bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of Transport Properties Characterization Capabilities for Thermoelectric Materials and Modules
Authors: Reyes-Gil Karla R. , Whaley Josh , Nishimoto Ryan , Yang Nancy 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTThermoelectric (TE) generators have very important applications, such as emerging automotive waste heat recovery and cooling applications. However, reliable transport properties characterization techniques are needed in order to scale-up module production and thermoelectric generator design. DOE round-robin testing found that literature values for figure of merit (ZT) are sometimes not reproducible in part for the lack of standardization of transport properties measurements. In Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), we have been optimizing transport properties measurements techniques of TE materials and modules. We have been using commercial and custom-built instruments to analyze the performance of TE materials and modules. We developed a reliable procedure to measure thermal conductivity, seebeck coefficient and resistivity of TE materials to calculate the ZT as function of temperature. We use NIST standards to validate our procedures and measure multiple samples of each specific material to establish consistency. Using these developed thermoelectric capabilities, we studied transport properties of Bi2Te3 based alloys thermal aged up to 2 years. Parallel with analytical and microscopy studies, we correlated transport properties changes with chemical changes. Also, we have developed a resistance mapping setup to measure the contact resistance of Au contacts on TE materials and TE modules as a whole in a non-destructive way. The development of novel but reliable characterization techniques has been fundamental to better understand TE materials as function of aging time, temperature and environmental conditions.
Design of High-Throughput Superoleophobic Copper Meshes for Oil-Water Separation
Authors: Liu HaoRan , Jia BoKang , Li GuanQiu , Nooralla Sumaya , Zhang TieJun 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTAdvanced materials with desired wettability are extremely important for environmental sustainability, such as oily industrial wastewater treatment and oil spill cleanup. To meet this demand, a scalable nanoengineering approach was developed to fabricate superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic inorganic meshes for cross-flow filtration and oil/water separation. The resulting nanostructured copper meshes exhibit superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity (oil contact angle approaching to 159°). With these meshes, very high values of filtration flux (≥900,000 Lh-1m-2) have been achieved, with ultra-low oil residue in the filtrate (<40 ppm) and long water retention time (more than 1 h). The proposed nanoengineering method paves the way for effective gravity-driven separation of immiscible oil/water mixtures, especially for low-density oil purification.
Percutaneous Cryoablation for Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Maria Tsitskari , Georgiades Christos 
Published: June 2015

