cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in arsenic exposure in Araihazar, Bangladesh from 2001 through 2015 following a blanket well testing and education campaign

Abstract Background Concentrations of arsenic (As) are elevated in a large proportion of wells in Bangladesh but are spatially variable even within a village. This heterogeneity can enable exposed households to switch to a nearby well lower in As in response to blanket (area-wide) well As testing. Objectives We document the evolution of As exposure in Araihazar, Bangladesh following a blanket well testing and education campaign, as well as the installation of a considerable number of low As community wells. Methods We use well water and urinary As data collected between 2000 and 2008, along with household interviews extending through 2016, within a 25 km2 area of Araihazar upazila for nearly 12,000 participants enrolled in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS). We observe changes in participants' well water and urinary As concentrations following interventions to lower their exposure and use logistic regression to determine the factors associated with participants' decisions to switch primary household wells. Results Urinary As for participants drinking from wells with >100 μg/L As at baseline declined from a mean of 226 μg/L at baseline to 173 μg/L two years later, and further declined to 139 μg/L over 8 years. For comparison, urinary As concentrations for participants drinking from wells with ≤10 μg/L As remained close to 50 μg/L throughout. Whereas the interventions only partially reduced exposure, well status with respect to As was predictive of well-switching decisions for at least a decade after the initial testing. Participants with high-As wells were 7 times more likely to switch wells over the first two years and 1.4–1.8 times more likely to switch wells over the ensuing decade. Conclusions Arsenic exposure gradually declined following blanket well testing, an education campaign, and the installation of community wells but remained almost three times higher than for a subgroup of the participants drinking from wells with ≤10 μg/L. In addition, the number of participants with unknown As concentrations in their primary household wells increased substantially over time, indicating the importance of additional well testing as new wells continue to be installed, in addition to other means of reducing As exposure.
A Small Signal Model for Grid Synchronization of a Three Phase SiC-based Filter-less Grid-connected PV Inverter

In this paper, the effect of current control loop on the grid synchronization is analyzed for a three phase SiC filterless PV inverter. A small signal model is proposed to represent the effect of current control loop on the phase locked loop (PLL). Analysis shows that, subharmonic oscillation can happen under conventional PLL design method. This is because the current control loop behaves as an additional feedforward term to the PLL. This effect is not considered in conventional PLL design. Experiments are performed on a 100-kVA three phase SiC filterless inverter prototype that connected to 17x weak grid. The results validate the analysis and the effectiveness of proposed design. Although the proposed analysis and design is targeting the filter-less VSCs, it can also be applied to conventional VSCs that connected to a very weak grid.
Clinical utility of biomarkers of systemic inflammation for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

e15617 Background: The presence or absence of systemic inflammation has been associated with dramatic changes in prognosis for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). In this study we...
Measurement and analytic vulnerabilities in the study of structural stigma

Abstract Two general concerns remain following this updated and corrected study of structural stigma's effect on the premature mortality of sexual minorities. First, there seem to be better and worse ways to measure structural stigma. Scholars should be invested in best-possible measures. Second, remaining questions about measures and expectations suggest more attention be paid to an optimal modeling approach to predicting health outcomes among sexual minorities, one that neither underspecifies nor overspecifies models, but aims instead at better understanding stigma processes in population-based samples, not just searching for its effects.
Stability of a static liquid bridge knowing only its shape

We show that the shape and stability of any static liquid bridge can be solved from a master problem obtained from a model of a pressure-controlled experiment.
Tissue mechanics drives regeneration of a mucociliated epidermis on the surface of Xenopus embryonic aggregates

Injury, surgery, and disease often disrupt tissues and it is the process of regeneration that aids the restoration of architecture and function. Regeneration can occur through multiple strategies including stem cell expansion, transdifferentiation, or proliferation of differentiated cells. We have identified a case of regeneration in Xenopus embryonic aggregates that restores a mucociliated epithelium from mesenchymal cells. Following disruption of embryonic tissue architecture and assembly of a compact mesenchymal aggregate, regeneration first restores an epithelium, transitioning from mesenchymal cells at the surface of the aggregate. Cells establish apico-basal polarity within 5 hours and a mucociliated epithelium within 24 hours. Regeneration coincides with nuclear translocation of the putative mechanotransducer YAP1 and a sharp increase in aggregate stiffness, and regeneration can be controlled by altering stiffness. We propose that regeneration of a mucociliated epithelium occurs in response to biophysical cues sensed by newly exposed cells on the surface of a disrupted mesenchymal tissue. The role of tissue mechanics in the regeneration of mucociliated epithelium in Xenopus is unclear. Here, the authors show that Xenopus ectoderm aggregates undergo epithelial-like phenotypic transition prior to differentiation of mucus-secreting goblet cells to enable regeneration.
Nasal Function and Sleep Disorders

