cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Race on Weight Loss After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity has dramatically increased in volume over the past decade. Caucasian patients have been noted previously to lose more weight after bariatric surgery than African-Americans patients. Data regarding predictors of maintaining weight loss after surgery are minimal. We sought to determine predictors of long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery. Retrospective analysis using a multivariate logistic regression model of all patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina from May 1993 to December 2004 for whom 2 years of follow-up data was available. Our dependent variable was the percentage of weight lost from baseline, dichotomized at ±35%. Our primary independent variable was race, defined as Caucasian, African-American, or other. Relevant covariates were added to the model to control for their potential effects on outcome. One hundred eleven patients (17 male/94 female; 85% Caucasian, mean age 44 years (range 18–68 years). In our model, Caucasian subjects (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 7.60, 95% confidence intervals [95%CI] = 1.83–31.5) and late post surgical complications (adjusted OR = 2.67, 95%CI = 1.05–6.80) significantly predicted weight loss at 2 years, after controlling for relevant confounders. Other covariates did not significantly impact the model. Race and late post surgical complications significantly impacted the percentage of weight loss at 2 years for patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery at our institution. Future research should be directed at determining potential genetic and/or social reasons for these differences.
Tillage and Crop Rotation Effects on Dryland Soil and Residue Carbon and Nitrogen

Sustainable management practices are needed to enhance soil productivity in degraded dryland soils in the northern Great Plains. We examined the effects of two tillage practices [conventional till (CT) and no-till (NT)], five crop rotations [continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (CW), spring wheat-fallow (W-F), spring wheat-lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) (W-L), spring wheat-spring wheat-fallow (W-W-F), and spring wheat-pea (Pisum sativum L.)fallow (W-P-F)], and a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on plant biomass returned to the soil, residue C and N, and soil organic C (SOC), soil total N (STN), and particulate organic C and N (POC and PON) at the 0- to 20-cm depth. A field experiment was conducted in a mixture of Scobey clay loam (fine, smectitic, frigid Aridic Argiustolls) and Kevin clay loam (fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Aridic Argiustolls) from 1998 to 2003 near Havre, MT. Mean annualized plant biomass returned to the soil from 1998 to 2003 was greater in W-F (2.02 Mg ha21 ) than in W-L and W-W-F, regardless of tillage. In 2004, residue cover was greater in CW (60%) than in other rotations, except in W-W-F. Residue amount and C and N contents were greater in NT with CW (2.47 Mg ha 21 and 963 and 22 kg ha 21 , respectively) than in NT with W-L and CT with other crop rotations. The POC at 0 to 5 cm was greater in W-W-F and W-P-F (2.1–2.2 Mg ha 21 ) than in W-L. Similarly, STN at 5 to 20 cm was greater in CT with W-L (2.21 Mg ha 21 ) than in other treatments, except in NT with W-W-F. Reduced tillage and increased cropping intensity, such as NTwith CW and W-L, conserved C and N in dryland soils and crop residue better than the traditional practice, CT with W-F, and their contents were similar to or better than in CRP planting.
Electrical conductivity in Ta2O5

Abstract The defect structure of undoped polycrystalline Ta2O5 was investigated by determining the temperature [850–1050°C] and oxygen partial pressure [100–10−19 atm.] dependence of the electrical conductivity. The data were found to be proportional to the ∼− 1 4 th power of the oxygen partial pressure for the oxygen pressure range 10−6 atm. The enthalpy of formation of doubly ionized oxygen vacancies plus two electrons is estimated to be 118.31 Kcal/mole [5.13 eV]. The observed conductivity data are explained on the basis of the presence of unknown acceptor impurities in the undoped samples.
The role of collective solvent coordinates and nonequilibrium solvation in charge-transfer reactions

In this article we discuss how the solvent energy-gap reaction coordinate arising in weak-overlap charge-transfer theory may be generalized to include nonequilibrium solvation effects in variational transition state theory (VTST) for arbitrary reactions of neutral or charged species. The discussion also indicates how the parameters of weak-overlap charge-transfer theory may be related to the potential energy surface of a reaction and the potential of mean force. This synthesis of aspects of weak-overlap charge-transfer theory and variational transition state theory provides a clearer picture of the usefulness and limitations of the energy-gap coordinate in Marcus theory or in more general contexts. Furthermore, it furnishes a new view of the role of solvent coordinates in electronically adiabatic reactions. As an example, we show how VTST provides a way to treat solute vibrational coordinates and collective solvation coordinates in a comparable way in the computational modeling of aqeuous proton-transfer ...
Interferometric Fourier transform coherent anti-Stokes Raman microscopy

We present a time domain Fourier transform coherent Raman microscopy. We show that with an added local electric field, the signal can be amplified by an order of magnitude through homodyne detection. Our approach requires a single broadband pulse to modulate, probe and amplify Raman coherence with passive phase stability to obtain high-resolution coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) spectra for microscopy and microspectroscopy applications.
Production of N-terminal and C-terminal human serum transferrin in Escherichia coli.

