cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of hetero-junction a-Si/c-Si based on metal-wrap through structure solar cells

How to further enhance the efficiencies of the silicon solar cells which can be applied into commercial production for the next generation is a most important issue. On the way to achieving higher efficiencies, back contact solar cells and heterojunction solar cells seem to be very promising. Therefore, we proposed a amorphous/crystal hetero-junction with metal-wrap structure (HJ-MWT) which combines the advantages of different high-efficiency concepts such as back contacts, and great heterojunction passivation. The advantages of MWT are less shadowing loss and lower module electrical power losses. It will increase 1.5–3 % module conversion efficiencies compared to conventional silicon solar cells. Furthermore, the other advantage of MWT isn't fully limited by the bulk lifetime and carrier diffusion lengths contrast to IBC solar cells. It doesn't need very-high-quality silicon wafer(minority lifetime> 1ms). We proposed amorphous silicon or insulation materials were designed as electrical insulation layers within the via(wrap-through holes) to avoid shunt current occurring. The fabricating process flow that realizes HJ-MWT solar cells, with only 2–3 additional processes steps compared to conventional HIT solar cells. It's suitable to the mass production associated the cost consideration in the future. Before experiments, we used the software tool to do the two-dimension simulation with HJ-MWT structures. From theoretical calculation, we found HJ-MWT solar cell efficiencies increased up to 0.6% compared with conventional HIT solar cells. We have also done the further experimental investigation on new proposed HJ-MWT structures and corresponding data will be published in this conference. It shows the HJ-MWT solar cell has the potential to further increase the efficiencies of solar cell and solar panels in the future.
On the design of distributed protocols from differential equations

We propose a framework to translate certain subclasses of differential equation systems into distributed protocols that are practical. The synthesized protocols are state machines containing probabilistic transitions and actions, and they show equivalent stochastic behavior to that in the original equations. The protocols are probabilistically scalable and reliable, and are derived from two subclasses of equations with polynomial terms. We prove the equivalence of protocols to the source equations. Rewriting techniques to bring equations into the appropriate mappable form are also described. In order to illustrate the usefulness of the approach, we present the design and study of scalable and probabilistically reliable protocols for migratory replication and majority selection. These two protocols are derived from natural analogies represented as differential equations - endemics and the Lotka-Volterra model of competition respectively. Well-known epidemic protocols are also shown to be an output of the framework. We present mathematical analysis of the protocols, and experimental results from our implementations. We also discuss limitations of our approach. We believe the design framework could be effectively used in transforming, in a very systematic manner, well-known natural phenomena into protocols for distributed systems.
Long-term results of the subclavian flap repair for coarctation of the aorta in infants

Background:Coarctation is a congenital narrowing of the aorta that often requires repair during infancy. The subclavian flap aortoplasty was once widely favored for its avoidance of a circumferenti...
State of Wound Care in Rhode Island.

INTRODUCTION We are grateful to the Rhode Island Medical Journal (RIMJ) for encouraging this special issue on wound healing. The authors represented in this issue are active wound healing clinicians or researchers who strive to better the lives of our fellow Rhode Islanders by caring for the many among us who battle chronic or acute wounds that don’t heal according to schedule or intention. One of us (PL) served as President of the Wound Healing Society (WHS) for 2013–14, an international group of clinicians, scientists, and people in industry, who are engaged in wound research and product development. One of the WHS Board members used to say that “Superman (aka Christopher Reeves, the actor) didn’t die from his broken neck – it was an infected pressure ulcer that proved his undoing.” Unhealed wounds are a largely hidden epidemic, affecting 6.5 million Americans and costing about $25 billion a year.1 Rhode Islanders are unfortunately well-represented in this population. Many of our friends, neighbors, and colleagues may be in the cohort, and far too many patients lead lives that are limited by the need to be at home for visiting nurse visits, or by odiferous wounds that prevent socialization. The incidence of chronic wounds is increased among the older population as well, and there is a clear negative impact on quality in this population. It is well established that wound healing slows with age. However, the basic molecular mechanisms underlying chronic wounds and the influence of age-associated changes on wound healing are poorly understood.2 Despite this large socioeconomic burden, there have been only a few meaningful advances in the science of wound care. For example, there is only one pharmacologic agent approved by the FDA for use in chronic wounds: recombinant platelet-derived growth factor (becaplermin gel 0.01%, Smith and Nephew, Hull, UK), only for diabetic wounds, and it carries a black box warning.3 A group of WHS members lobbying Congress about the lack of NIH funding for wound research pointed out that there is more funding to study several rare disorders than for all of wound healing.4 In this issue, we present different perspectives on this complex problem. Mehrzad et al. provide an overview of different types of wounds, standards of care, and recent guidelines in treating chronic and diabetic wounds – the latter being one of the most common causes of chronic wounds. Johnston et al., provide a summary of some of the basic science work attempting to identify molecular cues identifying which patients may respond to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. DosRemedios et al., present current concepts in caring for diabetic foot ulcers from a podiatric perspective. Kwan et al., provide an overview of surgical therapies available for wound coverage, and Ciombor et al., provides a glimpse into the brave new world of stem cells coupled with autologous clot that may aid in tissue regeneration and other therapies for problem wounds.
Polyaniline/Vanadium Pentoxide Layer-by-Layer Electrodes for Energy Storage

