Context Mediation in the Semantic Web: Handling OWL Ontology and Data Disparity through Context Interchange

The COntext INterchange (COIN) strategy is an approach to solving the problem of interoperability of semantically heterogeneous data sources through context mediation. COIN has used its own notation and syntax for representing ontologies. More recently, the OWL Web Ontology Language is becoming established as the W3C recommended ontology language. We propose the use of the COIN strategy to solve context disparity and ontology interoperability problems in the emerging Semantic Web – both at the ontology level and at the data level. In conjunction with this, we propose a version of the COIN ontology model that uses OWL and the emerging rules interchange language, RuleML.Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA

Elimination of LID with innovative new hydrogenation technology facilitates increased PERC cell efficiencies through the use of lower resistivity p-type Cz wafers

Silicon photovoltaics has always dominated commercial manufacturing, with p-type Cz and multi being the wafers of choice. However the light-induced degradation (LID) due to B-O defects has been a major problem for industrial p-type Cz wafers for decades. This has necessitated the use of more lightly doped wafers than would normally be considered optimal so as to reduce the B concentration and hence the B-O defect formation. This is particularly the case with PERC cells where the lower wafer doping concentration leads to increased lateral resistive losses and higher resistive losses in the vicinity of the rear point contacts. In this work, CEC Energy and UNSW Australia have been working together to exploit the use of atomic hydrogen to passivate defects, particularly B-O defects, within p-type Cz silicon solar cells. Innovative new technology has been developed to control the charge state of interstitial atomic hydrogen atoms within the silicon lattice, which in turn has facilitated improvements in both the diffusivity and reactivity of the hydrogen atoms. Use of this innovative hydrogenation technology has demonstrated that by controlling the charge-state, hydrogen atoms can be used to passivate B-O defects and other recombination mechanisms within the silicon wafers, transforming the quality and stability of commercial grade p-type Cz silicon wafers, into the equivalent of the very best wafers used by the semiconductor industry that can cost as much as one hundred times more. This potentially enables the use of significantly lower cost wafers in PV manufacturing without performance loss and in fact has simultaneously demonstrated marked improvements in both efficiency and stability. CEC Energy and UNSW in Australia have developed a prototype production hydrogenation tool that is suitable for demonstrating the hydrogenation technology on large area production solar cells. In particular, this prototype production tool enables the implementation of the hydrogenation technology to solve light-induced degradation in commercial-grade p-type Czochralski (Cz) wafers as well as appearing to also passivate many other forms of recombination potentially due to contamination and crystallographic imperfections. This new prototype production tool was specifically used to investigate the impact of the innovative hydrogenation technology on the performance and stability of CEC silicon solar cells that are fabricated from low resistivity (0.5 ohm-cm) p-type Cz on normal PERC solar cell production lines. These solar cells after treatment were stable and no longer susceptible to light-induced degradation following the hydrogenation treatment. In this work, PERC silicon solar cells using industrial grade 0.5 ohm-cm p-type Cz wafers were fabricated on an existing standard PERC cell production line to the specifications of CEC Energy. These cells are 156-cm x 156-cm screen printed PERC silicon solar cells. Being fabricated from low resistivity commercial-grade p-type Cz silicon wafers, these CEC solar cells are subject to higher than normal levels of light induced degradation, with losses approaching 10% through only 48 hours of light-soaking at 78 mW/cm2 and 40degC. A total of 8 CEC solar cells were divided into two groups of 4 cells each (Group 1 and Group 2). The solar cells from these two groups were put through the following process: 1) Obtain PL images and IV characteristics of all the CEC solar cells; 2) Solar cells from Group 1 were set aside (no treatment) while the solar cells from Group 2 were treated in the prototype hydrogenation tool using appropriate illumination ramping, peak illumination of 20-suns, peak temperature of 280degC and rapid cooling; 3) Obtain PL images and IV characteristics of the Group 2 solar cells after hydrogenation treatment; 4) All the cells were subjected to a prolonged light soaking step performed at 40 deg C and 78 mW/cm2 under halogen lamp illumination for 48 hours; 5) Obtain PL images and IV characteristics of the cells following the prolonged light soaking step

Characterization of Laser-Resistant Port Wine Stain Blood Vessels Using In Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy.

