cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Epstein-Barr Virus Facilitates Expression of KLF14 by Regulating the Cooperative Binding of the E2F-Rb-HDAC Complex in Latent Infection.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was discovered as the first human tumor virus more than 50 years ago. EBV infects more than 90% of the human population worldwide and is associated with numerous hematologic malignancies and epithelial malignancies. EBV establishes latent infection in B cells, which is the typical program seen in lymphomagenesis. Understanding EBV-mediated transcription regulatory networks is one of the current challenges that will uncover new insights into the mechanism of viral-mediated lymphomagenesis. Here, we describe the regulatory profiles of several cellular factors (E2F6, E2F1, Rb, HDAC1, and HDAC2) together with EBV latent nuclear antigens using next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. Our results show that the E2F-Rb-HDAC complex exhibits similar distributions in genomic regions of EBV-positive cells and is associated with oncogenic super-enhancers involving long-range regulatory regions. Furthermore, EBV latent antigens cooperatively hijack this complex to bind at KLFs gene loci and facilitate KLF14 gene expression in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). These results demonstrate that EBV latent antigens can function as master regulators of this multisubunit repressor complex (E2F-Rb-HDAC) to reverse its suppressive activities and facilitate downstream gene expression that can contribute to viral-induced lymphomagenesis. These results provide novel insights into targets for the development of new therapeutic interventions for treating EBV-associated lymphomas.IMPORTANCE Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as the first human tumor virus, infects more than 90% of the human population worldwide and is associated with numerous human cancers. Exploring EBV-mediated transcription regulatory networks is critical to understand viral-associated lymphomagenesis. However, the detailed mechanism is not fully explored. Now we describe the regulatory profiles of the E2F-Rb-HDAC complex together with EBV latent antigens, and we found that EBV latent antigens cooperatively facilitate KLF14 expression by antagonizing this multisubunit repressor complex in EBV-positive cells. This provides potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of EBV-associated cancers.
Clinical implications of the log linear association between LDL-C lowering and cardiovascular risk reduction: Greatest benefits when LDL-C >100 mg/dl.

Background The log linear association between on-treatment LDL-C levels and ASCVD events is amplified in higher risk patient subgroups of statin versus placebo trials. Objectives Update previous systematic review to evaluate how the log linear association influences the magnitude of cardiovascular risk reduction from intensifying LDL-C lowering therapy. Methods MEDLINE/PubMED, Clinical trials.gov, and author files were searched from 1/1/2005 through 10/30/2019 for subgroup analyses of cardiovascular outcomes trials of moderate versus high intensity statin, ezetimibe, and PCSK9 mAbs with an ASCVD endpoint (nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke, cardiovascular death). Annualized ASCVD event rates were used to extrapolate 5-year ASCVD risk for each treatment group reported in subgroup analyses, which were grouped into a priori risk groups according to annualized placebo/control rates of ≥4%, 3-3.9%, or Results Systematic review identified 96 treatment subgroups from 2 trials of moderate versus high intensity statin, 2 trials of a PCSK9 mAb versus placebo, and 1 trial of ezetimibe versus placebo. A log linear association between on-treatment LDL-C and ASCVD risk represents the association between on-treatment LDL-C levels and ASCVD event rates, especially in higher risk subgroups. Greater relative and absolute cardiovascular risk reductions from LDL-C lowering were observed when baseline LDL-C was >100 mg/dl and in extremely high risk ASCVD patient groups. Conclusions Greater cardiovascular and mortality risk reduction benefits from intensifying LDL-C lowering therapy may be expected in those with LDL-C ≥100 mg/dl, or in extremely high risk patient groups. When baseline LDL-C
Loss of Jag1 cooperates with oncogenic Kras to induce pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

Notch signaling exerts both oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions in the pancreas. In this study, deletion of Jag1 in conjunction with oncogenic KrasG12D expression in the mouse pancreas induced rapid development of acinar-to-ductal metaplasia and early stage pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasm; however, culminating in cystic neoplasms rather than ductal adenocarcinoma. Most cystic lesions in these mice were reminiscent of serous cystic neoplasm, and the rest resembled intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Jag1 expression was lost or decreased in cystic lesions but retained in adenocarcinoma in these mice, so was the expression of Sox9. In pancreatic cancer patients, JAG1 expression is higher in cancerous tissue, and high JAG1 is associated with poor overall survival. Expression of SOX9 is correlated with JAG1, and high SOX9 is also associated with poor survival. Mechanistically, Jag1 regulates expression of Lkb1, a tumor suppressor involved in the development of pancreatic cystic neoplasm. Collectively, Jag1 can act as a tumor suppressor in the pancreas by delaying precursor lesions, whereas loss of Jag1 promoted a phenotypic switch from malignant carcinoma to benign cystic lesions.
Book Review: In a Time of Trouble: Law and Liberty in South Africa's State of Emergency

Book review of "In a Time of Trouble: Law and Liberty in South Africa's State of Emergency."
Integrated Multilayer Horn Antenna for Millimeter-Wave Application

