cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prospects of development of land driverless trucks

The paper is dedicated to the problem of creation and efficient use of driverless trucks. It also contains general analysis of foreign experience and development trends. The concept of FSUE "NAMI" for development of a platoon of driverless trucks for cargo transportation between specialized terminals on public roads is provided. A road train with virtual couplings where the lead vehicle has a driver and the rest are driverless is proposed as a base for the driverless platoon. The platoon is formed by such road trains, which ensures extended functional features, including the possibility to form platoons of road trains from different logistics centers and with different destinations, quick reforming of the platoon in the logistics centers, possibility to split the platoon when driving on public roads, higher precision of control over the platoon during driving, etc. It is also shown that in order to improve the efficiency of cargo transportation, driverless cargo platforms (trucks) shall be designed without a cabin. The paper also considers the ways to reduce the price of driverless trucks by creating a special road infrastructure, which will allow transfer of the most expensive subsystems of driverless vehicles to such infrastructure. Upon that, the following subsystems will remain within the driverless chassis: navigation, communication, chassis control and ADAS. It is noted that creation of such infrastructure will require high investments, therefore, gradual implementation of such systems is seen as rational. It is shown that the most appropriate area for these purposes is transregional cargo transportation. It is noted that the economic reasons for implementation of the proposed concept are as follows: significant reduction of the number of drivers; significant simplification of the driverless platform control system and reduction of the price of subsystems; no need for the driver's cabin within the driverless platform; fuel economy when driving within a platoon. Power unit options for driverless cargo platforms are investigated and the reasons for selection of a particular power unit are given.
Effectiveness of adjuvant radiotherapy after radical cystectomy for locally advanced bladder cancer.

484Background: Local-regional failure (LF) for locally advanced bladder cancer (LABC) after radical cystectomy (RC) is common even with chemo and is associated with high morbidity/mortality. Adjuva...
The Design and Construction of Three Autonomous Vehicles

To what extent does the intended use dictate the design and fabrication of autonomous robot vehicles?
Synthesizing Self-stabilization through Superposition and Backtracking

While the design of self-stabilization is known to be a hard problem, several sound (but incomplete) heuristics exist for algorithmic design of self-stabilization. This paper presents a sound and complete method for algorithmic design of self-stabilizing network protocols. The essence of the proposed approach is based on variable superposition and backtracking search. We have validated the proposed method by creating both a sequential and a parallel implementation in the context of a software tool, called Protocon. Moreover, we have used Protocon to automatically design self-stabilizing protocols for the problems that all existing heuristics fail to solve.
Numerical Modeling of Surface Reactions

The use of numerical simulations to study the properties of materials has now grown into a mature field. The exponential increase in computational power of recent decades has made possible the application of advanced numerical approached, such as time-dependent Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations, and provided the means for investigation of larger and more complex systems.
An AOL / Time Warner Merger Will Harm Competition in Internet Online Services

America Online (AOL) is the largest, and in some aspects dominant, firm in the aggregation and distribution of content and services over the Internet. AOL is also the largest provider of Internet access in the U.S. Overall, it is the most successful firm in the business of online services, or the joint provision of Internet access and content and service distribution. This is a business that AOL essentially invented, and no other firm has been able to compete effectively with AOL. Time-Warner (including its Road Runner subsidiary) is one of the most important present and future competitors in this business because it is the number two aggregator and distributor via high-speed (broadband) Internet connections, the next generation of Internet access. This merger thus combines AOL and one of its most significant competitors in online services, creating significant horizontal anti-competitive effects. The merger between AOL and Time Warner will horizontally and vertically increase AOL's power in the market for Internet online services. The anti-competitive effects of this merger will harm consumers.
Intranasal inactivated influenza vaccines for the prevention of seasonal influenza epidemics

Introduction: Intranasal influenza vaccines are expected to confer protection among vaccine recipients by successful induction of mucosal immune response in the upper respiratory tract. Though only...
Resistance patterns of refractory H. pylori infection in a referral center in the Delaware Valley.

Introduction H. pylori (HP) resistance is increasing in the US. Guidelines suggest treatment based on local resistance patterns, yet are poorly studied. We describe resistance patterns of the Delaware Valley. Methods A retrospective study of patients referred to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, between 2009-2019 who underwent endoscopy for culture. Chart review identified demographics, history, endoscopic and culture results, treatment, and follow up. Results Of 109 patients referred for refractory HP, 90 had identified HP. Median age was 53.2 years and the majority was female (74%), with median 2 previous antibiotic courses for HP. Gastric erythema was the most common endoscopic abnormality. 65 (72.2%) were culture positive, and 45 (69.2%) were resistant to levofloxacin, 27 (41.5%) to metronidazole, and 39 (43.3%) to clarithromycin.Being resistant to any one of the 3 antibiotics was associated with resistance to either of the other two. There was an association with number of previous antibiotics with resistance (OR 1.74, p<0.05).We prescribed therapy to 77 patients based on susceptibility profiles, and 34 (37.8%) were cured, 14 (15.6%) underwent endoscopic surveillance, 3 (3.3%) were followed by infectious disease, and 39 (43.3%) were lost to follow up. Conclusions Antibiotic resistance is associated with refractory HP, and continues to rise. Culturing is associated with cure, and its use in clinical practice regarding efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and ability to minimize antibiotic resistance should be further studied. Overall follow-up is limited by loss to follow up, emphasizing the need for appropriate treatment.
Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure impairs cognitive control, but not attention, on a rodent touchscreen continuous performance task.