Background and objectivesPort wine stain (PWS) is a congenital vascular malformation of the human skin. Laser is the treatment of choice for PWS. Laser-resistant PWS is one crucial factor accounting for inadequate treatment outcome, which needs to be fully characterized. This study aims to quantitatively characterize the morphology of laser-resistant PWS blood vessels in the upper papillary dermis using in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM).Study design/materials and methodsA total of 42 PWS subjects receiving laser treatment from August 2016 through July 2018 were enrolled into this study. Thirty-three subjects had facial PWS; nine had extremity PWS. All subject's PWS received multiplex 585/1,064 nm laser treatment. RCM images were taken before and after treatment. The density, diameter, blood flow, and depth of PWS blood vessels were analyzed.ResultsWe found 44.4% PWS on the extremities (four out of nine subjects) were laser-resistant, which was significantly higher (P < 0.001) when compared with those PWS on the face (15.2%, 5 out of 33 subjects). The laser-resistant facial PWS blood vessels had significantly higher blood flow (1.35 ± 0.26 U vs. 0.89 ± 0.22 U, P < 0.001), larger blood vessel diameters (109.60 ± 18.24 µm vs. 84.36 ± 24.04 µm, P = 0.033) and were located deeper in the skin (106.01 ± 13.87 µm vs. 87.82 ± 12.57 µm, P < 0.001) in the skin when compared with laser-responsive PWS on the face. The average PWS blood vessel density (17.01 ± 4.63/mm2 vs. 16.61 ± 4.44/mm2 , P = 0.857) was not correlated to the laser resistance.ConclusionsLaser-resistant PWS blood vessels had significantly higher blood flow, larger diameters, and were located deeper in the skin. RCM can be a valuable tool for a prognostic evaluation on laser-resistant lesions before treatment, thereby providing guidance for tailored laser treatment protocols, which may improve the therapeutic outcome. The limitations for this study include relative small sample size and acquisitions of different blood vessels before and after 2 months of treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Carfilzomib promotes the unfolded protein response and apoptosis in cetuximab-resistant colorectal cancer

Cetuximab is a common treatment option for patients with wild-type K-Ras colorectal carcinoma. However, patients often display intrinsic resistance or acquire resistance to cetuximab following treatment. Here we generate two human CRC cells with acquired resistance to cetuximab that are derived from cetuximab-sensitive parental cell lines. These cetuximab-resistant cells display greater in vitro proliferation, colony formation and migration, and in vivo tumour growth compared with their parental counterparts. To evaluate potential alternative therapeutics to cetuximab-acquired-resistant cells, we tested the efficacy of 38 current FDA-approved agents against our cetuximab-acquired-resistant clones. We identified carfilzomib, a selective proteosome inhibitor to be most effective against our cell lines. Carfilzomib displayed potent antiproliferative effects, induced the unfolded protein response as determined by enhanced CHOP expression and ATF6 activity, and enhanced apoptosis as determined by enhanced caspase-3/7 activity. Overall, our results indicate a potentially novel indication for carfilzomib: that of a potential alternative agent to treat cetuximab-resistant colorectal cancer. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Rodney Luwor” is provided in this record*

Cassini: Mission to Saturn and Titan

The Cassini Mission to Saturn and Titan represents an important step into the exploration of the outerplanets. It will expand on the flyby encounters of Pioneer and Voyager and parallel the detailed exploration of the Jupiter system to be accomplished by the Galileo Mission. By continuing the study of the two giant planets and enabling detailed comparisons of their structure and behavior, Cassini will provide a tremendous insight into the formation and evolution of the solar system. In addition, by virtue of its focus on the Saturnian satellite Titan, Cassini will return detailed data on an environment whose atmospheric chemistry may resemble that of the primitive Earth. The scientific objectives can be divided into five categories: Titan, Saturn, rings, icy satellites, and magnetospheres. The key area of interest to exobiologists is Titan; the other four scientific categories will be discussed briefly to provide a comprehensive overview of the Cassini Mission

Wearable activity technology and action-planning (WATAAP) to promote physical activity in cancer survivors: Randomised controlled trial protocol

