cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does Access to Better Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Improve Child Outcomes? Evidence from Latin America and the Caribbean

I review the evidence on access to water and sanitation infrastructure and child outcomes In Latin America. I show that there are large differences in access across countries and, within countries, between households living in urban and rural areas. Many papers in the public health literature show associations between access to clean water sources or improved sanitation, on the one hand, and child outcomes like the incidence of diarrhea or child development, on the other. These papers provide only weak evidence of causality. Stronger evidence comes from a handful of papers that exploit historical accidents in the extension of coverage of water and sanitation infrastructure, although the evidence is limited to child mortality, rather than morbidity, nutritional status, and development. Also, it has generally not been possible to separately estimate the effects of changes in quantity and quality of water because piped water frequently improves both. Given the paucity of the evidence to date, there would be large returns to evaluations that had credibly exogenous sources of variation in access to piped water or sanitation, and traced out the benefits to children, including surviving children, over time.
A Bonded-Strain-Gage Pressure Transducer for High-Speed Liquid Helium Temperature Rotors

Better data for the liquid helium cooling systen in superconducting generators are required before an optimization of the system can be achieved. The development of pressure transducers operable in the liquid helium environment of the generator rotor is required to provide data for more insight into the cooling system response. Pressure transducers for this application must operate under the influence of centrifugal and magnetic fields and indicate only the actual fluid pressure. No transducers meeting these specifications are commercially available. A pressure transducer operable in liquid helium while minimizing the effect of centrifugal and magnetic fields has been developed for this service.
Modeling DNA Nanodevices Using Graph Rewrite Systems

DNA based nanostructures and devices are becoming ubiquitous in nanotechnology with rapid advancements in theory and experiments in DNA self-assembly which have led to a myriad of DNA nanodevices. However, the modeling methods used by researchers in the field for design and analysis of DNA nanostructures and nanodevices have not progressed at the same rate. Specifically, there does not exist a formal system that can capture the spectrum of the most frequently intended chemical reactions on DNA nanostructures and nanodevices which have branched and pseudo-knotted structures. In this paper we introduce a graph rewriting system for modeling DNA nanodevices. We define pseudo-DNA nanostructures (\(\mathbf {PDN}\)s), which describe the sequence information and secondary structure of DNA nanostructures, but exclude modeling of tertiary structures. We define a class of labeled graphs called DNA graphs, that provide a graph theoretic representation of PDNs. We introduce a set of graph rewrite rules that operate on DNA graphs. Our DNA graphs and graph rewrite rules provide a powerful and expressive way to model DNA nanostructures and their reactions. These rewrite rules model most conventional reactions on DNA nanostructures, which include hybridization, dehybridization, base-stacking, and a large family of enzymatic reactions. A subset of these rewrite rules would likely be used for a basic graph rewrite system modeling most DNA devices, which use just DNA hybridization reactions, whereas other of our rewrite rules could be incorporated as needed for DNA devices for example enzymic reactions. To ensure consistency of our systems, we define a subset of DNA graphs which we call well-formed DNA graphs, whose strands have consistent \(5^\prime \) to \(3^\prime \) polarity. We show that if we start with an input set of well-formed DNA graphs, our rewrite rules produce only well-formed DNA graphs. We give four detailed example applications of our graph rewriting system on (1) Yurke et al. [82] DNA tweezer system, (2) Yurke et al. [77] catalytic hairpin-based triggered branched junctions, (3) Dirks and Pierce [17] HCR, and (4) Qian and Winfree [59] scalable circuit of seesaw gates. Finally, we have a working software prototype (DAGRS) that we have used to generate automatically well-formed DNA graphs using a basic rewriting rule set for some of the examples mentioned.
Game Theory and Decision Theory

This chapter discusses the Game Theory and the Decision Theory. The elements of decision theory are similar to those of the theory of games. Decision theory may be considered as the theory of a two-person game, in which nature takes the role of one of the players. The normal form of a zero-sum two-person game consists of three basic elements: (1) a nonempty set of possible states of nature, sometimes referred to as the parameter space, (2) a nonempty set of actions available to the statistician, and (3) a loss function. There are certain differences between game theory and decision theory that arise from the philosophical interpretation of the elements. The chapter discusses optimal decision rules and the fundamental problem of decision theory. It is a natural reaction to search for a best decision rule, a rule that has the smallest risk no matter what the true state of nature. However, the situations in which a best decision rule exists are rare and uninteresting.
Cocaine Exposure in Childhood: Neurologic Signs

Neurologic manifestations of cocaine exposure in 19 (46%) of 41 children, ages 2 months to 18 years, found to have cocaine-positive urine screening tests during a 1-year period (Jan - Dec 1990), are reported from the Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC.
Examining Parents' Technical Mediation of Teens' Mobile Devices