The function and structure of the nose and genesis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are inter-connected, but not necessarily in the expected fashion. Obstructions during sleep are in essence, a slackening in the tone of the jaws, causing release of the tongue and palate into the airway. Nasal obstruction is not required to cause this state, but it can be an exacerbating factor. Clinical and modeling data are presented to support this concept. The aerodynamics of how the nose affects the airway are also discussed at length, including a consideration of gravitational forces, negative pressure, and the consideration of the tongue and palate as airfoils subjected to airflow forces.
Laparoscopic versus open ventral hernia repair in the elderly: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Background Ventral hernia repair is common in the expanding aging population, but remains challenging due to their frequent comorbidities. The purpose of this study is to compare the surgical outcomes of open vs. laparoscopic ventral hernia repair in elderly patients. Methods Patients ≥ 65 years of age that underwent elective open or laparoscopic ventral hernia repair were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) database. To reduce potential selection bias, propensity scores were created for the likelihood of undergoing laparoscopic surgery based on patients' demographics and comorbidities. Patients were matched based on the logit of the propensity scores. Thirty-day surgical outcomes were compared after matching using Chi-square test for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test for continuous variables. Results 35,079 (71.1%) and 14,270 (28.9%) patients underwent open and laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs, respectively. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with a lower overall morbidity (5.9% vs. 9.1%; p Conclusion Although open surgery remains the most prevalent in the elderly population, the results of this study suggest that laparoscopic surgery is safe and associated with a lower risk of overall morbidity, surgical site infections, and reoperation.
Chronic neuronal activation increases dynamic microtubules to enhance functional axon regeneration after dorsal root crush injury

After a dorsal root crush injury, centrally-projecting sensory axons fail to regenerate across the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) to extend into the spinal cord. We find that chemogenetic activation of adult dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons improves axon growth on an in vitro model of the inhibitory environment after injury. Moreover, repeated bouts of daily chemogenetic activation of adult DRG neurons for 12 weeks post-crush in vivo enhances axon regeneration across a chondroitinase-digested DREZ into spinal gray matter, where the regenerating axons form functional synapses and mediate behavioral recovery in a sensorimotor task. Neuronal activation-mediated axon extension is dependent upon changes in the status of tubulin post-translational modifications indicative of highly dynamic microtubules (as opposed to stable microtubules) within the distal axon, illuminating a novel mechanism underlying stimulation-mediated axon growth. We have identified an effective combinatory strategy to promote functionally-relevant axon regeneration of adult neurons into the CNS after injury.
Re)enacting Settler Colonialism via White Resident Utterances

This is a qualitative study outlining the links between white resident utterances and settler colonialism. Specifically, this article provides evidence of how settler colonialism continues to opera...
Institutional Foundations of Inequality and Growth

After a decade of research, the effect of inequality on long-run economic growth remains unresolved, in part because researchers have treated omitted variable bias as an estimation problem rather than a deeper question of causality. In this article we argue that the key omitted variable is the quality of economic institutions. Using both cross-country and panel data specifications, we find no direct effect of inequality on growth in the long-run. Rather, the protection of property rights simultaneously raises growth rates and reduces income inequality. We interpret these findings as evidence that insecure property rights disproportionately disadvantage the poor.
Preliminary Performance Baseline Testing for Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC) and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X)

DSRC and C-V2X are two fundamentally different communication technologies for connected and automated vehicles (CAVs). This is a rare study aimed at conducting comparative testing between C-V2X and DSRC to help CAV deployer/researchers identify which communication technology is most suitable for their needs. Initial baseline tests between C-V2X and DSRC were performed at a research facility and relevant results from this comparative testing are presented in this paper. The results presented in this paper provide insight into metrics of interest such as packet loss, burst packet loss, and reliability. The authors document the test system and procedures and present the results as observed in the tests.
The NanoInformatics Knowledge Commons: Capturing spatial and temporal nanomaterial transformations in diverse systems

Abstract The empirical necessity for integrating informatics throughout the experimental process has become a focal point of the nano-community as we work in parallel to converge efforts for making nano-data reproducible and accessible. The NanoInformatics Knowledge Commons (NIKC) Database was designed to capture the complex relationship between nanomaterials and their environments over time in the concept of an ‘Instance’. Our Instance Organizational Structure (IOS) was built to record metadata on nanomaterial transformations in an organizational structure permitting readily accessible data for broader scientific inquiry. By transforming published and on-going data into the IOS we are able to tell the full transformational journey of a nanomaterial within its experimental life cycle. The IOS structure has prepared curated data to be fully analyzed to uncover relationships between observable phenomenon and medium or nanomaterial characteristics. Essential to building the NIKC database and associated applications was incorporating the researcher's needs into every level of development. We started by centering the research question, the query, and the necessary data needed to support the question and query. The process used to create nanoinformatic tools informs usability and analytical capability. In this paper we present the NIKC database, our developmental process, and its curated contents. We also present the Collaboration Tool which was built to foster building new collaboration teams. Through these efforts we aim to: 1) elucidate the general principles that determine nanomaterial behavior in the environment; 2) identify metadata necessary to predict exposure potential and bio-uptake; and 3) identify key characterization assays that predict outcomes of interest.
Src acts with WNT/FGFRL signaling to pattern the planarian anteroposterior axis