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. Nephron sparing resection (partial nephrectomy) has been the “gold standard” for the treatment of resectable disease. With the widespread use of cross sectional imaging techniques, more cases of renal cell cancers are detected at an early stage, i.e. stage 1A or 1B. This has provided an impetus for expanding the nephron sparing options and especially, percutaneous ablative techniques. Percutaneous ablation for RCC is now performed as a standard therapeutic nephron-sparing option in patients who are poor candidates for resection or when there is a need to preserve renal function due to comorbid conditions, multiple renal cell carcinomas, and/or heritable renal cancer syndromes. During the last few years, percutaneous cryoablation has been gaining acceptance as a curative treatment option for small renal cancers. Clinical studies to date indicate that cryoablation is a safe and effective therapeutic method with acceptable short and long term outcomes and with a low risk, in the appropriate setting. In addition it seems to offer some advantages over radio frequency ablation (RFA) and other thermal ablation techniques for renal masses.
Mapping QTLs for Reproductive‐Stage Drought Resistance Traits using an Advanced Backcross Population in Upland Rice
Authors: Sellamuthu Reena , Ranganathan Chandrababu , Serraj Rachid 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTThe reproductive stage of development is the most drought sensitive, and water deficits at that time can lead to a drastic yield reduction in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Understanding the genetic and physiological bases of yield and yield components under reproductive‐stage drought stress will help in the development of resilient cultivars. A population of backcross inbred lines derived from upland cultivars Apo and Moroberekan was used for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with grain yield and other yield‐related traits under reproductive stage drought stress and irrigated (nonstress) conditions in the field. Reproductive traits affect grain yield directly and indirectly in both irrigated and drought conditions. Days to flowering, spikelet fertility, pollen fertility, and panicle exsertion are important traits affecting grain yield under reproductive stage drought. Therefore QTLs associated with grain yield or these reproductive traits that have direct or indirect effect on grain yield are likely to be useful in improving yield under drought. A total of 45 genomic regions were identified for traits observed under reproductive stage drought stress and control conditions. The yield QTL (qYLD4.2) on chromosome 4 colocates with number of spikelets per panicle, number of filled grains per panicle, and number of secondary rachis per panicle. The QTLs qYLD4.1, qYLD6.3, and qYLD12 are other important QTLs identified in this study. Those QTLs with either direct or pleiotropic effects could be used as candidates in marker‐assisted breeding for drought resistance improvement in rice.
Mapping and Validation of Quantitative Trait Loci Associated with Tiller Production in Rice
Authors: Pinson Shannon R. M. , Wang Yueguang , Tabien Rodante E. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTAn increase in early tiller production is desired in rice (Oryza sativa L.) to increase yield potential and enhance ability to shade and suppress weeds. Unfortunately, tiller production and survival are sensitive to many environmental cues, making tillering pattern a difficult trait to reliably evaluate in field plots. The present objective was to use pot‐grown plants where seeding depth and the environment could be controlled to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with rate of seedling development (seedling leaf number, SLN) and tiller production (tiller number, TN) as well as the node from which the first tiller originated (N1T). The QTLs were identified in two related mapping populations, the first being a set of 280 ‘Lemont’ × ‘TeQing’ recombinant inbred lines (RILs) observed over four trials, in which nine QTLs associated with TN, three for SLN, and two for N1T were detected. Eight of the TN QTLs were verified in a second population consisting of 123 TeQing‐into‐Lemont backcross introgression lines (TILs). Each SLN and N1T QTL was colocated with a TN QTL, and all nine detected TN QTLs were located in genomic regions previously reported to contain TN major genes or QTLs, demonstrating their robustness under diverse genetic backgrounds and growth conditions. Early tillering was associated with rapid seedling development as detected by an increased number of leaves and nodes on 8‐wk‐old seedlings. The present data indicated that breeders could effectively select for enhanced early tiller production among segregating genotypes based on tiller counts conducted at a single time point approximately 8 to 9 wk after germination under greenhouse conditions. Marker–trait linkages reported here can support marker‐assisted selection of these nine TN QTLs.
OsbZIP33 is an ABA‐Dependent Enhancer of Drought Tolerance in Rice
Authors: Chen Hao , Dai Xiao J. , Gu Zhan Y. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTThe grain yield of crops has been seriously decreased by abiotic stresses all over the world. Identification of crop stress‐resistant genes used in molecular breeding is particularly urgent at this time. Here, we characterized the function of a rice (Oryza sativa L.) basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, OsbZIP33, under drought stress. Expression of OsbZIP33 was dramatically induced under drought, high salinity, H2O2 and high temperature stresses. Transactivation assays demonstrated that OsbZIP33 had transactivation activity. At both the seedling and five‐leaf stages, transgenic rice plants overexpressing OsbZIP33 exhibited significantly improved drought resistance, which was positively correlated with the observed expression levels of OsbZIP33. Representative downstream drought‐inducible genes showed significantly higher expression levels in transgenic rice plants than in wild‐type plants under drought conditions. OsbZIP33 was shown to be induced by exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Overexpression of OsbZIP33 made transgenic plants more sensitive to ABA than wild‐type plants. Expression profiles of marker genes in ABA signaling indicated that OsbZIP33 enhanced drought tolerance in rice through ABA‐dependent signal transduction pathway. Overall, our findings suggest that OsbZIP33 positively regulates drought resistance in rice. Nevertheless, given the dramatically enhanced drought resistance of rice overexpressing OsbZIP33, further analysis of OsbZIP33 may greatly improve the stress resistance of crops.
Developing Winter Food Barley for the Pacific Northwest of the US
Authors: Meints Brigid , Cuesta‐Marcos Alfonso , Ross Andrew S. , Fisk Scott , Kongraksawech Teepakorn , Marshall Juliet M. , Murphy Kevin , Hayes Patrick M. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTBarley (Hordeum vulgare L.) has been cultivated for human consumption for millennia. However, most North Americans do not regularly consume barley as a foodstuff. In the last decade, there has been renewed interest in barley production for human consumption. A number of quality traits are used to estimate nutritional value and are useful for food processing. These include β‐glucan, grain protein, kernel hardness, solvent retention capacity (SRC), and hull type. The Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the US is a high‐yielding region that has a reputation for setting dietary and nutritional trends. However, there are currently no winter food barleys adapted to this area. To determine the potential suitability of winter growth habits for food barley production in the PNW, we developed and tested 14 advanced lines. The germplasm was developed via marker‐assisted and phenotypic selection and included hulled lines with waxy starch and hull‐less lines with normal starch. Agronomic and food quality traits were measured on samples from three representative environments (dryland, irrigated, and high rainfall) over a 2‐yr period allowing for assessment of performance within and across locations, as well as genotype × environment interaction. Lines with waxy starch had significantly higher levels of β‐glucan, harder kernels, and higher water retention capacity. Hull‐less lines had, on average, slightly lower yields than hulled lines, with an average difference of 105 kg ha−1. Our future food barley variety development will focus exclusively on hull‐less types because of the simplified processing and consumer interest in the nutritional benefits of whole grain.
Clinical Competencies of Emergency Nurses Toward Violence Against Women: A Delphi Study
Authors: Lee Fang-Hsin , Yang Yung-Mei , Huang Joh-Jong , Chang Shu-Chen , Wang Hsiu-Hung , Hsieh Hsiu-Fen 
Published: June 2015

