7,105 research outputs found

    Algorithmic Debugging of Real-World Haskell Programs: Deriving Dependencies from the Cost Centre Stack

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    Existing algorithmic debuggers for Haskell require a transformation of all modules in a program, even libraries that the user does not want to debug and which may use language features not supported by the debugger. This is a pity, because a promising ap- proach to debugging is therefore not applicable to many real-world programs. We use the cost centre stack from the Glasgow Haskell Compiler profiling environment together with runtime value observations as provided by the Haskell Object Observation Debugger (HOOD) to collect enough information for algorithmic debugging. Program annotations are in suspected modules only. With this technique algorithmic debugging is applicable to a much larger set of Haskell programs. This demonstrates that for functional languages in general a simple stack trace extension is useful to support tasks such as profiling and debugging

    Cellular and microenvironmental cues that promote macrophage fusion and foreign body response

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    During the foreign body response (FBR), macrophages fuse to form foreign body giant cells (FBGCs). Modulation of FBGC formation can prevent biomaterial degradation and loss of therapeutic efficacy. However, the microenvironmental cues that dictate FBGC formation are poorly understood with conflicting reports. Here, we identified molecular and cellular factors involved in driving FBGC formation in vitro. Macrophages demonstrated distinct fusion competencies dependent on monocyte differentiation. The transition from a proinflammatory to a reparative microenvironment, characterised by specific cytokine and growth factor programmes, accompanied FBGC formation. Toll-like receptor signalling licensed the formation of FBGCs containing more than 10 nuclei but was not essential for cell-cell fusion to occur. Moreover, the fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk influenced FBGC development, with the fibroblast secretome inducing macrophages to secrete more PDGF, which enhanced large FBGC formation. These findings advance our understanding as to how a specific and timely combination of cellular and microenvironmental factors is required for an effective FBR, with monocyte differentiation and fibroblasts being key players

    PLGA‐PEG‐PLGA hydrogels induce cytotoxicity in conventional in vitro assays

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    Significance statement: We identified that PLGA‐PEG‐PLGA hydrogels, which have been used in human clinical trials and possess a demonstrable safety profile, induced significant cytotoxicity in conventional in vitro assays. This major contradiction may lead to inconsistent and misleading toxicology due to the limited biological representation of these assays. Cytotoxicity evaluation is a crucial element of screening the biological response to new biomaterials. However, as standard test methods do not recapitulate the in vivo environment, tailored adaptations may be required to reflect the true biological response elicited toward novel biomaterials

    Educational outcomes in extremely preterm children : neuropsychological correlates and predictors of attainment

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    This study assessed the impact of extremely preterm birth on academic attainment at 11 years of age, investigated neuropsychological antecedents of attainment in reading and mathematics, and examined early predictors of educational outcomes. Children born extremely preterm had significantly poorer academic attainment and a higher prevalence of learning difficulties than their term peers. General cognitive ability and specific deficits in visuospatial skills or phoneme deletion at 6 years were predictive of mathematics and reading attainment at 11 years in both extremely preterm and term children. Phonological processing, attention, and executive functions at 6 years were also associated with academic attainment in children born extremely preterm. Furthermore, social factors, neonatal factors (necrotizing enterocolitis, breech delivery, abnormal cerebral ultrasound, early breast milk provision), and developmental factors at 30 months (head circumference, cognitive development), were independent predictors of educational outcomes at 11 years. Neonatal complications combined with assessments of early cognitive function provide moderate prediction for educational outcomes in children born extremely preterm

    Redshifts of CLASS Radio Sources

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    Spectroscopic observations of a sample of 42 flat-spectrum radio sources from the Cosmic Lens All-Sky Survey (CLASS) have yielded a mean redshift of =1.27 = 1.27 with an RMS spread of 0.95, at a completeness level of 64%. The sample consists of sources with a 5-GHz flux density of 25-50 mJy, making it the faintest flat-spectrum radio sample for which the redshift distribution has been studied. The spectra, obtained with the Willam Herschel Telescope (WHT), consist mainly of broad-line quasars at z>1z>1 and narrow-line galaxies at z<0.5z<0.5. Though the mean redshift of flat-spectrum radio sources exhibits little variation over more than two orders of magnitude in radio flux density, there is evidence for a decreasing fraction of quasars at weaker flux levels. In this paper we present the results of our spectroscopic observations, and discuss the implications for constraining cosmological parameters with statistical analyses of the CLASS survey.Comment: 10 pages, AJ accepte

