cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation and Management of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

All individuals have an internal circadian pacemaker located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) that maintains proper alignment of behaviors and physiological processes with the environment. The circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs) result when this alignment is disrupted. In advanced (ASPD) and delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD), an individual’s habitual sleep times fall much earlier or later than desired. In non-24-h sleep–wake disorder (N24SD), the sleep–wake period moves progressively later each day, while in irregular sleep–wake rhythm (ISWR), there is no clear pattern to the sleep–wake schedule. Shift work requires individuals to work during a time they would normally be sleeping, and jet lag results from changing time zones more rapidly than the internal clock is able to adapt. Treatment of all of these disorders depends on resetting the clock, primarily relying on the appropriate timing of administration of the two key regulators of the circadian clock: light and melatonin.
Mapping the variables of care in health and medical communication contexts: a script theory-prototype theory approach to patient-centered design

Script theory views communication contexts as sequences of standard processes - or scripts - humans use to move through different contexts in their daily lives. These scripts contain variables that influence how individuals expect to access and use materials in different settings. Prototype theory, in turn, addresses user expectations of what items/variables should look like in a given context, thus creating a guide for how one should design/depict items when developing materials for that context. When combined, these two theoretical approaches create a mechanism UXD professionals can use to both research communication and design expectations/variables in different health and medical communication contexts and design materials that meet user expectations associated with such settings.
Negative-pressure polymorphs made by heterostructural alloying

The ability of a material to adopt multiple structures, known as polymorphism, is a fascinating natural phenomenon. Various polymorphs with unusual properties are routinely synthesized by compression under positive pressure. However, changing a material's structure by applying tension under negative pressure is much more difficult. We show how negative-pressure polymorphs can be synthesized by mixing materials with different crystal structures-a general approach that should be applicable to many materials. Theoretical calculations suggest that it costs less energy to mix low-density structures than high-density structures, due to less competition for space between the atoms. Proof-of-concept experiments confirm that mixing two different high-density forms of MnSe and MnTe stabilizes a Mn(Se,Te) alloy with a low-density wurtzite structure. This Mn(Se,Te) negative-pressure polymorph has 2× to 4× lower electron effective mass compared to MnSe and MnTe parent compounds and has a piezoelectric response that none of the parent compounds have. This example shows how heterostructural alloying can lead to negative-pressure polymorphs with useful properties-materials that are otherwise nearly impossible to make.
Association between hospital volume and mortality of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Background Prior studies have shown superior surgical outcomes of stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in centers with higher patient volumes. However, there is a lack of such information in stage IV NSCLC. Patients and methods This is a retrospective study of stage IV NSCLC patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 using the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). We classified the total number of patients treated at facilities into quartiles: quartile 1 (Q1): ≤23; quartile 2 (Q2): 24–36, quartile 3 (Q3): 37–55, and quartile 4 (Q4): ≥56 cases/year. Cox regression was used to assess whether risk of death differed between quartiles after adjusting for demographics, insurance type, Charlson-Deyo score, and type of therapy received. Results There were 338, 445 patients with stage IV NSCLC treated at 1326 facilities. We included the patients who received any form of therapy in the survival analysis. The unadjusted median overall survival by facility volume was: Q1: 6 months, Q2: 6 months, Q3: 7 months, and Q4: 8 months (p Conclusions Patients who were treated for stage IV NSCLC at highest-volume facilities had less risk of all-cause mortality compared with those who were treated at lower-volume facilities. Although the survival advantage of being treated at highest-volume facilities appeared small, the results of this study suggest differences in cancer care delivery models among various facilities, and may become more relevant in the future era of personalized treatment of stage IV NSCLC.
A Review of “Why “Where” Matters: Understanding and Profiting from GPS, GIS, and Remote Sensing”

There have been multiple suggestions on the stages of economic development, one of which is that an information economy is the most advanced, coming after stages of hunting, agriculture, and manufa...
Multisectoral Nutrition: Feasible or Fantasy?

Undernutrition has received unprecedented attention, financing and policy focus in recent years. One example is the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement, with over fifty countries engaged and pursui...
A Multi-Step Predictive Model to Estimate Li-Ion State of Charge for Higher C-Rates

Energy Storage or battery management systems for Li-ion batteries require accurate prediction of state of charge (SOC). Existing methods predict SOC for a given charging/discharging rate (C-rate) using experimentally obtained values of cell current and voltage. However, in scenarios where there is a lack of such historical data, these methods perform poorly because of inadequate training data. This paper proposes a combinatorial model involving autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and a nonlinear autoregressive network with exogenous inputs (NARX-net). ARIMA is used to first predict cell current and cell voltage for the desired higher C-rate (C/10) only using the voltage and current from historical, lower C-rates (C/2 to C/8) of an actual 3.7V, 3.5Ah Li-ion battery. The NARX-net is used to predict SOC using the voltage and current values predicted by ARIMA. To train NARX-net, four algorithms are used, and their performance is evaluated by comparing the predicted SOC values with those obtained experimentally for C/10. Results show that the proposed data-driven model is effective at predicting SOC for Li-ion batteries given some preliminary historical data on current and voltage of previous, lower C-rates.
Methods for rearing ground-nesting bees under laboratory conditions

