cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New Solar Cells with Novel Light Trapping via Textured Photonic Crystal Back Reflector

We have successfully developed a new light-trapping scheme for solar cells that can enhance the optical path length by more than 104 times using a textured photonic crystal structure as a backside reflector. Top-contacted crystalline Si solar cells integrated with the new back reflector were designed, fabricated and characterized. Both external quantum efficiency and power conversion efficiency of the cells have shown significant improvement due to the path length enhancement furnished by the new back reflector despite of the 675 um thick wafers and relatively short minority carrier diffusion length.
Thyrotropin-axis adaptation in aging and chronic disease.

Healthy elderly individuals experience a subtle decline in thyroid function, especially after the eighth decade. These changes are caused by modifications of normal physiology at hypothalamic, pituitary, and thyroid level. These changes may represent adaptations to the metabolic status of this population at this stage of life. Thyroid pathology also demonstrates particularities in the aged population group in the prevalence, clinical presentation, and biochemical markers of thyroid function and disease.
Low health literacy and cancer screening among Chinese Americans in California: a cross-sectional analysis

Objectives Cancer is the leading cause of death among Asian Americans. Chinese Americans comprise the largest Asian American ethnic group. Low health literacy (LHL) is associated with lower cancer screening rates, but this association has not been studied in Chinese Americans. We examined the relationship between LHL and meeting US Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for cervical, colorectal and breast cancer screening among Chinese Americans. Design Observational study of Chinese respondents in the 2007 California Health Interview Survey, a population-based survey. Interview languages included English, Cantonese and Mandarin. Setting California, USA Participants Chinese respondents in age/gender groupings appropriate for USPSTF cancer screening guidelines (cervical: women ages 21–65, n=632; colorectal: men or women ages 50–75, n=488; and breast: women ages 50–74, n=326). Outcomes Relationships were tested using multivariable logistic regression models controlling for healthcare access and demographic factors, including limited English proficiency (LEP). The combined effects of having both LHL and LEP were specifically examined. LHL was measured by 2-items on perceived ease-of-use of written medical materials. All study variables were self-reported. Results Cancer screening percentages among Chinese Americans were 77.8% for cervical, 50.9% for colorectal (47.9% for women and 54.2% for men), and 85.5% for breast. LHL was associated with lower odds of meeting breast cancer screening guidelines (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.20 to 0.82). Respondents with both LHL and LEP were significantly less likely to have up-to-date colorectal (OR 0.49; 95% CI 0.25 to 0.97) and breast cancer screening (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.54) than those with neither health communication barrier. In all multivariable models, having seen a physician in the past year was a significant predictor of an up-to-date screening. Conclusions In Chinese Americans, LHL and LEP were negatively associated with up-to-date breast and colorectal cancer screening, independent of a recent physician visit. Efforts to promote cancer screening among Chinese Americans should consider and address LHL, LEP and physician access barriers.
Diphenhydramine enhances the interaction of hypercapnic and hypoxic ventilatory drive.

Background Although diphenhydramine is frequently used to treat pruritus and nausea in patients who have received neuraxial opioids, there are no data regarding its effect on ventilatory control. We conducted the current study to evaluate the effects of diphenhydramine on hypercapnic and hypoxic ventilatory control in healthy volunteers. Methods First, we measured the steady-state ventilatory response to carbon dioxide during hyperoxia with an end-tidal carbon dioxide tension of 46 or 54 mmHg (alternate subjects) in eight healthy volunteers. We then determined the hypoxic ventilatory response during isocapnic rebreathing at the same carbon dioxide tension. After a 10-min recovery period, we repeated the steady-state and hypoxic ventilatory response measurements at the other carbon dioxide tension (54 or 46 mmHg). Ten minutes after subjects received diphenhydramine 0.7 mg.kg-1 intravenously, we repeated this sequence of ventilatory measurements. Results Under hyperoxic conditions (inspired oxygen fraction > 0.5) diphenhydramine did not affect the ventilatory response to hypercapnia. Similarly, at an end-tidal carbon dioxide tension of 46 mmHg, neither the slope nor the position of the hypoxic ventilatory response curve changed significantly after diphenhydramine. However, at an end-tidal carbon dioxide tension of 54 mmHg, the slope of the hypoxic ventilatory response increased from 1.28 +/- 0.33 to 2.13 +/- 0.61 l.min-1.%SpO2(-1) (mean +/- standard error), and VE at an arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation of 90% increased from 31.2 +/- 3.1 to 43.1 +/- 5.4 l.min-1). Conclusions We conclude that although it did not affect the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide during hyperoxia or the ventilatory response to hypoxia at an end-tidal carbon dioxide tension of 46 mmHg diphenhydramine augmented the hypoxic response under conditions of hypercapnia in our young healthy volunteers. Although these findings may help to explain the apparent safety of diphenhydramine, they may not be applicable to debilitated patients or those who have received systemic or neuraxial ventilatory depressants.
Tup1p represses Mcm1p transcriptional activation and chromatin remodeling of an a-cell-specific gene