Both polyaniline and vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) are promising electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage, but each has limitations. As a composite, the two components can interact synergistically to form an electrode better than either material alone. Using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly as a processing technique, we successfully assembled hybrid electrodes containing polyaniline and V2O5. Assembly conditions were chosen to yield films that grew reliably and had a large cycle thickness. Assembly pH and concentration are critical parameters for this particular LbL system. For lower molar mass polyaniline, exponential film growth was observed; for higher molar mass polyaniline, linear growth was obtained. The electrochromic behavior of the film was characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, and it was found that polyaniline dominated the electrochromic response. However, the electrochemical response possessed contributions from both polyaniline and V2O5. Films made from lower molar mass polyaniline ...
Laboratory and bedside evaluation of portable glucose meters

A two-phase, laboratory and bedside, evaluation of blood glucose meters was conducted in this study. Four meters, the AccuData Easy (Boehringer-Mannheim, Indianapolis, IN), HemoCue Glucose (HemoCue, Mission Viejo, CA), LifeScan One Touch II (LifeScan, Milpitas, CA), and Miles Encore QA (Miles, Elkhart, IN) systems, were compared to the Nova Stat Profile 5 (Nova, Waltham, MA) as the laboratory reference. Precision, linearity, correlation to the laboratory method, interference from hematocrit, data management, and operator preference were examined. None of the meters were found to satisfy all of the study's evaluation criteria. Therefore, institutions must weigh which criteria are most important to their individual settings. Although the HemoCue Glucose was found to be technically superior, this meter had no data management capabilities. The Encore QA had greater variance and low bias, whereas the AccuData Easy had bias affected by hematocrit and glucose concentration, and the One Touch II had a negative hematocrit bias and limited linear range when compared to the Nova. Only meters meeting both minimal analytical performance and computerization requirements, the One Touch II and AccuData Easy, were selected for further evaluation. At the bedside, the One Touch II demonstrated performance consistent with the lab evaluation, whereas the AccuData Easy showed greater imprecision in the low glucose range and a correlation that varied with sample type: capillary, venous, or arterial blood. This evaluation indicates that the clinician must interpret near-patient glucose results with respect to meter limitations. FDA approval and marketing statistics, alone, are insufficient to judge the performance of the meters in routine institutional use. Independent method validation, under actual operating conditions, is a better means of predicting future performance of the meters.
Abstract BS3-1: Dominance of mitochondria in determining the malignant phenotype

Mitochondria are semiautonomous organelles within cells that play an important role in cellular energy metabolism, free radical generation, and apoptosis. Mitochondria contain their own genome (mtDNA), which encodes a number of proteins critical for energy metabolism, particularly in oxidative phosphorylation. They are also the major source of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell. Advances in cancer metabolism research over the last decade have enhanced and modified our understanding on Warburg effect. It is now known that mitochondria in tumors are not always defective in their ability to carry out oxidative phosphorylation. Instead, in proliferating cells, mitochondrial energy pathways are reprogrammed to meet the challenges of macromolecular synthesis and to escape from apoptosis. Mitochondrial retrograde regulation (MRR) is a bidirectional communication between mitochondria and nucleus. MRR is triggered by mitochondrial functional demands and it responds in a continuous manner to the changing metabolic needs of the cell. At present, it is not clear whether mitochondrial genomic status or metabolomic reprogramming affect nuclear genome stability. Also, limited evidence is available on the significance of proteins involved in the inter-genomic cross talk in the regulation of tumorigenesis. Transmitochondrial cybrids (cybrids) are a great utility for the study of the functional effects of mitochondria in a defined nuclear background. Cybrids are constructed by fusing enucleated cells harboring mitochondria of interest with ρ0 cells (mtDNA-depleted cells). Our approach of discovering mitochondria regulated pathways using cybrid models and their in vitro and in vivo validation in different breast cancer cell lines and patient derived xenograft models suggest that mitochondrial metabolic character and retrograde signaling are playing important roles in oncogenic transformation and metastasis. Importantly, mitochondria-nuclear crosstalk is critical in the regulation of some of the major cancer pathways. Compared to hormone regulated/responsive breast cancers, triple negative breast cancer patients suffer from worse overall survival, significantly shorter disease-free and post-recurrence survival. Due to the lack of known oncogenic drivers for triple negative breast cancer, clinical benefit from currently available targeted therapies is limited, and new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Thus, understanding MRR and mitochondria mediated oncogenic signature is critical in understanding the currently limited known etiology and treatment resistance of certain subgroups of cancers like the triple negative breast cancer. Citation Format: Kaipparettu BA. Dominance of mitochondria in determining the malignant phenotype. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr BS3-1.
Phase I-II trial of pentoxifylline for the prevention of transplant-related toxicities following bone marrow transplantation.

