cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resistance of HBV to adefovir dipivoxil: A case for combination antiviral therapy?

Background & Aims: Adefovir dipivoxil effectively inhibits both hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication and disease activity in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Resistance to treatment was not observed in 2 recent large placebo-controlled 48-week studies with this drug. The aim of this study was to characterize adefovir resistance in a patient who developed clinical and virologic evidence of breakthrough during a 96-week course of treatment. Methods: HBV DNA was PCR amplified and sequenced. Phenotypic studies used patient-derived HBV as well as specific mutations created by site-directed mutagenesis of a HBV/baculovirus recombinant. Results: Following the commencement of treatment with adefovir dipivoxil, the patient initially responded with a 2.4 log10 decrease in serum HBV DNA and normalization of alanine aminotransaminase levels by week 16. During the second year of treatment, however, serum HBV DNA rose progressively, eventually returning to near-pretreatment levels. This increase in viral replication was associated with a marked increase in alanine aminotransferase and mild changes in bilirubin, albumin, and prothrombin time. Comparison of pretreatment and posttreatment HBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction sequencing identified a novel asparagine to threonine mutation at residue rt236 in domain D of the HBV polymerase. In vitro testing of a laboratory strain encoding the rtN236T mutation and testing of patient-derived virus confirmed that the rtN236T substitution caused a marked reduction in susceptibility to adefovir. Conclusions: The development of this novel mutation in the HBV polymerase confers resistance to adefovir dipivoxil. The patient responded to subsequent lamivudine therapy, achieving normalization of alanine aminotransferase and a significant decrease in serum HBV DNA.
Quantum mechanical simulations of water and ammonia molecules and their clusters

A new computer-based theoretical method was developed to study structures and electronic structures of hydrogen-bonded molecules and nanosize clusters, dynamics of proton transfer, and quantum enhancement of reaction rates. While Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) simulations allow investigations of the dynamics and thermodynamics of molecules and clusters, this method combines quantum path-integral techniques and density functional theory to treat simultaneously both electrons and hydrogen atoms quantum mechanically. Results from BOMD all-quantum simulations demonstrated the dynamics of proton transfer processes and described the quantum nature of the hydrogen in the protonated systems, respectively. The method also provides a measure of the tunneling enhancement of the “umbrella inversion” in H3O+. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Planar bilayer membranes from pure lipids.

Abstract Planar lipid bilayer membranes are formed from mixtures of pure lipids in the absence of non-biological solvents. The solventless bilayers are characterized by a large specific capacitance (586–957 nF/cm2) comparable to that of cell membranes but considerably greater than that of conventional lipid/decane bilayers. Hydrocarbon solvents, such as n- alkanes or squalene, thicken the bilayer. Membrane dielectric thickness is used as an indicator of bilayer lipid composition. For membranes made from pure monoglyceride/triglyceride mixtures the thickness of the solventless lipid bilayer is independent of both the chain length (11–22 carbons) and mol fraction (0.1–0.9) of triglyceride in the bulk mixture. In contrast, the thickness of the bilayer (2.0–3.3 nm) depends strongly upon the length (16–24 carbons) of the monoglyceride component. Molecular volume considerations lead to the conclusion that the bulk lipid mixture disproportionates to yield bilayer membranes composed of nearly pure monoglyceride. The dielectric thickness of the monoglyceride bilayer is consistent with the notion that the lipid fatty acyl chains are fluid.
Towards real-time measurement of customer satisfaction using automatically generated call transcripts

Customer satisfaction is a very important indicator of how successful a contact center is at providing services to the customers. Contact centers typically conduct a manual survey with a randomly selected group of customers to measure customer satisfaction. Manual customer satisfaction surveys, however, provide limited values due to high cost and the time lapse between the service and the survey. In this paper, we demonstrate that it is possible to automatically measure customer satisfaction by analyzing call transcripts enabling companies to measure customer satisfaction for every call in near real-time. We have identified various features from multiple knowledge sources indicating prosodic, linguistic and behavioral aspects of the speakers, and built machine learning models that predict the degree of customer satisfaction with high accuracy. The machine learning algorithms used in this work include Decision Tree, Naive Bayes, Logistic Regression and Support Vector Machines (SVMs). Experiments were conducted for a 5-point satisfaction measurement and a 2-point satisfaction measurement using customer calls to an automotive company. The experimental results show that customer satisfaction can be measured quite accurately both at the end of calls and in the middle of calls. The best performing 5-point satisfaction classification yields an accuracy of 66.09% outperforming the DominantClass baseline by 15.16%. The best performing 2-point classification shows an accuracy of 89.42% and outperforms both the DominantClass baseline and the CSRJudgment baseline by 17.7% and 3.3% respectively. Furthermore, Decision Tree and SVMs achieve higher F-measure than the CSRJudgment baseline in identifying both satisfied customers and dissatisfied customers.
Single event phenomena: A summary☆

