cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultramicrotome: A Simple, Easily Constructed Instrument

A practical microtome may be built with nominal skill, hand tools, and a drill press. Thermal specimen advance and cutting action by rod flexion eliminate pivots and critical moving parts. The cost of materials is negligible. Resultant sections are adequate for routine work in electron microscopy. sectioning for electron microscopy.
A New positive/negative selection scheme for precise BAC recombineering

Recombineering technology allows the modification of large DNA constructs without using restriction enzymes, enabling the use of bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) in genetic engineering of animals and plants as well as in the studies of structures and functions of chromosomal elements in DNA replication and transcription. Here, we report a new selection scheme of BAC recombineering. A dual kanamycin and streptomycin selection marker was constructed using the kanamycin resistance gene and bacterial rpsL+ gene. Recombination cassettes generated using this dual marker was used to make precise modifications in BAC constructs in a two-step procedure without leaving behind any unwanted sequences. The dual marker was first inserted into the site of modifications by positive selection of kanamycin resistance. In the second step, the counter-selection of streptomycin sensitivity resulted in the replacement of the dual marker with intended modified sequences. This method of BAC modification worked as efficiently as the previously reported galK method and provided a faster and more cost-effective alternative to the galK method.
Atypical carcinoid of the esophagus: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Although carcinoid tumors of the gastrointestinal tract are relatively common, their occurrence in the esophagus is exceedingly rare. The authors report a case of an atypical carcinoid presenting in the cervical esophagus of an 82-year-old woman. METHODS The tumor was studied with routine, silver, and immunohistochemical techniques for cytokeratin, chromogranin, and various secretory products. In addition, the literature was reviewed for carcinoid tumors of the esophagus and the findings summarized. RESULTS The esophageal tumor showed focal necrosis, atypical cytologic features, and increased mitotic activity. It stained diffusely for chromogranin and focally for serotonin; thus it was considered an atypical carcinoid. The patient was free of disease 9 months after excision. On review of the literature, 13 additional cases of esophageal carcinoid were found. The average age of the patients was 60 years with a male predominance of 6:1; the most common presenting symptoms included dysphagia and weight loss. The majority of tumors occurred in the submucosa of the lower esophagus, and ranged in size from 1 to 12 cm. All patients except one had surgical treatment, three received adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Although follow-up was limited, survival correlated with stage; seven of ten Stage I or II patients were disease free whereas three of four Stage III or IV patients had died of disease; the fourth patient is alive with brain metastases. CONCLUSIONS Esophageal carcinoid tumors are exceedingly rare neoplasms. They usually occur in the lower esophagus of males who present with dysphagia. Survival statistics are limited, but appear best correlated with disease stage. Cancer 1997; 79:1476-81. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Integration Of Carbon Nanotubes Into Device Structures

Carbon nanotubes have shown promising properties for applications in electronic circuits and other device structures. Several device structures have been demonstrated in recent years by manual manipulation of single nanotubes. The integration of large numbers of nanotubes on wafer size substrates, however, has been a challenge. Our approach addressing this issue utilizes nano-patterning methods in combination with plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition to directly assemble carbon nanotubes on wafer structures. A secondary formation step is used to actually form device structures connecting the nanotubes to electrode structures. We present first results demonstrating the feasibility of our approach. Electrode structures were prepared using multi-step electron beam lithography processes. Carbon nanotubes were grown in pre-defined locations, and contact formation procedures were carried out to establish multi-terminal contact structures.
Robotic Highway Safety Markers

Proper traffic control is critical in highway work zone safety. Traffic control devices such as signs, barricades, cones, and plastic safety barrels are often used. Accidents can occur because of improper work zone design, improper work zone housekeeping, and driver negligence. One solution is to automate safety devices. This paper presents a mobile safety barrel robot. The Robotic Safety Barrels are the first elements of a team of Robotic Safety Markers (RSM) that includes signs, cones, and possibly barricades and arrestors. To be practical the system must be reliable and have a low per robot cost. A robot that malfunctions could enter traffic and create a significant hazard. Also, multiple safety markers are used and barrels are often struck by vehicles. Safety markers with a high replacement cost are not practical. This paper describes the motivation for the robotic safety marker system and how it could improve work zone safety. The design of three robot prototypes is presented. A control architecture is discussed that has been implemented in simulation and partially tested on the prototype robots.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Adaptive Management of Nonnative Species: Moving Beyond the “Either-Or” Through Experimental Pluralism