In this work, a wide band slot antenna with a two-section T-shaped ridge is designed at 30 GHz based on printed ridge gap waveguide technology. Later, to enhance the antenna gain, a multi-layer stepped horn is designed with PCB substrates. The horn results in an overall increase in gain up to 11.5 dBi, and the bandwidth exceeds 26.5% from 26.5-34.6 GHz. The steps walls are realized by metal vias. To control the leakages between the conducting surfaces of the layers, two rows of mushrooms are used around the metal vias to form PEC/PMC parallel-plate waveguides that don't allow for leakage between them. In addition, three rows of mushrooms act as a soft surface around the horn opening to improve the radiation characteristics.
MyEDCare: Evaluation of a Smartphone-Based Emergency Department Discharge Process.

Background Poor comprehension and low compliance with post-ED (emergency department) care plans increase the risk of unscheduled ED return visits and adverse outcomes. Despite the growth of personal health records to support transitions of care, technological innovation's focus on the ED discharge process has been limited. Recent literature suggests that digital communication incorporated into post-ED care can improve patient satisfaction and care quality. Objectives We evaluated the feasibility of utilizing MyEDCare, a text message and smartphone-based electronic ED discharge process at two urban EDs. Methods MyEDCare sends text messages to patients' smartphones at the time of discharge, containing a hyperlink to a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant website, to deliver patient-specific ED discharge instructions. Content includes information on therapeutics, new medications, outpatient care scheduling, return precautions, as well as results of laboratory and radiological diagnostic testing performed in the ED. Three text messages are sent to patients: at the time of ED discharge with the nurse assistance for initial access of content, as well as 2 and 29 days after ED discharge. MyEDCare was piloted in a 9-month pilot period in 2019 at two urban EDs in an academic medical center. We evaluated ED return visits, ED staff satisfaction, and patient satisfaction using ED Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (ED-CAHPS) patient satisfaction scores. Results MyEDCare enrolled 27,713 patients discharged from the two EDs, accounting for 43% of treat-and-release ED patients. Of the treat-and-release patients, 27% completed MyEDCare discharge process, accessing the online content at the time of ED discharge. Patients discharged via MyEDCare had fewer 72-hour, 9-day, and 30-day unscheduled return ED visits and reported higher satisfaction related to nursing care. Conclusion EDs and urgent care facilities may consider developing a HIPAA-compliant, text message, and smartphone-based discharge process, including the transmission of test results, to improve patient-centered outcomes.
Regret Analysis of Distributed Online LQR Control for Unknown LTI Systems.

Online learning has recently opened avenues for rethinking classical optimal control beyond time-invariant cost metrics, and online controllers are designed when the performance criteria changes adversarially over time. Inspired by this line of research, we study the distributed online linear quadratic regulator (LQR) problem for linear time-invariant (LTI) systems with unknown dynamics. Consider a multi-agent network where each agent is modeled as a LTI system. The LTI systems are associated with time-varying quadratic costs that are revealed sequentially. The goal of the network is to collectively (i) estimate the unknown dynamics and (ii) compute local control sequences competitive to that of the best centralized policy in hindsight that minimizes the sum of costs for all agents. This problem is formulated as a {\it regret} minimization. We propose a distributed variant of the online LQR algorithm where each agent computes its system estimate during an exploration stage. The agent then applies distributed online gradient descent on a semi-definite programming (SDP) whose feasible set is based on the agent's system estimate. We prove that the regret bound of our proposed algorithm scales $\tilde{O}(T^{2/3})$, implying the consensus of the network over time. We also provide simulation results verifying our theoretical guarantee.
What Can NMR Tell Us about Protein Motions

It is by now common knowledge that (1) motions, both random and concerted, are necessary for protein function and (2) high resolution NMR is the method of choice for studying motions in proteins at atomic resolution. In contrast, little attention has thus far been paid to the fundamental problem that the parameters measurable by NMR are not directly related to the mechanical parameters of functionally important motions, so that the relationship between NMR observables and the mechanics of the protein structure remains undefined. Most of the NMR literature on protein dynamics is devoted to the development and application of techniques to make the measurements more precise. This is, of course, desirable, but until the fundamental problem of relating the measurements to functionally important movements is solved, even the most sophisticated spectroscopic methods will produce little information that is relevant to biological function. It is the aim of this review to summarize the current state of our knowledge and the approaches being developed to solve this problem.
The transformation of d-homosteroids to steroids

Abstract The d -homoannulation of some cortical hormones has been effected with a view toward transforming the products so obtained to d -homo-17,17a-diones. The latter, conveniently prepared by this means, were studied in the benzilic acid rearrangement mode of ring contraction back to steroids bearing a 17β-carboxyl and a 17β-hydroxyl. This rearrangement has been found to proceed in one steric sense, which may be accounted for on the basis of intermediates generated in compliance with the principles of conformational analysis.
An explanation for the fine structure of MF burst emissions

