cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulations of Membrane-Disrupting Peptides I: Alamethicin Pore Stability and Spontaneous Insertion.

Abstract An all-atom molecular dynamics simulation of the archetype barrel-stave alamethicin (alm) pore in a 1,2-dioleoyl- sn -glycero-3-phosphocholine bilayer at 313 K indicates that ∼7 μ s is required for equilibration of a preformed 6-peptide pore; the pore remains stable for the duration of the remaining 7 μ s of the trajectory, and the structure factors agree well with experiment. A 5 μ s simulation of 10 surface-bound alm peptides shows significant peptide unfolding and some unbinding, but no insertion. Simulations at 363 and 413 K with a −0.2 V electric field yield peptide insertion in 1 μ s. Insertion is initiated by the folding of residues 3–11 into an α -helix, and mediated by membrane water or by previously inserted peptides. The stability of five alm pore peptides at 413 K with a −0.2 V electric field demonstrates a significant preference for a transmembrane orientation. Hence, and in contrast to the cationic antimicrobial peptide described in the following article, alm shows a strong preference for the inserted over the surface-bound state.
Sensitivity and Uncertainty Analysis of Plutonium and Cesium Isotopes in Modeling of BR3 Reactor Spent Fuel

Nuclear forensics has a broad task to characterize recovered nuclear or radiological material and interpret the results of investigation. One approach to isotopic characterization of nuclear materi...
The Labor-Market Impact of San Francisco's Employer-Benefit Mandate

We evaluate a San Francisco policy requiring employers to provide health benefits or contribute to a public-option health plan to better understand the incidence of employer mandates through their effects on wages, employment, and prices. We develop an individual case study approach combining border discontinuity in policies and permutation-type inference using other metropolitan areas. Findings indicate that employment patterns did not change appreciably following the policy, and there is little evidence of significant negative earnings in highly impacted sectors. However, approximately half of the incidence of the mandate in the restaurant sector fell on consumers via surcharges.
Usability testing with real data

Usability practitioners run the risk of misreading the results of usability evaluations, either identifying false positives when artificial user data interferes with a user's product experience or overlooking real problems when they use artificial user data. In this paper, we examine a strategy for incorporating users' real data in usability evaluations. We consider the value and the challenges of this strategy based on the experiences of product teams in a consumer software company.
Desialylation of transferrin by liver endothelium is selective for its triantennary chain.

Liver endothelium can remove and transport the glycoprotein transferrin (TF). During this process the molecules are desialylated; however, in contrast with other such glycoproteins, for example caeruloplasmin, only half of transported TF is desialylated. To explore which component of TF is desialylated, we double-labelled fully sialylated TF with [3H]sialic acid residues and a 125I-protein moiety. This was then ‘chased’ through purified liver endothelium in pulse-chase experiments. Endothelium-conditioned TF was fractionated on an RCA120 affinity column into sialylated and desialylated components. Each component was then re-fractionated on a concanavalin A affinity column, which separates the glycoprotein according to the branching pattern of its glycan chain. The desialylated fraction was eluted only as a triantennary component, whereas the non-desialylated fraction consisted only of bi- and tetra-antennary chains. The significance of this selective desialylation of triantennary chain of TF in the subsequent metabolism of its iron content and its possible role in the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced hepatic siderosis are discussed.
Cross-linkable multi-stimuli responsive hydrogel inks for direct-write 3D printing

Triple stimuli-responsive ABA triblock copolymer hydrogels composed of poly(allyl glycidyl ether)-stat-poly(alkyl glycidyl ether)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(allyl glycidyl ether)-stat-poly(alkyl glycidyl ether) were synthesized using controlled ring-opening polymerization of glycidyl ethers. These polymers form triple stimuli-responsive hydrogels that respond to temperature, pressure (shear-thinning), and UV light. The stimuli-responsive behaviors of the gels were dependent upon the composition and the molecular weight of the ‘A’ blocks of the triblock copolymers. The hydrogels were analyzed rheometrically to characterize their stimuli-responsive properties. The optimized compositions were 3D printed using a direct-write 3D printer to afford robust 3D objects. We anticipate these materials creating new opportunities in the biomedical and biotechnological fields, by enabling the simple and rapid fabrication of 3D hydrogels.
Water productivity and crop yield: A simplified remote sensing driven operational approach