Background:An increasing number of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) have begun to seek help from hospital emergency departments. This study was conducted to develop a list of requisite clinical competencies for emergency nurses to provide adequate care for women experiencing IPV.Method:An e-mail survey using the Delphi technique was administered, involving three rounds of questionnaires from 30 participants. Participants were asked to score the importance of each item on a 4-point Likert scale.Results:The study identified three dimensions, comprising 38 items of competencies related to care for individuals experiencing IPV, including Knowledge (10 items), Attitudes (11 items), and Practice (17 items).Conclusion:The emergency department is where direct medical treatment and care is provided for those who have experienced IPV. The study findings can provide a reference for the development of in-service educational programs in hospitals and can guide future policy making.J Contin Educ Nurs. 2015;46(6):272–278.
Comparing Professional Values and Authentic Leadership Dimensions in Baccalaureate Nursing Students: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Dever Kathleen H. , Roman Tammy C. , Smith Charlene M. , Bowllan Nancy M. , Dollinger Marilyn L. , Blaine Bruce Evan 
Published: June 2015

Background:
A series of three baccalaureate Nursing Leadership and Patient-Centered Care (NLPCC) courses were developed to strengthen students’ perceptions and preparation as leaders in the delivery of patient-centered care through more effective professional socialization.

Method:
A mixed-methods design was used, administering two surveys to students at the start of the junior year and the end of their senior year, plus two qualitative questions were administered after the second-semester junior and senior years.

Results:
Qualitative data reflected a growing awareness of the professional nurse’s role and responsibilities beyond the bedside. Graduating senior students demonstrated a heightened awareness for the socialization and realities of practice and a growing sense of readiness and empowerment to embrace the professional role of an RN.

Conclusion:

Through role modeling, scripted conversations, and focused dialogue, the infusion of knowledge, skills, and attitudes from the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses competencies allowed students to hone their socialization skills prior to entering the workforce. [
J Nurs Educ.
2015;54(6):339–342.]
Association Between Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness, Reticular Pseudodrusen, and Geographic Atrophy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Thorell Mariana R. , Goldhardt Raquel , Nunes Renata Portella , de Amorim Garcia Filho Carlos Alexandre , Abbey Ashkan M. , Kuriyan Ajay E. , Modi Yasha S. , Gregori Giovanni , Yehoshua Zohar , Feuer William , Sadda SriniVas , Rosenfeld Philip J. 
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To compare subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT) measurements in eyes with nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the presence or absence of reticular pseudodrusen (RPD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Subfoveal CT measurements obtained from patients with AMD enrolled in the COMPLETE study (30 drusen-only eyes and 30 eyes with geographic atrophy [GA]) were compared with an age-distributed normal control group. Multimodal images were evaluated to detect the presence of RPD.

