cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Volumetric and phase behavior in the hydrogen–n‐hexane system

In spite of the importance of hydrogenation procesing operations in the refining of petroleum there are only limited experimental volumetric and phase equilibrium data concerning mixtures of hydrocarbons and hydrogen. An investigation of the volumetiric and phase behavior of the hydrogen–n-hexane system was therefore undertaken. The experimental study involved measurements of the specific volume of four mixtures of hydrogen and n-hexane at eight temperatures between 40° and 460°F. for pressures up to 10,000 lb./sq. in In addition, the composition of the gas phase in heterogeneous mixtures was determined at six temperatures within the interval mentioned above for pressures as high as 10,000 lb./sq. in. Little about this system was found to be qualitatively unusual except that the critical pressure exceeded 10,000 lb/sq. in. at all temperatures below 340°F. As would be expected, the dew-point gas was rather lean in n-hexane for temperatures below 220°F. and at pressures above 100 times the vapor pressure of n-hexane throughout the pressure range covered by this study.
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition and the cancer stem cell phenotype: Insights from cancer biology with therapeutic implications for colorectal cancer

Although mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) is decreasing, CRC is still the second highest cause of cancer-related deaths in America. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy now have central roles in our strategies to fight cancer, although we continue to lack novel strategies overcoming therapeutic resistance. Molecular mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in CRC continue to be under intense investigation. In this review, we highlight the recent evidence linking epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) with aggressive tumor biology as well as with the cancer stem cells (CSCs) across multiple organ systems including colon cancer. Furthermore, in the era of neo-adjuvant treatment, the clinical implications are concerning that our treatments may have the potential to induce more aggressive cancer cells through EMT, perhaps even generating CSCs more capable of metastasis and further resistant to treatment. This concern and potential reality highlights the critical need for further understanding the impact of clinical therapy on the pathobiology of cancer and further supports the need to therapeutically target the CSC. Besides serving as potential biomarkers for aggressive tumor biology and therapeutic resistance, EMT and CSC molecular pathways may highlight novel therapeutic targets as strategies for improving the response to conventional anti-neoplastic agents translating into improved oncologic outcomes.
Seasonal Effects on Female Fecundity and Male Sperm Availability in a Thermally Stable Temperate Population of Sailfin Mollies (Poecilia latipinna)

Abstract Fish species from temperate climates exhibit seasonal variation in reproduction triggered by abiotic variables such as day length and temperature. The sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna occupies habitats in the southern temperate zone in North America, but little is known about seasonal patterns in reproductive parameters such as female egg production and male sperm production, especially in spring-fed habitats. Males and females were collected monthly for 21 mo to: (1) examine the seasonal patterns in egg availability, (2) examine the relationship between female size and fecundity, (3) examine seasonal patterns in male sperm availability and (4) examine the relationship between male size and sperm availability. We found that reproductive investment varied seasonally in both males and females in a population of sailfin mollies occupying a spring-fed habitat. Because both egg and sperm production can be energetically costly, individuals may reduce costs associated with reproduction by reducing the a...
Upper-Triangulization of Non-Symmetric Matrices Using Sanger's Type Learning Systems

New minor and principal component flows are derived and analyzed in terms of global stability and properties of the limiting solutions. These systems which are of Sanger's type are specifically explored in terms of their applicability to symmetric and non-symmetric matrices. Analytical proofs of global stability and conditions under which the limiting solutions upper-triangulize a given matrix are given.
Profiles of African American College Students' Educational Utility and Performance: A Cluster Analysis.

African American students’ beliefs about the value of getting a good education have long been debated. The present study demonstrates that African American students hold a variety of perspectives about the value of education, and that certain types of beliefs naturally occur in students with certain academic performance records. Cluster analysis was used to identify five clusters of 126 African American college students with differing profiles on Idealistic Educational Utility, Context-Specific Educational Utility (CSEU), and grades. These clusters were then related to Racial Ideology as measured by the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity. Results suggest that there are some high-achieving students with low levels of CSEU who tend to be somewhat nationalistic. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for our understanding of the diversity of African Americans’beliefs about educational utility.
Multiple pulmonary nodules in AIDS: usefulness of CT in distinguishing among potential causes.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the computed tomographic (CT) appearances of multiple pulmonary nodules in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can help differentiate the potential infectious and neoplastic causes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The thoracic CT scans obtained in 60 patients with AIDS and multiple pulmonary nodules were reviewed retrospectively by two thoracic radiologists who were blinded to clinical and pathologic data. The scans were evaluated for nodule size, distribution, and morphologic characteristics. CT findings were correlated with final diagnoses. RESULTS: Thirty-six (84%) of 43 patients with opportunistic infection had a predominance of nodules smaller than 1 cm in diameter, whereas 14 (82%) of 17 patients with a neoplasm had a predominance of nodules larger than 1 cm (P < .001). Of the 43 patients with opportunistic infection, 28 (65%) had a centrilobular distribution of nodules; only one (6%) of 17 patients with a neoplasm had this distribution (P < .001). Seven (88%...
Defining the controlling parameter in constrained discriminative linear transform for supervised speaker adaptation

