cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New buffer layers for GaN on sapphire by atomic layer and molecular stream epitaxy

The current approach of depositing a low temperature then annealed AlN or GaN buffer for the growth of GaN on sapphire results in a high dislocation density. These dislocations thread through the GaN layer to the surface. Reducing their density either by growing thicker films or using a strained layer superlattice is ineffective. Two new approaches for AlN/GaN buffer layer growth for GaN on sapphire have been employed: Atomic Layer Epitaxy (ALE) and Molecular Stream Epitaxy (MSE). ALE is distinguished by organo-metallic/ammonia separation while MSE is distinguished by cyclic annealing of the growing film. Both ALE and MSE enhance two dimensional growth of single crystal GaN on sapphire. The structural quality of epitaxial GaN grown on these buffer layers was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The initial result for the ALE buffer shows an improved quality GaN film with lower defect densities. The MSE grown buffer layer closely resembles that of conventionally grown MOCVD buffer layers observed by others, with dislocations threading through the GaN epilayer. The effects of these buffer layers on the structural and optical properties of GaN grown on sapphire will be presented.
Are gods and good governments culturally and psychologically interchangeable

Cognitive by-product theorists maintain that standard cognitive development facilitates the acquisition of religion. Citing secularization, Norenzayan et al. qualify that theory, proposing that gods and good governments are psychologically and culturally interchangeable. That contention, though, occasions questions about the psychological dynamics involved, about what qualifies as religiosity, and about asymmetries between gods and good governments in the face of catastrophes.
Flexible omnidirectional carbon dioxide laser as an effective tool for resection of brainstem, supratentorial, and intramedullary cavernous malformations.

Background Lasers have a long history in neurosurgery, yet bulky designs and difficult ergonomics limit their use. With its ease of manipulation and multiple applications, the OmniGuide CO2 laser has reintroduced laser technology to the microsurgical resection of brain and spine lesions. This laser, delivered through a hollow-core fiber lined with a unidirectional mirror, minimizes energy loss and allows precise targeting. Objective To analyze resections performed by the senior author from April 2009 to March 2013 of 58 cavernous malformations (CMs) in the brain and spine with the use of the OmniGuide CO2 laser, to reflect on lessons learned from laser use in eloquent areas, and to share data on comparisons of laser power calibration and histopathology. Methods Data were collected from electronic medical records, radiology reports, operative room records, OmniGuide CO2 laser case logs, and pathology records. Results Of 58 CMs, approximately 50% were in the brainstem (30) and the rest were in supratentorial (26) and intramedullary spinal locations (2). Fifty-seven, ranging from 5 to 45 mm, were resected, with a subtotal resection in 1. Laser power ranged from 2 to 10 W. Pathology specimens showed minimal thermal damage compared with traditionally resected specimens with bipolar coagulation. Conclusion The OmniGuide CO2 laser is safe and has excellent precision for the resection of supratentorial, brainstem, and spinal intramedullary CMs. No laser-associated complications occurred, and very low energy was used to dissect malformations from their surrounding hemosiderin-stained parenchymas. The authors recommend its use for deep-seated and critically located CMs, along with traditional tools.
High Performance All-Solid-State Flexible Micro-Pseudocapacitor Based on Hierarchically Nanostructured Tungsten Trioxide Composite.

Microsupercapacitors (MSCs) are promising energy storage devices to power miniaturized portable electronics and microelectromechanical systems. With the increasing attention on all-solid-state flexible supercapacitors, new strategies for high-performance flexible MSCs are highly desired. Here, we demonstrate all-solid-state, flexible micropseudocapacitors via direct laser patterning on crack-free, flexible WO3/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites containing high levels of porous hierarchically structured WO3 nanomaterials (up to 50 wt %) and limited binder (PVDF, <25 wt %). The work leads to an areal capacitance of 62.4 mF·cm–2 and a volumetric capacitance of 10.4 F·cm–3, exceeding that of graphene based flexible MSCs by a factor of 26 and 3, respectively. As a noncarbon based flexible MSC, hierarchically nanostructured WO3 in the narrow finger electrode is essential to such enhancement in energy density due to its pseudocapacitive property. The effects of WO3/PV...
Protamine Sulfate and Vancomycin are Synergistic Against Staphylococcus Epidermidis Prosthesis Infection in Vivo

We have previously demonstrated that the quaternary amine, protamine sulfate (PS), is bactericidal against Staphylococcus epidermidis. In an attempt to decrease genitourinary prosthesis infection rates, we examined the ability of PS as a wound irrigant to inhibit Staphylococcus epidermidis viability. Eighty-seven Sprague-Dawley rats were studied by implanting a sterile silicone pellet in their dorsum. The pellet was inoculated with Staphylococcus epidermidis and the rats were divided into four groups based on the wound irrigant employed after inoculation: (1) control (sterile water) (2) vancomycin; (3) PS; (4) vancomycin + PS. All rats received perioperative and daily intramuscular vancomycin, and the pellets were explanted on postoperative day 28 and cultured. The infection rates were: (1) control 77%, (2) vancomycin 50%, (3) protamine sulfate 67%, and (4) protamine sulfate and vancomycin 19%. The differences between (2) vancomycin versus (4) vancomycin + PS and (3) PS versus (4) vancomycin + PS were significant (p = 0.05 and p < 0.005). The data suggest that PS potentiates vancomycin as a wound irrigant in prosthesis implantation.
What If We Do Not have Multiple Videos of the Same Action? — Video Action Localization Using Web Images