Ground-nesting bees are largely undervalued, both in terms of their use as model species for behavioural studies, and in terms of their agricultural benefit as pollinators in crop systems. But, why? One potential barrier limiting their use as model species may be our understanding of how to effectively establish and maintain ground-nesting bees in the laboratory. Here we review how artificial nests are used to study ground-nesting bees and provide guidelines for building, starting and maintaining artificial nests. Ultimately, appropriate design and maintenance of artificial nests will allow researchers to explore a suite of interesting questions related to this important group of pollinating insects, from natural history to the origins of eusociality and the effects of environmental contaminants.
Absolute Quantification of Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Metabolism by Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is an emerging technology in systems and synthetic biology for the in vitro production of proteins. However, if CFPS is going to move beyond the laboratory and become a widespread and standard just in time manufacturing technology, we must understand the performance limits of these systems. Toward this question, we developed a robust protocol to quantify 40 compounds involved in glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, energy metabolism and cofactor regeneration in CFPS reactions. The method uses internal standards tagged with 13C-aniline, while compounds in the sample are derivatized with 12C-aniline. The internal standards and sample were mixed and analyzed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS). The co-elution of compounds eliminated ion suppression, allowing the accurate quantification of metabolite concentrations over 2-3 orders of magnitude where the average correlation coefficient was 0.988. Five of the forty compounds were untagged with aniline, however, they were still detected in the CFPS sample and quantified with a standard curve method. The chromatographic run takes approximately 10 min to complete. Taken together, we developed a fast, robust method to separate and accurately quantify 40 compounds involved in CFPS in a single LC/MS run. The method is a comprehensive and accurate approach to characterize cell-free metabolism, so that ultimately, we can understand and improve the yield, productivity and energy efficiency of cell-free systems.
Impact of Pokémon Go on Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Context Pokemon Go is a popular mobile augmented reality game that requires players to travel to different locations to capture virtual characters. This study systematically reviews and quantifies Pokemon Go in relation to physical activity engagement among players. Evidence acquisition A keyword search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library for articles published between July 2016 and October 2018. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled effect of playing Pokemon Go on physical activity outcome. Evidence synthesis From the keyword search, 17 studies (16 observational and 1 pre–post) were identified, with a total sample of 33,108 participants. A comparison between Pokemon Go players and nonplayers and between pre- and post-play time points revealed an increase in walking duration, distance walked, and number of steps/day. Pokemon Go players were also found to engage in less sedentary behavior. Playing Pokemon Go was associated with an increase in the number of steps per day by 1,446 steps (95% CI=953, 1,939; I2=81%). Conclusions Playing Pokemon Go was associated with a statistically significant but clinically modest increase in the number of daily steps taken among game players. One challenge for future physical activity interventions using Pokemon Go is to retain active engagement once the initial novelty wears off. Additional studies with longer follow-up periods and experimental study design are needed to assess to what extent Pokemon Go and other augmented reality games can be used to promote physical activity at the population level for a sustained time period.
Fission Barrier of Tb 153

The fission barrier of $^{153}\mathrm{Tb}$ was found to be 28.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.7 MeV, which is about 83% of the predicted liquid-drop value. This result is consistent with calculations of nuclear masses and with barriers obtained from $^{4}\mathrm{He}$-induced fission. Barrier estimates of (51-65)% of liquid-drop values deduced for nonrotating nuclei from results of others appear to be in error.
Association between snoring and hypertension among Zhejiang adults in a cross sectional study

Objective: To explore the association between snoring and prevalent hypertension among adults in Zhejiang with a cross-sectional study. Methods: After excluding participants with self-reported, physician-diagnosed heart diseases, stroke and cancer at baseline study, 56 728 participants aged 30-79 in the China Kadoorie Biobank study from Tongxiang, Zhejiang were included for the final analysis. Three multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the ORs for the associations of snoring with prevalent hypertension. Results: The proportion of participants who snored frequently, snored sometimes, and never snored were 24.55%, 23.94%, and 51.51%, respectively. The corresponding figures of males were 32.40%, 26.55%, and 41.05%, respectively. The corresponding figures of females were 19.00%, 22.08%, and 58.92%, respectively (P<0.001). After adjusted socio-demographic factors, behavioral lifestyle, BMI, waist circumference, and sleep duration etc., in comparison with participants who never snored, the odds ratios (95%CI) of hypertension for those who snored frequently and snored sometimes were 1.17 (1.12-1.23) and 1.12 (1.07-1.18), respectively. The effects of snoring on hypertension were statistically significantly different between women and men, participants who were central obese and those who were not, and between premenopausal and post-menopausal women. Conclusion: Snoring was associated positively with hypertension among adults. The effect of snoring on prevalent hypertension were obvious, especially among people, being female, being central obese, and being premenopausal.
An opened pre-40S platform enables temporal regulation of Fap7

