cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccination Among Older Adults Across Kidney Function: Pooled Analysis of 2005-2006 Through 2014-2015 Influenza Seasons.

Rationale & Objective Influenza vaccination is recommended for all adults but particularly for older adults and those with high-risk conditions. Reduced kidney function is an important high-risk condition, but the effectiveness of influenza vaccination across kidney function is uncharacterized. We assessed the effectiveness of influenza vaccination among older adults with and without reduced kidney function. Study Design Observational cohort study. Setting & Participants 454,634 person-seasons among 110,968 individuals 65 years or older in the Geisinger Health System between the 2005 and 2015 influenza seasons, with baseline characteristics matched between those with and without vaccination using inverse probability weighting. Exposures Status of influenza vaccination. Outcomes Incident hospitalization with pneumonia/influenza, coronary heart disease, and heart failure during influenza season stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; ≥ 60, 30-59, and Analytical Approach Pooled logistic regression analysis to estimate adjusted ORs. Results In the 2014-2015 influenza season, the prevalence of influenza vaccination was 63.3% without evident difference across eGFR categories. The incidence of hospitalization was higher in lower eGFRs (eg, 2.2% per person-season among those not vaccinated with eGFR Limitations Possible unmeasured confounding. Conclusions Influenza vaccination was associated with lower risk for hospitalizations with pneumonia/influenza and major cardiac diseases in eGFR ≥ 30mL/min/1.73m2. Studies are needed to explore optimal vaccination strategies for eGFR
Helping Students Create Their Own Books the Dialogic Way

This article explores one technique that is consistent with the student-centered paradigm in language education: student-generated books. First, benefits of student-generated are dis-cussed. Then, the article explores the crucial area of maintaining student ownership of their own books. The next topic explained in the article is why dialog is important as the students are developing their books. Finally, it is suggested that book creation works for students of all ages and levels, with examples given of students at the early childhood level and of second language students at university level.
Capture and Detection of Plasmodium vivax Lactate Dehydrogenase in a Bead-Based Multiplex Immunoassay

Laboratory detection of malaria antigens has proved valuable for research and epidemiological purposes. We recently developed a bead-based multiplex antigen assay for pan-Plasmodium and Plasmodium falciparum targets. Here, we report integration of a Plasmodium vivax-specific target to this multiplex panel: P. vivax lactate dehydrogenase (PvLDH). Within the multiplex panel, assay signal for purified PvLDH antigen titrated into the single-digit picogram range. Against a panel of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed samples from acute P. vivax infections (n = 36), sensitivity was 91.7% in using PvLDH detection for identifying the presence of parasites. Specificity against a panel of persons with no Plasmodium infection (n = 44) was 100%, and specificity against a panel of PCR-confirmed P. falciparum, Plasmodium malariae, or Plasmodium ovale infections (n = 164) was 90.2%. Addition of this PvLDH capture and detection system into the multiplex antigen panel will now allow for sensitive screening for species identification of both P. falciparum and P. vivax in the laboratory.
A $P_{k+2}$ polynomial lifting operator on polygons and polyhedrons.

A $P_{k+2}$ polynomial lifting operator is defined on polygons and polyhedrons. It lifts discontinuous polynomials inside the polygon/polyhedron and on the faces to a one-piece $P_{k+2}$ polynomial. With this lifting operator, we prove that the weak Galerkin finite element solution, after this lifting, converges at two orders higher than the optimal order, in both $L^2$ and $H^1$ norms. The theory is confirmed by numerical solutions of 2D and 3D Poisson equations.
ApoB SURFs a Ride from the ER to the Golgi.

Chylomicrons and very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) are large, complex cargos that may require specific chaperones for efficient transport from the ER to Golgi. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Wang et al. (2020) identify SURF4, in coordination with SAR1B, as an essential player in COPII transport of VLDLs from ER to Golgi, suggesting that SURF4 may be a target for approaches aimed at reducing secretion of triglyceride-rich, atherogenic lipoproteins from the liver.
Suicide Completion Among Incarcerated Women.

Little is known about factors that contribute to suicide completion among women who are incarcerated. The current study used data from the National Violent Death Reporting System to examine contrib...
Design of Financial Systems: Towards a Syntheses of Function and Structure

This paper proposes a functional approach to designing and managing the financial systems of countries, regions, firms, households, and other entities. It is a synthesis of the neoclassical, neo-institutional, and behavioral perspectives. Neoclassical theory is an ideal driver to link science and global practice in finance because its prescriptions are robust across time and geopolitical borders. By itself, however, neoclassical theory provides little prescription or prediction of the institutional structure of financial systems - that is, the specific kinds of financial intermediaries, markets, and regulatory bodies that will or should evolve in response to underlying changes in technology, politics, demographics, and cultural norms. The neoclassical model therefore offers important, but incomplete, guidance to decision makers seeking to understand and manage the process of institutional change. In accomplishing this task, the neo-institutional and behavioral perspectives can be very useful. In this proposed synthesis of the three approaches, functional and structural finance (FSF), institutional structure is endogenous. When particular transaction costs or behavioral patterns produce large departures from the predictions of the ideal frictionless neoclassical equilibrium for a given institutional structure, new institutions tend to develop that partially offset the resulting inefficiencies. In the longer run, after institutional structures have had time to fully develop, the predictions of the neoclassical model will be approximately valid for asset prices and resource allocations. Through a series of examples, the paper sets out the reasoning behind the FSF synthesis and illustrates its application.
High Resolution Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Vibrationally Excited OHˉ

