cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of theophylline on human natural killer cells.

AbstractTheophylline has been shown previously to inhibit a number of cellular immune functions of granulocytes and T-lymphocytes. In the present report, we demonstrate that theophylline, in a dosedependent fashion, suppresses human natural killer (NK) cell activity in vitro. To determine if theophylline produces quantitative or qualitative alterations in NK cells in vivo we quantitated peripheral blood NK cells with three monoclonal antibodies and FACS analysis and measured NK cytolytic activity in eight normal volunteers who took theophylline for eight days. No change was noted in the number or cytolytic activity of NK cells over the eight days of monitoring. We conclude that theophylline does not alter NK cells in vivo when given in therapeutic doses.
Cysteine and histidine shuffling: mixing and matching cysteine and histidine residues in zinc finger proteins to afford different folds and function

Zinc finger proteins utilize zinc for structural purposes: zinc binds to a combination of cysteine and histidine ligands in a tetrahedral coordination geometry facilitating protein folding and function. While much is known about the classical zinc finger proteins, which utilize a Cys2His2 ligand set to coordinate zinc and fold into an anti-parallel beta sheet/alpha helical fold, there are thirteen other families of ‘non-classical’ zinc finger proteins for which relationships between metal coordination and protein structure/function are less defined. This ‘Perspective’ article focuses on two classes of these non-classical zinc finger proteins: Cys3His type zinc finger proteins and Cys2His2Cys type zinc finger proteins. These proteins bind zinc in a tetrahedral geometry, like the classical zinc finger proteins, yet they adopt completely different folds and target different oligonucleotides. Our current understanding of the relationships between ligand set, metal ion, fold and function for these non-classical zinc fingers is discussed.
Threshold Functions for Markov Chains: a Graph Theoretic Approach

A new graph theoretic proof of the convergence of Markov chains with variable transition probabilities and a new algorithm for computing the limiting distributions are presented.
Mutational consequences of dNTP pool imbalances in E. coli

a b s t r a c t The accuracy of DNA synthesis depends on the accuracy of the polymerase as well as the quality and concentration(s) of the available 5 � -deoxynucleoside-triphosphate DNA precursors (dNTPs). The rela- tionships between dNTPs and error rates have been studied in vitro, but only limited insights exist into these correlations during in vivo replication. We have investigated this issue in the bacterium Escherichia coli by analyzing the mutational properties of dcd and ndk strains. These strains, defective in dCTP deam- inase and nucleoside diphosphate kinase, respectively, are characterized by both disturbances of dNTP pools and a mutator phenotype. ndk strains have been studied before, but were included in this study, as controversies exist regarding the source of its mutator phenotype. We show that dcd strains suffer from increased intracellular levels of dCTP (4-fold) and reduced levels of dGTP (2-fold), while displaying, as measured using a set of lacZ reversion markers in a mismatch-repair defective (mutL) background, a strong mutator effect for G·C→T·A and A·T→T·A transversions (27- and 42-fold enhancement, respec- tively). In contrast, ndk strains possess a lowered dATP level (4-fold) and modestly enhanced dCTP level (2-fold), while its mutator effect is specific for just the A·T→T·A transversions. The two strains also display differential mutability for rifampicin-resistant mutants. Overall, our analysis reveals for both strains a satisfactory correlation between dNTP pool alterations and the replication error rates, and also suggests that a minimal explanation for the ndk mutator does not require assumptions beyond the predicted effect of the dNTP pools. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Initial Performance of Upgraded Tevatron Cryogenic Systems

Fermilab began operating a re-designed satellite refrigerator systems in November 1993. Upgrades were installed to operate the Tevatron at a magnet temperature of 3.5 K, approximately 1K lower than the original design. Refrigerator upgrades included new valve boxes, larger reciprocating expanders, the installation of cold vapor compressors, new sub-atmospheric instrumentation and an entirely new distributed controls system. Cryogenic system reliability data for Colliding Physics Run 1B is presented emphasizing a failure analysis for each aspect of the upgrade. Comparison to data for Colliding Physics Run 1A (previous to upgrade) is presented to show the impact of a major system overhaul. New operational problems and their solutions are presented in detail.
Spitz and Wingless, emanating from distinct borders, cooperate to establish cell fate across the Engrailed domain in the Drosophila epidermis

