bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Moist Froude Number and CAPE on a Conditionally Unstable Flow over a Mesoscale Mountain Ridge
Authors: Chen Shu-Hua , Lin Yuh-Lang
Published: March 2005

In this study, idealized simulations are performed for a conditionally unstable flow over a two-dimensional mountain ridge in order to investigate the propagation and types of cloud precipitation systems controlled by the unsaturated moist Froude number (Fw) and the convective available potential energy (CAPE). A two-dimensional moist flow regime diagram, based on Fw and CAPE, is proposed for a conditionally unstable flow passing over a two-dimensional mesoscale mountain ridge. The characteristics of these flow regimes are 1) regime I: flow with an upstream-propagating convective system and an early, slowly moving convective system over the mountain; 2) regime II: flow with a long-lasting orographic convective system over the mountain peak, upslope, or lee slope; 3) regime III: flow with an orographic convective or mixed convective and stratiform precipitation system over the mountain and a downstream-propagating convective system; and 4) regime IV: flow with an orographic stratiform precipitation system over the mountain and possibly a downstream-propagating cloud system. Note that the fourth regime was not included in the flow regimes proposed by Chu and Lin and Chen and Lin. The propagation of the convective systems is explained by the orographic blocking and density current forcing associated with the cold-air outflow produced by evaporative cooling acting against the basic flow, which then determines the propagation and cloud types of the simulated precipitation systems.
EPIC 95°W Observations of the Eastern Pacific Atmospheric Boundary Layer from the Cold Tongue to the ITCZ
Authors: de Szoeke Simon P. , Bretherton Christopher S. , Bond Nicholas A. , Cronin Meghan F. , Morley Bruce M.
Published: March 2005

The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) along 95°W in the eastern equatorial Pacific during boreal autumn is described using data from the East Pacific Investigation of Climate (EPIC) 2001, with an emphasis on the evolution of the thermodynamic ABL properties from the cold tongue to the cold-advection region north of the sea surface temperature (SST) front. Surface sensible and latent heat fluxes and wind stresses between 1°S and 12°N are calculated from data from eight NCAR C-130 research aircraft flights and from Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) buoys. Reduced surface wind speed and a 10 m s−1 jet at a height of 500 m are found over the equatorial cold tongue, demonstrating the dependence of the surface wind speed on surface stability.

The ABL exhibits a maximum in cloud cover on the north (downwind) side of the warm SST front, at 1°–3°N. Turbulent mixing driven by both surface buoyancy flux and radiative cooling at the cloud tops plays a significant role in maintaining the depth and structure of the ABL. The ABL heat budget between the equator and 3°N is balanced by comparable contributions from advective cooling, radiative cooling, surface warming, and entrainment warming. Entrainment drying is a weak contributor to the moisture budget, relative to dry advection and surface evaporation. Both the heat and moisture budgets are consistent with a rapid entrainment rate, 12 ± 2 mm s−1, deduced from the observed rise of the inversion with latitude between 0° and 4°N.
UARS/MLS Cloud Ice Measurements: Implications for H2O Transport near the Tropopause
Authors: Wu D. L. , Read W. G. , Dessler A. E. , Sherwood S. C. , Jiang J. H.
Published: March 2005

A technique for detecting large hydrometeors at high altitudes is described here and applied to the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite/Microwave Limb Sounder (UARS/MLS) 203-GHz radiance measurements at tangent pressures between 200 and 46 hPa. At these tangent pressures the radiances remain optically thin and cloudy-sky radiances are brighter than normal clear-sky cases. Unlike infrared/visible cloud observations, the 203-GHz radiances can penetrate most ice clouds and are sensitive to ice crystals of convective origin. Rough ice water content (IWC) retrievals are made near the tropopause using estimated size distributions from in situ convective studies. The seasonal mean IWC observed at 100 hPa reaches vapor-equivalent 20 ppmv or more over convective centers, dominating the total water content. Convectively lofted ice, therefore, appears to be hydrologically significant at the tropical cold point. IWC is well correlated spatially with relative humidity with respect to ice (RHi) at 100 hPa during both the dry (January–March) and moist (July–September) periods.
A Radiation Algorithm with Correlated-k Distribution. Part I: Local Thermal Equilibrium
Authors: Li J. , Barker H. W.
Published: March 2005