The effect of vibrational pre-excitation of anions on their photoelectron spectra is explored, combining slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging of cryogenically cooled anions (cryo-SEVI) with tunable IR radiation to pre-excite the anions. This new IR cryo-SEVI method is applied to OHˉ as a test system, where the R(0) transition of the hydroxyl anion (3591.53 cm-1) is pumped. Vibrational excitation induces a 30% depletion in photodetachment signal from the v = 0, J = 0 ground state of the anion and the appearance of all five allowed photodetachment transitions from the v = 1, J = 1 rovibrational level, each with peak widths between 1-2 cm-1. By scanning the IR laser, IR cryo-SEVI can also serve as a novel action technique to obtain the vibrational spectrum of OHˉ, giving an experimental value for the R(0) transition of 3591(1.2) cm-1.
Disparities in Access to Radiation Oncology Facilities Among American Indian/Alaska Natives and Hispanics in Metro and Non-Metro Washington State

Purpose/Objective(s) Racial and ethnic minorities in Washington State (WA) experience higher cancer mortality relative to whites. We sought to characterize differences in travel distance as a marker for access to radiation therapy (RT) facilities in WA and one possible contributing factor to cancer disparities. Materials/Methods Geocoded mortality data from the WA Department of Health (2011-2018) were used to identify decedents with mortality related to all causes, all cancers, and cancers likely requiring access to RT (defined as estimated RT usage rate > 50% by anatomical subsite corresponding to ICD-9 or 10 code). Race was defined per US Office of Management and Budget 1997 standard and ethnicity as Hispanic or non-Hispanic. RT facility locations were identified from the Directory of Radiotherapy Centers and validated by internet search or phone calls. Road network distance from decedent's residence to nearest RT facility was calculated on a geographic information platform. Generalized mixed models were used for statistical analysis. Results We identified 109,134 cancer-related deaths of which 60,973 likely required RT. Among decedents with cancers likely requiring RT, non-Hispanic (NH) American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) decedents would have had to travel 1.16 times (95% CI 1.09-1.24) farther to reach the nearest treatment facility compared to NH whites. This association existed in metro counties but was more pronounced in non-metro and rural counties, where NH AI/ANs would have had to travel 1.39 times farther compared to NH whites (95% CI 1.22 – 1.58). This translated to an average of 83 miles (SD = 22) for NH AI/AN in rural areas to travel to RT centers whereas NH Whites in rural areas would have had to travel on average 59 miles (SD = 28). Hispanics would have had to travel 1.11 times farther to reach the nearest facility compared to NH whites (95% CI 1.06 – 1.16), primarily due to differences in urban areas. NH African American, NH Asian, and NH Native Hawaiian decedents lived closer to RT facilities compared to the NH white decedents. Based on our findings, we estimated that expanding the federal “safe harbor” restrictions on health systems providing transportation from 50 to 75 miles could open up needed services for 96% of rural NH AI/ANs. Conclusion NH AI/ANs and rural decedents experience stark disparities in access to RT facilities in WA state. The findings call for creative initiatives to improve access to critical cancer treatment services to combat racial, ethnic and rural disparities in cancer deaths. In depth analysis of local barriers to access for minority communities is necessary to devising practical solutions such as advocating for policy change for “safe harbor” restrictions.
Chapter 5 Experimental Procedures for Measuring Cell Population Kinetic Parameters in Plant Root Meristems1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the determination of mitotic or cell-cycle parameters with emphasis on cell-population kinetics of plant-root meristems. Application of information and experimental approach to other systems, plant or animal that possess kinetics and cell population characteristics similar to that of a meristem are certainly feasible. The primary root meristem represents an asynchronous population of dividing cells that is evenly distributed throughout the mitotic cycle. The mitotic cycle and its interphase periods form a common reference point for many studies other than cell proliferation. Among these are studies on chromosome replication, chromosome aberrations, and radiosensitivity. Also, it is apparent that this common reference point will provide the conceptual and experimental framework for future work on cell multiplication. A meristem is composed of at least two large cell populations and perhaps many smaller subpopulations. The diagram presented in the chapter considers the two largest categories or populations-meristematic or proliferative and nonproliferative. In pea root meristems and in a few other species the mitotic cycle duration can be accurately measured with the use of colchicine.
Biodiversity co-benefits of reducing emissions from deforestation under alternative reference levels and levels of finance