Constrained discriminative linear transform (CDLT) optimized with Extended Baum-Welch (EBW) has been presented in the literature as a discriminative speaker adaptation method that outperforms the conventional maximum likelihood algorithm. Defining the controlling parameter of EBW to achieve the best performance of speaker adaptation, however, still remains an open question. This paper presents an empirical study on this issue. Results of our experiment suggest that a log-linear relationship exists between the optimal controlling parameter and the amount of data. This relationship can be used to efficiently define the controlling parameter for each test speaker to improve CDLT performance. We also discuss the possibility of generalizing the log-linear rule to a wider range of learning problems because such knowledge can substantially reduce the computation effort for parameter tuning.
Optical properties, electronic structure and London dispersion interactions for nanostructured interfacial and surficial films

Nanostructured amorphous films exhibit complex thermodynamic and kinetic behavior. To understand the structure and properties of nanostructured amorphous films in silicon based ceramics (Si3N4, SiC, Si) and in SrTiO3 ceramics, we have focused on experimental studies to determine the interband electronic structure and optical properties. We use vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy for bulk materials, and valence electron energy loss spectroscopy (VEELS) in either transmission mode in the transmission electron microscope for interfacial films, and are developing VEELS in reflection mode for surficial films. These experimental data are quantitatively analyzed using Kramers–Kronig analysis to determine the complex optical properties of the constituent materials. This interband electronic structure information is the fundamental input to determine from Lifshitz theory the London dispersion interaction in these low-dimensional systems. We present interband transition strengths of AlPO4, SiO2 and rare-earth doped MgSiON glasses, and also of SiC and SrTiO3 and their grain boundaries. We use a new multilayer approach to produce graded interface models for the London dispersion interaction in complex nanostructured interfacial and surficial films.
The influence of age and Rhodococcus equi infection on CD1 expression by equine antigen presenting cells.

Abstract There is a distinct age-associated susceptibility of horses to Rhodococcus equi infection. Initial infection is thought to occur in the neonatal and perinatal period, and only foals less than 6 months of age are typically affected. R. equi is closely related and structurally similar to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and causes similar pathologic lesions. Protective immune responses to M. tuberculosis involve classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted T cells that recognize peptide antigen, as well as MHC-independent T cells that recognize mycobacterial lipid antigen presented by CD1 molecules. Given the structural similarity between these two pathogens and our previous observations regarding R. equi-specific, MHC-unrestricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), we developed 3 related hypotheses: (1) CD1 molecules are expressed on equine antigen presenting cells (APC), (2) CD1 expression on APC is less in foals compared to adults and (3) infection with live virulent R. equi induces up-regulation of CD1 on both adult and perinatal APC. CD1 expression was examined by flow cytometric analysis using a panel of monoclonal CD1 antibodies with different species and isoform specificities. Results Three CD1 antibodies specific for CD1b showed consistent cross reactivity with both foal and adult monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM). CD1b and MHC class II expression were significantly higher on adult MDM compared with foals. R. equi infected MDM showed significantly lower expression of CD1b, suggesting that infection with this bacterium induces down-regulation of CD1b on the cell surface. Histograms from dual antibody staining of peripheral blood mononuclear cells also revealed that 45–71% of the monocyte population stained positive for CD1b, and that the majority of these also co-expressed MHC II molecules, indicating that they were APC. The anti-CD1 antibodies showed no binding or minimal binding to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-derived macrophages. Conclusion The CD1b isoform is evolutionarily conserved, and is present on equine MDM, as well as on circulating blood monocytes. The unique susceptibility of foals to R. equi infection may be due in part to lower expression of CD1 and MHC class II, as observed in this study. The data also suggests that infection with R. equi induces down-regulation of CD1b on equine MDM. This may represent a novel mechanism by R. equi to avoid detection and killing of infected cells by the immune system, similar to that observed when human APC are infected with M. tuberculosis.
Acidic hexane extraction of oilseeds: Product quality

Cottonseed was extracted with hexane and acidic hexane (hexane that contained 2–25% acetic acid) and properties of the resultant miscellae and meals were compared for each sample. Pigment contents were only slightly larger in acidic hexane miscellae. Settling rates of marc particles were much faster through acidic hexane miscellae. Nutritional analyses of the extracted cottonseed meals indicated that protein efficiency ratios, digestibilities, epsilon amino-free lysine values and free and total gossypol contents were essentially identical with each type of solvent. Aflatoxin contents of similarly treated, contaminated peanuts did not change. The results are discussed with regard to previous findings concerning the more thorough extractions of lipid from oilseeds with acidic hexane than with hexane alone.
A Shoe-Embedded RF Sensor for Motion Detection