Tissue identity determination is critical for regeneration, and the planarian anteroposterior (AP) axis uses positional control genes expressed from bodywall muscle to determine body regionalization. Canonical Wnt signaling establishes anterior versus posterior pole identities through notum and wnt1 signaling, and two Wnt/FGFRL signaling pathways control head and trunk domains, but their downstream signaling mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we identify a planarian Src homolog that restricts head and trunk identities to anterior positions. src-1(RNAi) animals formed enlarged brains and ectopic eyes and also duplicated trunk tissue, similar to a combination of Wnt/FGFRL RNAi phenotypes. src-1 was required for establishing territories of positional control gene expression, indicating it acts at an upstream step in patterning the AP axis. Double RNAi experiments and eye regeneration assays suggest src-1 can act in parallel to at least some Wnt and FGFRL factors. Co-inhibition of src-1 with other posterior-promoting factors led to dramatic patterning changes and a reprogramming of Wnt/FGFRLs into controlling new positional outputs. These results identify src-1 as a factor that promotes robustness of the AP positional system that instructs appropriate regeneration. HighlightsO_LISrc-1 suppresses head and trunk identity C_LIO_LISrc-1 can regulate positional control gene domains C_LIO_LISrc-1 likely acts independently of notum/Wnt and FGFRL signals C_LIO_LISrc-1 inhibition broadly sensitizes animals to AP pattern disruption C_LI
Upper respiratory tract bacterial-immune interactions during respiratory syncytial virus infection in infancy.

Background The risk factors determining short- and long-term morbidity following acute respiratory infection (ARI) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infancy remain poorly understood. Objectives Our aim was to examine the associations of the upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiome during RSV ARI in infancy with the acute local immune response and short- and long-term clinical outcomes. Methods We characterized the URT microbiome by 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing and assessed the acute local immune response by measuring 53 immune mediators with high-throughput immunoassays in 357 RSV-infected infants. Our short- and long-term clinical outcomes included several markers of disease severity and the number of wheezing episodes in the fourth year of life, respectively. Results We found several specific URT bacterial-immune mediator associations. In addition, the Shannon ⍺-diversity index of the URT microbiome was associated with a higher respiratory severity score (β =.50 [95% CI = 0.13-0.86]), greater odds of a lower ARI (odds ratio = 1.63 [95% CI = 1.10-2.43]), and higher number of wheezing episodes in the fourth year of life (β = 0.89 [95% CI = 0.37-1.40]). The Jaccard β-diversity index of the URT microbiome differed by level of care required (P = .04). Furthermore, we found an interaction between the Shannon ⍺-diversity index of the URT microbiome and the first principal component of the acute local immune response on the respiratory severity score (P = .048). Conclusions The URT microbiome during RSV ARI in infancy is associated with the acute local immune response, disease severity, and number of wheezing episodes in the fourth year of life. Our results also suggest complex URT bacterial-immune interactions that can affect the severity of the RSV ARI.
A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for semiquantitative screening of cellular acyl-CoA

Abstract This study describes LC-ESI-MS/MS method that covers the analysis of various cellular acyl-CoA in a single injection. The method is based on a quick extraction step eliminating LLE/SPE clean up. Method performance characteristics were determined after spiking acyl-CoA standards in different concentrations into a surrogate matrix. The extensive matrix effect for most acyl-CoA except for palmitoyl-CoA was compensated by using isotopically labeled internal standard and matrix-matched calibration. As a result of the high matrix effect, the accuracy for palmitoyl-CoA at the low concentration deviated from the target range of ±20%. The developed method was applied to identify twenty-one cellular acyl-CoA in SK-HEP-1 cells and screening for alterations in acyl-CoA levels post Mito Q antioxidant intervention.
Psychology of Thought Processes (Continued)

The cognitive revolution in academic psychology, which originated with the structural analysis of perception, extended, at a more abstract level, to the analysis of thought processes. We have examined the psychology of thought processes in the light of the analytic complementarity of the gestalt and the genetic theories. In the present chapter we shall examine the synthetic aspects of thought processes, involving their morphological variations and levels as well as their continuity, for a purely psychological point of view. We shall sketch here, by means of the principles of qualitative analysis, a theoretical interpretation of the empirical facts, relative to the morphology of thought processes, in the context of European psychology. The present chapter is a continuation of the preceding chapter in that, besides the continuity of their subject-matter, our “morphological sketch” constitutes a supplement to the gestalt and the genetic theories. Throughout the groundwork of this morphological analysis, this author has retained the perspective of empirical psychology, and the related epistemological considerations have been relegated to later examination.
A New Journal and a New Model for Structured Data Dissemination for an Era of Genomic Medicine

The Journal of Genomes and Exomes is a new, international, peer-reviewed, open-access, online publication. The Journal of Genomes and Exomes welcomes all structured reports of high quality genome, exome and gene panel sequences with attendant, detailed phenotypes. It also welcomes structured genotype-phenotype reports that confirm prior preliminary associations. It provides: – Open-access—freely accessible online, authors retain copyright – Fast publication times – Peer review by expert, practicing researchers – Post-publication tools to facilitate community-based meta-analysis for confirmation of genotype-phenotype relationships.
History: From blackboards to bombs.