The extent to which an international mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) can also provide biodiversity co-benefits will depend on whether the mechanism results in the retention of forest in countries harboring substantial biodiversity. Countries’ decisions whether or not to participate in REDD+ will be influenced by their national reference level of emissions from deforestation, below which their verified emissions can be credited as reductions. In this article, we explore the reduction in extinctions of forest species achieved under four alternative national reference level designs and three alternative levels of finance for REDD+. We use an 85-country partial equilibrium model and species-area relationships to estimate extinction rates for 2,472 nationally endemic forest-dependent amphibian, bird and mammal species if a REDD+ mechanism had been in place during 2005–2010. Our results indicate that elements of REDD+ that are most effective for climate change mitigation—greater finance combined with reference levels which reduce leakage by promoting broad participation across countries with both high and low historical deforestation rates—also offer the greatest benefits for biodiversity conservation.
Un cordón de vida para la región andina

Temas trascendentes de este numero son Historia del Nuevo Periodismo, Derecho Social a la informacion y La television: Teleopio del pueblo. Se agregan otros como la investigacion en el trabajo popular, LA mujer rural , El audiovisual en el Ecuador y Cambios en la comunicacion a raiz del NOMIC.
Sluggish Movement and Repugnant Odor Are Positively Interacting Insect Defensive Traits in Encounters with Frogs

Sluggish movement is common in chemically defended insects. We have recently shown that sluggish movement can be beneficial to prey when it fails to release the attack response of an ambush (=motion-oriented) predator. Here, we test the hypothesis that sluggish movement and chemical defense (i.e., repugnant odor) together are more defensive than either alone. We manipulated the movement and odor of lubber grasshoppers to produce four prey types: (1) sluggish-moving and high odor, (2) sluggish-moving and low odor, (3) fast-moving and high odor, and (4) fast-moving and low odor. We then offered these prey to frogs. In two independent experiments, frogs attacked prey type 1 (i.e., sluggish-moving and high-odor prey) significantly later than they attacked the other prey types. Hence, the defenses of sluggish movement and repugnant odor can act together to produce a prey that is better defended than prey with either defense alone. This may help explain why these two traits commonly cooccur in insects.
Global Environmental Change: Implications for Acid Deposition Research

Abstract Global environmental change has implications for acid deposition research. Many of the complex processes underlying acidification are also influenced by climate change and land use. It will be very difficult to attribute any perturbation in the ecosystem to any specific factor, i.e acid deposition, climate change or land use. The following paper attempts to summarise the impact and interactions between climate change, land use and acidification processes and suggests key areas for research.
Aerodynamics of a Slender Cone with Asymmetric Nose Bluntness at Mach 14

T effect of nose shape asymmetries on the aerodynamics of a 10° cone (d= 5 in) was studied in ARL's 20-in.-hypersonic wind tunnel (M^ = 14.2, pt = 1500 psi, Tt = 2000°R, Re^d = 2.3 x 10, TJTt = 0.3, y = 1.4). Surface pressures were measured at various angles of attack and sideslip. Schlieren pictures were taken with a special nose model at several roll attitudes. Stability derivatives were measured by the free oscillation technique at the reduced frequency cod/IV^ « 0.003. The results are summarized and some conclusions relating to flight dynamics are drawn. Figure 1 shows a sketch of model A and the pressure distribution over the afterbody. The asymmetry of the nose tip is the result of a planar cut 40° off the x-z plane. The projected frontal area of the cut is approximately ^% of the base area. The schlieren picture on the left-hand side of Fig. 2 shows the shock contour in the x-y plane near the nose of model A. The plot below is a cross section of model and shock at the axial station l/L = 0.2. In the neighborhood of $ = 270°, the observed shock nearly coincides with the sharp cone shock, as given by the expression
Operon fusion of the phase variation switch. A virulence factor in Escherichia coli.

A derivative strain of a K-12 isolate ofEscherichia coli was selected utilizing the operon fusion technique ofCasadaban. This derivative strain (VL 361) was characterized by its ability to synthesize the enzyme β-galactosidase — the gene product of the insertedlacZ gene — as if it were type 1 fimbriae. Enzyme production was found to behave according to the properties of phase variation, thus mimicking the phase variation seen with type 1 fimbriae. The oscillation between the on-and-off synthesis of enzyme was found to be random, and was not influenced by such environmental factors as temperature, glucose or cyclic AMP. Thus the selection in various media of either fimbriate or non-fimbriate states is probably not genetic in nature, but rather the outgrowth of one type of phase over another.
The South African Hypertension Guideline 2006 is evidence-based but not cost-effective.

