cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of school water, sanitation, and hygiene improvements on infectious disease using serum antibody detection

Background Evidence from recent studies assessing the impact of school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions on child health has been mixed. Self-reports of disease are subject to bias, and few WASH impact evaluations employ objective health measures to assess reductions in disease and exposure to pathogens. We utilized antibody responses from dried blood spots (DBS) to measure the impact of a school WASH intervention on infectious disease among pupils in Mali. Methodology/Principal findings We randomly selected 21 beneficiary primary schools and their 21 matched comparison schools participating in a matched-control trial of a comprehensive school-based WASH intervention in Mali. DBS were collected from 20 randomly selected pupils in each school (n = 807). We analyzed eluted IgG from the DBS using a Luminex multiplex bead assay to 28 antigens from 17 different pathogens. Factor analysis identified three distinct latent variables representing vector-transmitted disease (driven primarily by dengue), food/water-transmitted enteric disease (driven primarily by Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae), and person-to-person transmitted enteric disease (driven primarily by norovirus). Data were analyzed using a linear latent variable model. Antibody evidence of food/water-transmitted enteric disease (change in latent variable mean (β) = -0.24; 95% CI: -0.53, -0.13) and person-to-person transmitted enteric disease (β = -0.17; 95% CI: -0.42, -0.04) was lower among pupils attending beneficiary schools. There was no difference in antibody evidence of vector-transmitted disease (β = 0.11; 95% CI: -0.05, 0.33). Conclusions/Significance Evidence of enteric disease was lower among pupils attending schools benefitting from school WASH improvements than students attending comparison schools. These findings support results from the parent study, which also found reduced incidence of self-reported diarrhea among pupils of beneficiary schools. DBS collection was feasible in this resource-poor field setting and provided objective evidence of disease at a low cost per antigen analyzed, making it an effective measurement tool for the WASH field. Trial registration The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01787058)
Flood risk assessment of the Abu Simbel temple complex (Egypt) based on high-resolution spaceborne stereo imagery

Abstract The ancient Egyptian Abu Simbel temple complex, located on the western bank of the Lake Nasser reservoir behind the Aswan High Dam, is increasingly vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic processes. Flooding by the rising waters of the reservoir is among the main factors that threaten this ancient structure. With the present construction of a series of large dams from the 2nd through 5th Nile River cataracts in Sudan as well as the building of Africa's largest hydroelectric dam, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, there is growing concern about the safety of the structure. Accordingly, there is a dire need for the development of a novel tool to enable detailed and systematic monitoring of potential hazards that the ancient temple complex may face in the future. Therefore, in order to quantify the possible inundation of the temple complex and to locate potential segments at risk of flooding, stereo pair imagery from the Pleiades-1A satellite sensor were used to build a very high-resolution 2-meter digital elevation model (DEM). Using the derived DEM, a number of reservoir water level rise scenarios were simulated using GIS. The results showed that with a slight increase of the reservoir's water level from 175 m to 177 m ASL, only 4.9% of Abu Simbel peninsula would be inundated. Such flooded area would increase to more than 13% with a water rise of 181 m ASL. A hypothetical high water rise event of 185 m and 189 m ASL, as a result of potential catastrophic damage to the upstream neighboring dams, would submerge nearly one third (30.3%) and half (~53.7%) of the peninsula, respectively. In particular, the eastern portions of the Smaller Temple and the causeway of the Great Temple would be most severely impacted by the flooding. A new user-friendly Google Earth Engine tool, “Satellite Observations for Archaeological Preservation” (SOAP), was also developed to easily and dynamically display the flooding simulation results to in-country stakeholders and policy makers. The innovative approach used for this study is highly adaptable and with only a few minor modifications can be used for assessing vulnerability of similar archaeological sites to reservoir flooding worldwide.
Molecular dynamics studies of fundamental bulk properties of palladium hydrides for hydrogen storage

Solid-state hydrogen storage materials undergo complex phase transformations whose behavior are collectively determined by thermodynamic (e.g., Gibbs free energy), mechanical (e.g., lattice and elastic constants), and mass transport (e.g., diffusivity) properties. These properties depend on the reaction conditions and evolve continuously during (de)hydrogenation. Thus, they are difficult to measure in experiments. Because of this, past progress to improve solid-state hydrogen storage materials has been prolonged. Using PdHx as a representative example for interstitial metal hydride, we have recently applied molecular dynamics simulations to quantify hydrogen diffusion in the entire reaction space of temperature and composition. Here, we have further applied molecular dynamics simulations to obtain well-converged expressions for lattice constants, Gibbs free energies, and elastic constants of PdHx at various stages of the reaction. Our studies confirm significant dependence of elastic constants on temperature and composition. Specifically, a new dynamic effect of hydrogen diffusion on elastic constants is discovered and discussed.
Tailoring Health Interventions: An Approach for Working with African American Churches to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities

