cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficient charge extraction and slow recombination in organic–inorganic perovskites capped with semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes

Metal-halide based perovskite solar cells have rapidly emerged as a promising alternative to traditional inorganic and thin-film photovoltaics. Although charge transport layers are used on either side of perovskite absorber layers to extract photogenerated electrons and holes, the time scales for charge extraction and recombination are poorly understood. Ideal charge transport layers should facilitate large discrepancies between charge extraction and recombination rates. Here, we demonstrate that highly enriched semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films enable rapid (sub-picosecond) hole extraction from a prototypical perovskite absorber layer and extremely slow back-transfer and recombination (hundreds of microseconds). The energetically narrow and distinct spectroscopic signatures for charges within these SWCNT thin films enables the unambiguous temporal tracking of each charge carrier with time-resolved spectroscopies covering many decades of time. The efficient hole extraction by the SWCNT layer also improves electron extraction by the compact titanium dioxide electron transport layer, which should reduce charge accumulation at each critical interface. Finally, we demonstrate that the use of thin interface layers of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes between the perovskite absorber layer and a prototypical hole transport layer improves device efficiency and stability, and reduces hysteresis.
Suppression of lymphocyte transformation by 16, (16) dimethyl prostaglandin E2 and unsaturated fatty acids.

SummaryA new synthetic prostaglandin (16, 16-PGE2) and unsaturated fatty acids have been shown to inhibit the incorporation of [3H]thymidine in the lymphocyte transformation reaction in response to phyto-hemagglutinin (PHA). This inhibition was not due to toxicity of these substances, for the lymphocytes remained intact and capable of excluding trypan blue.
MYC-MEDIATED TRANSFORMATION : THE REPRESSION CONNECTION

Myc is an important regulator of many cellular processes, including growth promotion, differentiation, and apoptosis. The mechanisms underlying Myc biological activity, however, remain elusive. For many years, research in the field has focused on the idea of Myc as a transactivator of gene expression. More recently, alternative mechanisms of Myc function have been proposed, including gene repression. In this review we present several lines of evidence to support a connection between Myc-mediated transformation and transcriptional repression.
Na Transport across Frog Skin at Low External Na Concentrations

Isolated frog skin was bathed with a dilute solution containing 1 mm NaCl on the outside and with normal Ringer’s solution on the inner surface. Net Na flux was determined by simultaneous measurement of unidirectional fluxes with Na22 and Na24 and intracellular electrical potentials were examined with microelectrodes. There was a net inward transport of Na under both open-circuit and short-circuit conditions. The short-circuit current was approximately 15% greater than the net Na flux; the discrepancy could be accounted for by a small outward flux of Cl. The electrical potential profile did not differ greatly from that observed in skins bathed on the outside with normal Ringer’s solution. Under open-circuit conditions, there were usually several potential steps and under short-circuit conditions the cells were negative relative to the bathing solutions. Estimates of epithelial Na concentrations utilizing radioactive Na suggested that if all epithelial Na were in a single compartment, an active entry step would be necessary to allow a net inward Na transport. The results could also be explained by a series arrangement of Na compartments without necessarily postulating an active Na entry. The behavior of the potential profile suggested that this latter alternative was more likely.
Mammary Growth Regulation by Transforming Growth Factor β

A considerable literature has developed around the problem of regulation of mammary development. The great majority of this work has concerned the identification of systemic mammogens, notably the ovarian steroids, pituitary peptides, adrenal corticoids, and placental factors (1). The distinguishing feature of these hormones is that they all drive mammary development towards growth or functional differentiation; that is, they act as positive regulators. The existence of these hormones has been, by and large, demonstrated in vivo by endocrine ablation surgery followed by replacement therapy, in which removal of endocrine secretion interrupted the normal development or function of the organ. Because these experiments were conducted in a physiological setting, their biological significance was never in doubt. The present situation is that the naturally occurring mammogens have been identified and described in considerable detail and, when more recent biochemical and molecular approaches are factored in, it can be said that we are developing a usable outline of the hormones driving mammary growth and function.
MICER Targeting Vectors for Manipulating the Mouse Genome

The mouse has become an important model for understanding human development, physiology and disease because of its genetic and biological similarity to humans. Desired mouse mutants with precise genetic alterations can now be generated through gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem cells. The rate-limiting factor in a gene-targeting experiment is the time needed for cloning to construct targeting vectors. The establishment of the Mutagenic Insertion and Chromosome Engineering Resource has made available targeting vectors for the insertional mutagenesis of a large number of mouse genes as well as for chromosome engineering throughout the mouse genome. This unique resource has enriched the repertoire of the genetic reagents for targeted manipulation of the mouse genome.
Examining the Feasibility of a Special Education Advocacy Training Program