A common feature associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is the inability to concentrate on a specific task while ignoring distractions. Human continuous performance tasks (CPT), measure vigilance and cognitive control simultaneously while these processes are traditionally measured separately in rodents. We recently established a touchscreen 5-choice CPT (5C-CPT) that measures vigilance and cognitive control simultaneously by incorporating both target and nontargets and showed it was sensitive to amphetamine-induced improvement in humans and mice. Here, we examined the effects of moderate prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in male and female mice on performance of the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT), which contained only target trials, and the 5C-CPT which incorporated both target and nontarget trials. In addition, we assessed gait and fine motor coordination in behavioral naive PAE and control animals. We found that on the 5-CSRTT mice were able to respond to target presentations with similar hit rates regardless of sex or treatment. However, on the 5C-CPT PAE mice made significantly more false alarm responses vs controls. Compared with control animals, PAE mice had a significantly lower sensitivity index, a measure of ability to discriminate appropriate responses to stimuli types. During 5C-CPT, female mice, regardless of treatment, also had increased mean latency to respond when correct and omitted more target trials. Gait assessment showed no significant differences in PAE and SAC mice on any measure. These findings suggest that moderate exposure to alcohol during development can have long lasting effects on cognitive control unaffected by gross motor alterations.
Tobacco and electronic cigarettes adversely impact ECG indexes of ventricular repolarization: implication for sudden death risk.

Tobacco cigarette smoking is associated with increased sudden death risk, perhaps through adverse effects on ventricular repolarization. The effect of electronic (e-)cigarettes on ventricular repolarization is unknown. The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes have similar adverse effects on electrocardiogram (ECG) indexes of ventricular repolarization and these effects are attributable to nicotine. ECG recordings were obtained in 37 chronic tobacco cigarette smokers, 43 chronic e-cigarette users, and 65 nonusers. Primary outcomes, Tpeak to Tend (Tp-e), Tp-e/QT ratio, and Tp-e/QTc ratio, were measured in tobacco cigarette smokers pre-/post-straw control and smoking one tobacco cigarette and in e-cigarette users and nonusers pre-/post-straw control and using an e-cigarette with and without nicotine (different days). Mean values of the primary outcomes were not different among the three groups at baseline. In chronic tobacco cigarette smokers, all primary outcomes, including the Tp-e (12.9 ± 5.0% vs. 1.5 ± 5%, P = 0.017), Tp-e/QT (14.9 ± 5.0% vs. 0.7 ± 5.1%, P = 0.004), and Tp-e/QTc (11.9 ± 5.0% vs. 2.1 ± 5.1%, P = 0.036), were significantly increased pre-/post-smoking one tobacco cigarette compared with pre-/post-straw control. In chronic e-cigarette users, the Tp-e/QT (6.3 ± 1.9%, P = 0.046) was increased only pre/post using an e-cigarette with nicotine but not pre/post the other exposures. The changes relative to the changes after straw control were greater after smoking the tobacco cigarette compared with using the e-cigarette with nicotine for Tp-e (11.4 ± 4.4% vs. 1.1 ± 2.5%, P < 0.05) and Tp-e/QTc (9.8 ± 4.4% vs. -1.6 ± 2.6%, P = 0.05) but not Tp-e/QT(14.2 ± 4.5% vs. 4.2 ± 2.6%, P = 0.061) . Heart rate increased similarly after the tobacco cigarette and e-cigarette with nicotine. Baseline ECG indexes of ventricular repolarization were not different among chronic tobacco cigarette smokers, electronic cigarette users and nonusers. An adverse effect of acute tobacco cigarette smoking on ECG indexes of ventricular repolarization was confirmed. In chronic e-cigarette users, an adverse effect of using an e-cigarette with nicotine, but not without nicotine, on ECG indexes of ventricular repolarization was also observed.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Abnormal ventricular repolarization, as indicated by prolonged Tpeak-end (Tp-e), is associated with increased sudden death risk. Baseline ECG indexes of repolarization, Tp-e, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc, were not different among tobacco cigarette (TC) smokers, electronic cigarette (EC) users, and nonsmokers at baseline, but when TC smokers smoked one TC, all parameters were prolonged. Using an electronic cigarette with nicotine, but not without nicotine, increased the Tp-e/QT. Smoking induces changes in ECG indexes of ventricular repolarization associated with increased sudden death risk.
Reproductive technologies and pathogen transmission