Parental control software has been one approach for promoting adolescent online safety, but there is still some ambiguity in the adoption patterns and perceptions of technical mediation for teens' mobile devices. We have collected empirical data from a paired sample of 215 parents and teens. We found that overall usage of technical mediation for mobile devices is low and that parents' and teens' perceptions about the frequency of use are not significantly different. We discuss the implications of our findings and opportunities of future research.
Interplay between spatially explicit sediment sourcing, hierarchical river-network structure, and in-channel bed material sediment transport and storage dynamics

Understanding how sediment moves along source to sink pathways through watersheds—from hillslopes to channels and in and out of floodplains—is a fundamental problem in geomorphology. We contribute to advancing this understanding by modeling the transport and in-channel storage dynamics of bed material sediment on a river network over a 600 year time period. Specifically, we present spatiotemporal changes in bed sediment thickness along an entire river network to elucidate how river networks organize and process sediment supply. We apply our model to sand transport in the agricultural Greater Blue Earth River Basin in Minnesota. By casting the arrival of sediment to links of the network as a Poisson process, we derive analytically (under supply-limited conditions) the time-averaged probability distribution function of bed sediment thickness for each link of the river network for any spatial distribution of inputs. Under transport-limited conditions, the analytical assumptions of the Poisson arrival process are violated (due to in-channel storage dynamics) where we find large fluctuations and periodicity in the time series of bed sediment thickness. The time series of bed sediment thickness is the result of dynamics on a network in propagating, altering, and amalgamating sediment inputs in sometimes unexpected ways. One key insight gleaned from the model is that there can be a small fraction of reaches with relatively low-transport capacity within a nonequilibrium river network acting as “bottlenecks” that control sediment to downstream reaches, whereby fluctuations in bed elevation can dissociate from signals in sediment supply.
Modelling boron nitride nano-structures as catalysts in fuel cells

AbstractThe dissociation of O2 and HO2 are important reactions that occur at the cathode of fuel cells and require catalysts to proceed. There is a need to replace the presently used platinum catalyst with less expensive materials. Modelling has been used to identify potential two-dimensional catalysts such as boron- and nitrogen-doped graphene. Here, the possibility of boron nitride nano-ribbons and nano-tubes which do not require doping are considered. Density functional calculations are used to show that O2 and HO2 can bond to zig–zag and armchair boron nitride nano-ribbons and nano-tubes. The bond dissociation energies (BDEs) to remove an O and an OH from O2 and HO2 bonded to the boron nitride ribbons and tubes are calculated and are a measure of the catalytic effectiveness of the boron nitride structures. The results show that both the zig–zag and armchair boron nitride ribbons could be a catalyst for HO2 dissociation but not O2 dissociation. However, zig–zag boron nitride nano-tubes are shown not to...
From efficacy to effectiveness to broad implementation: Evolution of the Body Project.

Objective At the turn of the millennium, eating disorders (EDs) prevention was largely nonexistent. No program had reduced future onset of EDs in even a single trial, and most had not reduced ED symptoms. Sixteen years later, the ED prevention field has translated basic risk factor research into interventions, with demonstrated efficacy and effectiveness in reducing ED risk factors and symptoms, as well as future ED onset in some trials. This article reviews the aforementioned progress focusing on a model intervention (i.e., the Body Project [BP]). Method The article is a qualitative review of the existing BP literature. Results Although clinical psychology has struggled with bridging the research practice gap and translating efficacy and effectiveness research into clinical implementation, researchers, clinicians, and community stakeholders working with the BP have made significant progress in addressing barriers to scalability, large-scale implementation, and sustainability, reaching 3.5 million girls and young women in 125 countries. Conclusion The successful evolution of the BP from basic research to traversing the efficacy-to-effectiveness-to-dissemination/implementation continuum has yielded significant public health impact and is thus a fitting case for this special issue commemorating the 125th anniversary of the American Psychological Association. The BP example may help others broadly implement efficacious interventions for other mental health problems. (PsycINFO Database Record
Lymphedema in the Postmastectomy Patient: Pathophysiology, Prevention, and Management

Abstract Lymphedema is the most dreaded complication of breast cancer surgery. It may result in functional, esthetic, and psychological problems, thereby affecting the quality of life of the breast cancer patient. It also predisposes patients to development of infections, decreased functional ability and range of motion, and potential development of malignant lymphangiosarcoma (Stewart-Treves syndrome). It adversely affects quality of life, job performance and health care costs. This chapter covers anatomy, pathophysiology, risk factors and incidence, measurement techniques, conservative management, prevention, and operative techniques.
Dynamic Response of Syntactic Foams and Sandwich Composites: Blast and High Strain Rate Loading