Seventy years after the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by nuclear weapons, David Kaiser investigates the legacy of 'the physicists' war'.
Inhibition of envelope polymerizations in filamentous Escherichia coli B.

Abstract Diaminopimelate-2-14C incorporation was used as one index of peptidoglycan synthesis in Escherichia coli B. Typical log phase E. coli B cells incorporated diaminopimelate into an acid-insoluble form linearly, whereas nutritionally induced log phase filamentous E. coli B did not incorporate this isotope into mucopeptide. Characterization of the acid-soluble radioactive components showed that both normal and filamentous cells metabolized diaminopimelate. Uridine diphosphomuramyl tri- and pentapeptide intermediates in peptidoglycan synthesis accumulated in filamentous but not in the normal E. coli B cells. N-Acetylglucosamine-14C was synthesized from uniformly labeled glucosamine-14C. Incorporation of N-acetylglucosamine was used as a second index of peptidoglycan synthesis. While not as specific a precursor as diaminopimelate, it was incorporated 25 times more efficiently in the normal cells. Isolation of the mucopeptide fraction showed at least 88% inhibition of peptidoglycan synthesis in the filamentous E. coli B cells. Lipopolysaccharide synthesis in filamentous cells was also inhibited. This was characterized by a 50% reduction in 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate and a 70% reduction in glucose content as compared to isolated lipopolysaccharide from normal cells. The heptose, phosphorus, and β-hydroxymyristate concentrations were the same in lipopolysaccharides isolated from both cell forms. These data suggest that some steps involved in mucopeptide and lipopolysaccharide polymerizations are inhibited in the nutritionally induced filamentous cell form of E. coli B. These reactions involving nucleotide-activated precursors may be inhibited because of an altered membrane structure which has already been observed both morphologically and biochemically in these cells.
Modulation of natural cytotoxicity by alloantibodies: III. Augmentation of natural killer activity by alloantisera directed against K, D, and I regions of the murine H-2 complex

Natural killer activity of mouse spleen cells toward a human myeloid leukemia cell line, K562, can be enhanced by alloantisera directed against individual antigens in the H-2 region. By using a panel of 13 antisera (8 directed against antigens in the K and D regions and 5 directed against antigens in the I region) and four strains of mice (C57BL/6J, CBA, DBA/2, and A/J) it was found that certain antisera would stimulate target cell lysis by spleen cells only if the antisera had specificity for antigens which were a part of the haplotype represented on the spleen NK effector cells. Anti Ia antisera could stimulate the anti K562 NK activity of nude mouse spleen cells which lack mature T cells. Depletion of B cells and macrophages from nude spleen cells, by passing through a nylon-wool column also did not abolish the effect of anti-Ia antiserum. It appears likely therefore that the anti-Ia antibodies exert this effect directly on NK cells and that Ia antigens may be expressed on NK cells. Since the antisera directed against different antigens in H-2 complex irrespective of subregion specificity (K, D, or I) stimulated the NK activity of mouse spleen cells, the phenomenon offered an interesting method for testing the presence of a given alloantigen on mouse spleen cells. Log-dose response curves for the augmentation of lysis induced by appropriate alloantisera were linear over a dilution range of 1:320 to 1:5120. By using the dose-response curves, potency ratios of two preparations of antisera (directed against antigen 33 of the K region) could be successfully determined. Besides the K562 cell line, many human lymphoblastoid cell lines could also be used as target cells in this assay system.
Quadratic Differential Equations in Graded Algebras

Gradings induced by algebra automorphisms are used to obtain qualitative results on solutions to quadratic differential equations occurring in the algebras.
The UHMWPE Handbook. Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene in Total Joint Replacement

Steven M. Kurtz. San Diego: Elsevier Academic Press; 2004. 396 pages. $59.95. In the 1990s, polyethylene was widely regarded as the “villain” in total joint arthroplasty, largely due to its prominent role in aseptic loosening and periprosthetic osteolysis, the most common causes for implant failure. In this book, Dr. Steven Kurtz reminds us that ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is truly a remarkable material, the use of which in total joint arthroplasty has revolutionized the treatment of end-stage joint disease. In fact, polyethylene currently dominates the market for bearing surfaces in hip arthroplasty and is universally used in total knee arthroplasty. This is likely to be the case for the foreseeable future. The UHMWPE Handbook is a comprehensive yet concise presentation …
The cortical peptidoglycan from spores of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis is not highly cross-linked.

