cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature-insensitive semiconductor quantum dot laser

Different approaches to the design of a genuinely temperature-insensitive quantum dot (QD) laser are proposed. Suppression of the parasitic recombination outside the QDs, which is the dominant source of the temperature dependence of the threshold current in the conventional design of a QD laser, is accomplished either by tunneling injection of carriers into the QDs or by band-gap engineering. Elimination of this recombination channel alone enhances the characteristic temperatures T0 above 1000 K. Remaining sources of temperature dependence (recombination from higher QD levels, inhomogeneous line broadening, and violation of charge neutrality in QDs) are studied. Tunnelinginjection structures are shown to offer an additional advantage of suppressed effects of inhomogeneous broadening and neutrality violation. 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Escape from X inactivation in mice and humans

A subset of X-linked genes escapes silencing by X inactivation and is expressed from both X chromosomes in mammalian females. Species-specific differences in the identity of these genes have recently been discovered, suggesting a role in the evolution of sex differences. Chromatin analyses have aimed to discover how genes remain expressed within a repressive environment.
Predictors and outcomes for chronic tracheostomy after chemoradiation for advanced laryngohypopharyngeal cancer.

Objectives/Hypothesis After concurrent chemoradiation for head and neck squamous cell cancer, patients with laryngeal incompetence may not recover function. We assessed variables predicting tracheostomy dependence as a measure of poor laryngeal function after chemoradiation. Study Design Retrospective Methods Analysis of 109 patients treated with chemoradiation for locoregionally advanced laryngohypopharyngeal squamous cell cancers between 1992 and 2013. Median follow-up was 17.0 and 17.2 months for tracheostomy and nontracheostomy dependent patients, respectively. Results For all patients, multivariate analysis demonstrated persistent tracheostomy was associated with pretreatment tracheostomy, subglottic extension, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and postradiotherapy lymphadenectomy. When analyzed by primary site, tracheostomy dependence was associated with pretreatment tracheostomy, subglottic extension, and 3DCRT in larynx primaries, and with pretreatment tracheostomy and feeding tube dependency in hypopharynx primaries. Tracheostomy dependence did not impact local control, progression-free survival or overall survival on univariate analysis. Conclusion After curative chemoradiation, long-term tracheostomy was associated with pretreatment tracheostomy, subglottic extension, postradiotherapy lymphadenectomy, and 3DCRT but did not impact outcomes. These factors may inform treatment decision making regarding organ preservation approaches for locally advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2015
Regulation of macrophage inflammatory gene expression by the orphan nuclear receptor Nur77.

Members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily have emerged as important regulators of macrophage gene expression in inflammation and disease. Previous studies have shown that the lipid-activated receptors peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor and liver X receptor inhibit nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling and inflammatory gene expression. We recently identified the NR4A subfamily of orphan nuclear receptors (Nur77/NR4A1, Nurr1/NR4A2, and NOR1/NR4A3) as lipopolysaccharide- and NF-κB-responsive genes in macrophages. However, the role of these transcription factors in macrophage gene expression is unknown. We demonstrate here that, in contrast to peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor and liver X receptor, the role of NR4A receptors in macrophages is proinflammatory. Retroviral expression of Nur77 in macrophages leads to the transcriptional activation of multiple genes involved in inflammation, apoptosis, and cell cycle control. One particularly interesting Nur77-responsive gene is the indu...
Lung motion and volume measurement by dynamic 3D MRI using a 128-channel receiver coil.

Rationale and Objectives The authors present their initial experience using a 3-T whole-body scanner equipped with a 128-channel coil applied to lung motion assessment. Recent improvements in fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology have enabled several trials of free-breathing three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the lung. A large number of image frames necessarily increases the difficulty of image analysis and therefore warrants automatic image processing. However, the intensity homogeneities of images of prior dynamic 3D lung MRI studies have been insufficient to use such methods. In this study, initial data were obtained at 3 T with a 128-channel coil that demonstrate the feasibility of acquiring multiple sets of 3D pulmonary scans during free breathing and that have sufficient quality to be amenable to automatic segmentation. Materials and Methods Dynamic 3D images of the lungs of two volunteers were acquired with acquisition times of 0.62 to 0.76 frames/s and an image matrix of 128 × 128, with 24 to 30 slice encodings. The volunteers were instructed to take shallow and deep breaths during the scans. The variation of lung volume was measured from the segmented images. Results Dynamic 3D images were successfully acquired for both respiratory conditions for each subject. The images showed whole-lung motion, including lifting of the chest wall and the displacement of the diaphragm, with sufficient contrast to distinguish these structures from adjacent tissues. The average time to complete segmentation for one 3D image was 4.8 seconds. The tidal volume measured was consistent with known tidal volumes for healthy subjects performing deep-breathing maneuvers. The temporal resolution was insufficient to measure tidal volumes for shallow breathing. Conclusion This initial experience with a 3-T whole-body scanner and a 128-channel coil showed that the scanner and imaging protocol provided dynamic 3D images with spatial and temporal resolution sufficient to delineate the diaphragmatic domes and chest wall during active breathing. In addition, the intensity homogeneities and signal-to-noise ratio were adequate to perform automatic segmentation.
Clinical care checklists: Salvations or frustrations?