In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents of children with disabilities are expected to be equal partners in the special education process. However, many parents struggle to advocate for their children with disabilities. To this end, parents may learn their special education rights or hire an advocate to ensure their children receive services. Indeed, special education advocacy training programs have become increasingly common. One such advocacy training program is the Volunteer Advocacy Project (VAP). The VAP is a 36-h special education advocacy training program designed to educate and empower individuals, primarily parents of children with disabilities, to become special education advocates. This study examined the feasibility of the VAP. With respect to cost, attendance, attrition, participant satisfaction, and sustainability, the VAP was feasible among program graduates. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
A simple temporal magnetic hysteresis model for nonlinear magnetization control

This paper presents a novel macroscopic model describing temporal evolution of hysteretic magnetization. The physical phenomena of domain rotation and hysteresis are described by a first order nonlinear differential equation and a decreasing gain function. By varying the model parameters, the proposed model can be used to represent hysteresis curves for a variety of magnetic materials. Particle swarm optimization has been used for model validation based on experimental hysteresis data. A tracking control system using feedback linearization method is derived to assure zero steady state error between the flux density with respect to the desired value. The proposed nonlinear control method is evaluated by simulation results for a desired constant set point and a sinusoidal function.
Networks and Their Boundaries

The idea for the topic in this chapter came from the following question: what is the shape of the Internet? Or, more generally, does a very large network have a boundary, and if so, how can we define it? There is definite interest in the literature for these questions. Callon, for example, discusses boundaries (of socioeconomic networks) in the context of actor network theory (ANT), defining them through the level of convergence of the network [209]. The network boundaries are built by classification/elimination of their elements. In his approach, an element lies outside of a network if it weakens the alignment and coordination (that is the convergence) of the latter when moved into the network. Alignment, as opposed to disalignment, is a measure of the network’s commensurability, while coordination refers to the process of imposing local rules that stabilize connections. The stronger the coordination, the more predictable the network.
Rhetoric as an Instrument for Understanding and Improving Human Relations.

This paper examines rhetorical similarities in the writings of I. A. Richards and Kenneth Burke, particularly the role of dialectic as a method for understanding how language works and for making i...
Investing in Education to Meet a National Need for a Technical-Professional Work Force in a Post-Industrial Economy

Work force data show that the U.S. is shifting from blue-collar production to technical-professional service as the basis of its post-industrial economy. One factor contributing to this shift is the continuous rise in the productivity of production, both agricultural and industrial, based on increased use of technology, i.e., machines, measured in dollar-value of equipment per worker. The lesson of increased effectiveness with increased capital per person has not been lost on U.S. service industries, which have for the last decade led the U.S. economy in capital spending. In contrast, what may be the most important service industry — basic public education — has undergone a steep 15-year-long decline in its growth in capital investment per student. This suggests that means to focus on capital spending in basic education, such as instituting capital-equipment budgets, are in order.
Metadata, 2nd Edition, by Marcia Lei Zeng and Jian Qin

The authors have thoroughly updated their well-regarded first edition (2008) with expanded content to reflect the many changes that have emerged in metadata standards, services, and practices over ...
The Independent and Combined Effects of External Endorsements on Equity Crowdfunding Investments

This study employs a randomized field experiment to causally identify which signals of external endorsement are most important to equity investors in early stage firms. The three external endorseme...
Comparative outcomes of immunochemotherapy regimens in Waldenström macroglobulinaemia

Summary Comparative data on immunochemotherapy regimens for Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (WM/LPL) are lacking. We analysed overall survival (OS), risk of hospitalizations, transfusions and plasmapheresis in a population-based cohort of patients ≥65 years old initiating WM/LPL therapy in 1999–2013. To minimize bias, we applied a propensity score-based causal inference method. We conducted three analyses of: patients treated with or without rituximab, patients treated with rituximab monotherapy or with combination immunochemotherapy, and regimens based on classic purine analogues or alkylators. Among 1310 patients, 78·5% received rituximab. Patients who received rituximab had significantly better OS [hazard ratio (HR) 0·62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·55–0·71] and lower risk of transfusions (risk difference −3·3%, 95% CI −6·3 to −0·3) than those who did not, without a significant difference in hospitalizations or plasmapheresis. We observed no significant difference in OS (HR 0·91, 95% CI 0·79–1·04) between rituximab monotherapy and combination immunochemotherapy, but toxicity outcomes were lower with rituximab alone. Neither survival (HR 1·10, 95%CI 0·92–1·32) nor toxicity outcomes differed significantly between regimens based on purine analogues or alkylators. The survival advantage strongly supports rituximab as part of upfront therapy for WM/LPL, whereas regimens with either purine analogues or alkylating agents result in similar outcomes.
Emergency Medicine Trainee Burnout Is Associated With Lower Patients’ Satisfaction With Their Emergency Department Care