This paper develops the outlines of a pragmatic, adaptive management-based approach toward the control of invasive nonnative species (INS) through a case study of Kings Bay/Crystal River, a large artesian springs ecosystem that is one of Florida’s most important habitats for endangered West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus). Building upon recent critiques of invasion biology, principles of adaptive management, and our own interview and participant–observer research, we argue that this case study represents an example in which rigid application of invasion biology’s a␣priori imperative to minimize INS has produced counterproductive results from both an ecological and social standpoint. As such, we recommend that INS control in Kings Bay should be relaxed in conjunction with an overall program of adaptive ecosystem management that includes meaningful participation and input from non-institutional stakeholders. However, we also note that adaptive management and INS control are by no means mutually exclusive, in Kings Bay or elsewhere. Instead, we suggest that adaptive management offers a means by which INS control efforts can emerge from—and be evaluated through—ongoing scientific research and participatory dialogue about the condition of specific places, rather than non-contextual assumptions about the harmfulness of INS as a general class.
An evaluation of GIS-derived landscape diversity units to guide landscape-level mapping of natural communities

Abstract As conservation planning increases in scale from specific sites to entire regions, organisations like The Nature Conservancy face a critical need for GIS-based tools to evaluate landscapes on a regional scale. An existing, field-based approach to analyse the diversity of a landscape is by delineating natural community types, which is a time-intensive process. This study evaluated the utility of using an existing, GIS-derived landscape diversity model as a predictive tool for mapping natural communities on a large (8369 ha) upland forest site in the northern Taconic region of Vermont. The GIS model incorporates four geophysical factors: elevation, bedrock type, surficial deposits, and landform. A significant level ( α =0.05) of association between eight pairs of landscape diversity unit (LDU) types and natural community types was found. However, the strength of these associations is low (Cramer's V values ⩽0.172), suggesting a poor predictive efficiency of landscape diversity units for natural community types. The results suggest that variables in the LDU model are relevant to natural community distribution, but the LDU model alone is not an effective tool to aid in mapping of natural community types of upland forests in Vermont. Until better landscape-level techniques are developed, the role of this type of model is limited to screening the landscape for areas with a particular set of geophysical characteristics, which can help an ecologist interpret the patterns on the landscape, but cannot substitute for a field-based approach to natural community mapping.
Tibet and the Problem of Radical Reductionism

: This article takes issue with a mode of argumentation advanced by a number of left-leaning, radical scholars, including those associated with China's New Left, about the causes of the Tibetan unrest in China in spring 2008. According to this stance, the Tibetan protests were the result of external manipulation by neoconservative, reactionary forces, ranging from the CIA to the Dalai Lama. The unstated premise of this response is that taking a critical stance against western imperialism and neoliberal globalization necessitates a defense of China's policies in Tibet. Such arguments take the form of unfavorable comparisons between Tibetans and Palestinians especially because the former are often romanticized, suggestions that Tibetans are unfortunate ideological victims of US-funded propaganda, and claims that they should be grateful for Chinese state-funded development. This response renders Tibetans incapable of being authentic political subjects. A radical stance on Western imperialism and capitalism should reject such reductionism.
Effect of Relative Humidity on Chemical Heterogeneity Imaging with Atomic Force Microscopy

In this study, a well-controlled humidity system is used to enhance the sensitivity of AFM for characterizing surface chemical heterogeneity of patterned self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and hydrophilic-hydrophobic polymeric brush specimens. Dependence of the AFM friction contrasts on the surface energy differences between the hydrophilic regions and hydrophobic regions of the chemically heterogeneous samples has been investigated as a function of relative humidity (RH). Effects of RH and surface chemistry on tip-sample adhesion are also investigated. Both AFM image contrast and tip-sample adhesion forces between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions significantly depend on RH and follow the similar trend as a function of RH. The results clearly demonstrate that, by using proper RH at the tip-sample environment, chemically heterogeneous regions can be distinguished with the AFM.
Spine and Axial Skeleton Injuries in the National Football League