The chief of surgery at a large private hospital read a paper reporting that implementation of a comprehensive surgical checklist greatly improved mortality and morbidity. The hospital has agreed to cover the cost of implementation. A special meeting of the surgical staff on implementing the checklist did not go well. The opposition to checklists ranged from residual chafing about past experience when practice guidelines went awry to acerbic assertions that the hospital's leadership has no right to tell surgeons how to practice. A dozen surgeons abruptly left, and all except a handful were piqued. Most agreed that the data may be flawed and that the hospital should therefore wait until additional data confirm the results. What should the chief of surgery do? A. Institute the checklist. Colleagues will appreciate the results later. B. Form a committee to evaluate the data. C. Wait for confirming papers to appear in the surgical literature. D. Start a pilot study with volunteer surgeons. E. Move to a new hospital where the staff is more progressive.
Nanoparticles and plasmas

Nanoparticles can form via chemical nucleation from gas-phase species during plasma processing of silicon films. Nanoparticle-plasma interactions are studied by simulat- ing finite-rate charging and transport of particle nuclei in a low-pressure processing plasma. Results show little change in electron temperature and concentration during the early stages of particle nucleation. However, the ion density profile changes drastically as ions accumu- late near the reactor center. Increased ion concentration corresponds to the growing concen- tration of negatively charged particles, which are shown to have the highest production rate in the reactor center where they are trapped. A significant number of neutral particles are de- posited on reactor walls or onto a deposition substrate by diffusion. Positively charged parti- cles impact the substrate at low concentrations but with high energies, which may affect film morphology during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD).
Fullerenes from a fulgurite

Peaks at 720 and 840 atomic mass units were identified by mass spectrometry in a sample extracted from a fulgurite, which is a glassy rock that forms where lightning strikes the ground. The peaks are interpreted as arising from C60 and C70 and the associated peaks as produced from other fullerenes. The intense conditions generated by the lightning not only melted the rock it struck and fused the associated soil but also allowed fullerenes to form, presumably from the organic debris in the soil.
The High Risk of Low Distal Flow

VAST illustrates many of the challenges of developing interventional therapy for this patient population. During a median follow-up of 3 years, 12% of the patients in the stenting group and 7% of those in the medical group developed stroke in the symptomatic vertebral arterial territory. The VAST investigators estimated that, with this cumulative absolute rate of stroke events in the medical group, 9500 patients would have to be randomized in a future trial to provide compelling evidence of a 20% reduction in risk. With this in mind, it may be more productive—indeed, perhaps necessary—to reserve the development of interventional therapy for higher-risk populations. It may be useful for future trials to focus on providing treatment for patients sooner after their qualifying event. In VAST, only one-third of the medical group was enrolled within 14 days of their qualifying event.
The Elusive Scourge of Sudden Cardiac Death: Is Rational Decision Making Possible? Should There Be Standards of Risks and Predictions in Medicine?⁎

Among the many intriguing aspects of heart failure (HF), arguably none is more elusive than predicting sudden cardiac death (SCD). Despite availability of validated risk scores for all-cause mortality prediction for these patients (e.g., the Heart Failure Survival Score and the Seattle Heart Failure
Women in Prison: Methodological Framework and Positioning the Self

Women prisoners live in a zone of theoretical anarchy. Patriarchal societies have consistently treated women's crime and women prisoners with neglect and ruthlessness. Research on women's crime and imprisonment has therefore, kept pace with such biases of popular patriarchal imageries. Framing a methodological position for the study involves the following: a. Selecting methodological tools for research b. Identifying issues and assumptions for the study c. Positioning oneself as a researcher vis-a-vis the subject. During the research vis-a-vis the prison, women prisoners, and their stories involved traversing a long and layered distance. This process was also achieved as a recoil to the assumptions of mainstream criminology. To put it more dramatically, the research was conceived as an attempt at breaching the many walls of popular bias, academic neglect, and theoretical distortion. The researcher's entry into the prison constituted a breach of walls of bias and letting go of inhibitions. It also required a strong understanding of female sensitivities. In the process of understanding the stories of women prisoners and converting them into objective data for research conclusions, these sensitivities proved to be helpful in preserving the subjectivity of each story. Research Design This is a case study that utilises multiple sources of data. The study addresses questions of the nature of ‘how?’ and ‘why?’ The focus of this study is on the lives of women in Indian prisons. The Chanchalguda State Prison for Women was the site chosen for this research, mainly for two reasons: a. There are two State Prisons for women in the state of Andhra Pradesh and the Chanchlaguda Prison is one of them.
Temporal Relation Identification with Endpoints