Syntactic foams are hollow particle filled composite materials containing closed-cell porosity. Reinforcement of porosity by the shell of the hollow particle results in high mechanical properties of these foams compared to foams containing gas porosity and enables their structural applications. The present work is focused on discussing dynamic properties of syntactic foams. More specifically, properties of syntactic foams under high strain rate compression and blast loading conditions are discussed for potential applications in lightweight armors and military structures. The wall thickness and volume fraction of hollow particles can be tailored to obtain high damping in these materials. Crushing of hollow particles and particle-matrix interfacial failure provide additional mechanisms of energy absorption, which can be used to develop syntactic foams with high energy absorption capabilities.
Biomedical Materials Learn to Heal Themselves: Self-Healing Polymers, Hydrogels, and Artificial Muscles Are Mimicking Nature's Repair Mechanisms

Maintaining sterility in emergency and operating rooms can be challenging, especially in cases of highly infectious disease outbreaks or toxic spills. A simple nick in a surgical glove under such circumstances could have deadly consequences. But, now, a variety of promising new materials in development may lead to everything from self-healing gloves and bandages to bone, blood vessel, and muscle scaffolding implants that could repair themselves the way tissues do. In some cases, repair might be triggered by an external stimulus, such as heat; in other cases, these materials would naturally heal by themselves over time.
Exploring the accuracy limits of lattice strain quantification with synthetic diffraction data

Abstract From a collection of scattering vectors obtained by synchrotron X-ray diffraction, the lattice strain can be spatially quantified. This paper explores the inherent accuracy limits by comparing a least-squares regression and an optimization method applied to synthetic diffraction data excluding any measurement uncertainties potentially present in real experiments. The optimization method in combination with a novel fitness function can identify the deviatoric/full lattice deformation gradient with accuracy better than 10−9. The least-squares regression is much less accurate unless all scattering vector lengths are known, in which case the exact lattice deformation gradient can be recovered.
The Paradigm: Weierstrass’ Memoir of 1858

In presenting an overview of Frobenius’ career, I indicated that an important component in his education at Berlin involved the work of Kronecker and Weierstrass on the classification of families of quadratic and bilinear forms and the disciplinary ideals their work embodied. Both Weierstrass’ theory of elementary divisors and Kronecker’s generalization of it were inspired by a paper that Weierstrass published in 1858 (Section 4.6). The purpose of this chapter is to sketch the developments that motivated Weierstrass’ work as well as those that provided the means for him to establish it. The former line of development arose from the mathematical analysis of a discrete system of masses oscillating near a point of stable equilibrium. The latter line of development goes back to the mechanics of a rotating rigid body and the existence of principal axes with respect to which the product moments of inertia vanish.
Information technology approach in computer science

Computer Science programs are facing a decline in enrollment while the workforce demand for Information Technology professionals is growing. This paper presents a multidisciplinary approach for a computing program to accommodate the employers' hiring requirements in the 21st century. The proposed program integrates the technical and professional requirements with general education requirements and electives to prepare students for an Information Technology Career. The program also allows computing education to cross over to other fields in order to provide a wider market for the computer science.
A Public Health Ethics and Policy Analysis of the Contraception Mandate

This paper evaluates the contraceptive mandate as a public health initiative. It applies two fairly standard analytical frameworks used to scrutinize public health ethics, policy, and law issues. The first is a framework for analyzing public health ethics and deliberating about public health activities offered by a team of bioethicists and public health law and policy experts that included James F. Childress, Lawrence O. Gostin, and others. The team’s framework includes a set of general considerations (including producing the maximal balance of benefits over harms, distributing benefits and burdens fairly, ensuring participation by the public and affected parties, respecting autonomous choices, disclosing information, speaking truthfully, and maintaining trust) and five justificatory conditions (i.e. effectiveness, proportionality, necessity, least infringement, and public justification). The second is the method presented by Lawrence O. Gostin for analyzing particular public health activities from a law and policy standpoint. In his systematic evaluation of public health interventions, he has proposed identifying risks, demonstrating intervention effectiveness, assessing economic costs, weighing burdens on individuals, and judging the fairness of the policy, as well as ensuring transparency and applying the precautionary principle. The analysis performed in this paper reveals shortcomings with both the mandate and the rulemaking processes used to develop the regulations and the narrow religious-employer exception. The analysis also illuminates the concerns and the interests of both the proponents and the opponents of the mandate, and it reveals the central role that ideological perspectives play in the utilitarian balancing that lies at the heart of both frameworks. Before turning to this analysis, however, this paper reviews the legislative and regulatory developments that led to the contraceptive mandate and provides an overview of the litigation challenging the mandate. After applying these two analytical frameworks, this paper argues that the Administration should reinitiate the rulemaking process and proceed in a manner that is ideologically neutral, advances the full range of justice interests, respects the liberty interests and consciences of individuals, for-profit businesses, and nonprofit organizations, is transparent, and maintains public trust.
The Cost of Metabolic Interactions in Symbioses between Insects and Bacteria with Reduced Genomes.