Abstract This paper develops and proposes a simplified operational remote sensing approach to assist crop growth models in reproducing actual processes in the field by relating satellite based remote sensing data and key canopy biophysical parameters. While relationships between spectral vegetation indices (VI) and biomass production have been conducted in the past, we specifically pursue the relationship between crop transpiration and biomass production as described in the FAO-66 Aquacrop manual. The authors point to a possible general relationship between a transpiration coefficient (herein we propose the basal crop coefficient, Kcb, as a proxy) and biomass production. In parallel, many studies have demonstrated the well-established relationship between Kcb and remote sensing based VI. Thus, the relationship between both parameters has a strong basis but must be demonstrated. We analyze the relationship between biomass production and the reflectance based Kcb using field data obtained during 11 years in irrigated and rainfed soybeans and maize in eastern Nebraska. The analysis confirms that the relationship is strong and paves the way for the use of remote sensing data for a quantitative analysis of crop biomass production and yield.
Computational Discovery of Nickel-Based Catalysts for CO2 Reduction to Formic Acid

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 into chemical fuels is crucial to clean energy production and environment remediation. First-principles calculations are performed to elucidate reaction mechanism of CO2 reduction to formic acid on Ni-based catalysts. The origin of CO poisoning is examined and a novel design strategy is proposed to eliminate CO poisoning. Three design criteria are derived based on which computational screening is performed to identify several Ni-based near-surface-alloys (NSAs) with both high selectivity and reactivity. The effect of elastic strain on CO2 reduction is studied on these NSAs. We predict that Ni/Ti, Cu/Ni, and strained Cu/Ni NSAs could lead to highly selective and efficient production of formic acid.
QPRED: Using Quantile Predictions to Improve Power Usage for Private Clouds

In this paper we describe a new, efficient predictive scheduling methodology for implementing computing infrastructure power savings using private clouds. Our approach, termed "QPRED," estimates the quantiles on the distribution of future machine usage so that unneeded machines may be powered down to save power. A cloud administrator sets a bound on the probability that all available machines will be powered down when a cloud request arrives. This target probability is the basis of a Service Level Agreement between the cloud administrator and all cloud users covering start-up delay resulting from power savings. Our results, validated using activity traces from several private clouds used in commercial production, indicate that QPRED successfully reduces power consumption substantially while maintaining the SLAs specified by the cloud administrator.
Interventions to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in colorectal cancer care: A systematic review.

e16509 Background: Disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes among underrepresented racial and ethnic minority patients continue to widen. We performed, and present here, the results of a sys...
Common molecular mechanisms in field- and agrin-induced acetylcholine receptor clustering.

1. The aggregation of acetylcholine receptors at the developing neuromuscular junction is critical to the development and function of this synapse. In vitro studies have shown that receptor aggregation can be induced by the finding of agrin to the muscle cell surface and by the electric field-induced concentration of a (nonreceptor) molecule at the cathodal cell pole. 2. We report here on the interaction between agrin binding and electric fields with respect to the distribution of receptors and agrin binding sites. 3. (a) Pretreatment of cells with agrin completely blocks the development of field-induced receptor clusters. (b) Field-induced aggregation of receptors precedes the field-induced aggregation of agrin binding sites by approximately 30min. (c) Electric fields prevent agrin-induced receptor clustering despite the presence of agrin binding sites and freely diffusing receptors. 4. These results indicate that another membrane component—but not the agrin binding site and not the receptor—is required for agrin-induced receptor clustering. They also suggest that electric fields and agrin cause receptor clustering via common molecular mechanisms.
The Stratigraphy of Carbonate Deposits

The basic processes of carbonate sedimentation result in certain stratigraphic relations and in predictable facies patterns which are widespread in the geologic record. These patterns recur in a variety of tectonic settings. This Chapter considers these interrelations and also treats correlation problems in carbonate strata and the techniques for recognition of approximate “time planes” in shelf and shelf-margin areas. The Chapter contains many of the basic premises from which the author formulates stratigraphic and petrologie interpretations. Later Chapters furnish considerable basic data and offer numerous examples of facies patterns in a variety of tectonic settings, all of which serve to test some of the stratigraphie ideas set forth below. A summary Chapter repeats most of these generalizations.
The Interaction of Juvenile Hormone and Ecdysone: Antagonistic, Synergistic, or Permissive?

A central issue in insect endocrinology is the nature of the interaction of ecdysone and juvenile hormone (JH) in controlling metamorphosis (Willis, 1974). While we await determination of their interaction at the level of cellular receptors or their ability to affect each other’s metabolism or uptake into target tissue, it is possible to obtain other significant information by more classical means.
RelaxPy: Python code for modeling of glass relaxation behavior

Abstract The degree of relaxation in any glass sample is a governing property in every property of the glass. It plays an important role in every major glass product commercially available, but has required individual groups to develop their own relaxation codes. RelaxPy is a Python-based script designed to be used in a Python interpreter or Linux terminal. Given an input temperature path and set of material properties including the nonequilibrium viscosity parameters, RelaxPy returns the evolution of the composite fictive temperature, viscosity, and relaxation time. Optionally, the software can also return the individual values of the fictive temperature components using a Prony series fit to approximate the stretched exponential relaxation form. RelaxPy aims to provide a flexible, open-source framework for glass relaxation modeling where new advances in glass physics can be easily incorporated and shared with the community.
Untargeted metabolomic profiling identifies disease-specific signatures in food allergy and asthma