Disease relapse and transplant related toxicities have limited the application of bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in the treatment for hematologic malignancies. Because elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) have been correlated with the development of transplant related complications, we conducted a phase I-II trial of pentoxifylline (PTX), a xanthine derivative capable of down-regulating TNF-alpha production, in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing BMT. Thirty consecutive adult patients (median age, 34) were entered and received either an allogeneic (n = 26) or autologous (n = 4) BMT. Patients were enrolled at increasing dose levels (1,200, 1,600, and 2,000 mg/d) from day -10 through day +100 posttransplant. PTX was well tolerated with no significant adverse side effects noted at any of the dose levels administered. The actuarial day 100 survival for these 30 patients was 90% (95% confidence interval 79% to 100%). When compared with a good risk control group, PTX recipients experienced less mucositis (3.7 +/- 1.1 v 18.7 +/- 1.1 days, P = .004), less hepatic venocclusive disease (10% v 65%, P = .001), a lower incidence of renal insufficiency (3% v 65%, P = .0003), required less days of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (24.0 +/- 1.3 v 35.0 +/- 2.4, P = .001) and were discharged from the hospital earlier than controls (day 26.0 +/- 1.8 v 37.0 +/- 3.8, P = .01). In addition the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) greater than or equal to grade II was also reduced among the PTX recipients (35% v 68%, P = .03). PTX at doses in excess of 1,200 mg/d further reduced the severity of mucositis, and TPN requirements resulting in earlier hospital discharge than patients receiving 1,200 mg/d of PTX. In this study oral administration of PTX in doses up to 2,000 mg/d was well tolerated and associated with a reduction in morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing BMT. Prospective randomized trials are currently in progress to test these preliminary observations.
Nonvanishing twists of GL(2) automorphic L-functions

Let π be a cuspidal automorphic representation of $\text{GL}{(2,{\text{A}}_K)}$ . Given any prime integer n, suppose there exists a single nonvanishing nth-order twist of the L-series associated to π at the center of the critical strip. We use the method of multiple Dirichlet series to establish that there exist infinitely many such nonvanishing nth-order twists of the L-series of the representation at the center.
Convergence of Distributed Localization With Alternating Normals

This paper presents the alternating-normal iterative method, a novel algorithm that uses angle-of-arrival (or bearing) measurements for relative positioning of networked collaborating robots moving in three dimensions. The method is decentralized, with robots exploiting communication to iteratively refine measurements and enforce geometric consistency. The key result of the paper is a proof of convergence.
Vaccination Approaches for Retrovirus Infections

Bref compte rendu d'un atelier sur ce theme, tenu les 10-11 decembre 1984 a l'Institut national de la Sante, Bethesda, MD
Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency in the Intensive Care Patient

Managing critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI) is a challenging endeavor for the surgical intensivist. The mechanisms underlying CIRCI remain incompletely characterized. Moreover, optimal methods of diagnosing and managing CIRCI remain to be determined. This chapter will summarize the salient features of CIRCI and review the best available guidelines for treating this complex disorder.
Vibration Analysis of Curvilinearly Stiffened Composite Panel Subjected to In-Plane Loads

This paper presents an efficient finite element approach to study the prestressed vibration mode results of a curvilinearly stiffened composite panel subjected to various in-plane loads. The present method models the plate and the stiffener separately, which allows the stiffener element nodes to not coincide with the plate shell-element nodes. The stiffness and mass matrices of a stiffener are transformed to those of the plate through the displacement compatibility conditions at the plate–stiffener interface via finite element interpolation. Convergence and validation studies have been conducted to verify the present method in the finite element vibration analysis by using the examples from the existing literature. Prestressed vibration mode results are examined for a stiffened composite panel with arbitrarily shaped composite stiffeners in the presence of the in-plane normal and shear loads. Numerical results show the possible benefits of using curvilinear stiffeners to improve the vibration response by ...
Urinary Tract Diversion and Other Urologic Considerations in Children on CAPD/CCPD

Congenital obstructive uropathies are one of the most common causes of end-stage renal disease in children. Despite significant advances in the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of these conditions, many children with obstructive uropathy will inevitably progress to renal replacement therapy. Close team oriented collaboration between the pediatric urologist and nephrologist is important to optimize care and ensure the proper sequence of intervention in order to prolong renal function, improve growth, protect peritoneal efficacy, and smooth the transition to eventual transplantation. Despite the well established nature of this relationship in practice, little has been written in the literature specifically addressing this topic. Therefore, this chapter will discuss concepts of urologic care related to the child with expected renal failure and highlight those aspects that may impact upon future dialysis and transplantation. It is only with the coordination of proper urologic treatment with an appreciation of future nephrologic intervention that one may provide the best care for these unfortunate children.
The Perils and Possibilities of Refugee Federalism