Determination by amino acid analyses of the percentage of diaminopimelic acid in the spore cortex of Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis which is involved in interpeptide cross-links gave values of 31 to 37%. This finding supports the idea that the cortex volume could undergo significant changes in response to changes in pH or ionic strength and could thus play an active role in reducing the water content of the spore protoplast during sporulation. Images
Direct Synthesis of Metal-Chelating Mesoporous Silica: Effects of Added Organosilanes on Silicate Formation and Adsorption Properties†

SBA-15 mesoporous silicates with surface functional groups were synthesized by cohydrolysis of tetraethoxyorthosilicate and ethyl-, carboxylate-, and ethylenediaminetriacetic acid-functionalized or...
Important Issues, Some Rhetoric, and a Few Straw Men: A Response to Comments on “Rethinking Giftedness and Gifted Education”

In this article, the authors respond to the eight commentaries on "Rethinking Giftedness and Gifted Education: A Proposed Direction Forward Based on Psychological Science" using several themes to organize their response. These themes include ability, developmental trajectories, effort and opportunity, psychosocial factors, eminence, and equity. The authors reaffirm the contention that eminence is an appropriate standard for assigning the gifted label in individuals with well-developed talents.
The impact of hyperglycemia on hematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes: an integrative review.

Problem identification Many patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for hematologic malignancies experience hyperglycemic events during treatment, leading to adverse outcomes. Understanding how hyperglycemia during the acute HCT treatment phase impacts outcomes is vital for preventing and mitigating adverse events. This integrative review evaluates the impact of hyperglycemia on adult patients undergoing HCT. Literature search PubMed, MEDLINE®, and CINAHL® electronic databases were used to identify relevant articles.Data Evaluation: The final sample for this integrative review included 12 empirical quantitative reports of clinical patient outcomes. Of the 12, 10 are retrospective, 1 is case-control, and 1 is prospective. Data analysis Content analysis was used to synthesize and summarize findings.Presentation of Findings: A review of published literature found associations between hyperglycemia and infection, time to engraftment, development of acute graft-versus-host disease, length of stay, and overall survival. Patient-related risk factors for hyperglycemia included older age, preexisting diabetes, and insulin resistance (i.e., prediabetes). Patients of normal weight experiencing hyperglycemia had worse outcomes than patients who were overweight or obese. Treatment-related risk factors for hyperglycemia include dose and duration of immunosuppressants, specifically corticosteroids, treatment with antihyperglycemic medications, and use of total parenteral nutrition. Implications for nursing practice HCT is one of the most complex treatments for hematologic disorders. The transplantation nurse, as part of an interdisciplinary team, plays an essential role in glycemic control during the acute phase of HCT. Understanding the effects of hyperglycemia, as well as factors that place the patient at risk for hyperglycemia, allows the nurse to make well-informed, proactive interventions aimed at glycemic control.
Review of stem cell-based therapy for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of mortality in the United States. Nearly 2,400 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of 1 every 37 s [1]. One in three Americans has been diagnosed with one or more forms of cardiovascular disease. Most recent estimates show that, in the United States alone, 16 million people have coronary artery disease and 5.3 million have been diagnosed with heart failure. Unlike other forms of cardiovascular disease, heart failure is often the end-stage of a cardiovascular disease, frequently coronary artery disease. The 1-year mortality of people diagnosed with heart failure remains a sobering 20%. Heart failure is also very costly. The estimated direct and indirect cost of heart failure in the US for 2008 is 34.8 billion dollars [1]. Therefore, advanced treatment options for these populations could greatly impact patient health outcomes and cost savings. Even with the advancements in pharmacologic therapies and improvements in mechanical support devices, the only definitive treatment for advanced heart failure remains heart transplantation. Given the limited availability of donor organs for use in orthotopic heart transplantation, alternative therapies including stem cell-based therapies have been explored. The past decade has seen an explosion of activity of the field of cardiac regeneration. New scientific techniques and discoveries have allowed rapid advancements but there have also been conflicting opinions and results. The concept of cardiac regeneration is now commonly accepted but the exact mechanisms and extent of regeneration is greatly debated. Several candidate cell populations, both cardiac and extracardiac, have been reported to be capable of cardiac regeneration [2–10]. However, some studies question if these cell populations actually differentiate into cardiomyocytes but rather function through paracrine effects or through cell fusion [11–13, 14–19]. Despite these challenges, the field has also begun translating the preclinical animal studies into human clinical trials using several cell types for the treatment of many clinical disease states. This review will highlight the preclinical animal studies and review the results of the published clinical trials.
Crystal structure of L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid.