African Americans continue to experience disproportionately high rates of mortality and morbidity due to cancer. Understanding the issues, addressing the causes, and improving survival rates among African Americans will require a composite of strategies. Approaches that address the unique barriers, beliefs, and concerns of African Americans are needed.
Optimal channel selection for real-time uplink data transmissions in ambulances

Through wireless internet access, ambulances take advantage of the widespread cellular coverage in rural and urban areas to transfer audio, video, and vital signs to the emergency room. In the current implementation adopted by the DREAMS™ ambulances, a designated channel is selected randomly. It is used to transmit high priority data, such as vital signs and audio. The remaining channels are used for video transmission. Whenever the communication system in the ambulance detects a certain threshold of packet losses in the designated channel, the communication system randomly switches the high priority data to another wireless channel. However, the designated channel selection process does not necessarily select the best available channel. The objective of this paper is to optimize this process through proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control and optimization with feedback. For each channel, an objective function is calculated. It includes a derivative term for fast response and an integration term for detection of small but consistent differences between channels, in addition to the proportional term. Using a causal real-time optimization algorithm, the maximum objective function is continuously selected. Thus, the proposed optimal channel selection algorithm enables the ambulance's communication system to intelligently shift the load to better quality channels without detailed information about the channels. The proposed algorithm combines key performance metrics (i.e., reliability and effective transmission rate), which can be calibrated with different weights. Using data from simulation and experiments in commercial cellular networks, we compare the performance of the ambulance with and without the algorithm to show dramatic improvements in the reliability and throughput of the ambulance's uplink transmissions.
Confluence: Adaptive Spatiotemporal Data Integration Using Distributed Query Relaxation over Heterogeneous Observational Datasets

Combining data from disparate sources enhances the opportunity to explore different aspects of the phenomena under consideration. However, there are several challenges in doing so effectively that include, inter alia, the heterogeneity in data representation and format, collection patterns, and integration of foreign data attributes in a ready-to-use condition. In this study, we have designed a scalable query-oriented distributed data integration framework, Confluence, that also dynamically generates accurate interpolations for the targeted spatiotemporal scopes along with an estimate of the uncertainty involved with such estimation in case of spatiotemporal misalignment of datapoints. Confluence efficiently orchestrates computations to evaluate spatiotemporal query joins and facilitates distributed query evaluations with a dynamic relaxation of query constraints. Query evaluations are locality-aware and we leverage model-based dynamic parameter selection to provide accurate estimation for data points. We have included empirical benchmarks that profile our system in terms of accuracy, latency, and throughput at scale and also demonstrate its improvement in performance in a distributed cloud computing environment over GeoMesa, a Spark-based geospatial analytics framework.
Auxetic Sleeves for Soft Actuators with Kinematically Varied Surfaces

Soft actuators with auxetic, or negative Poisson's ratio (NPR), behavior offer a way to create soft robots with novel kinematic behavior. This paper presents an original framework for reinforcement of a soft actuator using a generalized NPR element, called a Representative Auxetic Element (RAE), and an experimental validation of the kinematic behavior that it enables. We build a generalized kinematic model that enables the design of RAE-patterned actuators and reveal the distinct auxetic behavior of RAE actuators with comparable model accuracy to the legacy McKibben actuators. A simple, reproducible way of designing and fabricating RAE actuators is described and varied prototypes are shown. This RAE-based design scheme can be used to create actuators with specified kinematics like bending, extension, and radial expansion, which can also vary across the actuator's surface both circumferentially and axially in a tractable, scalable manner.
Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) effects on marine phytoplankton photosynthesis and cell division

Inhibition of photosynthesis and cell division by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was studied using 7 marine phytoplankton species representing 4 algal classes. PCB concentrations as low as 1.0 μg l-1 reduced cell division of Thalassiosira pseudonana 3H and Isochrysis galbana. Both photosynthesis and cell division of T. pseudonana 3H, Chaetoceros socialis, Skeletonema costatum, T. pseudonana 13-1, Monochrysis, lutheri and I. galbana were inhibited at a PCB concentration of 10.0 μg l-1. The effects on photosynthesis were immediate and probably resulted in reduced rates of cell division. Interspecific differences in susceptibility were observed. These differences have significance with respect to primary production and the species composition of phytoplankton communities. The initial slopes of photosynthesis-irradiance (P-I) curves for the diatoms S. costatum and T. pseudonana 3H were reduced in the presence of PCBs. These results suggest that PCBs affect the photosynthetic light reactions.
Smart Sampling Methodology for Yield Defect Inspection in a 200mm Foundry Wafer Fab