The international community is experiencing a refugee crisis. The worldwide number of displaced persons has reached an all-time high. Refugees and asylum seekers, however, now face unprecedented levels of hostility and opposition to their resettlement in the United States. During the last three years, some states have been at the forefront of a movement to block the resettlement of refugees from the Middle East and asylum seekers from Central America in their jurisdictions. Other states have been in the vanguard of an initiative to welcome those fleeing persecution on humanitarian grounds. This Article explores this new phenomenon of “Refugee Federalism.” The Article examines recent state responses to the resettlement of certain groups of refugees and asylees, in particular Middle Eastern refugees and Central American asylees. The piece discusses some states’ attempts, through gubernatorial decrees, legislation, and litigation, to curtail the settlement of such refugees and asylees, as well as the countervailing movement by other states to support them. The Article analyzes the perils and possibilities of state engagement with refugee and asylee resettlement. It argues that, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s longstanding immigration federalism doctrine, states may not exclude refugees from their territories. But, it also proposes that states may nonetheless benefit from playing a more active role in refugee selection, admission, and integration.
Impact of InGaN alloy disorder on LED properties (Conference Presentation)

It emerges that LEDs properties are strongly impacted by intrinsic disorder induced by random In compositional fluctuations. They obviously impact the light emission spectrum and carrier mobilities. The quantitative evaluation of their impact in full heterostructures is made difficult by the extreme demand on computing resources when calculating solutions of the Schrodinger equation for a disordered 3D potential map. Calculations are then limited to small volumes and to the first few quantum states, not allowing for simulations of transport properties in full devices. It was recently shown in a simplified model that disorder can account for a turn-on voltage of LEDs smaller by 1V compared to standard simulations. We will present novel theoretical and modeling tools of disorder, namely the Filoche-Mayboroda 3D localization landscape theory, which from the original disordered energy map provides an effective potential which allows to use standard transport equations while accounting for microscopic disorder. We thus gain a deep understanding of various effects of disorder in nitride heterostructures on their electrical and optoelectronic properties. As a first application of the new tool we model our detailed measurements of the absorption edge of InGaN/GaN quantum wells with varying In composition. The tool is then applied to carrier transport in full LED structures. The effective potential increases current at a given bias voltage by accounting for two quantum effects of disorder, tunneling and confinement, which together smooth out potential discontinuities in the heterostructure. Quantum efficiency, Auger and leakage droop, ideality factor of the LED will be discussed.
Effects of Viscosity on CO2 Absorption in Aqueous Piperazine/2-methylpiperazine

Abstract 2-methylpiperazine (2MPZ) and equimolar 2-methylpiperazine/piperazine (PZ) blends are attractive as they preserve most of the benefits of PZ and overcome its limitations of solid solubility. The CO 2 absorption rate and vapor liquid equilibrium (VLE) of 4 m 2MPZ and 2.5 m/2.5 m 2MPZ/PZ were measured using the wetted wall column. Using the Aspen Plus ® eNRTL framework, thermodynamic and kinetics models of 2MPZ and 2MPZ/PZ were built with 2 m to 8 m amine, 0.15-0.4 CO 2 loading, and 20-100 °C. Experimental results and model predictions show that the high viscosity of high amine concentration (8 m) depresses CO 2 absorption rate and normalized capacity. 5 m 2MPZ and 2.5 m/2.5 m 2MPZ/PZ are competitive solvents for amine scrubbing because of high CO 2 absorption rate, high normalized capacity, and negligible solid precipitation.
Ecological Momentary Assessment in Survey Research

The survey interview context typically occurs when respondents are at home. However, much of social life occurs outside of the home, meaning that there may be limits on the ecological validity of self-reports of things like experiences or emotional states throughout the day if these things are only reported when the respondent is at home and a substantial amount of time has passed since the focal time period. A suite of methods broadly classified as “ecological momentary assessment” or “experience sampling” are targeted at addressing this shortcoming of traditional interview methods. This chapter reviews these methods and highlights use cases where they may be particularly useful for researchers to consider.
IMPACT OF PREOPERATIVE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN PATIENTS WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly found in candidates of left ventricular assist device (LVAD). A large INTERMACS study suggests that AF may not increase mortality on midterm follow-up (median time 8.5 months; IQR 4.6-13.5 months), while some of the other studies that follow the patients longer
PARP inhibitors for homologous recombination-deficient prostate cancer.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Prostate adenocarcinoma represents a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Increased emphasis on understanding the molecular basis of prostate cancer has identified a substantial burden of homologous recombination (HR) pathway mutations, which are enriched in castrate-resistant disease. This discovery has yielded novel therapeutic opportunities.Areas covered: We will discuss the treatment of castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), with a focus on the use of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in this space. Evidence for use in HR-deficient patients will be outlined with discussion of the mechanism of action for this drug class, pathways of resistance, and approaches for expanding PARP inhibitor use to non–HR-deficient prostate cancer subgroups.Expert opinion: PARP inhibition represents an exciting tool for management of HR-inactivated CRPC. With rapid adoption of next-generation sequencing technologies and other molecular techniques, the number of patients in this ...
SpeciFlex: A Protocol for Mining Binding Site Conformational Selectivity in Structure-Based Inhibitor Discovery