Background Food allergy (FA) affects an increasing proportion of children for reasons that remain obscure. Novel disease biomarkers and curative treatment options are strongly needed. Objective We sought to apply untargeted metabolomic profiling to identify pathogenic mechanisms and candidate disease biomarkers in patients with FA. Methods Mass spectrometry–based untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed on serum samples of children with either FA alone, asthma alone, or both FA and asthma, as well as healthy pediatric control subjects. Results In this pilot study patients with FA exhibited a disease-specific metabolomic signature compared with both control subjects and asthmatic patients. In particular, FA was uniquely associated with a marked decrease in sphingolipid levels, as well as levels of a number of other lipid metabolites, in the face of normal frequencies of circulating natural killer T cells. Specific comparison of patients with FA and asthmatic patients revealed differences in the microbiota-sensitive aromatic amino acid and secondary bile acid metabolism. Children with both FA and asthma exhibited a metabolomic profile that aligned with that of FA alone but not asthma. Among children with FA, the history of severe systemic reactions and the presence of multiple FAs were associated with changes in levels of tryptophan metabolites, eicosanoids, plasmalogens, and fatty acids. Conclusions Children with FA have a disease-specific metabolomic profile that is informative of disease mechanisms and severity and that dominates in the presence of asthma. Lower levels of sphingolipids and ceramides and other metabolomic alterations observed in children with FA might reflect the interplay between an altered microbiota and immune cell subsets in the gut.
(187) Associations between Pain Interference and Brain Volume in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Pain is common in older individuals often interfering with daily function, and pain interference is a common proxy for measuring physical functioning in this population. Although both pain and aging are associated with changes to brain volume, relatively few studies have examined the association between pain interference and brain volume among older individuals. As part of the Neuromodulatory Examination of Pain Across the Lifespan (NEPAL) study at the University of Florida, older individuals 60 to 93 years old (n=49, 69% female) filled out demographic and pain questionnaires followed by a structural 3-Tesla MRI scan. FreeSurfer 6.0.0 was used for preprocessing, quality control, and for volumetric parcellation generation. FreeSurfer Query, Design, Estimate, Contrast (QDEC) processing stream was used for statistical analysis controlling for multiple comparisons with gender as a nuisance covariate. Higher pain interference was associated with smaller volume in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, rostral middle frontal cortex, post-central cortex, superior temporal cortex, and precuneus but larger volume in the superior frontal and parstriangularis cortices (False Discovery Rate p's
Crosstalk between cellular metabolism and histone acetylation

Dynamic interplay between cellular metabolism and histone acetylation is a key mechanism underlying metabolic control of epigenetics. In particular, the central metabolite acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) acts as the acetyl-donor for histone acetylation in both an enzymatic and non-enzymatic manner. Since members of the family of histone acetyl transferases (HATs) that catalyze the acetylation of histone tails possess a Michaelis constant (Km) within the range of physiological cellular acetyl-CoA concentrations, changing concentrations of acetyl-CoA can restrict or promote enzymatic histone acetylation. Likewise, non-enzymatic histone acetylation occurs at physiological concentrations. These concepts implicate acetyl-CoA as a rheostat for nutrient availability acting, in part, by controlling histone acetylation. Histone acetylation is an important epigenetic modification that controls gene expression and acetyl-CoA dependent changes in both histone acetylation and gene expression have been shown in yeast and mammalian systems. However, quantifying the metabolic conditions required to achieve specific changes in histone acetylation is a major challenge. The relationship between acetyl-CoA and histone acetylation may be influenced by a variety of factors including sub-cellular location of metabolites and enzymes, relative quantities of metabolites, and substrate availability/preference. A diversity of substrates can contribute the two-carbon acyl-chain to acetyl-CoA, a number of pathways can create or degrade acetyl-CoA, and only a handful of potential mechanisms for the crosstalk between metabolism and histone acetylation have been explored. The centrality of acetyl-CoA in intermediary metabolism means that acetyl-CoA levels may change, or be resistant to change, in unexpected ways. Thus, quantification of relevant metabolites is critical evidence in understanding how the nutrient rheostat is set in normal and pathological contexts. Coupling metabolite quantitation with isotope tracing to examine fate of specific metabolites is critical to the crosstalk between metabolism and histone acetylation, including but not limited to acetyl-CoA provides necessary context. This chapter provides guidance on experimental design of quantification with isotope dilution and/or tracing of acetyl-CoA within a targeted or highly multiplexed multi-analyte workflow.
216 The deleterious survival impact of positive lymph nodes in cervical cancer: implications of the new FIGO staging system

