cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The critical role of collagen VI in lung development and chronic lung disease

Type VI collagen (collagen VI) is an obligate extracellular matrix component found mainly in the basement membrane region of many mammalian tissues and organs, including skeletal muscle and throughout the respiratory system. Collagen VI is probably most recognized in medicine as the genetic cause of a spectrum of muscular dystrophies, including Ullrich Congenital Myopathy and Bethlem Myopathy. Collagen VI is thought to contribute to myopathy, at least in part, by mediating muscle fiber integrity by anchoring myoblasts to the muscle basement membrane. Interestingly, collagen VI myopathies present with restrictive respiratory insufficiency, thought to be due primarily to thoracic muscular weakening. Although it was recently recognized as one of the (if not the) most abundant collagens in the mammalian lung, there is a substantive knowledge gap concerning its role in respiratory system development and function. A few studies have suggested that collagen VI insufficiency is associated with airway epithelial cell survival and altered lung function. Our recent work suggested collagen VI may be a genomic risk factor for chronic lung disease in premature infants. Using this as motivation, we thoroughly assessed the role of collagen VI in lung development and in lung epithelial cell biology. Here, we describe the state-of-the-art for collagen VI cell and developmental biology within the respiratory system, and reveal its essential roles in normal developmental processes and airway epithelial cell phenotype and intracellular signaling.
Funds associated with film festivals: Supporting filmmaking in the Global South

The functions festivals fulfill within contemporary film culture extend beyond the exhibition of completed films; many festivals have attained the role of a producer in recent years. The Berlin Int...
Microcalorimeter measurement of x-ray spectra from a high-temperature magnetically confined plasma

A NASA-built x-ray microcalorimeter spectrometer has been installed on the MST facility at the Wisconsin Plasma Physics Laboratory and has recorded x-ray photons emitted by impurity ions of aluminum in a majority deuterium plasma. Much of the x-ray microcalorimeter development has been driven by the needs of astrophysics missions, where imaging arrays with few-eV spectral resolution are required. The goal of our project is to adapt these single-photon-counting microcalorimeters for magnetic fusion energy research and demonstrate the value of such measurements for fusion science. Microcalorimeter spectrometers combine the best characteristics of the x-ray instrumentation currently available on fusion devices: high spectral resolution similar to an x-ray crystal spectrometer and the broadband coverage of an x-ray pulse height analysis system. Fusion experiments are increasingly employing high-Z plasma-facing components and require measurement of the concentration of all impurity ion species in the plasma. This diagnostic has the capability to satisfy this need for multi-species impurity ion data and will also contribute to measurements of impurity ion temperature and flow velocity, Zeff, and electron density. Here, we introduce x-ray microcalorimeter detectors and discuss the diagnostic capability for magnetic fusion energy experiments. We describe our experimental setup and spectrometer operation approach at MST, and we present the results from an initial measurement campaign.
Assessing co-benefits incentivizes climate-mitigation action

To lessen the myriad impacts of climate change, the world faces the daunting task of transitioning away from fossil-fuel-based infrastructure. In this issue of One Earth, Peng et al. demonstrate that such a transition in China’s transportation and power-generation sectors could additionally provide substantial health and economic benefits, further incentivizing sustainable development pathways.
Snow Microphysical Retrieval from the NASA D3R Radar During ICE-POP 2018

Abstract. A method is developed to use both polarimetric and dual-frequency radar measurements to retrieve microphysical properties of falling snow. It is applied to the Ku- and Ka-band measurements of the NASA Dual-polarization, Dual-frequency Doppler Radar (D3R) obtained during the International Collaborative Experiment for PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympics (ICE-POP 2018) field campaign, and incorporates the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS) microwave single scattering property database for oriented particles. The retrieval uses optimal estimation to solve for several parameters that describe the particle size distribution (PSD), relative contribution of pristine, aggregate, and rimed ice species, and the orientation distribution along an entire radial simultaneously. Examination of Jacobian matrices and averaging kernels show that the dual wavelength ratio (DWR) measurements provide information regarding the characteristic particle size, and to a lesser extent, the rime fraction and shape parameter of the size distribution, whereas the polarimetric measurements provide information regarding the mass fraction of pristine particles and their characteristic size and orientation distribution. Thus, by combining the dual-frequency and polarimetric measurements, some ambiguities can be resolved that should allow a better determination of the PSD and bulk microphysical properties (e.g., snowfall rate) than can be retrieved from single-frequency polarimetric measurements or dual-frequency, single-polarization measurements. The D3R ICE-POP retrievals were validated using Precipitation Imaging Package (PIP) and Pluvio weighing gauge measurements taken nearby at the May Hills ground site. The PIP measures the snow PSD directly, and its measurements can be used to derived the snowfall rate (volumetric and water equivalent), mean volume-weighted particle size, and effective density, as well as particle aspect ratio and orientation. Four retrieval experiments were performed to evaluate the utility of different measurement combinations: Ku-only, DWR-only, Ku-pol, and All-obs. In terms of correlation, the volumetric snowfall rate (r = 0.95) and snow water equivalent rate (r = 0.92) were best retrieved by the Ku-pol method, while the DWR-only method had the lowest magnitude bias for these parameters (−31 % and −8 %, respectively). The methods that incorporated DWR also had the best correlation to particle size (r = 0.74 and r = 0.71 for DWR-only and All-obs, respectively), although none of the methods retrieved density particularly well (r = 0.43 for All-obs). The ability of the measurements to retrieve mean aspect ratio was also inconclusive, although the polarimetric methods (Ku-pol and All-obs) had reduced biases and MAE relative to the Ku-only and DWR-only methods. The significant biases in particle size and snowfall rate appeared to be related to biases in the measured DWR, emphasizing the need for accurate DWR measurements and frequent calibration in future D3R deployments.
A Human Transcription Factor in Search Mode

