cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The formation and stability of the superoxide radical (O2−) on rock‐forming minerals: Band gaps, hydroxylation state, and implications for Mars oxidant chemistry

[1] We have examined the generation and stability of O2− on TiO2 and albite, a common Na feldspar. We were not able to produce thermally stable superoxide on albite, in contrast to the results of Yen et al., who reported the generation of O2− that was stable up to 200°C on labradorite, another common feldspar. The superoxide radical did form under UV irradiation at 77 K on albite that was not dehydrated but decayed rapidly at room temperature. On dehydrated albite, no superoxide signal was observed. We studied the kinetics of O2− decomposition on hydrated albite and derived an activation energy, Ea = 15.2 kJ/mol. Assuming pseudo first-order kinetics, a simple thermal model of Mars' regolith demonstrates that the surface O2− population does not go to zero overnight; superoxide extinction at the surface is only complete when the seasonal CO2 cap covers the surface and surface photolysis is inhibited. Depending on the specific quantum efficiency of the e−/h+ generation process, a finite, non-equilibrium population of O2− should be observable on Martian surface materials throughout the Martian year. However, on the basis of our inability to generate stable O2− on hydrated albite via direct UV irradiation, we do not believe that this mechanism is capable of explaining the O2 release in the Viking Gas Exchange (GEx) results, since O2 release in that case was observed even after samples had been stored for 143 sols in the dark at 10°C, then heated to 145°C for 3 hours. At least two other potential pathways to the generation of O2− are identified in this article. The first possibility is that metal oxides common on the Martian surface, particularly hematite, may be photoactive on Mars and play a role analogous to TiO2 in surface catalysis. Secondly, we found that superoxide that formed during the sorption or drying of a 1% H2O2 solution on TiO2, and potentially other oxides seems to be stable indefinitely.
Detoxification with phenobarbital of alprazolam-dependent polysubstance abusers

Abstract Alprazolam appears to have an abuse liability among opiate addicts, and detoxification can be prolonged. The authors described experience with five methadone maintenance patients who were polysubstance abusers and were admitted specifically for detoxification from alprazolam dependence. Phenobarbital in tapering doses adequately suppressed withdrawal symptoms and shortened hospitalization.
If I want you to like me, should I be like you or unlike you? The effect of prior positive interaction with the group on conformity and distinctiveness in consumer decision making

The extant research points to conflicting results regarding social influence in consumer decision making. On the one hand, there is empirical evidence that suggests that people conform to other members of their groups. On the other hand, several studies demonstrated the opposite pattern, namely, that individuals seek distinctiveness from others in the group. The goal of the present research is to reconcile these contradictory findings. To this end, I propose that whether a person will conform to or seek distinctiveness from others in a particular consumption situation is contingent on the absence or presence of one's prior positive interaction with the group. I also suggest that this effect will occur in a public context, that is, when an individual's choice is visible to other group members. The results of experiment supported these propositions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
COMPLEXITY MANAGEMENT: A MAJOR ISSUE FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS

As a result of years of geometrical advances in underlying electronics and photonics technology, traditional efficiency and performance considerations (which have been dominant activities in telecommunications research) will play a somewhat diminished role in the future. Simultaneously we are accumulating multiple standards, protocols, and transmission media, proliferating a variety of user-oriented applications, and seeing cost-effective software implementations and hardware systems with enormous complexity. These trends imply that an increasing barrier to progress in telecommunications is not cost or efficiency, but managing the tremendous complexity of heterogeneous networks, media, terminals, and applications in a multi-vendor environment. More generally, while complexity management has been a traditional issue in software engineering, and later in integrated circuit design, for the future it will be an increasingly important issue in large-scale system design. Our hypothesis is that complexity management will be an increasing factor in telecommunications research and development. This does not imply that interesting issues in signal processing and communications theory disappear; to the contrary, complexity management considerations raise a number of new issues and will doubtless revitalize these fields. We briefly describe complexity management methodologies that have arisen in the software domain, and speculate on the nature of complexity management in large system design. Is it largely an issue in the management of the development process, or is it amenable to systematic and rigorous approaches? To be more concrete, we give examples from the telecommunications realm drawing on our own work.
Sorting Individual Chromosomes of Corn and Wheat

The major research focus of our laboratory is the isolation and sorting individual chromosomes of important plant species. Our laboratory in University of Nebraska is one of the very few laboratories in the world working with isolation, flow karyotyping, and sorting of plant chromosomes. Sorted chromosomes have numerous important uses for plant genome research. These include production of chromosome or chromosome- region specific libraries, development of chromosome painting probes, study of chromosome architecture, and physical genome mapping.
Latent Membrane Protein 2A Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor-β1-Induced Apoptosis through the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway

