cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The spike protein of murine coronavirus regulates viral genome transport from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum during infection

We observed that the nonfusogenic mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) strain MHV-2 reached a titer of approximately 2 log10 higher than that of the fusogenic strain A59 in astrocytoma DBT cells. To determine whether the spike protein is responsible for the difference, a recombinant virus, Penn-98-1, that contains the A59 genome with a spike from MHV-2 was used to infect DBT cells. Results showed that Penn-98-1 behaved like MHV-2, thus establishing a role for the spike protein in viral growth. The inverse correlation between viral fusogenicity and growth was further established in four different cell types and with a fusogenic mutant, the S757R mutant, derived from isogenic Penn-98-1. While both A59 and Penn-98-1 entered cells at similar levels, viral RNA and protein syntheses were significantly delayed for A59. Interestingly, when the genomic RNAs were delivered directly into the cells via transfection, the levels of gene expression for these viruses were similar. Furthermore, cell fractionation experiments revealed that significantly more genomic RNAs for the nonfusogenic MHVs were detected in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) within the first 2 h after infection than for the fusogenic MHVs. Pretreatment of Penn-98-1 with trypsin reversed its properties in syncytium formation, virus production, and genome transport to the ER. These findings identified a novel role for the spike protein in regulating the uncoating and delivery of the viral genome to the ER after internalization.
Determinability of model parameters in a two-stage deterministic cancer model

We investigate the determinability of model parameters for a two-stage cancer model, using as an example chemically induced skin cancer in mice. When the time course of the papilloma number and cancer rate are known, the rate of creation of initiated cells and their net-growth rate can be uniquely determined. These two high-level parameters are sufficient to uniquely simulate the experimental papilloma data. However, the mitotic and death rates of initiated and transformed cells cannot be determined from the available experimental data. The rate of creation of transformed cells and their net-growth rate cannot be determined independently. Thus, although the deterministic two-stage cancer model can simulate the kinetics of papilloma formation and skin cancer data, many of the basic underlying biological parameters (i.e., mitotic and death rates) cannot be uniquely determined from the usually available biological data.
Ising models of quantum frustration

We report on a systematic study of two-dimensional, periodic, frustrated Ising models with quantum dynamics introduced via a transverse magnetic field. The systems studied are the triangular and kagome{prime} lattice antiferromagnets, fully frustrated models on the square and hexagonal (honeycomb) lattices, a planar analog of the pyrochlore antiferromagnet, a pentagonal lattice antiferromagnet, as well as two quasi-one-dimensional lattices that have considerable pedagogical value. All of these exhibit a macroscopic degeneracy at T=0 in the absence of the transverse field, which enters as a singular perturbation. We analyze these systems with a combination of a variational method at weak fields, a perturbative Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson approach from large fields, as well as quantum Monte Carlo simulations utilizing a cluster algorithm. Our results include instances of quantum order arising from classical criticality (triangular lattice) or classical disorder (pentagonal and probably hexagonal) as well as notable instances of quantum disorder arising from classical disorder (kagome{prime}). We also discuss the effect of finite temperature, as well as the interplay between longitudinal and transverse fields{emdash}in the kagome{prime} problem the latter gives rise to a nontrivial phase diagram with bond-ordered and bond-critical phases in addition to the disordered phase. We also note connections to quantum-dimer models and therebymore » to the physics of Heisenberg antiferromagnets in short-ranged resonating valence-bond phases that have been invoked in discussions of high-temperature superconductivity.« less
Life in space.

The physical conditions of Space are most inhospitable and the higher forms of life probably could exist extraterrestrially only on Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn in our Solar System, and the chances there are poor in light of present knowledge. Thus intelligent life probably exists only on the Earth.
The design and optimization of advanced multijunction solar cells using the Silvaco ATLAS software package

In this paper, the design and optimization of advanced multijunction photovoltaic devices, utilizing a newly introduced modeling technique (J. Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells, submitted for publication), is demonstrated. In our opinion, the introduction of this modeling technique to the photovoltaic community will prove to be of great importance in aiding the design and optimization of advanced solar cells. A model of an InGaP/GaAs/InGaNAs/Ge four-junction solar cell is prepared and is fully simulated. The major stages of the process are explained and the simulation results are compared to published theoretical and experimental data. An example of cell parameters optimization is also presented. The flexibility of the proposed methodology is demonstrated. The methodology and design considerations for this process are explained.
Some syntactic determinants of sentential complexity, II : Verb structure

The effect of the lexical complexity of verbs on the processing of sentences was evaluated in two experiments. Verb complexity was indexed by the number of types of grammatical structure a verb permits (e.g., a verb may be transitive or intransitive and may permit various types of complement structures). Ss’ performances in paraphrasing sentences and in solving anagrams containing complex verbs were significantly poorer than their performances with the same sentences and anagrams containing less complex verbs.
The spatial QRS-T angle as a marker of ventricular repolarisation in hypertension