This paper tackles the problem of spatio-temporal action localization in a video, without assuming the availability of multiple videos or any prior annotations. Action is localized by employing images downloaded from internet using action name. Given web images, we first dampen image noise using random walk and evade distracting backgrounds within images using image action proposals. Then, given a video, we generate multiple spatio-temporal action proposals. We suppress camera and background generated proposals by exploiting optical flow gradients within proposals. To obtain the most action representative proposals, we propose to reconstruct action proposals in the video by leveraging the action proposals in images. Moreover, we preserve the temporal smoothness of the video and reconstruct all proposal bounding boxes jointly using the constraints that push the coefficients for each bounding box toward a common consensus, thus enforcing the coefficient similarity across multiple frames. We solve this optimization problem using variant of two-metric projection algorithm. Finally, the video proposal that has the lowest reconstruction cost and is motion salient is used to localize the action. Our method is not only applicable to the trimmed videos, but it can also be used for action localization in untrimmed videos, which is a very challenging problem. We present extensive experiments on trimmed as well as untrimmed datasets to validate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Cryoem-Guided Iterative Molecular Dynamics - Rosetta Protein Structure Refinement Protocol Improves Protein Model Quality

Having reliable computational tools for predicting high-resolution protein structures from medium resolution cryoEM density maps becomes more and more important in light of the recent rise in sub-nanometer resolution cryoEM density maps. While programs like EM-Fold, Rosetta or SSEBuilder can accurately predict protein models correct at the topology level - secondary structure elements will be in the correct positions of the density map -, the refinement of those models to atomic resolution remains a challenge in the field. Previously, we had presented an iterative Rosetta - Molecular Dynamics (MD) protocol, showing that iteration of Rosetta with an orthogonal sampling and scoring strategy can facilitate exploration of conformational space and build atomic resolution protein models. Here we present an improved iterative protein refinement protocol which is guided by the cryoEM density map at all stages and does not require previous knowledge of the protein structure. We ran short cryoEM-guided MDFF simulations on models created by de novo folding of large proteins into cryoEM density maps to enable sampling of conformational space not directly accessible to Rosetta all-atom refinement and thus provide an escape route from conformational traps. This cryoEM-guided, combined MD - Rosetta protein structure refinement protocol overcomes some of the sampling limitations that each individual method is subject to. Three of four benchmark proteins showed substantial improvement through three rounds of the iterative refinement protocol. Models with less than 1.5 A RMSD to the native structure were built for proteins with more than 150 residues. Molecular dynamics is most efficient in applying subtle but important rearrangements within secondary structure elements, and is thus highly complementary to the Rosetta refinement which focuses on side chains and loop regions.
Emerging Treatments for Stroke

This chapter discusses the emerging treatments for stroke. There is unequivocal evidence that thrombolytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is effective in reducing neurologic damage when administered to stroke victims after the onset of symptoms. Several properly designed large trials of intravenous thrombolytic therapy have been completed and the results are now available. Therapeutic efficacy is substantial, but the treatment methods have not yet been optimized, and the results already known suggest ways to improve this form of treatment. A variety of neuroprotectives are considered promising, and several have recently been tested in clinical trials, including the glutamate. A number of trials of various agents are testing treatments administered rapidly after cerebral vascular occlusion. These include a Janssen Pharmaceutica and Research Foundation-sponsored trial of lubeluzole, a drug thought to inhibit abnormalities of sodium channels. Ancrod (pit viper venom), an anticoagulant and fibrinogen reducing agent that may facilitate thrombolysis, is evaluated by Knoll Pharmaceuticals. Baker Norton Pharmaceuticals is also sponsoring tests of nalmefene.
Stakeholder Engagement Model: Making Ecotourism Work in Peru’s Protected Areas