Extracted from text ... November 2006, Vol. 96, No. 11 SAMJ SAMJ FORUM Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally1 and the second leading cause of death in South Africa.2 Further, resources devoted to CVD in South Africa are scarce. South Africa devoted approximately R120 per capita on CVD care in 1991.3 This value is one-fiftieth of that spent on CVD in developed countries.4, 5 Given the burden of CVD and the limited health resources devoted to it, cost-effective guidelines to minimise CVD deaths and morbidity are essential to the health and economic well-being of South Africans. The recently published South ..
A synthetic lethal screen identifies SLK1, a novel protein kinase homolog implicated in yeast cell morphogenesis and cell growth.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SPA2 protein localizes at sites involved in polarized cell growth in budding cells and mating cells. spa2 mutants have defects in projection formation during mating but are healthy during vegetative growth. A synthetic lethal screen was devised to identify mutants that require the SPA2 gene for vegetative growth. One mutant, called slk-1 (for synthetic lethal kinase), has been characterized extensively. The SLK1 gene has been cloned, and sequence analysis predicts that the SLK1 protein is 1,478 amino acid residues in length. Approximately 300 amino acids at the carboxy terminus exhibit sequence similarity with the catalytic domains of protein kinases. Disruption mutations have been constructed in the SLK1 gene. slk1 null mutants cannot grow at 37 degrees C, but many cells can grow at 30, 24, and 17 degrees C. Dead slk1 mutant cells usually have aberrant cell morphologies, and many cells are very small, approximately one-half the diameter of wild-type cells. Surviving slk1 cells also exhibit morphogenic defects; these cells are impaired in their ability to form projections upon exposure to mating pheromones. During vegetative growth, a higher fraction of slk1 cells are unbudded compared with wild-type cells, and under nutrient limiting conditions, slk1 cells exhibit defects in cell cycle arrest. The different slk1 mutant defects are partially rescued by an extra copy of the SSD1/SRK1 gene. SSD1/SRK1 has been independently isolated as a suppressor of mutations in genes involved in growth control, sit4, pde2, bcy1, and ins1 (A. Sutton, D. Immanuel, and K.T. Arnat, Mol. Cell. Biol. 11:2133-2148, 1991; R.B. Wilson, A.A. Brenner, T.B. White, M.J. Engler, J.P. Gaughran, and K. Tatchell, Mol. Cell. Biol. 11:3369-3373, 1991). These data suggest that SLK1 plays a role in both cell morphogenesis and the control of cell growth. We speculate that SLK1 may be a regulatory link for these two cellular processes.
Aqueous computing: writing on molecules

Molecular computing is viewed here as a process of writing on molecules while they are dissolved in water. When DNA molecules are employed, they are used only in double stranded form and only as data registers. All computations are initialized with the same single molecular variety. Current progress toward laboratory prototyping of computations is reported.
A microcomputer program for calculating cell population doubling time in vitro and in vivo

Determination of the doubling time for a population of cells can involve tedious calculations. We have developed computer software for MS-DOS microcomputers to expedite the analysis of tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. This program, DOUBLE-TIME, assists in the collection of cell numbers into a database and calculates the doubling time for a population of cells from the plot of cell growth over time. For experiments where tumor mass is measured in vivo, the software collects measurements of tumor size, calculates tumor volume (mass), generates growth curves for tumor volume change over time, and determines the doubling time of the tumor and the mean for multiple tumors. DOUBLE-TIME plots both total and viable cell numbers over time, calculates standard error of the doubling time, and the doubling time for a selected portion of a growth curve. This software also automates the cell counting process with a software-generated cell counter that allows cell counts to be tallied directly into the computer via a mouse.
Nonrandom community assembly and high temporal turnover promote regional coexistence in tropics but not temperate zone

A persistent challenge for ecologists is understanding the ecological mechanisms that maintain global patterns of biodiversity, particularly the latitudinal diversity gradient of peak species richness in the tropics. Spatial and temporal variation in community composition contribute to these patterns of biodiversity, but how this variation and its underlying processes change across latitude remains unresolved. Using a model system of sessile marine invertebrates across 25 degrees of latitude, from the temperate zone to the tropics, we tested the prediction that spatial and temporal patterns of taxonomic richness and composition, and the community assembly processes underlying these patterns, will differ across latitude. Specifically, we predicted that high beta diversity (spatial variation in composition) and high temporal turnover contribute to the high species richness of the tropics. Using a standardized experimental approach that controls for several confounding factors that hinder interpretation of prior studies, we present results that support our predictions. In the temperate zone, communities were more similar across spatial scales from centimeters to tens of kilometers and temporal scales up to one year than at lower latitudes. Since the patterns at northern latitudes were congruent with a null model, stochastic assembly processes are implicated. In contrast, the communities in the tropics were a dynamic spatial and temporal mosaic, with low similarity even across small spatial scales and high temporal turnover at both local and regional scales. Unlike the temperate zone, deterministic community assembly processes such as predation likely contributed to the high beta diversity in the tropics. Our results suggest that community assembly processes and temporal dynamics vary across latitude and help structure and maintain latitudinal patterns of diversity.
Spatial and temporal variability in Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer–derived surface albedo over global arid regions