In yeast, a number of regulatory proteins expressed only in specific cell types interact with general transcription factors in a combinatorial manner to control expression of cell-type-specific genes. We report a detailed analysis of activation and repression events that occur at the promoter of the a-cell-specific STE6 gene fused to a β-galactosidase gene in a yeast minichromosome, as well as factors that control the chromatin structure of this promoter both in the minichromosome and in the genomic STE6 locus. Mcm1p results in chromatin remodeling and is responsible for all transcriptional activity from the STE6 promoter in both wild-type a and α cells. Matα2p cooperates with Tup1p to block both chromatin remodeling and Mcm1p-associated activation. While Matα2p represses only Mcm1p, the Tup1p-mediated repression involves both Mcm1p-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Swi/Snf and Gcn5p, required for full induction of the STE6 gene, do not contribute to chromatin remodeling. We suggest that Tup1p can contribute to repression by blocking transcriptional activators, in addition to interacting with transcription machinery and stabilizing chromatin.
Liver Transplantation and the Hepatopulmonary Syndrome

The hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) occurs in as many as 15–20% of patients with cirrhosis; mortality is significantly increased compared to cirrhotic patients without HPS. The only proven effective therapy for HPS is orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), which should be considered when severe hypoxemia is present. The natural history of HPS without liver transplantation is dismal. While post-OLT mortality is increased in patients with HPS relative to that reported in non-HPS patients, overall outcomes are favorable in properly selected patients. The higher mortality associated with HPS has led to the policy of increasing priority for OLT in selected HPS patients through a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score exception. There is currently no established protocol to screen for HPS in OLT candidates. However, a resting PaO2 < 65–60 mmHg identifies patients who qualify, or who may sufficiently deteriorate over a short time frame to qualify, for MELD exception criteria. In patients with HPS awaiting OLT, no specific therapies are available to improve intrapulmonary vasodilatation. The perioperative management of HPS patients presents particular clinical challenges.
Management of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal stenosis in children

Nasopharyngeal stenosis and oropharyngeal stenosis are rare and challenging problems in the pediatric population. The most common etiology is currently the surgical trauma associated with adenotonsillectomy. Stenosis can vary from a thin band to a complete obstructing cicatrix. Presenting symptoms range from mild hyponasal speech to severe airway obstruction. We present a series of eight children with varying degrees of stenosis and associated symptoms. Choice of treatment varied with the severity of disease. In our series, successful interventions included triamcinolone acetonide injection, lysis of adhesions, rotational and advancement mucosal flaps, and jejunal free flap. Preoperative evaluation and individualized surgical repair are essential for successful treatment.
Assessing Individual Agreement

Evaluating agreement between measurement methods or between observers is important in method comparison studies and in reliability studies. Often we are interested in whether a new method can replace an existing invasive or expensive method, or whether multiple methods or multiple observers can be used interchangeably. Ideally, interchangeability is established only if individual measurements from different methods are similar to replicated measurements from the same method. This is the concept of individual equivalence. Interchangeability between methods is similar to bioequivalence between drugs in bioequivalence studies. Following the FDA guidelines on individual bioequivalence, we propose to assess individual agreement among multiple methods via individual equivalence using the moment criteria. In the case where there is a reference method, we extend the individual bioequivalence criteria to individual equivalence criteria and propose to use individual equivalence coefficient (IEC) to compare multiple...
Crx activates opsin transcription by recruiting HAT-containing co-activators and promoting histone acetylation

The homeodomain transcription factor Crx is required for expression of many photoreceptor genes in the mammalian retina. The mechanism by which Crx activates transcription remains to be determined. Using protein-protein interaction assays, Crx was found to interact with three co-activator proteins (complexes): STAGA, Cbp and p300, all of which possess histone acetyl-transferase (HAT) activity. To determine the role of Crx-HAT interactions in target gene chromatin modification and transcriptional activation, quantitative RT-PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed on Crx target genes, rod and cone opsins, in developing mouse retina. Although cone opsins are transcribed earlier than rhodopsin during development, the transcription of each gene is preceded by the same sequence of events in their promoter and enhancer regions: (i) binding of Crx, followed by (ii) binding of HATs, (iii) the acetylation of histone H3, then (iv) binding of other photoreceptor transcription factors (Nrl and Nr2e3) and RNA polymerase II. In Crx knockout mice (Crx(-/-)), the association of HATs and AcH3 with target promoter/enhancer regions was significantly decreased, which correlates with aberrant opsin transcription and photoreceptor dysfunction in these mice. Similar changes to the opsin chromatin were seen in Y79 retinoblastoma cells, where opsin genes are barely transcribed. These defects in Y79 cells can be reversed by expressing a recombinant Crx or applying histone deacetylase inhibitors. Altogether, these results suggest that one mechanism for Crx-mediated transcriptional activation is to recruit HATs to photoreceptor gene chromatin for histone acetylation, thereby inducing and maintaining appropriate chromatin configurations for transcription.
The Role of an Organic Slime Matrix in the Formation of Pyritized Burrow Trails and Pyrite Concretions