Ventricular repolarisation abnormalities are important in arrhythmia provocation. The dispersion of repolarisation duration is not the only aspect of repolarisation heterogeneity. Spatial vectorcardiographic descriptors constitute a novel approach to quantify ventricular repolarisation. To test the ability of vectorcardiographic descriptors to discriminate between hypertensives with high or low blood pressure (BP), 110 treated hypertensives (mean age 63.6 ± 12.1 years) were classified in the high (systolic BP ⩾160 mm Hg or diastolic BP ⩾95 mm Hg) (n = 67), or the low (systolic BP < 160 mm hg and diastolic bp <95 mm hg) (n = 43) BP group. The maximum QT, JT, and T peak–T end intervals and the QT, JT, and T peak–T end dispersion were calculated from a digitally recorded 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). X, Y, and Z leads were reconstructed from the 12-lead ECG. The amplitude of the maximum spatial T vector (spatial T amplitude), the angle between the maximum spatial QRS and T vectors (spatial QRS-T angle) and the frontal plane QRS-T angle were calculated. The spatial QRS-T angle was higher in patients with high compared to those with low BP (P = 0.025). All conventional ECG markers of the dispersion of ventricular repolarisation duration failed to demonstrate significant differences between hypertensives with high or low BP. In conclusion, the spatial QRS-T angle was significantly increased in those treated hypertensive patients who showed repeatedly high BP values. Hence, we may suggest that the angle between the directions of ventricular depolarisation and repolarisation is a sensitive marker of the repolarisation alterations in systemic hypertension.
Generating Functions for Alternating Descents and Alternating Major Index

In 2008, Chebikin introduced the alternating descent set, AltDes(σ), of a permutation σ = σ1 ··· σn in the symmetric group Sn as the set of all i such that either i is odd and σi > σi+1 or i is even and σi < σi+1. We can then define altdes(σ) = |AltDes(σ)| and \({{\rm altmaj}(\sigma) = \sum_{i \in AltDes(\sigma)}i}\). In this paper, we compute a generating function for the joint distribution of altdes(σ) and altmaj(σ) over Sn. Our formula is similar to the formula for the joint distribution of des and maj over the symmetric group that was first proved by Gessel. We also compute similar generating functions for the groups Bn and Dn and for r-tuples of permutations in Sn. Finally we prove a general extension of these formulas in cases where we keep track of descents only at positions r, 2r, . . ..
Correction of Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation

Unlike myxomatous mitral regurgitation (MR), the management of chronic ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) remains a contentious issue. Numerous questions abound. Is revascularization enough? When should repair be undertaken? Should a partial or complete ring be used? Should the annulus be downsized? Is outright valve replacement ever indicated and, if so, what type of valve should be used? With the rise in percutaneous interventions, straightforward coronary revascularizations are becoming less frequent. Without question, we are operating on patients with more advanced coronary artery disease with frequently associated ventricular dysfunction. As our patients become older and less healthy, we will be required to deal with chronic IMR more frequently. In this article, we present the rationale we use when we consider how to best manage these patients, and will outline the preoperative and operative approach that we undertake when dealing with chronic IMR. A thorough understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of IMR is necessary. The function of the normal mitral valve results from a complex interplay among the annulus, valvular, and subvalvular elements. In his classification scheme, Carpentier delineates chronic IMR as type IIIb 1 (Fig. 1). IMR results when posterolateral scar leads to a tethered posteromedial papillary muscle.
The hot-toy problem

Abstract Every year around Christmas there are shortages of the “hot toy.” Why don't sellers raise the price? The hot-toy problem is puzzling if we assume that a “big” shortage implies that a $500 bill is being left on the ground. I show that a big shortage does not necessarily imply large losses in profits. Indeed, the bigger the shortage as conventionally measured the smaller the loss in profit from underpricing. The analysis of the hot-toy problem demonstrates that the conventional definition of a shortage can be misleading and should be modified in favor of a definition based on the difference between the marginal willingness to pay and price.
Regular Real Analysis

We initiate the study of regular real analysis, or the analysis of real functions that can be encoded by automata on infinite words. It is known that ω-automata can be used to represent {relations} between real vectors, reals being represented in exact precision as infinite streams. The regular functions studied here constitute the functional subset of such relations. We show that some classic questions in function analysis can become elegantly computable in the context of regular real analysis. Specifically, we present an automata-theoretic technique for reasoning about limit behaviors of regular functions, and obtain, using this method, a decision procedure to verify the continuity of a regular function. Several other decision procedures for regular functions-for finding roots, fix points, minima, etc.-are also presented. At the same time, we show that the class of regular functions is quite rich, and includes functions that are highly challenging to encode using traditional symbolic notation.
Impact of long-term inhaled corticosteroid therapy on bone mineral density: results of a meta-analysis.