In Semiconductor Manufacturing, inline Inspection monitoring by Brightfield and Darkfield scan tool platform is a 2nd line of defence to detect abnormal events to prevent defectivity escape to Wafer Sort or Assembly Test. Early detection and good process tool coverage are essential to the quality of wafers. These have to be balanced with competitive cycle time and cost. There are many newer scan tool, software and manufacturing systems available today that can optimize this sampling monitoring. As a legacy 200mm foundry wafer fab, system upgrade may not be feasible or can be expensive. As a result, an innovative solution had to be developed in order to stay relevant in the semiconductor industry. This paper introduces an inline inspection sampling Artificial Intelligent (AI) methodology to ensure maximum process tool scan coverage without additional CAPEX cost - getting more out from the same capacity; getting more coverage with same scan capacity and improve line of defence.
Egg‐size plasticity in Apis mellifera: Honey bee queens alter egg size in response to both genetic and environmental factors

Social evolution has led to distinct life-history patterns in social insects, but many colony-level and individual traits, such as egg size, are not sufficiently understood. Thus, a series of experiments was performed to study the effects of genotypes, colony size and colony nutrition on variation in egg size produced by honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens. Queens from different genetic stocks produced significantly different egg sizes under similar environmental conditions, indicating standing genetic variation for egg size that allows for adaptive evolutionary change. Further investigations revealed that eggs produced by queens in large colonies were consistently smaller than eggs produced in small colonies, and queens dynamically adjusted egg size in relation to colony size. Similarly, queens increased egg size in response to food deprivation. These results could not be solely explained by different numbers of eggs produced in the different circumstances but instead seem to reflect an active adjustment of resource allocation by the queen in response to colony conditions. As a result, larger eggs experienced higher subsequent survival than smaller eggs, suggesting that honey bee queens might increase egg size under unfavourable conditions to enhance brood survival and to minimize costly brood care of eggs that fail to successfully develop, and thus conserve energy at the colony level. The extensive plasticity and genetic variation of egg size in honey bees has important implications for understanding life-history evolution in a social context and implies this neglected life-history stage in honey bees may have trans-generational effects.
Ciudadana(o), o la escisión racial de la identidad estadounidense

The deep wound of racism and discrimination, pillars upon which the American citizenship and epic were founded, find in Claudia Rankine’s poetry a testimonial and intimate chant. The translation of the verses is at once a call and a question, a challenge that at once denounces history and tries to be a consolation for the present.
Gray (Literature) Matters: Evidence of Selective Hypothesis Reporting in Social Psychological Research.

Selective reporting practices (SRPs)—adding, dropping, or altering study elements when preparing reports for publication—are thought to increase false positives in scientific research. Yet analyses...
Epitaxial Growth of Two-Dimensional Layered Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers and heterostructures have emerged as a compelling class of materials with transformative properties that may be harnessed for novel device technolog...
Defect Dehydrogenation in Si-MOS and Compound-Semiconductor-Based Devices

Defect dehydrogenation during voltage stress or radiation exposure can limit the long-term reliability of microelectronics in terrestrial and/or space applications. We review the atomistic processes that lead to the dehydrogenation of Si-H at the critical Si/SiO2 interface of Si MOS devices and of O-H complexes in GaN and GaAs. The resulting increases in activated interface and bulk defect densities can shift device threshold voltages and/or degrade transconductance and carrier lifetimes.
Beyond the Standard Plate Count: Genomic Views into Microbial Food Ecology

Selective and nonselective bacterial culturing techniques are the traditional methods for identifying spoilage microbes in foods. However, these methods only allow for the identification and functional evaluation of an individual bacterial species, are time-consuming, and can lead to biased indications. Food spoilage is a complex process that involves multiple species with specific niches and metabolic processes. Culture-independent tools have emerged allowing scientists to better understand the microbial diversity of foods using a systems approach to tackling food quality and food safety obstacles. As the world’s population continues to multiply, resources are becoming more limited. The use of culture-independent tools, including genomics and bioinformatics, will help scientists to advance modern food production practices, as well as extend the shelf life of foods and food products.
Chemoradiotherapy with high-dose cisplatin compared with weekly cisplatin for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) using high-dose cisplatin (HDC) is standard for patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); weekly cisplatin (WC) is an alternative. We aim to compare retrospectively the survival and disease control outcomes between these regimens in our institutional experience. METHODS Patients with stage III-IV HNSCC treated with definitive or postoperative CRT between 2012 and 2018 were identified. Patients were stratified by intent-to-treat CRT. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were generated and multivariable Cox models were performed. RESULTS 193 patients were treated with concurrent HDC (n = 69), WC at 40 mg/m2 (WC40, n = 88) or WC at <40 mg/m2 (WC<40, n = 36). Treatment intent was definitive in 74% and adjuvant in 26%. Baseline differences included age, performance status and HPV status. Cumulative cisplatin dose ≥200 mg/m2 was achieved in 89% (HDC), 86% (WC40) and 25% (WC<40, P < 0.0001). For HDC, WC40 and WC<40, 2-year OS rates were 87%, 77%, 60% and 2-year DFS rates were 75%, 68% and 52%, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed gender, performance status, primary site, T/N stage and chemotherapy as predictive of OS. Primary site, T/N stage and chemotherapy regimen were associated with DFS. Compared with HDC, no differences in locoregional control (LRC) or distant metastasis were observed between groups. CONCLUSION Concurrent HDC is associated with increased total cisplatin intensity, OS and DFS compared with weekly cisplatin regimens. LRC was not associated with chemotherapy regimen. HDC remains the standard of care; WC40 is a reasonable alternative that does not appear to sacrifice LRC.
Linux auditing: Overhead and adaptation