A new radiation scheme is proposed that uses the correlated-k distribution (CKD) method. The definition of the k-distribution function, the transformation between frequency space and k space, and the upper limit of the absorption coefficient in cumulative probability space (CPS) are discussed. The corresponding relation between each interval in CPS and the heating rate profile provides a method for determining the width of intervals in CPS. Three schemes are discussed for handling the spectral overlap of gases. Method 1 rearranges the appropriate combination of gaseous absorption coefficients when the spectral overlap of two gases is extensive. Method 2 applies to most overlapping gases and addresses the most important aspects of each gas’s spectrum in each interval of CPS. Method 3 applies to weak gases only and seeks to adjust the main absorption coefficients in order that radiative forcing at the surface and the top of the atmosphere is correct. This model is quite efficient because 1) relatively few intervals in CPS are used (up to 1 mb, only 35 intervals for solar radiation, and 46 for infrared); 2) for some intervals with very large absorption coefficients, the radiative transfer process is simplified by ignoring scattering; 3) the water vapor continuum is dealt with efficiently by neglecting its effect in some nonimportant intervals in CPS and at high altitudes; and 4) gaseous overlap methods are simple and effective. Moreover, this model contains a proper treatment of spectral overlap between solar and infrared radiation. For both solar and infrared radiation, heating rate errors are generally less than 0.2 K day−1, and errors in flux at the surface and the top of the atmosphere are generally less than 1 W m−2.
Clarification Regarding Marshall and Yates’s Critique of “Dosage of Treatment to Sexual Offenders: Are We Overprescribing?”
Authors: Abracen Jeffrey , Looman Jan , Mailloux Donna , Serin Ralph , Malcolm Bruce
Published: March 2005

The present article includes a response to recent criticisms leveled against an earlier article titled “Dosage of Treatment to Sexual Offenders: AreWe Overprescribing?” In that article, the authors argued that sexual offenders receiving low-intensity sex offender treatment in the Ontario Region of Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) may be receiving too many sex offender treatment programs. Marshall and Yates have argued that the analysis performed in that study was inappropriate and that, based on their re-analysis, the opposite conclusion may be more accurate. The present article discusses some of the assumptionsmade to Marshall and Yates in their article and presents recidivism data for individuals included in the earlier article. As well, the authors discuss additional information regarding treatment in the Ontario Region of CSC. The present article concludes that the points made in the earlier study were justified.
The Corticospinal System: From Development to Motor Control
Authors: Martin John H.
Published: March 2005

The corticospinal system is the principal motor system for controlling movements that require the greatest skill and flexibility. It is the last motor system to develop. The pattern of termination of corticospinal axons, as they grow into the spinal gray matter, bears little resemblance to the pattern later in development and in maturity. Refinement of corticospinal terminations occurs during a protracted postnatal period and includes both elimination of transient terminations and growth to new targets. This refinement is driven by neural activity in the motor cortical areas and by limb motor experience. Developing corticospinal terminals compete with each other for synaptic space on spinal neurons. More active terminals are more competitive and are able to secure more synaptic space than their less active counterparts. Corticospinal terminals can activate spinal neurons from very early in development. The importance of this early synaptic activity appears to be more for refining corticospinal connections than for transmitting signals to spinal motor circuits for movement control. The motor control functions of the corticospinal system are not expressed until development of connectional specificity with spinal cord neurons, a strong capacity for corticospinal synapses to facilitate spinal motor circuits, and the formation of the cortical motor map.
Kalirin: A Dual Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor That Is So Much More Than the Sum of Its Many Parts
Authors: Rabiner Chana A. , Mains Richard E. , Eipper Betty A.
Published: March 2005

A large number of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and Rho GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) are used in the CNS to activate specific Rho GTPase family members, thereby inducing various signaling mechanisms that regulate neuronal shape, growth, and plasticity, in part through their effects on the actin cytoskeleton. Kalirin is a large neuronal dual Rho GEF that activates Rac1, RhoA, and RhoG via its two Rho GEF domains. This activation, which is spatially and temporally regulated, allows Kalirin to influence neurite initiation, axonal growth, and dendritic morphogenesis. In addition, this alternatively spliced gene generates developmentally regulated transcripts that yield proteins localized to the postsynaptic density (PSD). Kalirin-7, which interacts with PSD-95, is necessary for dendritic spine formation. In addition, Kalirins have the ability to regulate and influence other aspects of neuronal morphogenesis via protein-protein interactions with their other domains, including many spectrins, other protein and lipid interaction domains, and a potential kinase. These interactions have implications not only for neuronal morphogenesis but also for vesicle trafficking, secretion, neuronal maintenance, and neurodegenerative disease.
TRPM7 and Ischemic CNS Injury
Authors: Aarts Michelle M. , Tymianski Michael
Published: March 2005

Ischemic brain damage represents a major source of morbidity and mortality in westernized society and poses a significant financial burden on the health care system. To date, few effective therapies have been realized to treat stroke and once promising avenues such as antiexcitotoxic therapy with NMDA receptor antagonists have not proven clinically useful. Thus, we need to identify new targets for research and therapeutic intervention of the neurodegeneration caused by stroke. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are an exciting new family of cation channels that respond to intracellular and extracellular stimuli. Indeed, several members can be induced by oxidative stress and oxygen free radicals. We have recently demonstrated that one member, TRPM7, is an essential mediator of anoxic neuronal death that is activated by oxidative stress, in parallel to excitotoxic signal pathways. Thus, future treatment of ischemic brain injury may need to include strategies that inhibit or modulate TRPM7 activity. Further investigation of the physiology and pathophysiology of TRPM7 and other TRP family members is needed to provide both pharmacological targets and a better understanding of ischemic brain disorders.
Methodological bias in cluster randomised trials
Authors: Hahn Seokyung , Puffer Suezann , Torgerson David J , Watson Judith
Published: March 2005

Background

Cluster randomised trials can be susceptible to a range of methodological problems. These problems are not commonly recognised by many researchers. In this paper we discuss the issues that can lead to bias in cluster trials.