Background The impact of long-term inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) is poorly understood. Objective To evaluate the impact of long-term ICS use on BMD. Methods Random-effects meta-analysis. Published and unpublished literature were identified by searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and consultation with experts. Studies reporting BMD among adult asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients using ICS and non–ICS controls were identified. Studies selected for review included at least 1 year of follow-up. Two independent reviewers evaluated studies; data from those meeting specified inclusion criteria were abstracted for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Results Fourteen (5.3%) of 266 reviewed studies met specified inclusion criteria. Sufficient data were available to perform meta-analysis on 3 measures for ICS-using patients (lumbar, femoral neck, and major trochanter BMD) and 1 measure (lumbar BMD) for non-ICS-using controls. Using current National Asthma Education and Prevention Program definitions, the majority of studies (12 of 14) included patients receiving moderate to high doses of ICSs. Among ICS users, annual changes from baseline in lumbar, femoral neck, and major trochanter BMD (−0.23%, −0.17%, and +1.46%, respectively) were not statistically significant. Mean changes in lumbar BMD were also not significantly different from controls (−0.02%). Further, annual changes in lumbar BMD were not statistically significant for subgroups of patients with asthma or COPD. Conclusions Long-term use of ICSs in patients with asthma or COPD was not associated with significant changes in BMD.
Using JavaNws to compare C and Java TCP‐Socket performance

Abstract As research and implementation continue to facilitate high performance computing in Java, applications can benefit from resource management and prediction tools. In this work, we present such a tool for network round trip time and bandwidth between a user’s desktop and any machine running a web server . JavaNws is a Java implementation and extension of a powerful subset of the Network Weather Service (NWS), a performance prediction toolkit that dynamically characterizes and forecasts the performance available to an application. However, due to the Java language implementation and functionality (portability, security, etc), it is unclear whether a Java program is able to measure and predict the network performance experienced by C-applications with the same accuracy as an equivalent C program. We provide a quantitative equivalence study of the Java and C TCP-socket interface and show that the data collected by the JavaNws is as predictable as, that collected by the NWS (using C).
Rayford W. Logan and the Dilemma of the African American Intellectual

This biography of the African-American activist and scholar, Rayford W. Logan, discusses his life and career and examines his contributions to the history of race relations in the United States.
Code equivalence characterizes finite Frobenius rings

In this paper we show that finite rings for which the code equivalence theorem of MacWilliams is valid for Hamming weight must necessarily be Frobenius. This result makes use of a strategy of Dinh and Lopez-Permouth.
Experimental study of mixed convection heat transfer for transitional and turbulent flow between horizontal, parallel plates

Abstract Experiments have been performed to determine the effect of buoyancy on convection heat transfer for transitional and turbulent water flow between horizontal parallel plates. In transitional flow, Nusselt numbers at the top and bottom plates decrease and increase, respectively, with increasing heat flux. Results for the top plate are attributed to boundary-layer laminarization, while those for the bottom plate are attributed to heat transfer enhancement by free convection. For turbulent flow, top plate heat transfer data are correlated by an expression for pure forced convection, while bottom plate data are correlated by an expression for mixed convection.
CFD-based optimization of fuel injection strategies in a diesel engine using an adaptive gradient method

A computationally efficient computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based optimization method with the capability of finding optimal engine operating conditions with respect to emissions and fuel consumption has been developed. The approach taken uses a steepest descent method for an adaptive cost function, where the line search is performed with a backtracking algorithm. The backtracking algorithm utilizes quadratic and cubic polynomials to accelerate the convergence, and the initial backtracking step employs an adaptive step size mechanism which depends on the steepness of the search direction. The adaptive cost function is based on the penalty method such that the penalty term is stiffened after every line search. The engine simulations are performed with a KIVA-3-based CFD code which is equipped with well-established spray, combustion and emission models. The application of this optimization tool is demonstrated for a non-road, medium-speed DI diesel engine which, for these simulations, utilizes a multi-orifice, asynchronous injection system. It has been demonstrated that this new injection method has a large potential for reducing emissions while maintaining a low fuel consumption. In addition, this optimization approach is computationally very efficient when good enough initial values are available.
Transmission of WEE Virus to Snakes by Infected Culex tarsalis Mosquitoes.