Selectivity for a target site is challenging when the site is conserved in homologous proteins. A novel protocol is presented for attaining selectivity by taking advantage of conformational population differences between homologs. Conformational ensembles of the targeted protein and the homolog are compared to identify pockets significantly populated in the target, but rarely or never sampled in the homolog. SLIDE screening then identifies molecules that fit the unique pocket and also interact well with an adjacent substrate pocket. The SpeciFlex protocol, demonstrated for a pair of pyrophosphokinases, yields ligand candidates with good interactions in both the substrate and unique pockets of the target Yersinia pestis protein, while selecting against interactions with the homologous site in Escherichia coli.
Provider Continuity and Outcomes of Care for Persons with Schizophrenia

The study examines the relationship of provider continuity to outcomes of care (quality of life, payments for services) for Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia. Data sources included Maryland Medicaid claims and enrollment data and in-person interviews. Measures of provider continuity over the year preceding the interview, calculated from claims for mental health ambulatory visits, were usual provider continuity (UPC—fraction of visits to the most frequently seen provider), sequential continuity (SECON—fraction of sequential visit pairs to the same provider), and continuity of care (COC—distribution of visits across different providers). Higher provider continuity was found to be related to lower costs and to lower likelihood of mental illness hospitalization. Provider continuity was not significantly related to general life satisfaction or to satisfaction with health. Persons with zero or one visit in a year (and for whom provider continuity could not be measured) had more severe depressive symptoms and were more likely to abuse substances but reported comparable satisfaction with health and overall quality of life while incurring lower Medicaid costs.
Diamond Hydrocarbons and Related Structures

Among the two long-known allotropic forms of carbon, sp2-hybridized multilamellar graphite is the thermodynamic stable form at normal temperature and pressure, whereas the denser sp3-hybridized diamond becomes favored at very high pressures. Portions of graphene sheets with dangling bonds connected with hydrogen atoms are planar polycyclic benzenoid hydrocarbons (benzenoids). Similarly, portions of the diamond lattice with dangling bonds connected with hydrogen atoms are diamond hydrocarbons (diamondoids). Dualists of benzenoids consist of vertices in the centers of benzenoid rings and of edges connecting vertices corresponding to benzenoid rings sharing CC bonds. Analogously, dualists of diamondoids consist of vertices in the centers of adamantane units and of edges connecting vertices corresponding to adamantane units sharing six-membered rings. The diamond lattice is self-dual, whereas the honeycomb (hexagonal) and the triangular lattices are reciprocally dual. Encoding benzenoid structures can be achieved by using digits 0, 1, and 2, whereas encoding diamondoid structures (ignoring stereoisomers) can be achieved by using digits 1, 2, 3, and 4. The naming and encoding of diamondoid structures according to the Balaban-Schleyer proposal has now been generally accepted. The discovery and isolation of lower diamondoids in petroleum allowed a recent surge of interest in their properties and applications. Successive sections of this chapter are presenting regularities in the diamond lattice, where Cartesian coordinates can be integers. Then dualists of benzenoids followed by dualists of diamondoids are discussed, with similarities and differences. The latter dualists can be conveniently viewed as staggered rotamers of alkanes. By analogy with benzenoid catafusenes, perifusenes, and coronoids, dualists allow the classification of diamondoids into regular/irregular catamantanes (with acyclic dualists), perimantanes, and coronamantanes (with 6-membered or larger rings, respectively). This analogy allows a simple enumeration of all possible constitutional isomers of diamondoids. Stereoisomers of the chiral diamondoids are also discussed. The history of diamondoids is briefly discussed. A recently proposed partitioned-formula periodic table for diamondoids presents interesting symmetries, especially for regular catamantanes. On the basis of distance matrices for diamondoid dualists, one can obtain molecular invariants characterizing diamondoid structures. With such invariants, it was possible to rationalize HPLC and GC-MS chromatographic data for naturally occurring diamondoids. Finally, the chemical functionalization of diamondoids for various applications carried out by Schreiner and his coworkers is reviewed.
Stress, Support, and Academic Performance of Urban, Low-Income, Mexican-American Adolescents