Abstract Single event phenomena (SEP) are effects resulting from a single particle inducing a significant response in an integrated circuit. SEP are of greatest concern to spacecraft designers but are becoming of concern to avionics and large earth-bound electronic systems due to the continual reduction in size (which increases SEP sensitivity) of circuit elements. The phenomena include soft error and multiple errors in memory cells or logic latches, latchup, MOSFET power device burnout, MNOS punch-through and transients. Cyclotron and Van de Graaff accelerators are used to produce heavy ions, protons and neutrons which induce SEP effects. Methods of testing are described. Solutions to SEP are varied, but include parts substitutions or redesign and software solutions which will be described.
Stream microcosm toxicity tests: Predicting the effects of fenvalerate on riffle insect communities

Stream microcosms were used to predict toxicity of the pyrethroid insecticide fenvalerate to riffle insect assemblages. Over a 30-d test period, stream microcosms were exposed in triplicate to 0.0, 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, or 10.0 μg/L fenvalerate. Effects were determined by statistically comparing insect abundances over all concentrations. Initial exposure resulted in a significant increase in drift in the 1.0- and 10.0-μg/L treatments. After 30 d, several taxa exhibited density reductions at 0.01 μg/L, but this reduction was significant for only one taxon. Densities of most other taxa decreased significantly at 0.1 μ/L. Significant reductions in species richness and total density also were observed at 0.1 μg/L fenvalerate. Overall, the results suggest that at environmental concentrations of 0.1 μg/L, mayflies and stoneflies would be eliminated and riffle beetles, caddisflies, and some chironomids would be present in significantly reduced numbers.
Effects of selected arylhydroxamic acids on lymphocyte mitogenesis.

Abstract Twenty arylhydroxamic acids were investigated as potential antimitogenic agents using phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human lymphocytes in culture. 4-Hydroxybenzoylhydroxamic acid (4-HBHA) was active (82 per cent inhibition at 10−4 M) against the blastogenic transformation as assessed by thymidine-methyl-3H incorporation over a 2-hr interval initiated 46 hr after addition of phytohemagglutinin. Five other 4-substituted derivatives of benzoylhydroxamic acid were much less active. 2,3-Dihydroxybenzoylhydroxamic acid (2,3-DHBHA) was also antimitogenic (87 per cent inhibition at 10−4 M), while the 2,4-, 2,5-, and 2,6-dihydroxy analogs were relatively inactive. 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid and 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid were inactive at 10−4 M. Differences observed between the two active compounds as regards dose-response relationships, temporal variations in onset of action, and degrees of reversibility of inhibition indicated different action mechanisms for 4-HBHA and 2,3-DHBHA in spite of their apparent structural similarities.
Shallow-marine sedimentary processes in the Late Devonian Catskill Sea, New York State

Shallow marine strata of the Upper Devonian West Falls Group in south-central New York comprise centimetre- to decimetre-thick, sheetlike to lenticular beds of sandstone and siltstone interbedded with mudstone. Unidirectional current-scour marks and tool marks occur on the basal erosion surfaces of the sandstones: their internal structures are hummocky cross strata of various styles, planar laminae, and wave-ripple cross-laminae, with characteristic vertical and lateral transitions among them. Vertical burrows of the Skolithos ichnofacies dominate upper portions of sandstone beds, whereas mudstones and silt-stones contain mainly horizontal burrows of the Cruziana ichnofacies. Transported and in situ shelly fossils occur throughout, in places concentrated in “coquinite” lenses. Large-scale (15 to 30 in) bedding sequences are characterized by upward thickening and coarsening of sandstone beds, increase in amalgamated hummocky cross-strata, coquinites, plant debris and bivalves, followed by abrupt fining and thinning of beds. The depositional environment is interpreted as a shallow-marine shelf episodically influenced by intense tropical storms (hurricanes). Individual sandstone beds were deposited by spatially decelerating combined flows where an initially strong offshore-directed flow component decreased in time relative to the oscillatory flow component. Large-scale bedding sequences reflect changes in storm (combined) current intensity and deposition rate. Strong eustatic control is unlikely, and there is no evidence of changing wave climate. Instead, these sequences may be associated with delta-lobe progradation and/or offshore bar development.
Promoting civic engagement: the Environmental Leadership Program at the University of Oregon

Promoting civic engagement is a cornerstone of the University of Oregon’s Environmental Studies Program. A primary way we achieve this goal is by offering service-learning opportunities through the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP). ELP is a collaborative capstone experience that allows students to apply their academic learning, gain professional skills, and serve their community. We match student teams with non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and businesses to address local environmental needs. Since 2001, ELP has developed and implemented 54 projects, involving 294 undergraduates and 49 graduate students. Although ELP projects address a variety of environmental topics, most projects currently fall into one of two categories. Within our Conservation Science in Action initiative, students collect data to help guide restoration and conservation efforts. Within our Environmental Education initiative, students develop and implement interdisciplinary, experiential, place-based educational programs. This case study shares lessons learned regarding successful program management, academic rigor and reflection, project implementation, quality control, and evaluation.
Hydrostatic meniscus between two eccentric circular cylinders