Background The majority of previous literature focusing on spinal injuries in American football players is centered around catastrophic injuries; however, this may underestimate the true number of these injuries in this athletic cohort. Purpose The goals of this study were to (1) report the incidence of spinal and axial skeleton injuries, both minor and severe, in the National Football League (NFL) over an 11-year period; (2) determine the incidence of spinal injury by injury type, anatomic location, player position, mechanism of injury, and type of exposure (practice vs game); and (3) determine the average number of practices and days missed because of injury for each injury type. Study design Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods All documented injuries to the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine; pelvis; ribs; and spinal cord were retrospectively analyzed using the NFL's injury surveillance database over a period of 11 seasons from 2000 through 2010. The data were analyzed by the number of injuries per athlete-exposure, the anatomic location and type of injury, player position, mechanism of injury, and number of days missed per injury. Results A total of 2208 injuries occurred to the spine or axial skeleton over an 11-season interval in the NFL, with a mean loss of 25.7 days per injury. This represented 7% of the total injuries during this time period. Of these 2208 injuries, 987 (44.7%) occurred in the cervical spine. Time missed from play was greatest for thoracic disc herniations (189 days/injury). Other injuries that had a mean time missed greater than 30 days included (in descending order) cervical fracture (120 days/injury), cervical disc degeneration/herniation (85 days/injury), spinal cord injury (77 days/injury), lumbar disc degeneration/herniation (52 days/injury), thoracic fracture (34 days/injury), and thoracic nerve injury (30 days/injury). Offensive linemen were the most likely to suffer a spinal injury, followed by defensive backs, defensive linemen, and linebackers. Blocking and tackling were the 2 most frequent injury mechanisms reported. Conclusion Spinal and axial skeleton injuries occur frequently in the NFL and can result in significant time missed from practices and games. Tackling and blocking result in the greatest number of injuries, and players performing these activities are the most likely to sustain a spinal injury. The results of this study may be used as an impetus to formulate strategies to prevent spinal injuries in American football players.
The Nature of Rainfall Fluctuations in Subtropical West Africa

Abstract The nature of rainfall fluctuations in the West African subtropics is described on the basis of three analyses of rainfall departures. Areally averaged. normalized rainfall departure series for the years 1901–75 are derived for four semi-arid sub-Saharan climatic zones: the Sahelo-Saharan, the Sahel, the Soudan and the Soudano-Guincan. Similar series are derived for four or five regions within each zone and the regional series are intercorrelated. Finally, correlation between annual rainfall departure maps is used to determine frequently occurring rainfall anomaly types. Several characteristics of West African climate variation emerge from these investigations. A strong coherence of variation occurs throughout the region from∼20–10°N, a latitude which frequently marks a climatic discontinuity with large departures of opposite sign prevailing to the north and south. This coherence is very pronounced in both the north-south and east-west directions, although certain longitudinal sectors occasionall...
Ready or Not: The Molecular Diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis

Although bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common infection associated with significant sequelae [1], our understanding of the natural history of BV and of interventions to restore normal vaginal microflora remains remarkably deficient. BV is defined as a disruption of the ecology of the vaginal microflora and has been traditionally characterized by conventional cultivation as a shift in microbial species from Lactobadllus species to Gardnerella vaginalis and anaerobic commensals, including Prevotella species, anaerobic gram-positive cocci, Mobiluncus species, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis. It has been postulated that lactobacilli play a critical role in maintaining the normal vaginal ecosystem by producing lactic acid and other antimicrobial substances
Failure to Insert the Iron-Sulfur Cluster into the Rieske Iron-Sulfur Protein Impairs Both Center N and Center P of the Cytochrome bc 1 Complex*

Mutation of a serine that forms a hydrogen bond to the iron-sulfur cluster of the Rieske iron-sulfur protein to a cysteine results in a respiratory-deficient yeast strain due to formation of iron-sulfur protein lacking the iron-sulfur cluster. The Rieske apoprotein lacking the iron-sulfur cluster is inserted into both monomers of the dimeric cytochrome bc 1 complex and processed to mature size, but the protein lacking iron-sulfur cluster is more susceptible to proteolysis. In addition, the protein environment of center P in one half of the dimer is affected by failure to insert the iron-sulfur cluster as indicated by the fact that only one molecule of myxothiazol can be bound to the cytochromebc 1 dimer. Although thebc 1 complex lacking the Rieske iron-sulfur cluster cannot oxidize ubiquinol through center P, rates of reduction of cytochrome b by menaquinol through center N are normal. However, less cytochrome b is reduced through center N, and only one molecule of antimycin can be bound at center N in the bc 1 dimer lacking iron-sulfur cluster. These results indicate that failure to insert the [2Fe-2S] cluster impairs assembly of the Rieske protein into the bc 1 complex and that this interferes with proper assembly of both center P and center N in one half of the dimeric enzyme.
Hhal methylase and restriction endonuclease as probes for B to Z DNA conformational changes in d(GCGC) sequences