Objectives The 2018 FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) cervical cancer staging system changed from a clinical system to a clinical/pathologic/radiologic system with stages IIIC1 and IIIC2 indicating positive pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes, respectively. We evaluated a nation-wide hospital database for the impact on survival of lymph node involvement. Methods The National Cancer Database from 2004–2015 was queried for patients with cervical cancer, yielding 115,819 patients. Patients with metastatic disease (22,569), non-adeno/squamous histologies (5,909), unknown nodal status (60,695), or unknown survival time (9,473) were excluded. Survival was compared using Cox proportional hazard model based on nodal status (node-negative [N0], positive pelvic nodes [IIIC1], or positive para-aortic nodes [IIIC2]). Univariate (UVA) and multivariate analyses (MVA) were done for the overall cohort, followed by UVA by T stage. Results 17,173 patients were eligible. Lymph node involvement negatively affected survival in the overall cohort (UVA IIIC1 Hazard Ratio [HR] 2.0, p Conclusions In this study, lymph node involvement negatively affects prognosis in cervical cancer. The impact on survival varies by T stage with the greatest effect seen in stage IB.
Active Flow Control of a High-Lift Supercritical Airfoil with Microjet Actuators

Active flow control has the potential for substantial performance gains and meeting the challenges of next-generation air vehicles. High-lift airfoils employ trailing edge flaps during takeoff and ...
When Sport Event Work Stopped: Exposure of Sport Event Labor Precarity by the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has exposed major weaknesses in economic, governmental, and social structures that many have taken for granted in everyday life The sport industry, which has gained unprecedented popularity in recent decades, is no exception Decisions, driven in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, to suspend play in major sports leagues across the globe have exposed the precarious nature of the work situation that hourly event workers find themselves in As the games stopped, so did the earnings of workers who impact essential aspects of the sport spectators' experience These workers include the part-time front of house staff for public assembly facilities, including ushers, concessions workers, ticket takers, and security personnel This essay, drawing on ideas from C W Mills, Arne Kalleberg, and Guy Standing, will examine the impact of the pandemic on the employment of these workers by looking at the state of labor associated with sport and sports events Furthermore, the essay will explore the challenges facing a class of workers who depend on numerous part-time or seasonal sports event jobs to scrape together an existence when sport suddenly stops Finally, the essay will address the potential aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sport labor and consider how sport work could change as a result This scholarly commentary lays the groundwork for further study and analysis of an important, yet rarely remarked on, aspect of employment morality and sport labor studies
Ethanol Alters Variability, But Not Rate, of Firing in Medial Prefrontal Cortex Neurons of Awake-Behaving Rats.

BACKGROUND The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a brain region involved in the evaluation and selection of motivationally relevant outcomes. Neural activity in mPFC is altered following acute ethanol (EtOH) use and, in rodent models, doses as low as 0.75 g/kg yield cognitive deficits. Deficits in decision making following acute EtOH are thought to be mediated, at least in part, by decreases in mPFC firing rates (FRs). However, the data leading to this conclusion have been generated exclusively in anesthetized rodents. The present study characterizes the effects of acute EtOH injections on mPFC neural activity in awake-behaving rodents. METHODS Awake-behaving and anesthetized in vivo electrophysiological recordings were performed. We utilized 3 groups: the first received 2 saline injections, the second received a saline injection followed by 1.0 g/kg EtOH, and the last received saline followed by 2 g/kg EtOH. One week later, an anesthetized recording occurred where a saline injection was followed by an injection of 1.0 g/kg EtOH. RESULTS The anesthetized condition showed robust decreases in neural activity and differences in up-down states (UDS) dynamics. In the awake-behaving condition, FRs were grouped according to behavioral state: moving, not-moving, and sleep. The differences in median FRs were found for each treatment and behavioral state combination. A FR decrease was only found in the 2.0 g/kg EtOH treatment during not-moving states. However, robust decreases in FR variability were found across behavioral state in both the 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg EtOH treatment. Sleep was separately analyzed. EtOH modulated the UDS during sleep producing decreases in FRs. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the changes in neural activity following EtOH administration in anesthetized animals are not conserved in awake-behaving animals. The most prominent difference following EtOH was a decrease in FR variability suggesting that acute EtOH may be affecting decision making via this mechanism.
The Relationships between Total Protein Intake, Protein Sources, Physical Activity, and Lean Mass in a Representative Sample of the US Adults.