Methods

We used a sample of cluster randomised trials from a recent review and from a systematic review of hip protectors. We compared the mean age of participants between intervention groups in a sample of 'good' cluster trials with a sample of potentially biased trials. We also compared the effect sizes, in a funnel plot, between hip protector trials that used individual randomisation compared with those that used cluster randomisation.

Results

There is a tendency for cluster trials, with evidence methodological biases, to also show an age imbalance between treatment groups. In a funnel plot we show that all cluster trials show a large positive effect of hip protectors whilst individually randomised trials show a range of positive and negative effects, suggesting that cluster trials may be producing a biased estimate of effect.

Conclusion

Methodological biases in the design and execution of cluster randomised trials is frequent. Some of these biases associated with the use of cluster designs can be avoided through careful attention to the design of cluster trials. Firstly, if possible, individual allocation should be used. Secondly, if cluster allocation is required, then ideally participants should be identified before random allocation of the clusters. Third, if prior identification is not possible, then an independent recruiter should be used to recruit participants.
Prevalence, types and demographic features of child labour among school children in Nigeria
Authors: Fetuga Bolanle M , Njokama Fidelis O , Olowu Adebiyi O
Published: March 2005

Background

To determine the prevalence, types and demographic features of child labour among school children in Nigeria.

Methods

A cross-sectional interview study of 1675 randomly selected public primary and secondary school pupils aged 5 to less than 18 years was conducted in the Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria from October 1998 to September 1999.

Results

The overall prevalence of child labour was 64.5%: 68.6% among primary and 50.3% among secondary school pupils. Major economic activities included street trading (43.6%), selling in kiosks and shops (25.4%) and farming (23.6%). No child was involved in bonded labour or prostitution. Girls were more often involved in labour activities than boys (66.8% versus 62.1%, p = 0.048): this difference was most obvious with street trading (p = 0.0004). Most of the children (82.2%) involved in labour activities did so on the instruction of one or both parents in order to contribute to family income. Children of parents with low socio-economic status or of poorly educated parents were significantly involved in labour activities (p = 0.01 and p = 0.001 respectively). Child labour was also significantly associated with increasing number of children in the family size (p = 0.002). A higher prevalence rate of child labour was observed among children living with parents and relations than among those living with unrelated guardians.

Conclusion

It is concluded that smaller family size, parental education and family economic enhancement would reduce the pressure on parents to engage their children in labour activities.
Discovery of adult T-cell leukemia
Authors: Takatsuki Kiyoshi
Published: March 2005

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) was first reported as a distinct clinical entity in 1977 in Japan. The predominant physical findings are skin lesions, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. The ATL cells are of mature T-helper phenotype and have a characteristic appearance with indented nuclei. There is striking frequent hypercalcemia with increased numbers of osteoclasts. Central to the identification of the disease is a striking geographic clustering in southwestern Japan and the isolation of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) from the cell lines of patients. Worldwide epidemiological studies have been made through international collaborations. Several diseases were found to be related to HTLV-1 infection. Moreover, it was noted that an immunodeficiency state may be induced by HTLV-1 infection. In Japan, HTLV-1 carriers have been estimated to be 1.2 million, and more than 700 cases of ATL have been diagnosed each year.
The 'permeome' of the malaria parasite: an overview of the membrane transport proteins of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Martin Rowena E , Henry Roselani I , Abbey Janice L , Clements John D , Kirk Kiaran
Published: March 2005

Background

The uptake of nutrients, expulsion of metabolic wastes and maintenance of ion homeostasis by the intraerythrocytic malaria parasite is mediated by membrane transport proteins. Proteins of this type are also implicated in the phenomenon of antimalarial drug resistance. However, the initial annotation of the genome of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum identified only a limited number of transporters, and no channels. In this study we have used a combination of bioinformatic approaches to identify and attribute putative functions to transporters and channels encoded by the malaria parasite, as well as comparing expression patterns for a subset of these.

Results

A computer program that searches a genome database on the basis of the hydropathy plots of the corresponding proteins was used to identify more than 100 transport proteins encoded by P. falciparum. These include all the transporters previously annotated as such, as well as a similar number of candidate transport proteins that had escaped detection. Detailed sequence analysis enabled the assignment of putative substrate specificities and/or transport mechanisms to all those putative transport proteins previously without. The newly-identified transport proteins include candidate transporters for a range of organic and inorganic nutrients (including sugars, amino acids, nucleosides and vitamins), and several putative ion channels. The stage-dependent expression of RNAs for 34 candidate transport proteins of particular interest are compared.