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) based pedestrian navigation systems suffer from long term inaccuracy due to sensor bias drift. Zero velocity update (ZUPT) algorithms can estimate the drift and improve the system accuracy. Accurate zero velocity period detection is critical for the performance of ZUPT algorithms. A low power shoe-embedded RF sensor is proposed to identify zero velocity periods of a foot when a person is walking. This letter reports the hardware system development and the performance characterizations. The results show that the sensor can detect relative position changes with an accuracy of better than 1.3 mm and a velocity as low as 191 μm/s. The developed miniature sensor was embedded into the heel, and zero velocity periods were successfully detected during walking tests.
Comparison between epi-down and epi-up bonded high-power single-mode 980-nm semiconductor lasers

Epi-down and epi-up bonded high-power single-mode 980-nm lasers have been studied in terms of bonding process, thermal behavior, optical performances, and long-term laser reliability. We demonstrated that epi-down bonding can offer lower thermal resistance and improved optical performance without degrading the long-term laser reliability. An optical power of 630 mW was obtained for the first time from an epi-down bonded 980-nm pump module. Our studies have shown that epi-down bonding of single-mode 980-nm lasers can reduce junction temperature and thermal resistance by up to 30%. Experimental measurements showed over 20% in thermal rollover power improvement and over 25% reduction in wavelength shift versus current in epi-down mounted lasers compared to epi-up mounted lasers. Lifetime test over 14 000 h at 500 mA and 80/spl deg/C of the epi-down bonded lasers is reported for the first time.
Incorporation of 5-chlorocytosine into mammalian DNA results in heritable gene silencing and altered cytosine methylation patterns

Cytosine methylation patterns are essential for the proper control of gene expression in higher vertebrates. Although alterations in methylation patterns are frequently observed in human tumors, neither the mechanisms for establishing methylation patterns during normal development nor the mechanisms leading to pathological alterations of methylation patterns are currently known. While epidemiological studies have implicated inflammation in cancer etiology, a mechanistic link has yet to be established. Investigations of inflammation-mediated DNA damage may have provided important new insights. Our in vitro studies revealed that the inflammation-mediated DNA damage product, 5-chlorocytosine, could direct fraudulent methylation of previously unmethylated CpG sites. The purpose of this study was to recapitulate our in vitro findings by introducing 5-chlorocytosine residues into the DNA of replicating mammalian cells and to examine its impact on gene expression and cytosine methylation patterns. CHO-K1 cells hemizygous for the hprt gene were electroporated with the triphosphates of cytosine [2'-deoxycytidine-5'-triphosphate (dCTP)], 5-methylcytosine [5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine-5'-triphosphate (MedCTP)] and 5'-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine-5'-triphosphate (CldCTP), and then selected with 6-thioguanine for silencing the hprt gene. Both modified nucleotides, MedCTP and CldCTP, but not unmodified dCTP, silenced hprt gene expression. Subsequent bisulfite pyrosequencing of CpG sites within the hprt promoter region of the selected cells confirmed hypermethylation, although global methylation levels as measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry did not change. Modified nucleotide-induced gene silencing could be reversed with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine indicating an epigenetic rather than mutagenic alteration. These results provide further evidence that the inflammation damage product 5-chlorocytosine could be a link between inflammation and cancer development.
Malaria and Immunoglobulins in Pacific Prehistory

The role of malaria in Pacific prehistory has been the subject of considerable study and supposition. In this manuscript, I attempt to clarify the research and reasoning that has led me to suggest that the Austronesian-speaking peoples had a selective advantage in malarious environments. In particular, I hope to dispel any notion that that advantage was due to resistance to malaria and to re-affirm my actual assertion that the genetic basis for the Austronesian advantage was resistance to developing the hyperimmune disease, hyperreactive malarious splenomegaly. I believe that an appreciation of this distinction will ultimately prove to be essential to understanding the role of malaria in facilitating the spread of the Austronesians—in the form of people, languages, and/or genes—throughout the Pacific. [Pacific prehistory, malaria, natural selection, Austronesians, immunoglobulins]
Seafood consumption, the DHA content of mothers’ milk and prevalence rates of postpartum depression: a cross-national, ecological analysis