Transcription factors (TF) change shape to search and recognize DNA, shifting the energy landscape from a weak binding mode to a tight binding mode. But the mechanism of TF conformational change, which deforms DNA during recognition, remains unresolved. Superhelical TFs have a modular helical topology that track along the DNA helical groove. Thus, TF and DNA helical pitch match. Our goal is to develop a mechanism of TF-DNA search and recognition using a superhelical TF as a model. Human MTERF1 is a superhelical TF that terminates transcription by unwinding mitochondrial DNA. The structure of apoMTERF1 is likely flexible: few packing interactions between modules and we are unable to crystallize it. We hypothesize that apoMTERF1 can have low strain conformations with low helical pitch that can track a B-DNA major groove. To characterize apoMTERF1, we used a coarse grained simulation to model intrinsic motions and atomistic MD to obtain a diverse structural ensemble. The coarse grained simulation showed the largest mode of apoMTERF1 is a pitching motion. The MD showed apoMTERF1 is flexible, and unstrained in a conformation with low pitch that matches B-DNA. To show that low pitch apoMTERF1 structures were stable in search mode, we docked these structures to B-DNA and equilibrated the complexes using atomistic MD. The search mode complexes were stable: decreasing in energy and increasing in structural complementarity. Surprisingly, the helical motion from the coarse grained and atomistic simulations was also present in the search mode. The helical motion permits the individual motifs to shift along the sequence in a stepping translocation process and might also be involved in unwinding DNA during recognition. We are currently modeling the transition to recognition mode to test if the mechanism can be explained by MTERF1 natural helical motions.
Gate-free state preparation for fast variational quantum eigensolver simulations

The variational quantum eigensolver is currently the flagship algorithm for solving electronic structure problems on near-term quantum computers. The algorithm involves implementing a sequence of parameterized gates on quantum hardware to generate a target quantum state, and then measuring the molecular energy. Due to finite coherence times and gate errors, the number of gates that can be implemented remains limited. In this work, we propose an alternative algorithm where device-level pulse shapes are variationally optimized for the state preparation rather than using an abstract-level quantum circuit. In doing so, the coherence time required for the state preparation is drastically reduced. We numerically demonstrate this by directly optimizing pulse shapes which accurately model the dissociation of H2 and HeH+, and we compute the ground state energy for LiH with four transmons where we see reductions in state preparation times of roughly three orders of magnitude compared to gate-based strategies.
Evolving Patterns of Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients Implanted for Intractable Low Back and Leg Pain

The objective of this study was to examine the programming strategies used in patients with intractable low-back pain treated with epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) utilizing paddle electrodes and a radio frequency (RF) stimulator. Programming strategies were examined in a group of patients implanted with a 16-contact paddle electrode and a dual channel RF receiver to treat chronic low-back pain. Baseline data included previous surgical history information, leg and low back pain severity and characteristics, and routine demographic information. Outcome measurements included the visual analog scale (VAS) (1), patient pain relief rating scale, and programming parameters. Patients rated their pain relief on a 5-point scale where 4 = excellent, 3 = good, 2 = fair, 1 = poor and 0 = none. Success was determined to be a pain relief score of "fair" or above. Data were collected during patient visits or by mail, at approximately 6, 12, and 24 months, postoperatively. Immediate postop data were available in 16 patients, 6-month data in 21 patients, 1-year data in 20 patients, and 2-year data in 10 patients, and analyzed for the purposes of examining programming strategies. The most common location for the tip of the electrode (lead) was found to be in the middle of the 8th thoracic vertebrae (N = 26). At the immediate postop assessment, the majority of cathodes were activated in the upper half of T9. By the 6-month follow-up, the majority of cathodes had shifted to the bottom of T9 and top of T10. Overall 88% of cathode locations were changed at one or more study visits. At 2 years, 86% of the programs used four or more active contacts. At 6 months, 83% of the patients reported that the therapy was a success, at 1 year, success was 94%, and by 2 years, success was 75%. Both SCS and chronic pain are dynamic processes. Complex pain patterns, such as the ones of patients who have pain in the low back and in one or both lower extremities, require a high degree of flexibility in the implanted SCS system. The system must provide the capability to redirect the current electronically over at least two segments of the spinal canal, to electronically steer the current in a medio-lateral direction, and to activate multiple electrical contacts simultaneously. The willingness and ability to provide extensive reprogramming in the long term follow-up is also of the utmost importance. Pain and its treatment with SCS is a dynamic process.
Mass Spectrometry: Applications in Phosphoproteomics