It has been suggested that some proportion of minority adolescents' high risk for school failure is associated with their increased exposure to the stressors often associated with low-income status—more specifically, with their residence in resource-poor communities—including poverty, racism, conflict, and violence. However, to date, little research has documented the nature of such stress. This descriptive study attempts to begin filling this gap in the literature by examining the nature of stress in the lives of 158 urban, low-income, Mexican-American high school sophomores. While these adolescents experienced stressors that are characteristic of their developmental level, their report of many severe stressors reflect the circumstances of their resource-poor communities. Generally, males and females endorsed equal numbers of stressors both overall and within various contexts. However, gender differences were observed in terms of the kinds of stressors these groups experienced. In examining the relationship between stressors and academic achievement, gender differences also were revealed in the types of stressors that are related to concurrent grade point average. Contrary to much of the literature that establishes a relationship between stress and social support, the presence of caring and emotional support was not sufficient to offset the negative effects of stress for this urban, low-income, minority sample.
The Role of Oxytocin in Early Life Adversity and Later Psychopathology: a Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Oxytocin is a peptide hormone integral in parturition and milk let-down, and is increasingly recognized as an important regulator of human social behaviors including bonding, trust, fear, and stress. There is an increasing evidence that oxytocin is intricately involved in a broad array of neurophysiological functions and may be a common system implicated in multiple psychiatric disorders. This review examines the putative role of oxytocin in early life adversity-mediated risk for later development of subtypes of psychiatric conditions. Several lines of evidence are reviewed including oxytocin levels, response to exogenous oxytocin administration, and genetic studies. To date, most studies report lower levels of peripheral and central oxytocin in a dose-response manner in adults exposed to early life adversity. Individuals exposed to early life adversity seem to have a differential response to exogenous oxytocin administration, sometimes with negative outcomes. Several polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor and emerging epigenetic studies point to a link between oxytocinergic systems and psychiatric disorders. Specific limitations of the studies in the field are highlighted, and areas for future research are described. Considerably more research is needed to understand the complex role of the oxytocin system in early life adversity and its consequences.
Delivery of siRNA therapeutics using cowpea chlorotic mottle virus-like particles

While highly promising in medicine, gene therapy requires delivery agents to protect and target nucleic acid therapeutics. We developed a plant viral siRNA delivery platform making use of self-assembling cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV). CCMV was loaded with siRNAs targeting GFP or FOXA1; to further enhance cell uptake and intracellular trafficking, resulting in more efficient gene knockdown, we appended CCMV with a cell penetrating peptide (CPP), specifically M-lycotoxin peptide L17E.
Consumer Sensory Evaluation of Beef Strip Loin Steaks from 5 Quality Treatments Cooked To 6 Degrees of Doneness

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to determine the effect of degree of doneness (DOD) on the palatability of beef strip loin steaks of varying marbling levels. Materials and MethodsPaired strip loins (IMPS # 180) were collected from 4 USDA quality grades [Prime, Top Choice (Modest and Moderate marbling), Low Choice, Select; n = 12 pairs/quality grade]. Additionally, 12 pairs of Select strip loins were collected for a salt and alkaline phosphate enhancement solution (108% of raw weight). Subprimals were aged for 21 d and fabricated into 2.54-cm thick steaks. Steaks were fabricated in groups of 3 consecutively cut steaks, with a total of 6 groups per strip loin pair. Groups were assigned to a DOD: very-rare (55°C), rare (60°C), medium-rare (63°C), medium (71°C), well-done (77°C) or very well-done (82°C). Steaks were cooked on clamshell style grills to their specified DOD. Consumers (n = 360) were fed 8 samples under red lighting and evaluated for juiciness, tenderness, flavor, and overall liking on continuous line scales. Additionally, consumers rated each trait as either acceptable or unacceptable. ResultsThere were no interactions (P > 0.05) between quality treatment and DOD for consumer ratings of all palatability traits. Select Enhanced steaks had the highest (P 0.05) to Low Choice. Juiciness was similar (P > 0.05) between very-rare and rare, as well as between rare and medium-rare. Very-rare, rare, and medium-rare steaks had similar (P > 0.05) ratings for all palatability traits except juiciness. There was a quality grade by DOD interaction (P 0.05) in the percentage of steaks rated acceptable for juiciness. However, as DOD increased, marbling had a greater impact, with Prime having a greater (P 0.05) to Select Enhanced for all other DOD. Additionally, Select had the lowest (P 0.05) to Low Choice at all other DOD. Prime and Select Enhanced steaks had similar (P > 0.05) percentages of samples rated acceptable overall for all DOD except medium and well-done, in which Select Enhanced was higher (P 0.05) percentage of steaks rated acceptable as both Choice treatments at very-rare and rare, but had a lower (P < 0.05) percentage than Low Choice at medium-rare and was lower than both at medium. ConclusionThese results indicate that increased marbling level or enhancement has a positive impact on palatability ratings across all DOD. However, beef with higher marbling levels are acceptable at a higher rate at elevated DOD. With this, consumers can purchase steaks of lower quality when cooking to lower DOD, and vice versa, and still have a desirable eating experience.
Provider behaviors that predict motivational statements in adolescents and young adults with HIV: a study of clinical communication using the Motivational Interviewing framework