Background: Mothers selectively transfer docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to their fetuses to support optimal neurological development during pregnancy. Without sufficient dietary intake, mothers become depleted of DHA and may increase their risk of suffering major depressive symptoms in the postpartum period. We postulated that the DHA content of mothers’ milk and seafood consumption would both predict prevalence rates of postpartum depression across countries. Methods: Published prevalence data for postpartum depression were included that used the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (n=14 532 subjects in 41 studies). These data were compared to the DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (AA) content in mothers’ milk and to seafood consumption rates in published reports from 23 countries. Results: Higher concentrations of DHA in mothers’ milk (r=−0.84, p<0.0001, n=16 countries) and greater seafood consumption (r=−0.81, p<0.0001, n=22 countries) both predicted lower prevalence rates of postpartum depression in simple and logarithmic models, respectively. The AA and EPA content of mothers’ milk were unrelated to postpartum depression prevalence. Limitations: These findings do not prove that higher omega-3 status cause lower prevalence rates of postpartum depression. Data on potentially confounding factors were not uniformly available for all countries. Conclusions: Both lower DHA content in mothers’ milk and lower seafood consumption were associated with higher rates of postpartum depression. These results do not appear to be an artifact of cross-national differences in well-established risk factors for postpartum depression. Interventional studies are needed to determine if omega-3 fatty acids can reduce major postpartum depressive symptoms.
Interview with Geoffrey Howson

The following interview with Albert Geoffrey Howson was conducted in January 2008. Dr. Geoffrey Howson spent thirty years at Southampton University, serving for a number of years as Head of the Department of Mathematics and Dean of the Faculty of Mathematical Studies. After beginning his scientific career in algebra, he went into the field of mathematics education, in particular making significant contributions to the study of the history of mathematics education1
The Case of the Missing German Quantum Chemists: On Molecular Models, Mobilization, and the Paradoxes of Modernizing Chemistry in Nazi Germany

This paper discusses factors limiting the development of a modern, quantum-based chemistry in Nazi Germany. The first part presents a case study of industrial research in Nazi Germany that suggests the delayed introduction of space-filling molecular models into structural analysis and synthesis in industrial organic chemistry, almost a decade after their invention by a German physicist. Was this symptomatic of a broader pattern of neglect of quantum chemistry in Nazi Germany? To answer this question this paper examines the origins of such models, and their appearance (or not) in selected textbooks and monographs dealing with problems in the interdisciplinary borderland between the physical and organic dimensions of chemistry. While it appears that those on the physical side were more comfortable with such models than those on the organic side, it is also clear that even a theoretically unsophisticated organic chemist could learn to use these models effectively, without necessarily understanding the intricacies of the quantum chemistry on which they were based. Why then were they not better integrated into mainstream chemical education? To this end the second part discusses three phases (pre-1933, 1933–38, 1939–43) of the broader scientific, institutional, and political contexts of efforts to reform or “modernize” chemical education among many groups in Germany, particularly through the Association of Laboratory Directors in German Universities and Colleges, the autonomous group that administered the predoctoral qualifying examination (Association Examination) for chemistry students until its dissolution in 1939 by the Education Ministry and the establishment of the first official certifying examination and associated title for chemists, the Diplom-Chemiker (certified chemist). Continuing debates modified the examination in 1942–43, but given the limitations imposed by the political and wartime contexts, and the need to accelerate chemical training for the purposes of industrial and military mobilization, the resulting chemical education could not produce students adequately trained in the modern physical science emerging elsewhere in the world. Quantum chemists remained missing in action in Nazi Germany.
Structuring a Competitive Analysis: Decision Trees, Decision Forests, and Payoff Matrices

Most business decisions involve significant uncertainty and risk. Decision trees can be helpful in analyzing the key drivers of profitability and in designing risk-mitigation strategies. When analyzing competitive situations, each player's viewpoint can be represented by a separate decision tree, creating a "decision forest." In some situations, it is also useful to summarize two players' decision trees in a single payoff matrix. This note introduces those concepts step by step.
The long (and sometimes endless) road to murine lupus genes

Bielschowsky, Helyer, and Howie described the very first murine models for lupus in the late 1950s ([1][1], [2][2]). These “New Zealand” strains of mice displayed different types of autoimmunity. Whereas the New Zealand Black (NZB) strain exhibited hemolytic anemia, the F1 hybrids of this strain
Double electron capture and the angular distribution of ejected electrons in Ne8+-He collisions.

Double-electron-capture cross sections to individual doubly excited states and autoionizing electron spectra at fixed angles for Ne[sup 8+]-He collisions are calculated and analyzed for collision energies from 20 to 80 keV/amu. An independent-electron approximation is adopted where the amplitudes for double capture are derived from the antisymmetrized product of single-electron-capture amplitudes properly weighted with configuration-interaction coefficients. By choosing the quantization axis to be perpendicular to the collision plane, we also study the propensity rule for the [ital M] distribution of the cross section for each doubly excited state. The electron spectra at 0[degree] are compared with experiments. At 80 keV/amu collision energy, our theoretical spectrum agrees with experiment very well. At lower energies, the agreements are not as good, but the dominant features are well predicted.
Foliar urea pretreatment tempers inefficient N recovery resulting from copper chelate (CuEDTA) defoliation of apple nursery plants