Conclusion

The malaria parasite possesses substantially more membrane transport proteins than was originally thought, and the analyses presented here provide a range of novel insights into the physiology of this important human pathogen.
Differences in Helping Whites and Blacks: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Saucier Donald A. , Miller Carol T. , Doucet Nicole
Published: March 2005

The amount of help given to Blacks versus Whites is often assumed to reflect underlying levels of racism (or lack thereof). This meta-analysis assessed discrimination against Blacks in helping studies. The overall effect size for the 48 hypothesis tests did not show universal discrimination against Blacks (d = .03, p = .103). However, consistent with the predictions of aversive racism, discrimination against Blacks was more likely when participants could rationalize decisions not to help with reasons having nothing to do with race. Specifically, when helping was lengthier, riskier, more difficult, more effortful, and when potential helpers were further away from targets, less help was given to Blacks than to Whites. Interestingly, discrimination against Blacks was shown when there were higher levels of emergency. This suggests that discrimination may occur when the ability to control prejudicial responding is inhibited, or when the arousal of the emergency is misattributed to intergroup anxiety.
Individualism: A Valid and Important Dimension of Cultural Differences Between Nations
Authors: Schimmack Ulrich , Oishi Shigehiro , Diener Ed
Published: March 2005

Oyserman, Coon, and Kemmelmeier's (2002) meta-analysis suggested problems in the measurement of individualism and collectivism. Studies using Hofstede's individualism scores show little convergent validity with more recent measures of individualism and collectivism. We propose that the lack of convergent validity is due to national differences in response styles. Whereas Hofstede statistically controlledfor response styles, Oyserman et al.'s meta-analysis relied on uncorrected ratings. Data from an international student survey demonstrated convergent validity between Hofstede's individualism dimension and horizontal individualism when response styles were statistically controlled, whereas uncorrected scores correlated highly with the individualism scores in Oyserman et al.'s meta-analysis. Uncorrected horizontal individualism scores and meta-analytic individualism scores did not correlate significantly with nations' development, whereas corrected horizontal individualism scores and Hofstede's individualism dimension were significantly correlated with development. This pattern of results suggests that individualism is a valid construct for cross-cultural comparisons, but that the measurement of this construct needs improvement.
Social Projection to Ingroups and Outgroups: A Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Robbins Jordan M. , Krueger Joachim I.
Published: March 2005

Social projection is the tendency to expect similarities between oneself and others. A review of the literature and a meta-analhsis reveal that projection is stronger when people make judgments about ingroups than when they make judgments about outgroups. Analysis of moderator variablesjfirther reveals that ingroup projection is stronger for laboratory groups than for real social categories. The mode of analyst's (i.e., nomothetic vs. idiographic) and the order of judgments (i.e., self or group judged first) have no discernable effects. Outgroup projection is positive, but small in size. Together, these findings support the view that projection can serve as an egocentric heuristic for inductive reasoning. The greater strength of ingroup projection can contribute to ingroup-favoritism, perceptions of ingroup homogeneity, and cooperation with ingroup members.
Social Versus Individual Motivation: Implications for Normative Definitions of Religious Orientation
Authors: Cohen Adam B. , Hall Daniel E. , Koenig Harold G. , Meador Keith G.
Published: March 2005

The traditional interpretation of “intrinsic” religiousness has fostered an unchallenged assumption that normative and substantive religious motivation is inherently individual and personal. Social motives for religiousness and structured practices have been characterized as “extrinsic” and as lacking in formative significance. We argue that this view is most applicable in American Protestant religions, and hence existing religious motivation scales reflect a distinctly American Protestant view. We then show that social motives and structured ritual practices are, in fact, as normative as individual motivations in several religious traditions. In particular, we describe the social practices and motives normative for Judaism and certain streams of Christianity. We then discuss the potential relevance of this analysis to emotion, collective identity, and moral judgment.
Male and Female Jealousy, Still More Similar than Different: Reply to Sagarin (2005)
Authors: Harris Christine R.
Published: March 2005

Harris (2003b), reviewing evidence for the Jealousy as a Specific Innate Module (JSIM) theory, concluded that overall there is no support for innate sex differences in jealousy over sexual and emotional infidelity This article responds to Sagarin's challenges (this issue) by showing (a) JSIM proponents have not advocated Sagarin's attenuated version of JSIM; (b) studies using continuous measures do not support the original JSIM (the majorityfind no significant effects, and the effects that exist show varied patterns); (c) Sagarin's JSIM is untestable due to well-known scaling problems; (d) Sagarin's data do not significantly change the conclusions of Harris' review, particularly given 3 new adult studies that do not support JSIM; and (e) studies of real jealousy do not support JSIM.
Diversification of gene function: homologs of the floral regulatorFLO/LFYcontrol the first zygotic cell division in the mossPhyscomitrella patens
Authors: Tanahashi Takako , Sumikawa Naomi , Kato Masahiro , Hasebe Mitsuyasu
Published: March 2005