A key step in development is the establishment of cell type diversity across a cellular field. Segmental patterning within the Drosophila embryonic epidermis is one paradigm for this process. At each parasegment boundary, cells expressing the Wnt family member Wingless confront cells expressing the homeoprotein Engrailed. The Engrailed-expressing cells normally differentiate as one of two alternative cell types. In investigating the generation of this cell type diversity among the 2-cell-wide Engrailed stripe, we previously showed that Wingless, expressed just anterior to the Engrailed cells, is essential for the specification of anterior Engrailed cell fate. In a screen for additional mutations affecting Engrailed cell fate, we identified anterior open/yan, a gene encoding an inhibitory ETS-domain transcription factor that is negatively regulated by the Rasl-MAP kinase signaling cascade. We find that Anterior Open must be inactivated for posterior Engrailed cells to adopt their correct fate. This is achieved by the EGF receptor (DER), which is required autonomously in the Engrailed cells to trigger the Ras1-MAP kinase pathway. Localized activation of DER is accomplished by restricted processing of the activating ligand, Spitz. Processing is confined to the cell row posterior to the Engrailed domain by the restricted expression of Rhomboid. These cells also express the inhibitory ligand Argos, which attenuates the activation of DER in cell rows more distant from the ligand source. Thus, distinct signals flank each border of the Engrailed domain, as Wingless is produced anteriorly and Spitz posteriorly. Since we also show that En cells have the capacity to respond to either Wingless or Spitz, these cells must choose their fate depending on the relative level of activation of the two pathways.
From Overlooked to Looking Over: Lesbians in Children's and Young Adult Literature

This introduction focuses on the relative absence of lesbians in scholarly and intellectual conversations about homosexuality in children's and young adult literature. It also discusses the various articles in this special issue of the Journal of Lesbian Studies.
New Directions in Responsibility: Assessing the International Law Commission's Draft Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations

The International Law Commission’s Draft Articles on the Responsibility of International Organizations are a critical new development in the law regulating international organizations. These Articles create a legal framework - although not a forum - to sue IOs that commit internationally wrongful acts. The Draft Articles create a law of “consequences”: they lay out rules of attribution, excuses precluding wrongfulness, effects of a breach, and principles of reparations. In this essay, I explore the consequences of extending legal responsibility to IOs. I distinguish between the concepts of accountability and responsibility, highlight some salient aspects of the structure and substance of the Draft Articles, and finally suggest that the law of responsibility and Chapter VII Security Council Resolutions have a long and complicated future ahead of them. I also comment on how the privileges and immunities of IOs will affect the application of the law of responsibility and conclude that the Draft Articles’ main forum of application will be within the IOs themselves.
Life satisfaction and aphasia: an integrative review with recommendations for future research

ABSTRACTBackground: Recent legislation in the United States has called for greater use of patient-reported outcomes to assess treatment effectiveness. Life satisfaction is a patient-reported outcome that is only recently receiving attention in the aphasia literature. Understanding life satisfaction among persons with aphasia (PWA) is critical to developing strategies that will assist these individuals in managing their lives after experiencing aphasia.Aims: The aim of this paper is to review life satisfaction among PWA for the purpose of stimulating further discussion and research.Main Contribution: We identified five studies with mixed results relating to life satisfaction after aphasia. Understanding life satisfaction among PWA is important as it reflects the individual’s response to this life changing communication disorder. However, the influence of a range of issues remains unclear with regard to life satisfaction and aphasia, including (a) the contributions of the individual’s clinical and sociodemo...
Type 2 Diabetes and Hearing Impairment

Hearing impairment (HI) and type 2 diabetes are both highly prevalent disabling conditions. Type 2 diabetes has been modestly associated with a higher likelihood of HI in many, but not all, population-based studies, with stronger associations found in studies that included younger age groups. Pathophysiologic studies suggest that persons with diabetes are predisposed to HI in the higher frequencies. Proposed mechanisms underlying the association between diabetes and HI include the combined contributions of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress to cochlear microangiopathy and auditory neuropathy. In this review, we highlight recent population-based studies of type 2 diabetes and HI and examine evidence for diabetes-induced pathophysiologic changes that may result in damage to the auditory system.
Making Sense of the Science of Sodium.

Despite the Institute of Medicine’s commitment to base its nutrient intake recommendations in evidence, the 2004/2005 Dietary Reference Intakes for sodium were not supported by evidence, as the subsequent 2013 Institute of Medicine review admitted. In this review, I suggest an approach to setting nutrient intake requirements based in physiology. Briefly, the requirement of a given nutrient can best be said to be the intake that calls for the least adaptation or compensation by the intact organism. For sodium, evidence indicates that such an intake is typically between 3000 and 5000 mg/d.
Ablative Therapies for Central Airway Obstruction

Central airway obstruction (CAO) is seen in malignant and nonmalignant airway disorders and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Endobronchial ablative therapies are used in conjunction with mechanical debridement to achieve hemostasis and restore airway patency. These therapies can be classified into modalities with immediate or delayed effect. Therapies with immediate effect include heat therapies (such as electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation, and laser) and cryorecanalization using a cryoprobe for tissue extraction. These modalities can be used in severe CAO for immediate relief of obstruction. Therapies with delayed effect include cryotherapy, brachytherapy, and photodynamic therapy. These modalities should not be used for acutely symptomatic CAO, and typically require follow-up bronchoscopy for removal of debris from the airway. Multimodality approach typically leads to better outcomes.
Visualization of the cytoarchitecture of ex vivo human brain by optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography visualizes the structure of the human brain, from the cortical laminar structure to the individual neurons.
A Check on Gross Errors in Certain Variance Computations