SummaryOf 12 snakes offered as blood meal sources for 18 infected mosquitoes, seven of these poikilothermic animals responded with a viremia. Six developed titers of 105 or more, while one developed a viremia of only 1.45 × 102 PFU per ml of blood. Two developed titers of 107 and one 108 PFU per ml of blood. Five developed a viremia within one to three days, while one was delayed to the 9th day and one was delayed to the 17th day after being bitten. The virus content of the mosquito biting the snake appeared not to be a determining factor whether the snake became infected or not. When snakes were exposed to a single infected mosquito each, 4 of 8 became viremic. When snakes were exposed to 2 or 3 infected mosquitoes each, 3 of 4 became viremic.
American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine evidenced-based review: Use of surface electromyography in the diagnosis and study of neuromuscular disorders

Surface electromyography (sEMG) measures myoelectrical signals recorded from sensors placed on the skin surface. The non-invasive nature of sEMG makes it a potentially useful technology for studying diseases of muscle and nerve. Reviews published by the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) and the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), covering 1964-1994 and 1952-1998, respectively, concluded that sEMG adds no clinical utility over conventional needle EMG (nEMG) for the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease. The AANEM sEMG task force reevaluated the diagnostic utility and added value of this technology for the study of neuromuscular disease based on a contemporary review of relevant literature published between January 1994 and February 2006. The present review concludes that sEMG may be useful to detect the presence of neuromuscular disease (level C rating, class III data), but there are insufficient data to support its utility for distinguishing between neuropathic and myopathic conditions or for the diagnosis of specific neuromuscular diseases. sEMG may be useful for additional study of fatigue associated with post-poliomyelitis syndrome and electromechanical function in myotonic dystrophy (level C rating, class III data).
Ultrafast valley relaxation dynamics in single layer semiconductors

Single layer transition metal dichalcogenides are 2D semiconducting systems with unique electronic band structure. Two-valley energy bands along with strong spin-orbital coupling lead to valley-dependent carrier spin polarization, which is the basis for recently proposed valleytronic applications. These systems also exhibit unusually strong many body effects, such as strong exciton and trion binding, due to reduced dielectric screening of Coulomb interactions. Not much is known about the impact of strong many particle correlations on spin and valley polarization dynamics. Here we report direct measurements of ultrafast valley specific relaxation dynamics in single layer MoS2 and WS2. We found that excitonic many body interactions significantly contribute to the relaxation process. Biexciton formation reveals hole valley/spin relaxation time in MoS2. Our results suggest that initial fast intervalley electron scattering and electron spin relaxation leads to loss of valley polarization for holes through an electron-hole spin exchange mechanism in both MoS2 and WS2.
Controllable Interference-Type Optical Filter

A transmission-type optical interference filter has been constructed which controls the color of the light passing through it in accordance with the magnitude of a dc electrical signal. This is accomplished by magnetostrictively varying the separation of a pair of plane parallel quartz optical flats having thin film coatings. The results indicate that such devices are feasible. Some theory for the filter action is given, and data for this particular laboratory model are shown.
Cubic Graphs with Large Ratio of Independent Domination Number to Domination Number

A dominating set in a graph $$G$$G is a set $$S$$S of vertices such that every vertex outside $$S$$S has a neighbor in $$S$$S; the domination number$$\gamma (G)$$?(G) is the minimum size of such a set. The independent domination number, written $$i(G)$$i(G), is the minimum size of a dominating set that also induces no edges. Henning and Southey conjectured $$i(G)/\gamma (G) \le 6/5$$i(G)/?(G)≤6/5 for every cubic (3-regular) graph $$G$$G with sufficiently many vertices. We provide an infinite family of counterexamples, giving for each positive integer $$k$$k a 2-connected cubic graph $$H_k$$Hk with $$14k$$14k vertices such that $$i(H_k)=5k$$i(Hk)=5k and $$\gamma (H_k)=4k$$?(Hk)=4k.
Patient-reported respiratory symptoms in cystic fibrosis

Abstract Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) specific patient-derived and reported symptom tools are critical steps toward evaluating the outcomes of new therapies for CF. Methods We conducted 25 in-depth qualitative interviews using the Day Reconstruction Method and 9 cognitive interviews at two CF programs, the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and then coded and analyzed for themes relating to pulmonary symptoms and related psychosocial impacts. Results Six pulmonary symptoms were identified as central to CF: cough, sputum production, wheeze, chest tightness, difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, and fever. Emotional impacts included frustration, sadness/depression, irritability, worry, difficulty sleeping; while activity impacts included time spent sitting or lying down, reduction of usual activities, and missing school or work. In all, 8 symptom items, 4 emotional impacts items, and 4 activity impacts were selected for inclusion on a new daily diary. We also assessed triggers for seeking care. Conclusions Using a qualitative inductive methodology, we have obtained patient centered data regarding pulmonary symptoms and burdens and have created a novel patient reported outcome measure for CF. Future studies will assess the validity of the instruments.
Motion Performance Analysis of Double-Cylinder Parallel Manipulators