Logging is a critical component of Linux auditing. The experiments indicate that the logging overhead can be significant. The paper aims to leverage the performance overhead introduced by Linux audit framework under various usage patterns. The study on the problem leads an adaptive audit logging mechanism. The adaptive auditing mechanism reduces the overall system overhead and achieves a similar level of protection on the system and network security.
Ethnicity of Dating Partner, Pressure for Thinness, and Body Dissatisfaction

Two studies explored the relation between ethnicity, attitudes toward body weight, dating behavior, and female body satisfaction. Study 1 found that White men expressed a lighter female ideal weight, more resentment about their girlfriend's weight, and more pressure for their partner's thinness than did Black men. Study 2 found that regardless of their own ethnicity, women who dated White men had lower body mass index (BMI), lower ideal weights, and reported experiencing lower levels of body acceptance by their dating partners. This lack of acceptance was associated with lower levels of body satisfaction. These results support the view that the differing aesthetic preferences of Black and White men contribute to differing levels of body satisfaction among Black and White women.
Identification of a combinatorial epitope expressed by the integrin alpha 4 beta 1 heterodimer involved in the regulation of cell adhesion.

The alpha 4 integrin subunit can associate with either the beta 1- or beta 7-integrin subunit to form two unique adhesion receptors alpha 4 beta 1 and alpha 4 beta 7. We developed a monoclonal antibody (mAb 19H8) that immunoprecipitated alpha 4 beta 1, induced homotypic leukocyte aggregation, and blocked the binding of cells to a synthetic peptide corresponding to the CS-1 peptide region of fibronectin. Aggregation cross-blocking analysis suggested that mAb 19H8 belonged to the group of mAbs that react with the B2 epitope of the alpha 4 subunit (alpha 4.B2 epitope); however, unlike the alpha 4.B2-specific mAb L25, mAb 19H8 did not immunoprecipitate alpha 4 beta 7. In addition, mAb 19H8 did not bind to beta 1-positive cells unless transfected with alpha 4 cDNA. These results indicated that mAb 19H8 was not specific for an individual alpha 4, beta 1, or beta 7 subunit but reacted with an epitope formed from the association of alpha 4 with beta 1. Separating the alpha 4 from the beta 1 subunit, by removing divalent cations or by treatment with high pH, disrupted mAb 19H8 binding. In contrast, the alpha 4-specific mAb L25 and the beta 1-specific mAb 18D3 could react with their respective subunits without subunit association. Therefore, mAb 19H8 defined a novel regulatory epitope expressed by the integrin alpha 4 beta 1.
Evolution of Sensor Suites for Complex Environments

We present a genetic algorithm (GA) based decision tool for the design and configuration of teams of unmanned ground sensors. The goal of the algorithm is to generate candidate solutions that meet cost and performance constraints. The GA evolves the membership, placement and characteristics of a team of cooperating sensors. Previous work shows that this algorithm can generate successful teams in simple, obstacle free environments. This work examines the performance of our algorithm in environments that include obstacles.
The patient evaluation grid ☆: A systematic approach to comprehensive care

Abstract A comprehensive approach to patients requires a systematic method that complements the clinical approach to disease. The method described here utilizes a patient evaluation grid that takes into account the biological, personal, and environmental dimensions of the patient and the current, recent, and background contexts of illness. It allows the clinician to anticipate problems relating to patient care and to assign priorities to management plans formulated in the three dimensions. It may also facilitate further research into the interrelationships among the multiple determinants of illness. This approach may help to bridge the gap between psychiatry and medicine by providing an integrated conceptual framework for organizing information.
Examining U.S. Navy SEALs Through Cognitive Resources Theory (CRT)

Drawing upon Cognitive Resources Theory (CRT), this article examines the collective performance and leadership effectiveness of U.S. Navy SEALs. CRT postulates that stress runs contrary to rationality. It impedes the capacity of a group to operate logically and analytically, and it affects both leadership and group performance. “Cognitive resources” designate the combined skills of group members and the leader's experience and decision-making faculties. An important conclusion is that “cognitive resources” are vital to the Navy SEALs. In addition to being intelligent, experienced, and skilled, SEAL leaders have to be supported by their teams. Indeed, responsible group performance is mirrored in unparalleled selflessness that is observed, for example, in the Navy SEAL Team Six—the one that killed Osama bin Laden. CRT also posits that effective leaders must be able to withstand high stress. Under these circumstances, U.S. Navy SEALs, as a whole, must have adequate “cognitive resources.”
Conductivity modulation improvement in 6.5 kV trench UMOS insulated gate bipolar transistors