A numerical method is implemented for computing the shape of a three-dimensional hydrostatic meniscus extending between two arbitrary closed contact lines under the restriction that the projections of the contact lines in a horizontal plane are eccentric circles. In a physical realization, the contact lines are attached to vertical circular cylinders, spherical particles or containers. The Laplace-Young equation determining the meniscus shape is solved in bipolar coordinates generated by conformal mapping using a finite-difference method, and the capillary force and torque exerted on the cylinders are evaluated. Numerical results are presented for a meniscus extending between two circular horizontal contact lines. The horizontal component of the capillary force at each contact line is found to increase monotonically with the cylinder center offset, favoring the concentric configuration.
US of the Pediatric Female Pelvis

This review presents the normal and pathologic development of the gonads and genitourinary tract and addresses the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and management of gynecologic disorders of the pediatric pelvis, including ambiguous genitalia, prepubertal bleeding, primary amenorrhea, pelvic mass, and pelvic pain.
DYNAMIC CHANGES IN REINFORCER EFFECTIVENESS: THEORETICAL, METHODOLOGICAL, AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR APPLIED RESEARCH

Reinforcers lose their effectiveness when they are presented repeatedly. Traditionally, this loss of effectiveness has been labeled satiation. However, recent evidence suggests that habituation provides a more accurate and useful description. The characteristics of behavior undergoing satiation differ for different stimuli (e.g., food, water), and these characteristics have not been identified for the noningestive reinforcers often used by applied behavior analysts (e.g., praise, attention). As a result, the term satiation provides little guidance for either maintaining or reducing the effectiveness of reinforcers. In contrast, the characteristics of behavior undergoing habituation are well known and are relatively general across species and stimuli. These characteristics provide specific and novel guidance about how to maintain or reduce the effectiveness of a reinforcer. In addition, habituation may lead to a better understanding of several puzzling phenomena in the conditioning literature (e.g., extinction, behavioral contrast), and it may provide a more precise and accurate description of the dynamics of many different types of behavior.
An All Optical Laser Wakefield Electron Injector

Demonstrated the principle of optical control of laser accelerators, namely, that one laser pulse could modify the properties (e.g., emittance and electron number) of an electron beam accelerated by a separate but synchronized laser pulse. Another recent highlight was that, using our new 30-fs 10-TW laser system, we accelerated with a laser accelerator an electron beam with a record low divergence (0.2 degrees). This is more than 100 times lower than the 30-degree divergence that was reported recently by a French group using a laser with similar parameters.
Reconfiguration timescales of ionospheric convection

Changes in ionospheric flow patterns provide direct observations of how the magnetosphere-ionosphere system is coupled to the IMF. The nature and location of reconnection on the magnetopause is communicated to the ionosphere, which responds by reconfiguring global convection patterns. We investigate the dynamics of the changing global ionospheric convection patterns using a large two-dimensional array of ground magnetometers. We have found that for sharp north to south transitions of the IMF, dayside ionospheric convection patterns globally reconfigure themselves in timescales as short as 8 minutes. We find that all local times initially respond within 1-2 minutes of the first detectable response in the ionosphere. The length of time (after the initial onset) required for the ionosphere to transition from its initial state to its new state, which we refer to as the reconfiguration time, is measured. IMF Bz northward to southward transitions have reconfiguration times near local noon of approximately 5 minutes and lengthen approximately 2 minutes for every 3 hours of local time away from noon.
RF/wireless interconnects in future on-chip and board-level clock distribution network

With operating frequencies in GHz regime, problems associated with digital systems in terms of clock skew, jitter, power consumption, bit error rate (BER), and signal integrity are becoming critical in on-chip/off-chip clock distribution networks using conventional copper interconnect technology, which has emerged as a performance limiter for current and future VLSI circuits. In order to mitigate these rising problems and maintain the continuous improvement of high speed integrated circuits, different alternative approaches such as 3-D interconnect, RF/wireless interconnect and optical interconnect have currently been investigated. This paper presents an overview of the limitations of conventional clock distribution networks, and investigates the feasibility and challenges of adopting RF/wireless interconnects in future on-chip and board-level clock distribution networks. Exploratory research results show that these new interconnect technologies will offer desired performances for future high speed clock distribution network operating in multi GHz frequencies if design and integration challenges can be resolved. Based on the survey among the available alternatives, RF/wireless interconnect seems to be the most viable candidate to replace copper interconnect in near future technology nodes (up to 20 GHz).
Political interaction in the senate: estimating a political “spatial” weights matrix and an application to lobbying behavior