The capacity of the modification methylase (MHhaI) and restriction endonuclease (HhaI) form Haemophilus haemolyticus to methylate and cleave, respectively, recognition sites which are in right-handed B or left-handed Z structures was determined in vitro. Plasmids containing tracts of (dC-dG) as well as numerous individual d(GCGC) sites distributed around the vector were studied. Negative supercoiling was used to convert the (dC-dG) tracts (approximately 30 bp in length) from a right-handed to a left-handed conformation. (Methyl-3H)-SAM was used to localize and quantitate modified d(GCGC) recognition sites, whereas cleavage by HhaI was used to detect unmethylated sites. In the left-handed Z-form, the (dC-dG) blocks were not methylated by MHhaI and not cleaved by HhaI. A two-dimensional gel analysis of a family of 33 topoisomers treated with MHhaI revealed that the lack of methylation in the (dC-dG) blocks was directly correlated to the supercoil-induced B to Z transition in these segments. These results are significant with respect to enzyme-DNA interactions in general and provide the basis for using HhaI and MHhaI as probes for different DNA structures and conformational transitions under physiological conditions.
Evaluation of part-type mix for a machining workstation using generalized stochastic Petri nets

A generalized stochastic Petri net (GSPN) model for a machining workstation controller is developed by using equivalent GSPN representations of controller place types. Performance measures such as the average production rates, the average time to produce a part and the machine utilization are computed as a function of part-type mix. It is shown that for certain part-type mixes, these performance measures are highly sensitive to variations in the system's parameters, while for other part-type mixes they are more robust. The net result is an analysis tool for allocating resources when designing and implementing such workstations, and for evaluating potential performance improvements due to further automation in the workstation. >
Centred approach to the period of anharmonic oscillators

We present a simple method for obtaining a concise series expression for the period of one-dimensional classical oscillators. The series converges well for typical potentials and is of a form that is often suitable for obtaining approximate expressions for the period valid to any order in the amplitude desired. The method is most easily applied to even potentials. However, by employing the lower turning point expansion discussed in the appendices it may readily be applied even to those potentials where the lower turning point may not be solved for explicitly in terms of the upper turning point. We demonstrate the method by obtaining expressions for the periods of both the simple pendulum and tadpole orbits.
Who Helps Older Adults With Sexual Problems? Confidants Versus Physicians

Objectives. Guided by symbolic interactionism, we explored whether confiding in significant others, discussing with a physician, or doing both might moderate the influence of older adults’ concerns about sexual functioning on their psychological well-being. Methods. Using data from 861 older participants in the National Social Life, Aging, and Health Project, we conducted multiple sample regression analyses to examine simultaneously the moderating effect of confidant relationships and that of physician communication. Results. The results indicated that confidant relationships with spouse or partner and with friends moderate the asso ciation between sexual stress and psychological well-being, although these effects varied for women and for men. Discussion. The results suggest that existing findings on the effect of social relationships on health and well-being are applicable to research on sexual health among older adults.
The Direct and Interactive Effects of Neuroticism and Life Stress on the Severity and Longitudinal Course of Depressive Symptoms

The direct and interactive effects of neuroticism and stressful life events (chronic and episodic stressors) on the severity and temporal course of depression symptoms were examined in 826 outpatients with mood and anxiety disorders, assessed on 3 occasions over a 1-year period (intake and 6- and 12-month follow-ups). Neuroticism, chronic stress, and episodic stress were uniquely associated with intake depression symptom severity. A significant interaction effect indicated that the strength of the effect of neuroticism on initial depression severity increased as chronic stress increased. Although neuroticism did not have a significant direct effect on the temporal course of depression symptoms, chronic stress significantly moderated this relationship such that neuroticism had an increasingly deleterious effect on depression symptom improvement as the level of chronic stress over follow-up increased. In addition, chronic stress (but not episodic stress) over follow-up was uniquely predictive of less depression symptom improvement. Consistent with a stress generation framework, however, initial depression symptom severity was positively associated with chronic stress during follow-up. The results are discussed in regard to diathesis–stress conceptual models of emotional disorders and the various roles of stressful life events in the onset, severity, and maintenance of depressive psychopathology.
Development of an in vitro Continuous Flow Culture Model of the Murine Intestinal Tract

Enzyme activities and bacterial populations were compared in single stage, two stage (pH=5 and 7), and two stage with cell recycling continuous cultures of mouse faecal microbiota. Results were compared to in vivo findings in the mouse caecum and faeces in order to choose the system which best models the ecology of the murine lower intestinal tract. Fecal homogenates had higher numbers of total aerobes and lactose fermenting enterics than caecal homogenates. The microbial balance of the continuous culture systems more closely resembled the faecal microbiota (the culture inoculum) than the caecal microbiota. Lactobacilli numbers were significantly lower in single stage cultures than in two stage cultures or in vivo samples. Enzyme activities were comparable between culture types, with the exception of β-glucuronidase, which was closest to the in vivo level in single stage cultures. Because no one in vitro system proved superior with regards to all the parameters studied, the choice of which system to use may be based largely on the study purpose. Keywords: continuous culture, intestinal microbiota, enzymes.
Tis7 deletion reduces survival and induces intestinal anastomotic inflammation and obstruction in high-fat diet-fed mice with short bowel syndrome