In stratified samples, the variance of ratio estimates often includes the variance of the variable used for stratification. The upper bounds of this variance and the corresponding rel-variance are derived for use in checking gross errors, and “typical” values of the variance are also presented.
Effect of Alcohol on Encoding and Consolidation of Memory for Alcohol-Related Images

BACKGROUND: Drug and alcohol abusers develop strong memories for drug-related stimuli. Preclinical studies suggest that such memories are a result of drug actions on reward pathways, which facilitate learning about drug-related stimuli. However, few controlled studies have investigated how drugs affect memory for drug-related stimuli in humans. METHODS: The current study examined the direct effect of alcohol on memory for images of alcohol-related or neutral beverages. Participants received alcohol (0.8 g/kg) either before viewing visual images (encoding condition; n = 20) or immediately after viewing them (consolidation condition; n = 20). A third group received placebo both before and after viewing the images (control condition; n = 19). Memory retrieval was tested exactly 48 hours later, in a drug-free state. RESULTS: Alcohol impaired memory in the encoding condition and enhanced memory in the consolidation condition, but these effects did not differ for alcohol-related and neutral beverage stimuli. However, in the encoding condition, participants who experienced greater alcohol-induced stimulation exhibited better memory for alcohol-related, but not neutral beverage stimuli. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that individual differences in sensitivity to the positive, rewarding effects of alcohol are associated with greater propensity to remember alcohol-related stimuli encountered while intoxicated. As such, stimulant responders may form stronger memory associations with alcohol-related stimuli, which might then influence their drinking behavior.Copyright © 2016 by the Research Society on Alcoholism. Language: en
The Impact of Welfare Reform on Men's Violence against Women

Welfare reform is likely to have a profound effect on the lives of poor women who are being abused. This article proposes exchange theory and the feminist “backlash hypothesis” as frameworks with which to assess the impact of welfare reform on violence levels in abusive relationships. Exchange theory suggests that if a woman leaves welfare and obtains employment that increases her economic resources, violence against her will decrease. The backlash hypothesis makes a different prediction: Violence will increase as men attempt to compensate for women's enhanced status or independence. Both approaches are examined in light of current data. As demonstrated here, the incorporation into social policy analyses of feminist thinking about dominance and power will enrich our understanding of the impact of social policy changes on people.
Commission des Galaxies

Important progress has been made in almost all parts of the large field covered by the Commission. The most spectacular and dramatic new chapter of extragalactic research has expanded rapidly. Nine quasi-stellar sources only were known at the time of the XIIth General Assembly. The number of known objects of this class now ranges in the hundreds, and the discovery of the related class of radio-quiet quasi-stellar objects has opened a large field for investigations. Detailed observations of the objects do not keep up with the rapid rate of new discoveries, mainly owing to the small number of suitable telescopes, particularly in the southern hemisphere, and the restricted amount of available observing time.
Toward quantum plasmonic networks

We demonstrate the transduction of macroscopic quantum entanglement by independent, distant plasmonic structures embedded in separate thin silver films. In particular, we show that the plasmon-mediated transmission through each film conserves spatially dependent, entangled quantum images, opening the door for the implementation of parallel quantum protocols, super-resolution imaging, and quantum plasmonic sensing geometries at the nanoscale level. The conservation of quantum information by the transduction process shows that continuous variable multi-mode entanglement is momentarily transferred from entangled beams of light to the space-like separated, completely independent plasmonic structures, thus providing a first important step toward establishing a multichannel quantum network across separate solid-state substrates.
SAW wireless, passive sensor spread spectrum platforms

SAW technology has been identified as a possible solution for NASA's long term needs for ground, space-flight, and space-exploration sensor requirements. SAW has many unique advantages over possible competing technologies, which include the following properties: passive, radiation hard, operable over wide temperature ranges, small, rugged, inexpensive, and identifiable. The purpose of this paper is a focus on the platform and system constraints; not on any particular sensor. For remote sensing, the device and system platform is the essential element which enables the sensor information to be obtained. This paper's emphasis will be on orthogonal frequency coded (OFC), and single frequency CDMA sensor tags. The parameters of interest are device insertion loss, system range, code diversity, center frequency and bandwidth. It will be shown that multi-frequency and OFC tags offer the possibility of much greater ranges and better code collision properties than the more conventional commercial SAW CDMA RFID tags. Reflectors can have less than 1 dB insertion loss, and when using unidirectional transducers, overall SAW device loss can be less than a few dB. Antenna size and gain are key parameters for small foot print and achievable range. By using spread spectrum techniques, processing gain can be encoded in the reflectors, the transducer, or both. The paper will present the fundamental engineering equations which define the system range, receiver dynamic range, minimum detectable signal and processing gain. Theoretical system performance of both the multi-frequency and single frequency SAW RFID sensor will be discussed.
Expansive Genres of Play: Getting Serious About Game Genres for the Design of Future Learning Environments