Latent membrane protein 2A (LMP2A) blocks B-cell receptor signal transduction in vitro by binding the Syk and Lyn protein tyrosine kinases. As well as blocking B-cell signal transduction, LMP2A has been shown to activate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/Akt pathway, which acts as a survival signal in both B cells and epithelial cells. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays important roles in regulating cell growth and differentiation in many biological systems. The loss of the growth-inhibitory response to the TGF-beta 1 signal is found in many cancers and is widely thought to promote tumor development. In this study, we found that LMP2A induced the phosphorylation of Akt (serine 473) in Burkitt's lymphoma cell line Ramos and in gastric carcinoma cell line HSC-39 and partially enhanced cell viability following TGF-beta 1 treatment. In addition, LMP2A partially inhibited TGF-beta 1-induced DNA fragmentation and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). In the presence of LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3-K, the LMP2A-mediated inhibitory effects on TGF-beta 1-induced DNA fragmentation and cleavage of PARP were alleviated. Furthermore, LMP2A did not alter the levels of expression of type I and type II TGF-beta 1 receptors. Taken together, these results suggest that LMP2A may inhibit TGF-beta 1-mediated apoptosis through activation of the PI3-K/Akt pathway.
Government Control Of Communications Technology

The internet allows for the sharing of knowledge, communications, and business transactions on a global scale. Governmental regulation of the internet varies among different countries and regions of the world. The benefits and burdens of such regulatory policies should be considered.
Infection by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Causes Near-Complete Loss of RNA Polymerase II Occupancy on the Host Cell Genome.

ABSTRACT Lytic infection by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) triggers a change in many host cell programs as the virus strives to express its own genes and replicate. Part of this process is repression of host cell transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II), which also transcribes the viral genome. Here, we describe a global characterization of Pol II occupancy on the viral and host genomes in response to HSV-1 infection using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing (ChIP-seq). The data reveal near-complete loss of Pol II occupancy throughout host cell mRNA genes, in both their bodies and promoter-proximal regions. Increases in Pol II occupancy of host cell genes, which would be consistent with robust transcriptional activation, were not observed. HSV-1 infection induced a more potent and widespread repression of Pol II occupancy than did heat shock, another cellular stress that widely represses transcription. Concomitant with the loss of host genome Pol II occupancy, we observed Pol II covering the HSV-1 genome, reflecting a high level of viral gene transcription. Interestingly, the positions of the peaks of Pol II occupancy at HSV-1 and host cell promoters were different. The primary peak of Pol II occupancy at HSV-1 genes is ∼170 bp upstream of where it is positioned at host cell genes, suggesting that specific steps in transcription are regulated differently at HSV-1 genes than at host cell mRNA genes. IMPORTANCE We investigated the effect of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection on transcription of host cell and viral genes by RNA polymerase II (Pol II). The approach we used was to determine how levels of genome-bound Pol II changed after HSV-1 infection. We found that HSV-1 caused a profound loss of Pol II occupancy across the host cell genome. Increases in Pol II occupancy were not observed, showing that no host genes were activated after infection. In contrast, Pol II occupied the entire HSV-1 genome. Moreover, the pattern of Pol II at HSV-1 genes differed from that on host cell genes, suggesting a unique mode of viral gene transcription. These studies provide new insight into how HSV-1 causes changes in the cellular program of gene expression and how the virus coopts host Pol II for its own use.
Manufactured housing plant injuries in a rural family practice

The manufacture of mobile homes and prefabricated houses results in the second highest occupational injury and illness rate of any industry. The types of worker injuries sustained have never previously been characterized. This series of 138 injuries from a rural family practice categorizes the injuries sustained by workers in a manufactured housing plant. Most injuries were not judged to be serious, but did result in lost work time and morbidity. Forty-nine percent of all injuries involved lacerations or puncture wounds. Seventy-six percent of puncture wounds involved staple gun use. Two thirds of lacerations were from pieces of metal, siding, and other sharp objects; one third were from knives. Fingers, hands, and wrists were the most commonly injured anatomic sites. Nine cases of overuse injury were seen; two required carpal tunnel surgical release. Twelve injuries were serious enough to require hospitalization or consultation. There were no fatalities. Several suggestions for improved worker safety are presented.
Health Insurance Coverage of Individuals Ages 55-64, 1994-2007

This paper presents Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s March 2008 Current Population Survey (CPS) on the health insurance status of the near elderly, adults ages 55-64. EBRI’s estimates reveal that adults ages 55-64 were one of two groups - the other was children - most likely to have health insurance in 2007. That year, 12 percent of adults ages 55-64 were uninsured, compared with 31.9 percent of adults ages 21-24, 26 percent of those ages 25-34, and 23.5 percent of all younger adults. There were 4 million adults ages 55-64 without health insurance in 2007, accounting for 9 percent of the 45 million individuals under age 65 who were uninsured. The fact that adults ages 55-64 are the least likely age group of adults to be uninsured is usually overlooked when considering that employers have substantially cut back on employment-based health benefits for early retirees. It is also important to understand the health insurance status of individuals ages 55-64 because of access and affordability issues with the nongroup market. The erosion of retiree health insurance may ultimately change retirement patterns as employees nearing retirement age postpone their decision to retire upon learning that, without a job, they may not be able to obtain health insurance coverage or afford health care services that are not covered by insurance. The health insurance status of the population nearly eligible for Medicare also has implications for the Medicare program, to the degree that any increase in the uninsured population entering Medicare results in higher costs to the program.
The Fine Structure of H α