Crystals of the title compound, L-2-oxothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid, OTC (C4H5NO3S), grown from an aqueous solution are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with the following cell parameters at 22 +/- 3 degrees: a = 5.381(1), b = 5.961(1), c = 17.929(3)A, V = 575.1A(3), Mr = 146.2, Dc = 1.688 g.cm-3, mu = 43.9 cm-1 and Z = 4. The crystal structure was solved by the application of direct methods and refined to an R value of 0.032 for 596 reflections with I greater than 3 sigma(I). The thiazolidine ring adopts a "twist" conformation. This structure contains a short (2.619(3)A) intermolecular hydrogen bond between the carboxyl OH and the oxygen of the 2-oxo moiety, a feature common to most acyl amino acids and acyl peptides.
Digress: A deductive interface to a relational database

Databases with inferencing capabilities have a practical as we;; as a theoretical interest because they have the potential to combine the efficient use of secondary storage and multi-user controls common to databases ,management system with the capabilities of expert system technology. A relational database is a knowledge representation scheme in which detuctive inferences are valid logical consequences of information contained in the database under the closed world assumption, the domain closure assumption, and the unique names assumption. Since the database relational calculus can be expressed as a first order language, it can be utilized to perform deductive reasoning. This paper reviews the theoretical and practical justifications for providing current database technology with inferencing capabilities and reports on a current research project which implements a deductive retrieval in INGRES, using the DBMS data manipulation language QUEL and its interface language EQUEL.
How do young black men having sex with only women differ from those also having sex with men

In the US, young Black men (YBM) disproportionately acquire sexually transmissible infections (STI), including infection with HIV. This secondary analysis compared sexual behaviours of YBM (n = 568) not reporting sex with men with those of YBM who have sex with men (YBMSM). In the present study YBMSM were generally less likely to report engagement in sexual risk behaviours, less likely to report incarceration and more likely to ever be tested for HIV. The findings suggest that elevated rates of HIV and/or STI among YBMSM may be a product of higher prevalence rates in sexual networks.
Sinking velocities of fecal pellets of doliolids and calanoid copepods

Our goal was to quantify the sinking velocities of fecal pellets produced by gonozooids of the doliolid Dolioletta gegenbauri and females of the calanoid copepod Eucalanus pileatus, which were offered various phytoplankton species and natural particulate matter, separately. Doliolid pellets were found to sink about two to three times slower than in previous studies.
The Impact of Social Support Skill Training on Daily Interactions among Parents at Risk for Child Maltreatment

Abstract This study assessed the impact of a 17-week social support skill training (SSST) intervention on daily interactions among Canadian parents mandated for comprehensive agency treatment by child protection officials. A nonrandomized pretest-posttest design was used to compare outcomes of 22 “experimental” parents receiving SSST with 16 “control” parents participating in a standard agency discussion group. The ANCOVA results on parent-collected data indicated few significant differences, suggesting confirmation of the null hypothesis. However, experimental parents did report significantly higher proportions of contacts with formal service providers and people known from organizations, and more conversations about finances and fewer about housework then did control parents after intervention. Though nonsignificant, experimental parents also reported increases in “quick contacts”, self-initiated interactions, and child-related topics. Consistent patterns over time and across study conditions in the social “ecology” of these parents' daily lives suggest additional research is needed on contextual variables that influence social interaction among parents of young children.
The effect of porosity on distortion of liquid phase sintered tungsten heavy alloys

Abstract Porosity effects on distortion during liquid phase sintering were investigated experimentally. W–Ni–Fe alloys with compositions ranging from 78 to 93 wt% tungsten were liquid phase sintered at 1500°C for 30 min. Surprisingly, the results show that porosity has no appreciable effect on distortion. After sintering, similar distortion profiles were obtained for compacts with both high and low green porosities. On the other hand, distortion reduced with increasing solid:liquid ratio. No distortion occurred for samples with 93 wt% tungsten. Quenching experiments showed the onset of slumping was delayed until densification neared completion. In high liquid content samples, this means slumping occurred within a few minutes after melt formation, corresponding to liquid exudation. The results are in agreement with model predictions by German. The sintered microstructures were quantitatively measured for solid volume fraction and contiguity. No apparent effects of green porosity on microstructural evolution were observed.
Association of renal dipeptidase with the triton-insoluble fraction of kidney microvilli