Double-cylinder parallel manipulators are closed-loop two-degree-of-freedom linkages. They are preferred to use because of their simplicity plus the common advantages of parallel manipulators such as high stiffness, load-bearing, operation speed and precision positioning. Like other parallel manipulators, the output motion of double-cylinder parallel manipulators is not as flexible as two-degree-of-freedom serial manipulators. The motion performance analysis plays a critical role for this type of parallel manipulator to be applied successfully. In this paper, the linkage feasibility conditions are established based on the transmission angle. When feasibility conditions are satisfied, there is no dead position during operation. The workspace is generated by using curve-enveloping theory. The singularity characteristics are analyzed within the workspace. The motion performance index contours within the workspace are produced using the condition number of the manipulator Jacobian matrix. The results of this paper provide guidelines to apply this type of parallel manipulator.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The Mathematical Theory of Signal Processing and Compression-Designs

The mathematical theory of signal processing, named processor coding, will be shown to inherently arise as the computational time dual of Shannon's mathematical theory of communication which is also known as source coding. Source coding is concerned with signal source memory space compression while processor coding deals with signal processor computational time compression. Their combination is named compression-designs and referred as Conde in short. A compelling and pedagogically appealing diagram will be discussed highlighting Conde's remarkable successful application to real-world knowledge-aided (KA) airborne moving target indicator (AMTI) radar.
STOCHASTIC ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE ASSOCIATED WITH TWO‐STAGE ESTIMATORS OF FRACTIONAL ARIMA SYSTEMS

. Two-stage estimators have been proposed in fractional autoregressive integrated moving-average (ARIMA) systems which first estimate the long-run features of the system semi-parametrically and then estimate the short-run features by usual methods in a second stage. Although asymptotic theory is available for the estimates in the first stage of such a procedure, we are aware of no results concerning the estimates in the second stage. In this paper we provide a stochastic order of magnitude associated with an estimator in this class and discuss this result.
Temperature dependence of current and low-frequency noise in InAs nanowire transistors

Semiconductor nanowires are typically fabricated into transistors using metal source and drain contacts but no doping profile, leading to devices that operate as Schottky-barrier field effect transistors rather than traditional MOSFETs. Because of this fundamental difference in geometry, the devices will operate with greater influence from the contacts in both current and noise behavior, yet many previous studies still apply traditional MOSFET models to nanowire devices. By studying the mechanisms of contact and channel effects in nanowire transistors, the devices can be better understood in terms of fundamental limits of performance and scaling. In this study, variable temperature measurements were used to investigate the contact properties in relation to current and noise and understand physical models of device operation. 30 nm diameter InAs nanowires were grown by the VLS method and formed into back-gated transistors. Nickel source and drain contacts form channel lengths of 500 nm. The wires sit on silicon wafers with 100 nm oxide which acts as a back gate.
A traveling salesman in Java

Java is a language which provides built-in multithreading and synchronized methods. Orca is a language for programming parallel applications on distributed computing systems. Processes in Orca communicate through shared-data objects. Shared-data objects provide both mutual exclusion synchronization as Java synchronized methods do, and condition synchronization which allows processes to wait until a certain condition becomes true. This paper presents how shared-data objects can be implemented in Java both on a shared memory system and on a distributed memory system. The traveling salesman problem is used to demonstrate how the transformation is achieved.
Respiratory Response of Juvenile Chinook Salmon and Striped Bass Exposed to Benzene, a Water-Soluble Component of Crude Oil

ABSTRACT Interest surrounding the potential effects of crude oil on aquatic organisms has increased in recent years due to the incidence of accidental oil spills. There are few experimental results reported, however, dealing with the effect on aquatic species of water-soluble aromatic hydrocarbons contained in crude oil. Such compounds are highly toxic to mammals. Experiments were conducted using juvenile chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, and striped bass, Morone saxatilis. The fish were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of the aromatic hydrocarbon benzene, for periods ranging from 1–96 hours. Prior to exposure, and after exposure to the benzene, respiration rates of individual fish were measured. Results show increases in respiratory rate up to 115 percent above that of control fish after exposure periods of 24 hours for striped bass and 48 hours for chinook salmon. Fish exposed to benzene concentrations of 10 ppm for periods longer than those listed exhibited a narcosis that caused a decrease...
Task Parallel Implementation of Belief Propagation in Factor Graphs

Factor graphs have been increasingly used as probabilistic graphical models. Belief propagation is a prominent algorithm for inference in factor graphs. Due to the high complexity of inference, parallel techniques for belief propagation are needed. In this paper, we explore task parallelism for belief propagation in an acyclic factor graph. Our approach consists of building a task dependency graph based on the input factor graph and then using a dynamic task scheduler to exploit task parallelism. We conducted experiments on a state-of-the-art multi-core system using a variety of acyclic factor graphs. The experimental results show the efficiency and scalability of the proposed approach with a 37x speedup on a 40-core system.
Potential of mean force between two hydrophobic solutes in water.