The fine structure of $\mathrm{H}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ was investigated using Fabry and Perot interference patterns produced in the light of ordinary and heavy hydrogen. The auxiliary spectroscopic dispersion was sufficient to separate the patterns of ${\mathrm{H}}^{1}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}^{2}\ensuremath{\alpha}$. Accurate photometric methods were used in interpreting the spectrograms and a new method of analyzing the observed patterns was developed. Following are the principal results: (1) Three components of each line are directly observable, while the two remaining components predicted by theory could not be resolved. (2) The observational evidence indicates definitely the same relative intensities of the components for ${\mathrm{H}}^{1}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}^{2}\ensuremath{\alpha}$. (3) The relative intensities insofar as they are determined depart markedly from the theoretical values. These departures are consistent with the hypothesis of a diminished population of atoms in the $3D$ energy states. (4) The fine structure constant was determined yielding $\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}=137.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2$. There is some evidence of systematic dependence of this result on conditions of excitation in the source so that the probable error overestimates the accuracy of the result. The correct value probably lies between 137 and 138.
The Blocking of Labeled Antibody Uptake as a Measure of the Relative Combining Capacity of Anti-Red Cell Serums

Most methods of antiserum analysis depend on the measurement of some activity of antibody which is secondary to the primary combination of antigen and antibody. These second stage reactions include precipitation, agglutination, hemolysis, complement fixation, bacteriolysis, opsonization, viral neutralization, anaphylaxis and histamine-like skin reactions. According to the unitarian hypothesis of antibodies,' differences in the manifestations of
Hybrid inorganic-organic materials with an optoelectronically active aromatic cation: (C7H7)2SnI6 and C7H7PbI3.

Inorganic materials with organic constituents—hybrid materials—have shown incredible promise as chemically tunable functional materials with interesting optical and electronic properties. Here, the preparation and structure are reported of two hybrid materials containing the optoelectronically active tropylium ion within tin- and lead-iodide inorganic frameworks with distinct topologies. The crystal structures of tropylium tin iodide, (C7H7)2SnI6, and tropylium lead iodide, C7H7PbI3, were solved using high-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction informed by X-ray pair distribution function data and high-resolution time-of-flight neutron diffraction. Tropylium tin iodide contains isolated tin(IV)-iodide octahedra and crystallizes as a deep black solid, while tropylium lead iodide presents one-dimensional chains of face-sharing lead(II)-iodide octahedra and crystallizes as a bright red-orange powder. Experimental diffuse reflectance spectra are in good agreement with density functional calculations ...
Progress of X-ray Mammary Machine

X-ray mammary machine is used routinely to enhance the diagnostic rate of the breast diseases.The history of X-ray mammary machine is introduced,along with its basic components and working principle.The progress of the core parts is discussed in detail.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2012,33(6):85-87]
A trajectory optimization method for improved tracking of motion commands using CNC machines that experience unwanted vibration

Abstract This paper presents a trajectory optimization method for minimizing tracking errors in CNC machines that experience unwanted vibration. The motion command sent to the machine is parameterized using B-splines whose basis functions are filtered using a model of the machine's dynamics. The control points associated with the filtered basis functions are then selected to minimize tracking errors subject to the kinematic limits of the machine. The proposed method is shown to be very systematic and easy to use, and it does not sacrifice tracking speed. Experiments are used to demonstrate its superior performance compared to an existing method.
Increase in density of genetically diverse invasive Asian shore crab ( Hemigrapsus sanguineus ) populations in the Gulf of Maine

Hemigrapsus sanguineus, the Asian shore crab, has rapidly replaced Carcinus maenas, the green crab, as the most abundant crab on rocky shores in the northwest Atlantic since its introduction to the United States (USA) in 1988. The northern edge of this progressing invasion is the Gulf of Maine, where Asian shore crabs are only abundant in the south. We compared H. sanguineus population densities to those from published 2005 surveys and quantified genetic variation using the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. We found that the range of H. sanguineus had extended northward since 2005, that population density had increased substantially (at least 10-fold at all sites), and that Asian shore crabs had become the dominant intertidal crab species in New Hampshire and southern Maine. Despite the significant increase in population density of H. sanguineus, populations only increased by a factor of 14 in Maine compared to 70 in southern New England, possibly due to cooler temperatures in the Gulf of Maine. Genetically, populations were predominantly composed of a single haplotype of Japanese, Korean, or Taiwanese origin, although an additional seven haplotypes were found. Six of these haplotypes were of Asian origin, while two are newly described. Large increases in population sizes of genetically diverse individuals in Maine will likely have a large ecological impact, causing a reduction in populations of mussels, barnacles, snails, and other crabs, similar to what has occurred at southern sites with large populations of this invasive crab species.
The underappreciated role of life history in mediating the functional consequences of biodiversity change