Temporal relation classification task has issues of fourteen target relations, skewed distribution of the target relations, and relatively small amount of data. To overcome the issues, methods such as merging target relations and increasing data size with closure algorithm have been used. However, the method using merged relations has a problem on how to recover original relations. In this paper, a new reduced-relation method is proposed. The method decomposes a target relation into four pairs of endpoints with three target relations. After classifying a relation of each end-point pair, four classified relations are combined into a relation of original fourteen target relations. In the combining step, two heuristics are examined.
Response to Nico Larco's sustainable urban design framework

Developing more sustainable communities is among our foremost challenges, and urban designers have a leading role to play. I view this role very broadly, not just in terms of designing public space...
Computational Investigation of the Effects of Gurney Flap on the Aerodynamic Performance of VR-12 Airfoil

Aerodynamic performance of VR-12 airfoil with and without a Gurney flap is investigated computationally using an Unsteady RANS multiblock analysis. The results are compared with experimental data and the numerical results from a second (ARC2D) flow solver. A specific Gurney flap configuration where the Gurney flap is 1.5% of the baseline airfoil chord length is considered. Results include both the steady and unsteady cases where the airfoil sinusoidally oscillates.
Dermatitis Caused by the Bat Mite, Chiroptonyssus Robustipes (Ewing), in California

In December 1973, a number of mites were collected from an old home in northern California (near Ingot, Shasta County) by Warren Amacker, Shasta County Sanitarian, where an 18-month-old boy was suffering from persistent dermatitis of the face and abdomen. The dermatitis had continued despite the use of medication prescribed by a physician. Some of the mites were collected from the boy by the parents. Additional mites were taken from a counter adjacent to the bathroom sink. The child was usually bathed on the counter.
The Paradigmatic Evolution of U.S. Television and the Emergence of Internet-Distributed Television

espanolLas industrias de television de todo el mundo han resistido al profundo cambio que las tecnologias avanzadas y los servicios desarrollados que facilitan la distribucion de television por Internet suponen como competencia de la distribucion de television abierta y por cable. Este articulo, partiendo del contexto de los Estados Unidos, explora la aparicion de la television distribuida por internet como un mecanismo que habilita y ofrece la distribucion no lineal. Evalua la organizacion inicial de la television distribuida por internet a traves del analisis de portales y explora las similitudes y diferencias entre estos portales y las redes y canales, poniendo el foco en la conceptualizacion de las practicas y estrategias de negocio emergentes. EnglishTelevision industries around the world have weathered profound change as technologies advanced and services developed to allow internet-distributed television to compete alongside broadcast and cable-distributed television. This article, drawn from the context of the U.S., explores the emergence of internet-distributed television as a mechanism that provides the affordance of nonlinear distribution. It assesses the preliminary organization of internet-distributed television by portals and explores the similarities and differences between portals and networks/channels with an eye toward conceptualizing emerging business practices and strategies.
Late-Onset Consecutive Hyperopia Following Decentered Myopic PRK

Consecutive hyperopia following myopic laser vision correction is a common problem following refractive surgery. The refractive surgeon needs to be aware of how to handle such a case.
Associations between the pink wormfish, Microdesmus longipinnis (Weymouth), and the ghost shrimp, Lepidophthalmus louisianensis (Schmitt), in artificial burrows

Microdesmus longipinnis (Weymouth) is a small estuarine teleost fish that is known to feed on the eggs of the callianassid shrimp, Lepidophthalmus louisianensis (Schmitt). In the course of collecting M. longipinnis for physiological studies we noticed that there seemed to be a higher preference towards burrows of non-gravid and male shrimp than one would expect if the driving force behind this relationship was exclusively egg predation. In an attempt to expand upon the understanding of the relationship between these two animals we tested the hypothesis that the fish are not seeking out burrows based solely on the presence of eggs but rather the presence of the shrimp. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that M. longipinnis positively associated with male L. louisianensis when compared to empty burrows supporting the idea of a more complex relationship that has previously been reported in the literature. Further study is needed to fully determine the nature of the relationship between M. longipinnis and L. louisianensis.
Kirchhoff approximation for backscattering from a partially exposed rigid sphere at a flat interface.