Introduction Emergency medicine (EM) physicians and trainees report high levels of burnout. Burnout negatively impacts physician well-being and career satisfaction but it remains unclear how burnout may influence patient care. We examined the degree to which EM trainee burnout at one institution was associated with patients' satisfaction with their emergency department (ED) care. Methods In this cross-sectional, pilot study conducted at a single institution, we measured EM trainee burnout using the Maslach Burnout Inventory through a confidential, electronic survey. We subsequently linked individual trainee burnout results with their individual Press Ganey (PG) ED patient satisfaction scores. We compared burnout scores across sex and postgraduate year using chi-square tests and PG results via analysis of variance. Results Twenty-seven of 53 (50.9%) eligible EM trainees completed the burnout assessment. Trainees reported an overall burnout rate of 77.8% (95% confidence interval = 59.2%-89.4%). There were no significant differences in burnout based on sex (p = 0.888) or postgraduate year (p = 0.671). Trainee burnout was significantly associated with lower trainee-specific PG scores, including patient ratings of resident physician courtesy (p = 0.011), taking the time to listen (p = 0.004), keeping informed of treatment (p = 0.014), and concern for patient comfort (p = 0.006). There was no significant association between trainee burnout and patients' overall likelihood to recommend the ED to others (p = 0.364). Conclusion Emergency medicine trainee burnout is associated with lower trainee-specific PG ED patient satisfaction scores across all four physician domains. In addition to its detrimental impact on physician wellness, burnout may play a significant adverse role in patients' perceptions of their ED providers' interpersonal and communication skills.
The Association Between Family–Teacher Partnership Satisfaction and Outcomes of Academic Progress and Quality of Life for Children/Youth With Autism

As the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) increases, teachers and special education service providers are experiencing increased contact with not only children with ASD, but also with their parents and families. Partnerships between families and teachers have become more commonplace in the last 20 years in response to mandates related to parent involvement by federal law. The present study examined the relationship between parent–teacher partnership satisfaction and child progress and family quality of life among children (n = 313) receiving autism waiver services (Waiver—Home and Community-Based Services Waivers (42 U.S.C. SS 1915(b) (c)) and those whose families expressed an interest in receiving waiver services (registry). Results indicated family–teacher partnership satisfaction was associated with parent-reported improvement in academic progress and family quality of life. These findings were not dependent on group status (waiver vs. registry) and highlight the importance of the quality of service delivery through family–teacher partnerships for children with ASD.
Beyond passive detection of sybil attacks in VANET

Dedicated Short Range Communications Safety Applications play an important role in reducing road accidents. These applications rely on wireless communication between vehicles and thus inherit all of the associated security problems. Vehicular Ad Hoc Network security is crucial, since application reliability, and thus safety, must not be compromised. One of the most severe attacks in these networks is the Sybil attack, in which a malicious node forges many fake identities to fool Safety Applications. This research presents an active Sybil attack detection algorithm. It can locate Sybil nodes using short detection packets without adding special hardware or information exchanges. Unlike previous detection approaches, the algorithm is capable of Sybil detection even in dynamic power environments. The proposed algorithm was evaluated in the field using vehicles equipped with Arada LocoMate Classic on-board units.
Innovation and Lean Production

Production has undergone historically through different changes, the essence of which is innovation. Innovations are either the introduction of new and more powerful machines and technologies, or just tiny, but everyday changes called Kaizen. The article focuses on the implementation of this second group of rationalization changes. 90 enterprises were surveyed and the results were evaluated mainly in terms of their size (small, medium, large), industry (engineering, electro-technical production, production of food, production of products for domestic use), and ownership of the company and by the importance in the supply chain.Regardless their size, the enterprises expect to continue the current trend with increasing demand and therefore they expect to expand the production employing more workers. New technology is supposed to be implemented to a lesser extent, but the situation is significantly better for the enterprises with a foreign owner. In small enterprises there is usually the absence of standards, which is a prerequisite for successful planning. Tailor-made production according to individual customer requirements exists mostly in greater enterprises. Regarding different types of waste reduction, defects are reported to be the most important issue, followed by motion, over-production and waiting. The research of 90 enterprises shoved, that most of them are not getting ready in a particular way for the future, although it might not be as favourable as it is now. Enterprises should increase the share of products with higher added value.
Recent Progress in Genome Editing Approaches for Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases.