[1] Medium Frequency Burst (MFB) is a broadband auroral radio emission observed at ground-level at the onset of auroral substorms. Recent high-resolution measurements show it to be composed of fine structures with “backwards seven”-shaped leading edges when displayed as a frequency-time spectrogram. With a simple one-dimensional model, the group delay of Langmuir waves originating on the F-region topside and converting linearly to L-mode can be made to match the shape of the leading edge by adjusting the topside density profile, but for plausible density profiles the fit implies relatively low energy electron beams (few hundred keV). If this mechanism explains the emissions, it would be consistent with their excitation by relatively low energy Alfvenically accelerated electron beams in the leading edges of poleward-expanding auroral arcs during substorm onset.
A new procedure for quantitative analysis by isotope dilution, with application to the determination of amino acids and fatty acids.

We shall describe here a quantitative method of analysis of organic compounds in mixtures. The procedure requires the isolation of only a small sample of the substance to be determined, the yield being unimportant. This method is based on the fact that a compound which has an abnormal isotope content is inseparable by the usual laboratory procedures from its normal analogue. If, for example, a deuteropalmitic acid is added to a mixture of isotopically normal fatty acids, and then palmitic acid is isolated, this will be a representative sample of the mixture of the added deuteropalmitic acid and the palmitic acid originally present. From the amount of palmitic acid added (2) and its deuterium content (Co),1 as well as the deuterium content of the isolated palmitic acid (C), the amount (y) of palmitic acid originally present in the mixture can be calculated from Equation 1.
Thyroid peroxidase of the pig, dog, rat, and mouse: Solubilization and identification of isozymes by isoelectric focusing

Abstract Dog and pig thyroid peroxidase, which exist naturally in a largely insoluble form, can be solubilized by the use of 4 m urea, or of chlorhexidine, with small losses of total activity. In the mouse and the rat, the thyroid peroxidase occurs in a soluble form. The demonstration of these rodent thyroid peroxidases is therefore complicated by unavoidable contamination with peroxidatically acting hemoglobin and catalase; the demonstration of the presence of true peroxidase was achieved by isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide gel slabs, which separates the various factors, and by the use of the catalase and peroxidase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole.
Effect of acute moderate exercise on induced inflammation and arterial function in older adults

Acute inflammation reduces flow-mediated vasodilatation and increases arterial stiffness in young healthy individuals. However, this response has not been studied in older adults. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the effect of acute induced systemic inflammation on endothelial function and wave reflection in older adults. Furthermore, an acute bout of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can be anti-inflammatory. Taken together, we tested the hypothesis that acute moderate-intensity endurance exercise, immediately preceding induced inflammation, would be protective against the negative effects of acute systemic inflammation on vascular function. Fifty-nine healthy volunteers between 55 and 75 years of age were randomized to an exercise or a control group. Both groups received a vaccine (induced inflammation) and sham (saline) injection in a counterbalanced crossover design. Inflammatory markers, endothelial function (flow-mediated vasodilatation) and measures of wave reflection and arterial stiffness were evaluated at baseline and at 24 and 48 h after injections. There were no significant differences in endothelial function and arterial stiffness between the exercise and control group after induced inflammation. The groups were then analysed together, and we found significant differences in the inflammatory markers 24 and 48 h after induction of acute inflammation compared with sham injection. However, flow-mediated vasodilatation, augmentation index normalized for heart rate (AIx75) and β-stiffness did not change significantly. Our results suggest that acute inflammation induced by influenza vaccination did not affect endothelial function in older adults.
Image processing techniques and neural network models for predicting plant nitrate using aerial images

Image processing techniques were used to extract statistical and five different textural features of multi-spectral bands of aerial images. Two different neural network architectures (e.g. back propagation and radial basis function) were used to develop twenty different models to predict plant (corn crop) nitrate. These neural networks used extracted image features as their inputs. Five different performance criteria were used to evaluate the performance of these neural network models. Radial basis function model based on green vegetation index textural features provided the best performance with an average accuracy of 92.1%.
The neuronal porosome complex in health and disease.

Cup-shaped secretory portals at the cell plasma membrane called porosomes mediate the precision release of intravesicular material from cells. Membrane-bound secretory vesicles transiently dock and fuse at the base of porosomes facing the cytosol to expel pressurized intravesicular contents from the cell during secretion. The structure, isolation, composition, and functional reconstitution of the neuronal porosome complex have greatly progressed, providing a molecular understanding of its function in health and disease. Neuronal porosomes are 15 nm cup-shaped lipoprotein structures composed of nearly 40 proteins, compared to the 120 nm nuclear pore complex composed of >500 protein molecules. Membrane proteins compose the porosome complex, making it practically impossible to solve its atomic structure. However, atomic force microscopy and small-angle X-ray solution scattering studies have provided three-dimensional structural details of the native neuronal porosome at sub-nanometer resolution, providing insights into the molecular mechanism of its function. The participation of several porosome proteins previously implicated in neurotransmission and neurological disorders, further attest to the crosstalk between porosome proteins and their coordinated involvement in release of neurotransmitter at the synapse.
The cutaneous ink sign: a tipoff to suicide or suicide notes.