Biodiversity is changing on both global and local scales, motivating research to understand the consequences of these changes for how communities and ecosystems function. Here, we explore the role of life history strategies in mediating biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In particular, we evaluate how the composition, biomass (% cover), and richness of perennial (persistence ≥ 1 year) and ephemeral (persistence < 1 year) species change along a gradient of increasing seaweed species richness on a rocky shoreline. We show that the majority of biomass is comprised of perennial species, especially where overall richness is low, whereas the majority of species are ephemeral, especially where overall richness is high. We then present and discuss the results of an 18-month field manipulation quantifying the factorial effects of tidal elevation, wave exposure, herbivore removals, thermal and desiccation stress amelioration, and nutrient additions on perennial versus ephemeral species. In particular, the diversity of ephemeral species was strongly affected, relative to perennial species, by tidal elevation, wave exposure, and herbivory; herbivores reduced diversity of ephemeral species relative to perennials. Relative to perennial cover, ephemeral cover was greater higher on the shore, in more wave-exposed habitats, and where herbivores were removed, plots were unscreened, and/or nutrients were added. Thus, perennials and ephemerals responded differently to environmental context and experimental manipulation. We compared nitrate uptake and photosynthesis rates of ephemeral and perennial species and found that maximum nitrate uptake and photosynthesis rates of ephemerals were twice as high as those of perennials. These results highlight the disproportionate roles that ephemeral species play in mediating ecosystem-level processes. In combination with our comparisons of the diversity and cover of perennial and ephemeral species along a biodiversity gradient, these results demonstrate the utility of incorporating life history traits into our efforts to understand the functional consequences of biodiversity change.
Proposing an integrated LCA-SCM model to evaluate the sustainability of customisation strategies

The increasing level of customisation within manufacturing industry introduces a new degree of complexity in assessing the environmental impact on the product chain. In particular, when such assessments are devoted to complex effects, traditional methodologies require new developments. The aim of the present article is to propose a new assessment method combing life-cycle assessment (LCA) with discrete simulation to evaluate the sustainability of a company aiming to integrate different customisation policies in a networked context. In particular, a modular LCA can assess the environmental impact of a supply chain (SC) with different configurations. Then, based on different supply chain management (SCM) strategies, simulation is run creating scenarios by introducing variation of performance drivers such lead time to the customer, quality in terms of scraps and level of sustainability of the suppliers to support comparison of different kind of customisation. The preliminary results of the LCA-SCM model appl...
Epitaxial Growth Following Crystal Nucleation in Laser-Quenched Si Films on SiO 2

We have investigated the solidified microstructure of nucleation-generated grains obtained via complete melting of Si films on SiO2 at high nucleation temperatures. This was achieved using a high-temperature-capable hot stage in conjunction with excimer laser irradiation. As predicted by the direct-growth model that considers (1) the evolution in the temperature of the solidifying interface and (2) the subsequent modes of growth (consisting of amorphous, defective, and epitaxial) as key factors, we were able to observe the appearance of “normal” grains that possess a single-crystal core area. These grains, which are in contrast to previously reported flower-shaped grains that fully make up the microstructure of the solidified films obtained via irradiation at lower preheating temperatures (and amongst which these “normal” grains emerge), indicate that epitaxial growth of nucleated crystals must have taken place within the grains. We discuss the implications of our findings regarding (1) the validity of the direct-growth model, (2) the nature of the heterogeneous nucleation mechanism, and (3) the alternative explanations and assumptions that have been previously employed in order to explain the microstructure of Si films obtained via nucleation and growth within the complete melting regime.
Toward blue laser and higher density magneto-optic recording

Abstract Major progress has been made in the past year toward blue laser and higher density magneto-optic (MO) recording. A segmented KTP waveguide structure with spontaneous ferroelectric domain reversal was developed. Several mW of cw blue laser output with a Gaussian profile has been generated with a Al2O3:Ti laser, and about 30 μW with a diode laser. The input powers to the waveguide at the fundamental frequency were about 100 mW and 10 mW, respectively. Concurrently, Pt/Co multilayers were shown to have promising properties for short wavelength recording. Critical sputtering conditions and dielectric enhancement layers have been identified.
The Healing and Empowering Alaskan Lives Toward Healthy-Hearts (HEALTHH) Project: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial of an intervention for tobacco use and other cardiovascular risk behaviors for Alaska Native People.