This review describes the recent progress in nuclease-based therapeutic applications for inherited heart diseases in vitro, highlights the development of the most recent genome editing technologies and discusses the associated challenges for clinical translation. Inherited cardiovascular disorders are passed from generation to generation. Over the past decade, considerable progress has been made in understanding the genetic basis of inherited heart diseases. The timely emergence of genome editing technologies using engineered programmable nucleases has revolutionized the basic research of inherited cardiovascular diseases and holds great promise for the development of targeted therapies. The genome editing toolbox is rapidly expanding, and new tools have been recently added that significantly expand the capabilities of engineered nucleases. Newer classes of versatile engineered nucleases, such as the “base editors,” have been recently developed, offering the potential for efficient and precise therapeutic manipulation of the human genome.
Complications, Results, and Risk Factors of Spinal Fusion in Patients With Myelomeningocele.

Abstract Study Design Retrospective prognostic study. Objective The purpose of this study assess was to assess the results of spinal fusion and identify factors associated with the development of post–spinal fusion infections in patients with myelomeningocele. Background Surgical correction of neuromuscular scoliosis secondary to myelomeningocele is known to be associated with a high complication rate. Methods A retrospective cohort study design was used to collect data on patients with myelomeningocele who underwent spinal fusion between the years of 1997–2013. Only subjects with a minimum of two years of continuous follow-up were included in the study. Demographic, surgical, clinical, and radiographic variables of interest were collected. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors predictive of an infection. Linear mixed model regression analyses were used to analyze postsurgical changes in radiographic parameters. Results Of the 33 subjects included in the study, 33.3% developed a postoperative infection. Overall, 69.0% of patients achieved a >50% correction of primary curvature at the one-month time point. Of the measured variables, lumbar and thoracolumbar kyphosis (odds ratio: 10.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-158.3, p = .0465) and a low preoperative hematocrit odds ratio per 1% increase, 0.7 (95% CI: 0.5-0.9, p = .0145) were associated with developing a postoperative infection. There was a significant improvement in the proportion of subjects with a pelvic obliquity measurement Conclusion Type of procedure, neurosegmental level, transfusion rates, age at surgery, gender, length of operation, preoperative urinary tract infection, estimated blood loss, and the number of levels fused were not modifiable risk factors for future complications for patients with scoliosis secondary to myelomeningocele, whereas lumbar and thoracolumbar kyphosis or low hematocrit levels may lead to an increased risk for developing a postspinal fusion infection. Level of Evidence Level II.
What Drives Firms to Diversity

This paper examines whether corporate governance structures, serving as proxies for agency costs, can explain firms' decision to diversify. Specifically, it has been hypothesized that firms with worse corporate governance structures are more likely to diversify. The extant literature usually compares the governance characteristics of multi-segment firms to those of single-segment firms to address this issue. However, different governance characteristics may simply reflect differences in firm characteristics of diversified and focused firms. Furthermore, industry factors may affect both the propensity of firms to diversify and their governance characteristics. To separate out the agency costs explanation of firms' decision to diversify, I compare the corporate governance structures of single-segment firms that choose to diversify with those of a matched sample of single-segment firms in the same industry that choose to remain focused. Consistent with agency cost explanations for the decision to diversify, I find that firms that choose to diversify have significantly lower CEO ownership than firms that remain focused. However, CEO compensation, board size, board composition, CEO duality, institutional ownership, and blockholder ownership cannot explain why firms diversify. In addition, the CEO pay-to-performance sensitivity of diversifying firms is also not significantly different from that of firms that stay focused. Taken together, my evidence indicates that diversifying firms do not systematically have worse governance structures than firms that stay focused and, therefore, higher agency costs do not appear to drive the decision to diversify.
Surgical Management Patterns of Sinonasal Malignancy: A Population-Based Study.

Objectives Determining surgical trends and outcomes for sinonasal tumors is challenging given their low incidence and heterogeneous pathology. This study utilized the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to identify trends and outcomes associated with surgical management of sinonasal tumors. Design Retrospective database analysis. Setting National Cancer Database. Participants Patients with sinonasal malignancies identified from the NCDB between 2010 and 2015. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome was the choice of surgical therapy used for sinonasal tumor resection: endoscopic versus open approach. Each was cohort analyzed with respect to various demographic and clinicopathologic factors. A treatment effect model was used to identify potential differences between surgical approaches. Survival was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results A total of 10,193 patients with sinonasal malignancies were identified in the NCDB database; of these, 2,292 had a documented subsite, histology, and definitive surgical treatment with documented surgical approach and were included in the analysis. About 71.9% of patients had an open approach and 28.1% a purely endoscopic procedures. Tumor histology, treatment facility type, margin status, and length of stay were all variables that were associated with significant differences between the open and endoscopic cohort. Five-year survival rates for the open and endoscopic cohorts were not significantly different (59.6 and 60.8%, respectively). Conclusions Assessment of the NCDB revealed that 28% patients with sinonasal malignancy were selected for endoscopic surgery. These patients had comparable oncologic outcomes to open resection.
Epigenetic Process Monitoring in Live Cultures with Peptide Biosensors