Abstract The elucidation of the relationship of the structure of human serum transferrin to its iron-binding activity and the delineation of the interactions between transferrin and its receptor will require the construction and production of site-specific mutants of human serum transferrin to test the importance of specific structural motifs to the functions of transferrin. The N-terminal domain of transferrin has been previously produced in BHK cells, but the production of the C-terminal domain of transferrin has never been reported. The amino-terminal and carboxyl-terminal half-molecules of human serum transferrin have been cloned into the T7 expression vector pET11a. Contrary to previous reports, nTf and cTf can be easily produced in E. coli . The plasmids produced 38-kDa proteins that are approximately the sizes predicted for N-terminal and C-terminal half-molecules of transferrin, and both proteins react with anti-human serum transferrin antibodies. It is estimated that nTf represents 30–40% of total cellular protein after induction, while cTf represents less than 5% of total cellular protein. This demonstrates that recombinant forms of human serum transferrin can be produced in E. coli and suggests that it will be possible to use a bacterial system to produce other structural variants of transferrin.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE ANOMALOUS SECONDARY WOOD OF ATRIPLEX CONFERTIFOLIA STEMS

A B S T RA CT The anomalous secondary wood of Atriplex confertifolia stems consists of vascular strands of xylem, phloem, and parenchyma embedded in fiberous conjunctive tissue. The included parenchyma contains chloroplasts and is capable of photosynthesis, as measured by 14CO uptake by wood in the light. ATRIPLEX CONFERTIFOLIA (Torr. & Frem.) S. Wats., or shadscale, is a dominant shrub in the cold salt deserts of the Great Basin. During a field trip, while whittling stems, we noted that cross sections consist of irregular bands of green tissue embedded in a hard, white tissue. This green wood was found to contain chlorophyll and to have a limited capacity for photosynthesis. The presence of chlorophyll in woody tissue is apparently not generally appreciated and only five primary reports of chlorophyll in wood were found (Scott, 1907; Mullen, 1933; Sokolov, 1953; Gundersen and Friis, 1956; Kriedemann and Buttrose,
The Present state and Future of Macromolecules for Dental Applications

Abstract Dentistry has always been dependent on the advances of science and engineering for improvement of methods and procedures. The search for desirable preventive, corrective, and restorative dental materials, because of the exacting requirements that are demanded for this application, has necessarily been restricted to a limited class of materials. Dentistry led the health science field in taking advantage of the rapidly expanding family of polymeric materials that have been developed over the years in the United States and abroad. The volume of dental resins used is insignificant compared to the total consumption of plastics. Yet, the impact of scientists working on dental problems has done much to increase the usefulness of macromolecular materials. Examples of such research are epoxy resins, which were first synthesized by Pierre Castan in the laboratories of a Swiss dental manufacturer; amine-peroxide systems specially developed to obtain rapid-curing, chemically activated dental resins which are...
Suppression of Hepatocyte Proliferation by Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α in Adult Mice

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) regulates genes involved in lipid and bile acid synthesis, gluconeogenesis, amino acid metabolism, and blood coagulation. In addition to its metabolic role, HNF4α is critical for hepatocyte differentiation, and loss of HNF4α is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. The hepatocyte-specific Hnf4a knock-out mouse develops severe hepatomegaly and steatosis resulting in premature death, thereby limiting studies of the role of this transcription factor in the adult animal. In addition, gene compensation may complicate analysis of the phenotype of these mice. To overcome these issues, an acute Hnf4a knock-out mouse model was generated through use of the tamoxifen-inducible ErT2cre coupled to the serum albumin gene promoter. Microarray expression analysis revealed up-regulation of genes associated with proliferation and cell cycle control only in the acute liver-specific Hnf4α-null mouse. BrdU and ki67 staining confirmed extensive hepatocyte proliferation in this model. Proliferation was associated with induction of the hepatomitogen Bmp7 as well as reduced basal apoptotic activity. The p53/p63 apoptosis effector gene Perp was further identified as a direct HNF4α target gene. These data suggest that HNF4α maintains hepatocyte differentiation in the adult healthy liver, and its loss may directly contribute to hepatocellular carcinoma development, thus indicating this factor as a possible liver tumor suppressor gene.
Morphology and properties of thermoplastic polyurethanes with dangling chains in ricinoleate-based soft segments