RESULTS:

After controlling for age and axial length, the mean CT was significantly thinner in the GA group with RPD (213.7 ± 53.1 µm) than in the GA group without RPD (335.3 ± 123.2 µm;
P
= .001). The mean CT in the GA group without RPD was not statistically different from the mean CT in the normal control group (
P
= .076) or the drusen group without RPD (
P
= .45). In eyes without RPD, there was a correlation between the increasing size of GA and a decrease in CT measurements.

CONCLUSION:
Subfoveal choroidal thinning in eyes with nonexudative AMD was associated with the presence of RPD. In the absence of RPD, CT only decreased as the size of GA increased.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2015;46:513–521.]
Relationship Between Subretinal Hyperreflective Material Reflectivity and Volume in Patients With Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Following Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment
Authors: Charafeddin Wissam , Nittala Muneeswar Gupta , Oregon Aldo , Sadda SriniVas R. 
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
To assess the relationship between subretinal hyperreflective material (SRHM) reflectivity and volume in patients treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for choroidal neovascularization secondary to exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Data from 17 eyes of 16 patients with neovascular AMD undergoing anti-VEGF therapy were collected retrospectively. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) data were obtained using the Cirrus HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA) 512 × 128 macular cube protocol. Detailed manual segmentation was performed for each case using customized grading software.

RESULTS:

The mean macular volume declined from 10.4 mm
3
at baseline to 9.6 mm
3
at 12 months. SRHM volume declined from 0.33 mm
3
to 0.12 mm
3
, whereas reflectivity increased from 0.48 to 0.64 units (
P
= .012). SRHM reflectivity correlated positively with logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) acuity (
r
= .49,
P
= .04) but correlated with SRHM volume (
r
= −0.50,
P
= .04) only at baseline.

CONCLUSION:
SRHM reflectivity, which correlated partially with SRHM volume, appears to carry independent information regarding disease activity. SRHM reflectivity may be useful for monitoring disease activity and response to therapy.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2015;46:523–530.]
Combined Nonmydriatic Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Nonmydriatic Fundus Photography for the Detection of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Changes
Authors: Salti Haytham I. , Antonios Rafic S. , Haddad Sandra S. , Hamam Rola N. , Bashshur Ziad F. , Ghazi Nicola G. 
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
Nonmydriatic fundus photography (FP) has been a suboptimal tool for detecting age-related macular degeneration (AMD) changes. This study sought to enhance the detection of AMD changes by combining nonmydriatic FP with nonmydriatic spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:
The study population included 249 patients aged 65 years and older who were assessed for AMD changes using standard mydriatic biomicroscopic fundus examination. Each eye then underwent nonmydriatic FP in one session followed 1 week later with nonmydriatic FP coupled with nonmydriatic SD-OCT. Images were interpreted for detection of AMD changes, and findings were compared to the original mydriatic biomicroscopic examination.

RESULTS:
Nonmydriatic FP had 64% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and a kappa value of 0.67 in detecting AMD changes compared with the traditional mydriatic biomicroscopic examination. Combined nonmydriatic FP and nonmydriatic SD-OCT increased sensitivity to 91.5%, specificity to 98.6%, and kappa to 0.91.

CONCLUSION:
The addition of nonmydriatic SD-OCT to nonmydriatic FP enhances the detection of AMD changes.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2015;46:531–537.]
Unassisted Scleral Depression During Vitrectomy Surgery: Two Simple, Cost-Effective Techniques
Authors: Mandelcorn Efrem D. , Manusow Joshua S. , Parke D. Wilkin , Albini Thomas A. 
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:
The ability to visualize and work in the region of the vitreous base during vitrectomy surgery is important. However, this usually requires the use of a surgical assistant for scleral depression or expensive chandelier systems requiring extra incisions. The authors describe two alternative simple, cost-effective techniques to independently and simultaneously view and cut (or apply laser) in this difficult anatomical region.

TECHNIQUE:
Light-pipe assisted scleral depression using a standard light pipe and ring depressor indentation while maintaining two intraocular instruments are described.