During their maturation, nascent 40S subunits enter a translation-like quality control cycle, where they are joined by mature 60S subunits to form 80S-like ribosomes. While these assembly intermediates are essential for maturation and quality control, how they form, and how their structure promotes quality control remains unknown. To address these questions, we determined the structure of an 80S-like ribosome assembly intermediate to an overall resolution of 3.4 A. The structure, validated by biochemical data, resolves a large body of previously paradoxical data and illustrates how assembly and translation factors cooperate to promote the formation of an interface that lacks many mature subunit contacts but is stabilized by the universally conserved Dim1. The structure also shows how this interface leads to unfolding of the platform, which allows for temporal regulation of the ATPase Fap7, thus linking 40S maturation to quality-control during ribosome assembly.
Limiting Domain Size of MoS2: Effects of Stoichiometry and Oxygen

Reactive molecular dynamics simulations of MoS2 crystallization from amorphous precursor materials showed that crystal domain size decreased because of excess S or O, relative to the stoichiometric...
Outcome and Cost of Nurse-led versus Perfusionist-led Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation.

ABSTRACT Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a resource-intense modality of care whose use has grown exponentially. We examined volume and utilization trends to identify the financial break-even point that might serve to dichotomize between nurse specialist-led and perfusionist-led ECMO programs. Methods Data pertaining to patients who required ECMO support between 2018 and 2019 were reviewed. ECMO staffing costs were estimated based on national trends and modelled by annual utilization and case volume. A break-even point was derived from a comparison between nurse specialist-led and perfusionist-led models. For each scenario, direct medical costs were calculated based on utilization which was in turn defined by "low" (4 days), "average" (10 days), and "high" (30 days) duration of time spent on ECMO. Results Within the time frame, there was a total of 107 ECMO cases with a mean ECMO duration of 11 days, within the study time frame. Overall, ECMO nursing personnel costs were less than those for perfusionists ($108,000 vs $175,000). Programmatic costs were higher in the perfusionist-led versus nurse specialist-led model when annual utilization was greater than 10 cases and ECMO duration was longer than a mean of 9.7 days. There was no difference in survival between the two models. Conclusions Use of a perfusionist-led ECMO model may be more cost-conscious in the context of low utilization, smaller case volume and shorter ECMO duration. However, once annual case volume exceeds 10 and mean ECMO duration exceeds 10 days, the nurse specialist-led model may be more cost-conscious.
Agent Sorting by Incentive Systems in Mission Firms: Implications for Health Care and Other Credence Goods Markets

Intrinsic motivation and monetary incentives affect an expert's choice of firm, and thus also the performance of the firm. These effects are particularly important for consumers of credence goods in mission industries, where experts perform duties that align with their own personal belief systems and quality cannot be directly incentivized. In this environment, different contract designs may attract experts with different intrinsic motivations to select into a mission industry, and therefore likely play a significant role in determining the quantity and quality of labor supply. We use a model of expert decision-making to predict how three different contract designs (capitation, fee-for-service, and salary) affect experts' decisions to enter mission firms with credence goods and the performance of the firm thereafter. The model demonstrates that contracts that constrain maximum earnings (e.g., capitation and salary) will likely reduce supply, but maintain experts who are highly mission motivated and thereby, increase industry performance. To test the model’s ability to predict the marginal effect of limiting available contracts in a mission firm on expert preferences and performance we constructed a laboratory experiment. Our results demonstrate the potential for a tradeoff between labor supply and quality of performance across different contract designs.
Design and development of mechanically operated blood collection and monitoring device

Abstract A blood collection monitor is a device used during the blood collection process to provide a shaking moment to the blood being received from the donor thereby mixing the blood homogeneous with the anticoagulants in the blood bag. The shaking moment and anticoagulants prevent blood coagulation. The amount of blood to be collected varies from donor to donor which ranges from 350 ml to 450 ml. The existing electronic blood collection monitors being used in hospitals and laboratories include not only mechanical but also an electric mechanism that provides oscillations to a blood bag, quantify the blood amount and measure the flow of blood. However, the dependency of these devices on external electric power sources limits its application in rural areas as well as large-scale donation camps. The present study offers a mechanical blood collection monitor which does not require any external power for its functioning and thereby overcomes the drawbacks of the conventional device. The present paper offers the design considerations and systematic study of the proposed mechanical blood collection monitor. Additionally, the linkage mechanism and associated gear train were analysed using ANSYS and ADAMS which further opens up the ways to study the variations in kinetic energy and torquing moment.
Ultrasound Identification of Normal Parathyroid Glands.