Acetyltransferase is a member of the transferase group responsible for transferring an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to amino group of a histone lysine residue. Past efforts on histone acetylation monitoring involved biochemical analysis that do not provide spatiotemporal information in a dynamic format. We propose a novel approach to monitor acetyltransferase acetylation in live single cells using time correlated single photon counting fluorescence lifetime imaging (TCSPC-FLIM) with peptide biosensors. Utilizing 2D and 3D cultures we show that the peptide sensor has a specific response to acetyltransferase enzyme activity in a fluorescence lifetime dependent manner ( P < 0.001). Our FLIM biosensor concept enables real-time longitudinal measurement of acetylation activity with high spatial and temporal resolution in live single cells to monitor cell function or evaluate drug effects to treat cancer or neurological diseases.
Training Teachers to Facilitate Early Identification of Mental and Behavioral Health Risks.

Abstract Universal screening has been proposed as a method for effectively and efficiently identifying students at risk for mental health concerns. As with traditional rating scales, screeners have...
QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR SYSTOLIC FUNCTION BY TRICUSPID ANNULAR PLANE SYSTOLIC EXCURSION MEASURED FROM THE RIGHT VENTRICULAR INFLOW VIEW DURING TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) objectively measured by tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. TAPSE is traditionally measured from the lateral tricuspid valve annulus (L-TAPSE). However,
Strain and Depression following Release from Prison: The Moderating Role of Social Support Mechanisms on Substance Use

Research on prison reentry shows that individuals with depression turn to substances to cope with the stress of reintegration. While social support drawn from families, peers, and institutions may help returning individuals avoid substance use, it is unclear how social support might condition the link between depression and substance use. Using longitudinal panel data from the Serious and Violent and Offender Reentry Initiative, results from mixed-models demonstrate that depression is significantly associated with increased substance use. Family support, but not peer support, is tied to lower use, and institutional support relates to decreased alcohol use but increased illicit drug use.
Mechanical circulatory support for cardiac amyloidosis.

Background Cardiac amyloidosis, typically from abnormal deposition of AL or ATTR amyloid protein, can result in heart failure requiring transplantation (HTx). The role of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is not well-established. The purpose of this study was to present our experience with MCS in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. Methods Consecutive patients with cardiac amyloidosis who received MCS at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center between 2010 and 2018 were reviewed. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared to a control group of MCS patients without amyloid matched 2:1 for age and INTERMACS Profile. Results 11 amyloid patients underwent durable MCS, two with paracorporeal biventricular assist devices and 9 with total artificial hearts. No patients received isolated left ventricular assist device support. By 1 year, 9 (82%) of patients in the MCS-Amyloid group had been transplanted and 2 (18%) had died. In the MCS-No Amyloid group, by 1 year, 8 (36%) of patients had been transplanted, 10 (46%) had died, and 4 (18%) were still living with MCS. Conclusions Over a 9-year period, patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy who required MCS at our institution all received durable biventricular MCS. For carefully selected patients, this approach is feasible with acceptable outcomes as bridge to transplantation.
Cannabis Use Is an Independent Predictor for Acute Myocardial Infarction Related Hospitalization in Younger Population

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the risk of various substances in young acute myocardial infarction (AMI) inpatients and analyze patient demographics and hospital outcomes for significant substance use risk factors. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample data (2010–2014). Patients (aged 15–22 years) with a primary diagnosis for AMI (N = 1,694) were compared with non-AMI (N = 9,465,255) inpatients for odds ratio (OR) of substance use by logistic regression model, adjusted for demographics, medical risk factors, and comorbid substance use. Results Tobacco (28.4%) and cannabis (14.9%) use were most prevalent in AMI inpatients. Cocaine (OR = 3.9), amphetamine (OR = 2.3), and cannabis (OR = 1.3) users were at higher risk of AMI hospitalizations. Higher proportion of cannabis users (14.7%) had major severity of illness at admission and higher mean total charge ($53,608) compared with that seen in cocaine and amphetamine users. Angioplasty was used more in cannabis users (19.4%) than others. The in-hospital mortalities were 2.7% and 2% in overall AMI cohort and cannabis users, respectively, and none in cocaine and amphetamine users. Conclusions Our study demonstrates a higher prevalence and significant odds of AMI inpatients with cannabis use, along with the potential cost burdens because of severe morbidity and higher use of treatment modalities. Physicians need to familiarize themselves with rising use of cannabis and other substances in adolescent and younger population and the typical presentations of cannabis-induced myocardial infarction.
Yarns Spun to Order: Harriet Beecher Stowe's The Pearl of Orr's Island and the Advent of Maine Summer Tourism