[1] We derive spectral and broadband surface albedo for global arid regions from data collected by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard the Terra spacecraft, at 1 km spatial resolution for 2001. MODIS data show considerable spatial variability both across various arid regions of the globe (from the bright deserts of northern Africa and the Arabian peninsula to substantially less reflective American and Asian deserts) and within regions (variability related to soil and rock types). For example, over arid northern Africa and the Arabian peninsula, albedo in the visible broadband varies by a factor of over 2, from the brightest sand sheets to the darkest luvisols. Few, if any, global and regional land-atmosphere models capture this observed spatial variability in surface albedo over arid regions. We suggest a scheme that relates soil groups (based on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) soil classification) to MODIS-derived surface albedo statistics. This approach allows for an efficient representation in climate and weather forecasting models of the observed spatial and temporal variability in surface albedo over global deserts. Observed variability in albedo was reduced to a small (1–13, depending on the region) number of soil-related classes (end-members) that could be used in climate models. We also addressed the temporal evolution of albedo during 2001 over global deserts. Regions/soils of stable albedo with very low temporal variability were identified. For other regions/soils, temporal signals in albedo were related to ephemeral inundation with water or variations in sample size.
Optical properties of hydrogenated silicon clusters with reconstructed surfaces

We study the effects of surface reconstruction on the absorption spectra and optical gaps of hydrogen-terminated silicon clusters. The spectra and gaps are computed using an ab initio method based on the linear response theory within the time-dependent local-density approximation (TDLDA). Our calculations show that the structural reconstruction of cluster surfaces produces new absorption bands in the lower part of the spectrum and causes a significant reduction of the optical gap. The optical gaps in surface-reconstructed silicon clusters appear to be similar in size to those in clusters with partially oxidated surfaces. Our results suggest that both surface oxidation and surface reconstruction are essential to resolve disagreements between the optical gaps measured in experiments and theoretical predictions based on a quantum confinement model.
Determination of ethnicity in children in The Netherlands: two methods compared.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether names (surnames and the combination of surnames and first names) are adequate to identify Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese children in a Dutch population. Parents visiting the Emergency Department of the Sophia Children's Hospital with their child filled in a questionnaire about their ethnic background, socio-economic factors and cultural factors. Patients' names were classified by students with a Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese (Hindustanic and Creole) background. A combined name-method (surnames in combination with first names) and surnames only were compared with a reference method (ethnicity by parents' country of birth). The validity of both name methods and the measurements of agreement (κ) of both comparisons were analysed. Turkish names showed good validity measurements between the combined name-method and the reference method (sensitivity of 81% and a positive predictive value of 86%). The Arabic names were distinguishable with a sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 99% and positive predictive value of 87%. Surinamese names were less easy to distinguish from the other names (69, 96 and 69% respectively). Overall, the measurement of agreement showed a κ of 0.69 in the comparison between the classification of the combined names and the classification by parent's country of birth. The classification of the combined names was slightly better than the classification by surnames only. Conclusions: Names can be used to identify Turkish and Arabic (Moroccan) children in a routinely registered database of Dutch children. For Surinamese names this method is less suitable.
Colonization with Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Nursing Homes: Scope, Importance, and Management

Bacterial infections are among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in nursing homes (NHs) and other long-term care facilities. Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) represent an ever-increasing share of causative agents of infection, and their prevalence in NHs is now just as high as in acute care facilities, or even higher. Indeed, NHs are now considered a major reservoir of MDROs for the community at large. Asymptomatic colonization is usually a prerequisite to development of symptomatic infection. While progress has been made in defining epidemiology of MDROs in NHs, few studies have evaluated the role of changing health care delivery in introducing and further transmitting MDROs in this setting. Furthermore, the factors influencing the spread of colonization and the key prognostic indicators leading to symptomatic infections in the burgeoning short stay population need to be explored further. The difficulty of this task lies in the heterogeneity of NHs in terms of focus of care, organization and resources, and on the diversity among the many MDRO species encountered, which harbor different resistance genes and with a different prevalence depending on the geographic location, local antimicrobial pressure, and residents risk factors such as use of indwelling devices, functional disability, wounds, and other comorbidities. We present literature findings on the scope and importance of colonization as a pathway to infection with MDROs in NHs, underline important open questions that need further research, and discuss the strength of the evidence for current and proposed screening, prevention, and management interventions.
Retinoic acid-induced CD38 expression in HL-60 myeloblastic leukemia cells regulates cell differentiation or viability depending on expression levels.