The Kirchhoff approximation (KA) is used to model backscatter of sound from a partially exposed, rigid sphere at a flat free interface of two homogenous media. Scattered wavefields are calculated through numerical integration on the sphere of the Kirchhoff integral, requiring detailed knowledge of the illuminated region for each scattering path. This approach avoids amplitude discontinuities resulting from geometric transitions in the number of reflected rays. Reflections from the interface are modeled through use of an image source, positioned symmetrically relative to the real source. Results are compared to experimentally obtained backscattering records from elastic spheres at an air–water interface, as well as to an exact partial wave series for a half exposed sphere. These comparisons highlight the omission of Franz-type reflections from consideration within the KA, and the consequences of this omission are discussed. The results can be extended to boundary conditions beyond the ideal free surface li...
Measurements and interpretation of shock tube ignition delay times in highly CO2 diluted mixtures using multiple diagnostics

Abstract Common definitions for ignition delay time are often hard to determine due to the issue of bifurcation and other non-idealities that result from high levels of CO2 addition. Using high-speed camera imagery in comparison with more standard methods (e.g., pressure, emission, and laser absorption spectroscopy) to measure the ignition delay time, the effect of bifurcation has been examined in this study. Experiments were performed at pressures between 0.6 and 1.2 atm for temperatures between 1650 and 2040 K. The equivalence ratio for all experiments was kept at a constant value of 1 with methane as the fuel. The CO2 mole fraction was varied between a value of X C O 2 = 0.00 to 0.895. The ignition delay time was determined from three different measurements at the sidewall: broadband chemiluminescent emission captured via a photodetector, CH4 concentrations determined using a distributed feedback interband cascade laser centered at 3403.4 nm, and pressure recorded via a dynamic Kistler type transducer. All methods for the ignition delay time were compared to high-speed camera images taken of the axial cross-section during combustion. Methane time-histories and the methane decay times were also measured using the laser. It was determined that the flame could be correlated to the ignition delay time measured at the side wall but that the flame as captured by the camera was not homogeneous as assumed in typical shock tube experiments. The bifurcation of the shock wave resulted in smaller flames with large boundary layers and that the flame could be as small as 30% of the cross-sectional area of the shock tube at the highest levels of CO2 dilution. Comparisons between the camera images and the different ignition delay time methods show that care must be taken in interpreting traditional ignition delay data for experiments with large bifurcation effects as different methods in measuring the ignition delay time could result in different interpretations of kinetic mechanisms and impede the development of future mechanisms.
Hydro-Thermal System Transaction Analysis

Abstract This paper describes a transaction pricing and evaluating method for maximizing profits in a hydro-thermal power system. The proposed method is based on the Nash bargaining game for power flow analysis in which evety transaction and its price are determine by a fair way. The Proposed method considers the important affect of short term system scheduling, such as unit Commitment and hydro-thermal schedule. The transaction losses are also considered. Test examples and a real scale system result present the merits of the proposed method.
Bioinformatic training needs at a health sciences campus

Background Health sciences research is increasingly focusing on big data applications, such as genomic technologies and precision medicine, to address key issues in human health. These approaches rely on biological data repositories and bioinformatic analyses, both of which are growing rapidly in size and scope. Libraries play a key role in supporting researchers in navigating these and other information resources. Methods With the goal of supporting bioinformatics research in the health sciences, the University of Arizona Health Sciences Library established a Bioinformation program. To shape the support provided by the library, I developed and administered a needs assessment survey to the University of Arizona Health Sciences campus in Tucson, Arizona. The survey was designed to identify the training topics of interest to health sciences researchers and the preferred modes of training. Results Survey respondents expressed an interest in a broad array of potential training topics, including "traditional" information seeking as well as interest in analytical training. Of particular interest were training in transcriptomic tools and the use of databases linking genotypes and phenotypes. Staff were most interested in bioinformatics training topics, while faculty were the least interested. Hands-on workshops were significantly preferred over any other mode of training. The University of Arizona Health Sciences Library is meeting those needs through internal programming and external partnerships. Conclusion The results of the survey demonstrate a keen interest in a variety of bioinformatic resources; the challenge to the library is how to address those training needs. The mode of support depends largely on library staff expertise in the numerous subject-specific databases and tools. Librarian-led bioinformatic training sessions provide opportunities for engagement with researchers at multiple points of the research life cycle. When training needs exceed library capacity, partnering with intramural and extramural units will be crucial in library support of health sciences bioinformatic research.
Pilot Study of a Tailored Smoking Cessation Intervention for Individuals in Treatment for Opioid Dependence.