After fertilization, the zygote undergoes dynamic changes in chromosomal and cytoplasmic organization, and begins the cell cycles that eventually lead to formation of the multicellular embryo. Specific transcription factors that initiate this cascade of events in land plants have not been identified. We have identified two FLO/LFY genes, PpLFY1 and PpLFY2, that regulate the first cell division after formation of the zygote in the moss Physcomitrella patens. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two PpLFY genes are 94.8% identical to each other and show similar expression patterns. While fertilization occurred in the PpLFY disruptants, the development of double disruptant zygotes was arrested at the single-cell stage. When the double disruptants, as the female parent, were crossed with the wild type, as the male parent, normal sporophytes were formed, supporting the notion that the PpLFY genes function after fertilization to regulate the first mitotic cell division in zygotes. The rare sporophytes that formed on the PpLFY double disruptants showed mostly normal organogenesis, but had abnormalities in the pattern of cell division, supporting a role of PpLFY genes in regulating cell division. The FLO/LFY genes in angiosperms are conserved master regulators of floral identity without any obvious effects on cell division. By contrast, our study suggests that FLO/LFY genes have functions throughout sporophyte development in the basal land plant lineages.
Evolution of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Under Selection and Weak Recombination
Authors: Rouzine I M , Coffin J M
Published: March 2005

To predict emergence of drug resistance in patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy, we study accumulation of preexisting beneficial alleles in a haploid population of N genomes. The factors included in the model are selection with the coefficient s and recombination with the small rate per genome r (r ≪ s$\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\sqrt{\overline{\mathit{k}}}\) \end{document}$, where k̅ is the average number of less-fit loci per genome). Mutation events are neglected. To describe evolution at a large number of linked loci, we generalize the analytic method we developed recently for an asexual population. We show that the distribution of genomes over the deleterious allele number moves in time as a “solitary wave” that is quasi-deterministic in the middle (on the average) but has stochastic edges. We arrive at a single-locus expression for the average accumulation rate, in which the effects of linkage, recombination, and random drift are all accounted for by the effective selection coefficient s ln$\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\left(\mathit{Nr}\right)\) \end{document}$/ln$\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\left(\mathit{Ns}^{2}\overline{\mathit{k}}/\mathit{r}\right)\) \end{document}$. At large N, the effective selection coefficient approaches the single-locus value s. Below the critical size Nc ∼ 1/r, a population eventually becomes a clone, recombination cannot produce new sequences, and virus evolution stops. Taking into account finite mutation rate predicts a small, finite rate of evolution at N < Nc. We verify the accuracy of the results analytically and by Monte Carlo simulation. On the basis of our findings, we predict that partial depletion of the HIV population by combined anti-retroviral therapy can suppress emergence of drug-resistant strains.
Differential Activation of M26-Containing Meiotic Recombination Hot Spots in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Pryce David W , Lorenz Alexander , Smirnova Julia B , Loidl Josef , McFarlane Ramsay J
Published: March 2005

Certain genomic loci, termed hot spots, are predisposed to undergo genetic recombination during meiosis at higher levels relative to the rest of the genome. The factors that specify hot-spot potential are not well understood. The M26 hot spot of Schizosaccharomyces pombe is dependent on certain trans activators and a specific nucleotide sequence, which can function as a hot spot in a position- and orientation-independent fashion within ade6. In this report we demonstrate that a linear element (LE) component, Rec10, has a function that is required for activation of some, but not all, M26-containing hot spots and from this we propose that, with respect to hot-spot activity, there are three classes of M26-containing sequences. We demonstrate that the localized sequence context in which the M26 heptamer is embedded is a major factor governing whether or not this Rec10 function is required for full hot-spot activation. Furthermore, we show that the rec10-144 mutant, which is defective in full activation of ade6-M26, but proficient for activation of other M26-containing hot spots, is also defective in the formation of LEs, suggesting an intimate link between higher-order chromatin structure and local influences on hot-spot activation.
Lineage-Specific Loss of Function of Bitter Taste Receptor Genes in Humans and Nonhuman PrimatesSequence data from this article have been deposited with the EMBL/GenBank Data Libraries under accession nos. AB198983, AB199308.
Authors: Go Yasuhiro , Satta Yoko , Takenaka Osamu , Takahata Naoyuki
Published: March 2005

Since the process of becoming dead genes or pseudogenes (pseudogenization) is irreversible and can occur rather rapidly under certain environmental circumstances, it is one plausible determinant for characterizing species specificity. To test this evolutionary hypothesis, we analyzed the tempo and mode of duplication and pseudogenization of bitter taste receptor (T2R) genes in humans as well as in 12 nonhuman primates. The results show that primates have accumulated more pseudogenes than mice after their separation from the common ancestor and that lineage-specific pseudogenization becomes more conspicuous in humans than in nonhuman primates. Although positive selection has operated on some amino acids in extracellular domains, functional constraints against T2R genes are more relaxed in primates than in mice and this trend has culminated in the rapid deterioration of the bitter-tasting capability in humans. Since T2R molecules play an important role in avoiding generally bitter toxic and harmful substances, substantial modification of the T2R gene repertoire is likely to reflect different responses to changes in the environment and to result from species-specific food preference during primate evolution.
Revisiting Purine-Histidine Cross-Pathway Regulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Rébora Karine , Laloo Benoît , Daignan-Fornier Bertrand
Published: March 2005