Ultrasound has become indispensable for identification of thyroid and parathyroid pathology, but normal parathyroid glands have historically been considered too subtle to accurately detect. Inabili...
Ceolfrid's gift to St Peter: the first quire of the Codex Amiatinus and the evidence of its Roman destination

The Codex Amiatinus, the oldest extant complete Vulgate Bible, was sent from Wearmouth–Jarrow to Rome in June 716. This article begins by addressing one of the fundamental unanswered questions concerning the manuscript: the original order of its preliminary quire, where most of the decorative material in Amiatinus occurs. The most plausible arrangement of these folios is presented, based on study of their decorative and textual contents and the recently published results of the technical and chemical analyses undertaken in 1999–2001. The organization I propose allows new evidence to be discerned that the quire was planned from the outset to form part of a gift for the holy see. The article concludes by discussing the likely function of the Bible's famous portrait of Ezra copying scripture as a ‘mirror’ of the papal office, a picture intended to remind the pope who received Amiatinus of his own responsibilities in the Christian church.
Tourism and ethnic stereotypes: Variations in a Mexican town

Abstract This paper presents data from a Baja California tourist resort to show that natives hold two kinds of ethnic stereotypes of tourists. “General” stereotypes attribute very general traits to persons and are used to explain the observed behavior of tourists. The unrelated “specific” stereotypes provide precise descriptions of what tourists want and how they act in business situations: they are used as guides to conducting business with tourists. Both kinds of stereotype are based on ideas learned from others or created anew from observations. Both are tested by observation or experiment. However, use of a strategy suggested by a “specific” stereotype can direct tourists into the stereotyped behavior. The resulting mutual accommodation between native and tourist may have the paradoxical result of confirming inaccurate ethnic stereotypes.
Shortest Vector Problem

In this chapter we study the hardness of approximating the shortest vector problem (SVP). Recall that in SVP one is given a matrix \( B \in {\mathbb{Q}^{{m \times n}}} \), and the goal is to find the shortest nonzero vector in the lattice generated by B . In Chapter 3 we have already studied another important algorithmic problem on lattices: the closest vector problem (CVP). In CVP, in addition to the lattice basis \( B \in {\mathbb{Q}^{{m \times n}}} \), one is given a target vector \( t \in {\mathbb{Q}^m} \), and the goal is to find the lattice point in L(B) closest to t. In Chapter 3 we showed that the NP-hardness of CVP can be easily established by reduction from subset sum (Theorem 3.1), and even approximating CVP within any constant or “almost polynomial” factors is hard for NP. We also observed that the reduction from subset sum to CVP can be easily adapted to prove that SVP in the l ∞ norm is NP- hard (Theorem 3.2). Unfortunately, that simple reduction does not work for any other norm. In this chapter, we investigate the computational complexity of SVP in any l p norm other than l ∞ , with special attention to the Euclidean norm l 2 . In the rest of this chapter the l 2 norm is assumed, unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Internationalizing Quality Assessment in Central Asia

Higher education institutions in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have started internationalizing quality assessment procedures; those in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have not. The differences concern politics (the willingness of national leadership to be transparent, internally and externally) and economics (the nation's ability to finance educational reform and to resist inappropriate "educational exports" of donor nations) more than educational quality. The plethora of processes in Kyrgyzstan reflects the priorities of donors; Kazakhstan is trying to balance national goals with Bologna standards.
Dopamine Mechanisms in the Kidney

Publisher Summary The supply of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) to the proximal tubule cells (PTC) is the major regulator of dopamine (DA) synthesis and secretion. In vivo, DA is preferentially secreted across the apical membrane into the tubule lumen as the increase in urinary DA far exceeds its increment in the renal interstitial fluid. In contrast to the usual pathway for DA biosynthesis in neurons, in the kidney, DA is synthesized independently of nerve activity. Renal DA serves as one of the several paracrine mediators of renal sodium excretion. During low sodium intake, sodium is retained to meet the body's requirement for sodium homeostasis. Under these conditions, the renin-angiotensin system is stimulated and DA biosynthesis is markedly curtailed, leading to antinatriuresis during sodium loading. Conversely, the renin-angiotensin system is suppressed and DA biosynthesis is activated, leading to natriuresis. When DA synthesis is increased, DA stimulates renin secretion, which serves to increase the activity of the reninangiotensin system that was suppressed by sodium loading. Thus, the interaction between these two systems leads to a series of overlapping steps that attempt to normalize each other to bring the control of sodium excretion into equilibrium.
Biomechanical effects of femoral notchplasty in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Notchplasty is frequently performed in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Bench loading tests were performed on 26 fresh-frozen knee specimens to measure excursion of a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft, anterior-posterior laxity of the knee, and graft forces before and after performing a 2-mm and a 4-mm notchplasty. The mean intraarticular pretension required to restore normal anterior-posterior laxity at 30 degrees of flexion (laxity-matched pretension level) was 27 N before notchplasty, 48 N after 2-mm notchplasty, and 65 N after 4-mm notchplasty. The mean graft pretension decreased 53% and 58%, respectively, on completion of a loading test series involving anterior-posterior and constant tibial loading forces. Mean laxity increased 1.4 mm at full extension and decreased 1.8 mm at 90 degrees of flexion after a 2-mm notchplasty. Mean graft forces increased markedly between 30 degrees and 90 degrees of passive flexion after notchplasty. Our results show that after a notchplasty, a higher level of graft pretension will be necessary to restore normal laxity at 30 degrees of flexion. This increased level of pretension, combined with changes in graft excursion, produced dramatic increases in graft force when the knee was flexed to 90 degrees. These relatively high forces would be detrimental to a remodeling graft and could lead to subsequent failure of the reconstruction.
A nickel superoxide dismutase maquette that reproduces the spectroscopic and functional properties of the metalloenzyme.