Abstract Four generations of reproductive technologies can be identified. Artificial insemination including cryopreservation of semen and embryos is the first generation, with in vivo–derived embryo production and transfer the second generation, followed by in vitro embryo production as the third generation, and finally, cloning and transgenic embryo production considered the fourth generation of reproductive technologies. Pathogen transmission is of major importance with all generations of reproductive technologies and increases with each subsequent generation. Implementation of biosecurity protocols and excellent quality control is imperative to prevent contamination and transmission of diseases while utilizing reproductive technologies. This chapter focuses on areas of potential contamination within the production systems utilized and on certain pathogens that are of more concern due to their ability to thrive within these systems.
DIRT/3D: 3D phenotyping for maize (Zea mays) root architecture in the field

Abstract The development of crops with deeper roots holds substantial promise to mitigate the consequences of climate change. Deeper roots are an essential factor to improve water uptake as a way to enhance crop resilience to drought, to increase nitrogen capture to reduce fertilizer inputs and to increase carbon sequestration from the atmosphere to improve soil organic fertility. A major obstacle to achieving these improvements is the bottleneck in the high-throughput phenotyping of field-grown roots. We address this bottleneck with DIRT/3D, a newly developed image-based 3D root phenotyping platform, which measures 16 architecture traits in mature maize root systems. DIRT/3D computed reliably all 16 traits on a test panel of 12 contrasting maize genotypes. The analysis of the maize panel validated traits such as distance between whorls, and the number, angle, and diameters of crown and brace roots. Overall, we observed a coefficient of determination of r2>0.84 and a high broad-sense heritability of for all traits. Means of the 16 traits and a newly developed descriptor to characterize a complete root architecture distinguished all genotypes. DIRT/3D is a step towards automated quantification of highly occluded maize root systems in the field and will support breeders and root biologists to improved carbon sequestration and food security in the face of the adverse effects of climate change.
A draft genome of Steinernema diaprepesi .

Entomopathogenic nematodes within the genus Steinernema are used as biological control agents against significant agricultural pests. Steinernema diaprepesi is native to Florida and very effective in controlling citrus root weevil, a devastating pest of citrus, ornamental plants, and vegetables. Here, we present the draft genome of Steinernema diaprepesi, which is a valuable tool for understanding the efficacy of this nematode as a biological control agent. Entomopathogenic nematodes within the genus Steinernema are used as biological control agents against significant agricultural pests. Steinernema diaprepesi is native to Florida and very effective in controlling citrus root weevil, a devastating pest of citrus, ornamental plants, and vegetables. Here, we present the draft genome of Steinernema diaprepesi, which is a valuable tool for understanding the efficacy of this nematode as a biological control agent.
The Impact of Black Lung and a Methodology for Controlling Respirable Dust

Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung, is caused by the inhalation of respirable coal mine dust and is a disabling and potentially fatal lung disease with no cure. Historically, CWP has taken a tremendous human and financial toll in the US coal mining industry. Recent health surveillance data indicates that CWP continues to occur at elevated levels. Respirable coal dust exposure must be controlled to prevent the development of CWP. The Pittsburgh Mining Research Division of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts laboratory and mine-site research to identify control technologies that can be used to successfully reduce respirable dust levels. Various technologies, using multiple methods of control, can be applied in order to reduce dust levels. An overview of CWP's impact and a general methodology for controlling respirable dust in underground coal mines are discussed in this paper.
Volcanic origin for Younger Dryas geochemical anomalies ca. 12,900 cal B.P.

The Younger Dryas (YD) abrupt cooling event ca. 12.9 ± 0.1 ka is associated with substantial meltwater input into the North Atlantic Ocean, reversing deglacial warming. One controversial and prevailing hypothesis is that a bolide impact or airburst is responsible for these environmental changes. Here, highly siderophile element (HSE; Os, Ir, Ru, Pt, Pd, and Re) abundances and 187Os/188Os ratios were obtained in a well-dated sediment section at Hall’s Cave, TX, USA to test this hypothesis. In Hall’s Cave, layers below, above, and in the YD have 187Os/188Os ratios consistent with incorporation of extraterrestrial or mantle-derived material. The HSE abundances indicate that these layers contain volcanic gas aerosols and not extraterrestrial materials. The most likely explanation is that episodic, distant volcanic emissions were deposited in Hall’s Cave sediments. Coupled 187Os/188Os ratios and HSE concentration data at close stratigraphic intervals are required to effectively differentiate between bolide and volcanic origins.
Trace Metal/Phytoplankton Interactions in the Sea