Game studies researchers have struggled with definitions of genre, defaulting to definitions that highlight game content and interaction differences. These categorizations focus on the feature-based nature of games and are not particularly useful for educational researchers interested in how games facilitate co-production and sharing among peers. A rhetorical conception of genre broadens our understanding of games, such that they become aspects of an environment and community where player participation and learning occur. The authors offer a description of one game that works as an exemplar in its dynamic engagement of players in building narrative objects (i.e. paratexts) that extend and co-produce an engaging learning world: This War of Mine. Ultimately the authors suggest that expansive play-learning can occur around games and within their genre ecologies.
Discussion of Peer Relationships, Self-Esteem, and the Self

(1987). Discussion of Peer Relationships, Self-Esteem, and the Self. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 525-528.
Predicting Tissue Susceptibility to Mechanical Cavitation Damage in Therapeutic Ultrasound.

Histotripsy is a developing focused ultrasound procedure that uses cavitation bubbles to mechanically homogenize soft tissue. To better understand the mechanics of tissue damage, a numerical model of single-bubble dynamics was used to calculate stress, strain and strain rate fields produced by a cavitation bubble exposed to a tensile histotripsy pulse. The explosive bubble growth and its subsequent collapse were found to depend on the properties of the surrounding material and on the histotripsy pulse. Stresses far greater than gigapascals were observed close to the bubble wall, but attenuated by four to six orders of magnitude within 50 μm from the bubble wall, with at least two orders of magnitude attenuation occurring within the first 10 μm from the bubble. Elastic stresses were found to dominate close to the bubble wall, whereas viscous stresses tended to persist farther into the surroundings. A non-dimensional parameter combining tissue, waveform and bubble properties was identified that dictates the dominant stress (viscous vs. elastic) as a function of distance from the bubble nucleus. In a cycle of bubble growth and collapse, characteristic times at which mechanical damage is likely to occur and dominant mechanisms acting at each time were identified.
Parameter Identification of Steam Turbine Speed Governing System Using an Improved Gravitational Search Algorithm

Since most of the traditional parameter identification methods used in the steam turbine speed governing system (STSGS) have the shortages of great work load, poor fitness and long period by hand, a novel improved gravitational search algorithm (VGSA) method, whose gravitational parameter can be dynamically adjusted according to the current fitness and search space will keep being more and more narrow during the iteration process, is proposed in this paper based on an improved gravitational search algorithm (IGSA). The performance of this new method was identified through the comparisons of the steam turbine speed governing system identification results with IGSA using the measured data from a 600MW and a 300MW thermal power unit. The results show that the new method VGSA has the features of higher precision and higher speed during the identification process, and it brings a new scheme for steam turbine speed governing system identification.
Pressure densification of a simple liquid

Abstract The magnitude of the high frequency, static dielectric permittivity is used to determine the density of tetramethyl tetraphenyl trisiloxane, a non-associated glass-forming liquid, as a function of temperature and pressure. We demonstrate that the properties in the glassy state are affected by the pressure applied to the liquid during vitrification. This behavior is normal for hydrogen-bonded liquids and polymers, but unanticipated by models of simple liquids.
Erratum to: The Architecture of Scientific Software

Erratum to: R.F. Boisvert and P.T.P. Tang (Eds.) The Architecture of Scientific Software DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-35407-1
Does Proton Therapy Offer Demonstrable Clinical Advantages for Treating Thoracic Tumors

The finite range of proton beams in tissues offers unique dosimetric advantages that theoretically allow dose to the target to be escalated while minimizing exposure of surrounding tissues and thus minimizing radiation-induced toxicity. This theoretical advantage has led to widespread adoption of proton therapy around the world for a wide variety of tumors at different anatomical sites. Many treatment-planning comparisons have shown that proton therapy has substantial dosimetric advantages over conventional radiotherapy. However, given the significant difference in cost for proton vs conventional photon therapy, thorough investigation of the evidence of proton therapy's clinical benefits in terms of toxicity and survival is warranted. Some data from retrospective studies, single-arm prospective studies, and a very few randomized clinical trials comparing these modalities are beginning to emerge. In this review, we examine the available data with regard to proton therapy for thoracic malignancies. We begin by discussing the unique challenges involved in treating moving targets with significant tissue heterogeneity and the technologic efforts underway to overcome these challenges. We then discuss the rationale for minimizing normal tissue toxicity, particularly pulmonary, cardiac, and hematologic toxicity, within the context of previously unsuccessful attempts at dose escalation for lung and esophageal cancer. Finally, we explore strategies for accelerating the development of trials aimed at measuring meaningful clinical endpoints and for maximizing the value of proton therapy by personalizing its use for individual patients.
Foveated Image and Video Processing and Search