Described herein is a nickel superoxide dismutase (NiSOD) maquette ([Ni(SODM1)]) based on the first 12 residues from the N-terminal sequence of Streptomyces coelicolor NiSOD. The apopeptide (SODM1) was prepared by standard solid-phase Fmoc peptide synthesis. SODM1 will readily coordinate NiII in a 1:1 ratio in slightly basic aqueous sodium phosphate buffer (0.1 M; pH = 7.2) forming a lightly colored beige/pink solution. Unlike NiSOD, which is isolated as a 1:1 mixture of oxidized (NiIII) and reduced (NiII) forms, [Ni(SODM1)] can only be isolated in the NiII oxidation state. The UV/vis, X-ray absorption, and CD spectra of [NiII(SODM1)] correspond well with those reported for the reduced form of NiSOD. Despite the fact that [NiIII(SODM1)] is not isolable, [Ni(SODM1)] has an appropriate redox potential to act as an SOD (E1/2 = 0.70(2) V vs Ag/AgCl) and in fact will catalytically disproportionate >40 000 equiv of KO2.
A learning curve model with knowledge depreciation

Abstract Empirical studies in several industries have verified that unit costs decline as organizations gain experience or knowledge in production, which is referred to as the learning curve effect. In the past two decades, there has also been analytical work on the relationship between a firm's learning curve effects and its pricing and output decisions. Learning rates differ significantly across firms in the same industry and recent empirical evidence has shown that knowledge depreciation may be an important reason for these differences. We propose and analyze a learning curve model with knowledge depreciation and provide several new insights. First, we show that there exists a steady state where knowledge level and unit cost remain constant over time and there exists an optimal path to this steady state. Many empirical researchers have observed this ‘plateau’ phenomenon, whereby unit costs decline but reach saturation after some time. While this has been traditionally modeled exogenously in the learning curve literature by assuming that cost reduction stops at some level of knowledge through a convex, decreasing unit cost function, we provide an alternative endogenous explanation. We are also able to show that, unlike in the model without knowledge depreciation, the production rate along the optimal path to the steady state may decrease over time. Also, the knowledge level along the optimal path may actually decline over time. Finally, we show that the optimal production rate decreases at higher interest rates and increases at higher knowledge depreciation rates. In turn, this implies that a high interest rate environment discourages firms from achieving high knowledge levels and results in higher prices. On the other hand, higher knowledge depreciation rates result in higher production rates and lower prices.
As the word turns: Drama, rhetoric, and press coverage of the Hill‐Thomas hearings

Because of the unique character of the Hill‐Thomas hearings, journalists were left without a stock political plot to render the proceedings in familiar terms. Using narrative and rhetorical analyses, the study examines how newspaper journalists turned to so‐called women's entertainment genres such as soap opera and melodrama to dramatize and ultimately depoliticize the hearings. The study identifies four recurring rhetorical themes—melodrama, eroticization, agon, and privatization—that served to frame Hill's allegations of sexual harassment against Thomas not in terms of social and political debate but in terms of drama.
Adjacent Equilibria in Highly Flexible Upright Loop on Rigid Foundation

For very slender structural components, self-weight may compete with elastic flexural stiffness in determining equilibrium configurations. In cases where the inherent elastic stiffness is low (relative to self-weight) we observe a variety of types of highly nonlinear behavior in the equilibrium shapes, together with changes in the natural frequencies of small oscillations about these equilibrium configurations. This technical note describes a specific phenomenon observed in experiments on very slender polycarbonate loops. In addition to profound changes in equilibrium shapes as a function of weight-to-stiffness ratio, under some circumstances it is possible to have two adjacent, co-existing equilibrium configurations. This robust, highly nonlinear snap-through behavior is demonstrated by perturbing from one shape to the other.
Sperm cryopreservation in patients with testicular cancer.