Effective therapies are limited for patients with parenteral nutrition-dependent short bowel syndrome. We previously showed that intestinal expression of the transcriptional coregulator tetradecano...
Intertooth Variation of Orthodentine Microwear in Armadillos (Cingulata) and Tree Sloths (Pilosa)

The analysis of orthodentine microwear has recently been established as a proxy for diet in extant and fossil xenarthrans (sloths, armadillos, and their extinct relatives). Previous analyses have relied on standardized comparison of sampling locations between taxa in order to statistically correlate microwear on xenarthran teeth with primary diet; variation in orthodentine microwear across the toothrow and its potential effect on dietary classification in xenarthrans remains unexplored. This study is the 1st to examine intertooth variation of microwear features in extant xenarthrans to test the necessity of standardized tooth comparison in orthodentine microwear analysis of paleodiet in fossil taxa. Statistical mean correlation tests were used to compare microwear variables between different sampling locations in a series of upper and lower teeth in 4 extant xenarthran species (Bradypus tridactylus [pale-throated three-toed sloth], Choloepus didactylus [Linnaeus' two-toed sloth], Dasypus novemcinctus [nine-banded armadillo], and Euphractus sexcinctus [six-banded armadillo]) and showed that microwear distribution between sampling locations is more conserved in three-toed sloths relative to two-toed sloths and armadillos. Significant variation in the latter groups may stem from uneven distribution of bite-force on the dentition in long-faced animals (two-toed sloths and armadillos) relative to short-faced animals (three-toed sloths), although food texture and intraspecific variation in diet may play a role as well. Based on results from extant taxa, standardized tooth comparison is required for analysis of paleodiet in glyptodonts and pampatheres and also is recommended for ground sloths in future studies of microwear.
Development of a potato seedling assay to screen for resistance to Verticillium dahliae

With 2 figures and 4 tables Abstract A seedling assay was developed for Verticillium wilt (VW) resistance in potato to provide efficient and rapid screening to identify resistant clones in segregating populations. The method provides uniform inoculum, which may reduce false negatives and the confounding effect of late maturity in field-grown plants. Seedlings of two cultivated varieties, five wild potato families and five families of complex hybrids were tested for VW symptoms after exposure to fungal suspensions and exudate from liquid cultures. The seedlings of the resistant cultivar and two resistant wild species exhibited fewer symptoms in response to fungal suspensions than the susceptible controls, indicating that seedlings can be scored for VW resistance or tolerance. Furthermore, exposure of seedlings to filter-sterilized exudates lacking the fungus elicited symptoms very similar to treatment with cultures containing VW condia. This result suggests that Vd (Verticillium dahliae Kleb.) liquid culture exudates may contain phytotoxins that can cause visible effects on the growth of certain genotypes. Overall, our results indicate that a greenhouse-based seedling assay can be used effectively to identify resistant or tolerant clones.
Multilayer multicast key management with threshold cryptography

The problem of distributing multimedia securely over the Internet is often viewed as an instance of secure multicast communication, in which multicast messages are protected by a group key shared among the group of clients. One important class of key management schemes makes use of a hierarchical key distribution tree. Constructing a hierarchical tree based on secret shares rather than keys yields a scheme that is both more flexible and provably secure. Both the key-based and share-based hierarchical key distribution tree techniques are designed for managing keys for a single data stream. Recent work shows how redundancies that arise when this scheme is extended to multi-stream (e.g. scalable video) applications may be exploited in the key-based system by viewing the set of clients as a “multi-group”. In this paper, we present results from an adaptation of a multi-group key management scheme using threshold cryptography. We describe how the multi-group scheme is adapted to work with secret shares, and compare this scheme with a naive multi-stream key-management solution by measuring performance across several critical parameters, including tree degree, multi-group size, and number of shares stored at each node.
Finite size effects and ir optical absorption of cylindrical particles of ionic crystals

Calculations of absorption and total cross sections of cylindrical NaCl and AIN particles with normal size distribution have been carried out. The comparison with experimental data proves the adequacy of Englman and Ruppin's theory to describe the transmittivity of powder samples [1]. Berechnungen der Absorptions- und Gesamtwirkungsquerschnitte zylindrischer NaCl und AIN-Partikel mit normaler Grosenverteilung wurden durchgefuhrt. Ein Vergleich mit experimentellen Ergebnissen zeigt die Gultigkeit der Theorie von Englman und Ruppin zur Beschreibung der Durchlassigkeit von Pulverproben [1].
CSIR: Cellular scheduling with Interest-driven Routing