Background: Although dietary protein and physical activity play essential roles in developing and preserving lean mass, studies exploring these relationships are inconsistent, and large-scale studies on sources of protein and lean mass are lacking. Accordingly, the present study examined the relationship between total protein intake, protein sources, physical activity, and lean mass in a representative sample of US adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2011–2016 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and corresponding Food Patterns Equivalents Database (n = 7547). Multiple linear regression models were performed to examine the sex-specific associations between total protein intake, protein sources (Dairy, Total Protein Foods, Seafood, and Plant Proteins), physical activity, and lean mass adjusting for demographics, weight status, and total daily energy intake. Results: Total protein intake was inversely related to lean mass in females only (Lean mass index: β= −0.84, 95%CI: −1.06–−0.62; Appendicular lean mass index: β= −0.35, 95%CI: −0.48–−0.22). However, protein sources and physical activity was positively associated with lean mass in males and/or females (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Study results suggest that consuming more protein daily had a detrimental influence on lean mass in females whereas eating high-quality sources of proteins and being physically active are important for lean mass for men and women. However, the importance of specific protein sources appears to differ by sex and warrants further investigation.
Illustrating the Luminaire Comparison Method

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) enforces underground coal mining lighting regulations in the United States and issues approvals for electrical devices and machines. Companies submit standard test and evaluation (STE another company has saved about $200,000 USD using the LCM. It is projected that the LCM will save millions of dollars. This article provides several examples to illustrate the LCM.
Neurophysiological Assessments of Brain and Spinal Cord Associated with Lower Limb Functions in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Task-dependent neurophysiological adaptations in people with cerebral palsy have been examined using various techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, peripheral nerve stimulation in order to assess H-reflexes, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. This activity-dependent plasticity is hypothesized to improve specific gross motor function in individuals with cerebral palsy. Although these adaptations have been examined extensively, most studies examined tasks utilizing the upper limbs. The aim of this review is to assess the neurophysiological adaptations of the central nervous system in individuals with cerebral palsy during lower limb functional tasks. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis will be conducted to evaluate the neurophysiological changes in the brain and spinal cord associated with lower extremity tasks in individuals with cerebral palsy. We will search within PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, and CINAHL using a predetermined search string to identify and evaluate relevant studies. Two independent reviewers will screen these studies against our inclusion criteria and risks of bias, and will extract the data from each study. A third reviewer will be used to resolve any disagreement regarding the inclusion of a study between reviewers. Randomized controlled trials as well as cross-sectional studies published in English 10 years before May 2021 that investigate the neurophysiological adaptations in the brain and spinal cord in people with cerebral palsy will be included if they meet the eligibility criteria. Primary outcomes will include scalar values of fractional anisotropy (FA), H-reflex gains or measures of amplitude, as well as motor cortex (M1) cortical excitability as measured by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Discussion: Since no identifiable data will be involved in this study, no ethical approval is required. Our results will provide insight into the neurophysiological adaptations in children with cerebral palsy, which will be useful in guiding directions for clinical decision making and future development of targeted interventions in pediatrics rehabilitation for children with cerebral palsy. Systematic review registration: The protocol for this systematic review is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42020215902).
Phylogenetics and Phylogenomics of the Fungal Tree of Life

Phylogenetic trees, once restricted to studies on systematics, are now used throughout all disciplines of fungal biology and provide the evolutionary context for a broad suite of studies that include understanding the evolution of major life forms, description of complex biotic communities, and predictive experimental biology. This is especially true in the genomic era, where a rapid convergence of phylogenetics and genomics is occurring and is resulting in the emerging field of phylogenomics. This chapter provides a review of (i) the current status of fungal phylogenetics based on multigene phylogenies, (ii) current evolutionary hypotheses on the evolutionary relationships of organisms that are classified in the Kingdom Fungi, and (iii) the use of genome-scale sampling to infer evolutionary relationships of the fungi. The goal of the Deep Hypha Research Coordination Network was to accelerate the collection of multigene sequence data across the Fungal Tree of Life. By the Fungal Tree of Life, we explicitly refer to the monophyletic Kingdom Fungi (Fungi) and all of its subgroups. One of the more elusive areas of research in fungal phylogenetics has been the calibration of the Fungal Tree of Life to geologic time. Here we focus on the use of genome-scale data sets in phylogenetic analyses. Multigene analyses have had a major impact on phylogenetic studies of the Fungi, resulting in our most thorough understanding of evolutionary relationships of the Kingdom to date.
Tennis Elbow in Athletes: More Than Just Tennis?