Author(s): Prochaska, Judith J; Epperson, Anna; Skan, Jordan; Oppezzo, Marily; Barnett, Paul; Delucchi, Kevin; Schnellbaecher, Matthew; Benowitz, Neal L | Abstract: BackgroundTobacco use and tobacco-related diseases disproportionately affect Alaska Native (AN) people. Using telemedicine, this study aims to identify culturally-tailored, theoretically-driven, efficacious interventions for tobacco use and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk behaviors among AN people in remote areas.DesignRandomized clinical trial with two intervention arms: 1) tobacco and physical activity; 2) medication adherence and a heart-healthy AN diet.ParticipantsParticipants are N = 300 AN men and women current smokers with high blood pressure or high cholesterol.InterventionsAll participants receive motivational, stage-tailored, telemedicine-delivered counseling sessions at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up; an individualized behavior change plan that is updated at each contact; and a behavior change manual. In Group 1, the focus is on tobacco and physical activity; a pedometer is provided and nicotine replacement therapy is offered. In Group 2, the focus is on medication adherence for treating hypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia; a medication bag and traditional food guide are provided.MeasurementsWith assessments at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months, the primary outcome is smoking status, assessed as 7-day point prevalence abstinence, biochemically verified with urine anabasine. Secondary outcomes include physical activity, blood pressure and cholesterol, medication compliance, diet, multiple risk behavior change indices, and cost-effectiveness.CommentsThe current study has the potential to identify novel, feasible, acceptable, and efficacious interventions for treating the co-occurrence of CVD risk factors in AN people. Findings may inform personalized treatment and the development of effective and cost-effective intervention strategies for use in remote indigenous communities more broadly. Clinical Trial Registration # NCT02137902.
Diagnostics of Diesel Combustion

The demands in car development are largely contradictory. The most discussed items with regard to the environment are fuel consumption and the exhaust emissions of the combustion engine. Although the development of the engine during the last few decades has made good progress, further knowledge on combustion processes is required. In addition to exact measurements of the pollutants outside the engine modern diagnostic methods like the laser techniques enable a detailed insight in the engine.
Modularizing Portfolio Risk

Management of innovation risks is central issue on the minds of new product ­development managers. A reader may recall from the innovation system as presented in Chap. 2 that the delays involved with developing capabilities and delays in executing projects that use these capabilities are major drivers in the complexity of the innovation system. The fact that innovation workers build their capabilities by executing projects only complicates this picture. In short, a key source of complexity of the innovation system is due to the feedback loops that exist between these capabilities and the associated projects required to develop them. While much complexity (and potential for creating harmful innovation butterflies) will remain no matter what the innovation executive and her staff do, things will improve if roadmaps can be made more robust; that is, if the planners can somehow reduce the chances of a roadmap going awry and requiring adjustment or wholesale redesign. If this can be done, the predictability of the innovation system—at least in the short run—will improve, thus reducing the “fog” inherent in innovation systems and enabling the firm to execute the Scout–Roadmap–Orchestrate–Maneuver (SROM) cycle—a crucial underpinning of maneuver-driven competition—at a quicker tempo.
Regional brain glucose metabolism during morning and evening wakefulness in humans: preliminary findings.

Study objectives The mechanisms that maintain wakefulness across the day, in the face in increasing sleep drive, are largely unknown. The goal of this pilot study was to examine regional relative brain glucose metabolism during morning and evening wakefulness in healthy humans. Design [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans were conducted during quiet wakefulness in the morning and in the evening. Statistical parametric mapping was used to compare relative regional glucose metabolism during the 2 scans. Subjects also completed subjective ratings of alertness. Setting University of Pittsburgh General Clinical Research Center and Positron Emission Tomography Facility. Patients or participants Thirteen healthy adults (10 women, 3 men; mean age, 37 years) Interventions None. Measurements and results Relative regional glucose metabolism was significantly higher in the evening than in the morning in a large cluster of midline and brainstem structures. Volumes of interest centered on the pontine reticular formation, midbrain reticular formation, midbrain raphe, locus coeruleus, and posterior hypothalamus also showed higher relative metabolism in the evening than in the morning. Relative glucose metabolism was significantly lower in the evening than in the morning in clusters that included structures in the right temporal cortex and occipital lobe, including cuneus and medial occipital gyrus. Conclusions Evening wakefulness is associated with increased relative metabolism in brainstem and hypothalamic arousal systems and decreased relative metabolism in posterior cortical regions. These patterns may reflect input from the circadian timing system to promote wakefulness, and/or the effects of increasing homeostatic sleep drive.
Recombination: DNA-Strand Transferases

Homologous recombination is a ubiquitous DNA metabolic process involved in the repair and tolerance of DNA damage, the recovery of stalled or broken replication forks, and the faithful segregation of chromosomes during meiosis. A class of enzymes known as DNA-strand transferases carry out the signature reactions of recombination: homology search, DNA-strand invasion, and DNA-strand exchange. These proteins are found in all domains of life, and their active form is a right-handed protein–DNA filament that utilizes Watson–Crick base-pairing principles to exchange DNA strands.
Laser surgery in otolaryngology.