Objectives. To review a large experience with sperm cryopreservation in patients with testicular cancer and determine the effect of clinical stage and tumor histologic features on semen quality. Methods. The prefreeze and post-thaw sperm quality of 157 patients with testicular cancer was compared with that of 50 normal donors. The impact of tumor stage and histologic features (pure seminoma, pure embryonal, or mixed germ cell) was also determined. A computer-assisted semen analysis was performed before and after cryopreservation. The motile sperm count (MSC), motility, and motion characteristics were measured before and after cryopreservation and compared between groups. Results. Patients with testicular cancer had lower prefreeze and post-thaw MSC and motility compared with normal donors (P = 0.0001 for both). The curvilinear velocity and linearity were also significantly less in patients with testicular cancer (P <0.05 for both). The percentage of change in the semen characteristics did not differ between patients and donors, indicating that sperm from both patients and donors withstood the cryopreservation process equally well. Tumor stage (n = 143) and histologic features (n = 136) did not significantly influence semen quality. No individual histologic component significantly influenced MSC or motility. Conclusions. The effect of cryopreservation on sperm was similar in patients with testicular cancer and donors. Patients with poor prefreeze semen quality have poor post-thaw semen quality, and the effects of cryopreservation were not significantly affected by histologic features or stage. Our results indicate that routine sperm banking should be recommended for men with a diagnosis of testicular cancer to preserve future fertility potential.
A bone ash standard for90Sr,210Pb,210Po, uranium and the actinides

A bone ash standard for a number of radionuclides is required as a quality control sample in dosimetry studies with bone as the critical organ. The procedures that were used to prepare a candidate bone ash standard are given with some initial encouraging measurements that the candidate sample will meet the requirements of NIST standard reference manual.
Rapid Granulation Tissue Regeneration by Intracellular ATP Delivery-A Comparison with Regranex

This study tests a new intracellular ATP delivery technique for tissue regeneration and compares its efficacy with that of Regranex. Twenty-seven adult New Zealand white rabbits each underwent minimally invasive surgery to render one ear ischemic. Eight wounds were then created: four on the ischemic and four on the normal ear. Two wounds on one side of each ear were treated with Mg-ATP encapsulated lipid vesicles (ATP-vesicles) while the two wounds on the other side were treated with Regranex. Wound healing time was shorter when ATP-vesicles were used. The most striking finding was that new tissue growth started to appear in less than 1 day when ATP-vesicles were used. The growth continued and covered the wound area within a few days, without the formation of a provisional matrix. Regranex-treated wounds did not have this growth pattern. In wounds treated by ATP-vesicles, histologic studies revealed extremely rich macrophage accumulation, along with active proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and positive BrdU staining, indicating in situ macrophage proliferation. Human macrophage culture suggested direct collagen production. These results support an entirely new healing process, which seems to have combined the conventional hemostasis, inflammation, and proliferation phases into a single one, thereby eliminating the lag time usually seen during healing process.
Thermal Radiative Properties of Vertical Graphitic Petal Arrays

In this work, thermal radiative properties of vertical graphene petal arrays are theoretically and experimentally investigated to show that they are superior absorbers of radiation. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations are first performed to calculate optical properties of vertical graphitic arrays of different configurations, namely, graphitic gratings, periodic graphitic cavities, and random graphitic cavities. The effect of polarization of incident radiation on optical properties of such structures is systematically evaluated. When the incident electric field is parallel to the graphitic plane (S polarization) in graphitic gratings, the absorptance is very high, but the reflectance low but still significant when compared to reflectance from a MWCNT array. On the other hand, when the electric field is polarized perpendicular to the graphitic plane (P polarization), the absorptance is significantly lower, as well as the reflectance. This contrast is due to the stronger optical response for the S polarization. Ordered graphitic petal cavity arrays show optical properties falling between the above two cases because of the presence of both polarizations. The random graphitic petal cavity arrays with various angles of orientation show similar properties with ordered petal arrays, and the simulated reflectance agrees very well with experimental data measured on a fabricated thin graphite petal sample.© 2012 ASME
Positive accounting theory: A review

Abstract Watts and Zimmerman's Positive Accounting Theory provides a refreshing, controversial and important contribution to accounting thought. It is important because of its vigorous emphasis on the entity's actual choice of financial accounting technique (or, more broadly, financial reporting activity). It is controversial because the theory and empirical techniques it conveys are not fully developed. It is refreshing because it challenges us to expand our thinking about the nature of accounting institutions. In this essay, I try to document these claims about the content and significance of Positive Accounting Theory. The first section presents my interpretation of the work. The next section lists some concerns which I feel are important in consuming the work and in providing directions for continued labor. The third section discusses some unusual strengths in the work, while the final one provides some speculation about where accounting thought might next venture. Before proceeding, though, a caveat emptor warning must be issued. This essay presents both aspects which I learned about and also those which I worried about while consuming Positive Accounting Theory. It is an experiential report.
“I can't lie to your face”: Minimal face-to-face interaction promotes honesty