Abstract In our previous publication on the structure–property behavior of segmented polyurethanes based on castor oil [Petrovic ZS, Xu Y, Zhang W. Polymer Preprints 2007;48(2):852–3.], the results showed that these materials which possessed a soft segment weight concentration (SSC) of 70% have both low tensile strength and elongation at break. This behavior is distinctly different from segmented polyurethanes of comparable soft segment content obtained from petrochemical polymeric diols that possess terminal hydroxyl groups. The poor elastic properties of these segmented polyurethanes were ascribed to the low molecular weight of the polymers as well as due to the presence of the six-carbon “dangling chain”, which may influence the morphology of the resulting segmented polyurethanes. To further understand this behavior, four segmented polyurethanes with the SSC of 70, 60, 50, and 40%, respectively, were synthesized from a polyricinoleate diol with an Mn of 2580, diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and butanediol. The objective of this work was to study the effect of SSC on the morphology of the resulting polyurethanes, and to correlate the morphology with the properties of these bio-based segmented polyurethanes. Polymers were characterized by GPC, viscometry and spectroscopic methods. Thermal and mechanical properties of the polymers indicated good microphase separation. Microphase morphology was also noted by SAXS and AFM. Finally, “spherulitic-like” superstructures were noted in the solution cast films that are believed to arise from the nucleation and crystallization of the hard segments.
Commentary: The best and worst of times--the prospects for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of developmental psychopathologies--a commentary on Horga et al. (2014).

In the accompanying Annual Research Review, Horga and colleagues provide a comprehensive overview of the current limitations of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of developmental psychopathologies focusing particularly on experimental design. Horga et al. are unsparing in their assessment of the problems that plague current clinical neuroimaging studies. We will not reiterate the long list of deficiencies in the imaging literature, which persist despite its impressive volume (PubMed lists more than 135,000 papers with the terms ‘magnetic resonance imaging’ and ‘brain’). Rather, in this Commentary, while we agree with Horga et al. that neuroimaging approaches merely represent one more types of tool, we look at where this leave us and the prospects (by attending to the lessons thoughtfully laid out by Horga and colleagues on how to place research design at the forefront in clinical neuroimaging) of better times ahead for our understanding of the pathophysiology of child- and adult-onset developmental psychiatric conditions.
Temporal dynamics and information retrieval

Many digital resources, like the Web, are dynamic and ever-changing collections of information. However, most of the tools information retrieval and management that have been developed for interacting with Web content, such as browsers and search engines, focus on a single static snapshot of the information. In this talk, I will present analyses of how Web content changes over time, how people re-visit Web pages over time, and how re-visitation patterns are influenced by changes in user intent and content. These results have implications for many aspects of information retrieval and management including crawling, ranking and information extraction algorithms, result presentation, and evaluation. I will describe a prototype system that supports people in understanding how the information they interact with changes over time, and a new retrieval model that incorporates features about the temporal evolution of content to improve core ranking. Finally, I will conclude with an overview of some general challenges that need to be addressed to fully incorporate temporal dynamics in information retrieval and information management systems.
Myotonic dystrophy associated with down syndrome (trisomy 21)

A 27-year-old man had both autosomal dominant myotonic muscular dystrophy and classic trisomy 21 Down syndrome. Down syndrome had been recognized many years before the myotonic dystrophy. Although he had the typical stigmata of Down syndrome, he functioned socially with an I.Q. of 50. There was no evidence that either of the two diseases adversely affected the manifestations of the other. Although the occurrence of these two disorders in the same patient could be coincidental, this is at least the fifth report of myotonic dystrophy associated with chromosomal aneuploidy; the previous foud patients all had Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY).
Lysyl Oxidase Propeptide Inhibits FGF-2-induced Signaling and Proliferation of Osteoblasts

Pro-lysyl oxidase is secreted as a 50-kDa proenzyme and is then cleaved to a 30-kDa mature enzyme (lysyl oxidase (LOX)) and an 18-kDa propeptide (lysyl oxidase propeptide (LOX-PP)). The presence of LOX-PP in the cell layers of phenotypically normal osteoblast cultures led us to investigate the effects of LOX-PP on osteoblast differentiation. Data indicate that LOX-PP inhibits terminal mineralization in primary calvaria osteoblast cultures when added at early stages of differentiation, with no effects seen when present at later stages. LOX-PP was found to inhibit serum- and FGF-2-stimulated DNA synthesis and FGF-2-stimulated cell growth. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analyses show that LOX-PP inhibits FGF-2-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, signaling events that mediate the FGF-2-induced proliferative response. LOX-PP inhibits FGF-2-stimulated phosphorylation of FRS2α and FGF-2-stimulated DNA synthesis, even after inhibition of sulfation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans. These data point to a LOX-PP target at or near the level of fibroblast growth factor receptor binding or activation. Ligand binding assays on osteoblast cell layers with 125I-FGF-2 demonstrate a concentration-dependent inhibition of FGF-2 binding to osteoblasts by LOX-PP. In vitro binding assays with recombinant fibroblast growth factor receptor protein revealed that LOX-PP inhibits FGF-2 binding in an uncompetitive manner. We propose a working model for the respective roles of LOX enzyme and LOX-PP in osteoblast phenotype development in which LOX-PP may act to inhibit the proliferative response possibly to allow cells to exit from the cell cycle and progress to the next stages of differentiation.
Sense and Serendipity Aid RPE Generation

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a valuable cell type for a number of blinding disorders. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Idelson et al. (2009) use Nicotinamide and Activin A to markedly improve RPE yield from human embryonic stem cells.
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring technology: recent advances and evolving uses.

Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring has evolved over the last 25 years to become an important component of many types of orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures. From its foundations in VIII cranial nerve surgeries and scoliosis corrections surgeries, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring has expanded to incorporate nearly all spine procedures and many involving the brain and brainstem. Fundamental to this growth in the use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring has been the development of the technology used to perform the neurophysiological tests. Advancements in electronics and computer technology have resulted in significant improvements in the capacity, ease of use, quality and reliability of the equipment as well as the quality of and control over the acquired data. These technological advancements have resulted in remarkable improvements in not only the quality and availability of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, but also, as a consequence, patient care, and ha...
EXPERIMENTAL EXAMINATION OF FACTORS THAT AFFECT DUST GENERATION

A method is presented to examine factors that affect the amount and size distribution of dust generated by falling granular material in still air. This work was conducted by using an apparatus with separate dust generating and dust measuring sections. The dust generated by a falling material was carried into an elutriation column equipped with a slotted Sierra high-volume impactor at the top. This apparatus can measure dust generation rates for particles between 0.4 and 25 µm in aerodynamic diameter as well as the amount of air entrained by the falling material. Four granular materials were tested, and a simple model was developed to describe the dust generation rate of these materials as a function of particle size, drop height, material flow, and moisture content. Moisture content strongly influenced the interparticle binding forces and the amount of dust generated. Drop height and material flow influenced the material separation forces and also significantly influenced the amount of dust generated.
Interpretation of Elastic π + − p Scattering at 1.1 Bev

Using a high-energy approximation, it is shown that the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}\ensuremath{-}p$ elastic scattering data at 1.1 Bev can be interpreted in terms of coherent scattering produced by an absorptive Gaussian well having a root-mean-square range of the size of the proton charge radius plus a short-range interaction whose principal effect is represented phenomenologically as a contribution to the $S$ wave.
Sound as an existential necessity

Abstract Most of the previous research conducted in the field of sound has been done in order to relive people of disturbing sounds, i.e, “noise”. The value of the results cannot be overestimated. With this project, however, the fundamental premise is that sounds are a necessary orientation within the immediate environment as well as in the world at large. Sounds constitute an indispensable basis for well-being, not only as music but as an integral part of their normal living situations. The first step in the research is to define congruent concepts and terminology with a cross-musicological-technical/audiological-pedagogical attempt. The second step is to develop appropriate methods for observations, measures and analysis of sounds. The ultimate goal is to develop methods by which people can (a) establish a satisfying consciousness about sounds and improve their capacity to master sound situations and accordingly (b) construct positive, operative norms for sound environments at workingplaces, dwelling areas and soundscapes in general, primarily in interaction with researchers, but gradually as a normal part of their daily activities.
A Comparison of T-Wave Alternans and QT Dispersion as Noninvasive Predictors of Ventricular Arrhythmias

Background:The purpose of this study was to compare the utility of T-wave alternans and dispersion markers for predicting vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias. Microvolt level T-wave alternans, QT dispersion (QTd), JT dispersion, and other dispersion indices have been postulated as noninvasive markers of vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias. However, T-wave alternans has not been directly compared to dispersion markers in the same patient population. Methods:Twenty-four patients underwent electrophysiological study to investigate recent syncope, ventricular tachycardia, or ventricular fibrillation. Digitized orthogonal ECGs were obtained to investigate the presence of T-wave alternans using spectral analysis, and standard 12-lead ECGs were obtained for QT and JT dispersion analysis. Results:T-wave alternans measurements showed greater sensitivity than QT or JT dispersion, but similar results as the variation coefficient of the JT interval. There was no statistically significant difference in specificity, predictive values, or clinical accuracy between T-wave alternans and any of the dispersion markers (P = N.S.). The combination of increased QT or JT dispersion and T-wave alternans was the most specific predictor. Conclusions:Heterogeneity of repolarization amplitude and duration may both be important noninvasive ECG markers of ventricular vulnerability. In this small group of high-risk patients, T-wave alternans has similar clinical accuracy as the ECG interlead repolarization dispersion markers. The predictive ability of these markers may improve with standardization of methodology or a combination of these approaches. A.N.E. 1999;4(3):274–280
Impact of spin-orbit currents on the electroweak skin of neutron-rich nuclei