ABSTRACT Various intracellular bacterial symbionts that provide their host with essential nutrients have much-reduced genomes, attributed largely to genomic decay and relaxed selection. To obtain quantitative estimates of the metabolic function of these bacteria, we reconstructed genome- and transcriptome-informed metabolic models of three xylem-feeding insects that bear two bacterial symbionts with complementary metabolic functions: a primary symbiont, Sulcia, that has codiversified with the insects, and a coprimary symbiont of distinct taxonomic origin and with different degrees of genome reduction in each insect species (Hodgkinia in a cicada, Baumannia in a sharpshooter, and Sodalis in a spittlebug). Our simulations reveal extensive bidirectional flux of multiple metabolites between each symbiont and the host, but near-complete metabolic segregation (i.e., near absence of metabolic cross-feeding) between the two symbionts, a likely mode of host control over symbiont metabolism. Genome reduction of the symbionts is associated with an increased number of host metabolic inputs to the symbiont and also reduced metabolic cost to the host. In particular, Sulcia and Hodgkinia with genomes of ≤0.3 Mb are calculated to recycle ∼30 to 80% of host-derived nitrogen to essential amino acids returned to the host, while Baumannia and Sodalis with genomes of ≥0.6 Mb recycle 10 to 15% of host nitrogen. We hypothesize that genome reduction of symbionts may be driven by selection for increased host control and reduced host costs, as well as by the stochastic process of genomic decay and relaxed selection. IMPORTANCE Current understanding of many animal-microbial symbioses involving unculturable bacterial symbionts with much-reduced genomes derives almost entirely from nonquantitative inferences from genome data. To overcome this limitation, we reconstructed multipartner metabolic models that quantify both the metabolic fluxes within and between three xylem-feeding insects and their bacterial symbionts. This revealed near-complete metabolic segregation between cooccurring bacterial symbionts, despite extensive metabolite exchange between each symbiont and the host, suggestive of strict host controls over the metabolism of its symbionts. We extended the model analysis to investigate metabolic costs. The positive relationship between symbiont genome size and the metabolic cost incurred by the host points to fitness benefits to the host of bearing symbionts with small genomes. The multicompartment metabolic models developed here can be applied to other symbioses that are not readily tractable to experimental approaches.
Understanding the significance of biochemistry in the storage, handling, purification, and sampling of amphiphilic mycolactone

Mycolactone, the amphiphilic macrolide toxin secreted by Mycobacterium ulcerans, plays a significant role in the pathology and manifestations of Buruli ulcer (BU). Consequently, it follows that the toxin is a suitable target for the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for this disease. Yet, several challenges have deterred such development. For one, the lipophilic nature of the toxin makes it difficult to handle and store and contributes to variability associated with laboratory experimentation and purification yields. In this manuscript, we have attempted to incorporate our understanding of the lipophilicity of mycolactone in order to define the optimal methods for the storage, handling, and purification of this toxin. We present a systematic correlation of variability associated with measurement techniques (thin-layer chromatography (TLC), mass spectrometry (MS), and UV-Vis spectrometry), storage conditions, choice of solvents, as well as the impact of each of these on toxin function as assessed by cellular cytotoxicity. We also compared natural mycolactone extracted from bacterial culture with synthesized toxins in laboratory (solvents, buffers) and physiologically relevant (serum) matrices. Our results point to the greater stability of mycolactone in organic, as well as detergent-containing, solvents, regardless of the container material (plastic, glass, or silanized tubes). They also highlight the presence of toxin in samples that may be undetectable by any one technique, suggesting that each detection approach captures different configurations of the molecule with varying specificity and sensitivity. Most importantly, our results demonstrate for the very first time that amphiphilic mycolactone associates with host lipoproteins in serum, and that this association will likely impact our ability to study, diagnose, and treat Buruli ulcers in patients.
New Directions for American Relations with Southern Africa

This is a highly propitious time to re-examine American relations with Southern Africa. It is also a very ominous time. American Government officials have fallen into an adversary relationship with the majority of African movements, from S WA PQ to FR ELIMO, who in turn. regard U.S. policy as a major buttress of white settler regimes.
Retrospective evaluation of factors associated with degree of esophagitis, treatment, and outcomes in dogs presenting with esophageal foreign bodies (2004–2014): 114 cases