A low forward-drop insulated gate bipolar transistor with trench UMOS structure and blocking capability of 6.5 kV is described. The effect of various design parameters on conductivity modulation in UMOS IGBTs and the potential for higher switching efficiency through the adjustment of the excess carrier profile during forward conduction is analyzed. Results based on numerical simulation of the forward conduction, forward blocking, FBSOA and RBSOA characteristics of 6.5 kV UMOS and DMOS IGBTs in the stripe and circular cell-geometries are presented and compared.
Was There Ever a Lending Channel

The lending channel model posits that control of deposits that have reserve requirements allows the Fed to constrain the financing of the illiquid loans to businesses and consumers that are the comparative advantage of banks and their link to real activity. The constraint works because banks do not use traded liquid assets and liabilities with no reserve requirements to offset the effects of variation in deposits on loans. The results presented here are more consistent with a simple alternative model in which profit-maximizing banks vary traded assets and liabilities with and without reserve requirements to exercise profit opportunities in loans and so shield them from the Fed.
The effect of static tensile strain on fatigue failure—An experimental study using laser speckles

Abstract This paper describes a study on the surface roughness change due to fatigue and the effect of static tensile strain on fatigue failure. Fatigue damage manifests in the form of surface roughness change. The roughened surface topography is responsible for crack nucleation. An improved laser speckle technique which can detect surface roughness change is employed to investigate the damage and failure of Al 5052-H32 produced by cyclic strains superimposed on static tensile strains. Within the range we investigated, the effect of static strain on fatigue life is noticeable but limited. By introducing a parameter called "apparent strain", we have proposed a damage model to incorporate the effect of static strain into the cyclic strain-life relation.
Weak-interaction strength from charge-exchange reactions versus β decay in the A = 40 isoquintet

We report a measurement of the Gamow-Teller (GT) strength distribution for $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}^{40}\mathrm{K}$ using the ${0}^{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}(p,n)$ reaction. The measurement extends observed GT strength distribution in the $A=40$ system up to an excitation energy of $~8$ MeV. In comparing our results with those from the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of the isospin mirror nucleus $^{40}\mathrm{Ti}$, we find that, within the excitation energy region probed by the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay experiment, we observe a total GT strength that is in fair agreement with the $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay measurement. However, we find that the relative strength of the two strongest transitions differs by a factor of $~1.8$ in comparing our results from ($p,n$) reactions with the $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of $^{40}\mathrm{Ti}$. Using our results we present the neutrino-capture cross section for $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$.
The hypocretin/orexin system in health and disease

Using positional cloning in a canine model of narcolepsy and mouse gene knockouts, genes involved in the pathogenesis of narcolepsy in animals have been identified. Hypocretin/orexin ligand and hypocretin/orexin receptor genes are key to the pathogenesis of narcolepsy in animals. Mutations in hypocretin-related genes are rare in humans, but hypocretin-ligand deficiency is found in many cases. Hypocretins/orexins are novel hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in various hypothalamic mechanisms, such as energy homeostasis and neuroendocrine function. Hypocretin-deficient human narcolepsy appears to be a more complex condition than a simple sleep disorder, and it may serve as an important disease model for studying hypothalamic function in health and disease.
Development and differentiation of glial precursor cells in the rat cerebellum

The development and differentiation of bipotential glial precursor cells has been studied extensively in tissue culture, but little is known about the distribution and fate of these cells within intact animals. To analyze the development of glial progenitor cells in the developing rat cerebellum, we utilized immunofluorescent, immunocytochemical, and autoradiographic techniques. Glial progenitor cells were identified with antibodies against the NG2 chondroitin-sulfate proteoglycan, a cell-surface antigen of 02A progenitor cells in vitro, and the distribution of this marker antigen was compared to that of marker antigens that identify immature astrocytes, mature astrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursors, and mature oligodendrocytes. Cells expressing the NG2 antigen appeared in the cerebellum during the last 3-4 days of embryonic life. Over the first 10 days of postnatal life, the NG2-labeled cells incorporated 3H-thymidine into their nuclei and their total number increased. At all ages examined, the NG2-labeled cells did not contain either vimentin-like or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-like immunoreactivity, suggesting that they do not develop along an astrocytic pathway. NG2-labeled cells of embryonic animals expressed GD3 ganglioside antigens, a property of oligodendrocyte precursors, whereas NG2-positive cells of postnatal animals did not express GD3 immunoreactivity. Nevertheless, the NG2-labeled cells of the nascent white matter expressed oligodendrocyte-specific marker antigens. Cells lying outside of the white matter continued to express the NG2 antigen. In adult animals, the NG2-labeled cells incorporated 3H-thymidine. Glial cells isolated from adult animals and grown in tissue culture express the NG2 antigen and display the phenotypic plasticity characteristic of 02A progenitor cells. These findings demonstrate that a population of glial progenitor cells is extensive within both young and adult animals.
A type directed translation of MLF to system F

The MLF type system by Le Botlan and Remy is a natural extension of Hindley-Milner type inference that supports full first-class polymorphism, where types can be of higher-rank and impredicatively instantiated. Even though MLF is theoretically very attractive, it has not seen widespread adoption. We believe that this partly because it is unclear how the rich language of MLF types relate to standard System F types. In this article we give the first type directed translation of MLF terms to System F terms. Based on insight gained from this translation, we also define "Rigid MLF" (MLF=), a restriction of MLF where all bound values have a System F type. The expressiveness of MLF= is the same as that of boxy types, but MLF= needs fewer annotations and we give a detailed comparison between them.
Colorectal adenocarcinoma in cirrhotic patients.