SummaryCopper chelate (CuEDTA) defoliation of deciduous fruit nursery plants, although effective in leaf removal, causes inefficient N recovery from leaves, which results in reduced reserve N levels in woody perennial tissues, compared with natural defoliation. To correct this problem, we sprayed spring bench-grafted Fuji/M.26 apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) nursery plants with 3% urea twice, at 5 d intervals, 13.d prior to 1% CuEDTA spray treatment on 31 October, 1997. The effects of urea and CuEDTA on defoliation, reserve N, and later regrowth were determined, as compared with those of hand- or natural-defoliation. CuEDTA resulted in >80% defoliation within 6 d of application. The abscission induced by the CuEDTA treatment, however, did cause significantly less N to be withdrawn from leaves compared with those plants undergoing natural defoliation. This inefficient N recovery was tempered by the foliar-urea pretreatment. The application of urea substantially increased the reserve-N level (total-N or solu...
Study on Dynamic Equivalence Model of Wind Farms with Wind Turbine Driven Doubly Fed Induction Generator

For a large-scale wind farm with wind turbine driven doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), a new equivalent modeling method is proposed. This method uses the DFIG pitch control action as the grouping rule of wind turbines. By extracting eigenvectors that reflect pitch control action, it is used as input of support vector machine (SVM). The wind turbines are dynamically grouped, and the same group wind turbines are aggregated. The calculating methods of equivalent model parameters are provided. Thus a wind farm model represented by three equivalent wind turbines is obtained. Compared with the traditional equivalent modeling methods, the results show that the proposed three-machine equivalent model more accurately describes the dynamic characteristics of a wind farm at the grid connection point.
Necessity of Communicating Uncertainty in Weather Forecasts in View of Public Criticism

An example of public criticism about the accuracy of TV weather forecasting was represented and analyzed. What can meteorologists learn from it to better serve public and end-users on a solid scientific basis.? Given the chaotic nature of atmospheric system and imperfect observations and numerical models,it is scientifically impossible to predict the weather in 100%accuracy.How to evaluate weather forecasts is also problematic and confusing in many ways.Reform is needed in both the ways of producing and providing weather forecast information.A forecast without explicitly describing quantitative uncertainty information is incomplete.Inclusion of forecast uncertainty can,instead,maximize the economical value of a forecast and satisfy the needs for a wider range of users.It is time to quantitatively communicate forecast uncertainty to weather,climate,water and any kind of environmental prediction.Training and education to forecasters,end-users and public is the key to the success of this revolutionary transition from a deterministic to a stochastic point of view about weather forecasting.
Serological Monitoring is Key to Sustain Progress of the Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus Elimination Initiative

ABSTRACT In this issue of Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, Scobie and colleagues (H. M. Scobie et al., Clin Vaccine Immunol 23:546–554, 2016, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00052-16) report a nationwide serosurvey of tetanus immunity in >2,000 Cambodian women of child-bearing age to monitor progress toward maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination. This commentary discusses vaccines as interventions for disease control, elimination, and eradication and emphasizes the importance of the tools needed to monitor the effectiveness of initiatives that deliver the vaccines programmatically.
Global Surgical Ecosystems: A Need for Systems Strengthening

Abstract Background As surgery is gaining recognition as a critical component of universal health care worldwide, surgical communities have come together with unprecedented unity to advocate for systems to support surgical care. This community has long believed that much care could be performed in a cost-effective manner even in low resource settings, despite skepticism voiced by many in public health. To do so will require the development of new systems and re-vamping of old systems that are not effective. In the last five years, coalitions, expert panels, commissions, consortia and alliances have emerged to address these issues and there has been landmark success in advocacy with a new resolution at the 2015 World Health Assembly to include surgical care as a component of universal health coverage. It is critical to understand the ecosystem that constitutes the surgical environment. A surgical ecosystem could be described as a network of people, processes, and materials necessary for surgical services in the context of the facilities and environment in which it functions. Methods We describe components of a functioning surgical ecosystem in terms of administration, support staff and clinicians, and the necessary sub-systems for providing consumable materials such as anesthetic medication and suture and sterile instruments. Related systems that must be integrated are facilities and utilities such as electricity, lighting, plumbing and waste management and even laundry. But especially in low and middle income countries (LMICs) lack of any one of these may be rate-limiting. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed situational analyses and checklists for first level district hospitals to identify missing elements. Conclusions A siloed approach cannot solve a systems problem. However, to scale up rapidly and to develop and sustain quality standards, a holistic “ecosystem” approach, including local and global professional societies and advocacy organizations will need to become engaged.
Structural basis of influenza virus fusion inhibition by the antiviral drug Arbidol.