CSIR (Cellular Scheduling with Interest-driven Routing) is proposed for the effective dissemination of real-time and elastic traffic in wireless ad-hoc networks. CSIR is a novel cross-layer framework consisting of five components: flow-based priority queuing of packets, distributed interest-based routing, distributed transmission scheduling, a neighbor protocol, and bandwidth reservations. Nodes are scheduled for transmission in coordination with the routes established and the end-to-end delay and bandwidth requirements of the flows. Most of the signaling overhead for active flows is confined to the nodes that are required to maintain them. Results from detailed simulations indicate that, compared to a protocol stack consisting of IEEE 802.11e for channel access, AODV and OLSR for unicast routing, and ODMRP for multicast routing, CSIR attains much better performance in terms of packet delivery and end-to-end delay for elastic and real-time unicast and multicast traffic.
Value Orientation Of Jamaicans Compared To Students In The United States Of America

This study investigates differences in the value orientation of Jamaican students who live and study in the US for an extended period compared to Jamaican students in Jamaica and US students to see if there is support for the theories of convergence, divergence and crossvergence given the effects of globalization on different countries. Dorfman and Howel’s (1988) scale, which measures Power distance, Uncertainty avoidance, Collectivism, Masculinity and Paternalism, assessed value orientation in this study. The results reveal that there are no differences between Jamaican students in Jamaica and those in the US that suggests strength in the Jamaican culture as Jamaicans live in the US. However, there was only one significant difference between Jamaican students in the US and the US students; uncertainty avoidance was significantly higher for the former. This supports divergend or retaining one’s distinctive cultural orientation despite ongoing interaction over time. There was no difference between US students, Jamaicans in US and Jamaican universities on all other dimensions. This lends support to convergence or merging of cultures.
Continuous-wave laser driven post deposition chlorine treatment of CdTe

Post-deposition laser processing of CdTe has potential for reducing manufacturing costs of CdTe PV modules. In this work we demonstrate the applicability of lasers to thermally processing CdTe modules by using a continuous wave Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser to drive CdCl2 treatment of CdTe. The data show that, similar to traditional annealing, laser annealing for only 15 seconds at higher than typical temperatures, the annealed CdTe displays an increase in A-center peak (1.435 eV) in photoluminescence yield. These indicate that chlorine activation of the absorber layer occurs in a mere 15 s and demonstrates the potential of accelerating the post-deposition CdCl2 treatment of CdTe by utilizing laser annealing at higher temperatures.
Comparative Canadian and United States Autism: A Narrative Analysis

This article examines autism policy narratives inCanadaand theUnited States. In both nations, meta-narratives emerged, establishing federal autism policy. Whereas the stories associated with these meta-narratives shared starting points, the stories unfolded in nationally distinct ways.
The Impact of Living Arrangements on Dementia Caregiver’s Sleep Quality

In the United States half of the 15 million informal caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia (PWDs) do not live with the PWD. This paper compares the sleep quality and health of 59 community-dwelling caregivers living with the PWD and 21 living apart from the PWD. Variables of interest were caregiving experience (hours caregiving, problematic behaviors of the PWD, caregivers' perception of dementia severity), sleep quality, and health (perceived health, stress, and depressive symptoms). Parametric unpaired t tests were used to calculate the differences between key variables. Multiple regression models were constructed, controlling for age, gender, behavior index, and dementia severity to examine the variance explained by living arrangements on sleep quality and health. Caregivers living apart from the PWD experienced the same level of poor sleep quality as did caregivers living with the PWD. The living arrangements of the caregiver did not make a unique contribution to sleep quality or health variables except for reports of unhealthy days. Given the importance of good quality sleep for health, the findings highlight the importance of evaluating caregivers living apart from the PWD for sleep problems with the same level of concern as one would have for those living with the PWD.
Clarifying Human White Matter

Progress in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) now makes it possible to identify the major white matter tracts in the living human brain. These tracts are important because they carry many of the signals communicated between different brain regions. MRI methods coupled with biophysical modeling can measure the tissue properties and structural features of the tracts that impact our ability to think, feel, and perceive. This review describes the fundamental ideas of the MRI methods used to identify the major white matter tracts in the living human brain.
Water on the Moon

Water plays an important role in nearly every aspect of geological processes as well as in the evolution of planetary bodies.Water is also an indispensible resource for human space exploration.The Moon has been regarded as "bone-dry" until recently.Several studies reported discovery of "water" on the surface and in the interior of the Moon.The presence of water in the Moon implies that our current understanding of the lunar differentiation needs to be revisited.The finding of water on the Moon also has profound implications for future space exploration,especially for the proposal of using the Moon as a jumping board to go to Mars and beyond.Here,we review recent reports of finding water on and in the Moon and their implications.
Thermoneutrality decreases thermogenic program and promotes adiposity in high‐fat diet‐fed mice