Recent evidence indicates that trace metal nutrients (most importantly iron, and to a lesser extent zinc and manganese) can profoundly influence the productivity, species diversity, and ecological interactions of marine phytoplankton communities. In this chapter, several aspects of marine trace metal/phytoplankton interactions are examined, including (1) the chemistry of bioactive metals in seawater, (2) the interaction of these metals with phytoplankton at the molecular, cellular, community, and ecosystem levels of biological organization, and (3) the mechanisms by which phytoplankton communities regulate the distributions, cycling, and chemical speciation of trace metals. In controlling the chemistry and cycling of metal nutrients, important feedback mechanisms are established, which can have global scale impacts on the physics, chemistry, and biology of the Earth.
Yiddish-Language World History and the Emergence of a Jewish Nationalist Politics in Late Imperial Russia

Scholars have long posited a connection between the emergence of Jewish historical consciousness and the “new Jewish politics” of the period 1881–1917. They have largely neglected, however, the man...
Kinetics of catalytic oxidation of the potent aquatic toxin microcystin-LR by latest generation TAML activators

The bis-sulfonamide TAML activator of peroxides [Fe{4-NO2C6H3-1,2-(NCOCMe2 NSO2)2CHMe}]- (2) catalyzes the H2O2 oxidation of microcystin-LR (m-LR), a common surface water contaminant produced by cy...
The function of macromolecular complex of CFTR-NHERF2-LPA2 in inflammatory responses of intestinal epithelial cells

Abstract CFTR is a cAMP-regulated chloride channel located in the apical surface of intestinal epithelial cells; where it forms a macromolecular complex with NHERF2 and LPA2. CFTR has been shown to play a role in the pathogenies of several types of secretory diarrheas. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition of intestine characterized by severe inflammation and mucosal destruction, genetic analysis has shown that LPA contribute to IBD and patients of cystic fibrosis also display the phenotype of diarrhea. The purpose of this study is to investigate if this complex plays a role in the inflammatory responses of intestinal epithelium. We then explored the role of this complex in maintaining the integrity of tight junction and inflammatory responses in these cells. In vitro assays show that inhibiting CFTR or LPA2 in the intestinal epithelial cell could disrupt the epithelial cell junction, and reduce the TER of intestinal epithelial cells in both mouse and human cell line. EƯSA assay show that intriguing LPA2 through LPS or LPA can increase the secretion of IL-8, while inhibiting or SiRNA knockdown of LPA2 can decrease the secretion of IL-8 in mouse or human intestinal epithelial cells. The CFTR inhibitor can reduce the IL-8 secretion in both mouse and human cell line, the deletion of CFTR in mouse intestine does not affect the IL-8 level, but the knockdown of CFTR in human cell line reduced the IL-8 protein level. The deletion of CFTR in human also reduced the IL-8 mRNA level. This indicates the CFTR-LPA complex is necessary for the expression of IL-8.
Sitting in the Tensions: Challenging Whiteness in Quantitative Research

This response to Julie Martin and Chavone Garza’s article published in Studies in Engineering Education, “Centering the Marginalized Student’s Voice Through Autoethnography: Implications for Engineering Education Research,” discusses considerations in the process of research, particularly for white researchers. This reflection draws on coloring epistemologies and white supremacy characteristics to re-examine questions of how quantitative research paradigms can be challenged. Reflection on how the process and product of Martin and Garza’s article changed the way the author thinks about her research and begins to raise points of conversation for white researchers engaged in quantitative and mixed methods work.
Interactive effects of light quality and culturing temperature on algal cell size, biomass doubling time, protein content, and carbohydrate content

Light management strategy can be used to improve algal biomass and nutrient production. However, the response of algal metabolism to different light qualities, especially their interaction with other environmental factors, is not well understood. This study focuses on the interactive effects of light quality and culturing temperature on algal protein content and carbohydrate content of C. reinhardtii. Three LED light sources (blue light, red-orange light, and white-yellow light) were applied to grow algae in batch cultures with a light intensity of 105 μmol/m2s under the temperatures of 24 °C to 32 °C. The protein and carbohydrate content were measured in both the late exponential growth phase and the late stationary growth phase. The results revealed that there was an interactive effect of light quality and culturing temperature on the protein and carbohydrate content. The combined conditions of blue light and a temperature of 24 °C or 28 °C, which induced a larger algal cell size with a prolonged cell cycle and a low division rate, resulted in the highest protein content; the protein mass fraction and concentration were 32% and 52% higher than that under white-yellow light at 32 °C. The combined conditions of red-orange light and a temperature of 24 °C, which promoted both the cell division and size growth, enhanced the carbohydrate content; the carbohydrate mass fraction and concentration were 161% and 155% higher than that under white-yellow light at 24 °C. When there was temperature stress (32 °C) or nutrient stress, the effect of light quality reduced, and the difference of protein and carbohydrate content among the three light qualities decreased. KEY POINTS: • Studied light quality-temperature interactive effect on protein, carbohydrate synthesis. • Protein content was high under low cell division rate. • Carbohydrate content was high under high cell division and cell size growth rate.
Happiness adaptation to high income: Evidence from German panel data