Many motivations exist that cause legislators to behave strategically when voting. These include logrolling, towing the party line, or political favor trading. However, it has proven difficult in the existing literature to uncover the magnitude of the interaction among politicians. This paper takes a “spatial” approach to the problem, using a spatial autoregressive model to not only uncover the magnitude of interactions, but also the direction of the interactions. In contrast to most applications of spatial econometrics, I allow the elements of the spatial weights matrix to be estimated as parameters. The political spatial weights matrix is calculated for 96 senators in the 110th U.S. Congress. Furthermore, in a marginal effects simulation, I calculate the overall effect on voting from “flipping” a senator’s vote, allowing flipped votes to have a cascading effect. I apply these measures to study political fundraising, mildly suggesting that political interest groups direct donations to senators with the most influence.
Elimination of Thermodynamically Infeasible Loops in Steady-State Metabolic Models

The constraint-based reconstruction and analysis (COBRA) framework has been widely used to study steady-state flux solutions in genome-scale metabolic networks. One shortcoming of current COBRA methods is the possible violation of the loop law in the computed steady-state flux solutions. The loop law is analogous to Kirchhoff's second law for electric circuits, and states that at steady state there can be no net flux around a closed network cycle. Although the consequences of the loop law have been known for years, it has been computationally difficult to work with. Therefore, the resulting loop-law constraints have been overlooked. Here, we present a general mixed integer programming approach called loopless COBRA (ll-COBRA), which can be used to eliminate all steady-state flux solutions that are incompatible with the loop law. We apply this approach to improve flux predictions on three common COBRA methods: flux balance analysis, flux variability analysis, and Monte Carlo sampling of the flux space. Moreover, we demonstrate that the imposition of loop-law constraints with ll-COBRA improves the consistency of simulation results with experimental data. This method provides an additional constraint for many COBRA methods, enabling the acquisition of more realistic simulation results.
Who has Standing in Cost‐Benefit Analysis?

The issues involved in deciding whose preferences are to be counted in cost-benefit analysis are often misunderstood or controversial. This paper attempts to resolve the issues in a number of particular cases by looking to the fundamental value assumptions underlying cost-benefit analysis. Cost-benefit analysis is useful only to the extent that there exists a general consensus that the value assumptions are legitimate. Certain implications of the value assumptions prove useful in deciding what preferences have standing.
Reduced transdermal absorption of N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide from a new topical insect repellent formulation.

ABSTRACTExtensive absorption of the topical insect repellent N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET) causes systemic and local toxicities. This report describes the preparation and characterization of a new insect repellent formulation (FA), a PEG-polyacrylic acid polymer system, for its DEET release, in vitro skin permeation, and in vivo transdermal absorption properties; and for its relative repellency against Aedss aegypti mosquitoes. DEET release and skin permeation were studied in Franz diffusion cells. DEET transdermal absorption and relative repellency of FA were assessed in beagle dogs. A commercial DEET lotion (FB) and technical DEET (FC) were used as references. FA exhibited 19.5% and 61.7% decrease in DEET steady-state skin flux compared with FB and FC, respectively. At 15 mg DEET/kg, the absolute DEET transdermal bioavailability and Cmax were 13.4% and 154.3 ng/ml, respectively, for FA; and were 17.5% and 196.5 ng/ml, respectively, for FB. DEET half-lives (t1/2) for FA (2.52 hr) and FB (2.73 hr) were ...
Nanoscale lasers: How small can they go?

Recent progress in both theory and experiment of nanoscale lasers will be presented. We will discuss metal-cavity nanolasers, their designs and performances, and how our theory explains the experimental data with a good agreement.
Spectral domain OCT documented resolution of recalcitrant macular edema after intravitreal bevacizumab in branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE Cystoid macular edema is one of the important causes of visual loss in branch retinal vein occlusion. Proximity of the cyst to the external limiting membrane and disruption of the layer on time domain optical coherence tomography is associated with poor final visual outcomes. The authors describe pre- and post-intravitreal bevacizumab spectral domain optical coherence tomography features in a case of cystoid macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion that was resolved after treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab. METHODS A 50-year-old woman was diagnosed with cystoid macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion and underwent intravitreal injection with bevacizumab after the primary treatment with laser photocoagulation failed. RESULTS The patient's visual acuity recovered from 20/40 to 20/20. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography documented complete resolution of a large foveal cyst (150 micronm by 280 micronm) and recovery of the discontinuity of the external limiting membrane 1 week after treatment. CONCLUSIONS Spectral domain optical coherence tomography is a useful tool in identifying the ultrastructural changes associated with cystoid macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusion and identifying the possible factors involved in prognosticating visual outcome after effective treatment.
Co-Governance for Accountability: Beyond ''Exit'' and ''Voice''