Abstract Sandstones from the Black Island member of the Winnipeg Formation (Ordovician) contain a variety of early diagenetic iron sulfide morphologies, including elongate concretions of variable length. Examination of sandstone samples with X-radiography reveals that these concretions, now consisting of pyrite, are associated with burrows. Detailed textural examination of the pyrite shows an anomalously loose packing of sand grains within these concretions, and also suggests that iron sulfide nucleation commenced at multiple sites in what must have been a stiff matrix. Compositional data acquired by electron microprobe indicate that the iron sulfides did not replace fecal matter left behind by the burrower. Sulfur isotope data point to bacterial sulfate reduction as a sulfide source, corroborated by fossilized bacterial remains within the concretionary pyrite. Mucus and slime trails of marine benthos were probably important for early diagenetic pyrite production in these sediments; they can be considered...
State Variations in Farm Program Payments

Direct payments to farmers, of some importance for more than three decades, have grown very rapidly since 1960. Payments under the wheat and feed grain programs have resulted in a substantial realignment of the states in the amount of direct payments received, and have also brought an increase in the concentration of such payments in a few states. Questions as to the equitable distribution of farm program benefits as a whole could be answered only by a detailed study of state variations in the income supporting effects of all farm programs. Direct payment programs are highly visible nevertheless, and any attempt at their greater equalization must involve either development of payment programs for other important commodities or a step-up of payments under noncommodity programs available to qualified farmers in all states.
Ethical Climate, Organizational Commitment, and Indebtedness Among Purchasing Executives

The common sales practice of providing gifts to purchasing executives often results in feelings of indebtedness on the part of the purchasing executive. This research utilizes a symbolic interactio...
Lactate Clearance in Septic Shock Is Not a Surrogate for Improved Microcirculatory Flow.

Background Failure to normalize lactate is associated with poor outcomes in septic shock. It has been suggested that persistently elevated lactate may result from regional ischemia due to disturbed and/or heterogenous microcirculatory blood flow. Objectives The goal of this study was to determine if lactate clearance (LC) may serve as a surrogate marker for changes in microcirculatory blood flow in patients with septic shock. Methods This was a prospective observational study performed within a previously published clinical trial of l-carnitine for the treatment of vasopressor-dependent septic shock. Intravital video microscopy was performed at enrollment and 12 hours later, and microcirculatory flow index (MFI) was assessed. Associations between enrollment MFI, lactate, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were determined, in addition to associations between ∆MFI, LC, and ∆SOFA. A preplanned subgroup analysis of only patients with an elevated initial lactate was performed. Results We enrolled a total of 31 patients, 23 with survival and sufficient quality videos both at enrollment and at 12 hours. ∆MFI, LC, and ∆SOFA were 0.1 (interquartile range [IQR] = 0 to 0.3), 18% (IQR = −10% to 46%), and −2 (IQR = −4 to 0). Both ∆MFI and LC were associated with ∆SOFA (β = −5.3, p = 0.01; and β = −3.5, 0.047), but not with each other, even in the subgroup of patients with an initially elevated lactate. Conclusions We observed no association between degree of LC and change in microcirculatory blood flow in patients with septic shock. These data suggest against the hypothesis that LC may be used as a surrogate marker of microcirculatory blood flow.
Pulmonary Care and Adjunctive Therapies for Prevention and Amelioration of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Shortly after the introduction of assisted ventilation in the newborn, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was first described. Northway and coworkers described a group of preterm infants who developed chronic respiratory failure and characteristic radiographic changes after prolonged mechanical ventilation. The prevention and management of BPD in infants at risk is challenging due to the complex pathogenesis of multiple contributing factors that include prematurity, supplemental oxygen exposure, mechanical ventilation, patent ductus arterious, inflammation, genetic predisposition and postnatal infection. Treatment of existing BPD requires a coordinated approach including optimal nutrition, careful fluid management, evidence-based drug therapy, and gentle respiratory techniques aimed at minimizing lung injury. The best respiratory support strategy remains unclear and requires further investigation but includes avoidance of ventilator-induced lung injury (barotraumas and volutrauma), hyperoxemia, and hypocapnea. Among the available interventions antenatal steroids, caffeine, and surfactant have the best risk-benefit profile. Systemic postnatal corticosteroids should be used only in ventilated infants unable to be weaned from the ventilator. Quality improvement techniques may have a role towards improvement of hospital systems geared toward reduction of BPD.
Crystallization Behavior in Precursor-Modified Sol-Gel Lead

The molecular structure of precursors in sol-gel processing of PbTiO 3 is modified via β-diketone substitution for the isopropyl groups of titanium isopropoxide. Crystallite size and crystallization behavior are studied using x-ray diffractometry and differential thermal analysis. The crystallite size decreases with increasing amount of β-diketone substitution. Whereas the weight percent of crystalline phase first decreases and then increases with increasing β-diketone substitution. Our results indicate that the β-diketone substitution reduces the size of the structural units in the gel network resulting in smaller crystallite size and more nucleation sites in the powders produced.
Effects of system temperature on the performance of a low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell

The main objective of this paper is to develop a multiscale model for the simulation of heat/mass transport and electrochemical process in a solid oxide fuel cell. The model is then used to evaluate the effects of lowering the operating temperature for a solid oxide fuel cell. This model consists of two sub -models, i.e., a micro -scale sub -model and a macro -scale sub model. The macro -scale sub -model is based on the continuum conservation laws. The micro scale sub -model addresses the complex relationships among the transport pheno mena in the electrodes and electrolyte, which include the transport of electron, ion and gas molecules through the composite electrodes, electrolyte and three -phase boundary region. After integrating the two sub -models, the dependence of electrochemical pe rformance on the temperature, global geometrical parameter and microstructures (porosity, volume fraction, composite ratio, etc.) were assessed. Results demonstrate that for a reduced temperature solid oxide fuel cell with composite electrodes, its perform ance is also lowered due to a higher ohmic loss in electrolyte and a slower electrochemical kinetics in the cathode. Among the various micro -structure parameters for electrodes, the particle size and TPB length are the most important factors that dominate the performance of a reduced temperature SOFC. In addition, optimal thicknesses for the electrodes exist. It is believed that the current work will provide a valuable model approach, which can be used to help understand the complex transport phenomena in e lectrodes and optimize the design of a reduced temperature solid oxide fuel cell.
Performance characteristics of a microwave plasma disk ion source

The development, design, and preliminary performance characteristics of a microwave plasma disk ion source are presented. Several important design concepts indigenous to microwave plasmas have been utilized in the development of this ion source: generation of a resonantly sustained microwave discharge inside a microwave/plasma coupler, probe and length tuning of the microwave/plasma coupler, and minimization of plasma volume. The experimental results for a 2.45 GHz, eight cm ion source excited in the TE(211) and TM(011) modes are described. Results are presented for electromagnetic mode excitation, electron density, coupling efficiency and loaded cavity Q, and I-V characteristics and efficiencies. It is preliminarily shown that a microwave disk-like plasma can be sustained adjacent to the grids with either TE or TM cavity modes at pressures below 2 x 10 to the -4th torr. Over 80% of the power absorbed in the cavity is coupled into the plasma.
Integrated learning and health: A call for increasing coordination efforts

This commentary reinforces a call to recognize the need for substantive collaboration, communication, and cooperation across education and health sectors. Themes throughout the body of articles contained in the special issue are discussed as strengthening knowledge about the benefits to integration of education and health domains in prevention and intervention. A brief review of coordinated school health efforts in the United States is provided, with discussion related to increasing the roles of student services personnel in leading coordination. Finally, recommendations are made to move the conclusions provided in the issue around the what for potential foci of prevention and intervention to greater focus on the how in integration and sustained implementation in diverse contexts and across broad systems.
Nanoscale Spectroscopy with Applications

Tip-Enhanced Spectroscopy in the Nanoscale: Its Practical Issues and Solutions Norihiko Hayazawa and Taka-aki Yano Micro- and Nanoscale Structures/Systems and their Applications in Certain Directions: A Brief Review P.K. Choudhury, Krishna Kanti Dey, and Saurabh Basu Dielectric Spectroscopy of Polymer-Based Nanocomposite Dielectrics with Tailored Interfaces and Structured Spatial Distribution of Fillers G. Polizos, E. Tuncer, V. Tomer, I. Sauers, C.A. Randall, and E. Manias Nanoscale Spectroscopy with Applications to Chemistry Ufana Riaz and S.M Ashraf Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy with Applications to Chemistry Wen-Gang Qu and An-Wu Xu Nanoestructure Evaluation of Ionic Liquid Aggregates by Spectroscopy Clarissa P. Frizzo, Aniele Z. Tier, Izabelle M. Gindri, Lilian Buriol, Marcos A. Villetti, Nilo Zanatta, and Marcos A.P. Martins Controlling Reversible Self-Assembly Path of Amyloid Beta Peptide over Gold Colloidal Nanoparticles' Surfaces Kazushige Yokoyama Nanoscale Spectroscopy in the Infrared with Applications to Biology Eamonn Kennedy, Edward Yoxall, and James Rice Spectral Interference Fluorescence Microscopy to Study Conformation of Biomolecules with Nanometer Accuracy Xirui Zhang, Philipp S. Spuhler, David S. Freedman, and M. Selim Unlu FMRI and Nanotechnology Aditi Deshpande and George C. Giakos Review of Nanoscale Spectroscopy in Medicine Chintha C. Handapangoda, Saeid Nahavandi, and Malin Premaratne Medical Nanoscale Spectroscopy: Concepts, Principles and Applications Viroj Wiwanitkit Nanoscale Spectroscopy for Defense and National Security Aditi Deshpande, Mohit Agarwal, Suman Shrestha, and George C. Giakos Appendix A: Material and Physical Constants Appendix B: Photon Equations, Index of Refraction, Electromagnetic Spectrum, and Wavelength of Commercial Laser Appendix C: Symbols and Formulas
Mixed Up by Time and Chance? Using Digital Methods to “Re-Orient” the Syriac Religious Literature of Late Antiquity