The presence of smeared or unsmeared ink on the skin resulting from the writing process has been observed in a number of suicide victims who have left suicide notes. The authors report a case of a palmar "cutaneous ink sign" and discuss its forensic science import. Language: en
Haemodynamic and haematologic alterations with protamine reversal of anticoagulation: Comparison of standard heparin and a low molecular weight heparin fragment

Reversal of anticoagulation with protamine sulfate causes many adverse haemodynamic and haematologic effects which could be due to differences in the mechanism of action of standard and low molecular weight heparin. Three groups of dogs were investigated: one group received normal saline pretreatment followed by heparinisation with standard heparin 150 IU/kg followed by protamine sulfate reversal 1.5 mg/kg after aortic interposition grafting: the second group were given normal saline pretreatment followed by heparinisation with low molecular weight heparin 150 U antiXa/kg and after grafting protamine sulfate reversal 1.5 mg/kg. The third group were given protamine sulfate pretreatment 2.25 mg/kg followed by low molecular weight heparin 150 U antiXa/kg and later protamine sulfate reversal 1.5 mg/kg after grafting. The same haemodynamic changes were seen regardless of the type of heparin or pretreatment with protamine given along with low molecular weight heparin. There was a suggestion that regular heparin cause a more pronounced increase in pulmonary artery pressure and a decrease in heart rate. On the other hand the systemic hypotension and reduction of cardiac output seemed more pronounced in the low molecular weight heparin group. Platelet count decreased less in the low molecular weight heparin group, but white blood cell count was equally reduced. Pretreatment with protamine did not abolish the adverse effects of protamine when reversing anticoagulation achieved with low molecular weight heparin, a finding not shared with standard heparin-protamine interactions.
The dual-site nature of gamma alumina catalysts: Isomerization vs D2 exchange reactions of 1-butene

Abstract Additional evidence has been obtained to support the contention that there are at least two types of active sites on alumina which catalyze different types of reactions and which are quite independent of each other. Two test reactions were employed: 1-butene isomerization, and the exchange of olefinic H atoms in the butene molecules with D atoms from D2 gas. Small amounts of adsorbed CO2 (corresponding to coverages of less than 1.6 × 1013 molecules/cm2) completely eliminated the exchange reaction but had very little effect on either the absolute rate or the selectivity of the isomerization reaction. When the catalysts were exposed to comparable concentrations of SO2, HCl, NH3, or pyridine, at reaction temperature (~25 °C), there was no signficant effect on the rates of either isomerization or exchange. Speculation about the two types of sites for these reactions are discussed.
Photoprotection in ethnic skin

Abstract Although cutaneous photodamage is partially mitigated by darker skin pigmentation, sun-induced aging, dyspigmentation, sunburns, and skin cancers are reported worldwide in all skin types and races. The severity of photodamage varies from individual to individual, and is predominantly based upon genetic differences altering the body's response or susceptibility to sun damage. In addition, non-Caucasian patients are less likely to perform skin self-examinations, attend dermatologic follow-ups, and seven times less likely to apply sunscreen than Caucasian patients. Therefore, the remainder of this article will discuss the categories of photoprotective agent [environmental, biologic, physical, and UV filters, i.e., sunscreens] as well as the topics of photoaging, dyspigmentation, photocarcinogenesis, and the controversy surrounding vitamin D deficiency from photoprotection in the context of ethnic skin.
The Acute Care Model: A New Framework for Quality Care in Emergency Medicine

There is an urgent need to improve the quality of health care delivery in emergency department (ED) settings. Given that nearly 27% of ED patients are children, 92% of which are seen in non–children's hospitals; the responsibility to improve the quality of emergency care for children applies to all systems, hospitals, EDs, and providers. In this article, we present an acute care model to frame quality improvement work in emergency care. This model will allow all EDs, not just children's hospital EDs, to adopt a common language and improve 4 integrated components of acute care: segmentation, diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic reliability, and disposition. Importantly for EDs, the acute care model can be used to improve ED flow. Furthermore, the model is supported by 4 critical competencies that enable the model to be used as a tool for improving acute care delivery. These include segmentation of patients, appropriate and rigorous use of evidence, reliable care systems, and leadership that encourages a culture of improvement.
Development of mixed‐phase clouds from multiple aerosol size distributions and the effect of the clouds on aerosol removal