Abstract Background Colorectal carcinoma in cirrhotic patients is different from that in patients without the liver disease. The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of liver metastasis, postoperative mortality, and the predictors of longterm survival. Study design A retrospective analysis of patients operated on for colorectal adenocarcinoma at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN between 1976 and 2001, with confirmed liver cirrhosis at the time of abdominal exploration. Results Seventy-two patients were available for analysis. They were 43% Child A, 42% Child B, and 15% Child C. The median age was 70 (range 42 to 89) years, and the mean duration of followup was 46 months. Postoperative death was 13%. The risk factors were an elevated bilirubin (p = 0.01) and prolonged prothrombin time (p = 0.009). Seven patients (10%) developed liver metastases. For the whole group 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 69%, 49%, and 35%, respectively. Child A patients had a significantly better survival rate than the combined group of Child B and C patients (p = 0.008). The risks for longterm survival were decreased albumin (p = 0.002) and prolonged prothrombin time (p Conclusions Liver metastases from colorectal adenocarcinoma is infrequent (10%) in cirrhotic patients. The Child's classification, and not the TNM stage of the carcinoma, predicts the risk of postoperative death and longterm survival.
Three dimensional imaging of plant roots in situ with X-ray Computed Tomography

X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) is a non-invasive technique that allows forthree-dimensional, nondestructive imaging of heterogeneous materials. Todate, few studies have examined the potential of CT to quantify plant rootsin situ. Pre-germinated bean plants were grown for 14 days in PVC containers(10 cm long×5.0 cm internal diameter) containing a sandy soil medium ina growth chamber under optimum growing conditions. The stems of the beanplants were excised and their root systems imaged with a high-energyindustrial tomography unit (420 kV). Forty individual horizontal tomograms,each 200 μm thick were combined into a 3-D data set for a total rootingdepth of 0.8 cm starting at the base of the hypocotyl. This volumetric dataset was analyzed for root volume through estimation of relative fractions ofroot and soil matrix within each voxel for the entire 3-D data set. Therendering of iso-attenuation surfaces illustrated the spatial arrangement ofroots with diameters equal and larger than 0.36 mm. In addition, bean rootsystems were destructively sampled at 1-cm depth increments and analyzed fordry weight, total root length and root diameter. Destructive root samplingyielded a root length per unit volume (Lv) between 44 and 60 cm cm-3soil, whereas the CT-measured Lv was about 76 cm cm-3.
Development of Non-Precious Metal Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Fuel Cells with High Activity and Stability

Non-precious metal catalysts (NPMCs) with high activity and stability are developed for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline membrane fuel cell (AMFC). A variety of important parameters determining the performance of AMFC are systematically investigated, including the ratio of catalyst to ionomer at cathode, the flow rates of oxygen and air, and the fuel cell operating temperatures. An optimum catalyst/ionomer ratio range of 7:3 to 8:2 was found for the NPMC-based cathode in both H2/O2 and H2/air cases. The operating temperature was demonstrated to play the crucial role in determining the AMFC performances.
A new measure of interpersonal exploitativeness

Measures of exploitativeness evidence problems with validity and reliability. The present set of studies assessed a new measure [the Interpersonal Exploitativeness Scale (IES)] that defines exploitativeness in terms of reciprocity. In Studies 1 and 2, 33 items were administered to participants. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis demonstrated that a single factor consisting of six items adequately assess interpersonal exploitativeness. Study 3 results revealed that the IES was positively associated with “normal” narcissism, pathological narcissism, psychological entitlement, and negative reciprocity and negatively correlated with positive reciprocity. In Study 4, participants competed in a commons dilemma. Those who scored higher on the IES were more likely to harvest a greater share of resources over time, even while controlling for other relevant variables, such as entitlement. Together, these studies show the IES to be a valid and reliable measure of interpersonal exploitativeness. The authors discuss the implications of these studies.
Diffusion of CO2 and other gases inside leaves