Abstract This paper is the first to use national representative panel data to demonstrate that individuals do not adapt to high income in the long run: after five or more years, the life satisfaction of high-income people is still higher than that of the average population. Using entropy balancing (EB) matching and Lasso variable selection to reweight the control group yields similar results.
Velocity Encoded Cine Imaging of Mitral Valve Inflow: A novel method to determine cardiac rest periods in coronary magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose: Dual Phase Whole Heart Coronary Magnetic Resonance Angiography (CMRA) has become an invaluable addition in the evaluation of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), as it defines detailed cardiac morphology and coronary anatomy. Image acquisition is usually performed during the cardiac rest periods, at end-systole and mid-diastole, in order to minimize cardiac motion and thus increase image sharpness. The rest periods are traditionally assessed visually using a high-temporal resolution balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) 4-chamber (4CH) image, but this technique is limited by significant inter-observer variability. We propose that velocity encoded cine imaging of the mitral valve inflow (MVI) is a novel and more reproducible approach to determine …
Measurable residual disease negativity in acute myeloid leukemia: the destination may matter more than the journey.

The adverse impact of measurable residual disease (MRD) on outcomes after AML directed therapy is well recognized [1]. Detection of MRD at time of remission after completion of induction chemothera...
A two‐level queueing network model with blocking and non‐blocking messages

We analyze a novel two‐level queueing network with blocking, consisting of N level‐1 parallel queues linked to M level‐2 parallel queues. The processing of a customer by a level‐1 server requires additional services that are exclusively offered by level‐2 servers. These level‐2 servers are accessed through blocking and non‐blocking messages issued by level‐1 servers. If a blocking message is issued, the level‐1 server gets blocked until the message is fully processed at the level‐2 server. The queueing network is analyzed approximately using a decomposition method, which can be viewed as a generalization of the well‐known two‐node decomposition algorithm used to analyze tandem queueing networks with blocking. Numerical tests show that the algorithm has a good accuracy.
Motion of Suspension Bridges in Turbulent Winds

The first and second stochastic moments of the motion of a suspension bridge under the excitation of a natural wind are evaluated theoretically on the assumptions that typical scale of turbulence in the wind flow is much larger than the lateral dimensions of the bridge, and that the turbulence field is convected at a high velocity relative to the bridge. It is shown that the turbulence changes both the self-excited loads and the buffeting loads; therefore, the two types of loads are statistically correlated. This correlation generally results in a non-zero average response, even though the turbulent fluctuation has a zero mean. Furthermore, the presence of turbulence changes the motion stability boundaries, particularly the second moment stability boundary, and the mean square response can increase greatly when the stability boundary is approached.
(R)-roscovitine inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in DLBCL through Stat3 signaling and inhibition of myc-mediated glycolysis

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 4367 (R)-roscovitine (CYC202, Seliciclib) is a CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase)-specific inhibitor belonging to the family of purines and is currently in clinical trials for a number of different cancers. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the second fastest growing cancer in the Western world and a number of recent reports have implicated over expression and aberrant activation of CDKs in the pathogenesis of DBLCL. There is no in vitro or in vivo report on the effect of (R)-roscovitine on DLBCL viability. Here, we report (R)-roscovitine inhibits proliferation and induces time-dependent apoptosis in a panel of DLBCL cell lines. Coinciding with arrest of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in (R)-roscovitine-treated cells, we found that expression of the transcription factor c-myc was inhibited. Several c-myc targets, including genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes in the glycolytic pathway ( e.g., hexokinase II and phosphofructokinase 1) were reduced. In keeping with this, glycolysis was inhibited following treatment of DLBCLs with (R)-roscovitine, and this proceeded apoptosis. Inhibition of glycolytic flux with 3-bromopyruvate also resulted in growth arrest. Further, (R)-roscovitine inhibited Stat3/Pim-1 signaling in DLBCL cells that displayed constitutive activation of this pathway. Treatment with the Stat3 inhibitors tryphostinAG490 or cucurbitacin I resulted in similar effects on cell viability, c-myc expression, transcription of glycolytic enzymes, and glycolytic flux as (R)-roscovitine, suggesting involvement of this pathway. This study provides novel insight into the mechanisms in which (R)-roscovitine exerts its therapeutic effectiveness and we suggest (R)-roscovitine may be a promising therapy in treating DLBCL.
Pathogenicity of Legionella pneumophila