Brown/beige adipocytes are therapeutic targets to combat obesity due to their abilities to dissipate energy through adaptive thermogenesis. Most studies investigating induction of brown/beige adipocytes were conducted in cold condition (e.g., 4°C); much is unknown about how the thermogenic program of brown/beige adipocytes is regulated in thermoneutral condition (e.g., 30°C), which is within the thermal comfort zone of human dwellings in daily life. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the thermogenic program of brown/beige adipocytes in mice housed under ambient (22°C) versus thermoneutral condition (30°C). Male mice raised at 22°C or 30°C were fed either chow diet or high‐fat (HF) diet for 20 weeks. Despite less food intake, chow‐fed mice housed at 30°C remained the same body weight compared to mice at 22°C. However, these thermoneutrally housed mice displayed a decrease in the expression of thermogenic program in both brown and white fat depots with larger adipocytes. When pair‐fed with chow diet, thermoneutrally housed mice showed an increase in body weight. Moreover, thermoneutrality increased body weight of mice fed with HF diet. This was associated with decreased expression of the thermogenic program in both brown and white fat depots of the thermoneutrally housed mice. The downregulation of the thermogenic program might have resulted from decreased sympathetic drive in the thermoneutrally housed mice evident by decreased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase expression and norepinephrine turnover in both brown and white fat depots. Our data demonstrate that thermoneutrality may negatively regulate the thermogenic program and sympathetic drive, leading to increased adiposity in mice.
Fabrication and Implantation of Gel-Filled Nerve Guidance Channels

In human adults, the peripheral nervous system (PNS) is capable of healing and regeneration. In order to reestablish function, nerve tissue must heal by true regeneration of a functional structure, since healing by simple scar will not reestablish electrical connectivity. Nerve guidance systems have been used experimentally to enhance regeneration through the use of functionalized gels, the delivery of growth-promoting molecules, and the use of neuronal support cells or genetically engineered cells. The objectives of this chapter are to overview the methods used to construct gels for nerve stimulating regeneration and to outline the surgical techniques to implant nerve guidance systems.
Optimizing Departures of Automated Vehicles From Highways While Maintaining Mainline Capacity

Automated vehicles have the potential to revolutionize our nation's transportation systems as they promise to dramatically reduce congestion, accidents, and fuel usage. Namely, as it becomes possible to precisely exert control on and coordinate the movement and placement of vehicles along a stretch of highway, the separation distance between vehicles can be reduced, thus increasing flow and minimizing congestion. Precise and coordinated vehicle controls and placements also improve predictability, resulting in fewer instances of sudden braking, which reduce fuel usage and accidents. Most existing research has focused on the steady-state behaviors and operations of automated vehicles, such as platooning, and assumes complete knowledge of the system, e.g., the number of vehicles and their destinations and/or neglects dynamic or transition operations such as exiting a highway and lane changing. Uncoordinated lane-changing and exiting behaviors by automated vehicles can significantly reduce the flow of traffic as vehicles will require larger separations, are forced to slow down, or worse, collide. In this paper, we present a collision-free runtime approach to efficiently organize the departures of automated vehicles from a highway environment while maintaining highway capacity in extremely dynamic conditions. To maximize the number of safe departures, the key ideas are to: 1) determine when, and where to, an exiting vehicle should lane change in order to make a successful exit given current traffic conditions as provided by connected vehicle technology and 2) execute the actual lane-change operations using a reservation-based approach. Simulation results show that, by coordinating vehicles' behaviors, traffic flow can be improved by up to five times of today's typical flow while ensuring a 100% exit success rate in a collision-free manner.
Full Issue: Spring 2016

This paper explores the fight for ethnic studies in California public schools from two angles: the legislative push for the state to take action, and grassroots organizing by community organizers, students, teachers, parents, and others. Considering the success of grassroots organizing in implementing ethnic studies programming on a district-by-district basis, in contrast with the stalling of legislative action, I propose a policy move that mobilizes the state to actively support local organizing within individual districts. California educational law mandates the deliberate engagement of targeted stakeholders in local school decision-making. Therefore, the state should fund and facilitate the regular convening of relevant grassroot actors to be able to form purposeful coalitions towards implementation. Building and sharing collective knowledge on the ethnic studies movement allows us to take advantage of existing knowledge to inform future practice as the movement works to expand in schools who might otherwise not have the resources on their own to begin.
Reframing: A Family Counseling Skill