Abstract In this article, we present an overview of current techniques used for foveating images and video. We provide a brief introduction to relevant aspects of the human visual system and how they motivate the idea of foveated, or variable resolution, images. We explore the idea of foveation as a perceptually lossless compression scheme and how foveation can be integrated into modern video coding algorithms. We also explore foveation as an efficient processing scheme that is useful when visual resources, such as bandwidth and computation, are constrained. We discuss algorithms for performing visual tasks, such as search and detection, with foveated imaging systems. We examine human behavior when performing similar visual tasks to gain insight into how best to design algorithms for these tasks. We look at some of the more promising applications of foveated video, such as teleoperation, as well as open issues and problems, including fixation selection. We then conclude with what we believe are the future trends of this fascinating area of research.
Why Can't Sociology Apply Itself? Progress and Limitations in Making Sociology Useful

In the past decade especially, sociologists have been critical of their discipline citing the failure to develop a grand theory of society, the loss of identity and focus as a discipline, the erosion of its boundaries by nonsociologists, and the lack of recognition and support of the field among policymakers and the public. A few critics in the field have suggested relabeling the discipline “social engineering.” The present paper suggests that relabeling will accentuate identity problems and further fragment the discipline. The author proposes a partnership between theorists and practitioners to apply existing knowledge to solve societal problems, the results of which will benefit the field of sociology as well as society.
Appetitive Traits: Genetic Contributions to Pediatric Eating Behaviors

Abstract Pediatric eating behaviors are a core component of obesity in the general population. Data from twin and family studies show that child eating behaviors are moderately-to-strongly heritable. However, the heritable variance in child eating behaviors remains largely unaccounted for by named genetic variants. This chapter will describe the progress of genetic studies to date, centering around a single variant in the FTO gene. In order to understand how genetic research can overcome current difficulties and identify additional genetic variants underlying child eating behaviors, this chapter will also discuss difficulties concomitant with genetic studies of behavioral traits, including psychometric measurement issues.
Effects of Oxidation State on Charge Carrier Lifetimes in B,N Codoped Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots

Graphene oxide is an outstanding photocatalyst used in water splitting reaction. However, the oxidation–reduction state causes unstable photocatalytic efficiencies. Electronic structure calculations combined with nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) are considered as an effective tool to decipher the catalytic nature in such materials, especially regarding their intrinsic electronic properties. In this work, we performed ab initio NAMD to investigate the phonon-mediated charge relaxation and recombination dynamics in oxidized, partially oxidized, and reduced graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs). The relaxation dynamics, such as symmetry and relaxation time, depend on the excitation levels and oxidation states. The partially oxidized and reduced GOQDs exhibit asymmetric relaxations at higher excitation levels, in which the partially oxidized GOQDs exhibit a faster electron decay, whereas the reduced GOQDs exhibit a faster hole decay. At lower excitation levels, the electron decay is faster in oxidized and...
Pathology of the Extracranial Carotid and Vertebral Arteries

In addition to clinical signs and symptomatology, laboratory studies and radiologic analysis, diagnosis of vascular disorders has historically relied upon pathologic evaluation. This chapter will summarize common vascular diseases which can affect the extracranial carotid arteries (ECCAs) and extracranial vertebral arteries (ECVAs) with emphasis on their histopathologic features and pathogenesis. The complex mechanisms driving tissue morphologic abnormalities in many vascular disorders have been elucidated by a combination of methodology including not only clinical and experimental studies but also gross and histologic examination of affected vessels. Some of the most common or significant pathologies of the ECCA and ECVA include atherosclerosis, dissection, aneurysm, fibromuscular dysplasia, and arteritis. These disorders are clinically important in that they can lead to cerebrovascular complications including transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke and are often managed by surgical techniques. The pathologic features of the carotid body tumor which is also commonly managed surgically will also be discussed.
Regional and temporal variation in fatty acid profiles of polar cod ( Boreogadus saida ) in Alaska