The bacterium Legionella pneumophila is the principal etiologic agent of Legionnaires' disease, a form of lobar pneumonia. Ubiquitous in aquatic environments, the gram-negative Legionella organism is a facultative, intracellular parasite of protozoa. The pathogenesis of legionellosis is largely due to the ability of L. pneumophila to invade and grow within alveolar macrophages, and it is widely believed that this ability results from a prior adaptation to intracellular niches in nature. Indeed, intracellular legionellae display a remarkable capacity to avoid endosomal and lysosomal bactericidal activities and to establish a unique replicative phagosome. In recent years, much progress has been made toward identifying the bacterial factors that promote intracellular infection and virulence. Surface structures that enhance infection include LPS, flagella, type IV pili, an outer membrane porin, and the Mip propyl-proline isomerase. Both type II and type IV protein secretion systems are critical for L. pneumophila pathogenesis. Whereas the type II (Lsp) system secretes a collection of degradative enzymes, the type IV (Dot/Icm) system likely exports effector proteins that are especially critical for trafficking of the Legionella phagosome. In addition to facilitating pilus formation and type II secretion, the inner membrane prepilin peptidase (PilD) of L. pneumophila appears to mediate a third, potentially novel pathway that is operative in the mammalian host. Periplasmic and cytosolic infectivity determinants include a catalase-peroxidase and the HtrA and Hsp60 stress-response proteins. The stationary phase response and the iron acquisition functions of L. pneumophila also play key roles in pathogenesis, as do a number of other loci, including the pts, mil and enh genes.
A Rational Incentives-Based Explanation for Booms and Busts:The Case of Roll-Ups

We explore how the misaligned incentives of underwriters and investors can contribute to boom-and-bust cycles in capital market transactions. Underwriters, whose rewards are transaction-driven and largely front-loaded, have incentives to complete deals to generate fees. Investors, who base their estimates of return in part on information about past deal performance, have incentives to invest in deals with high expected returns. If the performance of deals changes over time, investors' reliance on information from past deals means they may under- or over-commit capital relative to what hindsight indicates would have been optimal. We examine this explanation using roll-ups from the 1990s.
Psychosocial Treatment for Adult ADHD

Many adults with ADHD are likely to benefit from psychosocial ­interventions that teach compensatory skills to manage symptoms and address functional impairment. Based on the research literature and the authors’ experience developing and implementing interventions, this chapter provides a practice-friendly overview of skills-based treatment selection and implementation, emphasizing cognitive-behavioral techniques. Principles are illustrated using case examples and adjunctive treatment options are discussed.
A Role for TCR Affinity in Regulating Naive T Cell Homeostasis

Homeostatic signals that control the overall size and composition of the naive T cell pool have recently been identified to arise from contact with self-MHC/peptide ligands and a cytokine, IL-7. IL-7 presumably serves as a survival factor to keep a finite number of naive cells alive by preventing the onset of apoptosis, but how TCR signaling from contact with self-MHC/peptide ligands regulates homeostasis is unknown. To address this issue, murine polyclonal and TCR-transgenic CD8+ cells expressing TCR with different affinities for self-MHC/peptide ligands, as depicted by the CD5 expression level, were analyzed for their ability to respond to and compete for homeostatic factors under normal and lymphopenic conditions. The results suggest that the strength of the TCR affinity determines the relative "fitness" of naive T cells to compete for factors that support cell survival and homeostatic proliferation.
Green processing using ionic liquids and CO2

Many organic solvents evaporate into the atmosphere with detrimental effects on the environment and human health. But room-temperature ionic liquids, with low viscosity and no measurable vapour pressure1, can be used as environmentally benign media for a range of industrially important chemical processes2,3,4,5,6, despite uncertainties about thermal stability and sensitivity to oxygen and water. It is difficult to recover products, however, as extraction with water7 works only for hydrophilic products, distillation is not suitable for poorly volatile or thermally labile products, and liquid-liquid extraction using organic solvents results in cross-contamination. We find that non-volatile organic compounds can be extracted from ionic liquids using supercritical carbon dioxide, which is widely used to extract large organic compounds with minimal pollution8. Carbon dioxide dissolves in the liquid to facilitate extraction, but the ionic liquid does not dissolve in carbon dioxide, so pure product can be recovered.
The ImageSwitcher: a proposed system architecture designed to reduce VR lag

Latency contributes to image error and to motion sickness in headtracked graphics displays. We attack the problem of latency by exploiting parallel scene generation, using multiple graphics engines to render images corresponding to a cloud of viewpoints. The real-time position of a 3D tracker is used to select among several just-generated images, rather than to generate a new image, for each frame. The system's scalable architecture is comprised of off-the-shelf components. When future PC-class machines offer inexpensive high-speed 3D graphics, the design of the system will become economically attractive.
The Benefit of Force Feedback in Surgery: Examination of Blunt Dissection

Force feedback is widely assumed to enhance performance in robotic surgery, but its benefits have not yet been systematically assessed. In this study we examine the effects of force feedback on a blunt dissection task. Twenty subjects used a telerobotic system to expose an artery in a synthetic model while viewing the operative site with a video laparoscope. Subjects were drawn from a range of surgical backgrounds, from inexperienced to attending surgeons. Performance was compared between three force feedback gains: 0% (no force feedback), 37%, and 75%. The absence of force feedback increased the average force magnitude applied to the tissue by at least 50%, and increased the peak force magnitude by at least 100%. The number of errors that damage tissue increased by over a factor of 3. The rate and precision of dissection were not significantly enhanced with force feedback. These results hold across all levels of previous surgical experience. We hypothesize that force feedback is helpful in this blunt dissection task because the artery is stiffer than the surrounding tissue. This mechanical contrast serves to constrain the subject's hand from commanding inappropriate motions that generate large forces.
Autoradiographic study of the 133Xenon disappearance method for measurement of myocardial blood flow