[1] This paper provides numerics for cloud and precipitation development from multiple aerosol size distributions and examines the effect of clouds and precipitation on aerosol removal. Numerical techniques are given for (1) simultaneous liquid and ice growth onto multiple aerosol size distributions, (2) diffusiophoretic, thermophoretic, gravitational, etc., coagulation among liquid, ice, and graupel, and their aerosol components, (3) contact freezing (CF) of drops by size-resolved interstitial aerosols, (4) heterogeneous plus homogeneous freezing, (5) liquid drop breakup, (6) coagulation of cloud hydrometeors and incorporated aerosols with interstitial aerosols, (7) coagulation of precipitation hydrometeors with interstitial and below-cloud aerosols (washout), (8) removal of precipitation and incorporated aerosols (rainout), (9) below-cloud evaporation/sublimation to smaller hydrometeors and aerosol cores, (10) gas washout, and (11) aqueous chemistry. Major conclusions are (1) hydrometeor-hydrometeor coagulation appears to play a substantial role in controlling aerosol-particle number globally, (2) washout (aerosol-hydrometeor coagulation) may be a more important in-plus below-cloud removal mechanism of aerosol number than rainout (the opposite is true for aerosol mass), (3) close-in diameter dual peaks in observed cloud distributions may be in part due to different activation characteristics of different aerosol distributions, (4) evaporative cooling at liquid drop surfaces in subsaturated air may be a mechanism of drop freezing (termed “evaporative freezing” here), and (5) heterogeneous-homogeneous freezing may freeze more upper-tropospheric drops than CF, but neither appears to affect warm-cloud hydrometeor distributions or aerosol scavenging substantially.
Variation in tropical bird survival across longitude and guilds: a case study from the Amazon

Survival estimates of tropical birds have been used to examine life-history variation across latitudes and dietary guilds. Here, we provide apparent survival estimates of 31 rainforest species from central Amazonian Brazil and compare our results with estimates from Ecuador, Peru (western Amazonia) and French Guiana (eastern Amazonia) to examine geographic variation in demography. Our averaged annual survival estimate for central Amazonian species ( φ 0.59, SE 0.10) was concordant with previously published estimates from the western Amazon ( φ 0.58, SE 0.02), and eastern Amazon ( φ 0.63, SE 0.06). Two predominate demographic patterns were detected across the study areas: within species, survival was highest or lowest in eastern or western Amazonia, but rarely in central Amazonia. Th e most striking demographic variation was exhibited by Pithys albifrons, for which apparent survival estimates were nearly twice as high in eastern Amazonia ( φ 0.80, SE 0.06) than in western Amazonia ( φ 0.42, SE 0.06) but intermediate in central Amazonia ( φ 0.54, SE 0.04). Although variation in survival may be associated with diff erences in life history characteristics, our analysis of fl ocking guild, body size, and nest architecture revealed only moderate diff erences in survival associated with nest architecture. Th ese results suggest that geographic variation in population processes may be signifi cant for widespread Amazonian species.
Rhetoric in the Nazi mind: Hitler's theory of persuasion

Though buried in the ramblings of Mein Kampf, a rather complete theory of persuasion was developed by Hitler. The author suggests that rhetoric occupies a position of centrality in Hitler's total philosophical system, and he demonstrates that the essential feature of his rhetorical theory is its emphasis on persuasion as a sequential process which aims at emotional conversion in the mass rally.
Students, ZAPU, and Special Branch in Francistown, 1964–1972

This article is not about a specific country or political party; it is about the process by which young men – some already established freedom fighters, others wanting to join the struggle – manage to cross borders and go on to another country to be mobilised or trained to infiltrate the country from which they came. At the district headquarters in Francistown, Botswana, the interaction of seasoned cadres, students, and Special Branch interrogators constituted a middle ground for a few years, a space of interaction between states and liberation movements that was reinforced by the illegal status of Rhodesia. During interrogations at Francistown, ideas about guerrilla struggle and who should participate in it were exchanged, mediated and established. These ideas did not have a one-to-one correlation with events in the guerrilla struggle; they developed over time and in fits and starts, as young men seeking to go on to Zambia for guerrilla training honed their stories, and Special Branch interrogators drew ...
The utilization of tyrosine for mescaline and protein biosynthesis in Lophophora williamsii

Abstract Studies on the comparative utilization of tyrosine for protein and alkaloid biosynthesis indicate that this amino acid is incorporated into peyote alkaloids at three times the rate at which it is incorporated into protein. In addition, the biosynthetic pathway for tyrosine formation appears to be compartmented into two channels; one supplying the needs for alkaloid biosynthesis and the other providing tyrosine for protein biosynthesis. The latter compartment is possibly under a negative feedback control mechanism.
Exome sequencing reveals DNAJB6 mutations in dominantly-inherited myopathy.