Background/Objective: Colorectal and gynecologic cancer survivors are at cardiovascular risk due to comorbidities and sedentary behaviour, warranting a feasible intervention to increase physical activity. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) is a promising theoretical frame-work for health behaviour change, and wearable physical activity trackers offer a novel means of self-monitoring physical activity for cancer survivors. Method: Sixty-eight survivors of colorectal and gynecologic cancer will be randomised into 12- week intervention and control groups. Intervention group participants will receive: a Fitbit AltaTM to monitor physical activity, HAPA-based group sessions, booklet, and support phone-call. Participants in the control group will only receive the HAPA-based booklet. Physical activity (using accelerometers), blood pressure, BMI, and HAPA constructs will be assessed at baseline, 12-weeks (post-intervention) and 24-weeks (follow-up). Data analysis will use the Group x Time interaction from a General Linear Mixed Model analysis. Conclusions: Physical activity interventions that are acceptable and have robust theoretical underpinnings show promise for improving the health of cancer survivors

Palaeomagnetic evidence and tectonic origin of clockwise rotations in the Yangtze fold belt, South China Block

International audienceFold axis strikes in the Yangtze fold belt of the South China Block (SCB) undergo significant changes over distances of >1000 km. This large-scale variation provides an ideal opportunity to test the oroclinal-bending hypothesis using palaeomagnetic methods, which we have attempted by drilling the Lower Triassic Daye Formation limestones in western Hubei Province. Thermal demagnetization isolated two components in most samples. A low unblocking temperature component (400 °C , unblocks univectorially towards the origin. The HTC passes the McFadden-fold test with an overall mean tilt-corrected direction of Dec = 255°, Inc =-24° (N= 7, α95= 9°) . Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations suggest an early diagenetic, possible (bio)chemical origin for the magnetic extracts dominated by Ti-poor magnetite. Rock magnetic data show no evidence that the HTC has been affected by tectonic or compaction strain. Our data together with previously published results suggest a general clockwise rotation pattern in the Middle Yangtze fold belt, which is probably related to the collision between the North and SCBs. Comparison of palaeomagnetic rotations with fold axis trends in the fold belt suggests that about 30° clockwise rotation occurred in the Middle reaches of the Yangtze River, while a 15° difference in fold axis trends would be due to initial variation within the fold belt. However, since little is known about the timing of the clockwise rotation, whether the Middle Yangtze fold belt is an orocline awaits further studies

Failure After Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty: Prevention and Management

Background and Purpose: Because of the high success of laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) for ureteropelvic junction obstruction, strategies for managing failures are less well described. We report our experience with persistent or recurrent obstruction after LP. Patients and Methods: We reviewed 128 patients who were treated with LP at our institution from 1996 through 2008. Success was defined as objective resolution of obstruction by renal scintigraphy, Whitaker testing, or direct visualization. We extracted data by chart review regarding patient demographics, medical history, operative technique, and salvage treatments. We then assessed for association between patient characteristics and treatment failure. Results: Overall, 102 patients had sufficient follow-up, of which 84 (82%) were successes. Of 18 failures, median time to failure was 2.5 months (0.5-88-mos). Of 10 failures managed endoscopically, 7 were salvaged. One of two patients treated conservatively ultimately had resolution while six patients needed simple nephrectomy. Overall, 8 (44%) were salvageable with median follow-up of 19 months (4-58-mos). Patients with failure were more likely to have diabetes mellitus, longer length of stay, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, a stent placed at the time of pyeloplasty, or ureteral stent malfunction (P30-kg/m2 (P2 were associated with failure (P<0.05) while periureteral fibrosis trended toward a significant association (P=0.061). Conclusion: Nearly half of failures after LP are salvageable, many with endoscopic management.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/90445/1/end-2E2010-2E0647.pd

Picosecond laser ranging at wavelengths up to 2.4 μm using an InAs avalanche photodiode

Time-of-flight measurements using pulsed laser illumination in the wavelength region between 1.3 to 2.37 μm have been demonstrated with an InAs avalanche photodiode (APD). InAs is photo-sensitive at wavelengths up to 3.5 μm and with predominantly electron multipli- cation reducing detector noise, InAs APDs have clear potential for sen- sitive optical measurements of picosecond transients in the mid-wave infrared. Laboratory-based demonstrations of time-of-flight ranging using InAs APDs operated at room temperature is described