Background: Measurements of neutron radii provide important constraints on the isovector sector of nuclear density functionals and offer vital guidance in areas as diverse as atomic parity violation, heavy-ion collisions, and neutron-star structure.Purpose: We assess the impact of spin-orbit currents on the electromagnetic- and weak-charge radii of a variety of nuclei. Special emphasis is placed on the experimentally accessible electroweak skin, defined as the difference between weak-charge and electromagnetic-charge radii.Methods: Two accurately calibrated relativistic mean-field models are used to compute proton, neutron, charge, and weak-charge radii of a variety of nuclei.Results: We find that spin-orbit contributions to the electroweak skin of light neutron-rich nuclei, such as ${}^{22}$O and ${}^{48}$Ca, are significant and result in a substantial increase in the size of the electroweak skin relative to the neutron skin.Conclusions: Given that spin-orbit contributions to both the charge and weak-charge radii of nuclei are often as large as present or anticipated experimental error bars, future calculations must incorporate spin-orbit currents in the calculation of electroweak form factors.
Quantifying the contributions of base selectivity, proofreading and mismatch repair to nuclear DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mismatches generated during eukaryotic nuclear DNA replication are removed by two evolutionarily conserved error correction mechanisms acting in series, proofreading and mismatch repair (MMR). Defects in both processes are associated with increased susceptibility to cancer. To better understand these processes, we have quantified base selectivity, proofreading and MMR during nuclear DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In the absence of proofreading and MMR, the primary leading and lagging strand replicases, polymerase ɛ and polymerase δ respectively, synthesize DNA in vivo with somewhat different error rates and specificity, and with apparent base selectivity that is more than 100 times higher than measured in vitro. Moreover, leading and lagging strand replication fidelity rely on a different balance between proofreading and MMR. On average, proofreading contributes more to replication fidelity than does MMR, but their relative contributions vary from nearly all proofreading of some mismatches to mostly MMR of other mismatches. Thus accurate replication of the two DNA strands results from a non-uniform and variable balance between error prevention, proofreading and MMR.
Computational damage mechanics for composite materials based on mathematical homogenization

This paper is aimed at developing a non-local theory for obtaining numerical approximation to a boundary value problem describing damage phenomena in a brittle composite material. The mathematical homogenization method based on double-scale asymptotic expansion is generalized to account for damage effects in heterogeneous media. A closed-form expression relating local fields to the overall strain and damage is derived. Non-local damage theory is developed by introducing the concept of non-local phase fields (stress, strain, free energy density, damage release rate, etc.) in a manner analogous to that currently practiced in concrete [1, 2], with the only exception being that the weight functions are taken to be C0 continuous over a single phase and zero elsewhere. Numerical results of our model were found to be in good agreement with experimental data of 4-point bend test conducted on composite beam made of Blackglas™/Nextel 5-harness satin weave. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitization potentials and immunologic specificities of neomycins.

The use of sensitization indices for expressing allergenic skin reactions in guinea pigs is described. The method is convenient for comparing allergens and cross-reacting substances and permits the use of both irritating and nonirritating challenge concentrations of allergens. It also permits determination of both optimal reading time and challenge concentrations for each experiment. By this technique commercial neomycin complex, neamine (neomycin A), neomycin B, neomycin C, and streptomycin were found to be allergenic in guinea pigs via intradermal (Id) and foot-pad (fp) immunizations. The immunizing emulsion consisted of an allergen and an adjuvant containing Mycobacterium butyricum (MB) or Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (Ra). The adjuvant MB was as effective as Ra by the id route, but inferior to Ra by the fp route. The cross-reactivity of neomycin C was generally greater than neomycin B in guinea pigs sensitized to neamin, neomycin B, neomycin C, or streptomycin. In guinea pigs sensitized to neomycin complex by repeated immunizations, neomycins A. B, and C were effective elicitors of skin reactions, whereas the N-acetylated derivatives of the components failed to cause reactions. This finding is interpreted to mean that the amino groups of the amino-glycosides are the coupling sites to host proteins in the processes of sensitization and elicitation of skin reactions in vivo.
Photoelectrochemical hydrogen production from water/methanol decomposition using Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite thin films

Though less frequently studied for solar-hydrogen production, films are more convenient to use than powders and can be easily recycled. Anatase TiO2 films decorated with Ag nanoparticles are synthesized by a rapid, simple, and inexpensive method. They are used to cleave water to produce H2 under UV light in the presence of methanol as a hole scavenger. A simple and sensitive method is established here to monitor the time course of hydrogen production for ultralow amounts of TiO2. The average hydrogen production rate of Ag/TiO2 anatase films is 147.9 � 35.5 mmol/h/g. Without silver, it decreases dramatically to 4.65 � 0.39 mmol/h/g for anatase TiO2 films and to 0.46 � 0.66 mmol/h/g for amorphous TiO2 films fabricated at room temperature. Our method can be used as a high through-put screening process in search of high efficiency heterogeneous photocatalysts for solarhydrogen production from water-splitting.
Identification of some key parameters limiting the performance of high-efficiency silicon solar cells

This paper presents, for the first time, a detailed sensitivity analysis of key cell parameters on silicon-cell efficiency by incorporating advanced solar cell physics in a sophisticated numerical simulation program. It delineates the true physical barriers to obtaining a high-efficiency silicon solar cell. Specific parameters presently limiting cell efficiency are identified to be the minority carrier lifetime and the recombination velocities at the front and back surfaces. Practical cell efficiencies in the vicinity of 22 percent are estimated to be attainable by using good quality silicon crystal and substantially reducing surface recombination velocities.
Abstract 1120: α-Tocopherol protects cells from lipid peroxidation and rescues tumorigenic phenotypes in CS/CSL patients with germline SDHx variants