Fatty acids (FAs), the main components of lipids, are crucial for energy storage and other physiological functions in animals and plants. Dietary FAs are incorporated and conserved in consumer tissues in predictable patterns and can be analyzed to determine the composition of an individual’s diet. This study measured the variation in FA profiles of polar cod (Boreogadus saida) across multiple years (2010–2013) over a wide geographic area in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. Polar cod are important prey of marine mammals, sea birds, and fishes, providing a crucial link between primary producers and higher trophic-level predators. Spatial and temporal variations in FA profiles of this important forage fish species provide insight into the transfer of lipids through the Arctic ecosystem, and inform diet studies of higher trophic-level predators on polar cod that utilize trophic mixing models based on prey FA data. FA profiles of polar cod differed between the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, and among collection years. High lipid content and elevated levels of long-chain FAs in Chukchi Sea specimens relative to the Beaufort Sea may indicate more favorable feeding conditions over the years sampled, and higher energy density for Chukchi Sea polar cod as prey. FA data provide a useful metric for examining spatial and temporal variation in the quality of prey available to higher trophic-level consumers.
Pulmonary challenges of prolonged journeys to space: taking your lungs to the moon

Space flight presents a set of physiological challenges to the space explorer which result from the absence of gravity (or in the case of planetary exploration, partial gravity), radiation exposure, isolation and a prolonged period in a confined environment, distance from Earth, the need to venture outside in the hostile environment of the destination, and numerous other factors. Gravity affects regional lung function, and the human lung shows considerable alteration in function in low gravity; however, this alteration does not result in deleterious changes that compromise lung function upon return to Earth. The decompression stress associated with extravehicular activity, or spacewalk, does not appear to compromise lung function, and future habitat (living quarter) designs can be engineered to minimise this stress. Dust exposure is a significant health hazard in occupational settings such as mining, and exposure to extraterrestrial dust is an almost inevitable consequence of planetary exploration. The combination of altered pulmonary deposition of extraterrestrial dust and the potential for the dust to be highly toxic likely makes dust exposure the greatest threat to the lung in planetary exploration.
Nanomaterials innovation as an enabler for effective cancer interventions

Nanomedicines have been developing very rapidly and have started to play a significant role in several cancer therapeutic modalities. Early on, the nanomedicine field focused on optimizing pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and/or biodistribution of an agent through nanoparticle formulation. In other cases, where materials science is employed more decisively, nanomedicine can include the creation of new agents that take advantage of nanoscale materials properties to enhance treatment efficacy through unique mode of action, molecular targeting, or controlled drug release. Both current and future nanomedicines will seek to contribute to the therapeutic and diagnostic landscape through creative leveraging of mechanical, electrical, optical, magnetic, and biological nanomaterial properties. In this work, we discuss how by modulating these material properties, one can design more diverse and more effective cancer interventions. We focus on six areas in cancer management, including in vitro diagnostics, clinical imaging, theranostics, combination therapy, immunotherapy, and gene therapy.
Design of a multichannel photonic crystal dielectric laser accelerator

To be useful for most scientific and medical applications, compact particle accelerators will require much higher average current than enabled by current architectures. For this purpose, we propose a photonic crystal architecture for a dielectric laser accelerator, referred to as a multi-input multi-output silicon accelerator (MIMOSA), that enables simultaneous acceleration of multiple electron beams, increasing the total electron throughput by at least 1 order of magnitude. To achieve this, we show that the photonic crystal must support a mode at the Γ point in reciprocal space, with a normalized frequency equal to the normalized speed of the phase-matched electron. We show that the figure of merit of the MIMOSA can be inferred from the eigenmodes of the corresponding infinitely periodic structure, which provides a powerful approach to design such devices. Additionally, we extend the MIMOSA architecture to electron deflectors and other electron manipulation functionalities. These additional functionalities, combined with the increased electron throughput of these devices, permit all-optical on-chip manipulation of electron beams in a fully integrated architecture compatible with current fabrication technologies, which opens the way to unconventional electron beam shaping, imaging, and radiation generation.
DragSail systems for satellite deorbit and targeted reentry

Abstract The safe disposal of spacecraft upon mission completion is necessary to preserve the utility of high-value orbits. Small satellite launches to low Earth orbit and plans for large commercial constellations for global internet service have the potential to exacerbate the orbital debris problem. A dragsail provides an efficient method for accelerating deorbit following the completion of a satellite's operational mission. Unlike propulsive deorbit approaches that require an active host satellite, the passive deorbit approach offered by dragsails does not require a functional host, and dragsails can offer mass savings for deorbit relative to chemical propulsion. Previous dragsail systems have employed flat square sails, which tend to tumble due to atmospheric and solar pressure perturbations. In this paper, a square pyramid geometry for the drag sail is evaluated. The pyramid geometry offers the benefit of passive aerodynamic stability about the maximum drag attitude. Through a six degree-of-freedom simulation, the passive aerodynamic stability provided by the square pyramid geometry is shown, and the deorbit performance of the square pyramid geometry is benchmarked against a typical square sail design. Uncontrolled satellite reentry results in large entry corridor uncertainties, with the range of possible re-entry trajectories often extending over multiple orbits and spanning groundtrack swaths that encompass large portions of the globe. To reduce this uncertainty, dragsails can be applied to achieve targeted reentry capability. The change in ballistic coefficient provided by sail deployment can be used as a control parameter to initiate reentry from a very low orbit, thereby reducing the uncertainty in the reentry corridor and the surface impact footprint. The ability to control the reentry corridor to within a fraction of an orbit reduces the impact of satellite reentry on the air traffic control system and can be used to constrain the probability of debris impact in populated areas. In this work, parametric studies show the efficacy of targeted reentry using dragsail deployment as a control parameter.
An efficient random-sampling method for calculating double occupancy of Gutzwiller wave function in single-band 1D and 2D lattices