Proteins are biological macromolecules whose structure and functions are essential to every biological process within cells. Protein phosphorylation is one of the most important post-translational modifications and it has a profound effect on protein function. Recently, concurrent advances in bioanalytical technologies and informatics enabled studies of proteins and phosphoproteins on a global scale. These large-scale approaches represent an integral component of systems biology, which is an area of scientific inquiry that focuses on a biological system as a whole. State-of-the art mass spectrometry is a key technology for global-scale protein and phosphoprotein analyses. Phosphorylated proteins from diverse biological systems can be probed with a combination of separation methods, tandem mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics, to reveal the identity of the phosphorylated protein and the exact localization of the site(s) of phosphorylation. Characterization of the phosphoproteomes in cells, tissues and biological fluids provides an excellent foundation on which to build new knowledge of living systems.
Early Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Kinetics following Prostate Carcinoma Radiotherapy Prognostic Value of a Time-and-PSA Threshold Model

BACKGROUND The goal of the current study was to analyze the prognostic value of early prostate-specific antigen (PSA) kinetics, with PSA assessed as reaching or failing to reach discrete threshold values at fixed time points during follow-up after external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for prostate carcinoma. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective review of PSA follow-up for 839 patients treated between May 1987 and December 2000 at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Cleveland, OH). They also assessed the impact on bRFS of PSA levels lower than defined threshold values at given time points during follow-up. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 74 months (range, 24–189 months), 540 patients (64.4%) maintained bRFS, whereas 299 patients (35.6%) did not maintain bRFS. The median nadir among patients with sustained bRFS was 0.4 ng/mL, with a median time to nadir of 28.9 months. Patients who did not maintain bRFS reached a median nadir of 1.3 ng/mL at a median of 15 months (P < 0.0001 for both nadir level and time to nadir). Reaching PSA thresholds of 3.0, 2.0, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.2 ng/mL at any time during follow-up was correlated with improved bRFS (P < 0.0001, each threshold). Patients whose PSA levels crossed the appropriate thresholds within 3 and 6 months of follow-up, irrespective of the time or level of eventual nadir, exhibited significantly improved bRFS when compared with patients whose PSA levels reached those thresholds at any time during follow-up and patients whose PSA levels never reached those thresholds (all thresholds: P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Despite previous conclusions that early PSA assessment may lack prognostic value, the data obtained in the current study suggest that the kinetics of early PSA decline is predictive of long-term bRFS when assessed using a time-and–PSA threshold model. After EBRT for prostate carcinoma, PSA levels below various discrete PSA thresholds were indicative of statistically meaningful long-term outcome differences between experimental arms as early as 90 days after radiotherapy. If the time-and–PSA threshold model is shown to be predictive of prostate carcinoma mortality as well, then it may allow the scientific community to evaluate promising treatment concepts and technologies at a highly accelerated pace. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Effect of adrenocorticotropin and other hormone preparations upon the metabolism of acetate-1-14C and other 14C-labeled substrates by adipose tissue in vitro.

Abstract Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and synthetic peptides with ACTH activity inhibit incorporation of label from acetate-1-14C into adipose tissue protein and fatty acid at concentrations as low as 0.17 milliunit per ml. Growth hormone, thyrotropin, and epinephrine have similar effects at concentrations (w/v) 10 to 2000 times greater. Large concentrations of growth hormone, relative to ACTH, are required, and the activity of growth hormone is abolished by oxidation with sodium periodate (which does not alter somatotropic properties), suggesting that the activity of the preparations is due to a contaminant. ACTH could exert this effect by a number of mechanisms. Of the possibilities tested, ACTH does not act by diluting the labeled acetate pool, by stimulating the accumulation of toxic concentrations of free fatty acid in the tissue, or by directly inhibiting protein synthesis. It is suggested that ACTH inhibits incorporation of label from acetate and other precursors into protein by stimulating their utilization via oxidative pathways, thereby reducing the labeled intermediates available for incorporation into protein or fatty acids. Additional indirect influences upon enzymes for fatty acid synthesis are not excluded.
Synthesis and structure of ECR-40: An ordered sapo having the MEI framework

Abstract The structure of the silicoaluminophosphate ECR-40 has been determined and refined from synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. Its framework is the same as the aluminosilicate ZSM-18, which has the MEI structure. ECR-40 is the first example of a MEI structure with a non-aluminosilicate composition. Due to unique ordering of the silicon, phosphorous, and aluminum atoms into specific T-atom positions, ECR-40 contains odd-numbered rings, which are not present in other tetrahedral SAPO frameworks. 1H, 27Al, 31P, and 29Si MAS NMR data are consistent with the MEI structure. The structure also contains an Al-O-Al connection which imparts very strong acidity to the material.
Identification of human intestinal trefoil factor. Goblet cell-specific expression of a peptide targeted for apical secretion.