The conventional management of certain problems in otolaryngology has been either inconvenient or ineffective. 110 cases have been treated with the continuous wave CO2 Laser in an attempt to identify the advantages and limiations of laser surgery. It has been found that the CO2 laser provides a practical method of tissue ablation or excision which can be carried out with excellent control. The laser beam is directed with a hand piece in the oral cavity, with the surgical microscopic laser attachment in the nose, pharynx and larynx and with the endoscope-bronchoscope assembly in the tracheo-broncial tree. Laser surgery appears to be most valuable when precise surgery is needed to preserve function.
ISO-RELEVANCE FUNCTIONS - A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO RANKING GENOMIC FEATURES BY DIFFERENTIAL EFFECT SIZE

It is common to measure a large number of features in parallel to identify those differing between two experimental conditions - e.g. the search for differentially expressed genes using microarrays or RNA-Seq. Ranking features by p-value allows for control of the TYPE I error, but p-values are not reliable when there are very few replicates; and investigators typically require features be ranked by "fold change" x¯/y¯ in conjunction with p-values. At first glance the fold change appears to be a natural quantity on which to compare the differential behavior of features. But it is highly sensitive to small values in the denominator and is problematic in how it equates changes in both small and large numbers such as a change from 1 to 2 versus a change from 100 to 200. The strategy of adjusting all values by adding one is a widely used heuristic approach to try to mitigate the problems with fold-change. However, that can be far from optimal. A systematic strategy to determine an optimal value (pseudocount) to adjust by is employed using both real and simulated benchmark data. In RNA-Seq a value of 20 appears to be close to optimal in all cases. Another strategy is to sort by difference y¯ - x¯, but this is problematic for comparing measurements across a wide spectum, as large differences of small values rank below proportionally smaller difference in large values. An abstract mathematical framework is introduced to describe the problem of ranking by differential effect size, enabling us to study the ranking problem in general as opposed to specific contexts such as fold-change or difference. From this framework we discovered a remarkable property of pseudocounts, in that they strike a balance between sorting by fold-change and sorting by difference. Lastly, another fundamentally different type of application is presented, which is to rank di-codons by their differential abundance in the ORFeome of different species.
Abdominal Pain in Patients with Gastroparesis: Associations with Gastroparesis Symptoms, Etiology of Gastroparesis, Gastric Emptying, Somatization, and Quality of Life

Abdominal pain can be an important symptom in some patients with gastroparesis (Gp). (1) To describe characteristics of abdominal pain in Gp; (2) describe Gp patients reporting abdominal pain. Patients with idiopathic gastroparesis (IG) and diabetic gastroparesis (DG) were studied with gastric emptying scintigraphy, water load test, wireless motility capsule, and questionnaires assessing symptoms [Patient Assessment of Upper GI Symptoms (PAGI-SYM) including Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI)], quality of life (PAGI-QOL, SF-36), psychological state [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI), PHQ-15 somatization scale]. In total, 346 Gp patients included 212 IG and 134 DG. Ninety percentage of Gp patients reported abdominal pain (89% DG and 91% IG). Pain was primarily in upper or central midline abdomen, described as cramping or sickening. Upper abdominal pain was severe or very severe on PAGI-SYM by 116/346 (34%) patients, more often by females than by males, but similarly in IG and DG. Increased upper abdominal pain severity was associated with increased severity of the nine GCSI symptoms, depression on BDI, anxiety on STAI, somatization on PHQ-15, the use of opiate medications, decreased SF-36 physical component, and PAGI-QOL, but not related to severity of delayed gastric emptying or water load ingestion. Using logistic regression, severe/very severe upper abdominal pain associated with increased GCSI scores, opiate medication use, and PHQ-15 somatic symptom scores. Abdominal pain is common in patients with Gp, both IG and DG. Severe/very severe upper abdominal pain occurred in 34% of Gp patients and associated with other Gp symptoms, somatization, and opiate medication use. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01696747.
Using Pictorial Glossaries as an Accommodation for English Learners: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACTIn this article we explore the use of pictorial glossaries as an accommodation for English learners (ELs) with entry and emerging levels of English language proficiency. Drawing on survey r...
Summary: Ethnography and Participant Observation

This is the summary of Qualitative Transparency Deliberations Final Report on Ethnography and Participant Observation, Working Group number III.3.
Inguinal Hernia Repair

The understanding and recognition of the anatomy of the preperitoneal space is essential to the performance of a safe and effective laparoscopic hernia repair (Fig. 10.1).
Introducing a novel experimental model of bladder transplantation in mice