Objective To characterize a population of dogs presenting for esophageal foreign body removal and evaluate factors associated with degree of esophagitis and minor and major complications. Design Retrospective evaluation of dogs who presented for esophageal foreign body removal between January 2004 and December 2014. Setting University veterinary teaching hospital. Animals Data collected from 114 dogs included signalment, history, clinical signs, physical examination findings, duration and location of foreign body, degree of esophagitis, foreign body removal success, feeding tube placement, and clinical outcomes. Owners were contacted for outcome data not available in the medical record. Data were analyzed for breed predispositions, whether duration or type of foreign body was associated with degree of esophagitis or complications, and factors associated with feeding tube placement. Interventions None. Measurements and main results The overall success rate for foreign body removal via esophagoscopy was 95% with a complication rate of 22%. Small breed dogs were overrepresented. Dogs with a foreign body present for >24 h were significantly more likely to have severe esophagitis (P 24 h (P Conclusions Consistent with previous studies, esophageal foreign bodies, appropriately identified and endoscopically removed, carry a good prognosis, particularly if they have been present for ≤24 h.
Long-term audiologic outcomes after cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the long-term audiometric outcomes, sound localization abilities, binaural benefits, and tinnitus assessment of subjects with cochlear implant (CI) after a diagnosis of unilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss. METHOD The study group consisted of 60 (mean age 52 years, range 19-84) subjects with profound hearing loss in one ear and normal to near-normal hearing in the other ear who underwent CI. Data analysis included pre- and postoperative Consonant-Nucleus-Consonant (CNC) Word scores, AzBio Sentence scores, pure tone thresholds, sound localization, and Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire scores. RESULTS Preoperative average duration of deafness was 3.69 years (standard deviation 4.31), with an average follow-up time of 37.9 months (range 1-87). CNC and AzBio scores significantly improved (both P < 0.001) postoperatively among the entire cohort, and there was much heterogeneity in outcomes with respect to deafness etiology subgroup analysis. Sound localization abilities tended to improve longitudinally in the entire cohort. Binaural benefits using an adaptive Hearing in Noise Test test showed a significant (P < 0.001) improvement with head shadow effect. Utilizing the Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire, there was significant improvement in social, physical, and emotional well-being (P = 0.011), along with hearing abilities (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This case series is the largest cohort of CI SSD subjects to date and systematically analyzes their functional outcomes. Subjects have meaningful improvement in word understanding, and sound localization tends to gradually improve over time. Binaural benefit analysis showed significant improvement with head shadow effect, which likely provides ease of listening. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 130:1805-1811, 2020.
Who's in the child's corner: bringing family, community, and child protective services together for the protection of children

With the enactment of the US Family First Prevention Services Act (FFA) in 2018 came a renewed focus on the types and quality of services provided to families involved in the child protective service (CPS) system. However, identifying and disseminating evidence-based approaches is only one part of what is needed to protect children from harm. The role of family, school, and community is often de-emphasized, yet these systems typically have a greater capacity to protect children than formal service providers. The authors call for a rigorous multisystemic approach to the protection of children, one that pays attention to children at risk of harm and those who are involved in formal child protection systems because they have experienced maltreatment. A multisystemic approach would focus largely on a child’s natural ecology (i.e., family, school, community) and include a much broader array of possible interventions. This article draws from the authors’ experiences of implementing ecologically-based treatment models based on multisystemic therapy, including the Neighborhood Solutions Project (NS) and Multisystemic Therapy for Child Abuse and Neglect (MST-CAN). Although designed primarily for formal intervention (i.e., youth at risk of community violence and families who are experiencing child abuse and neglect), the MST-related broad systemic approach, including its core treatment principles and an analytic process has wider applicability. For example, the MST processes were central to meeting community needs targeting health and well-being in a rural village in the eastern region of Ghana where no child protection system existed. Likewise, the MST-related approach is applicable to a fuller spectrum of family needs (e.g., families at risk of but not experiencing maltreatment) and to a wider array of professionals and laypeople working with child protection-involved/at risk for involvement families. Bringing family, community, and child protective services (i.e., multiple systems) together through a shared vision for the protection of children may be the most effective way to ultimately keep all children safe.
End of the Semester Review of Biochemistry Using a Case Study on Phosphoglucose Isomerase Deficiency

Case study exercises are extensively used as a pedagogical tool not only to deliver the content but also to engage students in problem-solving using real-life scenarios. The transition to the virtual learning platform due to COVID-19 made it even more imperative to implement an inquiry-driven learning exercise that tethers various biochemistry concepts into one activity. Here, I present a case-based activity that was used to review and integrates multiple concepts taught in the introductory biochemistry course. This case study is derived from the clinical data of a newborn, diagnosed with hemolytic anemia pertaining to a defect in the phosphoglucose isomerase enzyme, and laboratory-generated research data comparing the wild type and the mutant proteins. This data-driven case study takes a question-guided approach to review acid–base chemistry, protein structure, protein purification, protein characterization, enzyme kinetics, mechanism, nucleic acids chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, and metabolism. This activity is conducted over two lecture periods, allowing enough time to implement concepts learned during the entire semester to solve the questions in this activity. Furthermore, the case study helps students to identify some of the challenging concepts and guides them to generate a study list for the cumulative final exam. This activity has been conducted both in a face-to-face classroom setting and in a synchronous virtual classroom using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. The survey of this activity clearly shows students’ enthusiasm toward participating in case-based learning in both modalities.
"It's having something that you've done it for": Applying Self-Determination Theory to participants' motivations in a for-cause physical activity event.