The British Library’s collection of approximately 1000 Syriac manuscripts is one of the world’s richest collections of materials for the study of Syriac Christianity. These manuscripts were catalogued in the nineteenth century shortly after a large collection of over 500 manuscripts were acquired by the British from the monastery of Dayr al-Sury ā n in Egypt. This article examines the intellectual assumptions that guided the nineteenth- century cataloguing efforts and offers a methodological proposal for how a new digital catalogue of the manuscripts could and should differ. New methods of digital representation can permit users to engage the Dayr al-Suryān manuscripts and the whole of the British Library Syriac collection from multiple, varied, and even conflicting perspectives. Several such digital approaches are being implemented in Syriaca.org’s digital catalogue of the British Library Syriac manuscripts. The diversity of such digital approaches promises to open new insights into the history of Christianity in late antiquity and beyond.
Neovascularity as a Prognostic Marker in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Endothelial markers platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1), cluster of differentiation (CD31) and endoglin (CD105) may be used to identify endothelium and activated endothelium, respectively, with the CD105/CD31 ratio used to measure neovascularity. This study investigated the hypothesis that neovascularity in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with more aggressive RCC tumors and can be used to predict oncological outcomes. Multiplexed immunohistochemistry using antibodies to detect endoglin and PECAM-1 was performed on tissue microarray of benign kidney samples and RCC tumors including clear cell, papillary, chromophobe, and collecting duct and unclassified tumors (combined for statistics), and multispectral imaging was used for analysis. The CD105/CD31 ratio was compared with clinical and pathologic features of RCC as well as clinical outcomes after surgery using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis. A total of 502 tumor samples and 122 normal kidney samples from 251 RCC patients were analyzed. The average CD105/CD31 expression ratio, an indicator of neovascularization, was increased in higher pathologic stage tumors (P< .0001). Among RCC morphotypes, the ratio was lower in papillary RCC morphotype tumors (P= .001) and higher in collecting duct/unclassified tumors (P= .0001) compared with clear cell RCC. Among nuclear grades, grade 4 RCC displayed a significantly elevated CD105/CD31 ratio (P< .0001). In multivariable analysis, increased neovascularity was associated with decreased overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.54 [95% confidence interval, 1.06-2.23]; P= .02). In patients receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (VEGF, n = 13) for metastatic RCC, a low CD105/CD31 ratio was associated with increased survival (P= .02). We conclude that higher neovascularity is associated with worse outcomes after surgery for RCC. The ratio of CD105/CD31 expression is a potential indicator of response to anti-VEGF therapy.
In Silico Cell Cycle Predictor for Mammalian Cell Culture Bioreactor Using Agent-Based Modeling Approach

Abstract An Agent-based computational modeling approach was used to develop a model to simulate individual mammalian cell behavior and its cycle regulation in response to dynamic bioreactor conditions. The model can be used as an in silico cell cycle predictor when provided with data from ongoing bioreactor runs. Rules were developed to regulate the distinct cell cycle events as well as to apply decision-making at the critical cellular checkpoints. The model was constructed and validated using different sets of experimental cell culture conditions with cell culture parameters measured using a flow cytometer and other instrumentation.
Can operators simply share millimeter wave spectrum licenses

Because of their often noise-limited behavior, millimeter wave systems may be able to share spectrum licenses without any coordination. We establish the theoretical feasibility of uncoordinated sharing by considering a downlink system containing multiple mmWave cellular providers. We compute the downlink rate distribution, and compare that against systems with exclusive licenses. We show that shared licenses can use a smaller bandwidth to achieve the same per-user median rate as providers with an exclusive spectrum license. We also show that both total interference and available bandwidth increase with the size of the spectrum sharing coalition, which implies that the optimal amount of spectrum sharing depends on the target rate.
Heating and thermal control of brazing technique to break contamination path for potential Mars sample return

The potential return of Mars sample material is of great interest to the planetary science community, as it would enable extensive analysis of samples with highly sensitive laboratory instruments. It is important to make sure such a mission concept would not bring any living microbes, which may possibly exist on Mars, back to Earth’s environment. In order to ensure the isolation of Mars microbes from Earth’s Atmosphere, a brazing sealing and sterilizing technique was proposed to break the Mars-to-Earth contamination path. Effectively, heating the brazing zone in high vacuum space and controlling the sample temperature for integrity are key challenges to the implementation of this technique. The break-thechain procedures for container configurations, which are being considered, were simulated by multi-physics finite element models. Different heating methods including induction and resistive/radiation were evaluated. The temperature profiles of Martian samples in a proposed container structure were predicted. The results show that the sealing and sterilizing process can be controlled such that the samples temperature is maintained below the level that may cause damage, and that the brazing technique is a feasible approach to breaking the contamination path.
Overview of Four Functional Classification Systems Commonly Used in Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common physical disability in childhood. CP comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders that can result in spasticity, dystonia, muscle contractures, weakness and coordination difficulty that ultimately affects the ability to control movements. Traditionally, CP has been classified using a combination of the motor type and the topographical distribution, as well as subjective severity level. Imprecise terms such as these tell very little about what a person is able to do functionally and can impair clear communication between providers. More recently, classification systems have been created employing a simple ordinal grading system of functional performance. These systems allow a more precise discussion between providers, as well as better subject stratification for research. The goal of this review is to describe four common functional classification systems for cerebral palsy: the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), and the Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System (EDACS). These measures are all standardized, reliable, and complementary to one another.
AHNS Series – Do you know your guidelines? Lip cancer