Abstract This article explores the theory and practice of society’s participation in strengthening government accountability. It argues that both “exit” solutions based in marketization and “voice” solutions grounded in “coproduction,” social protest or consultation are insufficient. The best way to tap into the energy of society is through “co-governance,” which involves inviting social actors to participate in the core activities of the state. By way of demonstration, the article examines case studies from a wide range of contexts (Brazil, Mexico, the United States, India) and policy areas (poverty reduction, infrastructure provision, school reform, electoral administration, police reform).
Repression and inactivation of α-amylase in Thermomonospora species during growth on cellobiose

Thermophilic actinomycetes establish themselves as numerically dominant bacterial populations in selected high temperature environments by virtue of their exoenzymic ability to degrade the complex polysaccharides in thermogenic plant biomass. When Thermomonospora curvata and Thermomonospora fusca were grown on a mixture of cellulose and starch in mineral salts minimal medium, α-amylase was repressed via inhibition of maltose uptake by cellobiose. Addition of cellobiose to exponential phase cells growing on maltose or maltotriose triggered rapid degradation of extant amylase in the culture fluid of wild-type cells, but not in a protease-deficient mutant of T. fusca. A serine protease purified from T. fusca caused inactivation of the amylase in culture fluid of the mutant when added at a concentration approximating to that of the wild-type strain. The chelating agent, EDTA, accelerated inactivation by the protease, while the presence of calcium or amylase reaction products protected the amylase. Therefore, during growth in an environment containing multiple polysaccharides, these thermophiles control the levels of their extracellular depolymerizing enzymes via both inducer exclusion and proteolytic inactivation.
Negative Theologies and the Cross

So many postmodern theologians are busy retrieving “negative theology,” while others label such retrievals “misconstruals,” that observers might be tempted to conclude that there was, or is, such a single thing as “negative theology.” Yet anyone seeking a definition or even sampling relevant texts encounters a diverse array of premodern apophatic authors with a multiplicity of negative theologies. I here survey some of the diverse strands of Christian negative theology and argue in favor of one strand of that tradition in relation to Christ, the incarnation, and the cross.
Reinforcement and the genetics of hybrid incompatibilities

Recent empirical studies suggest that genes involved in speciation are often sex-linked. We derive a general analytic model of reinforcement to study the effects of sex linkage on reinforcement under three forms of selection against hybrids: one-locus, two-locus, and ecological incompatibilities. We show that the pattern of sex linkage can have a large effect on the amount of reinforcement due to hybrid incompatibility. Sex linkage of genes involved in postzygotic isolation generally increases the strength of reinforcement, but only if genes involved in prezygotic isolation are also sex linked. We use exact simulations to test the accuracy of the approximation and find that qualitative predictions made assuming weak selection can hold when selection is strong. Our simulations also show that incompatibilities that evolve in allopatry by drift or weak selection are likely to be lost by swamping during secondary contact, even when selection against hybrids is strong.
Missed Insulin Meal Boluses and Elevated Hemoglobin A1c Levels in Children Receiving Insulin Pump Therapy

Objective. To identify possible causes of suboptimal glycemic control (ascertained by hemoglobin A 1c [HbA 1c ] level) in youths using insulin pump therapy. Methods. Forty-eight youths who were receiving insulin pump therapy for ≥6 months, and who were using insulin pumps and blood glucose meters with data that could be downloaded at our facility, are included in this cross-sectional study. Possible causes of suboptimal glycemic control were evaluated by using 4 information sources: 1) insulin pump data downloads; 2) glucose meter data downloads; 3) patient/family questionnaire about insulin bolusing habits, eating habits, exercise, and blood glucose testing habits; and 4) a physician questionnaire. Physicians completed the questionnaire during the patient interview after reviewing the downloaded information and discussing these results with the patient/family. Results. The mean (± standard deviation) age of participants was 15.3 (±3.0) years (range: 7–20 years), and the mean (± standard deviation) duration of type 1 diabetes and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion was 8.2 (±4.0) and 1.9 (±1.0) years, respectively. Patients who missed 1c level of 8.0% (7.7, 8.3), whereas those who missed ≥1 mealtime boluses per week had a mean HbA 1c level (95% confidence interval) of 8.8% (8.6, 9.1). No significant relationships were found between HbA 1c levels in males and females, the amount of exercise per week, or bolusing before insulin pump disconnection for exercise. Although not significant, a trend was found for those who missed 1c levels. Significant correlations were found between HbA 1c levels and the number of missed mealtime boluses per week ( r = .414) and mean blood glucose levels ( r = .70). Conclusion. Missed mealtime insulin boluses seem to be the major cause of suboptimal glycemic control in youths with diabetes receiving continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy.
Attachment Theory, Counseling Process, and Supervision