For-cause physical activity events reach many people. Little research has applied Self-Determination Theory to participants’ experiences in for-cause physical activity events. This qualitative stud...
Trends in Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents and Panretinal Photocoagulation Use in Diabetic Retinopathy.

UNSTRUCTURED ABSTRACT Enrollees with PDR with or without DME were identified from 2012 to 2019. We observed a decline in the utilization of PRP and an increase in anti-VEGF utilization.
Inhibition of erbB2 suppresses UV-induced skin tumorigenesis through a mechanism independent of EGFR

361 Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family members are activated in the skin following UV irradiation, the primary cause of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Two members of the family, erbB2 (HER2/neu) and EGFR itself, heterodimerize and contribute to carcinogenesis in various organs. While EGFR activation in response to UV increases skin carcinogenesis by suppressing apoptosis and increasing cell proliferation, little is known about the role of erbB2 in skin cancer or the mechanisms for signal specificity downstream of EGFR and erbB2. We hypothesized that heterodimerization of erbB2 with EGFR after UV exposure, and resulting activation of signal transduction pathways, promotes UV-induced skin tumorigenesis. To test this hypothesis, the UV-induced activation of EGFR, erbB2, and of both receptors was blocked using pretreatment with the EGFR inhibitor AG1478 and the erbB2 inhibitor AG825, both singly and together, in genetically-initiated v-rasHa transgenic Tg.AC mice. Topical treatment of AG1478, AG825, or AG1478 plus AG825 2 h before UV irradiation resulted in 30%, 53%, or 71% fewer papillomas and tumors that were smaller by 55%, 70%, or 82%, respectively, when compared to vehicle-treated and UV-exposed mice. Thus, inhibition of both receptors additively suppressed tumorigenesis consistent with independent mechanisms for their effects. In contrast to our previously published results for EGFR, inhibition of erbB2 did not significantly modulate proliferation, apoptosis, or hyperplasia in the skin after a single UV exposure. Inhibition of erbB2 did, however, suppress UV-induced inflammation and the expression of cytokines such as IL-1β. These results suggest that erbB2 activation by UV contributes to skin carcinogenesis by increasing UV-induced inflammation through a mechanism independent of EGFR. These results further suggest that modulation of erbB2 signaling is an appropriate target for intervention in UV-induced pathologies such as skin cancer.
Three-dimensional crystal plasticity simulations using peridynamics theory and experimental comparison

Abstract A three-dimensional (3D) peridynamics (PD) model of crystal plasticity (CP) is presented for predicting the fine-scale localization in polycrystalline microstructures undergoing elastoplastic deformation. Microscale data from electron microscopy and digital image correlation have indicated that slip localizations arise early in deformation and act as precursors to mechanical failure and fracture. However, classical numerical approaches such as crystal plasticity finite element methods (CPFEM) are generally unable to predict the emergence and distribution of such localizations. Alternatively, the PD formulation has attracted significant attention for its unique treatment of deformation in the presence of high strain gradient fields. In this paper, a mesh-free non-ordinary state-based PD technique is developed for simulating the elasto-plastic deformation of 3D polycrystalline aggregates of a magnesium alloy. This work presents the details of 3D polycrystal plasticity modeling using PD theory with experimental and CPFEM comparisons. The results from this model are validated against published experimental data for the stress-strain response and texture evolution. The crystal plasticity peridynamic (CPPD) models are successful in simulating grain averaged strains seen in the experiment and depict well-resolved regions of strain localization.
Cardiac Toxicity: Using Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors to Prevent Anthracycline-Induced Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND Anthracycline chemotherapies are effective in many different types of cancer. However, cumulative doses are associated with irreversible cardiac toxicity, most frequently manifested in the development of left ventricular dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure. The onset of cardiomyopathy and subsequent heart failure can result in the interruption or discontinuation of therapy. Cardioprotective agents, particularly angiotensin- converting enzyme inhibitors, have been shown to slow the progression of left ventricular dysfunction and prevent heart failure. OBJECTIVES This review assesses the efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in the prevention of anthracycline-induced left ventricular dysfunction. METHODS A literature search was performed using four electronic databases. FINDINGS Evidence from this review suggests that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may be effective in preventing or reducing anthracycline- induced left ventricular dysfunction and subsequent cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
Voting Rights, Collective Memory, and Black Political Participation