During the past two decades, there has been a shift in protected area management approaches from top-down management models to more diverse governance approaches that involve various forms and degrees of participation from local populations. These new participatory approaches seek to reaffirm cultural values, maintain cultural landscapes, recognise the relationship between people and nature, improve government-citizen relationships, create “partners” in conservation, and contribute to the alleviation of poverty by providing socio-economic benefits beyond protected area boundaries. The development of resource management plans through public participation has been identified as an important step to accomplish these objectives. In 2007, research to test a hybrid model of public participation focused on understanding the factors that make public participation processes and the implementation of their results effective from the point of view of the participants rather than the managers. The study evaluated participatory processes used to develop tourism plans for two Peruvian national parks (Huascaran National Park and Yanachaga-Chemillen National Park). The findings suggested that perceptions of “success” were influenced by different key factors depending on the identity of a participant. People who participated, but represented the government and nonprofits, viewed the process as “successful” if several specific criteria were met, whereas people who represented communities, businesses, and their own interests viewed the process as “successful” largely via other criteria. These differences suggest that future participatory processes should create strategies to address the factors that assist both kinds of participants to believe a process was successful and effective.
Storage Resource Managers

Storage Resource Managers (SRMs) are middleware components whose function is to provide dynamic space allocation and file management of shared storage components on the Grid. They complement Compute Resource Managers and Network Resource Managers in providing storage reservation and dynamic information on storage availability for the planning and execution of a Grid job. SRMs manage two types of resources: space and files. When managing space, SRMs negotiate space allocation with the requesting client, and/or assign default space quotas. When managing files, SRMs allocate space for files, invoke file transfer services to move files into the space, pin files for a certain lifetime, release files upon the clients request, and use file replacement policies to optimize the use of the shared space. SRMs can be designed to provide effective sharing of files, by monitoring the activity of shared files, and make dynamic decisions on which files to replace when space is needed. In addition, SRMs perform automatic garbage collection of unused files by removing selected files whose lifetime has expired when space is needed. In this chapter we discuss the design considerations for SRMs, their functionality, and their interfaces. We demonstrate the use of SRMs with several examples of real implementations that are in use today in a routine fashion or in a prototype form.
Lenalidomide Enhances the Biological Activity of Galiximab Against Non-Hogkin’s Lymphoma In Vitro and In Vivo .

Lenalidomide, a thalidomide analog, has dual anti-tumor activities against B-cell lymphomas and other hematological malignancies by inducing direct apoptosis in malignant cells and modulating the tumor microenviroment (angiogenesis inhibition) or the host immune response. We previously demonstrated that lenalidomide enhances rituximab-mediated antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). In our current work we further studied the effects of combining lenalidomide with galiximab (IDEC114), a primatized anti-CD80 monoclonal antibody, which is undergoing clinical testing in B-cell lymphoma. To this end a panel of rituximab-sensitive or rituximab-resistant B-cell lymphoma cell lines was exposed in vitro to lenalidomide (10μg/ml) or DMSO (0.01%) with our without galiximab (10μg/ml) or isotype control antibody (10μg/ml) and incubated at 37°C, 5%CO 2 over five days. Changes in DNA synthesis were determined by measuring [3H]-thymidine uptake at 24 and 48 hrs. To asses changes in galiximab-mediated ADCC, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy volunteers were incubated with lenalidomide or control for 72 hrs. Subsequently, NHL cells were labeled with 51 Cr and then exposed to galiximab or isotype control (10mg/ml) and PBMCs (Effector:Target ratio, 40:1). For in vivo studies, 6–8 week old SCID mice were inoculated with 1×10 6 Raji cells via tail vein injection and after a period of 72 hours, in order to allow for tumor engraftment, animals were divided into four cohorts (control, lenalidomide alone, galiximab alone, and lenalidomide + galiximab). Lenalidomide was administered intraperitoneally (i.p) at 0.5mg/kg/dose on days +3, +4, +8, +9, +13, +14, +18 and +19. Galiximab was administered via tail vein injection at 10mg/kg/dose on days +5, +10, +15 and +20. Difference in survival between treatment groups was performed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results: In vitro exposure of various NHL cells to lenalidomide for five consecutive days enhanced the anti-proliferative effects of galiximab against Raji cells (40% of growth inhibition) when compared to Galiximab (15% growth inhibition) or Lenalidomide (14% growth inhibition) at 24 hrs. Similar results were observed in other cell lines. In addition, an improvement in galiximab-associated ADCC was observed in lenalidomide-exposed NHL cells. In vivo treatment of SCID mice with lenalidomide in combination with galiximab led to prolongation of the median survival (39 days, 35–42 95% C.I.) compared to galiximab (28 days, 26–29 95% C.I.) or Lenalidomide (23 days, 22–25 95% C.I.) alone ((p Conclusions: Our current research demonstrates that Lenalidomide when added to galiximab has augmented in vitro antitumor activity (i.e, antiproliferation and ADCC) and synergistic effects in vivo (i.e., prolongation of survival compared to either monotherapy). Our promising preclinical results of the unique combination of lenalidomide plus galiximab supports future evaluation of this doublet as a clinical trial. (Supported by USPHS grant PO1-CA103985 from the National Cancer Institute.)
Transparent Rule Based CAS to Support Formalization of Knowledge

The complexity of computer algebra systems hinders many students to develop an adequate mental model of such a system. As a result, they are often suspicious about the results and the didactical benefit is limited. The paper suggests that it is possible to design a transparent version of a computer algebra system that gives students a transparent access to the inner working of such a system. Didactical uses of such a system are discussed.
Put down your phone and listen to me: How boss phubbing undermines the psychological conditions necessary for employee engagement