We study the potential of mean force between two nonpolar solutes in the Mercedes Benz model of water. Using NPT Monte Carlo simulations, we find that the solute size determines the relative preference of two solute molecules to come into contact ('contact minimum') or to be separated by a single layer of water ('solvent-separated minimum'). Larger solutes more strongly prefer the contacting state, while smaller solutes have more tendency to become solvent-separated, particularly in cold water. The thermal driving forces oscillate with solute separation. Contacts are stabilized by entropy, whereas solvent-separated solute pairing is stabilized by enthalpy. The free energy of interaction for small solutes is well-approximated by scaled-particle theory.
Numerical analysis of the performance of a thermal ejector in a steam evaporator

Ejectors have been widely used in many applications such as water desalination, steam turbine, refrigeration systems, and chemical plants. The advantage of an ejector system lies in its extremely reliable operation due to the complete absence of moving parts. However, the performance depends on a number of factors, among which the flow channel configuration/arrangement is critical. To improve the performance of an existing thermal compressor in a steam evaporator, a comprehensive study was conducted in this paper with a main focus on the sensitivity of performance to the geometric arrangement. Numerical simulation was employed to investigate the thermal-flow behavior. The performance is measured by the entrainment ratio, i.e., the secondary (suction) flow rate from a vapor plenum over the primary steam jet flow. It is observed that any downstream resistance will seriously impede the suction flow rate. In addition, the entrainment ratio is sensitive to the location of the jet exit, and there is an optimum location where the primary flow should be issued. A well-contoured diffuser can increase the entrainment ratio significantly. However, the size of suction opening to the plenum is less important, and a contoured annular passage to guide the entrained flow shows little effect on the overall performance. Based on the numerical results the steam entrainment rate of the best case in the confinement of the current study is approximately 430% of the jet flow rate, while some cases with mediocre design can only produce an entrainment of 24% of the primary jet flow.
Motualevic acids and analogs: synthesis and antimicrobial structure-activity relationships.

Synthesis of the marine natural products motualevic acids A, E, and analogs in which modifications have been made to the ω-brominated lipid (E)-14,14-dibromotetra-deca-2,13-dienoic acid or amino acid unit are reported, together with antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus, Enterococcus faecium, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.
Cardinalities of infinite antichains in products of chains

In response to a question of Ploscica and Haviar, a chain L is constructed such that $L^3$ has an antichain of infinite cardinality $\kappa$ while $L^2$ does not. The construction applies to any singular $\kappa$ . (Independently, such chains have been constructed for certain regular $\kappa$ by Goldstern and Shelah.)
Maternal risk factors and their influence on fetal anthropometric measurements

Objective: Our purpose was to determine if and when maternal risk factors and fetal sex have an impact on specific fetal anthropometric measurements assessed by ultrasonography. Study Design: Serial ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 1205 fetuses of indigent multiparous women who ultimately gave birth at term. Femur length, abdominal circumference, and head circumference measurements were obtained at mean gestational ages of 18, 25, 31, and 36 weeks, and an estimated fetal weight was calculated. At birth the infant was weighed and head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length, and crown-heel length measurements were made. Regression analyses were used to determine the effect on each measurement of maternal race, height, body mass index, hypertension, weight gain, smoking, previous low birth weight, and fetal sex. Results: Acting through their effect on head circumference, abdominal circumference, and fetal length, each of the risk factors and female sex were shown to have a negative effect on fetal weight. The timing of the impact, its magnitude, and the specific anthropometric measurement affected were different for each of the risk factors. Conclusions: The impact of maternal risk factors and fetal sex on estimated fetal weight has been demonstrated to occur first in specific gestational age windows and is mediated through effects on specific fetal anthropometric measurements.
General Measures of Cognition

A general cognitive performance battery is needed as a primary outcome in vascular dementia clinical trials. Because there is considerable overlap between vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the pattern of cognitive impairment, a reasonable approach to developing an optimal vascular dementia battery is to begin with a widely used AD measure and improve its sensitivity to the cognitive domains that are more prominent in vascular dementia. Thus the VaDAS-cog has evolved, which comprises the ADAS-cog with additional frontal lobe subtests covering attention, working memory, executive function, and verbal fluency. Validation of this new cognitive instrument will be supported by its successful use in vascular dementia clinical trials.
Changes in patterns of prostate cancer care in the United States: Results of American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Studies, 1974–1993