From the earliest descriptions of lateral epicondylitis pathology, there has been an association with sport. These descriptions include a letter by Henry J. Morris published in Lancet in 1882 describing the condition of “lawn tennis arm.” Soon after, Major used the term “lawn tennis elbow” published in the British Medical Journal in 1883, to describe the painful condition of epicondylitis in participants in the newly popular game. This makes it the forerunner of sport-specific elbow pathology that now includes golfer’s elbow, pitcher’s elbow, and little leaguer’s elbow to describe specific pathologies recognized in sport. From the time of that first description, and despite many etiologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic studies on the subject, the relationship with sport has been preserved. Although less than 10 % of patients with this condition will be tennis players, or for that matter, athletes, we are compelled to further explore the relationship of this entity with sport, and to understand that tennis is not the only competitive activity among which this injury pattern can be recognized.
The Incredible World of Insects in Central America: A Virtual Interview with Prof. Dr. Bugs at La Suerte (Costa Rica) and Ometepe (Nicaragua)

Dr Bugs is a fictional researcher and entomologist somewhere from the southern U.S. or the EU working at La Suerte and Ometepe on insects. While we never met him (or her) in person, the answers we received are quite representative. They are covering some of the most common questions students have for La Suerte and Ometepe when it comes to insects, studying them, and what is necessary for their conservation.
An Evaluation of Vapor Intrusion Into Buildings through a Study of Field Data

A systematic examination of cases on file with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection was undertaken to identify a universe of sites with volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination in groundwater in close proximity to buildings. Such locations were grouped according to site variables, such as contaminants of concern and concentrations in various media; soil type; depth to groundwater; distance to building; and building construction. Indoor air, soil gas, and/or groundwater field data collected from these sites was then assembled and used to: (1) evaluate available transport models which describe the intrusion of vapors into buildings and predict indoor air contaminant concentrations resulting from the volatilization of VOC s in the subsurface; (2) examine the validity of established regulatory criteria; (3) identify specific trends and field conditions which appear to most influence vapor phase contaminant migration and intrusion processes; and (4) evaluate the possibility of vapor mi...
Adsorption on inorganic materials—VIII: Adsorption of iodide on AgCl-filled carbon

Abstract Activated carbon containing 20 weight % of micron-sized silver chloride particles has been prepared and the absorptive properties of this filled carbon for iodide ions determined. The rate of adsorption of iodide was found to be sufficiently large to allow excellent iodide removal with small columns of the material at flow rates of several cm/min. The adsorption-exchange reaction occurs through the bulk of the silver halide particles and is not limited to their surfaces. The extent of the reaction is insensitive to the iodide concentration of the solution and to presence of a variety of supporting electrolytes, including large concentrations of chloride in the feed. The material seems promising for applications involving removal of radioactive iodide from solutions; removal of 98% of trace level iodide from several thousand column volumes of aqueous feed was demonstrated.
On the facets of the mixed–integer knapsack polyhedron

We study the mixed–integer knapsack polyhedron, that is, the convex hull of the mixed–integer set defined by an arbitrary linear inequality and the bounds on the variables. We describe facet–defining inequalities of this polyhedron that can be obtained through sequential lifting of inequalities containing a single integer variable. These inequalities strengthen and/or generalize known inequalities for several special cases. We report computational results on using the inequalities as cutting planes for mixed–integer programming.
Indicators of Buprenorphine and Methadone Use and Abuse: What Do We Know?

Abuse of prescription opioids is a growing problem. The number of methadone pain pills distributed now exceeds liquid methadone used in opioid treatment, and the increases in buprenorphine indicators provide evidence of the need to monitor and intervene to decrease the abuse of this drug. The need for additional and improved data to track trends is discussed, along with findings as to the characteristics of the users and combinations of drugs. Data on toxicities related to methadone or buprenorphine, particularly in combination with other prescribed drugs, are presented and clinical implications and considerations are offered. These findings underscore the need for physicians to be aware of potential toxicities and to educate their patients regarding these issues.
[29] Localization of oxidation-specific epitopes in tissue

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a rationale for determining the localization of oxidation-specific epitopes. The chapter also discusses the methods by which these epitopes can be localized with particular attention to immunohistochemistry. Additionally, it describes technical issues associated with immunohistochemistry for oxidation-specific epitopes and provides a protocol for performing immunohistochemistry. The immunolocalization of oxidation-specific epitopes in atherosclerosis are also discussed. The spectrum of illness in which oxidative stress is proposed to play a pathogenic role includes chronic diseases associated with aging, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer disease, and aging itself, as well as acute diseases such as ischemia/reperfusion injury and bacterial meningitis. The most research regarding the role of oxidative stress has been in atherosclerosis, the leading cause of mortality in the industrialized world. The distribution of oxidization-specific epitopes can be determined in two ways—biochemically or histologically using immunofluorescence or immunohistochemistry. The chapter focuses on histologic methods of determining the localization of oxidization-specific epitopes. The histologic identification of oxidization-specific epitopes uses antibodies that bind to neoepitopes created by the oxidative modification of a protein.
The battle of Adwa: African victory in the age of empire