Bladder dysfunction is a common clinical problem attributed to various conditions such as posterior urethral valves, neurogenic bladder, ureteral ectopy, or bladder exstrophy. Currently, the main therapeutic option for these dysfunctions is neobladder reconstruction with gastrointestinal tract segments. However, the latter was associated with significant long-term complications. To provide a new candidate of possible surgical solution for bladder dysfunction, we propose a novel orthotropic mouse bladder transplantation model. The donor bladder with abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava was isolated and orthotopically sutured to the recipient, whose bladder above the ureteral opening level was removed. The recipient mice showed more than 80% 6-month survival rate and comparable body weight to control mice. At both 1 month and 6 months posttransplant, the urine voiding behavior of recipient mice and control mice was monitored by cystometry. We found that the recipient mice displayed similar bladder pressure and urine secretion ability compared to control mice especially at 6 months posttransplant. Similarity of bladder structure between recipient and control mice was confirmed by histology. As a proof of principle, we tested our model in an allogeneic setting. Early acute rejection was noted after day 5 that was histologically more profound by day 10 posttransplant. These results indicate that the mouse bladder transplant is able to provide normal bladder function.
The efficacy among different dose of intravitreal conbercept injection for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal injection of different dose of conbercept for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods Prospective randomized controlled study. The clinical data of 120 eyes of 60 children of prethreshold type 1 ROP diagnosed in Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from Oct. 2017 to Oct. 2018 were analyzed. All cases were randomly divided into two groups, including low-dose group (0.15 mg/0.015 ml) and high-dose group (0.25 mg/0.025 ml). The main outcome measure was the total success rate of treatment, and the secondary outcome measures were the success rate of single treatment and adverse reactions. Results The total success rate of treatment was 94.17% (113/120). In 52 eyes of 26 cases in the low-dose group, 49 eyes received one or more injections to control the disease, with a success rate of 94.23%. In 68 eyes of 34 children in the high-dose group, 64 eyes received one or more injections to control their condition, with a success rate of 94.12%. The difference was not statistically significant between the two groups (χ2=0.026, P=0.979). The success rate of single injection in low-dose group was 76.92% (40/52) and 61.76%(42/68) in the high-dose group. There is no statistically significant difference between the two groups (χ2=1.762, P=0.078). Conclusion The low-dose of conbercept is effective in the treatment of ROP, the care rate is the same as the high dose of that. Key words: Conbercept, injection, intravitreal, different doses; Retinopathy, premature; Success rate, treatment
Increasing neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio following radiation is a poor prognostic factor and directly correlates with splenic radiation dose in pancreatic cancer.

Abstract Purpose Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio has been correlated with clinical outcomes in many cancers. We investigated whether the delta-NLR (ΔNLR) following radiation therapy (RT) could predict achieving surgical resection and the overall survival (OS) of patients with borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), and whether the splenic radiation dose impacted ΔNLR. Methods/materials 101 patients with biopsy-proven BRPC or LAPC who received induction chemotherapy followed by RT were retrospectively enrolled. Following contouring of spleens, dose-volume histograms (DVHs) for splenic dosimetric parameters were calculated. Pre- and post-RT complete blood counts (CBC) within two weeks were recorded. Delta (Δ) values were calculated by subtracting the post-RT value from the pre-RT value. Cox regression survival analysis for pre and postradiation CBC values and OS was performed. Receiver operating curves (ROC) were generated and optimal cutoff points for highest sensitivity and specificity were identified. Kaplan-Meier curves for OS were generated. Results On univariate Cox regression analysis, the only significant CBC value associated with OS was ΔNLR (HR 1.06, CI 1.03–1.09, p Conclusions Among patients with BRPC or LAPC who have received induction chemotherapy, elevated ΔNLR after RT significantly predicts worse OS and decreased odds of achieving resection. Furthermore, ΔNLR is correlated with higher splenic doses, suggesting the spleen may be an important organ at risk.
Perspectives on Fewer Sars-2 Corona virus (COVID-19) Deaths in Africa

Globally, more than two million people, about 53,000 in Africa have died from COVID-19 infection. By any metric, Africa has so far fared better than most parts of the world including, some of the most developed and affluent nations like the United States of America in the fight to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis of published COVID-19 data shows that Africa, with a population four times greater than that of the United States recorded forty times less number of positive cases and at least thirty fold decrease in the number of COVID-19 deaths. The data also demonstrates that the population case positivity and fatality rates in Europe are respectively ~24 and ~23 folds greater than those of Africa. The vast disparity in the metrics between advanced nations in Europe and the United States, with substantial healthcare budgets and the developing nations of Africa is worth examining. In this article, we offer some perspectives to explain Africa’s low case positivity and death rates from COVID-19 infections. While many factors contribute to the world’s collective vulnerability to the pandemic, structural, demographic and sound public health policy together are essential in fighting off the disease.
Exploring rooftop solar photovoltaics deployment and energy injustice in the US through a data-driven approach