Background Lip cancer is one of the most curable primary head and neck malignancies, as the prominent location typically lends to an early diagnosis. The incidence of lip cancer varies by sex, ethnicity, and region, but is estimated to be up to 2.5/100 000 in the United States (squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]). Methods This article will review the current literature and National Comprehensive Cancer Network practice guidelines in the treatment of lip cancer. Results Resection of lip cancer with negative margins remains the mainstay of therapy. Positive nodal disease should be treated with neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy. Conclusion Lip cancer remains highly curable when diagnosed at an early stage. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial to treating patients with advanced-stage lip cancer.
Diuron: Postemergence Oxalis Control in Container-grown Plants

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of postemergence applied diuron (Direx 4L) for oxalis control and crop safety in container nursery crops. The first experiment, treated on March 15, 2001, evaluated diuron at 0.14, 0.28, 0.56, and 1.12 kg ai/ha (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 lb ai/A) rates without a surfactant and provided a maximum of 74% oxalis control in liriope and 57% in camellia. Diuron caused slight to no injury on ‘Pink Icicle’ camellia, ‘Anthony Waterer’ spirea and ‘Big Blue’ liriope which dissipated completely by 60 DAT. Experiment two, treated on April 6, 2001, used higher rates and included a surfactant. Diuron provided excellent oxalis control at rates ≥ 0.56 kg ai/ha (0.5 lb ai/A) by 21 days after treatment (DAT) and reduced oxalis shoot fresh weight (SFW) and shoot dry weight (SDW) by ≥ 95%. Unlike the first experiment, no injury was observed on either liriope or camellia. Experiment three, treated on April 15, 2001, evaluated diuron rate and oxalis size on...
Book Commentary: Ideas, Inertia and Achievement, F. B. Turck.

(1961). Book Commentary: Ideas, Inertia and Achievement, F. B. Turck. Research Management: Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 307-308.
Temperature correlations between the eastern equatorial Pacific and Antarctica over the past 230,000 years

Abstract Tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs) warmed and cooled in step with the Pleistocene ice age cycles, but the mechanisms are not known. It is assumed that the answer must involve radiative forcing by CO2 but SST reconstructions have been too sparse for a conclusive test. Here I present a 230,000-yr tropical SST stack from the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) using two new Mg/Ca reconstructions combined with three earlier ones. The EEP stack shows persistent covariation with Antarctic temperature on orbital and millennial timescales indicating tight coupling between the two regions. This coupling however cannot be explained solely by CO2 forcing because in at least one important case, the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5e–5d glacial inception, both regions cooled ∼5–6.5 thousand years before CO2 decreased. More likely, their covariation was due to advection of Antarctic climate signals to the EEP by the ocean. To explain the MIS 5e–5d event and glacial inception in general the hypothesis is advanced that the cooling signal spreads globally from the Northern Hemisphere with an active ocean circulation – first from the North Atlantic to the Southern Ocean with a colder North Atlantic Deep Water, and then to the Indian and Pacific Oceans with cooler Antarctic deep and intermediate waters.
Stretch Directions and Stretch Factors: A Sequence Intended to Support Guided Reinvention of Eigenvector and Eigenvalue

In this chapter, we document the reasoning students exhibited when engaged in an instructional sequence designed to support student development of notions of eigenvectors, eigenvalues, and the characteristic polynomial. Rooted in the curriculum design theory of Realistic Mathematics Education (RME; Gravemeijer, 1999), the sequence builds on student solution strategies from each problem to the next. Students’ used their knowledge of how matrix multiplication transforms space to engage in problems involving stretch factors and stretch directions. In working through these problems students reinvented general strategies for determining eigenvectors, eigenvalues, and the characteristic polynomial.
When Do Intended Performance Standards Predict Goal-Related Affect? A Motivated-Reasoning Perspective:

This research used intensive longitudinal methods to examine a motivated cognition perspective on intention–behavior discrepancies. We propose that under conditions of high performance, people are ...
Graphic conceptual models

a diagrammatic representation of a theoretical system, used to illustrate its elements and their interrelationships. They are schematic, abstract and, very frequently, generalized. Illustrative examples are those previously described in A VCR, the familiar Shannon model (7:5), block diagrams used in electrical engineering, and the flow charts used to describe the procedure of policy-making and many other processes. We shall attempt here to establish a rationale for the usefulness of these graphic conceptual models, and we shall also survey some of their more important practical and theoretical characteristics as a means of communication.
Autopsy findings in umbilical cord blood transplant recipients.