CONCLUSION:
The described techniques are simple, cost-effective, safe, suitable for phakic and pseudo-phakic patients, and allow the surgeon to operate independently with maximum control.

[
Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina
. 2015;46:577–578.]
Early Development in the Peritoneal Cavity of CD49dhigh Th1 Memory Phenotype CD4+ T Cells with Enhanced B Cell Helper Activity
Authors: Moon Hana , Park Chanho , Lee Jae-Ghi , Shin Sang Hyuck , Lee Joo Hee , Kho Inseong , Kang KyeongJin , Cha Hoon-Suk , Kim Tae Jin 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
The Th cells that regulate peritoneal B-1 cell functions have not yet been well characterized. To address this question, we investigated peritoneal CD4+ T cells, observed a high frequency of the conjugates of B-CD4+ T cells in the peritoneal cavity, and identified a population of CD49dhighCD4+ T cells that constituted about half of all CD4+ T cells in the peritoneal cavity, but were rarely found in other compartments. Peritoneal CD49dhighCD4+ T cells were CD44highCD62Llow; expressed integrin α4β1 and CXCR3; and rapidly secreted IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2, showing features of proinflammatory Th1 cells. Peritoneal CD49dhighCD4+ T cells developed spontaneously, were detected at the age of 12 d, and showed stem cell–like properties. Their development was observed in mice deficient for signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein, but not in athymic nude mice and mice lacking in expression of MHC class II on thymic epithelial cells. Peritoneal CD49dhighCD4+ T cells were more resistant to irradiation and more sensitive to NAD-induced cell death than CD49dlowCD4+ T cells. Notably, peritoneal CD49dhighCD4+ T cells also showed some characteristics of follicular Th cells, such as the expression of programmed cell death 1, ICOS, IL-21, and CXCR5. Moreover, peritoneal CD49dhighCD4+ T cells enhanced the secretion of IgM Abs by B-1a cells and IgG Abs by splenic B cells. These data suggest that peritoneal CD49dhighCD4+ T cells may be innate-like CD4+ T cells, which develop early and have a dual capacity to support both humoral and cellular immunity.
Tr1 Cells, but Not Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells, Suppress NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation via an IL-10–Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Yao Yu , Vent-Schmidt Jens , McGeough Matthew D. , Wong May , Hoffman Hal M. , Steiner Theodore S. , Levings Megan K. 
Published: June 2015

Abstract
The two best-characterized types of CD4+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are Foxp3+ Tregs and Foxp3− type 1 regulatory (Tr1) cells. The ability of Foxp3+ Tregs and Tr1 cells to suppress adaptive immune responses is well known, but how these cells regulate innate immunity is less defined. We discovered that CD44hiFoxp3− T cells from unmanipulated mice are enriched in Tr1 cell precursors, enabling differentiation of cells that express IL-10, as well as Tr1-associated cell surface markers, CD49b and LAG-3, and transcription factors, cMaf, Blimp-1, and AhR. We compared the ability of Tr1 cells versus Foxp3+ Tregs to suppress IL-1β production from macrophages following LPS and ATP stimulation. Surprisingly, Tr1 cells, but not Foxp3+ Tregs, inhibited the transcription of pro–IL-1β mRNA, inflammasome-mediated activation of caspase-1, and secretion of mature IL-1β. Consistent with the role for IL-10 in Tr1 cell–mediated suppression, inhibition of inflammasome activation and IL-1β secretion was abrogated in IL-10R–deficient macrophages. Moreover, IL-1β production from macrophages derived from Nlrp3A350V knockin mice, which carry a mutation found in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome patients, was suppressed by Tr1 cells but not Foxp3+ Tregs. Using an adoptive transfer model, we found a direct correlation between Tr1 cell engraftment and protection from weight loss in mice expressing a gain-of-function NLRP3. Collectively, these data provide the first evidence for a differential role of Tr1 cells and Foxp3+ Tregs in regulating innate immune responses. Through their capacity to produce high amounts of IL-10, Tr1 cells may have unique therapeutic effects in disease-associated inflammasome activation.