Abstract The dramatic expansion in solar photovoltaics (PV) represents an opportunity to accelerate the energy transition by building clean energy assets into all aspects of our infrastructure. As solar costs fall, a data-intensive process of technology integration becomes critical to make solar, and ultimately both energy storage and energy efficiency, the default options for everyone, not simply the affluent. Deep learning studies that leverage large volumes of data to develop and provide insights into adoption patterns of solar technologies can enable better informed decisions and policies that promote clean energy and an equally widespread transition to build social equity. Getting there, however, necessitates the use of multiple data sources and a variety of statistical tools. In this chapter we summarize the efforts we, the authors, have taken to elucidate disparities in solar PV adoption in the United States. We start by highlighting the importance and progress of solar PV deployment in recent years; we then focus on the evaluation of different tools that can enable a detailed understanding of solar PV deployment at the neighborhood level; lastly, after identifying some the most suitable tools to be used at large scale with sufficient spatial resolution, we proceed to assess the disparity in rooftop PV adoption in the United States.
Evaluating the grain-scale deformation behavior of a single-phase FCC high entropy alloy using synchrotron high energy diffraction microscopy

Abstract Although the deformation behavior of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) has been extensively studied at the macroscale, many important properties have yet to be explored for these alloys at the microscale, thus hampering accurate prediction of damage and failure processes. Synchrotron high-energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) and fast-Fourier transform-based crystal plasticity modeling was conducted to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) grain-resolved micromechanical response for approximately 1,900 constituent grains within a single-phase FCC HEA up to 1% applied strain. The evolution of grain-resolved elastic strains, lattice reorientations, and maximum resolved shear stresses (mRSS) were evaluated to quantify elastic, yield, and fully plastic behavior. Overall, the initial critical resolved shear stress (CRSS), determined via in situ HEDM and companion modeling, was found to be > 20% higher than estimated using the classical polycrystalline Taylor factor (M = 3.06). However, a descriptive parameter based on the average grain-resolved Taylor factor ( M ¯ ) was found to show excellent agreement with plastic yielding behavior observed within HEDM datasets. Noticeable deviations in HEDM lattice reorientations compared to both EVP-FFT simulations and classical predictions for FCC polycrystals were discovered, highlighting the complexity in correlating local lattice reorientations, Taylor, and Schmid factors with plastic response for this material at the grain-scale. Therefore, it is anticipated that the overall trends and parameter identification of 3D grain-resolved properties in this study can serve as an important foundation for continued mesoscale investigation on both well-established and newly developed Cantor-like HEAs.
A Reliable Criterion for Relatively Small Group Driver Performance Studies

A highly reliable immediate criterion or "yardstick" of good and safe driving for research was developed on a systems and content validity basis. It must be used by specially trained observer/raters. It is not a checklist, a "test instrument" for mass testing or an accident predictor. It is a criterion or "yardstick" for research on limited size groups of subjects to develop and evaluate shorter test procedures for such applications as driver licensing and driver education. Language: en
Effects of Age and Bolus Volume on Velocity of Hyolaryngeal Excursion in Healthy Adults.

Reduced movement velocity has been identified as a risk marker for movement impairment in older adults. Hyolaryngeal excursion is a key movement feature of normal swallowing function which is known to change with age and other extrinsic variables such as bolus volume. However, velocity of hyolaryngeal excursion has received limited attention in the literature on normal or abnormal swallowing. This study evaluated the effects of age and bolus volume on the velocity of hyoid and laryngeal excursion during swallowing in healthy adults. Forty-four healthy volunteers were grouped into three age bands (young: 20–35 years, middle age: 36–55 years, older: 56 ≥ years). All subjects swallowed 5 and 20 mL of thin liquid during fluoroscopic recording. Fluoroscopic images were extracted for each swallow representing the onset and maximum excursion positions of the hyoid and larynx. Superior and anterior excursion distance (excursion magnitude) and the time difference between rest and maximum excursion (excursion duration) were calculated. Velocity was calculated as a ratio of distance over time. Superior hyoid excursion magnitude was significantly increased for the 20 mL volume. Anterior laryngeal excursion magnitude was also significantly increased for the 20 mL volume. No kinematic duration measure demonstrated significant change across age or bolus conditions. Superior hyoid excursion velocity was significantly faster for the 20 mL volume. Superior and anterior laryngeal excursion velocity were significantly faster for the 20 mL volume only in the older group. Results of this study indicate that magnitude and velocity of hyoid and laryngeal excursion vary with age and volume. Comprising both excursion magnitude and duration, kinematic velocity may be a more complete metric to evaluate age-related swallowing performance.