Objective To identify the causative gene in an autosomal dominant limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) with skeletal muscle vacuoles.
Vapor-liquid equilibria in binary mixtures formed from hexamethyldisiloxane, toluene and ethanol

Abstract Vapor-liquid equilibria have been measured in the binary systems hexamethyldisiloxane-toluene, hexamethyldisiloxane-ethanol and toluene-ethanol between 333.15 and 358.15 K and the results have been correlated using the Wilson equation. All three binary systems exhibit azeotropic behavior in the temperature range studied.
A Radio Frequency Polarimetric Sensor for Rotating Machine Analysis

The analysis of rotating machines during their test and characterization phases provides information essential for their design. Afterward, the monitoring of rotating machines operating in production is increasingly popular for condition based maintenance programs. Typically, contact accelerometers or strain gauges are physically attached to rotating machine parts (rotors, stators, housing, etc.) and/or proximity sensors are mounted very near to rotating shafts to capture data on periodic motions and vibrations. Radio frequency signals offer a noncontact, remote-sensing alternative. The temporally changing polarization of a reflected or scattered radio frequency signal can be analyzed to provide suitable information for rotating machine analysis. This paper will present the theory and practical application for using radio frequency polarimetry in analyzing rotating machines. A common desktop fan will be measured in normal operating condition and in simulated faulty conditions to demonstrate this technology's remote-sensing capabilities.
Creating narrative scenarios: Science fiction prototyping at Emerge

Abstract Scenarios are stories. In the diverse field of scenario planning, this is perhaps the single point of universal agreement. Yet if scenarios are stories, their literary qualities are often underdeveloped. Scenarios used in business and government frequently do not contain a relatable protagonist, move a plot toward resolution, or compellingly use metaphor, imagery, or other emotionally persuasive techniques of literature. In these cases, narrative is relegated to an adjunct role of summarizing the final results of the workshop. While this neglect of narrative may be reasonable in some contexts, the power of narrative should not be underestimated. Scenario planning methodologies can benefit from using diverse narrative techniques to craft compelling and infectious visions of the future. This article explores the relationship between science fiction and scenarios as story genres and investigates a creative story-telling technique, “Science Fiction Prototyping” ( Johnson, 2011 ). While the method is promising, it is an ultimately problematic means to incorporating narrative into scenario planning.
Assessing Organizational Efficiency and Workforce Diversity: An Application of Data Envelopment Analysis to New York City Agencies

This study applied an output-oriented variable returns-to-scale (VRS) data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique to New York City (NYC) agencies to illustrate its usefulness in assessing and estimat...
Effects of viscosity and mass diffusion in hydrodynamically unstable plasma flows

Hydrodynamically unstable plasma flows driven by intense laser radiation are described in which an interface between two materials of dissimilar densities is subjected to a very strong shock and then decelerated over a longer time scale. Preimposed perturbations on this interface are unstable to a combination of the Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) and Rayleigh-Taylor (RT) instabilities. Overall target dimensions for these experiments are of the order of 1 mm, and length scales of the unstable perturbations of interest can be as small as a few microns. At such small spatial scales, the effects of dissipative processes such as viscosity, thermal conductivity, and mass diffusion begin to affect instability growth rates. In this article, estimates are presented of the spatial scale at which viscosity and mass diffusion begin to affect the growth of a perturbation due to the RM and RT instabilities. Time dependent values for the plasma kinematic viscosity and interfacial binary mass diffusivity are estimated for the conditions occurring in laser-driven instability experiments recently conducted on the Omega laser. These are used together with several models in the literature for estimating the reduction in the growth rate dispersion curves of the Rayleigh–Taylor and Richtmyer–Meshkov instabilities due to the presence of these small-scale dissipative effects.
Rayleigh Scattering of Ruby Laser Light in Neutral Gases.

Measurements of Rayleigh scattering from atoms and molecules in the gaseous state at 1-atm pressure are described. The use of a Q-switched ruby laser of 8-MW average power and care in minimizing spurious light permitted the determination of very small depolarizations. No depolarization could be detected in the scattering from argon and helium. However, finite depolarization ratios ρν (for vertically polarized incident light) were measured for xenon and methane: 1.55(±0.25) × 10−4 and 1.27 (±0.23) × 10−4, respectively. Departures from ideal-gas behavior provide the most plausible explanation for these findings.Depolarization ratios were also measured in hydrogen, deuterium, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide, and were found to be lower than generally accepted values. Measured differential-scattering cross sections at 60° for He, Ar, Xe, CH4, H2, D2, N2, and N2O were within experimental error of values calculated from known indices of refraction. The angular dependence of Rayleigh scattering in N2 as a function of the polarization states of both incident and scattered radiation was studied from 30° to 150°, and was found to be in agreement with theory.
Applications of structural optimization in direct metal fabrication

Purpose – Optimization techniques can be used to design geometrically complex components with a wide variety of optimization criteria. However, such components have been very difficult and costly to produce. Layered fabrication technologies such as electron beam melting (EBM) open up new possibilities though. This paper seeks to investigate the integration of structural optimization and direct metal fabrication process.Design/methodology/approach – Mesh structures were designed, and optimization problems were defined to improve structural performance. Finite element analysis code in conjunction with nonlinear optimization routines were used in MATLAB. Element data were extracted from an STL‐file, and output structures from the optimization routine were manufactured using an EBM machine. Original and optimized structures were tested and compared.Findings – There were discrepancies between the performance of the theoretical structures and the physical EBM structures due to the layered fabrication approach. ...
Use of the variance-covariance technique for determination of the radiation quality in a pulsed linear accelerator☆