Because some metabolic intermediates are involved in more than one pathway, crosstalk between pathways is crucial to maintaining homeostasis. AMP and histidine biosynthesis pathways are coregulated at the transcriptional level in response to adenine availability. 5′-Phosphoribosyl-4-carboxamide-5-aminoimidazole (AICAR), a metabolic intermediate at the crossroads between these two pathways, is shown here to be critical for activation of the transcriptional response in the absence of adenine. In this study, we show that both AMP and histidine pathways significantly contribute to AICAR synthesis. Furthermore, we show that upregulation of the histidine pathway clearly interferes with regulation of the AMP pathway, thus providing an explanation for the regulatory crosstalk between these pathways. Finally, we revisit the histidine auxotrophy of ade3 or ade16 ade17 mutants. Interestingly, overexpression of PMU1, encoding a potential phosphomutase, partially suppresses the histidine requirement of an ade3 ade16 ade17 triple mutant, most probably by reducing the level of AICAR in this mutant. Together our data clearly establish that AICAR is not just a metabolic intermediate but also acts as a true regulatory molecule.
Safety and Efficacy of Midline vs Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Among Adults Receiving IV Therapy
Authors: Thomsen Simon L. , Boa Rikke , Vinter-Jensen Lars , Rasmussen Bodil S.
Published: February 2024

Importance

Midline catheters (MCs) are widely used, but safety and efficacy compared with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has not been adequately evaluated.

Objective

To compare the safety and efficacy of MCs with PICCs among adult patients with an anticipated intravenous therapy lasting from 5 to 28 days.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This parallel, 2-group, open-label, randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted in Denmark from October 2018 to February 2022 at a single academic tertiary care center. Adult inpatients and outpatients were consecutively randomized.

Intervention

Patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either the MC group or the PICC control group.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI), analyzed using the Fisher exact test. Secondary outcomes were symptomatic catheter-related thrombosis and catheter failure, including mechanical cause, phlebitis, infiltration, pain in relation to drug or fluid administration, and leaking from the puncture site. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated to assess between-group failure rates over device dwell time using Poisson regression. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed.

Results

A total of 304 patients (mean [SD] age, 64.6 [13.5] years; 130 [42.8%] female) were included in the analysis, and 152 patients were allocated to each catheter group. The incidence of CRBSI was low, with 0 in the MC group and 1 in the PICC control group (P > .99). The MC group had a higher catheter-related complication rate (20 [13.2%] vs 11 [7.2%]), and an IRR of 2.37 (95% CI, 1.12-5.02; P = .02) for complications compared with the PICC control group. In a post hoc analysis stratified by catheter dwell time, no significant difference in complication rate (IRR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.50-2.68; P = .73) was found between the 2 groups for catheters used less than 16 days.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this RCT with patients who received medium- to long-term intravenous therapy, the incidence of CRBSI was low, with no difference between MCs and PICCs. The use of MCs resulted in a higher incidence of catheter-related complications compared with use of PICCs. This finding should be balanced in the decision of type of catheter used at the individual patient level.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04140916
In Situ Study on Fracture Behavior of Thick‐Section Friction Stir‐Welded AA 5083 Alloy
Authors: Sarvesha R. , Garcia David , Dolmetsch Tyler , Wang Tianhao , Eberheim Richard , Champagne Victor K. , Ross Kenneth , Agarwal Arvind
Published: February 2024

Friction stir welding (FSW) produces a gradient microstructure with distinct metallurgical zones. The present study focuses on characterizing the fracture behavior during uniaxial loading across thick‐section FSW joint in nonheat‐treatable 5083 aluminum alloy. The hardness variation is linked to microstructural features across the weld zones through correlative microscopy. Notably, the heat‐affected zone (HAZ) exhibits a lower hardness of 75 HV, while the thermomechanically affected zone (TMAZ) and stir zones (SZ) display a hardness of around 79HV. A marginal difference in hardness in HAZ prompts strain localization in HAZ on the advancing side of the weld, resulting in offset in fracture from the SZ, which is captured through in situ monitoring of the tensile test. Further, the postdeformation analysis reveals crack propagation along the maximum shear stress plane due to the coalescence of microvoids resulting from the fracturing and debonding of second‐phase particles. Overall, this study provides valuable insight for optimizing the FSW process of AA 5083 alloy for thick‐section applications.
Directional, Silanized Plant‐Based Sponge for Oil Collection
Authors: Kim Jongbeom , Deng Jingyu , Cho Nam‐Joon , Han Seung Min
Published: February 2024