Abstract Trefoil peptides are a recently recognized group of small peptides abundantly produced at mucosal surfaces that offer the opportunity to define mechanisms of mucosal cell-specific differentiation and to illuminate new mechanisms for the preservation of mucosal integrity. We report the cDNA cloning of a 75-amino acid human trefoil factor expressed in small and large intestinal mucosas that is highly homologous to the intestinal trefoil factor, with 70% identity at the amino acid level of the predicted mature protein. This human intestinal trefoil factor is also homologous, although to a lesser extent, to trefoil peptides expressed at other sites in the gastrointestinal tract in man, exhibiting absolute conservation of the P domain motif (CX9CX9CX4CCX9WCF) that defines this family of peptides. These findings indicate a high degree of evolutionary conservation of organ/region-specific members of this peptide family. In situ hybridization of intestinal trefoil factor demonstrates a high degree of expression in mature small intestine villus and colonic epithelial goblet cells. Immunogold staining demonstrates high concentrations of intestinal trefoil factor in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and theca of goblet cells as well as throughout the mucosal surface, consistent with vectorial secretion of this factor by goblet cells onto the intestinal luminal surface. In addition, intestinal trefoil factor was also localized within columnar epithelial cells by immunogold labeling despite the absence of mRNA. These observations suggest that peptide secreted by goblet cells might be taken up from the luminal surface and transcytosed by enterocytes. Human intestinal trefoil factor expression was also detected in the HT-29N2 and HT-29H2 subclones in conjunction with the emergence of the goblet cell phenotype, but not in the CaCO2 cell line that exhibits enterocytic phenotype. In summary, these findings confirm the existence of a highly conserved family of peptides that are abundantly expressed in distinctive regions throughout the gastrointestinal tract in a highly cell-specific pattern reflecting a goblet cell differentiation pathway. They form one of the more abundant constituents of the interface between the mucosa and "outside" environment and may provide a new paradigm of regulation of the integrity of epithelial surfaces as well as a previously unrecognized dimension of goblet cell function.
Possible role of TLR4 and TLR9 SNPs in protection against congenital toxoplasmosis.

The purpose of this investigation was the determination of the distribution of genotypes at single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and the toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in fetuses and newborns congenitally infected with Toxoplasma gondii and the identification of genetic changes predisposing to infection development. The study involved 20 fetuses and newborns with congenital toxoplasmosis and 50 uninfected controls. The levels of IgG and IgM antibodies against T. gondii, as well as IgG avidity, were estimated by enzyme-linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) tests. T. gondii DNA loads in amniotic fluids were assayed by the real-time (RT) quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q PCR) technique for parasitic B1 gene. TLR4 and TLR9 SNPs were identified using a self-designed multiplex nested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. Randomly selected genotypes at SNPs were confirmed by sequencing. All the genotypes were tested for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and TLR4 genotypes were analyzed for linkage disequilibrium. A correlation was studied between the genotypes or haplotypes and the development of congenital toxoplasmosis using a logistic regression model. Single SNP analysis showed no statistically significant differences in the distribution of distinct genotypes at the analyzed TLR4 and TLR9 SNPs between T. gondii-infected fetuses and newborns and the controls. Taking into account the prevalence of alleles residing within polymorphic sites, similar prevalence rates were observed in both of the studied groups. The multiple SNP analysis indicated GTG variants at the TLR4 and TLR9 SNPs to be significantly less frequent in offspring with congenital toxoplasmosis than in uninfected offspring (p ≤ 0.0001). TLR4 and TLR9 SNPs seem to be involved in protection against congenital toxoplasmosis.
Wideband array for C, X, and Ku-band applications with 5.3∶1 bandwidth