Cowden syndrome (CS), a Mendelian autosomal-dominant disorder, predisposes to breast, thyroid, and other cancers. Germline mutations in phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) have been found in 25% of classic CS individuals accrued from the community. Additionally, we have shown that germline variations in succinate dehydrogenase genes (SDHx) occur in 8% of 608 PTEN mutation-negative CS and CS-like (CSL) individuals (SDH var+ ), compared to 0/700 controls (p var+ cells compared to healthy control cells. This increased oxidative stress led to increased mutation accumulation in mitochondrial hypervariable region II (HVRII) in samples with SDHx variants compared to controls. Interestingly, α-tocopherol treatment, but not other antioxidants, can rescue SDH var+ cells from apoptosis resistance. This lipid soluble vitamin E, functions as a peroxyl-radical scavenger, protecting SDH var+ cells from oxidative damage. We observed down regulated lipid peroxidation in SDH var+ cells after α-tocopherol exposure, as well as recovered p53 expression and FAD/NAD levels. We conclude that α-tocopherol selectively protects SDH var+ cells from redox stress and downstream tumorigenic reprogramming, which may have intriguing clinical implications such as using vitamin E as a potential preventive adjunct for CS/CSL individuals with SDHx variants. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1120. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1120
Mental retardation in the United States: Assessment, program development, and applied research

Abstract Recent history of mental retardation in the United States reveals a prodigious growth in establishing the right to education, treatment, work, due process, and fair wage. New public laws guarantee a right to a free, appropriate, individualized education. Trends in applied biomedical research show new data in medical and biochemical genetics, neurotoxicology of environmental pollutants, neurobiology of developmental behavior disorders, nutrition, and the developmental psychophysiology of mental retardation. New and important data have emerged with early intervention programs for high risk infants, in sociobehavioral studies of mental retardation, and research on the quality of life of severely and profoundly retarded persons. Behavior modification has had a major influence on instructional technology in mental retardation.
A Community Partnership Model for Developing a Center for Cancer Nursing Education and Research

This article describes a partnership model used to establish the Center for Cancer Nursing Education and Research at the University of Louisville (U of L) School of Nursing. The model was used to bring together area nursing education programs, institutions providing cancer nursing care, and related community groups. The need for the project was directly related to the high cancer morbidity and mortality in the community. The U of L's strategic agenda and strong commitment to cancer prevention and care provided a growth opportunity for the recognition of nurses' role in cancer care. Nurses are positioned to influence cancer care across the continuum from prevention to end of life, and building the capacity for cancer nursing is essential to building a system of cancer care. This article describes an innovative partnership model used to stimulate a community-wide focus on cancer nursing. The organizational structure, development of partner relationships, description of project activities, and outcomes are presented along with a discussion of the said model's benefits and potential for replication.
Cataract surgery with ciliary sulcus fixation of intraocular lenses in patients with uveitis.

Abstract PURPOSE: To describe intentional placement of intraocular lens haptics in the ciliary sulcus of patients with uveitis who are at high risk for postoperative posterior synechiae and lens dislocation. METHODS: We reviewed our experience with 16 eyes of 12 patients with uveitis who underwent cataract surgery with ciliary sulcus fixation of intraocular lenses. Patients were followed for a median of 16.5 months (range, 9 to 44 months) after surgery. We evaluated eyes for surgical technique and the following preoperative and postoperative factors: best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior chamber cells, and posterior synechiae. The following additional postoperative factors were sought: lens dislocation, lens edge capture, and evidence of pigment dispersion. RESULTS: Posterior synechiae were present in 13 eyes before surgery; postoperative posterior synechiae developed in only three of these eyes. These adhesions resulted in lens edge capture in one eye and limited lens decentration in another. Scant pigment was present on the lens optic or in the anterior chamber, suggesting pigment dispersion, in four eyes. We found no evidence of consistently increased anterior segment inflammation or intraocular pressure after surgery when compared with preoperative levels for this group of patients. Postoperative posterior synechiae were seen more often in eyes that had can-opener anterior capsulotomy than in eyes that had continuous, curvilinear capsulorhexis ( P = .036). CONCLUSIONS: Ciliary sulcus fixation allows the intraocular lens to serve as a physical barrier between the iris and the lens capsule remnants. This technique may be useful for reducing the risk of postoperative posterior synechiae in patients with uveitis without increasing the risk of other postoperative problems.
The weak production of Λ particles in muon and tau scattering from protons