Porous materials are commonly employed to combat marine pollution by absorbing oil. However, the release of microplastics or nanoparticles from their synthetic components further exacerbates environmental concerns. In this study, a sustainable and reusable pollen sponge derived from eco‐friendly pollen grains and fabricated using a directional freeze‐drying method is introduced for the first time. These grains undergo a defatting process followed by a controlled hydrolysis process, transforming them into a pollen microgel made of sporopollenin, the primary constituent of a pollen grain's outer layer. The directional freeze‐drying technique is used to fabricate porous structures with controlled orientation using the pollen microgel. The application of a chemical vapor deposition with dodecyltrimethoxysilane (DDTS) grants sponge hydrophobic properties, making it ideal for selective oil absorption. This modified pollen sponge boasts superior absorption capacities (15–59 times its weight) compared to most natural sponges. Additionally, its excellent durability and ability to recover up to 65% of deformation even after 60% strain compression are remarkable with the silanization process tripling the recoverability of pollen sponges. Remarkably, the silanized directional pollen sponge (SDPS) retains this resilience after 100 compression cycles. Therefore, the SDPS emerges as an eco‐conscious solution for repeated and selective oil absorption tasks.
Accelerating Discovery of Polyimides with Intrinsic Microporosity for Membrane‐Based Gas Separation: Synergizing Physics‐Informed Performance Metrics and Active Learning
Authors: Wang Mao , Jiang Jianwen
Published: February 2024

Polymer membranes are widely used for gas separation, addressing critical environmental and energy issues. Nevertheless, crafting high‐performance polymer membranes remains a challenging task, often relies on labor‐intensive trial‐and‐error experiments. Different from the traditional Edisonian approach, machine learning offers significant potential to expedite the design of new polymer membranes for gas separation, yet it faces a substantial hurdle due to limited data availability. To overcome this challenge, in this study two physics‐informed performance metrics are introduced, namely fractional free volume and average void size, to assess the separation performance of polymer membranes. By employing active learning and multi‐target screening, top‐performing polyimides with intrinsic microporosity are efficiently discovered from a pool of 155 610 candidates, through calculations of only 709 (0.45%) in the entire search space. As validated by molecular simulations, the top‐performing polyimides exhibit exceptional separation performance for CO2/N2, CO2/CH4, and O2/N2 mixtures, superior to existing polymers and surpassing the current upper bound. The utilization of physics‐informed performance metrics provides a novel strategy to advance the design and accelerate the discovery of new polymer membranes for gas separation and many other important applications.
Electrolytes Design for Extending the Temperature Adaptability of Lithium‐Ion Batteries: from Fundamentals to Strategies
Authors: Wan Shuang , Ma Weiting , Wang Yutong , Xiao Ying , Chen Shimou
Published: February 2024

With the continuously growing demand for wide‐range applications, lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are increasingly required to work under conditions that deviate from room temperature (RT). However, commercial electrolytes exhibit low thermal stability at high temperatures (HT) and poor dynamic properties at low temperatures (LT), hindering the operation of LIBs under extreme conditions. The bottleneck restricting the practical applications of LIBs has promoted researchers to pay more attention to developing a series of innovative electrolytes. This review primarily covers the design of electrolytes for LIBs from a temperature adaptability perspective. First, the fundamentals of electrolytes concerning temperature, including donor number (DN), dielectric constant, viscosity, conductivity, ionic transport, and theoretical calculations are elaborated. Second, prototypical examples, such as lithium salts, solvent structures, additives, and interfacial layers in both liquid and solid electrolytes, are presented to explain how these factors can affect the electrochemical behavior of LIBs at high or low temperatures. Meanwhile, the principles and limitations of electrolyte design are discussed under the corresponding temperature conditions. Finally, a summary and outlook regarding electrolytes design to extend the temperature adaptability of LIBs are proposed.
Backside Coating for Stable Zn Anode with High Utilization Rate
Authors: Yang Nute , Gao Yong , Bu Fan , Cao Qinghe , Yang Jiayu , Cui Jiaojiao , Wang Yuxuan , Chen Jipeng , Liu Xiangye , Guan Cao
Published: February 2024

Stable Zn anodes with high utilization rate are urgently required to promote the specific and volumetric energy densities of Zn‐ion batteries for practical applications. Herein, contrary to the widely utilized surface coating on Zn anodes, this work shows that a zinc foil with a backside coated layer delivers much enhanced cycling stability even under high depth of discharge. The backside coating significantly reduces stress concentration, accelerates heat diffusion, and facilitates electron transfer, thus effectively preventing dendrite growth and structural damage at high Zn utilization. As a result, the developed anode can be stably cycled for 334 h at 85.5% Zn utilization, which outperforms bare Zn and previously reported results on surface‐coated Zn foils. An NVO‐based full cell also shows stable performance with high Zn utilization rate (69.4%), low negative‐positive electrodes ratio (1.44), and high specific/volumetric energy densities (155.8 Wh kg−1/178 Wh L−1), which accelerates the progress toward practical zinc‐ion batteries.
Epitaxial Growth of MgGa2O4/CsPbBr3 Heterostructure with Controlled Defect Tolerance for Dynamic Photoluminescence
Authors: Liu Peng , Yi Zishuo , Li Bohan , Xia Zhiguo , Xu Yan
Published: February 2024

