration pneumonia preoperatively and despite recovering well from the procedure had a second episode of aspiration pneumonia 5 days postoperatively and was euthanatized. Conclusions— VATS resection of modestly sized noninvasive thymoma is possible in dogs. Careful case selection and preoperative imaging are the keys. Clinical Relevance— Thoracoscopic resection of modestly sized mediastinal masses forms part of an increasingly expansive set of indications for minimally invasive surgery in select veterinary patients.
Production and characterization of antibodies against sterigmatocystin O‐methyltransferase

Polyclonal antibodies against the 40 kDa sterigmatocystin O‐methyltransferase (ST‐OMT) were produced after immunizing rabbits with the purified enzyme. Immunoblot analysis of the crude enzyme preparation from Aspergillus parasiticus strain 163 revealed one band corresponding to ST‐OMT (∼40 kDa) as well as several other protein bands without enzymatic activity. The antiserum was further purified by passing the ammonium sulfate precipitation‐cut IgG through a column that was armed with proteins isolated from DEAE‐Sephadex gel filtration fraction with immunoreactivity but containing no enzyme activity. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the purified antibodies, after the subtractive affinity chromatography, reacted primarily with one major (∼ 40 kDa) and two minor protein bands of 40–46 kDa size proteins when large amounts of the crude extracts were used. At low protein concentration, only one immunoreactive band of 40 kDa was observed for the crude enzyme preparation. Using the purified antiserum, an indirec...
The States of an Electron Pair and Photochemical Reactivity

Photochemical reaction paths tend to pass through biradicaloid geometries, making a detailed understanding of the electronic states of molecules at such geometries highly desirable. The simplest model that correctly describes their fundamental features, the two-electron two-orbital model, is reformulated in a way that emphasizes the isomorphism between the spaces of the spin functions and the orbital and geminai functions, using angular momentum operators for both. This unifying approach brings to light relations between phenomena that appear quite unrelated otherwise, such as the response of the triplet sublevels to an external magnetic field and the response of the singlet states of a perfect biradical to structural perturbations. It also suggests a specific identification of the three fundamental linearly independent types of perturbations of the states of an electron pair: covalent, polarizing, and magnetizing perturbations.
A review of North and Central American Paragrilus Saunders, 1871 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae: Agrilinae)

The buprestid genus Paragrilus Saunders, 1871 is reviewed for North and Central America. Of 18 species that are recognized, six are described as new: P. akersi, P. burkei, P. heliocarpi, P. moldenkei, P. fallorum, and P. azureus. Species fall into three species groups, the P. rugatulus group, the P. trifoveolatus group, and the P. aeraticollis group. Four species are considered to occur in the United States: P. burkei, P. lesueuri Waterhouse, P. rugatulus Thomson, and P. tenuis (LeConte). A key is given to separate species. Lectotypes are designated for P. laevicollis Waterhouse and P. trifoveolatus Waterhouse. All known adult hosts are in the Malvales (families Malvaceae, Sterculiaceae and Tiliaceae), two species have been reared (P. lesueuri and P. tenuis), and four species of the P. rugatulus group are known to associate with the genus Sida in the family Malvaceae.
Impacts Of Changing Financial And International Market Conditions On Output For Colombia

Potential effects of financial stock values, world market demand, exchange rate fluctuations and other factors on output variations for Colombia are examined. An open macroeconomic model is developed to include the goods market, the monetary policy, and the formulation of inflation. The sample consists of quarterly data ranging from 1994.Q1 to 2007.Q2 with a total of 54 observations. A generalized least squares (GLS) method is employed in order to correct for both heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation simultaneously. The results indicate a higher stock market value, real appreciation of the peso, higher world market demand, a lower U.S. real interest rate, and a lower expected inflation rate would increase real output for Colombia. Increased deficit spending would not help raise real output, suggesting that fiscal prudence may be needed.
Multi-Agent System Design Principles for Resilient Coordination & Control of Future Power Systems

Recently, the academic and industrial literature has coalesced around an enhanced vision of the electric power grid that is intelligent, responsive, dynamic, adaptive and flexible. One particularly emphasized “smart-grid” property is that of resilience where healthy regions of the grid continue to operate while disrupted and perturbed regions bring themselves back to normal operation. Multi-agent systems have recently been proposed as a key enabling technology for such a resilient control scheme. While the power system literature has often addressed multi-agent systems, many of these works did not have resilience as the central design intention. This paper now has a two-fold purpose. First, it seeks to identify a set of multi-agent system design principles for resilient coordination and control of future power systems. To that end, it draws upon an axiomatic design for large flexible engineering systems model which was recently used in the development of resilience measures. From this quantitative model, a set of design principles are easily distilled. Second, the paper assesses the adherence of existing multi-agent system implementations with respect to these design principles. The paper concludes that while many multi-agent systems have been developed for power grids, they have been primarily intended as the decentralization of a particular decision-making/control algorithm. Thus many of the works make only limited contributions to power grid resilience.