The popularity of Harriet Beecher Stowe's “local color” novel, The Pearl of Orr's Island, coincided with the coming of summer tourism to the Maine coast. From 1881 until about 1917, thousands of re...
(Invited) Quantum Multi-Body Interactions in Semiconducting WSe2 and C60-Graphene Hybrids for High-Performance Photodetectors

In this work we will discuss the use of a halide-assisted low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (HA-LPCVD) with NaCl to help facilitate the growth of monolayer WSe2 at low growth temperatures of ~ 750oC, which is lower than the typical temperatures needed with conventional CVD for realizing monolayer (1L) WSe2. Moreover, we experimentally probed the quantum multi-body interactions in 1L WSe2 ascribed to excitons, trions and other localized states by analyzing the temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra. A 1L WSe2 based photodetector was fabricated using Al contacts, which shows a high photoresponsivity, and the interface state trap density (Dit) of the Al/WSe2 junction was computed to be extremely low. Hybrids of two-dimensional (2D) graphene with fullerene (C60) molecules were also fabricated using electrophoretic deposition, where the C60 clusters are electrically charged upon the application of an external bias in a polar solvent. A low energy shift in the Fermi level EF ~ 140 meV was calculated for the hybrids. When the hybrid devices were irradiated with a broadband white light source and a tunable laser source (with wavelength λ ranging from ~ 400-1100 nm), a strong photoresponse was evident, in contrast to the bare graphene devices which appeared unresponsive. We will discuss the strong photo-response of the C60-graphene hybrids reported here which we attribute to the doping enhancement arising in the graphene upon the adsorption of C60.
African Indigenous Knowledges and the Decolonization of Education in Africa

In the first part of this chapter, we reflect on some of the fundamental features of non-colonial, colonial, and postcolonial educational systems in selected African countries. We examine the epistemological assumptions of these competing educational systems, and the value systems and historical contexts of their emergence. We then proceed to make the case for the systematic decolonization of specific aspects of curricula, with examples. We argue that Indigenous Knowledges should constitute the bedrock of postcolonial epistemology in the continent, and we provide specific examples of how and where this should be done.
Usefulness of Restaging Pelvis Magnetic Resonance Imaging After Neoadjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Abstract Introduction In patients with locally advanced rectal cancer, restaging pelvis magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy is recommended despite its limited accuracy in predicting pathologic T (ypT) and N (ypN) stage. Neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score is a novel short-term surrogate endpoint for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). We tested the agreement between restaging MRI T (yT) and N (yN) with ypT and ypN stages, respectively, and explored the prognostic significance of restaging MRI NAR (mNAR) score. Patients and Methods Between 2014 and 2018, 43 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer completed neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy, had a restaging MRI, and underwent surgery. Weighted kappa was used to test the agreement between yT and yN with ypT and ypN, respectively. A kappa value of less than 0.5 was deemed unacceptable. Paired t test was used to compare NAR and mNAR mean scores. Survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier curves. Results Restaging MRI could not predict ypT stage (slight agreement, κ = 0.111) or ypN stage (fair agreement, κ = 0.278). The mean mNAR score was higher than the mean NAR score (20 vs. 16, P = .0079). The median DFS for patients with low-intermediate NAR and high NAR was not reached vs. 30 months (P = .0063). The median OS for patients with low-intermediate NAR and high NAR was not reached vs. 40 months (P = .0056). There was a trend for longer DFS and OS in patients with low-intermediate mNAR scores (not reached in both groups, P = .058) compared to patients with high mNAR scores (not reached in both groups, P = .15). Conclusion Restaging MRI could not predict ypT and ypN stage. The mean mNAR score was higher than the mean NAR score. There was a trend for longer DFS and OS in patients with low-intermediate mNAR scores compared to patients with high mNAR scores.
The use of survival in aggregation to detect potential carcinogens with retrovirus-infected fischer rat embryo cells

A sensitive and rapid transformation assay procedure is described. The end point, cell survival in aggregation, is measured by counting viable cells dissociated from aggregates in suspension for 4 d. When cells, previously treated with increased concentrations of a carcinogen, are suspended in liquid medium above an agar base, aggregates are formed, while untreated and solvent control cells remain primarily as single cells and show a rapid decline in cell survival; cells that had been treated with chemical carcinogen survive longer in suspension. When used as a marker for in vitro transformation, this end point can assess the carcinogenic potential of an agent.
AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines: Phase 4

As we complete the first 20 years of the 21st century, the words “evidence-based medicine” are indelibly etched into practice. What does this mean? This approach to practice is based on using the highest level of evidence. It means that we follow the science and not the opinions of experts,
Uruguay’s Path Towards Justice