This article is designed to stimulate interest in the clinical utility of attachment theory and examine how its constructs are relevant to counseling and counseling supervision. The initial section illustrates attachment constructs in action and demonstrates how the theory and its related research can be used to conceptualize clients' experience in their emotionally important relationships. The authors then discuss counseling process focusing on the ways attachment theory can contribute to understanding the client-counselor relationship and change strategies. The implications of the central constructs are also explored in relation to counseling supervision. In concluding, the authors discuss research and clinical extensions of attachment theory, alluding briefly to areas that are also extensions of traditional counseling psychology. Throughout, the article's intent is to help the reader appreciate the complexity of attachment theory as well as its science-practice links and its potential contribution to c...
Solubility of anthracene in (binary alcohol + 2-butoxyethanol) solvent mixtures

Experimental solubilities are reported for anthracene dissolved in seven binary mixtures containing 2-methoxyethyl ether with 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-1-pentanol, 4-methyl-2-pentanol, and 1-octanol at 25 °C. Results of these measurements are used to test two mathematical representations based upon the combined nearly ideal binary solvent (NIBS)/Redlich−Kister equation and modified Wilson model. For the seven systems studied, both equations were found to provide an accurate mathematical representation of the experimental data, with an overall average absolute deviation between measured and calculated values being 1.1% and 0.8% for the combined NIBS/Redlich−Kister and modified Wilson equations, respectively.
Clinical Applications of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Genetics

Understanding genetic causes of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) will eventually yield effective discoveries and improvements in predictive/prognostic methods. These include, but are not limited to, reliable disease prediction (screening for increased discrimination of clinical risk), differential classification of AMD subtypes with biomarkers (development of risk-linked molecular taxonomies), selection of optimal preventive and therapeutic interventions (guided by a biologically meaningful understanding of treatment response), and drug dosing. In this review, we discuss clinical applications informed by key findings in AMD genetics, and provide commentary on leveraging extant and forthcoming evidence to improve AMD risk prediction, AMD classification, and knowledge on the genetic basis of drug activity and toxicity. Advances in translating AMD genetics findings for AMD risk prediction require development of a genetics-based causality for AMD incidence and progression. Molecular subtyping of AMD phenotypes requires a set of dynamic biomarkers presenting prognostic value; although these have yet to be identified, the formation of multidisciplinary teams and their participation in large-scale consortia may yield promising results. Drugs targeting complement and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) systems are under evaluation, and forthcoming work on rare variants and noncoding DNA in AMD pathogenesis will likely reveal biochemical pathways enriched with AMD-associated genetic variants. Pharmacologic targets in these pathways may inform a rational and effective therapeutic approach to preventing and treating this sight-threatening disease.
Signal processing for probe storage

Scanning-probe data storage is emerging as a viable alternative to conventional data storage, offering ultra-high density, low access times, and low power consumption. One probe-storage technique utilizes a thermomechanical means to store and retrieve information in thin polymer films. We describe the readback signal path and characterize the thermomechanical-based probe-storage recording channel. It is shown that this channel exhibits a particular nonlinear behavior at high storage densities or high recording power, that is, the energy per unit time used to write a bit of information. A simple model is proposed that accurately captures the characteristics of this nonlinearity. Experimental results from single-probe recording setups are used to verify the validity of this model and identify its relevant parameters.
Developmental trajectories of adolescent popularity : A growth curve modelling analysis

Abstract Growth curve modelling was used to examine developmental trajectories of sociometric and perceived popularity across eight years in adolescence, and the effects of gender, overt aggression, and relational aggression on these trajectories. Participants were 303 initially popular students (167 girls, 136 boys) for whom sociometric data were available in Grades 5–12. The popularity and aggression constructs were stable but non-overlapping developmental dimensions. Growth curve models were run with SAS MIXED in the framework of the multilevel model for change [Singer, J. D., & Willett, J. B. (2003). Applied longitudinal data analysis. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press]. Sociometric popularity showed a linear change trajectory; perceived popularity showed nonlinear change. Overt aggression predicted low sociometric popularity but an increase in perceived popularity in the second half of the study. Relational aggression predicted a decrease in sociometric popularity, especially for girls, and continued high-perceived popularity for both genders. The effect of relational aggression on perceived popularity was the strongest around the transition from middle to high school. The importance of growth curve models for understanding adolescent social development was discussed, as well as specific issues and challenges of growth curve analyses with sociometric data.
Patient and Image Data Management in Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography for Radiation Therapy and Therapy Response Assessment