Renal dipeptidase, previously identified as a component of renal microvilli, has been investigated to determine its orientation within this organelle. Digestion of porcine renal microvilli with papain released essentially all of aminopeptidase M, an outer membrane marker enzyme from the microvilli within one hour; whereas less than 10% of renal dipeptidase was released under the same conditions. Antibody to purified renal dipeptidase produced 50% inhibition of the purified enzyme at an antibody/antigen molar ratio of 2:1. Inhibition by the renal dipeptidase-directed antibody was not observed when the enzyme was bound within the microvillar structure. Demembranation of the microvilli with Triton X-100 resulted in a distribution of 68% of renal dipeptidase in the insoluble pellet and 32% in the soluble supernatant. The same detergent treatment released 92% of animopeptidase M into the supernatant. These results indicate that renal dipeptidase is not located at the luminal surface of the microvillus membrane where it would be available for release of papain, inhibition by antibody, or solubilization by detergent. Fractionation of the Triton-insoluble pellet with 2 M NaCl resulted in the release of 64% of the peptidase into a pellicle fraction separated from insoluble pellet and soluble supernatant. Finally extraction of Triton-insoluble pellet with 0.05 mM ATP-0.10 mM MgCl2 X 6 H2O solubilized 57% of the renal dipeptidase.
SeRLoc: Robust localization for wireless sensor networks

Many distributed monitoring applications of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) require the location information of a sensor node. In this article, we address the problem of enabling nodes of Wireless Sensor Networks to determine their location in an untrusted environment, known as the secure localization problem. We propose a novel range-independent localization algorithm called SeRLoc that is well suited to a resource constrained environment such as a WSN. SeRLoc is a distributed algorithm based on a two-tier network architecture that allows sensors to passively determine their location without interacting with other sensors. We show that SeRLoc is robust against known attacks on a WSNs such as the wormhole attack, the Sybil attack, and compromise of network entities and analytically compute the probability of success for each attack. We also compare the performance of SeRLoc with state-of-the-art range-independent localization schemes and show that SeRLoc has better performance.
Simulations and experiments of aperiodic and multiplexed gratings in volume holographic imaging systems.

A new methodology describing the effects of aperiodic and multiplexed gratings in volume holographic imaging systems (VHIS) is presented. The aperiodic gratings are treated as an ensemble of localized planar gratings using coupled wave methods in conjunction with sequential and non-sequential ray-tracing techniques to accurately predict volumetric diffraction effects in VHIS. Our approach can be applied to aperiodic, multiplexed gratings and used to theoretically predict the performance of multiplexed volume holographic gratings within a volume hologram for VHIS. We present simulation and experimental results for the aperiodic and multiplexed imaging gratings formed in PQ-PMMA at 488nm and probed with a spherical wave at 633nm. Simulation results based on our approach that can be easily implemented in ray-tracing packages such as Zemax® are confirmed with experiments and show proof of consistency and usefulness of the proposed models.
Representation of secondary organic aerosol laboratory chamber data for the interpretation of mechanisms of particle growth.

Absorptive models of gas-particle partitioning have been shown to be successful in describing the formation and growth of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Here the expression for particle growth derived by Odum et al. (Odum, J. R.; Hoffmann, T.; Bowman, F.; Collins, D.; Flagan, R. C.; Seinfeld, J. H. Gas/particle partitioning and secondary organic aerosol yields. Environ. Sci. Technol. 1996, 30, 2580−2585) is extended to facilitate interpretation of SOA growth data measured in the laboratory in terms of the underlying chemistry, even when details of the reactions are not well-constrained. A simple (one-component) expression for aerosol growth (ΔM) as a function of the amount of hydrocarbon reacted (ΔHC) is derived, and the effects of changes to three key parameters, stoichiometric yield of condensable species, gas-particle partitioning coefficient, and concentration of preexisting aerosol, are discussed. Two sets of laboratory chamber data on SOA growth are examined in this context: the ozonolysis of α-pinene and the OH-initiated photooxidation of aromatic compounds. Even though these two systems have a number of significant differences, both are described well within this framework. From the shapes of the ΔM versus ΔHC curves in each case, the importance of poorly constrained chemistry such as heterogeneous reactions and gas-phase reactions of oxidation products is examined.
Attributions and adjustment following child sexual and physical abuse

Individuals who experience child physical or sexual abuse are at greater risk for adjustment problems. However, the heterogeneity of symptomatology observed across individuals following child abuse suggests that outcome is determined by multiple factors. The authors review literature examining the relationships among childhood physical or sexual abuse, attributions, and adjustment. Implications for application and future research are discussed.
Ionic conduction in cubic Na3TiP3O9N, a secondary Na-ion battery cathode with extremely low volume change

It is demonstrated that Na ions are mobile at room temperature in the nitridophosphate compound Na3TiP3O9N, with a diffusion pathway that is calculated to be fully three-dimensional and isotropic. When used as a cathode in Na-ion batteries, Na3TiP3O9N has an average voltage of 2.7 V vs Na+/Na and cycles with good reversibility through a mechanism that appears to be a single solid solution process without any intermediate plateaus. X-ray and neutron diffraction studies as well as first-principles calculations indicate that the volume change that occurs on Na-ion removal is only about 0.5%, a remarkably small volume change given the large ionic radius of Na+. Rietveld refinements indicate that the Na1 site is selectively depopulated during sodium removal. Furthermore, the refined displacement parameters support theoretical predictions that the lowest energy diffusion pathway incorporates the Na1 and Na3 sites while the Na2 site is relatively inaccessible. The measured room temperature ionic conductivity of ...
Oral Cancer Screening in the Elderly