In American politics, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 lives in collective national memory as one of the crown jewels of the Civil Rights Movement. Is the memory of the sacrifices made to secure Black voting rights merely an aspect of historical reflection or does it influence Black political behavior beyond those with lived experience during the Civil Rights movement? This paper explores the nature of collective memory associated with the voting rights struggle and its influence upon perceptions of the importance of voting among African Americans. I argue that the political salience of the sacrifices made to secure voting rights are function of political socialization and geopolitical context. Using data from original surveys of over 2,000 Black voters in California conducted in 2016 and 2018, I demonstrate that collective memory of the sacrifices made to secure voting rights remains politically salient for Black voters up to one generation beyond those with lived experience of Civil Rights Movement. Factors that influence the salience of collective memory include church attendance, region of residence, and age-cohort. The data is less clear on how collective memory may influence voting behavior, as the analysis results in a null finding when used as a predictor of turnout in 2016. Voting rates are higher among those for whom the sacrifice is politically salient, however the results are not statistically significant. The implications for voter turnout in 2018 and the upcoming 2020 presidential election are discussed.
Observation of the emergent photon in a metastable fractionalized phase of Bose-condensed excitons: Monte Carlo simulation

Using Monte Carlo simulation, we studied fractionalized phases in a model of exciton bose condensate and found evidence for an emergent photon in a finite size system. The fractionalized phase is a meta-stable Coulomb phase where an emergent photon arises as a gapless collective excitation of the excitons. We also studied a possibility of spiral* phase where fractionalization and long range spiral order of the exciton condensate coexist.
The Mechanism of Action of Ethanolamine Ammonia-Lyase, a B12-dependent Enzyme THE PARTICIPATION OF PARAMAGNETIC SPECIES IN THE CATALYTIC DEAMINATION OF 2-AMINOPROPANOL

Abstract Ethanolamine ammonia-lyase catalyzed the adenosylcobalamin-dependent deamination of 2-aminopropanol as well as that of ethanolamine. When the enzyme-coenzyme complex was frozen in liquid nitrogen while it was acting on 2-aminopropanol, a large, well defined EPR spectrum was demonstrated. The spectrum consisted of two components: a broad signal at g = 2.34, and an asymmetrical doublet with g values of 2.04 and 1.99. The over-all signal corresponded to about 1.3 spins per active site, the electron density being approximately equally divided between the species producing the g = 2.34 component and the one represented by the asymmetrical doublet. The configuration of the signal was the same regardless of whether the incubation was conducted aerobically or anaerobically. Both components of the signal were saturated by increasing power, the doublet being the more easily saturated component. EPR spectroscopy at two different microwave frequencies (X band and K band) showed that the doublet represented a single paramagnetic species whose signal was split by an interaction with another paramagnetic species in its vicinity. By its location, configuration, and the characteristics of the superimposed hyperfine structure, the g = 2.34 signal was assigned to the unpaired electron of cob(II)alamin. Experiments with isotopically labeled propanolamine permitted the doublet signal to be assigned to the 2-aminopropanol-1-yl radical. The major splitting of the doublet signal was attributed to a dipole-dipole interaction between the 2-amino-propanol-1-yl radical and the unpaired electron on cob(II)-alamin; assuming this explanation to be correct, the distance between the two spins was calculated to be ∼6 A. Rapid mixing, quick freeze experiments showed that the appearance of the paramagnetic species was a first order process with a rate constant of 7 s-1. Since the turnover number for propanolamine is 1 to 2 s-1, the process by which the paramagnetic species are generated is kinetically competent with respect to over-all catalysis. Once formed, the species disappeared with a half-time of about 1 to 2 min. Their disappearance is probably associated with the irreversible destruction of adenosylcobalamin by a side reaction not directly relevant to the catalytic mechanism. These results have been interpreted in terms of a mechanism whereby the early hydrogen transfer steps in the adenosylcobalamin-dependent rearrangement of propanolamine are as follows: [see PDF for equation]
Fourier-autoregressive spectral estimation

The Fourier-Autoregressive spectral estimator allows one to perform autoregressive spectral estimation on a narrowband basis as opposed to the conventional broadband approach. This capability is particularly valuable when the desired time series is a narrowband process, which is embedded in broadband observation noise. To generate the narrowband time series, the original data is passed through a bank of bandpass filters which is conveniently implemented by an FFT. It is shown that for a sinusoidal process in white noise, a tradeoff may be effected between the narrowband signal-to-noise ratio, which is principally responsible for spectral resolution, and the useable data record length.
Pilot Differences and Motion Cuing Effects on Simulated Helicopter Hover