This chapter provides an overview of Uruguay’s transitional justice norms implementation as policies. Using the same frame of comparison as Peru, the chapter assesses Uruguay’s compliance record with the Commission for Peace, reparations programs, and the criminal prosecution of former presidents Juan Maria Bordaberry and Gregorio Alvarez on human rights crimes. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of amnesty laws that hampered efforts towards justice. Like the case of Peru, transitional justice policy compliance was linked with the clash of transnational advocacy movement against the reluctance of domestic political interests, that pushed for reconciliation without accountability and truth. On a positive note, transnational advocacy’s work remained influential in challenging the amnesty law and bringing about the prosecution against the two former heads of state.
Predictive value of electroencephalogram, event-related potential, and general movements quality assessment in neurodevelopmental outcome of high-risk infants.

The objective of the study is to investigate the predictive value of electroencephalogram (EEG), event-related potential (ERP), and general movements (GMs) quality assessment in the neurodevelopmen...
Helpful Tips to Manage Difficult Cesarean Section in Cattle

Cesarean section is usually performed with minimal difficulty and a low complication rate. Occasionally, difficulties are encountered during surgery, which frustrate and fatigue the surgeon as well as the cow. One such complication is when excessive straining causes rumen prolapse through a left flank incision. I have used two methods to handle this problem: 1) lidocaine + xylazine epidural medication and 2) placement of a nasotracheal or orotracheal tube.
Sex Differences in Alzheimer's Disease Revealed by Free-Water Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Voxel-Based Morphometry.

Background Imaging biomarkers are increasingly used in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the identification of sex differences using neuroimaging may provide insight into disease heterogeneity, progression, and therapeutic targets. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in grey matter (GM) volume and white matter (WM) microstructural disorganization between males and females with AD using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and free-water-corrected diffusion tensor imaging (FW-DTI). Methods Data were downloaded from the OASIS-3 database, including 158 healthy control (HC; 86 females) and 46 mild AD subjects (24 females). VBM and FW-DTI metrics (fractional anisotropy (FA), axial and radial diffusivities (AxD and RD, respectively), and FW index) were compared using effect size for the main effects of group, sex, and their interaction. Results Significant group and sex differences were observed, with no significant interaction. Post-hoc comparisons showed that AD is associated with reduced GM volume, reduced FW-FA, and higher FW-RD/FW-index, consistent with neurodegeneration. Females in both groups exhibited higher GM volume than males, while FW-DTI metrics showed sex differences only in the AD group. Lower FW, lower FW-FA and higher FW-RD were observed in females relative to males in the AD group. Conclusion The combination of VBM and DTI may reveal complementary sex-specific changes in GM and WM associated with AD and aging. Sex differences in GM volume were observed for both groups, while FW-DTI metrics only showed significant sex differences in the AD group, suggesting that WM tract disorganization may play a differential role in AD pathophysiology between females and males.
Endoscopic Approaches to Treatment of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Endoscopic therapies targeting pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are not considered standard of care. This is especially true for patients with localized and potentially curable disease. On the other hand, endoscopic guided therapies, to debulk the tumor and/or to control symptoms, have been offered to patients with either metastatic disease or those who are poor surgical candidates. Various endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided local ablation therapies such as radiofrequency ablation, photodynamic therapy, and brachytherapy are some of the other modalities that have been evaluated or are under investigation for the treatment of PNETs. EUS has also been used to deliver fiducials within or adjacent to small PNETs to facilitate visualization of these small lesions at the time of parenchymal-sparing pancreatic surgery.
Agroecosystem Sustainability : Developing Practical Strategies

INCREASING SUSTAINABILITY The Ecological Foundations for Sustainability, S. Gliessman Increasing Sustainability in Mediterranean Cropping Systems with Self-Reseeding Annual Legumes, F. Caporali and E. Campiglia Manipulating Plant Biodiversity to Enhance Biological Control of Insect Pests: A Case Study of a Northern California Organic Vineyard, C. Nicholls and M. Altieri An Assessment of Tropical Homegardens as Examples of Sustainable Local Agroforestry Systems, V. E. Mendez Improving Agroecosystem Sustainability Using Organic (Plant-Based) Mulch, M. Rosemeyer ASSESSING SUSTAINABILITY Nitrogen and the Sustainable Village, E.C. Ellis, R. G. Li, L.Z. Yang, and X. Cheng Nematode Communities as Ecological Indicators of Agroecosystem Health, D.A. Nehr Field-Scale Nutrient Cycling and Sustainability: Comparing Natural and Agricultural Ecosystems, J. Muramoto, E.C. Ellis, Z. Li, R.M. Machado, and S. Gliessman COMBINING SOCIAL AND ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS OF SUSTAINABILITY Assessing Agricultural Sustainability Using the Six-Pillar Model: Iran as a Case Study, A. Farshad and J. A. Zinck Coevolutionary Agroecology: A Policy- Oriented Analysis of Socioenvironmental Dynamics, with Special Reference to Forest Margins in North Lampung, Indonesia, R. Gauthier and G. Woodgate Operationalizing the Concept of Sustainability in Agriculture: Characterizing Agroecosystems on a Multi-Criteria, Multiple-Scale Performance Space, M. Giampietro and G. Pastore
USA Perspectives on the Integration of Robots into the Factory of the Future