This article provides an overview of the primary considerations of positron emission tomography-computed tomographic (PET-CT) workflows specifically related to patient and image data management in radiation therapy (RT) planning and therapy response assessment. PET-CT has become increasingly integral to the RT planning and therapy response assessment. There are numerous workflow challenges related to integrating PET-CT in the framework of RT planning and therapy assessment. For PET-CT scan used for RT planning, accurate patient positioning and scan registration with the simulation is critical. For therapy assessment PET-CT scans, consistency in patient preparation, scanning and image reconstruction parameters, and image analysis are critical.
Interest-matching information propagation in multiple online social networks

Online social networks have become an imperative channel for extremely fast information propagation and influence. Thus, the problem of finding a minimum number of seed users who can eventually influence as many users in the network as possible has become one of the central research topics recently. Unfortunately, most of related works have only focused on the network topologies and largely ignored many other important factors such as the users' engagements and the negative or positive impacts between users. More challengingly, the behavior of information propagation across multiple networks simultaneously remains an untrodden area and becomes an urgent need. Our work is the first attempt to tackle the above problem in multiple networks, considering these lacking important factors. In order to capture the users' engagement, we propose to targeting the set of interest-matching users whose interests are similar to what we try to propagate. Then, we develop our Iterative Semi-Supervising Learning based approach to identify the minimum seed users. We validate the effectiveness of our solution by using real-world Twitter-Foursquare networks and academic collaboration multiple networks.
The noncoding RNAs SNORD50A and SNORD50B bind K-Ras and are recurrently deleted in human cancer

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are conserved noncoding RNAs best studied as ribonucleoprotein (RNP) guides in RNA modification. To explore their role in cancer, we compared 5,473 tumor-normal genome pairs to identify snoRNAs with frequent copy number loss. The SNORD50A-SNORD50B snoRNA locus was deleted in 10-40% of 12 common cancers, where its loss was associated with reduced survival. A human protein microarray screen identified direct SNORD50A and SNORD50B RNA binding to K-Ras. Loss of SNORD50A and SNORD50B increased the amount of GTP-bound, active K-Ras and hyperactivated Ras-ERK1/ERK2 signaling. Loss of these snoRNAs also increased binding by farnesyltransferase to K-Ras and increased K-Ras prenylation, suggesting that KRAS mutation might synergize with SNORD50A and SNORD50B loss in cancer. In agreement with this hypothesis, CRISPR-mediated deletion of SNORD50A and SNORD50B in KRAS-mutant tumor cells enhanced tumorigenesis, and SNORD50A and SNORD50B deletion and oncogenic KRAS mutation co-occurred significantly in multiple human tumor types. SNORD50A and SNORD50B snoRNAs thus directly bind and inhibit K-Ras and are recurrently deleted in human cancer.
City of Arlington v FCC: Boon to the Administrative State or Fodder for Law Nerds?

In City of Arlington v. FCC, the Supreme Court told federal judges to be deferential to agencies’ definition of their jurisdiction when a statute is ambiguous. The ruling could give regulators a major boost in fighting off legal challenges. But judges can get around the decision simply by holding that a statute is not ambiguous. Given the mixed record of judicial deference to agencies, the case may do little to bolster the bureaucrats.
Handling Problems of Risk and Uncertainty in Farm Management Analysis

,M Y TOPIC, "Handling Problems of Risk and Uncertainty in Farm Management," has different meanings to different people. I hope the interpretation I have selected will be acceptable to most of you. Under this topic, I propose to do three things. First, I want to relate different common methods of thinking to our concepts of management. It is necessary to do this if we are to understand the roles which our concepts of management play in doing research on risk and uncertainty problems. Second, I want to review very briefly the main lines of progress being made on managerial concepts and risk and uncertainty problems by both theoretical and empirical workers. And, lastly, I want to indicate some sources and uses of information and data for handling the managerial problems, created by the existence of risk and uncertainty. I have no illusions of being able to present anything approaching a complete treatment of this rapidly developing but still incomplete field of interest in the time allotted me.
The Push for More Challenging Texts: An Analysis of Early Readers’ Rate, Accuracy, and Comprehension

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the challenge level of text and early readers’ reading comprehension. This relationship was also examined with consideration to students’ word recognition accuracy and reading rate. Participants included 636 students, in Grades 1–3, in a southeastern state. Results suggest that students reading texts well above their actual grade levels, even with sufficient accuracy scores, scored significantly lower on comprehension than students reading texts at their actual grade level. This result also held regardless of students’ reading rates. Findings signal the importance of considering text level during instruction and suggest some caution is warranted when pushing students into texts well above their grade levels.
Probing Nanoscale Heat and Force Interactions Using Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM)