Abstract We calculate the differential cross sections for the weak strangeness changing processes, μ − + p → Λ + ν μ and τ − + p → Λ + ν τ . We do the muon reaction from near threshold to 5.0 GeV and the tau reaction at 20.0 GeV. This relatively high energy is made necessary by the short lifetime of the tau lepton. We make use of SU (3) relations and experimental data so that the calculation presented is phenomenological in nature. We obtain the contributions from the form factors including interference terms with a view to extracting those parts of the cross section which are suppressed in the corresponding electron induced reaction due to the small size of the electron mass. Finally we discuss what might be learned from these reactions and the conditions necessary for performing these experiments.
The effect of stimulant drugs on human figure drawings in children with minimal brain dysfunction

Two studies are reported in which stimulant drugs (Methylphenidate and Dextroamphetamine) are administered to children with minimal brain dysfunction. The drugs produce highly significant improvement in one study in the total raw scores of the figure drawings, compared with placebo. Scores presumed to measure social maturity or social interest were not affected by the drug treatments. It is suggested that the drugs probably change figure drawings by means of their influence on attention span or the child's need to perform well in the drawing task. Inconsistencies between results of different studies are accounted for by sample heterogeneity which becomes apparent when cluster analysis is employed to refine diagnosis.
Diffraction corrections in the radiometry of extended sources

The diffraction corrections associated with a circular aperture in the case of an extended source and a detector located in the fully illuminated region have been calculated in 1972 by Steel, De, and Bell. We have shown recently that the intensity distribution formula that they have used is not accurate in the central region of the diffraction pattern and greatly underestimates the diffraction corrections associated with a point source. In this paper, we take up the case of an extended source; we have followed Steel et al.’s method of calculation, but have used an intensity distribution which we have shown to be valid in the central region. We show that in the case of complex radiation, the variation of the diffraction correction with the source radius ρ takes a very simple form: the diffraction correction remains approximately constant as ρ increases, until the source and detector subtend equal angles at the center of the aperture; if ρ is increased further, the diffraction correction decreases linearly with 1/ρ over a certain range of ρ. Experimental results are presented that confirm these theoretical predictions.
Kinetics of the O + HCNO Reaction

The kinetics of the O + ICN reaction was studied using a relative rate method, with O + C(2)H(2) as the competing reaction. Carbon monoxide products formed in the competing reaction and subsequent secondary chemistry were detected as a function of reagent ICN pressure to obtain total rate constants for the O + ICN reaction. Analysis of the experimental data yields rate constants of k(1) = (3.7 ± 1.0 to 26.2 ± 4.0) × 10(-14) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) over the total pressure range 1.5-9.5 Torr. Product channel NCO + I, the only bimolecular exothermic channel of the reaction, was investigated by detection of N(2)O in the presence of NO and found to be insignificant. An ab initio calculation of the potential energy surface (PES) of the reaction at the CCSD(T)/CEP-31G//DFT-B3LYP/CEP-31G level of theory was also performed. The pathways leading to bimolecular product channels are kinetically unfavorable. Formation and subsequent stabilization of an ICNO adduct species appears to dominate the reaction, in agreement with the experimentally observed pressure dependent rate constants.
Full Field Nonlinear Structured Illumination Microscopy with STED

Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) allows fast full-field imaging of biological samples. Linear SIM improves the lateral resolution limit by a factor of two. Once combined with a nonlinear effect of the fluorescence emission, SIM can further suppress the resolution limit to <100 nm, as reported by Photoswitchable and excitation saturated SIM (SSIM) [1, 2]. Here, we present a novel nonlinear SIM method named STED-SIM, which utilizes the stimulated emission depletion (STED) effect to achieve 4-fold resolution enhancement [3].STED-SIM utilizes a 2D grating to generate a 2D structured illumination pattern. The grating is shifted at high speed by piezo stages. Therefore, the imaging speed of 2D STED-SIM in only limited by the speed of the camera. Compared with previously reported nonlinear SIM approaches, STED-SIM has the advantage of fast switching response, negligible stochastic noise in switching. In addition, the achievable resolution of STED-SIM in theory is unlimited.STED-SIM microscope was first tested on fluorescent beads samples and achieved full field imaging over 10×10 [μm]ˆ2 at the speed of 2s/frame with 4-fold improved resolution. Imaging experiments of biological samples are under way.1. Gustafsson M. G. L. (2005). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 10213081-13086.2. Rego E. H., Shao L., Macklin J. J., Winoto L., Johansson G. A., Kamps-Hughes N., et al. (2012). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 109 E135-E143.3. Zhang H., Zhao M. and Peng L. (2011). Optics Express, 19, 24783-24794.
Applying a coupled expert system to quality control charts

Abstract Quality control charts are a common tool used for control of a manufacturing process. Expert systems can serve as a valuable tool to automate the different phases in the use of quality control charts. The authors have developed a coupled expert system to select a proper control chart, optimize the design of the selected control chart, analyze the chart to identify an out-of-control process and suggest the reason(s) for an out-of-control process. The intent of this paper is to discuss the main features of this coupled expert system. An expert system shell called PCPLUS helps a user select the most appropriate control chart and identify the reason(s) for a process to be out-of-control. FORTRAN was used to implement the modules for design, plotting, and analysis of the selected control chart.
'Initial Clinical Experience' articles are poorly cited and negatively affect the impact factor of the publishing journal: a review.