Human umbilical cord blood stem cells have been used to reconstitute hematopoiesis in patients with malignant and nonmalignant diseases. The immunologic immaturity of cord blood cells confers peculiar characteristics to these hematopoietic precursors. Autopsy reports from January 1, 1988, through June 30, 1998, were searched for patients who had received an umbilical cord blood transplant (UCBT). Thirty-two patients (19 male, 13 female) were identified with a mean age at autopsy of 13.0 years with a range from 1 to 52 years. Most patients (24) underwent UCBT for treatment of a malignant neoplasm, while the remainder were treated for immunodeficiencies (4), Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (2), Hurler syndrome (1), and Diamond- Blackfan syndrome (1). Sixteen patients had at least 1 infectious complication, and 8 patients had multiple infections. Organisms included mycoses (7patients), viruses (8 patients), bacteria (3 patients), and Toxoplasma (2 patients). Hemorrhagic complications, such as intra-alveolar hemorrhage and gastrointestinal tract hemorrhage, were found in 24 patients. Other frequent findings at autopsy included diffuse alveolar damage (15 patients), hepatic veno-occlusive disease (11 patients), and acute or chronic graft-vs-host disease (9 patients). Patients who have received UCBT represent a unique population of immunosuppressed patients. Infectious and hemorrhagic complications frequently are encountered at autopsy, and pathologists performing autopsies on these patients should be alert to unusual pathogens.
Cancer and Sexual Minority Women

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States, outpacing deaths due to heart disease. During the year 2005, an estimated 1,372,910 persons in the United States were expected to be diagnosed with cancer, and 570,280 persons were expected to die from it—more than 1500 people per day (American Cancer Society, 2005). These estimates do not include noninvasive (in situ) cancers and most skin cancers; new cases of skin cancer are estimated to exceed 1 million per year (American Cancer Society, 2005). About three-fourths of all cancers occur in people age 55 and older (American Cancer Society, 2005).
Big History and Local Experiences: Migration and Identity in a European Borderland

On the example of two towns in the multiethnic former Prussian-Russian borderland, Musekamp provides an insight into the entangled history of trade, migrations, cultural encounter, and barriers between the “Self” and the “Other.” After the construction of a railroad in 1861, Eydtkuhnen and Verzhbolovo facilitated trade between Eastern and Western Europe. For travelers crisscrossing Europe, the place was a continental divide between the Russian Empire and Western Europe. For Russian Jewish emigrants passing health inspections here, German Eydtkuhnen was a safe haven and an important stop on their way to North America. Between 1933 and 1945, the area underwent dramatic population movements, with many inhabitants killed or expelled and others resettled—a process that destroyed this thriving European borderland.
Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury: Making Progress Against a Lethal Syndrome

Sepsis and acute kidney injury (AKI) are disease processes that increase morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Though separate entities, sepsis and AKI carry considerable pathophysiologic overlap and significantly worsen patient outcomes when concurrent. Sepsis is the most commonly associated condition with AKI in critically ill patients (S-AKI). Despite a multitude of epidemiologic data describing prevalence and associated outcomes, understanding of the complicated pathophysiology driving S-AKI is only superficial, appreciation of the disease phenotype is lacking, and current diagnostics are outdated. Ultimately, these shortcomings contribute to a large knowledge gap, resulting in a paucity of focused and effective therapeutic options. This chapter will detail available data, delineate the current paradigm and describe limitations, and then create a narrative describing a path necessary to follow in order to better manage S-AKI. Clinicians and researchers must move past the status quo, challenge assumptions, and simultaneously innovate, collaborate, and advocate for their patients suffering from this lethal condition.
Exploitation of Synthetic mRNA To Drive Immune Effector Cell Recruitment and Functional Reprogramming In Vivo

Therapeutic strategies based on in vitro-transcribed mRNA (IVT) are attractive because they avoid the permanent signature of genomic integration that is associated with DNA-based therapy and result in the transient production of proteins of interest. To date, IVT has mainly been used in vaccination protocols to generate immune responses to foreign Ags. In this "proof-of-principle" study, we explore a strategy of combinatorial IVT to recruit and reprogram immune effector cells to acquire divergent biological functions in mice in vivo. First, we demonstrate that synthetic mRNA encoding CCL3 is able to recruit murine monocytes in a nonprogrammed state, exhibiting neither bactericidal nor tissue-repairing properties. However, upon addition of either Ifn-γ mRNA or Il-4 mRNA, we successfully polarized these cells to adopt either M1 or M2 macrophage activation phenotypes. This cellular reprogramming was demonstrated through increased expression of known surface markers and through the differential modulation of NADPH oxidase activity, or the superoxide burst. Our study demonstrates how IVT strategies can be combined to recruit and reprogram immune effector cells that have the capacity to fulfill complex biological tasks in vivo.
Defects of glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases in Neurospora and their pleiotropic effects.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the defects of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and 6-phosphogluconate (6PG) dehydrogenases in neurospora and their pleiotropic effects. The various reaction sequences of an intact cell are not discrete entities in that activities of many metabolic pathways are regulated by the availability of intermediates or products derived from different areas of metabolism, particularly intermediary metabolism. Often different reaction sequences also utilize common metabolites and cofactors. These interactions provide the basis for elaborate control mechanisms and a method for coordinating the diverse functions of cellular physiology. Progress in dissecting the coordinate regulation of metabolism has been limited because such controls are complex. Mutants of Neurospora crassa can be divided into three major classes: nutritional, mitochondrial, and morphological. Strains that carry a defective G6P dehydrogenase or 6PG dehydrogenase have morphologically distinct phenotypes. These mutants, grouped together because of their common phenotypic traits, are characterized by abnormal mycelial growth patterns, aberrant hyphal morphologies, and greatly reduced growth rates.
Investigation of Listeriosis-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Medical Staff in Fangshan, Beijing, China.