We report a random-sampling method for computing the expectation value of physical quantities based on the Gutzwiler variational wave function. As the first application, we calculated the double oc...
Task-Oriented Self-Care: An Innovative Approach to Wellness for Counselors

Self-care is an often-cited obligation of professional counselors in order to prevent compassion fatigue, vicarious traumatization, and burnout. Nearly all examples of counselor self-care in the pe...
Linkage 1: Electoral Systems

Voters have two and sometimes three elected agents in separation of powers systems: the lower or only house, sometimes an upper house, and a president. The rules governing the election of each agent vary not only across countries, but also within them. In this chapter we look at the rules for each agent individually, describing the relative strength of the rules used to select them, and then conclude by thinking about electoral systems based on all of the choices voters make in a given country at a given time. In the next chapter we take up how the rules governing the policy-making process bring those agents, with their varying sets of preferences, together to determine policy outcomes.
Diagnosing newborns with suspected mitochondrial disorders: an economic evaluation comparing early exome sequencing to current typical care.

To determine the value of early exome sequencing (eES) relative to the current typical care (TC) in the diagnosis of newborns with suspected severe mitochondrial disorders (MitD). We used a decision tree–Markov hybrid to model neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)–related outcomes and costs, lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-years among patients with MitD. Probabilities, costs, and utilities were populated using published literature, expert opinion, and the Pediatric Health Information System database. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) and net monetary benefits (NMB) were calculated from lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life-years for singleton and trio eES, and TC. Robustness was assessed using univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses (PSA). Scenario analyses were also conducted. Findings indicate trio eES is a cost-minimizing and cost-effective alternative to current TC. Diagnostic probabilities and NICU length-of-stay were the most sensitive model parameters. Base case analysis demonstrates trio eES has the highest incremental NMB, and PSA demonstrates trio eES had the highest likelihood of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) of $200,000 relative to TC, singleton eES, and no ES. Trio and singleton eES are cost-effective and cost-minimizing alternatives to current TC in diagnosing newborns suspected of having a severe MitD.
Anemia in Cardiovascular Disease: Marker of Disease Severity or Disease-modifying Therapeutic Target?

In this review paper, we examine the latest evidence regarding the use of iron supplementation, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), and blood transfusions as therapeutic targets for anemia to mitigate morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FC) injections in heart failure (HF) have resulted in improved self-reported patient symptoms; higher exercise capacity, as measured by 6-min walk test distance in anemic patients; and lower re-hospitalization rates in iron deficient patients. Darbepoetin alfa has shown evidence of improved Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scores. No mortality benefits have been noted thus far with FC injections or darbepoetin in HF, with an increase in adverse events with darbepoetin. Aggressive transfusions (Hg < 10 g/dL) are not associated with improved outcomes in cardiovascular disease. Quality of life metrics, rather than mortality, appear to improve with IV FC and ESA use in HF. More studies are required to see if these treatments have a role in coronary artery disease. Current evidence suggests that anemia is a marker of underlying disease severity, with a limited role in disease modification. Further studies are required to solidify our understanding of this topic.
Improving Timeliness of Insulin Administration by Using an Insulin Dose Calculator

OBJECTIVES Insulin is a high-risk medication, and its dosing depends on the individualized clinical and nutritional needs of each patient. Our hospital implemented an insulin dose calculator (IDC) imbedded in the electronic medical record with the goal of decreasing average wait times in inpatient insulin ordering and administration. In this study, we evaluated whether implementation of an IDC decreased the average wait time for insulin administration for hospitalized pediatric patients. METHODS This pre- and postintervention cohort study measured wait times between point-of-care glucose testing and insulin administration. Patients admitted to the inpatient pediatric services who were treated with subcutaneous insulin during the study period were included. Additionally, nurses completed satisfaction surveys on the insulin administration process at our hospital pre- and post-IDC implementation. Descriptive statistics, χ2, Fisher’s exact test, and Student t tests were used to compare groups. Statistical process control charts were used to analyze data trends. RESULTS The preintervention cohort included 79 insulin doses for admitted pediatric patients. The postimplementation cohort included 128 insulin doses ordered via the IDC. Post-IDC implementation, the average wait time between point-of-care glucose testing and insulin administration decreased from 37 to 25 minutes (P CONCLUSIONS Implementation of an IDC reduced the average wait time in ordering and administration of rapid-acting insulin and improved nursing satisfaction with the process.
On human systems management: An emerging paradigm