Abstract This study investigates the impact of an increasingly common behavior by supervisors, namely boss phubbing (phone-snubbing). We define boss phubbing (BPhubbing) as the extent to which a supervisor uses or is distracted by his/her cell phone while in the presence of subordinates, and examine its impact on supervisory trust and the psychological conditions necessary for employee engagement. Three studies were conducted to test the research hypotheses, using both a continuous measure and a situational prime of BPhubbing. The results reveal that BPhubbing has a negative indirect effect on employee engagement. Specifically, BPhubbing reduces employee engagement by undermining supervisory trust which, in turn, lowers employee engagement via the psychological conditions of meaningfulness and availability. This research offers both theoretical and practical implications regarding how smartphone use, and BPhubbing in particular, may undermine job-related outcomes. The results provide a rich theoretical understanding of the psychological processes through which BPhubbing impacts employee engagement. The findings suggest a need for supervisory training and clear corporate policies regarding smartphone use.
Damage-Associated molecular pattern markers HMGB1 and cell-Free fetal telomere fragments in oxidative-Stressed amnion epithelial cell-Derived exosomes

Term labor in humans is associated with increased oxidative stress (OS) -induced senescence and damages to amnion epithelial cells (AECs). Senescent fetal cells release alarmin high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and cell-free fetal telomere fragments (cffTF) which can be carried by exosomes to other uterine tissues to produce parturition-associated inflammatory changes. This study characterized AEC-derived exosomes under normal and OS conditions and their packaging of HMGB1 and cffTF. Primary AECs were treated with either standard media or oxidative stress-induced media (exposure to cigarette smoke extract for 48h). Senescence was determined, and exosomes were isolated and characterized. To colocalize HMGB1 and cffTF in amnion exosomes, immunofluorescent staining and in situ hybridization were performed, followed by confocal microscopy. Next generation sequencing (NGS) determined exosomal cffTF and other cell-free amnion cell DNA specificity. Regardless of condition, primary AECs produce exosomes with a classic size, shape, and markers. OS and senescence caused the translocation of HMGB1 and cffTF from AECs' nuclei to cytoplasm compared to untreated cells, which was inhibited by antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Linescans confirmed colocalization of HMGB1 and cffTF in exosomes were higher in the cytoplasm after CSE treatment compared to untreated AECs. NGS determined that besides cffTF, AEC exosomes also carry genomic and mitochondrial DNA, regardless of growth conditions. Sterile inflammatory markers HMGB1 and cffTF from senescent fetal cells are packaged inside exosomes. We postulate that this exosomal cargo can act as a fetal signal at term and can cause labor-associated changes in neighboring tissues.
HPV cell free DNA as a marker of response to chemoradiation for HPV-positive oropharngeal cancers.

6083Background: Circulating cell free plasma DNA(cfDNA) can be a sensitive biomarker of tumor burden that is accessible by simple phlebotomy. Virally induced cancers present unique advantages for c...
The conditional effect of conspiracy thinking on attitudes toward climate change

Even though climate scientists are nearly unanimous that climate change is real and manmade, about 40% of Americans reject the scientific consensus. Why? The largest contributing factor is partisan...
Adverse Meditation Experiences: Navigating Buddhist and Secular Frameworks for Addressing Them

The intent of this article is to stimulate a conversation and encourage interdisciplinary discussion and dialog between “secular” and “Buddhist” camps around the notion of adverse psychological experiences that might occur in the context of meditation practice and training, be that as part of a day-to-day practice or in the context of a residential and intensive retreat. Depending on the context, there are significant differences in the way that such experiences are made sense of and, as a result, there may be significant variations in tradition-specific accounts of how to manage such experiences. In each context, implicit foundational values (about, for example, what counts as mental health, or the goals of meditation practice) may lead to very different accounts about what counts as harmful or helpful, and therefore about what is an appropriate course of action. For those teaching meditation, either in secular or religious contexts, this has clear ethical implications—how are the best interests of the student served? This paper will explore examples of this tension by comparing and contrasting accounts about adverse meditation experiences from Buddhist and secular perspectives. A case will be made for a dialogic, mutually engaged, and supportive relationship between Buddhist and secular approaches to adverse meditation experiences.
Control and protect: collaboration, carceral protection, and domestic sex trafficking in the United States