BACKGROUND. Advances in medical and public health practice have led to many changes in patterns of prostate cancer care. Data from several studies of prostate cancer by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons provide information on the directions, magnitudes, and consequences of these changes. METHODS. The Commission on Cancer conducts patient care evaluation (PCE) studies based on the voluntary participation of hospital cancer programs and their tumor registries. PCE studies have been conducted repeatedly for prostate cancer covering patients diagnosed as early as 1974 and as recently as 1990. In addition, the National Cancer Data Base of the Commission on Cancer collects data for all forms of cancer from throughout the country. The Commission on Cancer, the American Cancer Society, and the American Urologic Association also has conducted a focused survey of radical prostatectomy outcomes. In aggregate, these multiple studies have accrued 179,366 reports on treatment of prostate cancer patients. RESULTS. Predominant among practice changes are new techniques of prostate cancer detection and initial evaluation which have led to shifts in disease stage at the time of initial therapy. The proportion of prostate cancer that is localized at the time of detection has increased. Use of radiation therapy and radical prostatectomy has increased as the selection of hormone treatment and no cancer-directed treatment have decreased. Five-year prostate cancer survival has improved for every stage of disease. CONCLUSIONS. The multiple studies by the Commission on Cancer provide data that are not available from other sources. Continued monitoring of prostate cancer patterns of care may be useful in measuring progress in control of this common disease. Prostate 32:221-226, 1997.
Totally laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy

Background: A feeding jejunostomy should be used for nutritional support in a small subset of patients. Minimal-access approaches for the placement of jejunal tubes have been described, but they often require special equipment not common to all operating theaters. We describe a technique of totally laparoscopic jejunostomy tube (LJT) placement using equipment found in most operating theaters. Methods: Thirty-five patients underwent LJT over a 12-month period. Indications included gastroparesis, anorexia nervosa, oral cancer, cerebral palsy, and Huntington's chorea. The technique involved three incisions for trocars (one for a 10-mm camera and two for 5-mm working ports) and one small incision for the tube. A 16-Fr T-tube was passed transabdominally under direct vision, and a jejunotomy was made ~20 cm distal to the ligament of Trietz. Each limb of the T-tube was passed into the lumen of the bowel, and a purse-string suture was placed around the enterotomy and tied intracorporeally. After insertion, the serosa surrounding the insertion site is tacked to the anterior abdominal wall in four places with a reusable stainless steel suture passer. To test whether the tube was watertight, we injected methylene blue solution into the tube. Results: All of the patients tolerated the procedure well. There were no operative deaths. Five LJTs were electively removed in the office. One patient was reoperated on 10 days postoperatively because of intractable pain, but the source of pain was not found and the LJT was intact. Conclusions: LJT may be placed safely using the described technique. No significant morbidity or mortality occurred in our series. The results of this study have prompted us to consider LJT for any patient requiring access to the jejunum for feeding.
Volatility model for coal dust flame propagation and extinguishment

A theoretical analysis is presented for the propagation and extinguishment of coal dust flames and of dust and gas flames containing inhibitor powders. The analysis is based on the established mechanisms for homogeneous flame propagation and the well known concept of a constant limit flame temperature for a given class of homogeneous fuels. The analysis is expanded to phase-heterogeneous systems such as coal dust by means of a volatility model. The analysis includes the singly heterogeneous system of a solid fuel dust in air; the singly heterogeneous solid inhibitor dust in a homogeneous fuel-air flame: and the doubly heterogeneous system consisting of a solid fuel and inhibitor dust mixture in air. The data for measured explosion pressures, flammability limits, and extinguishant requirements for heterogeneous systems are shown to be consistent with the established mechanisms and processes for homogeneous flame propagation provided that one adds an additional process: the heating and devolatilization of the solid fuel or inhibitor. The limitations on the rates of devolatilization of the solid particles become rate controlling at high burning velocities, at high dust loadings, and for large particle sizes. Devolatization rates are controlled by the intrinsic devolatilization rate constant for the solid fuel or inhibitor and the effective heating flux of the approaching flame front. The effective vield of volatiles is a function of those factors, the decomposition chemistry, and the time available for devolatilization. The fraction of the total volatiles that can be generated in the time available is the β-factor, and it determines the effective yield of fuel or inhibitor that participates in the flame propagation process. The data for explosion pressure, Flammability limits, and extinguishant requirements are readily understood in terms of those β-factors.
Incidental patent foramen ovale in adult cardiac surgery: recent evidence and management options for the perioperative echocardiographer.