The broad-spectrum antiviral drug Arbidol shows efficacy against influenza viruses by targeting the hemagglutinin (HA) fusion machinery. However, the structural basis of the mechanism underlying fusion inhibition by Arbidol has remained obscure, thereby hindering its further development as a specific and optimized influenza therapeutic. We determined crystal structures of Arbidol in complex with influenza virus HA from pandemic 1968 H3N2 and recent 2013 H7N9 viruses. Arbidol binds in a hydrophobic cavity in the HA trimer stem at the interface between two protomers. This cavity is distal to the conserved epitope targeted by broadly neutralizing stem antibodies and is ∼16 A from the fusion peptide. Arbidol primarily makes hydrophobic interactions with the binding site but also induces some conformational rearrangements to form a network of inter- and intraprotomer salt bridges. By functioning as molecular glue, Arbidol stabilizes the prefusion conformation of HA that inhibits the large conformational rearrangements associated with membrane fusion in the low pH of the endosome. This unique binding mode compared with the small-molecule inhibitors of other class I fusion proteins enhances our understanding of how small molecules can function as fusion inhibitors and guides the development of broad-spectrum therapeutics against influenza virus.
Relationship of non-invasive quantification of myocardial blood flow to arrhythmic events in patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators

Ischemia contributes to arrhythmogenesis though its role is incompletely understood. Abnormal myocardial perfusion measured by PET imaging may predict ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) in a high-risk population. Patients with implantable cardiac defibrillators who had undergone rubidium-82 cardiac PET imaging were identified. Patients were stratified by median MBF and MFR values for analysis. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the impact of myocardial perfusion on survival free of VT independent of critical covariates. A total of 159 patients (124 (78%) males, median age 65.9 years, IQR [56.76-72.63]) were followed for 1.43 years IQR [0.83-2.21]. VA occurred in 29 patients (23.7%). After adjustment for ejection fraction, age, and sex, impaired stress MBF was associated with an increased risk of VA (adjusted HR per ml/min/g 1.52, 95% CI (1.01-2.31), P = 0.04). Summed rest and stress scores were not predictive of VA. Among patients with severe LV dysfunction, stress MBF remained an independent predictor of VA (adjusted HR per 1 ml/min/g HR 1.69, 95% CI (1.03-11.36), P = 0.03), while residual EF, summed rest, and summed stress scores were not (P > 0.05). Impaired stress myocardial blood flow was associated with less survival free of ventricular arrhythmias.
Gabapentin: a surprising drug with many uses

Gabapentin is an interesting drug and it has many uses. There are two gabapentin formulations with multiple brand names. Gabapentin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an adjunct agent in partial seizures, post-herpetic neuralgia and restless legs syndrome. It is also used for a variety of other conditions, such as neuropathic pain, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, post-op pain, fibromyalgia, hot sweats, haemodialysis-associated pruritus, and to potentiate opioids effect.
Uses of Population Health Rankings in Local Policy Contexts: A Multisite Case Study.

Population health rankings are a common strategy to spur evidence-informed health policy making, but little is known about their uses or impacts. The study aims were to (1) understand how and why t...
Financial Architectures and Development: Resilience, Policy Space and Human Development in the Global South

The current crisis has generated institutional experimentation in financial architecture in the developing world, with clear signs of fissures, realignments and institutional changes in financial governance structures in many regions. ‘Productive incoherence’ - the proliferation of institutional innovations given impetus by the crisis - is apparent in the emergence of a denser, multi-layered and more heterogeneous southern financial architecture. The crisis has induced a broadening of the mission and reach of some existing regional, subregional, bilateral and national financial institutions and arrangements and has stimulated discussions of entirely new arrangements. These changes in the financial landscape increase its potential to promote financial stability and resilience, to support the development of long-run productive capacities, to advance aims consistent with human development, and to expand the national policy space.
Sensitivity analysis of convergence bids in nodal electricity markets

Recent reports from Independent System Operators (ISOs) have raised some concerns about the impact of convergence bids (CBs) on nodal electricity markets. In particular, in some cases, there are concerns about cases where CBs are profitable for some market participants without increasing market efficiency significantly or even decreasing market efficiency. The latter occurs when CBs create price divergence instead of price convergence across the day-ahead and real-time markets. Accordingly, in this paper, we investigate the sensitivity of nodal electricity market price to CBs and seek to build an analytical foundation to explain under what conditions placing a CB at a bus in a nodal electricity market can create price divergence at that bus. Illustrative test cases are discussed to provide intuitions and engineering implications of the results on sensitivity analysis.
RapidR: Innovative Resource Sharing for Physical Delivery

ABSRACTResource sharing practices are always evolving, with new software, tools, and consortia available to streamline and enhance operations. RapidILL's introduction of RapidR represents a groundbreaking way for libraries to easily share collections regardless of their geographic location, consortial affiliation, or integrated library system software. RapidR provides a unique infrastructure that has made a substantial difference in the ability of libraries to provide returnable loans efficiently and quickly to requesting users. This case study will demonstrate the positive impact RapidR has had on two libraries' resource sharing services, and it will outline RapidR's ability to serve as a substitute or an enhancement to traditional consortial borrowing structures.
Metal Amorphous Nanocomposite Soft Magnetic Material-Enabled High Power Density, Rare Earth Free Rotational Machines