Recently the literature on the families of substance abusers has indicated that drug abusers are perceived as powerless, passive, and dependent by their family members (Alexander and Dibb, 1977). Frequently this perspective within a family system is a significant block to positive change. Thus, one strategy to facilitate change within the family of the drug abuser is to reframe or change the family members’ perceptions of the drug abuser.
A model-based reasoning approach to system fault diagnosis

This paper presents a novel model abstraction and representation approach for the application of model-based reasoning (MBR) to helicopter powertrain diagnostics. Although the basic principles of MBR are well understood, its application to specific domains, especially in mechanical systems, has been restricted due to insufficient model fidelity. The traditional vibration analysis approach has been the main stay of powertrain diagnosis since accelerometers have proven to be the primary viable choice for gearbox instrumentation and monitoring. However, a suitable logical representation of mechanical components so as to facilitate diagnostic reasoning about their vibration characteristics is difficult to achieve. This paper exploits the physics behind the vibration signatures of gearbox components both in nominal and faulty operational modes, and attempts to extract and represent that knowledge in an MBR-friendly formulation. Based on these model constructs a complete, integrated, MBR methodology for fault diagnosis based on behavioral characteristics of system components is introduced in this paper. Finally, the implementation of this architecture on the intermediate gearbox (IGB) module of a helicopter powertrain is presented. Simulation results show the successful application of this methodology in the detection of input gear pinion damage in the intermediate gearbox of an H-60 helicopter.
The National Research Council Database

Empirical analyses related to the SBIR program are based on the National Research Council’s database of Phase II awards. The history of the database is described in this chapter along with descriptive statistics.
Variation in perfluoroalkyl acids in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

This study aimed to quantify concentrations of fifteen perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the plasma of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabiting wetlands surrounding the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, USA located at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR). Approximately 10 male and 10 female alligators (ntotal = 229) were sampled each month during 2008 and 2009 to determine if seasonal or spatial trends existed with PFAA burden. PFOS represented the highest plasma burden (median 185 ng/g) and PFHxS the second highest (median 7.96 ng/g). While no significant seasonal trends were observed, unique spatial trends emerged. Many of the measured PFAAs co-varied strongly together and similar trends were observed for PFOS, PFDA, PFUnA, and PFDoA, as well as for PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFTriA, and PFTA, suggesting more than one source of PFAAs at MINWR. Higher concentrations of PFOS and the PFAAs that co-varied with PFOS were collected from animals around sites that included the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) fire house and the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout (O&C) retention pond, while higher concentrations of PFOA and the PFAA that co-varied with PFOA were sampled from animals near the gun range and the old fire training facility. Sex-based differences and snout-vent length (SVL) correlations with PFAA burden were also investigated.
Recovery and Relative Influence of Root, Microbial, and Structural Properties of Soil on Physically Sequestered Carbon Stocks in Restored Grassland

Managing soil to sequester C can help mitigate increasing CO₂ in the atmosphere. To maximize this ecosystem service, more knowledge of factors influencing C sequestration is needed. The objectives of this study were to (i) quantify recovery of the roots, microbial biomass and composition, and soil structure across a chronosequence of grassland restorations and (ii) use a structural equation model to develop a data-based hypothesis on the relative influence of physical and biological soil properties on the soil C aggregate fraction diagnostic of sequestered C. Belowground plant biomass and tissue quality (C/N ratio), soil microbial biomass C, phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) concentrations, soil structure, and soil C stocks in the bulk soil and each aggregate fraction were quantified from a cultivated field, prairies restored for 1 to 35-yr (n = 6), and a never-cultivated (native) prairie. Root biomass, microbial biomass C, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) PLFA biomass across the chronosequence increase to resemble native prairie following 35 yr of restoration. Many aspects of soil structure (i.e., bulk density, proportional mass of aggregate fractions, and aggregate mean weighted diameter) and the distribution C among soil fractions, including C in the micro-within-macro aggregate fraction (sequestered C), also became representative of native prairie within 35 yr of restoration. Total soil C stock and physically protected C increased at a similar rate (23 and 27 g C m⁻² yr⁻¹) respectively, across the chronosequence. After 35 yr of restoration, 50% of the total C pool was physically protected. The structural equation modeling developed by these data hypothesizes that microbial biomass C and AMF biomass (microbial composition) have the strongest causal influence on physically protected C. This model needs to be tested using independent sites to achieve greater inference.
Culture, Styles of Institutional Interactions, and Inequalities in Healthcare Experiences.

In this study, I examine how parents’ cultural knowledge shapes experiences navigating the healthcare system after a child is diagnosed with cancer and the extent to which differential styles of he...