Abstract Scholars have noted that face-to-face (FTF) interaction promotes honesty because it provides opportunities for conversation in which parties exchange information and build rapport. However, it is unclear whether FTF interaction promotes honesty even in the absence of opportunities for back-and-forth conversation. We hypothesized a minimal interaction effect whereby FTF interaction promotes honesty by increasing potential deceivers' consideration of their own moral-interest. To test this account of how FTF interaction may promote honesty, we used a modified version of the deception game (Gneezy, 2005). We found that people were more honest when communicating FTF as opposed to through an intermediary. While FTF interaction tended to promote honesty irrespective of whether it occurred prior to or during the game, the effect was more pronounced when it occurred during the game. The effect of in-game communication medium was mediated by the activation of potential deceivers' moral-interest. We also ruled out alternate accounts involving interpersonal liking, expected counterpart trust, and retaliation fear as honesty-promoting mechanisms. Furthermore, because these effects were not moderated by whether participants had been visually identified during a pre-game interaction, we suggest that our effects are distinct from theoretical accounts involving anonymity.
Developmental variables in relation to depressive symptoms in adolescent girls

This study investigated the relationship of menarcheal timing and ego development to level of depressive symptoms in early adolescent girls. Girls who were postmenarcheal at the beginning of the sixth grade were classified as very early maturers; their premenarcheal peers were regarded as on time. Girls were further classified with the Loevinger Sentence Completion Test as relatively low or high in ego development. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory, short form. Results indicated a significant interaction of menarcheal timing and ego development: Very early maturing was associated with moderate levels of depressive symptoms for girls who were relatively low in ego development; very early maturing girls who were relatively advanced in ego development had the same minimal level of depressive symptoms as on time girls at either relatively low or advanced levels of ego development. The results support a proposed integration of psychoanalytic and empirically based biopsychosocial approaches to adolescent depression.
A NEW LABORATORY METHOD FOR ALTERING POSITIVE AFFECT

This paper reports the development with 95 undergraduates of a new method for altering Positive Affect in the laboratory. The method consists of assigning persons to complete a boring task for a specific amount of time and, shortly after beginning the task, informing them that the assigned time period has either been increased or reduced. The advantages of this method are that it is effective, relatively free of demand characteristics, ethical, fast to administer, and parallels “real world” experiences. In addition, this procedure seems to circumvent limitations of other mood-induction procedures.
Decomposition Products of 50 Mass% Hydroxylamine/Water Under Runaway Reaction Conditions

I n the present work, the gaseous and liquid decomposition products of 50 mass% hydroxylamine/water solution were measured for samples subsequent to a thermally induced runaway reaction. The noncondensablegas phase composition was approximately 70 mol% N2, 24 mol% N2O, 4mol% NO, and 2 mol% H2, and ammonia was detected in the liquid residue. Based on analysis of the gas phase decomposition products, the following overall decomposition reaction (summation of several series and parallel reaction mechanisms taking place during the experiment) was determined: 157NH2OHliq → 61NH3gas + 35N2gas + 12N2Ogas + 2NOgas + 143H2Ogas + H2gas This reaction has an associated theoretical standard heat of reaction of −124 kJ mol−1(−29.6 kcal mol−1), which is consistent with −117 kJ mol−1 (−28 kcal mol−1) estimated for the hydroxylamine overall heat of decomposition reported previously.
Whole body analysis of the knockout gene mouse model for cystic fibrosis using thermal and fast neutron activation analysis

A genetically engineered “knockout gene” mouse model for human cystic fibrosis (CF) has been utilized to study bone mineralization. In CF, the so-called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, a chloride ion channel, is either absent or defective. To produce the animal model the murine CFTR gene has been inactivated producing CF symptoms in the homozygotic progeny. CF results in abnormal intestinal absorption of minerals and nutrients which presumably results in substandard bone mineralization. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of using whole-body thermal and fast neutron activation analysis to determine mineral and trace-element differences between homozygote controls (+/+) and CF (−/−), murine siblings. Gender-matched juvenile +/+ and −/− litter mates were lyophilized and placed in a BN capsule to reduce thermal-neutron activation and irradiated for 10 seconds at φfast ≈ 1·1013 n·cm−2·s−1 using the MURR pneumatic-tube facility. Phosphorus was measured via the31P15(n,α)28Al13 reaction. After several days decay, the whole-body specimens were re-irradiated in the same facility, but without thermal-neutron shielding, for 5 seconds and the gamma-ray spectrum was recorded at two different decay periods allowing measurement of77mSe,24Na,27Mg,38Cl,42K,49Ca,56Mn,66Cu and80Br from the corresponding radiative-capture reactions.
Asymmetries of the solar Ca ii lines