Epitaxial growth of halide perovskite heterostructures endows unique electronic structures for diversified luminescent properties. Herein, an epitaxial growth strategy is proposed to assemble MgGa2O4/CsPbBr3 heterostructure with dynamic photoluminescence. Interface defect passivation during integration transforms interstitial and antisite interface defects of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals to shallow states, enhancing photoluminescence stability of the heterostructure against irradiation, solvents, and heat as well. Finally, the as‐constructed heterostructure shows a reversible dynamic photoluminescence from green to blue under 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, which is attributed to the electron injection from shallow defects to the emission centers in MgGa2O4 and CsPbBr3 with different radiative recombination rates. Encryption applying binary encoding method based on MgGa2O4/CsPbBr3 and dynamic anti‐counterfeiting feature of its polymer hybrid film are further investigated.
Position and Number Do Matter: Tuning Room Temperature Phosphorescence in Bromo‐1,8‐Naphthalimides through H‐Aggregation and Halogen Bonding
Authors: Chatterjee Oendrila , Biswas Suprakash , Pramanik Anup , Silswal Akshay , Paliwal Bharti , Koner Apurba Lal
Published: February 2024

Development of purely organic room temperature phosphors can often be obtained via introduction of heavy atoms into the organic scaffold. However, the task of controlling emission properties in room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) crystals via heavy atom substitution has met limited success. Herein, two classes of molecules (NIpBr1‐2 and NImBr1‐2) are designed by varying position (para and meta) as well as number of bromo substituents in 1,8‐naphthalimide to modulate intermolecular interactions and their phosphorescence properties. NIpBr2 features only halogen bonding. NIpBr, NImBr, and NImBr2 feature H‐aggregation in their crystalline packing wherein the efficiency of H‐aggregation increases as NIpBr < NImBr < NImBr2. NImBr2 also features halogen bonding in addition to H‐aggregation. Relative phosphorescence intensity, phosphorescence lifetime and quantum yield increase in the order NIpBr2 < NIpBr < NImBr < NImBr2, endorsing cruciality of bromine atom positioning and numbering in tuning the RTP performance. Amplification of phosphorescence in meta derivatives over the para congeners leads to tunable emission color of the crystals from blue to orange. These results outline a predictive structure‐property relationship wherein judicious choice of both position and number of bromine substitution can help in regulating emission behavior, providing a major step forward in expanding the fundamentals of organic RTP.
Household resilience and coping strategies to food insecurity: An empirical analysis from Tajikistan
Authors: Egamberdiev Bekhzod , Bobojonov Ihtiyor , Kuhn Lena , Glauben Thomas , Akramov Kamiljon
Published: February 2024

By applying Resilience Index Measurement Analysis to data from Tajikistan, this paper measures food insecurity resilience capacity. Another objective of this paper is to construct and integrate coping strategies into resilience discussions. The final objective is to analyze the role of resilience capacity and coping strategy in food security with an Instrumental Variable approach. Our results generally confirm that resilience and coping strategies increase food security, determined by food expenditure, household adequacy of fruit and vegetable consumption, and household food expenditure share. Moreover, resilience capacity has a moderating role in mitigating negative impacts of shocks on food security.
Real‐world experience of pegcetacoplan in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
Authors: Griffin Morag , Kelly Richard , Brindel Isabelle , Maafa Lynda , Trikha Roochi , Muus Petra , Munir Talha , Varghese Abraham Mullasseril , Mitchell Lindsay , Nagumantry Sateesh , Gandhi Shreyans , Pike Alex , Kulasekararaj Austin G. , Peffault de Latour Regis
Published: February 2024

Pegcetacoplan significantly improves outcomes for patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) experiencing extravascular hemolysis (EVH) on eculizumab, leading to approval in 2021/2022 (USA/Europe). We report the first collaborative real‐world evidence on pegcetacoplan use in UK and France. A total of 48 patients were either currently receiving or previously received pegcetacoplan (2019–2023). A total of 12 patients had participated in the PEGASUS clinical trial, continuing treatment after trial completion. Five patients were on combination treatment of C5 inhibition and pegcetacoplan. Mean pegcetacoplan duration was 20.2 months. Indication for pegcetacoplan was EVH on C5 inhibitors (Eculizumab, n = 29, Ravulizumab n = 16, others n = 3) with 35/48 patients requiring blood transfusion within the previous 12 months. Mean hemoglobin and reticulocyte count at pegcetacoplan commencement and after 3 months: 91 g/L and 205 × 109/L and 115.8 g/L and 107 × 109/L, respectively, resulting in mean Hb change of 22.3 g/L. Mean LDH pre‐ and post‐pegcetacoplan was unchanged. Six patients have stopped pegcetacoplan. A total of 32 breakthrough hemolysis (BTH) events occurred in 13/48 patients. A total of 14 events were within clinical trials (reported separately). Six patients experienced 18 acute BTH events outside clinical trials, 7/18 associated with complement activating conditions. Successful clinical management included daily pegcetacoplan subcutaneously for 3 days or single eculizumab doses; these events are manageable with prompt intervention. Pegcetacoplan is effective for patients with PNH experiencing EVH. In this large patient cohort, treatment was well tolerated with improved hemoglobin and reticulocytes and maintained LDH control. Although BTH occurs, this is manageable by acute dose modification, with the majority of patients being maintained on pegcetacoplan.