SUMMARY Diffusion of CO2 in the intercellular airspaces of the leaf mesophyll is one of the many processes that can limit photosynthetic carbon assimilation there. This limitation has been largely neglected in recent years, but both theoretical and empirical evidence is presented showing that it can be substantial, reducing CO2 assimilation rates by 25% or more in some leaves. Intercellular diffusion is fundamentally a three-dimensional process, because CO2 enters the leaf through discrete stomata, and not through a uniformly porous epidermis. Modelling it in one dimension can cause major underestimation of its limiting effects. Resistance and conductance models often fail to account well for the limitation, in part because they are usually one-dimensional representations, but also because they treat continuously interacting processes as if they were sequential. A three-dimensional diffusion model is used to estimate the intercellular limitation in leaves of different structural types. Intercellular gaseous diffusion probably limits CO2 assimilation by at most a few percent in many of the agricultural plants commonly studied by laboratory physiologists, as they usually have thin, amphistaomatous leaves. However, it may cause substantial limitations in the thicker, often hypostomatous leaves of the wild plants that occupy large areas of the earth. Several physiological implications of intercellular diffusion are discussed. I close by reiterating published suggestions that the gas-exchange parameter commonly termed pi should be renamed pes (es for evaporating surfaces) to avoid the confusing implication that p1, is‘the’intercellular CO2 pressure.
Modeling the Organic Nitrate Yields in the Reaction of Alkyl Peroxy Radicals with Nitric Oxide. 1. Electronic Structure Calculations and Thermochemistry

Alkyl nitrates (RONO2) are minor products formed in the atmospheric reactions of alkyl peroxy radicals (RO2•) with nitric oxide. The major products are alkoxy radicals (RO•) and NO2. The alkyl nitrate channel is important in the troposphere because RONO2 formation results in removal of NOx and trapping of free radicals; both effects reduce the rate of ozone production. We have used electronic structure calculations at the G3 and B3LYP/6-311++G** levels to calculate the geometries, energies, and vibrational frequencies for major stationary points on the potential energy surfaces for R = H, CH3, C2H5, n-C3H7, i-C3H7, and 2-C5H11. Selected calculations have been made at the G2 and QCISD(T)/cc-pVTZ levels. Reaction energies are found to be rather insensitive to the size of the alkyl group. Corrections to the reaction energies are estimated, and a generic set of reaction energies are suggested. The B3LYP/6-311++G** barriers for the isomerization of ROONO to RONO2 are found to be much too high to account for ob...
Thiol/Disulfide Redox Switches in the Regulation of Heme Binding to Proteins

This review focuses on thiol/disulfide redox switches that regulate heme binding to proteins and modulate their activities. The importance of redox switches in metabolic regulation and the general mechanism by which redox switches modulate activity are discussed. Methods are described to characterize heme-binding sites and to assess their physiological relevance. For thiol/disulfide interconversion to regulate activity of a system, the redox process must be reversible at the ambient redox potentials found within the cell; thus, methods (and their limitations) are discussed that can address the physiological relevance of a redox switch. We review recent results that define a mechanism for how thiol/disulfide redox switches that control heme binding can regulate the activities of an enzyme, heme oxygenase-2, and an ion channel, the BK potassium channel. The redox switches on these proteins are composed of different types of Cys-containing motifs that have opposite effects on heme affinity, yet have complementary effects on hypoxia sensing. Finally, a model is proposed to describe how the redox switches on heme oxygenase-2 and the BK channel form an interconnected system that is poised to sense oxygen levels in the bloodstream and to elicit the hypoxic response when oxygen levels drop below a threshold value. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 14, 1039–1047.
Pathology of internal mammary arteries used as bypass grafts.

We describe four patients in whom internal mammary arteries used as coronary artery bypass grafts demonstrated pathologic changes that could affect long-term patency. Two grafts showed evidence of arteritis, and two showed degenerative changes as seen in so-called cystic medial necrosis. In one of these two cases intraoperative dissection of the internal mammary artery and aorta occurred. Aside from the rare occurrence of atherosclerosis, we have found no previous reports of systemic vascular disease affecting this artery.
Crystal structure of the replication terminator protein from B. subtilis at 2.6 A.

Abstract The crystal structure of the replication terminator protein (RTP) of B. subtilis has been determined at 2.6 A resolution. As previously suggested by both biochemical and biophysical studies, the molecule exists as a symmetric dimer and is in the α+β protein-folding class. The protein has several uncommon features, including an antiparallel coiled-coil, which serves as the dimerization domain, and both an α-helix and a β-ribbon suitably positioned to interact with the major and minor grooves of B-DNA. A site has been identified on the surface of RTP that is biochemically and positionally suitable for interaction with the replication-specific helicase. Other features of the structure are consistent with the polar contrahelicase mechanism of the protein. A model of the interaction between RTP and its cognate DNA is presented.
A VISCOSITY-TEMPERATURE RELATION FOR NEWTONIAN LIQUIDS