The effects that cues of aircraft motion, delays in visual scene, and movement of a ship model have on pilots' ability to hover a simulated helicopter near a destroyer-class ship were examined. Twelve pilots were tested in a within-subject factorial combination of fixed-base, moving-base, and G-seat conditions in which delays of 66 or 128 ms existed in the simulator's visual display and the pilots had to hover near a moving or stationary ship. Best control performance was seen under the moving-base conditions, whereas poorest control was associated with the fixed-base simulation. An intermediate level of performance was produced by the G-seat. In addition, visual delay affected control of the roll axis of the simulation, and interactions between pilots and motion cuing and visual delay were seen. Movement of the ship model had little effect.
Impacts of Usher Syndrome Type IB Mutations on Human Myosin VIIa Motor Function

Usher syndrome (USH) is a human hereditary disorder characterized by profound congenital deafness, retinitis pigmentosa, and vestibular dysfunction. Myosin VIIa has been identified as the responsible gene for USH type 1B, and a number of missense mutations have been identified in the affected families. However, the molecular basis of the dysfunction of USH gene, myosin VIIa, in the affected families is unknown to date. Here we clarified the effects of USH1B mutations on human myosin VIIa motor function for the first time. The missense mutations of USH1B significantly inhibited the actin activation of ATPase activity of myosin VIIa. G25R, R212C, A397D, and E450Q mutations abolished the actin-activated ATPase activity completely. P503L mutation increased the basal ATPase activity for 2-3-fold but reduced the actin-activated ATPase activity to 50% of the wild type. While all of the mutations examined, except for R302H, reduced the affinity for actin and the ATP hydrolysis cycling rate, they did not largely decrease the rate of ADP release from actomyosin, suggesting that the mutations reduce the duty ratio of myosin VIIa. Taken together, the results suggest that the mutations responsible for USH1B cause the complete loss of the actin-activated ATPase activity or the reduction of duty ratio of myosin VIIa.
Supersonic lattice gases: restoration of Galilean invariance by nonlinear resonance effects

Abstract Energy-conserving multispeed lattice simulations of fluid behavior are shown to be capable of maintaining approximate macroscopic Galilean invariance at supersonic flow velocities. This result is due to a resonance between macroscopic flow velocity and discrete microscopic velocities, a nonlinear effect which was suppressed in previous power series expansion derivations of the macroscopic flow equations. The effect is demonstrated by numerical evaluation of the pressure tensor components for two-dimensional lattices with 25, 57, and 129 bits per lattice site and by simulations of a two-dimensional free shear decay flow up to Mach 1.9.
Trend Analysis of Streamflow Drought Events in Nebraska

A streamflow drought event, defined by applying the threshold level approach on streamflow time series, is composed of three parameters: duration, severity and magnitude. This study reveals statistical characteristics on streamflow drought event parameters and detects spatial and temporal trends in the streamflow drought in terms of frequency, duration and severity in Nebraska. The studies are conducted on three time periods: 1970–2001 (60 stations), 1950–2001 (43 stations), and 1932–2001 (9 stations). The statistical tests performed on the drought event parameters include correlation between event parameters tests, Hurst coefficients and lag-one coefficients, and trend-free pre-whitening Mann–Kendall (TFPW-MK) tests. The analysis shows that there is no uniform trend on the streamflow drought in the whole state. However, some trends are evident for specific regions. Specifically, it is most likely that droughts in the Republican watershed have become more intense; whereas the drought has become slightly alleviated in the Missouri and nearby watersheds.
EXTRAPOLATION TO CUTS AND THE SCATTERING OF ELECTRONS AND POSITRONS

Editor please delete 13890. 16:013891A formally gamma /sub 5/ -invariant system consisting of a Dirac field and a massless pseudoscalar field allows chirality conservation in the sense that its expectation value is a constant of motion. This leads to the consequence that in any reaction a change in the fermion chirality (~helicity x velocity) is compensated for by the emission of a massless boson at zero energy, which can be expressed by a simple formula relating the radiative amplitude to the elastic amplitude. Assuming the pion-nucleon system to be gamma /sub 5/invariant when the pion mass can be neglected, the formula is applied tothe processes N + pi yields N + pi and N + 2 pi . A reasonable agreement with experiment is obtained in a case dominated by the 3-3 resonance. (auth)
Spatially resolved height response of phase-shifting interferometers measured using a patterned mirror with varying spatial frequency

In the performance evaluation of phase-shifting interferometers for figure metrology, the height response, or height transfer function, is rarely taken into consideration, because in most applications smooth surfaces are measured and only the lowest spatial frequencies are of interest. For measurements with low uncertainty it is important to understand the height response as a function of the spatial-frequency content of a surface under test, in particular when it contains form-error components with frequencies at the high end of an interferometer's spatial-frequency passband. A mirror with a patterned area of 140-mm diameter, consisting of several subpatterns with varying spatial frequency, was used to evaluate the spectral response. Our goal was to develop a method for efficient mapping of the spectral response over the circular field of view of a phase-shifting interferometer. A new way of representing the dependence of the spectral response on the field of view of an interferometer is described.