Abstract Recent recommendations of a joint task group of the ICRU and ICRP have established the microdosimetric quantity “lineal energy” as the parameter of choice for determination of the radiation quality for purposes of radiation protection. Unlike linear energy transfer (LET or stopping power), lineal energy can be measured directly for tissue-equivalent volumes with dimensions of relevance to radiobiology (of the order of 1 μm). Conventional proportional-counter spectroscopy, the method most frequently utilized for determination of linear energy spectra, is impractical for short-duty cycle pulsed machines. A technique for determination of the dose mean lineal energy, utilizing the relative variance and covariance of two proportional counters operated in synchrony with the beam pulse, is described. Design and construction of a new ultraminiature proportional counter for use in high-dose-rate fields is described. This extremely small cross section (0.25 mm2) counter should make multi-event measurements practical in the beam of a pulsed linear electron accelerator at full dose rate and single-event measurements at slightly reduced intensities; this in turn should make possible the microdosimetric determination of photoneutron contamination in megavoltage photon beams.
Effect of parentage misidentification on estimates of genetic parameters for milk yield in the Mediterranean Italian buffalo population

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of parentage misidentification on estimation of genetic parameters for the Italian buffalo population for milk yield from 45,194 lactation records of 23,104 Italian buffalo cows. Animals were grouped into 10 data sets in which sires and dams were DNA identified, or reported from the pedigree, or unknown. A derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood method was used to estimate components of variance with a repeatability model. The model contained age at calving nested within parity and days from calving to conception as linear covariates, herd-year-seasons as fixed effects, and additive genetic, permanent environmental, and temporary environmental effects as random effects. Estimates of heritability (±SE) ranged from 0.00 ± 0.099 (sires and dams as reported in the pedigree) to 0.39 ± 0.094 (sires DNA identified and dams as reported in the pedigree). When identification of sires was as reported in the pedigree, estimates of heritability were close to zero. These small estimates indicate that a large proportion of reported paternity is incorrect. When sires are unknown and dams are DNA identified, the proportion of variance due to sires seems to be captured in the estimate of permanent environmental variance as a fraction of phenotypic variance. Therefore, as heritability decreased, permanent environmental variance increased about the same amount. Data sets with dams identified from pedigree and sires DNA identified showed the largest estimate of heritability (0.39), which was essentially the same as when dams were DNA identified (0.38). This result supports that most dams are correctly reported from the pedigree. Genetic progress should be much greater with bulls DNA identified because of greater heritability, but without artificial insemination and progeny testing, progress would be slow and would depend mostly on selection of sires based on dam estimated breeding values. Implementation of artificial insemination programs and DNA testing to identify sires are the keys for increasing genetic progress in the Italian buffalo population.
An electromyography study in three high risk poultry processing jobs

Abstract This paper presents the results of a muscle load study of poultry processing operators performing three different jobs: basket packing, cutting/packing and trimming. Eighteen operators participated in this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from bilateral upper trapezius, right forearm flexor and extensor muscles during the job performance. Results showed high muscle loads of the forearm flexor and extensor muscles for the operators conducting all three jobs. The static loading for both trapezius muscles was low ( Relevance to industry Detailed quantitative information on the muscle loading of poultry processing operators provides insight to the risk factors causing musculoskeletal disorders and may be used to help evaluate ergonomic intervention measures for reducing these risk factors.
Recommendations for image prefetch or film digitization strategy based on an analysis of an historic radiology image database

Picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) utilize short- and long-term storage to provide both rapid retrieval and large storage capacity. Owing to the practical limitations imposed on the size of the much faster short-term storage, it is important to use an effective algorithm in the retrieval of comparison images from long to short-term storage. A strategy must be used to maximize the likelihood that the relevant historic images have been previously retrieved into short-term memory. Data were collected with a database consisting of 754 consecutive examinations and 7,723 associated historic studies. The most frequent number of previous examinations was zero (11% of patients). In 45% of cases, no previous matching examinations had been performed. Two basic strategies of image retrieval were evaluated. The first algorithm retrieved the lastn studies in chronological order. The second strategy tested was retrieval based on a defined interval of time. This strategy was found to be less efficient. By using the former strategy, a 91% success rate (defined as successful retrieval of the previous matching exam) was achieved with retrieval of only 30% of the prior exams. The second approach required retrieval of 70% of the prior exams to achieve a 90% success rate for the previous matching exam. However, the data from this latter strategy suggest that examinations are often ordered in clusters. Thus, there was found to be a 72% likelihood that a previous matching exam, if present, would available on a PACS after only 1 week of operation, and an 80% chance after only 1 month of operation. The data therefore suggest that digitization of film in a new PACS environment might not be necessary owing to the relatively short period of time required to populate the database with historical studies.
UV Disinfection of Adenovirus: Present State of the Research and Future Directions