A theoretical study of the influence of propagating acoustic pulses in the solar chromosphere upon the line profiles of the Ca ii resonance and infrared triplet lines has been made. The major objective has been to explain the observed asymmetries seen in the cores of the H and K lines and to predict the temporal behavior of the infrared lines caused by passing acoustic or shock pulses. The velocities in the pulses, calculated from weak shock theory, have been included consistently in the non-LTE calculations.
Analysis of protein tyrosine kinase expression in melanocytic lesions by tissue array.

BACKGROUND It has been proposed that melanoma progression involves a multistep process from benign nevi (BN), dysplastic nevi (DN), radial and vertical growth phase melanoma (MM) to metastatic melanoma (MMM). Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) may participate in this progression. METHODS Tissue microarray blocks of 89 melanocytic lesions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for the expression of selected PTKs: c-kit, c-abl, abl-related gene (ARG), platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha (PDGFR-alpha) and beta (PDGFR-beta). RESULTS Seventeen of 31 (55%) MMM lacked expression of c-kit versus 100% expression (18/18) in DN and 96% expression (22/23) in MM; similarly, only 59% (10/17) of BN showed expression of c-kit. PDGFR-beta expression levels were similar in BN, DN, and MM, but lower in MMM. There was a trend toward lower expression of abl and ARG from BN to MMM. There was a marked decrease in staining intensity of ARG from BN to DN, MM, and MMM. CONCLUSION Our results support that BN is different from DN and MM and that these two are different from MMM. Metastasis appears to be associated with loss of c-kit and PDGFR-beta expression. Since malignant melanoma expresses PTK, it may be a candidate for treatment with anti-PTK, such as STI-571 (Gleevec).
Allopurinol protects the bowel from necrosis caused by indomethacin and temporary intestinal ischemia in mice.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate if allopurinol administration protects mice from bowel necrosis caused by temporary intestinal ischemia followed by indomethacin (INDO). We have previously reported that ischemia (15-minute occlusion of superior mesenteric vessels) followed by intravenous (i.v.) INDO caused significant bowel necrosis in CD-1 mice. Ischemia or INDO alone did not cause necrosis. To investigate protective measures against necrosis, we used CD-1 mice, 25 to 30 g. Forty-four animals were gavage fed 1 mL of water for 7 days and 32 animals were gavage fed 10 mg/kg allopurinol for 7 days. On the seventh day all animals were anesthetized and the superior mesenteric vessels occluded for 15 to 20 minutes, followed by i.v. INDO (0.5 mg/kg) once daily for 3 days. Animals who died were examined for bowel necrosis and all animals were killed 7 days after surgery and necropsied. Of the 44 saline-fed animals, 12 developed bowel necrosis (27%). Of the 32 allopurinol-fed animals, 1 developed necrosis (3%). The result of Fisher's exact two-tailed test was P = .006. Pretreatment with oral allopurinol significantly protects the mice from developing bowel necrosis when the mesenteric vessels are temporarily occluded and INDO is administered. Allopurinol may prevent reperfusion injury by inhibiting formation of xanthine oxidase generated, oxygen-derived free radicals and may be valuable in pretreating premature infants with patent ductus arteriosus who have had an ischemic episode in whom INDO use is contemplated.
Student accuracy in reading logarithmic plots: The problem and how to fix it

Through extensive student testing and interviews, we found that the majority of university sophomore, junior, and senior engineering students in a standard introductory materials science engineering course have a variety of difficulties reading correct values from simple logarithmic graphs. For example, students often unknowingly interpreted the log scale as linear and were confused about the order of magnitude of a value in the negative exponent region. To address these issues, we used the results of our findings to develop and implement a set of online “essential skills” tasks to help students achieve a core level of mastery and fluency in reading log plots, a basic and critical skill for engineers. The online tasks were administered as for-credit homework assigned several times throughout the semester, and students spent 10-20 minutes on each assignment. Results of post-tests indicate that with this minimal practice, students were able to dramatically improve their accuracy in reading log plots compared to a control group with no log plot practice. Furthermore, testing one month after training demonstrated that student continued to retain the learned skill. Future development will focus on making these essentials skills task broadly available online and further improving effectiveness and usability.
Characterizing Non-Zenoness on Real-Time Processes

Abstract In this paper we examine an important property of correct system design that is called non-Zenoness or time progress . We present a method that allows to check non-Zenoness on a restricted subclass of real-time processes. The processes that we examine are constructed by nondeterministic sum and parallel composition with synchronization. The method is based state space of a process, that preserves time progress.