Milan Zeleny holds a Dip!. Ing degree from Prague School of Economics, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Rochester. Before joining Fordham University, he served on the faculties of the University of South Carolina, Copenhagen School of Economics, European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management, and Columbia University in New York. He serves as Adjunct Professor at the School for Advanced Technology at SUNY in Binghamton. In 1980 he was Resident Scholar at the Bellagio Study Center of the Rockefeller Foundation, the recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Award in West Germany, and of Norbert Wiener Award in the competition of Kybernetes. He has served on editorial boards of Computers and Operations Research, Future Generations Computer Systems, Fuzzy Sets and Systems, General Systems Yearbook, and Human Systems Management. Dr. Zeleny'S recent books include Multiple Criteria Decision Making (McGraw-Hill) , Linear Multiobjective Programming (Springer Verlag), Autopoiesis, Dissipative Structures and Spontaneous Social Orders (Westview Press) , MCDM-Past Decade and Future Trends (JAI Press), Autopoiesis: A Theory of Living Organization (ElsevierjNorth-Holland), and Uncertain Prospects Ranking and Portfolio Analysis (Verlag Anton Hain). Professor Zeleny has published over 160 papers and articles, ranging from operations research, cybernetics and general systems to economics, history of science and business management, in four languages. Also over 80 short stories, essays and reviews in Czech. For additional information see: Human Systems Management 1(1) (1980) 7.
Wiring the vascular circuitry: from growth factors to guidance cues.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the growth factors and guidance cues in reference to wiring the vascular circuitry. The development of an efficient system to transport nutrients and oxygen is paramount for supplying the metabolic needs of a rapidly developing embryo. The organization of the vascular network and the timing of its development are highly conserved between and within species. The importance of this conservation is highlighted by the fact that the vascular system does not simply supply metabolic sustenance, but also provides critical inductive signals required for the differentiation and development of organs such as the pancreas and liver. The cardiovascular system is the first organ system to form and function during embryogenesis. Thus, the developing vascular network is critical for orchestrating and supporting organogenesis. Though it is clear that several patterning factors are shared between the nervous and vascular systems, it is also anticipated that unique molecules may exist to specifically pattern subpopulations of endothelial cells or their derivatives, such as arterial or venous vessels, organ-specific vascular networks, and the lymphatic system.
Microcavity-Integrated Colored Semitransparent Hybrid Photovoltaics With Improved Efficiency and Color Purity

We propose semitransparent amorphous silicon (a-Si)/organic hybrid photovoltaic (PV) cells that can create distinctive transmission colors exploiting a microcavity-integrated cathode. Our proposed PV devices not only produce easily tunable semitransparent colors with considerably enhanced color purity that shows even wider color gamut than the standard red, green, and blue color spaces of the liquid crystal display (LCD) technologies but generate doubled short-circuit current density as well, as compared with a previous work that relied on strong resonance effects in ultrathin semiconductor layers. We also investigate the influence of the thickness of the reflector and the cavity layer inside the microcavity on both optical and electrical performances of the colored hybrid PV cells. This study holds promise in realizing various applications, including color displays with low power consumption and power generating panels with aesthetic functionality.
66 Design of light-sensitive molecules for time-resolved crystallography and optogenetics

Time-resolved crystallography uses the brief, intense X-ray pulses emitted by synchrotron or hard X-ray free electron laser (FEL) sources to probe the time course of structural changes as they occu...
The neural mechanisms underlying cholinergic cell death within the basal forebrain.

Abstract The basal forebrain region includes a large group of cholinergic neurons within themedial septal area and nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) that project to the hippocampusand throughout the neocortex, respectively. This chapter will consider the mechanisms thatinfluence why cholinergic cells within the NBM die and discuss studies that have manipulated thefeatures of these cells that could make them differentially vulnerable to degeneration with agingand Alzheimer fn3 s Disease (AD). This chapter will focus upon the NBM cholinergic system because thisregions typically demonstrates a greater degree of cell loss with aging and AD.
Anomalous macromolecular assembly of partially fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes

Fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (F-POSS) compounds were prepared by employing a facile, corner-capping methodology. Using this modular approach, fluorocarbons with varying degree of fluorine content and architecture were installed on the POSS cage of a partially condensed trisilanol. The melting properties of the F-POSS derivatives showed various influence by Si…F contacts via intermolecular packing assembly. All F-POSS compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C, 19F, and 29Si NMR spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, thermal and elemental combustion analysis.