In just five chapters, Musto covers a tremendous amount of ground in a thoughtful and engaging manner. The book starts out with a key question of how the victims of sex trafficking should be treate...
ICE: A Federated Instructional Cluster Environment for Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech's "Partnership for an Advanced Computing Environment (PACE)" team provides research computing resources, support and consultation for the entire campus and external collaborators. In response to a campus-wide demand, PACE initiated a project called "Instructional Cluster Environment (ICE)" to build instructional clusters to support educational efforts. These resources offer an educational environment that's identical to production clusters, and expected to provide thousands of grad/undergrad students with ample opportunities to gain first-hand scientific computing experience including HPC and GPU programming each year. Furthermore, the entire PACE scientific software repository is made accessible to all ICE students, providing an education environment that mirrors production research clusters in every aspect. The first of these clusters, funded by College of Computing (COC) technology fees, is now operational and serving 430 students. A PACE funded expansion is planned to be deployed next. We describe the ICE design, specifications, a scalable novel account management mechanism and policies to support large numbers of students with limited staff, a challenge common to many other institutions supporting their own educational resources.
Attitudes of 1,200 Educators toward the Education of the Gifted and Talented: Implications for Teacher Preparation.

The purpose of this study was to provide recommendations for teacher preparation in gifted education to directors of inservice and university training programs. Recommendations were based on the re...
The Toronto Congress

Peano had been a principal speaker at the First International Congress of Mathematicians, in Zurich, 1897. At the 1912 congress in Cambridge, he wished to present a paper in Latino sine flexione, but was prevented from doing so. The next congress was scheduled for 1916 in Stockholm, but could not take place because of the war. After the war, a congress was held in Strasbourg in 1920 that was, however, not entirely international and Peano did not attend. The next congress was held in Toronto, 11–16 August, 1924. According to the editor of the Rassegna di matematica e fisica [5 (1924–25), 18], Peano was “insistently invited by the Canadian government” to attend. This time he went and read his paper in Latino sine flexione. (He probably received assurances that this would be allowed before leaving Italy!) This was the highlight of the year, but there were other events in the spring.
Statelessness, Nationality, and Citizenship in Sierra Leone

This article examines the issue of statelessness in the context of postconflict Sierra Leone. Internationally, the concept of statelessness was constructed at a time when the primary view of what constituted a citizen or a national was understood from a top-down, Weberian perspective, which has limited the utility of the concept in the context of African politics. This article re-assesses this important issue, moving away from a top-down point of view to an intersubjective perspective where statelessness, citizenship, and nationality are shaped not only by formal state institutions but also by informal social norms that better reflect local realities. We conducted empirical research in Sierra Leone in five districts and Freetown. Our findings problematize our understanding of statelessness and have implications for policy and practice in addressing issues of citizenship and notions of belonging. They also challenge orthodox policies geared to addressing these populations that are largely designed and implemented by international organizations. The implications of our findings call into question the value of the concept of statelessness in the larger context of postcolonial Africa despite its recognized importance in other geographic settings.
223-LB: Beta-Cell Function but Not Insulin Sensitivity Is Impaired in Nondiabetic Cystic Fibrosis Adults Assessed with the Oral Minimal Model Method

Insulin deficiency in cystic fibrosis (CF) is the primary cause of impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes. However, along with insulin deficiency, insulin sensitivity may also play an important role. Herein we aimed to quantify insulin action and secretion in nondiabetic CF adults in comparison with healthy controls after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with the oral minimal model method. Sixteen nondiabetic CF (7F; age=22±2 y; BMI=22±2 kg/m 2 ; BW=66±10 kg) and seven healthy adults (3F; age=22±2 y; BMI=22±2 kg/m 2 ; BW=66±9 kg) underwent an OGTT. Plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide were measured for 5 h. The oral glucose and C-peptide minimal models were used to quantify indices of glucose absorption, insulin sensitivity, β-cell responsiveness and disposition index. Insulin sensitivity was similar (mean±SE; p-value from two-sample t-test) in CF and healthy (23±3 and 16±3 10 -4 dL/kg/min per uU/mL; NS), while percentage of glucose absorbed within the first two hours was significantly higher in CF (70±3 vs. 53±4 %; p -9 min -1 ) due to a reduction both in the dynamic (320±45 vs. 1316±172 10 -9 ; p -9 min -1 ; p -14 dL/kg/min 2 per pmol/L; p In conclusion, the oral minimal model method showed that abnormal glucose tolerance in our cohort of CF patients is due to an impaired β-cell function, while insulin action is similar and glucose absorption is higher. Disclosure M. Schiavon: None. G.M. Toffolo: None. C. Cobelli: None. K. Nair: None. A. Moran: Other Relationship; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc. Funding National Institutes of Health (R01DK101402); National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (UL1-TR-000114)
Shale pore alteration: Potential implications for hydrocarbon extraction and CO2 storage

Abstract Shale unconventional reservoirs are currently and expected to remain substantial fossil fuel resources in the future. As CO2 is being considered to enhance oil recovery and for storage purposes in unconventional reservoirs, it is unclear how the shale matrix and fractures will react with CO2 and water during these efforts. Here, we examined the Utica Shale and its reactivity with CO2 and water using scanning electron microscopy, N2 and CO2 sorption isotherms, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and X-ray scattering methods. During CO2 exposure, the presence of water can inhibit CO2 migration into the shale matrix, promote carbonate dissolution, and dramatically change the pore scale variability by opening and closing pore networks over the macro- to nano-scale range. These alterations in the shale matrix could impact flow pathways and ultimately, oil recovery factors and carbon storage potential.
Coupled optoelectronic simulation and optimization of thin-film photovoltaic solar cells