Retinoic acid-induced expression of the CD38 ectoenzyme receptor in HL-60 human myeloblastic leukemia cells is regulated by RARα and RXR, and enhanced or prevented cell differentiation depending on the level of expression per cell. RARα activation caused CD38 expression, as did RXR activation but not as effectively. Inhibition of MAPK signaling through MEK inhibition diminished the induced expression by both RARs and RXRs. Expression of CD38 enhanced retinoic acid-induced myeloid differentiation and G0 cell cycle arrest, but at higher expression levels, induced differentiation was blocked and retinoic acid induced a loss of cell viability instead. In the case of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, induced monocytic differentiation was also enhanced by CD38 and not enhanced by higher expression levels, but without induced loss of viability. Expression levels of CD38 thus regulated the cellular response to retinoic acid, either propelling cell differentiation or loss of viability. The cellular effects of CD38 thus depend on its expression level. J. Cell. Biochem. 97: 1328–1338, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Neutrophilic, nitrate-dependent, Fe(II) oxidation by a Dechloromonas species

A species of Dechloromonas, strain UWNR4, was isolated from a nitrate-reducing, enrichment culture obtained from Wisconsin River (USA) sediments. This strain was characterized for anaerobic oxidation of both aqueous and chelated Fe(II) coupled to nitrate reduction at circumneutral pH. Dechloromonas sp. UWNR4 was incubated in anoxic batch reactors in a defined medium containing 4.5-5 mM NO3 (-), 6 mM Fe(2+) and 1-1.8 mM acetate. Strain UWNR4 efficiently oxidized Fe(2+) with 90 % oxidation of Fe(2+) after 3 days of incubation. However, oxidation of Fe(2+) resulted in Fe(III)-hydroxide-encrusted cells and loss of metabolic activity, suggested by inability of the cells to utilize further additions of acetate. In similar experiments with chelated iron (Fe(II)-EDTA), encrusted cells were not produced and further additions of acetate and Fe(II)-EDTA could be oxidized. Although members of the genus Dechloromonas are primarily known as perchlorate and nitrate reducers, our findings suggest that some species could be members of microbial communities influencing iron redox cycling in anoxic, freshwater sediments. Our work using Fe(II)-EDTA also demonstrates that Fe(II) oxidation was microbially catalyzed rather than a result of abiotic oxidation by biogenic NO2 (-).
Interaction of a Steady Approach Flow and a Circular Cylinder Undergoing Forced Oscillation

This paper presents a numerical study on the interaction of a steady approach flow and the forced transverse oscillation of a circular cylinder. The two-dimensional stream-function/vorticity formulation of the Navier-Stokes equations is solved by a semi-implicit finite-difference scheme. Calculations for flows with different amplitude (a) and frequency (fc ) of the oscillation of the cylinder show a strong effect of the oscillation when fc is close to fso , the vortex shedding frequency, of the stationary cylinder. Lock-on of vortex shedding, distinct flow patterns, and increase in both drag and lift coefficients from those of a stationary cylinder are observed for Reynolds number Re = 200, a/R (R is the radius of the cylinder) from 1.0 to 2.0, fc /fso from 0.85 to 1.7. For Re = 855, a/R = 0.26, a large eddy simulation model for turbulent flow is used. The results at Re = 855 and a/R = 0.26 show that lock-on has occurred for fc /fso ≥ 0.85. The behavior of the drag and lift coefficients is seen to be influenced by the lock-on phenomenon.
Hα Morphologies and Environmental Effects in Virgo Cluster Spiral Galaxies