Planar arrays that exploit strong intentional coupling between elements have allowed for very wide bandwidths in low-profile configurations. However, such designs also require complex impedance matching networks that must also be very compact. For many space applications, typically occurring at C-, X-, Ku-, and most recently at Ka-band, such designs require specialized and expensive fabrication techniques. To address this issue, a novel ultra-wideband array is presented, using a simplified feed network to reduce fabrication cost. The array operates from 3.5–18.5 GHz with VSWR<2.4 at broadside, and is of very low profile, having a total height of λ/10 at the lowest frequency of operation. Validation is provided using a 64-element prototype array, fabricated using common Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technology. The low size, weight, and cost of this array make it attractive for space-borne applications.
Transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of interstitial collagenase by platelet-derived growth factor BB in bone cell cultures.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a bone cell mitogen, stimulates bone collagen degradation and does not enhance bone matrix apposition rates. The mechanism of the effect on collagen degradation is unknown, and it could involve changes in interstitial collagenase synthesis. We tested the effects of PDGF on interstitial collagenase expression in cultures of osteoblast-enriched cells from fetal rat calvariae (Ob cells). After 4-8 h of treatment, PDGF BB at 0.3 nM increased steady state collagenase messenger RNA (mRNA), whereas PDGF AA had no effect. The effect of PDGF BB on collagenase transcripts was dose dependent. PDGF BB increased the levels of immunoreactive collagenase after 6 h, whereas the levels were decreased after 16 h. Stimulation of collagenase mRNA by PDGF BB was dependent on de novo protein synthesis and activation of protein kinase C. PDGF BB prolonged the half-life of collagenase mRNA in transcriptionally arrested cells. PDGF BB initially increased and subsequently decreased the rate o...
Spin correlations and Kondo effect in a strong ferromagnet

The spin structure and electron-transport behavior of Pt-substituted MnBi thin films have been investigated. The electrical resistivity of these ferromagnetic films shows an unusual low-temperature resistance minimum or Kondo effect accompanied by positive magnetoresistance. First-principles calculations show that Mn atoms displaced to the bipyramidal interstitial sites are antiferromagnetically coupled to the Mn atoms on their regular lattice sites. We explain the observed Kondo effect and the positive magnetoresistance as the consequences of local spin correlations involving Mn atoms displaced to interstitial sites by Pt doping.
Emotional responses in monkeys inhibited with electrical stimulation

Electrodes were implanted in the caudate nucleus, putamen, and other areas of adult rhesus monkeys. Electrical stimulation of some of these areas inhibited the specific emotional responses of threatening or grimacing without disrupting consummatory, instrumental, locomotor, or grooming behavior.
Mother–child emotion communication and childhood anxiety symptoms

This study examined whether several aspects of emotion communication in mother-child dyads relate to child anxiety symptoms. Mother and child behaviours related to emotion communication were coded based on videotaped mother-child interactions in a sample of 87 ten- to twelve-year olds, and children reported on their anxiety symptoms. Mothers of more anxious children were less supportive in that they engaged more in psychologically controlling behaviours designed to manipulate the child's emotional state, exhibited less warmth and interest in the child, and were less elaborative during conversations about an emotionally negative event. Further, more anxious children showed greater affect intensity and lower congruency of emotions and behaviours, and were less engaged in the conversation. Examining the role of child gender did not change the results significantly. Mother and child emotion communication behaviours each explained significant variance in child anxiety. The results showed that how mothers and children approached emotion-related conversations is important for child anxiety, and highlighted the need to consider mother and child behaviours related to emotion communication in assessment and interventions with anxious children.
Human-Environmental Influences and Interactions in Shifting Agriculture When Farmers Form Expectations Rationally

This paper contains a study of the response of shifting agriculture to several social and environmental changes in circumstances in which farmers form in a relatively sophisticated manner their expectations of the future values of key economic variables. Farmers are ‘given’ a model of expectations formation in which the expected future value of variables interact in the same manner as in the current period. With this structure of expectations, the responses of the length of fallow period (the inverse of the percentage of available land cultivated in the initial period), the total area of land under cultivation and lying fallow in the initial period of a rotational cycle, and the initial-period wage rate and spatial structure of land rent to changes in several social and environmental parameters are examined. Several salient characteristics commonly attributed to shifting, or rotational, agriculture are replicated. Higher crop prices and increased population shorten fallow periods. Those same changes also ...
UV and cold tolerance of a pigment-producing Antarctic Janthinobacterium sp. Ant5-2

In this paper, we describe the UV and cold tolerance of a purple violet pigment (PVP)-producing Antarctic bacterium, Janthinobacterium sp. Ant5-2 (PVP(+)) and compared its physiological adaptations with a pigmentless mutant strain (PVP(-)). A spontaneous deletion of vioA that codes for tryptophan monooxygenase, the first gene involved in the biosynthesis of PVP was found in PVP(-) strain. The PVP(-) culture exhibited significantly reduced survival during exponential and stationary growth phase following exposure to UVB (320 nm) and UVC (254 nm) (dose range: 0-300 J/m²) when compared to wild-type (PVP(+)) cultures. In addition, upon biochemical inhibition of pigment synthesis by 2(5H)-furanone, wild-type PVP(+) cultures exhibited approximately 50-fold growth reduction at a higher dose (300 J/m²) of UV. Increased resistance to UV was observed upon inducing starvation state in both PVP(+) and PVP(-) cultures. There was 80% (SD = ±8) reduction in extrapolymeric substance (EPS) production in the PVP(-) cultures along with a compromised survival to freeze-thaw cycles when compared to the PVP(+) cultures. Perhaps synthesis of PVP and EPS are among the key adaptive features that define the survival of this bacterium in Antarctic extreme conditions, especially during austral summer months.
Impact of precipitation characteristics on soil hydrology in tile‐drained landscapes