ObjectivesThe phrase ‘Initial Clinical Experience' in a manuscript's title implies that the described technique offers promise of future clinical relevance. We assessed, using rates of subsequent citations, the actual academic relevance of such articles in comparison to articles not containing the phrase.DesignWe searched ISI database for articles that included the studied phrase in their titles between 1975 and 2009 and grouped the results by the related medical specialty. We excluded articles from journals with no available impact factor. For each identified article, we extracted number of included patients, citations/year, the average impact factor of the publishing journal over the last five years and the proportion of articles published in the same journal that garnered zero subsequent citations.SettingRetrospective review of a scientific database.ParticipantsNoneMain outcome measuresCitation rateResultsAmong a total of 982,127 articles published in 186 journals representing eight major publishing me...
Treatment of Rabbit Elastase-Induced Aneurysm Models by Flow Diverters: Development of Quantifiable Indexes of Device Performance Using Digital Subtraction Angiography

It has been known for more than a decade that intracranial aneurysms can be successfully treated by deploying a porous meshed tube in the parent vessel of the aneurysm. Such devices are currently called flow diverters because they promote intraneurysmal flow stasis and thrombosis by diverting blood flow away from the aneurysm sac. The objective of this study was to use angiographic data to quantify and compare the performance of flow diverters of original design in successfully occluding an experimental aneurysm model. Three different configurations of a novel flow diverter with varying porosities and pore densities were implanted in 30 rabbit elastase-induced aneurysms. Temporal variations in angiographic contrast intensity within the aneurysms were fit to a mathematical model. Optimized model parameters were supplemented by the angiographic percentage aneurysm occlusion and an angiographic measure of device flexibility to derive composite scores of performance. Angiographic quantification further suggested a parameter, which could be employed to estimate long-term aneurysm occlusion probabilities immediately after treatment. Performance scores showed that the device with a porosity of 70% and pore density of 18 pores/mm2 performed better than devices with 65% porosity, 14 pores/mm2, and 70% porosity, 12 pores/mm2 with relative efficacies of 100%, 84%, and 76%, respectively. The pore density of flow diverters, rather than porosity, may thus be a critical factor modulating device efficacy. A value of the prognostic parameter of less than 30 predicted greater than 97% angiographic aneurysm occlusion over six months with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 82%.
Decentralized Control of Uncertain Systems via Sensitivity Models

In this paper, we present a decentralized strategy for optimal control of interconnected systems exhibiting parametric uncertainty. First, we demonstrate that sensitivity models for linear interconnected systems can be generated at each subsystem using only locally available information. This is generalized to specific classes of nonlinear systems as well. Second, we present an optimal control law that incorporates sensitivity functions in the feedback path. The control scheme is completely decentralized and is proposed as a means of making the closed loop system less sensitive to parameter deviations. Finally, we give an example of an interconnected system and show how this control strategy is implemented. The results are compared to a decentralized optimal control law that does not utilize sensitivity functions.
Hepatitis C Virus NS3 ATPases/Helicases from Different Genotypes Exhibit Variations in Enzymatic Properties

The NS3 ATPase/helicase was isolated and characterized from three different infectious clones of hepatitis C virus (HCV). One helicase was from a genotype that normally responds to therapy (Hel-2a), and the other two were from more resistant genotypes, 1a (Hel-1a) and 1b (Hel-1b). Although the differences among these helicases are generally minor, all three enzymes have distinct properties. Hel-1a is less selective for nucleoside triphosphates, Hel-1b hydrolyzes nucleoside triphosphates less rapidly, and Hel-2a unwinds DNA more rapidly and binds DNA more tightly than the other two enzymes. Unlike related proteins, different nucleic acid sequences stimulate ATP hydrolysis by HCV helicase at different maximum rates and with different apparent efficiencies. This nucleic acid stimulation profile is conserved among the enzymes, but it does not result entirely from differential DNA-binding affinities. Although the amino acid sequences of the three proteins differ by up to 15%, one variant amino acid that is critical for helicase action was identified. NS3 residue 450 is a threonine in Hel-1a and Hel-1b and is an isoleucine in Hel-2a. A mutant Hel-1a with an isoleucine substituted for threonine 450 unwinds DNA more rapidly and binds DNA more tightly than the parent protein.
Mechanism of Twin Formation During the Tetragonal to Orthorhombic Transformation In Yba2Cu3O7-X

from two elastic strains, one associated with the twin boundary and the other with the lattice distortion at the tip region. The tangent of the angle at the tip which was calculated from the model agrees with experimental observations sufficiently well. The growth mechanism of the twinned domains is analyzed with an energy minimization approach. The similarities of transformation characteristics in this system to those of other systems are briefly discussed.