We describe the various Hα morphologies of Virgo Cluster and isolated spiral galaxies and associate the Hα morphologies with the types of environmental interactions that have altered the cluster galaxies. The spatial distributions of Hα and R-band emission are used to divide the star formation morphologies of the 52 Virgo Cluster spiral galaxies into several categories: normal (37%), anemic (6%), enhanced (6%), and (spatially) truncated (52%). Truncated galaxies are further subdivided on the basis of their inner star formation rates into truncated/normal (37%), truncated/compact (6%), truncated/anemic (8%), and truncated/enhanced (2%). The fraction of anemic galaxies is relatively small (6%-13%) in both environments, suggesting that starvation is not a major factor in the reduced star formation rates of Virgo spiral galaxies. The majority of Virgo spiral galaxies have their Hα disks truncated (52%), whereas truncated Hα disks are rarer in isolated galaxies (12%). Most of the Hα-truncated galaxies have relatively undisturbed stellar disks and normal to slightly enhanced inner disk star formation rates, suggesting that intracluster medium-interstellar medium (ICM-ISM) stripping is the main mechanism causing the reduced star formation rates of Virgo spiral galaxies. Several of the truncated galaxies are peculiar, with enhanced central star formation rates, disturbed stellar disks, and barlike distributions of luminous H II complexes inside the central 1 kpc but no star formation beyond, suggesting that recent tidal interactions or minor mergers have also influenced their morphology. Two highly inclined Hα-truncated spiral galaxies have numerous extraplanar H II regions and are likely in an active phase of ICM-ISM stripping. Several spiral galaxies have one-sided Hα enhancements at the outer edge of their truncated Hα disks, suggesting modest local enhancements in their star formation rates due to ICM-ISM interactions. Low-velocity tidal interactions and perhaps outer cluster H I accretion seem to be the triggers for enhanced global star formation in four Virgo galaxies. These results indicate that most Virgo spiral galaxies experience ICM-ISM stripping, many experience significant tidal effects, and many experience both.
Prognostic factors in surgically treated small cell cervical carcinoma followed by adjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is an uncommon tumor associated with high mortality even among patients with early stage disease. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery has been suggested by regimens used for small cell lung carcinoma. During the years 1980-1997, 19 cases in which various adjuvant chemotherapies were given after hysterectomy were reported in the literature published in English. METHODS Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered consecutively to 23 patients with Stage Ib-II small cell cervical carcinoma who had been primarily treated with radical hysterectomy and had adequate bone marrow, renal, and hepatic functions. A combination of vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide alternating with cisplatin and etoposide (VAC/PE) was administered to 14 patients during the years 1988-1996 according to a prospective study protocol. A combination of cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin (PVB) was administered to 8 patients, and another regimen was administered to 1 patient during the years 1984-1988. Prognostic factors were evaluated by analyzing both the data on these 23 patients and the pooled data on the cases retrieved from the literature and our own files. RESULTS Ten of the 14 patients who received VAC/PE had no evidence of disease during a median follow-up of 41 months, whereas 3 of the 9 who received PVB or another regimen survived. Of the 10 patients who died of their disease, all died of distant metastasis within 10 months after recurrence. Meta-analysis of the pooled data showed that 68% of patients who received regimens containing VAC or PE survived, whereas 33% of patients who received regimens not containing VAC/PE survived (P = 0.0078, log rank test). Seventy percent of patients with no lymph node metastasis at hysterectomy and 35% with lymph node metastasis survived (P = 0.05). All patients who died of disease had extrapelvic metastasis. CONCLUSIONS Chemotherapies containing VAC or PE are favorable regimens for patients with early stage small cell cervical carcinoma after radical hysterectomy. Cancer 1998;83:712-718. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
Improving learning outcomes in large environmental science classrooms through short-term service-learning projects

We conducted an investigation on the efficacy of service-learning in large environmental biology classes. We were interested in whether or not service-learning in classes with over 200 students has an impact on content learning, and attitudes/behaviors related to the content. Students completed a pre-survey, a service project, and reflection paper (experimental group), and a post-survey. Comparing pre- and post-surveys, student responses to attitude, and behavior questions revealed a positive impact on environmental worldview. Student confidence in understanding course content improved in the specific areas related to service projects. Overall, our study shows that large classroom learning is enhanced by short-term service-learning projects.
DISCRETE MANUFACTURING PROCESS DESIGN OPTIMIZATION USING COMPUTER SIMULATION AND GENERALIZED HILL CLIMBING ALGORITHMS

Discrete manufacturing process designs can be modelled using computer simulation. Determining optimal designs using such models is very difficult, due to the large number of manufacturing process sequences and associated parameter settings that exist. This has forced researchers to develop heuristic strategies to address such design problems. This paper introduces a new general heuristic strategy for discrete manufacturing process design optimization, called generalised hill climbing (GHC) algorithms. GHC algorithms provide a unifying approach for addressing such problems in particular, and intractable discrete optimization problems in general. Heuristic strategies such as simulated annealing, threshold accepting, Monte Carlo search, local search, and tabu search (among others) can all he formulated as GHC algorithms. Computational results are reported with various GHC algorithms applied to computer simulation models of discrete manufacturing process designs under study at the Materials Process Design Bra...
Science + dance = bodystorming

In everyday life, gravity and inertial forces often dominate our movements; in the cell, these forces pale in comparison to thermal forces. The violent, collisional world of the cell, where water moves faster than a jet airliner, can be difficult to imagine. To develop our intuitive understanding of cellular and molecular processes, we are exploring the concept of 'bodystorming', where human 'movers' act as molecules that diffuse, undergo reactions, and generate/absorb forces.
Energy collection efficiency of low concentration holographic planar concentrators

Abstract In this presentation we evaluate the energy collection efficiency and energy yield of different holographic planar concentrator designs. The holographic planar concentrator replaces expensive photovoltaic cell material with holographic collectors that cost approximately 1% of the photovoltaic material. An analysis is performed using a combination of raytracing and coupled wave theory. Other loss factors such as Fresnel reflection and polarization are also incorporated. The performance of single gratings is optimized to maximize the spectral and angular bandwidth that matches the spectral responsivity of different photovoltaic devices. Multiple grating collectors are also modeled to maximize energy collection over the course of a year accommodating the movement of the sun. The results show that approximately half of the light illuminating the hologram can directly be collected by diffraction and directed to the photovoltaic cell. A test system is evaluated and the experimental results compare well with the analysis.
How does skin adapt to repetitive mechanical stress to become load tolerant