Introduction Over 85% of opioid-dependent individuals in methadone treatment smoke cigarettes; however, smoking cessation interventions are minimally effective in this population. To better help opioid-dependent individuals quit smoking, we developed and pilot-tested an intervention, based in the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of behavior change, which could be tailored to address individual barriers to smoking cessation in this population. Methods We randomized participants (n = 83) in methadone treatment to the eight-session, IMB model-based, intervention plus nicotine replacement therapy (intervention, n = 41) or a facilitated referral to the state Quitline (control, n = 42). All participants completed assessments at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Results Intervention participants completed a median of five sessions (interquartile range [IQR] 3-8) and had significantly higher intervention satisfaction than control participants. Intervention participants reported smoking significantly fewer cigarettes per day at 3 months (median [IQR] = 6 [4-15]) and 6 months (median [IQR] = 8 [4-14]) as compared control participants at 3 months (median [IQR] = 10 [5-20]) and 6 months (median [IQR] = 10 [6-20]). Fifty-six percent of the intervention group and 41% of the control group a made a quit attempt during the study (p = .16). At 3 months, 7% (n = 3) of intervention participants and none of the control participants were abstinent from smoking (p = .23). At 6 months, 2% of participants in both groups were abstinent. Twenty-four percent and 10% of the intervention and control group participants, respectively, reported 20 or more smoke-free days (p = .43). Conclusions An IMB model-based smoking cessation intervention for opioid-dependent smokers is feasible and acceptable in methadone treatment and may help methadone maintained smokers cut down on their smoking. Implications This is the first study of a tailored, IMB Model-based, smoking cessation intervention for opioid dependent smokers. Results showed that opioid dependent smokers are willing and able to participate in an IMB model-based smoking cessation intervention, and this intervention may help this population cut down on their smoking. Also, the Quitline seems less feasible and acceptable for this population than a face-to-face intervention. Further research is needed to determine how to integrate smoking cessation treatment into methadone programs and how to improve interventions so that treatment gains can lead to long-term abstinence in this population.
Application of Composite Indices for Improving Joint Detection Capabilities of Instrumented Roof Bolt Drills in Underground Mining and Construction

Roof bolts are the dominant method of ground support in mining and tunneling applications, and the concept of using drilling parameters from the bolter for ground characterization has been studied for a few decades. This refers to the use of drilling data to identify geological features in the ground including joints and voids, as well as rock classification. Rock mass properties, including distribution of joints/voids and strengths of rock layers, are critical factors for proper design of ground support to avoid instability. The goal of this research was to improve the capability and sensitivity of joint detection programs based on the updated pattern recognition algorithms in sensing joints with smaller than 3.175 mm (0.125 in.) aperture while reducing the number of false alarms, and discriminating rock layers with different strengths. A set of concrete blocks with different strengths were used to simulate various rock layers, where the gap between the blocks would represent the joints in laboratory tests. Data obtained from drilling through these blocks were analyzed to improve the reliability and precision of joint detection systems. While drilling parameters can be used to detect the gaps, due to low accuracy of the results, new composite indices have been introduced and used in the analysis to improve the detection rates. This paper briefly discusses ongoing research on joint detection by using drilling parameters collected from a roof bolter in a controlled environment. The performances of the new algorithms for joint detection are also examined by comparing their ability to identify existing joints and reducing false alarms.
Genomic Aberrations that Activate D-type Cyclins Are Associated with Enhanced Sensitivity to the CDK4 and CDK6 Inhibitor Abemaciclib

Summary Most cancers preserve functional retinoblastoma (Rb) and may, therefore, respond to inhibition of D-cyclin-dependent Rb kinases, CDK4 and CDK6. To date, CDK4/6 inhibitors have shown promising clinical activity in breast cancer and lymphomas, but it is not clear which additional Rb-positive cancers might benefit from these agents. No systematic survey to compare relative sensitivities across tumor types and define molecular determinants of response has been described. We report a subset of cancers highly sensitive to CDK4/6 inhibition and characterized by various genomic aberrations known to elevate D-cyclin levels and describe a recurrent CCND1 3′UTR mutation associated with increased expression in endometrial cancer. The results suggest multiple additional classes of cancer that may benefit from CDK4/6-inhibiting drugs such as abemaciclib.
Closure of a giant anterior sacral meningocele with an omental flap in a patient with Marfan syndrome: case report

Anterior sacral meningoceles (ASMs) are rare lesions often associated with connective tissue disorders. These lesions are typically treated posteriorly via closure of the dural stalk. However, given their insidious nature, ASMs can be quite large on presentation, and this approach may not provide adequate decompression. In this case report, the authors describe the successful treatment of a large ASM through drainage and watertight closure of the cyst with an omental flap. A 43-year-old woman with a history of Marfan syndrome and a large ASM was referred for neurosurgical intervention. The ASM was filling the pelvic cavity and causing severe compression of the bladder. The patient underwent surgical decompression of the cyst through an anterior transabdominal approach and closure of the fistulous tract with a pedicled omental flap. This is the first reported case of successful closure of an ASM with an omental flap. At the 6-month follow-up, the ASM had not recurred on imaging and the patient's symptoms had resolved. Anterior sacral meningoceles are rare lesions that often require neurosurgical intervention. Although most can be treated posteriorly, large ASMs compressing the abdominal or pelvic organs may require a transabdominal approach. Moreover, ASMs with wide dural stalks may benefit from closure with an omental flap.
Targeting mTOR for Cancer Treatment