Abstract The aim of this study was to gain insight into the knowledge of, attitude toward, and practical experience with listeriosis among medical staff. In two hospitals in Fangshan, Beijing, 410 ...
Regulation of cell-type-specific transcriptomes by microRNA networks during human brain development

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many cellular events during brain development by interacting with hundreds of mRNA transcripts. However, miRNAs operate nonuniformly upon the transcriptional profile with an as yet unknown logic. Shortcomings in defining miRNA-mRNA networks include limited knowledge of in vivo miRNA targets and their abundance in single cells. By combining multiple complementary approaches, high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by cross-linking immunoprecipitation with an antibody to AGO2 (AGO2-HITS-CLIP), single-cell profiling and computational analyses using bipartite and coexpression networks, we show that miRNA-mRNA interactions operate as functional modules that often correspond to cell-type identities and undergo dynamic transitions during brain development. These networks are highly dynamic during development and over the course of evolution. One such interaction is between radial-glia-enriched ORC4 and miR-2115, a great-ape-specific miRNA, which appears to control radial glia proliferation rates during human brain development.
The Owens Valley Millimeter Array

In this paper the telescopes and signal processing systems of the Owens Valley Millimeter Array are briefly described.
Factors associated with the use of vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap reconstruction following abdominoperineal resection for anorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Following abdominoperineal resection (APR), primary closure of the perineal defect is often possible. Some patients, however, require flap reconstruction. Identifying these patients preoperatively is critical to facilitate comprehensive patient counseling and optimize surgical efficacy. METHODS A retrospective review of patients undergoing APR over a 10-year period was performed to identify predictive factors for patients requiring reconstruction with a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap as opposed to primary closure. Student's t and Fisher's exact tests were utilized for statistical analysis. RESULTS A total of 158 patients underwent APR, 29 of whom (18%) required a VRAM flap. A higher average skin resection area was seen among those requiring flap reconstruction (P < .0001). Flap reconstruction was also associated with current smoking status (P = .0197), anal tumor location (P < .0001), and neoadjuvant radiation (P = .0457). Although not statistically significant, average tumor diameter was larger in the VRAM flap group compared with the primary closure group. CONCLUSIONS While the appropriate method of closure for those undergoing APR should be considered on an individual case basis, patients who smoke, have a tumor located at the anus, or require large skin resection are more likely to need flap reconstruction.
Sellmeier circuits: A unifying view on optical and plasma dispersion fitting formulas

The Sellmeier equation, ubiquitous in optics for characterizing an optical material's refractive index (n) as a function of wavelength (λ), is recast as an electrical immittance and realized in a circuit form. The circuit is shown to be identical to that widely used to portray piezoelectric resonators. This analogy further is shown to harmonize certain features common to both as well as to connect seemingly disparate applied physical phenomena including Lyddane–Sachs–Teller, Debye, Drude, plasma, and Lorentz–Zener effects.
Ensemble Hyperspectral Band Selection for Detecting Nitrogen Status in Grape Leaves

The large data size and dimensionality of hyperspectral data demands complex processing and data analysis. Multispectral data do not suffer the same limitations, but are normally restricted to blue, green, red, red edge, and near infrared bands. This study aimed to identify the optimal set of spectral bands for nitrogen detection in grape leaves using ensemble feature selection on hyperspectral data from over 3,000 leaves from 150 ‘Flame Seedless’ table grapevines. Six machine learning base rankers were included in the ensemble: random forest, LASSO, SelectKBest, ReliefF, SVM-RFE, and chaotic crow search algorithm (CCSA). The pipeline identified less than 0.45% of the bands as most informative about grape nitrogen status. The selected violet, yellow-orange, and shortwave infrared bands lie outside of the typical blue, green, red, red edge, and near infrared bands of commercial multispectral cameras, so the potential improvement in remote sensing of nitrogen in grapevines brought forth by a customized multispectral sensor centered at the selected bands is promising and worth further investigation. The proposed pipeline may also be used for application-specific multispectral sensor design in domains other than agriculture.