    Symmetry of two terminal, non-linear electric conduction

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    The well-established symmetry relations for linear transport phenomena can not, in general, be applied in the non-linear regime. Here we propose a set of symmetry relations with respect to bias voltage and magnetic field for the non-linear conductance of two-terminal electric conductors. We experimentally confirm these relations using phase-coherent, semiconductor quantum dots.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

    Depression, anxiety, and psychological distress among caregivers of young children in rural Lesotho: Associations with food insecurity, household death and parenting stress

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    Good mental health is a critical resource for mothers and caregivers of young children, given the central role of mental health in enabling responsive caregiving. However, fulfilling caregiving responsibilities under challenging circumstances such as extreme poverty, food insecurity, and gender inequality intensifies vulnerability to poor mental health. Previous research focuses on mental health of mothers, while in many LMICs children are cared for by other caregivers, such as grandparents. We examined the prevalence of mental health problems among primary caregivers of young children in rural Lesotho, and investigated factors associated with these mental health problems. We analysed baseline data from a cluster randomised controlled trial, where all caregivers with children between 1 and 5 years old across 34 villages were invited to participate. The analysis included mental health data from 781 caregivers of 998 children. We assessed caregiver mental health using three self-report screening instruments. Univariate and multivariate regression modelling tested associations between caregiver, child and household variables and (1) depression symptoms (PHQ-9), (2) anxiety symptoms (GAD-7), (3) psychological distress (SRQ-20), (4) suicidal ideation and (5) help-seeking for mental health. This study reported a high prevalence of symptoms of psychological distress (46.2%), depression (25.7%), anxiety (17.1%) and suicidal ideation (27.5%) among caregivers. Greater prevalence was associated with food insecurity, parenting stress or recent death in the family/household. Older caregivers reported higher rates of psychological distress and depression, while younger caregivers reported higher rates of anxiety. Suicidal ideation was associated with greater food insecurity and parenting stress, and lower caregiver education. Our findings support the need to address intersecting public health issues to improve conditions for caregivers in these settings. Targeting modifiable risk factors such as food insecurity among individuals within a society who carry disproportionate burdens of caregiving should be prioritised, especially in contexts of scarcity, where mental health is not prioritised

    Socio-demographic correlates of cervical cancer risk factor knowledge among screening non-participants in Great Britain

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    This study explored knowledge of cervical cancer risk factors among cervical screening non-participants in Great Britain. The aim was to identify knowledge gaps that could be targeted in screening information materials or public education campaigns. We used a cross-sectional design to survey women aged 25 to 64 years living in Great Britain, identified as cervical screening non-participants through self-report questions. Data were collected via a household survey. Survey questions measured awareness of risk factors for cervical cancer and socio-demographic factors. Screening non-participants were included in the study (n = 793) and classified into non-participant groups based on the Precaution Adoption Process Model. Across the sample, 57% of participants identified 'not going for regular smear tests' as a risk factor for cervical cancer. Women who intended to be screened were more likely to identify this risk factor than other non-participant groups (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.51-2.99). Women age 55-64 years (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.39-0.93) and women from non-white ethnic backgrounds (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.52-0.94) were less likely to recognise this risk factor. Recognition was lower for 'infection with human papillomavirus' (41%). Just over half the sample were aware that screening non-attendance is associated with increased cervical cancer risk, suggesting that non-attendance at screening is not always based on an accurate understanding of the offer. Overall, non-participants are poorly informed about cervical cancer risk factors and further work is needed to ensure that women are making informed choices about (non-) participation
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