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is involved in the control of cellular growth and proliferation. Abnormal activation of signaling pathways both proximal and distal to this kinase occurs frequently in human cancer, suggesting that mTOR is an attractive target for antineoplastic therapies. Rapamycin and its analogs inhibit mTOR and have demonstrated potent antitumor activity in vitro and in xenograft models. Several phase I and phase II clinical studies with rapamycin-like drugs have been conducted and have demonstrated antitumor activity in various types of refractory neoplasms. To date, mTOR inhibitors have been well tolerated at a wide range of doses, making the selection of phase II trial doses-based solely on toxicity criteria difficult. Assessment of the pharmacodynamic effects in surrogate tumor tissues has been used to determine the pharmacodynamically active doses. The lack of a parallel assessment of tumor tissue effects coupled with the intrinsically high interpatient variability has limited the value of these studies. A better understanding of markers that are predictive of response to mTOR inhibitors could be used for improved patient selection in clinical trials. mTOR inhibitors are promising anticancer agents; however, further studies are required to advance these drugs into the clinic. This review will describe the mTOR pathway and highlight its role as a potential drug target. Several mTOR inhibitors that are currently undergoing clinical development, and the challenges facing the development of inhibitors of this type, will also be discussed.
Characterizing Functionalized DNA for Use in Nanomedicine

DNA as a structural nanomaterial demonstrates great potential as both an in vivo and in vitro designer platform for diagnostic and therapeutic medical use. Much of this work hinges on the ability of DNA to assemble into discrete, controlled structures that interact with, or bind to, other inorganic materials such as nanoparticles or biological molecules which include, for example, drugs and proteins. For these functionalized structures to be most effective, the spatial accuracy of their assembly must be precisely monitored and controlled. Clearly, to design and implement all forms of these functionalized DNA structures, a full characterization will ultimately be a critical necessity. With the current array of characterization techniques available, it can be difficult to choose one specific method especially considering that the efficacy can depend on the type of structure and the final application and environment in which the structure will be used. A review of current methods used for the characterization of complex DNA nanostructures can provide us with a greater understanding of which structures and applications will benefit from specific techniques. More importantly, it can also yield an understanding of which characterization methods can be used in concert to provide a more in depth and integrated understanding of a particular construct as a whole. Comparative characterization may also provide information on the many subtleties and nuances that are to be expected in these complex systems. In this critical overview of available characterization methods, we examine the techniques currently in use for these purposes.
Contact lenses after LASIK.

Background: The corneal shape is significantly altered after LASIK, necessitating new contact lens designs and fitting techniques for optimal postoperative contact lens performance. Methods: Procedures for fitting soft and rigid gas-permeable lenses are described on the basis of the authors' experience. Topographic map options are explored to assess the best curvature and contour data to assist in RGP lens fitting. Results: Standard soft and rigid lenses are often used with success after LASIK. When fitting standard and reverse geometry RGP lenses, axial topographic maps provide the best curvature values to assist in the fitting of RGP lenses. Conclusions: Although patients may be apprehensive to pursue contact lens fitting after elective LASIK refractive surgery, new fitting techniques should turn a potentially difficult fitting into a teachable science.
The Need for Intercultural Competence Assessment and Training Among Police Officers

In recent years, there has been a growing social and political controversy surrounding police, racism, excessive use of force, and communities of color in the United States (i.e., Tamir Rice, Sandr...
Why do we still care about 1968

Scholars in particular still care about 1968 because its legacies are extremely contested to this day. As with many punctual moments in history, the methodological approaches and social groups of s...
Applications of Immunomodulatory Immune Synergies to Adjuvant Discovery and Vaccine Development.

Pathogens comprise a diverse set of immunostimulatory molecules that activate the innate immune system during infection. The immune system recognizes distinct combinations of pathogenic molecules leading to multiple immune activation events that cooperate to produce enhanced immune responses, known as ‘immune synergies’. Effective immune synergies are essential for the clearance of pathogens, thus inspiring novel adjuvant design to improve vaccines. We highlight current vaccine adjuvants and the importance of immune synergies to adjuvant and vaccine design. The focus is on new technologies used to study and apply immune synergies to adjuvant and vaccine development. Finally, we discuss how recent findings can be applied to the future design and characterization of synergistic adjuvants and vaccines.
Geochemistry and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of Permian ultramafic lamprophyres in the Reelfoot Rift – Rough Creek Graben, southern Illinois and northwestern Kentucky