Abstract A design tool was formulated for optimizing the efficiency of inorganic, thin-film, photovoltaic solar cells. The solar cell can have multiple semiconductor layers in addition to antireflection coatings, passivation layers, and buffer layers. The solar cell is backed by a metallic grating which is periodic along a fixed direction. The rigorous coupled-wave approach is used to calculate the electron-hole-pair generation rate. The hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method is used to solve the drift-diffusion equations that govern charge-carrier transport in the semiconductor layers. The chief output is the solar-cell efficiency which is maximized using the differential evolution algorithm to determine the optimal dimensions and bandgaps of the semiconductor layers.
The proline metabolic cycle modulates the hypoxic response

1135 The proline/pyrroline-5-carboxylate (Pro/P5C) cycle, a cellular redox shuttle, transfers redox potential between the cytosolic and mitochondrial cellular compartments and activates redox-sensitive genes. The hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF-1 is a key regulator of the hypoxic response, mediating the upregulation of genes sensitive to low oxygen tension through binding of the HIF-1 transcription factor to its hypoxic response element (HRE) in promoters of responsive genes. This study investigates the proximal metabolic events involving the proline metabolic cycle leading to the activation of HIF-1. Protein modification events at proline residues of HIF-1α, one member of the heterodimeric transcription factor complex, are known to contribute to the regulation of the protein. To limit HIF-1α availability, a prolylhydroxylase hydroxylates proline residues in the oxygen-dependent degradation domain of HIF-1α and tags the protein for degradation through the ubiquitin pathway. However, the mechanisms of this regulation are not completely understood. Having shown previously that the Pro/P5C metabolic cycle generates reactive oxygen species and promotes apoptosis when over expressed in colon carcinoma and normal colon cells, we tested the effect of these metabolites on the activation of the HIF-1 complex. We found that P5C added to an in vitro prolylhydroxylase assay inhibits activity in a dose-dependent manner. Also, in cells stably transfected with inducible proline oxidase, enzyme activity and the production of P5C promotes the binding of HIF-1 to its DNA target in a gel-shift assay. Furthermore, exogenous treatment of cells with P5C synergizes with hypoxia in increasing the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA, presumably through its HRE. This effect of P5C on hypoxic expression of iNOS has been demonstrated in a variety of cell types including murine macrophage, embryonic fibroblasts and cells derived from the colonic epithelium of mice. Although modification of target proteins at proline residues has been shown to affect gene expression, this is the first example, that we know of, where proline metabolic products directly modulate gene expression.
A 120–240 GHz step tunable megawatt gyrotron

A pulsed (3μsec) gyrotron oscillator which can be scaled to cw operation has generated high output powers at frequencies between 126 and 243 GHz. Peak powers of 645 kW and total efficiencies of 28% were measured. By varying the cavity magnetic field, step tuning through a sequence of TE m,p,1 modes with p = 2,3 and 4 was observed. The highest order mode observed was the TE 22,4,1 at 243 GHz, which corresponds to a cavity diameter of 12 free space wavelengths. An output power of 470 kW was measured in this mode at 80 kV and 35 A.
Provider beliefs associated with cervical cancer screening interval recommendations: A pilot study in Federally Qualified Health Centers☆

Background Among providers who serve low-income and uninsured women, resistance to extending the cervical cancer screening interval following normal Pap and co-test results has been documented. Our objective was to examine provider characteristics and beliefs associated with guideline-consistent screening interval recommendations.
Development of Choroidal Neovascularization after Treatment with Photodynamic Therapy in a 5-year old Female with Choroidal Osteoma.

Purpose To describe a patient with a choroidal osteoma treated with PDT to prevent tumor growth in whom choroidal neovascularization (CNV) developed after being treated with PDT. Methods Case report. Results A 5-year-old Hispanic female presented with an asymptomatic choroidal osteoma, temporal to the macula of her right eye. According to the patient's mother, her medical, surgical and family history was unremarkable. At examination, best corrected visual acuity was 20/30 in both eyes. After 11 months of follow-up, signs of tumor growth toward the fovea without any signs of CNV was noted. PDT was performed in order to prevent invasion of the foveola. Two months thereafter, the patient developed CNV in the macula region in the right eye, decreasing visual acuity to 20/200. The patient was treated with four total intravitreal injections of 1.25 mg of bevacizumab over 24 weeks, which resulted in inactivation of the CNV and improved visual acuity to 20/20. CNV had been never reported in her past history as well as her follow up visits over seven years. In addition, no evidence of recurrent neovascular activity or tumor growth was reported. Conclusions Choroidal osteoma is a benign tumor that can result in vision-threatening complications, caused by tumor growth and tumor decalcification. PDT is an effective modality in inducing choroidal osteoma decalcification and stabilization; however, CNV due to reperfusion following PDT can be seen in the retina.
Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America: Angie Schmitt (2020). Washington, DC: Island Press. 246 pages. $28 (paperback)

Along with COVID-19 and climate-fueled disasters, Americans in 2020 are at increased risk of a much more insidious threat: death while walking. Right of Way shines a light on the distressing spike ...
Dynamic Filtering of Adherent and Non-adherent Microbubble Signals Using Singular Value Thresholding and Normalized Singular Spectrum Area Techniques.