Medical care providers’ use of Motivational Interviewing (MI) is linked to improved medication adherence, viral load, and associated behaviors in adolescents and young adults living with HIV. Maste...
Pathological evaluation of whole pancreas transplants

Abstract Pathological evaluation of whole pancreas transplants (WPnTx) is necessary for the accurate determination of the cause of graft dysfunction, graft failure, and graft insufficiency. In the early posttransplantation period, histological studies are essential to differentiate idiopathic graft thrombosis from thrombosis secondary to acute allograft rejection, most likely representing an aggressive form of antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). Clinical manifestations of graft dysfunction have overall poor specificity. Histological studies are necessary to differentiate acute rejection from other causes of graft injury and are furthermore required to differentiate acute T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) from ABMR, which are treated differently. Equally important is the accurate identification of the various types of islet cell pathology, including calcineurin inhibitor toxicity and development of recurrent type 1 diabetes mellitus. Histological studies are also shedding light on the contribution of type 2 diabetes mellitus to graft dysfunction/insufficiency. This chapter includes a discussion of the Banff grading schema, as well as the various nonrejection-related pathological processes affecting WPnTx. In addition, the contribution of pathological evaluation in various other clinicopathological settings is presented.
CH4/C2H6 gas hydrate interparticle interactions in the presence of anti-agglomerants and salinity

Abstract Gas hydrate interparticle cohesive forces are essential to evaluate hydrate interfacial properties and determine the hydrate particle agglomeration behavior. In this study, a technique was developed in a modified high-pressure micromechanical force (HP-MMF) apparatus that enables hydrate anti-agglomerants (AAs) to be evaluated at an interfacial level under deepwater petroleum flowline conditions of high pressure and low temperature in a liquid hydrocarbon-dominated system. The hydrate cohesive force was found to decrease from the baseline (23.5 ± 2.5 mN m−1) to a non-measurable force value (
Latino Prosocial Development in the Rural U.S.

Recent decades have brought waves of Latino/a immigrants to rural regions of the USA. These new rural populations are at risk for maladjustment in the contexts of poverty, lack of culture-sensitive resources, relatively limited resources and capital, and sometimes intolerance and hostility. The present chapter examines the predictors and correlates of prosocial behaviors (i.e., actions that benefit others), focusing on rural U.S. Latino/a youth. Prosocial behaviors are deemed a strong marker of health and well-being and provide an avenue for strength-based and asset-based research. Traditional theories and research on prosocial behaviors are summarized here. A model of rural Latino/a youth prosocial development is presented, and recommendations for addressing gaps in research are articulated.
A Comparison of the Biomechanical Protection Provided by 2 Cyanoacrylate-Based Skin Protectants: A Comparison Cohort Study.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in-gel strain and tear reduction provided by 2 skin protectant products that were applied as a liquid and allowed to dry, leaving behind a protective layer. Design Prospective, 3-group comparison cohort study using an in vitro model. Methods A fragile agar-based gel with an embedded bead was used in a custom device that applied variable interface pressures of 550, 1080, or 1600 Pa, respectively. The device then imparted 216 N of external shear force in 0.625-mm increments. The resulting strain in the gel was measured by digital image correlation. The strain at tearing was determined by observing the images of the gels and calculating the strain at that point. This approach was used to compare untreated gels to gels treated with one of 2 commercially available cyanoacrylate-based skin protectants. The results from the 3 groups were first analyzed by analysis of variance, followed by Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference test when indicated. Results We observed a proportional increase in interface pressure and strain that differed among the 3 groups. Specifically, the gels treated with a mixed polymer skin protectant had less pretearing strain than the control gel at both the 1080-Pa load (-15%, P = 3.64 × 10) and 1600 Pa-load (-20%, P = .03). The pure cyanoacrylate-treated gels had less strain than the control at 1080 Pa (-34%, P = 4.25 × 10) and 1600 Pa (-48%, P = 1.07 × 10); it also had less strain than the mixed polymer product at 1080 Pa (-19%, P = 5.38 × 10) and 1600 Pa (-28%, P = 3.88 × 10). In terms of protection from tearing, at an interface pressure of 1080 Pa, the control gel tore 80% of the time, the mixed polymer-treated gel tore 100% of the time, and the pure cyanoacrylate-treated gel did not tear (0/5, P = 8.84 × 10). Under a load of 1600 Pa, 100% of the control and mixed polymer-treated gels tore while none of the cyanoacrylate-treated gels did (P = 2.54 × 10). Conclusion The pure cyanoacrylate-based skin protectant provided the most protection, with consistent reductions in both strain and tearing. Both skin protectants reduced the initial in-gel strain; however, only the pure cyanoacrylate-treated product protected the gel from tears under the conditions tested. These results indicate that cyanoacrylate-based skin protectants can reduce shear strain and tearing in fragile elastic materials.
Effects of Distance From Academic Cancer Center on Overall Survival of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Retrospective Analysis of Treated Patients.