Metal amorphous nanocomposites (MANCs) are promising soft magnetic materials (SMMs) for power electronic applications offering low power loss at high frequency and maintaining a relatively high flux density. While applications in certain motor designs have been recently modeled, their widespread application awaits scaled manufacturing of MANC materials and proliferation of new higher speed motor designs. A hybrid motor design based on permanent magnets and doubly salient stator and rotor is reported here to develop a compact (a factor of 10 smaller than currently possible in Si steels), high-speed (>1 kHz, electrical), high-power (>2.5 kW) motor by incorporating low loss ( $2.2 \times 10^{5}$ A/m sustainable, for example, with a high-grade hard ferrite magnet.
A phase I/II clinical trial of autologous CMV-specific cytotoxic T cells (CMV-TC) for glioblastoma: Dose escalation results.

2035Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens are present in > 90% of GBMs but not in normal brain, and can be targeted as a tumor-specific antigen. CMV-TC present in GBM tumor tissue have their e...
Induction of microvascular network growth in the mouse mesentery

Objective Motivated by observations of mesenteries harvested from mice treated with tamoxifen dissolved in oil for inducible gene mutation studies, the objective of this study was to demonstrate that microvascular growth can be induced in the avascular mouse mesentery tissue. Methods C57BL/6 mice were administered an IP injection for five consecutive days of: saline, sunflower oil, tamoxifen dissolved in sunflower oil, corn oil, or peanut oil. Results Twenty-one days post-injection, zero tissues from saline group contained branching microvascular networks. In contrast, all tissues from the three oils and tamoxifen groups contained vascular networks with arterioles, venules, and capillaries. Smooth muscle cells and pericytes were present in their expected locations and wrapping morphologies. Significant increases in vascularized tissue area and vascular density were observed when compared to saline group, but sunflower oil and tamoxifen group were not significantly different. Vascularized tissues also contained LYVE-1-positive and Prox1-positive lymphatic networks, indicating that lymphangiogenesis was stimulated. When comparing the different oils, vascularized tissue area and vascular density of sunflower oil were significantly higher than corn and peanut oils. Conclusions These results provide novel evidence supporting that induction of microvascular network growth into the normally avascular mouse mesentery is possible.
Nanoparticle physicochemical properties determine the activation of intracellular complement.

Abstract The complement system plays an essential role in both innate and adaptive immunity. The traditional understanding of this system comes from studies investigating complement proteins produced by the liver and present in plasma to “complement” the immune cell-mediated response to invading pathogens. Recently, it has been reported that immune cells including, but not limited to, T-cells and monocytes, express complement proteins. This complement is referred to as intracellular (IC) and implicated in the regulation of T-cell activation. The mechanisms and the structure–activity relationship between nanomaterials and IC, however, are currently unknown. Herein, we describe a structure–activity relationship study demonstrating that under in vitro conditions, only polymeric materials with cationic surfaces activate IC in T-cells. The effect also depends on particle size and occurs through a mechanism involving membrane damage, thereby IC on the cell surface serves as a self-opsonization marker in response to the nanoparticle-triggered danger affecting the cell integrity.
Exploring the roles of technology, people, and organization in building a tourism destination experience: Insights from the 2nd USA-China tourism research summit and Industry Dialogue

Abstract This conference communication discusses insights from the 2nd USA-China Tourism Research Summit and Industry Dialogue, which took place in 2017. Results from focus group sessions among about 100 academic scholars and industry practitioners were textually analyzed. A framework was then developed to reveal the roles of technology, people, and organization in building a tourism destination experience. Implications for practice are provided.
Grandparent Caregivers' Resilience: Stress, Support, and Coping Predict Life Satisfaction.

ObjectivesDo support and coping strategies moderate the link between stress and life satisfaction among grandparent caregivers?BackgroundGrandparents raising grandchildren often experience stress, ...
Natural capital and economic growth: a panel study approach

This paper employs panel data study of 63 developing countries to examine the relationship between natural capital and economic growth. Natural capital per capita and GDP per worker are used as proxies for natural capital and economic growth, respectively. Using three regression models, the results suggest there is a statistically significant positive relationship between natural capital and economic growth, and a long-run relationship (co-integration) between the variables. Therefore, treating natural capital as a substitute rather than as a complement in the production process undermines the important role natural capital plays for economic growth and development. Hence, national level governments should pay important attention to their natural capital.
Effects of fish caudal fin sweep angle and kinematics on thrust production during low-speed thunniform swimming.