Raymond Jonas, Cambridge, MA, Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2011, xii + 413 pp. Ethiopian victory at the Battle of Adwa represents a watershed in modern African history. Yet, since Geo...
Marine cathodic protection-historical trends and recent accomplishments

Historical hallmark accomplishments pertaining to design and function of cathodic protection (cp) systems for marine structures are listed and briefly discussed. The newly developed first-principles based slope parameter method and a unified design equation developed therefrom are described and compared to present standard design practice. Application, including advantages and limitations, of this approach to both galvanic and impressed current cp systems upon space frame (oil production platforms, for example), two dimensional (ship hulls), and one dimensional (pipelines and cables) structures is described. It is demonstrated that this method is advantageous compared to that of existing standard recommended practices.
A Receiver‐Based Approach to Effective Instructional Crisis Communication

Much research has informed the development of a valuable series of sender-focused best practices for effective crisis communication. Relatively little crisis communication research, however, focuses on receiver-focused best practices as related to eliciting appropriate actions before, during and after crisis events. Because effective instructional communication is measured by learner (i.e., receiver) outcome achievement of affective (perceived value), cognitive (comprehension) and behavioural (performance) variables, this study examined perceived message effectiveness and behavioural intention using the IDEA model of instructional risk and crisis communication. Results of this comparative quasi-experimental study revealed that messages integrating all elements of the IDEA model were more effective than status quo messages and point to the need for continued research on effective instructional crisis communication message design.
Holographic measurements of anisotropic three-dimensional diffusion of colloidal clusters.

We measure all nonzero elements of the three-dimensional diffusion tensor $\mathbf{D}$ for clusters of colloidal spheres to a precision of 1% or better using digital holographic microscopy. We study both dimers and triangular trimers of spheres, for which no analytical calculations of the diffusion tensor exist. We observe anisotropic rotational and translational diffusion arising from the asymmetries of the clusters. In the case of the three-particle triangular cluster, we also detect a small but statistically significant difference in the rotational diffusion about the two in-plane axes. We attribute this difference to weak breaking of threefold rotational symmetry due to a small amount of particle polydispersity. Our experimental measurements agree well with numerical calculations and show how diffusion constants can be measured under conditions relevant to colloidal self-assembly, where theoretical and even numerical prediction is difficult.
Passive Transfer Protection in Traumatic Shock

SummaryA single iv injection of zymosan (100 mg/ml) lowered the mortality of rats to drum shock 72 hours following injection; similar glucan injections (100 mg/ml) did not affect the shock mortality. Heat-stable complement fixing antibodies were present in serum from zymosan-treated rats; serum from glucan-treated rats had elevated complement titers. Intravenous passive transfer of whole serum from both zymosan- and glucan-injected rats to normal recipient rats lowered the mortality to subsequent drum shock in both groups of recipients; in neither recipient group was there any effect on carbon clearance when compared to saline-injected controls. There appears to be a correlation between serum antibody levels in zymosan-treated rats and passive-transfer shock mortality. The results suggest that in rats injected with zymosan or glucan, immune mechanisms may be concerned with their resistance to subsequent traumatic shock.
Active immunization using dendritic cells mixed with tumor cells inhibits the growth of primary breast cancer.

Abstract Background . Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells regarded as crucial in the priming of an immune response. The goal of our study was to test whether bone marrow-generated DCs are capable of inducing protective immunity against a murine breast carcinoma (4T1). Methods . DCs were grown from Balb/c mice by culturing lymphocyte-immunodepleted bone marrow in murine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor containing medium for 10 days. Balb/c mice (five to eight per group) were immunized intradermally with 1 × 10 6 DCs mixed with 2 × 10 6 lethally irradiated 4T1 cells on day 0. Mice in control groups were given intradermal inoculations of phosphate-buffered saline solution, 1 × 10 6 DCs, or lethally irradiated 4T1 cells alone. Booster intraperitoneal immunizations of 2 × 10 6 lethally irradiated 4T1 cells were given on days 7 and 14. All mice were challenged with 5 × 10 3 4T1 cells subcutaneously 7 days after the final immunization. Animals were examined daily, and tumor volume was recorded twice weekly with calipers. Results . At 21 days there was a significant reduction in tumor growth in mice immunized with DCs mixed with irradiated 4T1 cells as compared with the control groups (p = 0.0005, Kruskal-Wallis test). Conclusions . These results suggest that DCs mixed with tumor cells as a source of undefined tumor antigen can induce an effective antitumor immune response. This finding provides a rationale for the use of cultured DCs in immunotherapy of breast and other cancers.
Spatially resolved quantification of E-cadherin on target hES cells.