Abstract Introduction Patients living farther away from academic centers may not have easy access to resources for management of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We aimed to analyze the effect of distance traveled on overall survival (OS) of AML patients treated at an academic center. Patients and Methods AML patients diagnosed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center were divided into 4 groups according to the shortest distance between the cancer center and patients’ residence ( 100 miles). Chi-square test and ANOVA were used to examine the association of distance with patient characteristics. OS, defined as the time from diagnosis of AML to death from any cause, was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparison of survival curves was done by the log-rank test. Multivariable analysis using Cox regression was performed to detect the survival effect of distance from the cancer center. Results The total number of patients was 449. Median distance was 85 miles (interquartile range, 20-180). OS at 1 year for 100 miles was 45%, 55%, 38%, and 40% respectively (P = .6). In a Cox regression analysis, distance from treatment center, as a continuous variable, was not a significant factor for death (hazard ratio, 1.001; 95% confidence interval, 1.000-1.001). Multivariable analysis showed nonsignificant trend of increased mortality for patients traveling > 100 miles to a cancer center. Conclusion This study did not demonstrate an association between distance from an academic cancer center and OS in AML. This finding should provide some assurance to patients who live farther away from academic centers.
Vicarious Liability of an Employer for an Assault by His Servant: A Survey of Texas Cases Reexamining the 'Rule of Force'

The doctrine of respondeat superior has long been entrenched in Anglo-American jurisprudence. It is under this doctrine that principles, masters, and employers have been held liable for the wrongs of individuals working under them and acting within the scope of their employment. This doctrine has been applied to all injury producing acts of the employee, whether negligent or intentional. Presently, there is considerable conflict in Texas concerning an employer’s liability for the intentional torts of his employee. Analysis of several Texas cases regarding the doctrine of respondeat superior points out that Texas courts have applied two conflicting tests in determining the liability of an employer for an assault committed by his employee. It was thought that the Texas Supreme Court had finally settled the issue with the determination of Texas & P. Ry. v. Hagenloh, in which the court established a “rule of force.” However, the majority of post-Hagenloh cases, including the only supreme court decision in the field, have merely paid Hagenloh lip service and instead followed the scope of employment test established in Houston Transit Co. v. Felder. In Felder, the court held that a plaintiff could recover damages only by showing that the aggressor was acting within the scope of his employment by the defendant. The post-Hagenloh cases have diluted the efficacy of the “rule of force” test established in Hagenloh, and it appears that Texas courts will continue the trend of the most recent cases and follow the older scope of employment test.
High Altitude, Chronic Hypoxia, and Pregnancy

Although placental and pregnancy physiology are not the focus of this book, many patients and their providers have concerns about the potential impact of altitude on fetal oxygenation. Understanding the effect of high altitude on the placenta and the potential adverse effects on the pregnancy and the fetus may help the clinician appreciate the potential effects of some advanced lung diseases and chronic hypoxia on the pregnancy and the fetus. This chapter is a succinct review of the effect of high altitude on lung function in pregnancy and placental complications. The most obvious effect of high altitude on pregnancy outcomes is chronic hypoxia. High altitude associated chronic hypoxia affects 140 million persons in the world living at 8,000 feet or higher. This makes hypoxia at high altitude in pregnancy the most common etiology of maternal-fetal hypoxia (1).
LOW-FRICTION SEAL SYSTEM

The study of stress-strain and strength properties of soil is commonly carried out with triaxial test equipment. In most triaxial cells, a piston rod or ramenters the confining chamber through a bushing to apply the axial load on the sample.
WE-D-BRB-01: Fragile Proteins and the Origins of Cancer

Discoveries in cancer research are impacting patients through development of new therapeutics and better diagnostic tools. However, there is still a lack of understanding about heterogeneity in patient response to these therapeutics, optimizing therapeutic dosing schedules, or predicting complex metastatic patterns due to the complexity of the disease. Heterogeneity of patient response to treatment stems from the intricate interactions with the microenvironment, and distant organs and other environmental pressures including low oxygen, high acidity, and toxic drugs. To deconvolute some of this complexity physical scientists are using intricate tools to improve cancer diagnosis and predict drug resistance. Also to predict tumor growth and response to therapeutics, computational scientists are developing mathematical tools that link physical sciences or evolutionary sciences approaches with experimental and clinical data. These models yield predictions based on initial parameters obtained from patient clinical data, such as noninvasive imaging. This session will highlight the utilization of these mathematical and physical tools to predict patient response to treatment options, predict the optimal drug dosing schedule, and improve cancer diagnosis. This approach could be further enhanced by developing tools and models to chart the progress of stressed, aging tissue towards the progression to uncontrolled cell growth and mutational meltdown even before the diagnosis. Learning Objectives: 1. To learn about treatment response heterogeneity 2. To learn about tumor evolutionary capabilities 3. To learn about mathematical tools that link physical sciences with experimental and clinical data