Abstract The lack of success of existing theories in describing viscosity of molecular liquids appears to be due to at least two difficulties. The mechanisms of viscous momentum transfer have not been identified, and the thermal motions of molecules can not be described until the spatial arrangement of molecules in a shearing liquid is known. This paper presents the results of an effort to identify the mechanisms of viscous momentum transfer. A model is proposed and a relation is derived from it that precisely fits viscosity data for a wide variety of Newtonian liquids. The effects of the spatial distribution of thermal motions and of intermolecule attraction are represented as parameters together with a Debye-like temperature. Values of these parameters are found from fitting the relation to published data. The parameters are found to be sensitive to molecular weight and to molecular configuration. Frequencies of interaction of molecules in the direction of the velocity gradient are of the order E 10 s −...
Foraging behavior of honey bees (hymenoptera: apidae) on Brassica nigra and B. rapa grown under simulated ambient and enhanced UV-B radiation

Two species of mustard, Brassica nigra and B. rapa, were grown under simulated ambient and enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation and exposed to pollinators, Apis mellifera L. Observations were made to determine whether UV-B-induced changes in these plants affected pollinator behavior. Total duration of the foraging trip, number of flowers visited, foraging time per flower, search time per flower, total amount of pollen collected, and pollen collected per flower were measured. There were no significant differences between UV-B treatments in any of the behaviors measured or in any of the pollen measurements. These results suggest that increases in the amount of solar UV-B reaching the earth`s surface may not have a negative effect on the relationship between these members of the genus Brassica and their honey bee pollinators. 28 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
Influence of dietary zinc on lead toxicity in rats

Abstract The influence of dietary zinc (5 and 50 μg/ml of drinking water) on the toxicity of lead (100 μg/ml) was studied in rats fed a semipurified diet for 140 days. Results indicated that high dietary zinc reduced the lead levels in various tissues. The antagonism between lead and zinc was also manifested by reduction of zinc levels in plasma, liver and tibia of the lead-exposed animals. Lead exposure, as expected, produced an elevation of urinary δ-aminolevulinic acid (U-ALA) throughout the experiment. This increase, however, was greater in the animals receiving low zinc. Erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) was not only affected by lead, but also by dietary zinc and by the age of the rats. As expected, linear regression analysis of the data showed that RBC-Pb correlated highly with δ -aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D), ZPP and U-ALA; moreover, plasma zinc also correlated with RBC-Pb and ZPP.
Deposition of man-made fibers in human respiratory airway casts

Abstract New experiments of fiber deposition in the human respiratory airway were conducted by delivering aerosolized man-made fibers (TiO2 and glass) into two different human respiratory airway casts at three inspiratory flow rates. Fiber deposition patterns and regional deposition efficiencies in the airway casts were studied and compared with previously published results acquired from carbon fiber. The results showed that very few small momentum fibers (TiO2 and glass fibers) were deposited in the airway casts, which is significantly different from the results found for the large momentum fiber (carbon fiber). The fiber deposition pattern and deposition efficiency in the two airway casts were similar in both trend and magnitude, and all of the data revealed an overall continuity between fiber materials. Empirical models were proposed based on the experimental data acquired for estimating the fiber's regional deposition efficiency in the human respiratory airway.
Targeting NOX enzymes in pulmonary fibrosis

Oxidative stress has been associated with a number of human fibrotic diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Oxidative stress is most often defined as an imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in excess of the capacity of cells/tissues to detoxify or scavenge them. Additionally, the regulated production of ROS participates in cellular signaling. Therapeutic strategies to treat IPF have, thus far, focused on augmenting anti-oxidant capacity. Recent studies have demonstrated a critical role for ROS-generating enzymatic systems, specifically, NADPH oxidase (NOX) family oxidoreductases in fibrotic processes. In this review, we examine the evidence for NOX isoforms in the generation and perpetuation of fibrosis, and the potential to target this gene family for the treatment of IPF and related fibrotic disorders.
Regulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Binding and Activity by Extracellular pH

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is regulated by a number of factors, including hypoxia and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Although the effects of hypoxia have been studied intensely, less attention has been given to other extracellular parameters such as pH. Thus, the present study investigates the consequences of acidic pH on VEGF binding and activity in endothelial cell cultures. We found that the binding of VEGF165 and VEGF121 to endothelial cells increased as the extracellular pH was decreased from 7.5 to 5.5. Binding of VEGF165 and VEGF121 to endothelial extracellular matrix was also increased at acidic pH. These effects were, in part, a reflection of increased heparin binding, because VEGF165 and VEGF121 showed increased retention on heparin-Sepharose at pH 5.5 compared with pH 7.5. Consistent with these findings, soluble heparin competed for VEGF binding to endothelial cells under acidic conditions. However, at neutral pH (7.5) low concentrations of heparin (0.1-1.0 microg/ml) potentiated VEGF binding. Extracellular pH also regulated VEGF activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (Erk1/2). VEGF165 and VEGF121 activation of Erk1/2 at pH 7.5 peaked after 5 min, whereas at pH 6.5 the peak was shifted to 10 min. At pH 5.5, neither VEGF isoform was able to activate Erk1/2, suggesting that the increased VEGF bound to the cells at low pH was sequestered in a stored state. Therefore, extracellular pH might play an important role in regulating VEGF interactions with cells and the extracellular matrix, which can modulate VEGF activity.