Abstract Permian dikes, sills, and diatremes in southern Illinois and northwestern Kentucky (the Omaha, Wildcat Hills, Cottage Grove, Will Scarlet, Williams, Grant, and Clay Lick intrusions) share similar geochemistry and are classified as ultramafic lamprophyres. Major element compositions are 30–35 wt% SiO2, 6–7% Al2O3, 12–14% FeOt, 16–19% MgO, 3–5% TiO2, 11–16% CaO, 0.1–0.7% Na2O, 1.2–2.7% K2O, and 0.4–1.3% P2O5. The Grant Intrusive Breccia is an exception, with lower SiO2, Al2O3, FeOt, MgO, TiO2, and higher CaO. Typically, these rocks are fine grained, with phlogopite, serpentinized olivine (~Fo88), diopside, perovskite, Fe-Ti-spinel, apatite, and calcite. Blocky and lath-shaped pseudomorphs in some samples probably represent melilite, which would make the rocks alnoites. The Grant and Williams diatremes contain sedimentary and igneous clasts (including amphibole megacrysts) within a carbonate-rich matrix. The Grant exhibits pelletal lapilli and is characterized as a lamprophyre‑carbonatite tuffisite. Trace element patterns exhibit enrichment of LREE, strong REE fractionation, and relative depletions of K, Sr, Zr, and Hf, closely matching those of the mela-aillikites of Aillik Bay, Labrador. The Grant Intrusive exhibits even greater REE enrichment and notable peaks at Nb, La, and Ce. Geochemical characteristics, including distributions of 143Nd/144Nd and 87Sr/86Sr, are consistent with near-primary melts from a metasomatized peridotite source containing phlogopite-rich veins. Derivation of the lamprophyres from carbonate-rich parental melts similar to the Grant Intrusive could be achieved by separation of carbonatite. A narrow range of initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.70301–0.70449), and initial eNd (3.7–5.1), suggests a uniform mantle source close to Bulk Earth. T-depleted mantle model ages range from 540 to 625 Ma, and might correlate with timing of enrichment of a lithospheric mantle source during the breakup of Rodinia.
Prospect of Computational High Voltage Engineering

With research and development of high voltage technologies, electrical materials, computational simulation technologies, and plasma physics, the concept of the computational high voltage engineering (CHVE) is proposed, as a new discipline, to solve or explain practical problems of high voltage engineering with support of applied mathematics and computer science. This paper introduces the technical and engineering application drivers of CHVE, elaborates its definition, research scope and discipline architecture, and then discusses the theoretical research foci and potential engineering application of this subject. CHVE will cover the study of discharge modeling, computation of multi physical field coupling, application of cloud computing and super computers, 3D printing of insulation components, and the precision testing and measurement of multi physical fields and discharge. On this basis, we look forward to future development of CHVE and its challenges.
Micro Lens Array Assembly for Optical Organic Substrate

A polymer lens attach process is developed on Optical Multi-Chip Modules (OMCM) with integrated optical waveguides and tested successfully in Deep Thermal Cycle (DTC) at -40°C/125°C for 1000 cycles. The lens attach is completed in a two step process: UV tack of the lens array using a high precision pick and place tool followed by the dispense of a viscous sidefill material along the lens array's periphery to mechanically secure it to the OMCM laminate. A screening protocol is developed based on manufacturing and reliability criteria for testing lens array UV tacking and sidefill adhesives. Manufacturing selection criteria include good adhesion and low infiltration in small gaps. Low infiltration under the lens array is necessary to prevent contamination of laminate optical features. For testing lens attach reliability, a list of critical process parameters are chosen including silicone and epoxy UV tacking and sidefill adhesives with a wide range of thermo-mechanical properties: Young's Modulus (E), Coefficient of Thermal expansion (CTE), glass transition temperature (Tg). Lens attach reliability performance is assessed by both visual inspection for mechanical integrity failures, and using lens to lens insertion loss optical test read-outs.
Inter-Rater Agreement Estimates for Data With High Prevalence of a Single Response.

Background and purpose Efforts to establish support for the reliability of quality indicator data are ongoing. Most patients typically receive recommended care, therefore, the high-prevalence of event rates make statistical analysis challenging. This article presents a novel statistical approach recently used to estimate inter-rater agreement for the National Database for Nursing Quality Indicator pressure injury risk and prevention data. Methods Inter-rater agreement was estimated by prevalence-adjusted kappa values. Data modifications were also done to overcome the convergence issue due to sparse cross-tables. Results Cohen's kappa values suggested low reliability despite high levels of agreement between raters. Conclusion Prevalence-adjusted kappa values should be presented with Cohen's kappa values in order to evaluate inter-rater agreement when the majority of patients receive recommended care.
Introduction: The minor in question

Dedicated to “the minor in question,” this issue of Cultural Dynamics investigates the renewed potential and conceptual valence of the “minor,” both as a critical category and a methodological fram...
Irrational fear of AIDS associated with suicidal behavior

Irrational fear of AIDS can occur when people suffer from high levels of guilt and shame arising from extramarital sex. Despite negative medical testing of anfi-HIV, the patients can come to acquire an irrational conviction that they have AIDS and fear of infection and death to others, so they maybe commit or attempt to suicide. In this paper,suicidal behavior among AIDS phobia patients and contrast between AIDS phobia and syphilis phobia are reviewed. While AIDS phobia may not be common, and suicide acts based on this symptom complex may not be common, it is helpful for physicians to learn potential suicidal risk among these patients. Key words: Suicide; AIDS; Phobia; Syphilis
Adsorption and transport of methane in biochars derived from waste wood.