Adenoviruses are nonenveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses that infect humans, causing dysentery and respiratory infection. Adenovirus has become a focus of the water treatment community because of its apparent resistance to ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and is the basis for stringent new regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding UV disinfection of all viruses. Most of the work done so far, however, has involved the use of monochromatic (254 nm) low-pressure UV sources and assay of viral inactivation in cell culture models. Adenovirus is most likely not truly resistant to UV damage but is instead damaged and then repaired in host cells during cell culture infectivity assays. Recent research has shown that newer, polychromatic UV sources are more effective than monochromatic low-pressure UV at inactivating adenovirus. The potential for viral DNA repair in cell culture necessitates the use of alternative assay methods to measure UV disinfection efficiency: these include molecular b...
4,4'-Unsymmetrically substituted 3,3'-biphenyl alpha helical proteomimetics as potential coactivator binding inhibitors.

Abstract A series of unsymmetrically substituted biphenyl compounds was designed as alpha helical proteomimetics with the aim of inhibiting the binding of coactivator proteins to the nuclear hormone receptor coactivator binding domain. These compounds were synthesized in good overall yields in seven steps starting from 2-bromoanisole. The final products were evaluated using cotransfection reporter gene assays and mammalian two-hybrid competitive inhibition assays to demonstrate their effectiveness as competitive binding inhibitors. The results from this study indicate that these proteomimetics possess the ability to inhibit coactivator–receptor interactions, but via a mixed mode of inhibition.
Improving the target impedance method for PCB decoupling of core power

Decoupling core power for modern processors or SOCs is a challenging task due to large power consumption. The decoupling network designed by a commonly used target impedance approach is known to be very pessimistic and very difficult to implement. In this paper, a step surge current is identified as a major source of core power noise. By considering the ramp time of the surge current, we propose a modified target impedance method that significantly reduces the pessimism built into the original target impedance method. As an example, a real FPGA decoupling case is used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new proposal.
GAUSSIAN RAY BUNDLE (GRAB) MODEL SHALLOW WATER ACOUSTIC WORKSHOP IMPLEMENTATION

The Shallow Water Acoustic Workshop (SWAM) test cases stress low frequency propagation in shallow water environments dominated by energy refracted through the bottom. Ray based models are not normally considered applicable for such problems. The implementation and accuracy of the range dependent, Gaussian Ray Bundle eigenray model is examined for a subset of these test cases.
NON-BOLTZMANN VIBRATIONAL DISTRIBUTIONS IN HOMONUCLEAR DIATOMIC MOLECULES AND IONS

We investigate the fates and population densities of the vibrationally excited homonuclear diatomic molecules HzIH;, CJC2+ and OJO; in interstellar conditions using photochemical kinetic models. We find that the population distribution of vibrationally excited H2 + resembles the nascent distribution from the cosmic ray ionization of H2 under several cloud conditions. We predict that the density of H; (v) could exceed that of H2(v) under certain cloud conditions. Based on this we present a synthetic spectrum of the quadrupole-allowed infrared emission from H; (v). Our results for Hz(v) are in accord with those of previous workers. The vibrationally excited states of C2 and O2 show abundances on the order of 10 - 4 ofthe ground state. We emphasize that these populations are controlled by reaction dynamics and photochemical kinetics, and do not resemble those of the local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE). Preliminary models of the Cz+(v) and O;(v) chemistry show that the vibrational distributions will somewhat resemble the nascent distributions of the reactions which create them. Further experimental or theoretical studies of the dynamics of these reactions are necessary before quantitative predictions can be made.
The computer simulation of batch emulsion polymerization reactors through a detailed mathematical model

A computational algorithm for the detailed simulation of a batch emulsion polymerization reactor is discussed. The model is applied to the polymerization of methyl methacrylate, and the model predictions are shown to be in good agreement with experimental data. Further computations show the influence of reactor operating conditions on the polymer product and the reactor performance.
HYDROPROCESSING LIGNIN AND LIGNIN MODEL COMPOUNDS: PRODUCTS, KINETICS, AND CATALYST AGING

Abstract The hydroprocessing reactions of kraft lignin and four of its model compounds, o-hydroxydiphenylmethane (OHD), diphenylmethane (DPM), 4-phenoxyphenol (PP), and 4-methylguaiacol (MG) were studied over a sulfided CoMo/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. The reactions of OHD were also studied over sulfided Ni-Mo/γ-Al2O3, Ni-W/γ-Al2O3, and Ni-Mo/zeolite catalysts. Reaction pathways, kinetics, and catalyst deactivation were resolved. Experiments with the actual kraft lignin substrate showed that catalytic hydroprocessing led to higher yields of single-ring products and lower yields of light gas compared to hydropyrolysis alone. The CoMo/γ-Al2O3 catalyst increased the selectivity to non-coking monophenolics and hydrocarbon products. The model compound results permitted interpretation. The hydroxyl substituents on OHD and PP directed bond cleavage strongly. The atom linking the two aromatic rings remained almost exclusively with the unsubstituted ring after cleavage. The substituent increased reactivity by at least an or...