Abstract Ultrasound molecular imaging techniques rely on the separation and identification of three types of signals: static tissue, adherent microbubbles and non-adherent microbubbles. In this study, the image filtering techniques of singular value thresholding (SVT) and normalized singular spectrum area (NSSA) were combined to isolate and identify vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-targeted microbubbles in a mouse hindlimb tumor model (n = 24). By use of a Verasonics Vantage 256 imaging system with an L12-5 transducer, a custom-programmed pulse inversion sequence employing synthetic aperture virtual source element imaging was used to collect contrast images of mouse tumors perfused with microbubbles. SVT was used to suppress static tissue signals by 9.6 dB while retaining adherent and non-adherent microbubble signals. NSSA was used to classify microbubble signals as adherent or non-adherent with high accuracy (receiver operating characteristic area under the curve [ROC AUC] = 0.97), matching the classification performance of differential targeted enhancement. The combined SVT + NSSA filtering method also outperformed differential targeted enhancement in differentiating MB signals from all other signals (ROC AUC = 0.89) without necessitating destruction of the contrast agent. The results from this study indicate that SVT and NSSA can be used to automatically segment and classify contrast signals. This filtering method with potential real-time capability could be used in future diagnostic settings to improve workflow and speed the clinical uptake of ultrasound molecular imaging techniques.
The response of polymer molecules in a flow

Dynamique de fluide avec ou sans polymere. Dynamique de polymere dans un fort ecoulement; migration de polymere dans des fluides newtoniens. Conformation de polymere dans un ecoulement turbulent
High Performance Parallel I/O Schemes for Irregular Applications on Clusters of Workstations

Due to the convergence of the fast microprocessors with low latency and high bandwidth communication networks, clusters of workstations are being used for high-performance computing. In this paper we present the design and implementation of a runtime system to support irregular applications on cluster of workstations, called “Collective I/O Clustering”. The system provides a friendly programming model for performing I/O in irregular applications on clusters of workstations, and is completely integrated with the underlying communication and I/O system. All the performance results were obtained on the IBM-SP machine, located at Argonne National Labs.
Abstract T P176: Classification of DWI Lesion Patterns in Acute Ischemic Stroke Using Shape Context

Introduction: Neuroimaging studies in ischemic stroke hold abundant features about location, type, and extent of brain ischemia. Identification of imaging characteristics that predict recovery of brain tissue at risk remains an ongoing effort and such DWI patterns hold promise. However, systematic analysis of large multi-modal datasets face many challenges. An automated algorithm for classification of DWI lesion patterns in real-time would be ideal. We developed and evaluated a computer vision model that uses 3D shape description of the lesion for classification of DWI lesion patterns into an existing nomenclature. Methods: Inclusion criteria were acute ischemic stroke and DWI performed within 24 hours of symptom onset. Acute lesions were manually segmented on DWI and categorized into 6 types (territorial, other cortical, small superficial, internal border zone, small deep, and other deep infarcts). The computer vision model characterized stroke lesion using a shape context descriptor that accumulates surface points of the lesion into a 3D log-linear spherical histogram. The experiments estimate the accuracy of the model in classifying the lesion patterns using a leave-one-out cross-validation. Results: A total of 344 patients satisfied inclusion criteria. Mean age was 66.1 (range 13-97). Median NIHSS at baseline was 14 (range 0-38). Average lesion volume was 75.6 cc (range 5-256). The number of observations per category was [territorial:81, other cortical:51, small superficial:78, internal border zone:12, small deep:34, other deep infarcts:88]. When combining lesion volume, average location relative to the center of the brain, and shape descriptor as input, the classification models yielded perfect classification accuracy over the entire dataset. Conclusions: An advanced computer vision framework that automatically identifies discriminant features between lesion categories was introduced and successfully evaluated on 344 patients with acute stroke. Our study enables even larger scale retrospective analyses. Computer vision and pattern recognition methods can play a central role for the systematic analysis of big data in stroke.
EWS-FLI-1 regulates the neuronal repressor gene REST, which controls Ewing sarcoma growth and vascular morphology