Mitigation of landfill gas (LFG) is among the critical aspects considered in the design of a landfill cover in order to prevent atmospheric pollution and control global warming. In general, landfill cover soils can partially remove methane (CH4) through microbial oxidation carried out by methanotrophic bacteria present within them. The oxidizing capacity of these landfill cover soils may be improved by adding organic materials, such as biochar, which increase adsorption and promote subsequent or simultaneous oxidation of CH4. In this study, seven wood-derived biochars and granular activated carbon (GAC) were characterized for their CH4 adsorption capacity by conducting batch and small-scale column studies. The effects of influential factors, such as exposed CH4 concentration, moisture content and temperature on CH4 adsorption onto biochars, were determined. The CH4 transport was modeled using a 1-D advection–dispersion equation that accounted for sorption. The effects of LFG inflow rates and moisture content on the combined adsorption and transport properties of biochars were determined. The maximum CH4 adsorption capacity of GAC (3.21 mol/kg) was significantly higher than that of the biochars (0.05–0.9 mol/kg). The CH4 gas dispersion coefficients for all of the biochars ranged from 1 � 10
Targeting LSCs: Peeling Back the Curtain on the Metabolic Complexities of AML.

Summary Most patients with AML succumb to chemoresistant leukemia stem cells (LSCs), which persist and reinitiate disease years after clinical remission. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Jones et al. (2020) identify a therapeutically targetable mechanism of resistance to venetoclax in relapsed and refractory AML LSCs mediated by nicotinamide metabolism.
Racial Differences in Lung Cancer Screening Beliefs and Screening Adherence

Abstract Background One challenge in high-quality lung cancer screening (LCS) is maintaining adherence with annual and short-interval follow-up screens among high-risk individuals who have undergone baseline low-dose CT (LDCT). This study aimed to characterize attitudes and beliefs toward lung cancer and LCS and to identify factors associated with LCS adherence. Methods We administered a questionnaire to 269 LCS participants to assess attitudes and beliefs toward lung cancer and LCS. Clinical data including sociodemographics and screening adherence were obtained from the LCS Program Registry. Results African-American individuals had significantly greater lung cancer worries compared with Whites (6.10 vs. 4.66, P Conclusion Racial differences in beliefs about lung cancer and LCS exist among African-American and White individuals enrolled in an LCS program. Cost, convenience, and low educational attainment may be barriers to LCS adherence, specifically among African-American individuals. Impact More research is needed on how barriers can be overcome to improve LCS adherence.
P73 Cultivating Connections with Farm to School Activities During School Closures

Objective To engage youth and their families in a web-based hybrid club for farm to school activities as an alternative to school-based activities when schools closed due to the pandemic. Use of Theory or Research Farm to school programs increase children's access to and knowledge of fresh and local foods primarily through experiential learning (Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory) such as gardening, tasting food and field trips. Target Audience Youth, grades 2-6, and their families who experienced disruption in usual learning and social activities due to COVID-19 restrictions. Program Description Experiential activities are the hallmark of farm to school education. In March 2020 all hands-on, school based activities planned by Extension faculty were cancelled due to the pandemic. Faculty responded by offering garden-cooking clubs using a web-based hybrid approach independent of schools. Faculty facilitated bi-weekly virtual meetings of 30 minutes for 6-8 weeks for youth and their families. Asynchronous activities were also offered via a website, kits, video demonstrations, farmers market vouchers and when possible, farm tours. Evaluation Methods Adult caregivers received a survey at the end of the 6-8 week club sessions to evaluate their child's and family's level of engagement including queries on how much time they spent using web-based tools and how likely they were to start a garden. Results One hundred and ninety youth, grades 2-6, and their families participated in 4 virtual and/or hybrid clubs delivered by Extension faculty from March 2020 to October 2020. Caregiver responses from the survey (n = 46) indicated 83% of families expanded or started a garden. On average youth and/or families spent 47 minutes per week engaged in program activities including online learning. Conclusion It appears that virtual programming can actively engage youth and their families in farm to school education and may be a tool to supplement resource intensive hands-on strategies in the future. Further research is need to determine which components are best suited for web-based delivery vs in person delivery.
Nuances in the Surgical Management of Thyroid Cancer

The incidence of thyroid cancer is rapidly rising, primarily due to the increased use of imaging studies and incidentalomas. In the USA, the incidence has quadrupled. The last decades have seen remarkable advances in diagnosis and surgery for thyroid cancer. We will discuss the surgical advances in this manuscript. The American Thyroid Association and many other organizations around the world have been quite instrumental in developing the guidelines for the management of thyroid cancer, which have streamlined the treatment approaches. There have also been advances made in the management of medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer, which will be a different subject not included in this manuscript. The major surgical advances include the following: impact of molecular markers, risk group stratifications, de-escalation in surgery, nerve monitoring, and endoscopic surgery. We will discuss some of these surgical nuances in this review article.