Many devices and instruments such as magnetic hard disk drives and atomic force microscopes (AFM) rely on the stable operation of their small probing heads at nanoscale gaps. Due to the small scale of the probing heads, the force interactions (Casimir force and electrostatic force) between the small probes and the surrounding become more significant. The local heating caused by read/write electric currents in hard disk drives or probing laser beams in AFM on the probes inevitably leads to the heat transfer between them and the surrounding. The nanoscale heat and force interactions play a critical role in the performances of those instruments. In this paper, we use a bimaterial AFM cantilever to measure the nanoscale air heat conduction, radiation and force between a microsphere and a substrate. The resulting “heat transfer-distance” and “force-distance” curves clearly show the strong dependence of nanoscale interactions with gap distances.© 2010 ASME
Lucky 13: conservation implications of broadening “Big 5” flagship species recognition in East Africa

ABSTRACTSustainable tourism experiences seek to inspire tourists to perform behaviors that enhance the environment on site and at home. In sustainable wildlife tourism, flagship species are used as icons to attract attention for conservation initiatives. Parks and protected areas also rely on flagship species to attract visitation. Expected tourist responses from the use of flagship species include raising concern and stimulating pro-conservation behaviors. However, flagship-based ecotourism has been criticized for not delivering expected conservation benefits for species of interest or biodiversity, and having negative impacts for wildlife on site. Using interactional theory as a framework, this study investigated the potential of the African “Big 5”, and eight other commonly observed African species, to stimulate an emotional connection and intention to perform species and biodiversity oriented conservation behaviors. Data were obtained from 416 tourists at Kilimanjaro Airport and analyzed with structur...
A Meta-analysis of Wilderness Therapy Outcomes for Private Pay Clients

Wilderness therapy is becoming a more widely used intervention for adolescents, but there have not been any meta-analyses focused solely on its clinical effectiveness for private pay clients. This study’s objective was to conduct outcome-based meta-analyses of private-pay wilderness therapy programs, benchmark primary features of this approach, and educate the clinical community as to its effectiveness. The authors conducted a review of all available databases, as well as manual searches. Searches resulted in a meta-analysis based on 36 studies, totaling 2399 participants receiving wilderness therapy. Our meta-analyses found medium effect sizes for all six constructs assessed: self-esteem (g = 0.49), locus of control (g = 0.55), behavioral observations (g = 0.75), personal effectiveness (g = 0.46), clinical measures (g = 0.50) and interpersonal measures (g = 0.54). Subgroup analyses included age of participants, duration of program, open or closed model, presence of a mental health practitioner, and publication year.
The Theatre of Fiction in Turgenev’s Rudin

One of the distinguishing features of Turgenev’s work is that he is a master of structure. What Turgenev was less well-known for were his plays, and though he wrote such short fiction as The Diary of a Superfluous Man (1850) and A Sportsman’s Sketches (1852) before he wrote Rudin, he was also writing plays at the same time. The question arises: What stylistic effect(s) did playwriting have on his novel writing and how was that manifested? A close reading of Rudin not only reveals how his experience in playwriting affected the structure of Rudin, but, at the same time, offered a new and somewhat “experimental” approach to fiction writing; that is, a kind of “theatre of fiction” which is at the core of this chapter.
L’universel et l’éthique du care en traduction

Les mouvements feministes transnationaux se sont developpes ces dernieres decennies pour eviter les impasses des logiques de revendications nationales, internationales et pour combattre de maniere generale la rhetorique de l’universel. Afin de lutter contre la mise en place de discours hegemoniques dont le pouvoir est souvent herite d’une histoire coloniale et patriarcale, les theoriciennes des mouvements feministes transnationaux ont souvent cherche a definir les conditions d’une politique de la traduction qui permettrait de lutter contre la mise en place d’un discours de l’universel, unifie et dominant. Une politique de la traduction semble alors recouvrir deux choses. Elle designe tout d’abord les implications politiques de la pratique de la traduction. Elle designe ensuite la traduction en tant que paradigme pour penser le politique, compris comme l’ensemble des implications politiques du rapport a l’autre. C’est dans ce cadre que l’oeuvre de Ricoeur propose des solutions theoriques importantes. Sans renoncer a la categorie de l’universel, Ricoeur la pense « en traduction ». Ses propositions theoriques permettent ainsi de reconcilier les critiques theoriques qui ont ete adressees a l’universalisme, notamment par les feministes, avec le projet d’une politique feministe de la traduction. Or cette reconciliation passe, dans l’oeuvre de Ricoeur, par la formulation d’une veritable ethique de la traduction, au coeur de laquelle se trouve une ethique de la sollicitude a rapprocher des ethiques du care. Cet article se propose de montrer comment la mise en oeuvre d’une ethique de la traduction fondee sur des valeurs de caring et de sollicitude permet de repenser une politique feministe de la traduction ouverte sur l’universel. Apres avoir montre comment le feminisme transnational s’est construit contre l’universel, cet article explore la possibilite de penser celui-ci « en traduction », pour articuler une politique et une ethique de la traduction dont les termes peuvent etre definis avec Ricoeur par un principe d’hospitalite qui trouve son complet deploiement dans une ethique du care.