BACKGROUND RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST), a neuronal repressor gene, regulates neuronal stem cell differentiation. Ewing sarcoma may originate from neural crest cells. In the current study, the authors investigated whether REST plays a role in the growth of this tumor. METHODS REST expression was determined by Western blot analysis and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 3 human Ewing sarcoma cell lines and 7 patient tumor samples. The role of REST in tumor growth and tumor vascular morphology was determined using a Ewing sarcoma xenograft model. Immunofluorescence staining, Hypoxyprobe, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were performed to investigate the impact of REST on pericyte marker expression, hypoxia, and apoptosis in vivo. RESULTS High levels of REST were expressed in all 3 human Ewing sarcoma cell lines and in 6 of the 7 patient tumor samples. Overexpression of EWS-FLI-1 in human mesenchymal stem cells and human neural progenitor cells was found to increase REST expression. Inhibition of EWS-FLI-1 using small interfering RNA decreased REST expression in human Ewing sarcoma cells. Inhibition of REST did not affect EWS-FLI-1, but significantly suppressed tumor growth in vivo, reduced the tumor vessel pericyte markers α- smooth muscle actin (SMA) and desmin, increased hypoxia and apoptosis in tumor tissues, and decreased the expression of delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) and Hes1. CONCLUSIONS Inhibition of REST suppressed tumor growth, inhibited pericyte marker expression, and increased tumor hypoxia and apoptosis. Because tumor vessel function has been linked to tumor growth and metastases, REST may be a new therapeutic target in patients with Ewing sarcoma. Cancer 2014;120:579–588. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
The Fragmentation of α, α′ ‐Dicyanoxylenes Under Electron Impact

Under electron impact, 3- and 4-dicyanoxylenes produce the [M-40]+ ion in a process involving the formation of stable tropylium cation intermediates.
A 100 million year old gecko with sophisticated adhesive toe pads, preserved in amber from Myanmar

A new genus and species of gecko is described from a posterior lower limb and foot, and a partial tail, preserved in Lower Cretaceous amber from Myanmar that is 97–110My old. It appears to be the oldest unequivocal fossil gecko, predating fragmentary skeletal remains from the Upper Cretaceous and being 43–56 My older than Yanatarogecko from the Lower Eocene, previously the oldest known gecko preserved in amber. It also provides firm evidence that gekkotans and possibly gekkonids were in Asia at this time. The Myanmar specimen shows, that the distinctive foot proportions and sophisticated adhesive mechanism, involving pads on the toes with transverse lamellae probably bearing numerous hairlike setae found in many modern geckos, had already evolved around 100My ago. The specimen is very small, even compared with juveniles of the smallest living geckos. However, the high numbers of lamellae on its toe pads suggest it is from a juvenile of a species with relatively large adult body size.
Reductions in pregnancy rates in the USA with long-acting reversible contraception: a cluster randomised trial

Summary Background Unintended pregnancy remains a serious public health challenge in the USA. We assessed the effects of an intervention to increase patients' access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) on pregnancy rates. Methods We did a cluster randomised trial in 40 reproductive health clinics across the USA in 2011–13. 20 clinics were randomly assigned to receive evidence-based training on providing counselling and insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs) or progestin implants and 20 to provide standard care. Usual costs for contraception were maintained at all sites. We recruited women aged 18–25 years attending family planning or abortion care visits and not desiring pregnancy in the next 12 months. The primary outcome was selection of an IUD or implant at the clinic visit and secondary outcome was pregnancy within 12 months. We used generalised estimating equations for clustered data to measure the intervention effect on contraceptive selection, and used survival analysis to assess pregnancy rates. Findings Of 1500 women enrolled, more at intervention than control sites reported receiving counselling on IUDs or implants (565 [71%] of 797 vs 271 [39%] of 693, odds ratio 3·8, 95% CI 2·8–5·2) and more selected LARCs during the clinic visit (224 [28%] vs 117 [17%], 1·9, 1·3–2·8). The pregnancy rate was lower in intervention group than in the control group after family planning visits (7·9 vs 15·4 per 100 person-years), but not after abortion visits (26·5 vs 22·3 per 100 person-years). We found a significant intervention effect on pregnancy rates in women attending family planning visits (hazard ratio 0·54, 95% CI 0·34–0·85). Interpretation The pregnancy rate can be reduced by provision of counselling on long-term reversible contraception and access to devices during family planning counselling visits. Funding William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
Spontaneous delivery through the rectovaginal septum and perineal body: an unusual complication of persistent occiput posterior position.

We present an unusual case in which following normal first and second stages of labor with the fetus in a persistent occiput posterior position at term, spontaneous delivery occurred through the rectovaginal septum and perineal body, with the vaginal orifice remaining intact.
Analog environments in space human factors

An account is given of what has been learned from space analog environments, which mimic such significant features of space as isolation, confinement, risk, and deprivation; emphasis is placed on the especially successful environments constituted by extended submarine research, undersea habitats, and Antarctic station wintering. Attention is also given to the advantages and limitations of the use of analog environments for space human factors research, and possibilities for such research efforts' management.