Oral cancers represent approximately 3% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. Oral cancer is one-fifth as common as cancer of the breast, colon, and lung but more than twice as common as cervical cancer. Incidence rates for oral cancer are highest among older men. Epidemiologic data identify alcohol and tobacco as major risk factors associated with the disease. Screening for oral cancer is a simple, non-invasive procedure which can be easily incorporated into the comprehensive assessment of older patients. Oral cancer screening can detect early, localized lesions which are associated with an improved prognosis. Five-year survival rates are more than four times greater in individuals with localized lesions than those with distant metastases. Since older Americans visit their physician more often than their dentist, the physician's medical examination provides an excellent opportunity to screen for oral cancers.
Biotransformation of chlorpyrifos in riparian wetlands in agricultural watersheds: implications for wetland management.

Abstract Biodegradation of the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos (O,O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloropyridin-2-yl) phosphorothioate) in sediments from wetlands and agricultural drains in San Joaquin Valley, CA was investigated. Sediments were collected monthly, spiked with chlorpyrifos, and rates of chlorpyrifos degradation were measured using a standardized aerobic biodegradation assay. Phosphoesterase enzyme activities were measured and phosphotriesterase activity was related to observed biodegradation kinetics. First-order biodegradation rates varied between 0.02 and 0.69 day −1 , after accounting for abiotic losses. The average rate of abiotic chlorpyrifos hydrolysis was 0.02 d −1 at pH 7.2 and 30 °C. Sediments from the site exhibiting the highest chlorpyrifos degradation capacity were incubated under anaerobic conditions to assess the effect of redox conditions on degradation rates. Half-lives were 5 and 92 days under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. There was a consistent decrease in observed biodegradation rates at one site due to permanently flooded conditions prevailing during one sampling year. These results suggest that wetland management strategies such as allowing a wet-dry cycle could enhance degradation rates. There was significant correlation between phosphotriesterase (PTE) activity and the chlorpyrifos biotransformation rates, with this relationship varying among sites. PTE activities may be useful as an indicator of biodegradation potential with reference to the previously established site-specific correlations.
Optimized Profile Descent Arrivals at Los Angeles International Airport

The optimized profile descent is an example of one of the many NextGen technologies under development to modernize and increase the efficiency of the national airspace system. The first publicly charted optimized profile descent procedure was implemented at Los Angeles International Airport in December 2007. This new flight procedure was designed so that aircraft could conduct arrival and approach operations with the engines remaining at or near minimum idle power settings; thereby, saving an average of 25 gal of jet fuel per flight when compared to the various aircraft types conducting an arrival and approach along the same lateral path at Los Angeles International Airport. This optimized profile descent translates into annual reductions of approximately 2,000,000 gal of jet fuel and 41,000,000 lb of carbon dioxide emissions. Given the positive environmental benefits of an optimized profile descent, there are several projects underway to increase the use of environmentally friendly arrival procedures wit...
Ascaris lumbricoides: Coproporphyrinogen oxidase activity in eggs and muscle

Abstract The possible presence of coproporphyrinogen oxidase (EC 1.3.3.3), an oxygen-requiring enzyme in the porphyrin biosynthetic pathway, was investigated in supernatant fractions of homogenized Ascaris lumbricoides muscle and developing eggs, and in mitochondrial preparations of muscle. Compared with rat liver controls, low levels of enzyme activity were found in A. lumbricoides gut, 6-day eggs, and muscle mitochondria. Enzyme activity in muscle, 8-day, and 25-day eggs was not measurable under the conditions employed.
Maternally recruited Aurora C kinase is more stable than Aurora B to support mouse oocyte maturation and early development

Aurora kinases are highly conserved, essential regulators of cell division. Two Aurora kinase isoforms, A and B (AURKA and AURKB), are expressed ubiquitously in mammals, whereas a third isoform, Aurora C (AURKC), is largely restricted to germ cells. Because AURKC is very similar to AURKB, based on sequence and functional analyses, why germ cells express AURKC is unclear. We report that Aurkc−/− females are subfertile, and that AURKB function declines as development progresses based on increasing severity of cytokinesis failure and arrested embryonic development. Furthermore, we find that neither Aurkb nor Aurkc is expressed after the one-cell stage, and that AURKC is more stable during maturation than AURKB using fluorescently tagged reporter proteins. In addition, Aurkc mRNA is recruited during maturation. Because maturation occurs in the absence of transcription, posttranscriptional regulation of Aurkc mRNA, coupled with the greater stability of AURKC protein, provides a means to ensure sufficient Aurora kinase activity, despite loss of AURKB, to support both meiotic and early embryonic cell divisions. These findings suggest a model for the presence of AURKC in oocytes: that AURKC compensates for loss of AURKB through differences in both message recruitment and protein stability.