The local expression and distribution pattern of protein on a cell play essential roles in signal transduction within a cell or between cells. Here we report on the development of a spatially resolved quantification method, which was applied in the study of E-cadherin local expression in identified undifferentiated and differentiated human embryonic stem (hES) cells in their native cellular environment. This was achieved by a novel immunofluorescence assisted affinity mapping (IF-AM) method, in which immunofluorescence provides the guidance to locate a desired type of cell in a cell community for performing affinity mapping to quantify the local protein density. The results unveiled the crucial role of E-cadherin in mediating hES cell proliferation and differentiation: the expression of E-cadherin is markedly higher on undifferentiated cells, and the growth of hES cells in unique colonies is contingent on the homogeneous distribution of E-cadherin. Due to the ability of directly assessing individual prote...
The Relationship Between Statin Use and Open-Angle Glaucoma

Purpose To determine whether 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) affect the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in persons with hyperlipidemia. Design Retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis. Participants Individuals aged ≥60 years with hyperlipidemia enrolled in a national United States managed care network between 2001 and 2009. Methods Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between statin use and the development of OAG (from no prior OAG diagnosis), progression from a prior diagnosis of glaucoma suspect to a diagnosis of OAG, and need for medical or operative interventions for OAG. Regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors and medical and ocular comorbidities. Main Outcome Measures Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Of the 524 109 individuals with hyperlipidemia, 316 182 (60%) had ≥1 outpatient prescription for statins. The hazard of developing OAG decreased 0.3% (adjusted HR, 0.997; 95% CI 0.994–0.999) for every additional month of statin consumption. Individuals with hyperlipidemia who took statins continuously for 2 years had an 8% (adjusted HR, 0.922; 95% CI, 0.870–0.976) decreased OAG risk relative to those who received no statin therapy. The hazard of progressing from a diagnosis of glaucoma suspect to OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.993–0.999) for every additional month of statin exposure. Individuals who took statins continuously for 2 years had a 9% (adjusted HR, 0.907; 95% CI, 0.846–0.973) decreased risk of progressing from glaucoma suspect to OAG relative to those who received no statin therapy. The hazard of requiring medical treatment for OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.993–0.998) for every additional month of statin exposure. No differences in need for glaucoma surgery were noted among those with OAG who were and were not taking statins (adjusted HR, 1.002; 95% CI, 0.994–1.010). Conclusions Statin use was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of OAG among persons with hyperlipidemia. Given the mounting evidence of statin protection against OAG including both basic science and observational clinical studies, an interventional prospective study might provide additional insights into the role of statins in the prevention of early OAG. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
Pulmonary hypertension of sickle cell disease: more than just another lung disease.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) of sickle cell disease (SCD), as defined by a tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity by echocardiogram of ≥2.5 m/sec, occurs in approximately 1/3 of HbSS adults and is an independent risk factor for martality. Although studies of the past few years have greatly expanded our knowledge of the clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of PH in SCD, many questions remain. Two of the key issues addressed by manuscripts in the issue of the American Journal of Hematology are the prevalence of PH in the large African SCD population and the association of PH with renal disease and systemic hypertension. Because of its high impact on mortality, the assessment of PH in the African population is crucial from a public health standpoint. The association of PH with systemic disease in SCD suggests that a more widespread vasculopathy occurs in these patients that may be one of the mechanisms responsible for the observed increase in mortality. It is through studies such as these that a greater understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension is sickle cell disease can ve achieved. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Challenges and opportunities in establishing a Latino health research center in a majority academic institution

This article provides a practical perspective of the issues, challenges and the opportunities involved in establishing a Latino Health Research Center in an academic institution. This article will use as an illustration the experiences related to the establishment of a Center on Latino Medical Treatment Effectiveness Program at a large public academic institution in Chicago. Some of the sociopolitical processes of establishing the Center's structure, and the recruitment and training of a multi-disciplinary core research staff are summarized, while simultaneously pursuing an ambitious research and training agenda. The article ends by suggesting a series of strategies in meeting the multiple and, at times, conflicting demands of the academic institution, the funding sources and the community, as well as the lessons leamed.
Response to pneumococcal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines in otitis-prone and otitis-free children. • 686

72 children 18 mo to 4 yrs of age were enrolled in year 1 of a 2-yr study of response to pneumo- coccal conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines. 34 otitis-free children (mean episodes/ past yr=.3) from a private pediatric office, and 38 otitis-prone children (5.2 episodes/past yr) from children scheduled to have tympanostomy tubes were randomized to receive pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pnu-immune, Lederle) or an investigational heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Lederle-Praxis). Pre- and post- immunization sera were obtained for measurement of antibody to pneumococcal serotypes 6, 14, 19 and 23. Antibody levels (mcg/ml) were measured by ELISA.Table