Myocardial blood flow studied in canine hearts by the 133Xe disappearance method was better estimated by utilizing the initial portion of the disappearance curve than by 'curve-peeling'. Macroautoradiography demonstrated that radioactivity was located primarily in myocardium during the early portion of the curve, but in epicardial fat later. The method is incapable of detecting areas of reduced flow which can be demonstrated autoradiographically.
Polyphosphoinositide levels and biosynthesis in quaking mouse brain.

Abstract Levels of polyphosphoinositides are considerably lower in brains of quaking mutant mice, which are characterized by inadequate myelination, than in normal mouse brains. The deficiency of triphosphoinositide is greater than that of diphosphoinositide, but less than the lack of cerebrosides, indicating that, although the major portion of polyphosphoinositides is located in myelin, extra-myelin pools of these lipids exist. The ability to incorporate 32 P i in vivo into polyphosphoinositides is substantially reduced in the quaking animals, probably as the result of an as yet unknown biochemical lesion related to normal myelination.
Analysis of the frequency response of the saccadic circuit: numerical simulations

Fundamental mechanisms of a brain circuit's operation can be revealed by quantitative analysis of the system's dynamic behavior. This approach is particularly useful for investigation of motor circuits, which generate machine-like outputs and where systems control techniques can be applied to reveal the circuit behavior outside the dynamic range of volitional activation. As an extension of our previous study of the step response of the saccadic motor system, this paper presents analytical and numerical considerations for the frequency response of the saccadic circuit-the system response to a steady-state sinusoidal input. Consideration of these responses provides mechanistic explanation for several aspects of the biological circuit and formalizes constraints for viable models of the saccadic circuit. Most importantly, these studies provide quantitative predictions for comparison with experimental data in vivo and make explicit hypotheses about biological mechanisms for experimental verification.
Civilizing the people of Southeast Asia: Sir Stamford Raffles’ town plan for Singapore, 1819–23

In 1819, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles founded the city of Singapore as a trading centre for the British East India Company. His achievement and the events surrounding the city's origins are well known to historians. Thus far, however, no one has analysed the social theories which motivated Raffles as he laid out the town's physical plan, created kampongs or villages for the various non‐European groups, established a botanical gardens and a college, and wrote a constitution for the colony. This article explores his ideas regarding the hierarchical structure of society, his economic theories regarding free trade, and his view of history. Raffles was no ordinary colonizer seeking only to make a profit. Rather he attempted to use the natives’ history to persuade them of the value of Western ideas regarding democracy, free trade, and the administration of justice. In doing so he hoped to break the cyclical pattern of history to achieve lasting progress. Raffles’ goal in the establishment of Singapore was to upl...
A LGA model for fluid flow in heterogeneous porous media

A lattice gas automaton (LGA) model is proposed to simulate fluid flow in heterogeneous porous media. Permeability fields are created by distributing scatterers (solids, grains) within the fluid flow field. These scatterers act as obstacles to flow. The loss in momentum of the fluid is directly related to the permeability of the lattice gas model. It is shown that by varying the probability of occurrence of solid nodes, the permeability of the porous medium can be changed over several orders of magnitude.
Measuring DA and H at z = 0.35 from the SDSS DR7 LRGs using baryon acoustic oscillations

We present measurements of the angular diameter distance DA(z) and the Hubble parameter H(z) at z = 0.35 using the anisotropy of the baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) signal measured in the galaxy clustering distribution of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 7 (DR7) Luminous Red Galaxies (LRG) sample. Our work is the first to apply density-field reconstruction to an anisotropic analysis of the acoustic peak. Reconstruction partially removes the effects of non-linear evolution and redshift-space distortions in order to sharpen the acoustic signal. We present the theoretical framework behind the anisotropic BAO signal and give a detailed account of the fitting model we use to extract this signal from the data. Our method focuses only on the acoustic peak anisotropy, rather than the more model-dependent anisotropic information from the broadband power. We test the robustness of our analysis methods on 160 LasDamas DR7 mock catalogues and find that our models are unbiased at the � 0.2% level in measuring the BAO anisotropy. After reconstruction we measure DA(z = 0.35) = 1050 ± 38 Mpc and H(z = 0.35) = 84.4 ± 7.0 km/s/Mpc assuming a sound horizon of rs = 152.76 Mpc. Note that these measurements are correlated with a correlation coefficient of 0.57. This represents a factor of 1.4improvement in the error on DA relative to the pre-reconstruction case; a factor of 1.2 improvement is seen for H.
Assessment of intraaxial and extraaxial brain lesions with digitized computed tomographic images versus film: ROC analysis