ABSTRACT Scombrid fish lunate caudal fins are characterized by a wide range of sweep angles. Scombrid that have small sweep-angle caudal fins move at higher swimming speeds, suggesting that smaller angles produce more thrust. Furthermore, scombrids occasionally use high angles of attack (AoA) suggesting this also has some thrust benefit. This work examined the hypothesis that a smaller sweep angle and higher AoA improved thrust in swimmers by experimentally analyzing a robophysical model. The robophysical model was tested in a water tunnel at speeds between 0.35 and 0.7 body lengths per second. Three swept caudal fins were analyzed at three different AoA, three different freestream velocities, and four different Strouhal numbers, for a total of 108 cases. Results demonstrated that the fin with the largest sweep angle of 50° resulted in lower thrust production than the 40° and 30° fins, especially at higher Strouhal numbers. Larger AoA up to 25° increased thrust production at the higher Strouhal numbers, but at lower Strouhal numbers, produced less thrust. Differences in thrust production due to fin sweep angle and AoA were attributed to the variation in spanwise flow and leading edge vortex dynamics.
Urinary organophosphate ester concentrations in relation to ultra-processed food consumption in the general US population

Abstract Background Ultra-processed foods are highly processed foods which are manufactured with industrial substances to increase convenience and palatability. Some organophosphate esters (OPEs) are used as flame retardants and plasticizers and have been detected in food samples, particularly processed foods. However, little is known about dietary sources of OPEs or whether higher consumption of ultra-processed foods increases exposures. Objectives We evaluated whether higher consumption of ultra-processed food is associated with urinary OPE metabolite concentrations in a nationally representative sample of US children and adults. Methods Among 2242 participants (≥6 years) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014, we used the NOVA classification system to calculate percent of total energy from ultra-processed food using a 24 h dietary recall. Concentrations of 7 OPE metabolites, including diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), bis(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BDCPP), bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (BCEP), dibutyl phosphate (DBUP), di-p-cresyl phosphate (DPCP), 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoic acid (TBBA), and bis(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (BCPP) were measured in urine. We used multivariable linear or logistic regressions to examine associations per 10% higher total energy from ultra-processed foods with percent changes or prevalence of detectable levels of creatinine-standardized OPEs. Results In a model adjusting for only urinary creatinine, each 10% higher total energy from ultra-processed food was associated with 3.5% (95% CI: 0.7%, 6.3%) higher DPHP and 8.2% (95% CI: 4.6, 11.9%) higher BDCPP concentrations. However, none of the OPE metabolites was associated with ultra-processed food consumption in models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, health behaviors, and BMI (all p-values >0.05). Ultra-processed breads and tortillas; sauces, dressing, and gravies; and milk-based drinks were associated with higher concentrations of BDCPP while frozen and shelf-stable plate meals were associated with lower concentrations. Reconstituted meat or fish products and ultra-processed milk-based desserts were associated with greater odds of detectable levels of BCPP. Conclusion While some food groups were associated with urinary OPE metabolite concentrations, ultra-processed foods do not appear to be a major source of current OPE exposure in the US.
Measuring Reading Strategy Use.

This study describes the development and validation of a multidimensional measure of preadolescent and adolescent readers’ abilities to apply reading comprehension strategies necessary for understa...
Robustness in Human Manipulation of Dynamically Complex Objects Through Control Contraction Metrics

Control and manipulation of objects with underactuated dynamics remains a challenge for robots. Due to their typically nonlinear dynamics, it is computationally taxing to implement model-based planning and control techniques. Yet humans can skillfully manipulate such objects, seemingly with ease. More insight into human control strategies may inform how to enhance control strategies in robots. This study examined human control of objects that exhibit complex - underactuated and nonlinear - dynamics. We hypothesized that humans seek to make their trajectories exponentially stable to achieve robustness in the face of external perturbations. A stable trajectory is also robust to the high levels of noise in the human neuromotor system. Motivated by the task of carrying a cup of coffee, a virtual implementation of transporting a cart-pendulum system was developed. Subjects interacted with the virtual system via a robotic manipulandum that provided a haptic and visual interface. Human subjects were instructed to transport this simplified system to a target position as fast as possible without ‘spilling coffee,’ while accommodating different visible perturbations that could be anticipated. To test the hypothesis of exponential convergence, tools from the framework of control contraction metrics were leveraged to analyze human trajectories. Results showed that with practice the trajectories indeed became exponentially stable, selectively around the perturbation. While these findings are agnostic about the involvement of feedback and feedforward control, they do support the hypothesis that humans learn to make trajectories stable, consistent with achieving predictability.
Who Is Watching? What Do They Want? A Foucauldian Analysis of Teacher Candidates’ Experiences With the edTPA

Background/ContextThis article is a policy discussion of the edTPA preservice portfolio assessment; it uses Foucault's work and our data to suggest a more critical and activist approach to the asse...