Skin breakdown from mechanical stress application is a difficult health care problem for lower-limb amputees using prosthetic limbs. Post-operative treatments to encourage skin adaptation do exist, but are largely unsuccessful. Potentially, by understanding skin adaptation on a molecular level, appropriate biomolecules can be identified and then delivered to skin to encourage adaptation in at-risk patients. Based from a critical review of the literature, it is expected that adaptation occurs by forming new collagen fibrils with larger diameters as opposed to increasing diameters of existing fibrils. Small collagen fibril breakdown by stress activated metalloproteinases is expected to be followed by increased expressions of decorin, biglycan, fibromodulin, lumican, thrombospondin-2, and collagens I and III, facilitating formation of new fibrils with larger diameters. After remodeling, total collagen fibril cross-sectional area is expected to return to baseline values since increased collagen content would increase mass and be redundant towards the purpose of adaptation.
Radical Tourism: Sergei Tret'iakov at the Communist Lighthouse*

Crash industrialization and forced collectivization the twin and ultimately catastrophic economic policies of the Five-Year Plans of the late 1920s and '30s opened myriad new travel destinations for the intrepid cultural worker in the Soviet Union: mammoth industrial sites, monumental hydroelectric stations, extravagant canal construction projects, gigantic collective farms. Tours to such destinations were typically authorized, organized, and funded by a network of state agencies, whose purpose was not so much to gather information about these far-flung sites the secret police (OGPU [Unified State Political Administration]) stationed throughout the Soviet Union could much more efficiently assist with that but rather to secure much-needed affirmative representations of the successful implementation of Plan policies. Soviet and foreign intellectuals, writers, artists, and photographers visited these sites of economic and social engineering in droves; perhaps the most paradigmatic of all was the once sympathetic communiste de coeur Andre Gide, whose 1936 tour resulted, unexpectedly, in a stingingly negative critique, Retour de I'URSS. The present essay unpacks a major episode in the crowded itinerary of one such radical tourist, Sergei Tret'iakov. Beginning in July 1928 and continuing through the summer of 1930, Tret'iakov made four extended visits, totaling some five months in all, to a remote collective farm [kolkhoz], the so-called Communist Lighthouse [Kommunisticheskii Maiak, or Kommaiak] in the Georgievskii district of the northern Caucasus 's Stavropolskii region.1 These trips were authorized out of Moscow by the primary state agency in charge of the collective-farm system,
Dielectric bead loading for control of currents on electrically long dipole antennas

Methods for the modification and control of currents on electrically long wires have been studied in order to determine the feasibility of using existing structures as efficient radiators. Such radiators would be formed from conducting surfaces present on buildings or other structures, thus providing an additional resource in concealing antennas used for wireless communication. An element composed of dielectric beads has been successfully used to modify the current distributions on electrically long wires, such that the wires radiate similarly to a much smaller element. A simple model of a composite element made up of dielectric beads is presented, and a genetic algorithm is used to design the loading of a 4/spl lambda//sub 0/ wire, such that the radiation pattern emulates that of a half-wave dipole. The simple model of the dielectric beads made it possible to run many simulations of the loaded wire using the GA. The ease with which dielectric bead loaded wires can be modeled suggests that the design of efficient radiators from existing, and more complicated, wire structures is possible.
An assessment of the impact of public health activities to reduce the prevalence of the prone sleeping position during infancy: the Tasmanian Cohort Study.

Background. An intervention to reduce the prevalence of the prone sleeping position during infancy was implemented in Tasmania particularly from 1991 onward. The purpose of this report is to assess the impact of public health activities in promoting avoidance of the prone infant sleeping position among cohort study participants. Methods. The prospective cohort study involved the one-fifth of Tasmanian live births who are assessed perinatally as being at higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). From 1 January 1988 until 30 April 1992, 5,403 infants participated in the hospital (4 days postnatal age) and home interviews (5 weeks postnatal age) (88% of eligible infants). After the finding that cohort infants who usually slept prone were at significantly greater risk for SIDS, additional questions on awareness and choice of infant sleep position were asked. Results. The proportion of infants usually sleeping prone declined from 29.9% in the cohort prior to publication of the cohort findings (1 May 1988-30 April 1991) to 5.4% in the post publication cohort (1 May 1991-30 April 1992), RR = 0.18 (0.15, 0.22). Teenage motherhood was associated with nonawareness (RR = 2.39 (1.41, 3.24)) of an association between prone position and SIDS. After adjusting for maternal age, nonawareness remained positively associated with maternal smoking, maternal education (<Year 12), and paternal unemployment, while mothers who read books to prepare for the baby and who were married were more likely to be aware. In the period after the cohort study publication, the most common reasons given for the usual prone position were that the baby preferred that position and slept better. Conclusion. Public health activities to reduce the prevalence of the prone steeping position have had a significant impact, with a dramatic reduction in the proportion of cohort infants usually sleeping prone. The identification of characteristics of nonaware mothers and the reasons for choosing a particular sleeping position will be used to maintain and improve health education in this area.