Rationale and Objectives. The authors evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of viewing computed tomographic (CT) scans as film versus soft-copy images at a workstation. Methods. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of the interpretation of 202 CT scans (103 were normal, 99 were abnormal) by five neuroradiologists was performed. Abnormal images contained high- or low-attenuation intraaxial lesions or extraaxial fluid (subdural, subarachnoid, or epidural hemorrhage). Hard copies were read on a standard light box, and digital images were examined at a 1,024 × 1,250 workstation. Lesion location and type and confidence ratings were recorded on a worksheet. Result. There were no statistically significant differences in diagnostic accuracy between the two display modes. Reader performance was slightly better with the workstation in the assessment of low-attenuation lesions. Conclusion. Diagnostic accuracy is similar for CT scans displayed at a workstation and those displayed as hard copy in the assessment of subtle intra- and extraaxial brain lesions.
Understanding gas-phase reactions in the thermal CVD of hard coatings using computational methods

This article provides a short summary of the theoretical approaches to understanding gas-phase reactions. In particular, the quantum-chemical bond-additivity correction (BAC) method for predicting molecular thermochemistry of gas-phase molecules is described. A brief discussion of the use of RRKM methods for predicting the rates of unimolecular reactions and of ab initio methods for predicting the rates of bimolecular reactions is also presented. Finally, the question of when gas-phase reactions are likely to be important in CVD is discussed. Criteria are proposed for performing a first-order evaluation of the extent of precursor pyrolysis in the CVD of hard coatings. Examples from the CVD of titanium-containing species, boron nitride, and silicon carbide will be used for illustration.
Modifiable risk factors for low birth weight and their effect on cerebral palsy and mental retardation

Objective: to estimate the effect of modifiable risk factors on low birth weight and two of its sequelae—cerebral palsy and mental retardation. Methods: The population attributable risk percent (PARP) was used as a measure of effect. A literature search was conducted to determine estimates of the percent of CP and MR attributable to low birth weight. Data from the 1996–1997 Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a population based surveillance system, were used to estimate the percent of low birth weight attributable to modifiable risk factors. The PARP was calculated for smoking and unwanted conception. Results: Unwanted pregnancy and smoking were statistically significant risk factors for LBW. Four percent of all LBW births were attributable to unwanted pregnancy. If all unwanted pregnancies were prevented, 13% of cases of CP (27 cases per year in GA) and 14% of cases of MR (151 cases per year in GA) would be prevented. In wanted or mistimed pregnancies, 6% of LBW births were attributable to smoking. If all smoking during wanted or mistimed pregnancy was prevented, an additional 2.5% (5 cases) of CP and an additional 0.8% (8 cases) of MR would be prevented in Georgia each year. If all unwanted pregnancies and all smoking during wanted or mistimed pregnancies were prevented, 1692 LBW births could be prevented per year and the rate of LBW in Georgia would fall from 7.6% to 6.8%. Additionally, 32 cases of cerebral palsy and 159 cases of mental retardation could be prevented each year in Georgia. Conclusions: The PARP approach is useful in estimating the benefit of evidence-based prevention services. Preventing unwanted pregnancy and smoking during pregnancy would substantially reduce the burden of cerebral palsy and mental retardation in Georgia.
Molecular analysis of single room humidifier bacteriology

Portable, single-room humidifiers are commonly used in homes for comfort and health benefits, but also create habitats for microbiology. Currently there is no information on home humidifier microbiology aside from anecdotal evidence of infection with opportunistic pathogens and irritation from endotoxin exposure. To obtain a broader perspective on humidifier microbiology, DNAs were isolated from tap source waters, tank waters, and biofilm samples associated with 26 humidifiers of ultrasonic and boiling modes of operation in the Front Range of Colorado. Humidifiers sampled included units operated by individuals in their homes, display models continuously operated by a retail store, and new humidifiers operated in a controlled laboratory study. The V1V2 region of the rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced to determine the taxonomic composition of humidifier samples. Communities encountered were generally low in richness and diversity and were dominated by Sphingomonadales, Rhizobiales, and Burkholderiales of the Proteobacteria, and MLE1-12, a presumably non-photosynthetic representative of the cyanobacterial phylum. Very few sequences of potential health concern were detected. The bacteriology encountered in source waters sampled here was similar to that encountered in previous studies of municipal drinking waters. Source water bacteriology was found to have the greatest effect on tank water and biofilm bacteriology, an effect confirmed by a controlled study comparing ultrasonic and boiler humidifiers fed with tap vs. treated (deionized, reverse osmosis, 0.2 μm filtered) water over a period of two months.
Self-reported health of people with intellectual disability.

Abstract Self-reported health is an important outcome in the evaluation of health care but is largely ignored in favor of proxy-based reporting for people with an intellectual disability. This stud...