Industrial robots are essential components of the factory of the future (FOF). The demand for the use of robots stems from the potential for flexible, intelligent machines that can perform work in a repetitive manner at acceptable cost and quality levels. Initial use of robots has been for hazardous type applications, the primary ones being welding and spray painting. The industry most active in the application of robots is the automobile industry and there is great interest in applying robots to assembly operations and material handling. The most flexible robots are driven by computer-based control systems using mathematical algorithms. Emphasis is being placed on the development of sensors that can be integrated into work cells, allowing robots to exercise sensory capabilities similar to those of man.
Neurophysiological evidence of an association between cognitive control and defensive reactivity processes in young children

Interactions between cognitive control and affective processes, such as defensive reactivity, are intimately involved in healthy and unhealthy human development. However, cognitive control and defensive reactivity processes are often studied in isolation and rarely examined in early childhood. To address these gaps, we examined the relationships between multiple neurophysiological measures of cognitive control and defensive reactivity in young children. Specifically, we assessed two event-related potentials thought to index cognitive control processes – the error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe) – measured across two tasks, and two markers of defensive reactivity processes – startle reflex and resting parietal asymmetry – in a sample of 3- to 7-year old children. Results revealed that measures of cognitive control and defensive reactivity were related such that evidence of poor cognitive control (smaller ERN) was associated with high defensive reactivity (larger startle and greater right relative to left parietal activity). The strength of associations between the ERN and measures of defensive reactivity did not vary by age, providing evidence that poor cognitive control relates to greater defensive reactivity across early childhood years.
Specifying Multiple Representations of Design Objects in SORAC

There is a current need for the development of intelligent CAD systems to integrate all phases of a design product’s lifecycle. One challenge is to satisfy the requirements of many different representation methods needed for the support of specialized designers working on the same application. It is essential to provide a CAD system composed of a number of representations or views, possibly derived from the same unified model. It is very difficult to define these specialized views correctly so that changes made to one view do not cause inconsistencies in the rest of the representation. Here we describe an approach to view definition that is rooted in our work on active databases. In this paper, we present extensions to SORAC that allow specialized view representations to be correctly defined in the same manner. View derivations are modeled as semantic relationships, with transformations between view and underlying representation as the associated behaviors. This allows the SORAC analysis tools to be extended to identify problematic view definition and transformation rules. Since specialized representations for design are often derived from long established practices, problematic view definitions, once discovered, must still be permitted. Thus, we conclude with a discussion of a stage-based transaction paradigm in which problematic updates can be managed.
THE EXISTENCE OF ω-CHAINS FOR TRANSITIVE MIXED LINEAR RELATIONS AND ITS APPLICATIONS

We show that it is decidable whether a transitive mixed linear relation has an ω-chain. Using this result, we study a number of liveness verification problems for generalized timed automata within a unified framework. More precisely, we prove that (1) the mixed linear liveness problem for a timed automaton with dense clocks, reversal-bounded counters, and a free counter is decidable, and (2) the Presburger liveness problem for a timed automaton with discrete clocks, reversal-bounded counters, and a pushdown stack is decidable.
Dynamics of Assembly and Reorganization of Extracellular Matrix Proteins

This chapter will review advances in our understanding of the dynamics of assembly and reorganization of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and will highlight the role of fibronectin as a key orchestrator for the assembly of multiple ECM proteins. The dynamic rather than static nature of the ECM will be emphasized by reviewing time‐lapse imaging studies in living cell and embryo systems, with a particular focus on fibronectin and members of the fibrillin superfamily. These studies have provided new insights into the assembly and reorganization of ECM fibrillar networks, suggesting that fibril assembly is a hierarchical process, with increasingly larger fibrillar structures formed by the progressive aggregation of smaller units. These studies have also revealed that motile cells appear to be actively involved in the assembly and reorganization of ECM fibrillar networks by shunting fibrillar material from one location to another, adding fibrillar material to the ends of growing fibrils, and exchanging material between fibrils. A common theme emerging from these studies is that cell‐ and tissue‐generated mechanical forces are critical in the assembly and remodeling of the ECM.