Understanding the variables regulating tile-flow response to precipitation in the US Midwest is critical for water quality management. This study (1) investigates the relationship between precipitation characteristics, antecedent water table depth and tile-flow response at a high temporal resolution during storms; and (2) determines the relative importance of macropore flow versus matrix flow in tile flow in a tile-drained soya bean field in Indiana. In spring, although variations in antecedent water table depth imparted some variation in tile-flow response to precipitation, bulk precipitation was the best predictor of mean tile flow, maximum tile flow, time to peak, and run-off ratio. The contribution of macropore flow to total flow significantly increased with precipitation amount, and macropore flow represented between 11 and 50% of total drain flow, with peak contributions between 15 and 74% of flow. For large storms (>6 cm bulk precipitation), cations data indicated a dilution of groundwater with new water as discharge peaked. Although no clear dilution or concentration patterns for Mg2+ or K+ were observed for smaller tile flow generating events (<3 cm bulk precipitation), macropore flow still contributed between 11 and 17% of the total flow for these moderate size storms. Inter-drain comparison stressed the need to use triplicate or duplicate tile drain experiments when investigating tile drainage impact on water and N losses at the plot scale. These results significantly increase our understanding of the hydrological functioning of tile-drained fields in spring, when most N losses to streams occur in the US Midwest. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Fe–Ni bimetallic nanoparticles from pixel target ablation: plume dynamics and surface characterization

A novel Fe–Ni bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis technique, denoted pixel target ablation, is reported. The technique entails ablating a thin film target consisting of patterned Fe and Ni pixels with a selected ratio using a KrF excimer laser. The laser energy breaks a known amount of target materials into metal atoms, which then form nanoparticles by recombination in the gas phase. Due to the nature of thin-film ablation, splashing of large particles was eliminated with the added benefit of minimizing nanoparticle agglomeration. Plume dynamics and surface characterizations were carried out to exploit the formation of Fe–Ni nanoparticles more fully. The composition was readily controlled by varying the initial relative amount of Fe and Ni target pixels. Synthesis of multi-element nanoparticles by pixel target ablation should be possible with any element combination that can be prepared as a thin-film target.
Opportunity for Adult Bonding/Meaningful Neighborhood Roles and Life-Satisfaction among USA Middle School Students

This study investigated the relationship between adolescent life- satisfaction and bonding to adults/developing meaningful roles in the neighborhood within a pilot study of slightly modified version of the CDC Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (MSYRBS) in a southern state in the USA. Overall, 43% of students reported that they were satisfied with their lives overall, and 34% reported that they experienced positive adult relationships and meaningful roles in their neighborhoods. After adjusting for socioeconomic status and family structure, differential associations were found between adolescent life satisfaction and bonding to adults/developing meaningful roles. Opportunities for adult bonding and meaningful roles in the neighborhood related to increased life satisfaction more strongly for Caucasian students than African-American students. Post-Hoc analyses suggest that the explanation for these differential relationships may involve socioeconomic status.
Size segregation in vibrated granular systems: A reversible process

The interior of a vibrated bed of mixed-size particles is examined experimentally, revealing segregation patterns that are considerably different than the ``layered cake'' structures published in previous literature. The frequency of vibration has a strong effect on such patterns, which are destroyed when the vibration frequency is increased past $\ensuremath{\approx}20\mathrm{Hz}.$ The segregation process is reversible; the granular system can be driven back and forth between segregated and homogeneous states by decreasing or increasing the vibration frequency.
Polysulfide chalcogels with ion-exchange properties and highly efficient mercury vapor sorption.

We report the synthesis of metal–chalcogenide aerogels from Pt2+ and polysulfide clusters ([Sx]2–, x = 3–6). The cross-linking reaction of these ionic building blocks in formamide solution results in spontaneous gelation and eventually forms a monolithic dark brown gel. The wet gel is transformed into a highly porous aerogel by solvent exchanging and subsequent supercritical drying with CO2. The resulting platinum polysulfide aerogels possess a highly porous and amorphous structure with an intact polysulfide backbone. These chalcogels feature an anionic network that is charged balanced with potassium cations, and hosts highly accessible S–S bonding sites, which allows for reversible cation exchange and mercury vapor capture that is superior to any known material.
Update on the role of rituximab in kidney diseases and transplant.