From the *Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ and the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Address reprint requests to John G. T. Augoustides, MD, FASE, FAHA, Cardiothoracic Section, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Dulles 680, HUP, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283. E-mail: yiandoc@hotmail.com © 2014 Published by Elsevier Inc. 1053-0770/2601-0001$36.00/0 http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.jvca.2014.04.030
Pathogenesis of calciphylaxis: Study of three cases with literature review

Calciphylaxis is characterized by ischemic necrosis, primarily of skin. The early phase of the ischemia has not been studied, and the pathogenesis is uncertain. In this study of early calciphylaxis, the vessels responsible for the ischemia seem to be within the material available for microscopic review, and the various stenosing vascular lesions are quantified. A distinctive and previously described small vessel calcification with superimposed endovascular fibrosis is most common, and is much more frequent than two other lesions proposed to cause the ischemia (thrombosis and global calcific obliteration). The calcified stenotic vessels average 100 μm in diameter. Calcification precedes the endovascular fibrosis. Vessels with early endovascular fibroblastic activation are found statistically to be strongly associated with the presence of a giant cell reaction. This endovascular giant cell reaction has not been previously described in calciphylaxis. Two additional cases show similar findings. The histology resembles the reaction to calcium in a variety of other extraosseous calcification syndromes, for example, pseudogout, as if calciphylaxis were an endovascular form of calcium crystal-induced inflammatory disease. The literature is reviewed, and the clinicopathologic, radiographic, and therapeutic implications are discussed.
Behavior of small particles in a thermal plasma flow

In this paper computational results are presented which reveal the effects of the Knudsen number on heat transfer and drag of small particles in a flowing thermal argon plasma. The Knudsen number is restricted to moderate values so that “temperature jump” and “velocity slip” conditions may be employed, and for the governing equations the continuum approach remains valid. It is shown that the ratio of the heat fluxes with and without the Knudsen effect is almost identical to the ratio obtained by the authors for the case of pure heat conduction. This fact is very important for modeling of the behavior of particles injected into an actual plasma reactor when the Knudsen effect has to be taken into account.
Benzodiazepine Use, Abuse, and Dependence

Although benzodiazepines are invaluable in the treatment of anxiety disorders, they have some potential for abuse and may cause dependence or addiction. It is important to distinguish between addiction to and normal physical dependence on benzodiazepines. Intentional abusers of benzodiazepines usually have other substance abuse problems. Benzodiazepines are usually a secondary drug of abuse-used mainly to augment the high received from another drug or to offset the adverse effects of other drugs. Few cases of addiction arise from legitimate use of benzodiazepines. Pharmacologic dependence, a predictable and natural adaptation of a body system long accustomed to the presence of a drug, may occur in patients taking therapeutic doses of benzodiazepines. However, this dependence, which generally manifests itself in withdrawal symptoms upon the abrupt discontinuation of the medication, may be controlled and ended through dose tapering, medication switching, and/or medication augmentation. Due to the chronic nature of anxiety, long-term low-dose benzodiazepine treatment may be necessary for some patients; this continuation of treatment should not be considered abuse or addiction.
Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain BioS-1, for the detection of water-borne toxic metal contaminants

Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to extracellular toxic stimuli by increasing intracellular cyclic AMP levels, leading to activation of a cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase A (PKA). Activated PKA phosphorylates downstream substrates, including specific DNA-binding proteins, to turn off the expression of most or all of the yeast genes. Such cAMP-PKA-mediated inhibition of gene expression in response to toxic stimuli appears to be unique to S. cerevisiae. For instance, in mammalian cells, the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway is rather responsive to growth factors and hormones in addition to being primarily involved in the activation of gene expression. Activation of gene expression by the cAMP-PKA pathway in mammalian cells is due mainly to the presence of cAMP-response elements (CREs) located in the promoters of many mammalian genes, and the expression of PKA-responsive stimulatory transcription factor CRE-binding protein, commonly referred as CREBP, which binds to the CREs. Thus, activation of the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway results in the phosphorylation of CREBP by PKA, and phosphorylated CREBP transactivates specific gene expression by interacting with the cognate CRE. Based on these findings, we sought to engineer a yeast-based biosensor, in which the stress-sensing cAMP-PKA pathway of yeast is coupled to the mammalian CREBP-CRE-stimulated gene expression pathway, which drives the expression of a reporter protein, such as green fluorescent protein (GFP). As a primary step toward the development of this biosensor, we engineered a yeast strain, BioS-1, by genetically altering YPH 501, a wild-type strain of S. cerevisiae, to express human CREBP and human CRE promoter-driven GFP. Exposure of BioS-1 to varying concentrations of As3+, Fe2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ elicits concentration-dependent expression of the GFP reporter that can be easily monitored by the fluorescence emitted by GFP. The results also indicate that the engineered BioS-1 yeast cells can detect 2.5 ppm of these toxic metals and report it through the expression of GFP within 3 h. The results presented herein demonstrate that this engineered yeast strain can detect metal toxicants and can validate the use of this prototypic yeast strain to develop a biosensor that can be used to detect and monitor cytotoxic water-borne toxic heavy metals.