Introduction: Pathological antibody production by B lymphocytes is characteristic of numerous primary and secondary glomerular diseases of the kidney. Specific and less toxic therapies that target antibody-producing B cells are therefore needed. Based on its property of selectively depleting CD20+ B cells, rituximab is a therapeutic option for antibody-mediated kidney diseases and adds to the existing drug armamentarium for the treatment of a number of these disorders. Areas covered: This article reviews the current use of rituximab in renal disease and transplantation, and includes discussion of the drug's potential role in conditions where traditional treatment has failed. A literature search using PubMed data base was undertaken using search words rituximab and kidney transplantation, glomerulonephritis, antibody production etc. Expert opinon: Rituximab could be a beneficial drug in certain renal diseases and for complications related to kidney transplantation where conventional treatment has not been ...
Generating Near-THz Surface Acoustic Waves Using Picosecond Ultrasonics

We present here a technique to generate high frequency SAW in non-piezoelectric substrate with nanostructure grating of period less than 100 nm fabricated on it. A short pulse laser (with rise time less than 100fs) incident on this structure creates a periodic thermal stress due to the differential absorption in the substrate and the grating. We show that this stress sets up a surface acoustic wave on the substrate that can be detected optically. Modeling the generation process and analysis of SAW spectrum reveals the critical parameters to be controlled for obtaining SAW of high frequency. We show that the grating period less than 50 nm, a laser pulse of rise time less than 100fs and substrate properties like high optical absorption and high Rayleigh velocity are necessary for generating surface acoustic waves in near-THz range. This work provides quantitative guidelines on the design of near THz phononics.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Foundations of sustainability information representation theory: spatial–temporal dynamics of sustainable systems

A critical need exists to broaden and deepen sustainability information foundations that can foster growth of actionable knowledge about human–environment relations to address grand challenges in sustainable system domains such as sustainable development, social–ecological systems, and hazards influencing global environmental change. Broad-based information is needed to integrate across domains to address sustainability problems cast as complex systems problems that vary widely across space and time. Deep-based information is needed to address nuanced and contextual relationships that exist within and across domains. Both broad and deep information together are needed to better address spatial–temporal dynamics in complex sustainable systems. According to many publications, the concept of sustainable systems is considered to be at the core of self-organizing systems; and in turn, the concept of self-organizing systems is at the core of social–ecological systems, coupled natural–human systems, and human–en...
Preliminary study of the interference of surface objects and rainfall in overland flow resistance

Abstract Linear superposition approach, which states that composite resistance of different types of roughness elements equals to the sum of individual resistance, has been widely adopted in the study of overland flow hydraulics. The approach assumes that different roughness elements act independently in the flow. This seems to be implausible because roughness elements in shallow overland flow are often close to and interfering with each other. The interference, such as that between rainfall impact and stone generated vertex, may strengthen or restrain flow resistance on one another. To examine this possible interference in flow resistance, a set of flume experiments using surface objects and rainfall as roughness elements were conducted. Since the flow resistance due to each element cannot be measured directly, the linear superposition equation had to be rewritten using friction factor increment as variable. The experiments measured different friction factor increments in flows where Reynolds number was less than 2000 and Froude number less than 2. The result shows that the interference between rainfall and surface roughness is significant and the composite resistance does not statistically equal to the sum of individual resistance. The linear superposition approach is hence invalid in the case of rainfall and surface roughness elements in overland flow resistance.
Improved Linear Programming Bounds for Antipodal Spherical Codes

Let S ? [-1,1). A finite set $$\mathcal{C} = \{ x^i \} _{i = 1}^M \subset \Re ^n$$ is called a spherical S-code if ?x i ? =1 for each i, and x i T x j ? S, i ? j. For S = [?1, 0.5] maximizing $$M = \left| \mathcal{C} \right|$$ is commonly referred to as the kissing number problem. A well-known technique based on harmonic analysis and linear programming can be used to bound M. We consider a modification of the bounding procedure that is applicable to antipodal codes; that is, codes where $$x \in \mathcal{C} \Rightarrow - x \in \mathcal{C}$$ . Such codes correspond to packings of lines in the unit sphere, and include all codes obtained as the collection of minimal vectors in a lattice. We obtain improvements in upper bounds for kissing numbers attainable by antipodal codes in dimensions 16 ≤ n ≤ 23. We also show that for n = 4, 6 and 7 the antipodal codes with maximal kissing numbers are essentially unique, and correspond to the minimal vectors in the laminated lattices ? n .
The 2006 WHO child growth standards

In April 2006, the World Health Organization released its new WHO child growth standards,1 16 years after a WHO working group on infant growth recommended that these standards should describe how children should grow rather than how they actually grow.2 The basis for the new growth standards was six population based studies of infants and children from Ghana, India, Norway, Brazil, Oman, and North America, undertaken between 1997 and 2003. Participants were fed according to accepted international nutritional standards (including breast feeding), and their mothers were adequately nourished and avoided known adverse factors such as tobacco exposure.
Ab initio oligomer calculations of dynamic properties of polyacetylene

The electronic and dynamic properties of all‐trans polyacetylene have been calculated on the basis of oligomer calculations on H–(CH)10–H and H–(CH)22–H at the ab initio 6‐31G level. The calculated ir and Raman intensities are in good agreement with the experimental relative intensities.
Hydration of lanthanides and actinides in solution

Abstract Hydration studies of lanthanides and actinides are reviewed. In their trivalent state, the two series of elements have similar hydration and hydrolytic behavior. The solid hydrates adopt the tricapped trigonal prism (CN=9) structures whereas in solution, diffraction and solution measurements support a change in hydration number from 9 to 8 with decreasing ionic radii. Thermodynamics of hydration, rates of solvolysis and preferential solvation in mixed solvents are discussed. Changes in hydration and hydrolytic characterization with oxidation state of the central ion are also reviewed.
Macromolecular crowding as a cell volume sensor.

The non-ideal properties of solutions containing high concentrations of macromolecules can result in enormous increases in the activity of the individual macromolecules. There is considerable evidence
The Second Solution of Mathieu's Differential Equation

The Mathieu functions of period π and 2π have recently been constructed by the help of analysis similar to that developed by Laplace, Kelvin, Darwin and Hough to find the free tides symmetrical about the axis of a rotating globe. The purpose of this note is to show that a similar construction can be carried out for the second solution of the Mathieu equation, when one solution is periodic in π or 2π, by the help of analysis similar to that used for forced tides. The construction is effected in a form suitable for numerical computation.
Pathogenesis of the glomerulopathy associated with renal infarction in rats

The present studies were designed to characterize the extent and pathogenesis of the glomerular lesions which occur in the viable portion of the kidney following partial renal infarction in rats. Control rats with two normal kidneys had a mean blood pressure of 112 mm Hg, minimal proteinuria and no glomerular pathology on light (LM), electron (EM) or immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM). Rats with two-thirds infarction of one kidney (stage II) became hypertensive, although less than 4% of the glomeruli from either kidney were abnormal. Rats with two-thirds infarction of one kidney and contralateral nephrectomy (stage III) developed proteinuria and hypertension whether fed a normal, low or high Na+ diet. By light microscopy 37% of glomeruli were abnormal 28 days after partial infarction and contralateral nephrectomy and thereafter the percent of abnormal glomeruli increased. Detectable amounts of immunoglobulin and complement (C3) were present in kidneys of stage II or III rats but were always accompanied by more extensive albumin and fibrin deposits. Basement membrane deposits characteristic of immune complexes were not seen on EM. Administration of antihypertensive medication to stage III rats significantly lowered blood pressure and reduced the number of abnormal glomeruli on LM; however, IFM abnormalities remained prominent. Platelet thrombi seen by EM and abundant glomerular fibrin deposits seen on IFM suggested that coagulation mechanisms may be prominent in the pathogenesis of the renal lesion. Heparin-treated stage III rats had significantly lower blood urea nitrogen concentrations, blood pressures and proportion of abnormal glomeruli although glomerular deposition of serum proteins was still present on IFM. These observations suggest that this glomerulopathy is initiated by an unknown agent(s) which increased capillary permeability. This lesion progresses via thrombotic mechanisms which are prevented by heparin administration.
An O ( kN .log N ) algorithm for decomposing a set of polygons into D -separable components

Abstract Given a set of polygons P = { P 1 , P 2 ,…, P N } in the plane, a D -separable component with respect to a given set of directions D = { d 1 , d 2 ,…, d k } is a subset of polygons Q ⊆ P which can be moved freely as a group in any of the directions D without colliding with any polygon not in Q . We present an O ( kN .log N ) algorithm for computing the D -separable components of a set of N polygons. The algorithm is based on the concept of D -closure defined here and can be viewed as a certain orderly application of the well-known plane-sweep method to specially formed subgroups of polygons. An improper choice of the order of the plane-sweep operations or of the subgroups of polygons can increase the complexity to O ( N 2 ) in the worst case. The notion of separable components is useful for partitioning the free space in VLSI design and for motion planning in robotics.
Dynamical influence processes on networks: general theory and applications to social contagion.

We study binary state dynamics on a network where each node acts in response to the average state of its neighborhood. By allowing varying amounts of stochasticity in both the network and node responses, we find different outcomes in random and deterministic versions of the model. In the limit of a large, dense network, however, we show that these dynamics coincide. We construct a general mean-field theory for random networks and show this predicts that the dynamics on the network is a smoothed version of the average response function dynamics. Thus, the behavior of the system can range from steady state to chaotic depending on the response functions, network connectivity, and update synchronicity. As a specific example, we model the competing tendencies of imitation and nonconformity by incorporating an off-threshold into standard threshold models of social contagion. In this way, we attempt to capture important aspects of fashions and societal trends. We compare our theory to extensive simulations of this ``limited imitation contagion'' model on Poisson random graphs, finding agreement between the mean-field theory and stochastic simulations.