cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Text-Annotated vs. Purely Visio-Spatial Instructions for Video Game Input Sequences

Animated tutorials for controller input sequences in video games will be easier for developers to localize, and therefore more universally accessible across multiple nationalities, if they are designed to rely on purely visio-spatial, text-free communication. However, it has hitherto been unclear whether a lack of text in such tutorials may be associated with lower effectiveness in overall teaching outcomes, given that text may augment the available information. With this in mind, we conducted a between-subjects study in which 42 subjects each played one of two versions of a custom, stand-alone game control tutorial designed to teach character moves for an action/fighting game; both versions contained animated visuals, but one also included onscreen text instructions. We recorded players’ performances in each version by measuring elapsed times, failure counts, demonstration replay counts, and skip counts using software-based logging and combined each player’s data in these categories to create an overall effectiveness index to measure and compare teaching efficacy associated with each version. We compared the means of our data between the version groups using t-tests with results suggesting that people playing the non-text-annotated version performed at least as well, all around, as those playing the text-annotated version and even better in the areas of elapsed time, failure count, and overall score. Though a significant co-factor—player skill/experience—is likely an influence that should be further delineated in future studies, our findings clearly demonstrated that text-free game control tutorials are as good as, if not better than, text-annotated ones.
Role of zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate in carbon black induced abrasive wear

Abstract We have explored the contact conditions under which zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) is corrosive and, in the presence of carbon black, increases wear. It was found that the corrosivity of ZDDP to steel is due to a load dependent mechanochemical reaction and leads to the antagonism between ZDDP and carbon black which is also likely to be load dependent. Depth-profiled Auger spectroscopic analysis of wear scars produced with ZDDP shows that the iron sulfide layer thickness depends on contact load during the wear process. Higher loading produces a thicker iron sulfide layer but, surprisingly, the thickness is relatively insensitive to time. Indenter nanoscratching measurements demonstrate that the highly corroded surface is less scratch resistant than lightly corroded surfaces made under lower load (or of the native steel), explaining increased wear by abrasion of carbon particles ( e.g. carbon black or soot) under highly loaded conditions.
Device-architecture co-design for hyperdimensional computing with 3d vertical resistive switching random access memory (3D VRRAM)

Hyperdimensional (HD) computing is a brain-inspired computation model capable of learning from only a few examples. It uses random binary vectors with high dimensionality. We present device-architecture co-design, leveraging 3D vertical resistive switching random access memory (3D VRRAM), for HD computing targeting language recognition applications. Multiplication-addition-permutation (MAP), the essential operations of HD computing, are experimentally demonstrated using 4-layer 3D VRRAMs/FinFETs, with extensive cycle-to-cycle (up to 1012 cycles) and device-to-device (256 RRAM cells) measurements. At the 28-nm node, the resulting 3D in-memory architecture is projected to achieve two orders of magnitude area reduction over a digital CMOS design, and exhibit strong resilience to hard errors induced by RRAM endurance failures. This makes a promising case for using various types of RRAM (>1k endurance) for memory-centric HD cognitive systems.
Case Study of the Chicago River Watershed: Physical Modeling vs Data-driven Modeling of an Urban Watershed

We developed a water quality model for the highly urbanized Chicago River watershed based on hydrologic simulation using BASINS/HSPF. Appropriate consideration…
Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting During Chemotherapy

Nausea and vomiting are two of the most troubling side effects patients experience during chemotherapy. While newly available treatments have improved our ability to manage nausea and vomiting, anticipatory and delayed nausea and vomiting are still a major problem for patients receiving chemotherapy. Many cancer patients will delay or refuse future chemotherapy treatments and contemplate stopping chemotherapy altogether because of their fear of experiencing further nausea and vomiting. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the patho-psychophysiology of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and the recommended guidelines for treatment.
Long-term U.S transportation electricity use considering the effect of autonomous-vehicles: Estimates & policy observations

Abstract In this paper, we model three layers of transportation disruption – first electrification, then autonomy, and finally sharing and pooling – in order to project transportation electricity demand and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States to 2050. Using an expanded kaya identity framework, we model vehicle stock, energy intensity, and vehicle miles traveled, progressively considering the effects of each of these three disruptions. We find that electricity use from light duty vehicle transport will likely be in the 570–1140 TWh range, 13–26%, respectively, of total electricity demand in 2050. Depending on the pace at which the electric sector decarbonizes, this increase in electric demand could correspond to a decrease in LDV greenhouse gas emissions of up to 80%. In the near term, rapid and complete transport electrification with a carbon-free grid should remain the cornerstones of transport decarbonization policy. However, long-term policy should also aim to mitigate autonomous vehicles’ potential to increase driving mileage, urban and suburban sprawl, and traffic congestion while incentivizing potential energy efficiency improvements through both better system management and the lightweighting of an accident-free vehicle fleet.
Abstract WP319: Improvement in Stroke Survey Scores for Rural EMS Providers

Introduction: The extended time window for mechanical thrombectomy in acute stroke has added additional challenges to rural regions. Given the topography of the Appalachian region, much of the init...
P72. Drivers of episode payments for non-cervical spinal fusion

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Through alternative payment models, like those developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and some private payors, payments for spine surgery may now come through bundled payments for “episodes of care.” Previous publications on episode costs in spine surgery have examined all-type spinal operations, which have variations too large in costs of index hospitalizations. PURPOSE Identify drivers of variations in the 90-day episode costs for non-cervical spinal fusions across hospital systems. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE The Michigan Value Collaborative (MVC) database was queried for 90-day episodes of care for non-cervical spine fusions. The MVC maintains a detailed claims-based registry of comprehensive 90-day episodes of care that includes charges, payor payments and utilization surrounding an admission at any one of the 79 participating acute care hospitals across the state. These hospitals were partitioned into four equally-sized quartiles based on episode payments. OUTCOME MEASURES Claims during the 90-day episodes of care were divided into one of four categories: index hospitalization, professional services, readmissions and post-acute care. The primary outcome measure was to identify which category varied the most across the hospital quartiles for episode payments. METHODS The four hospital quartiles of price-standardized and risk-adjusted payments for spinal surgeries were compared via descriptive statistics, reporting means ± standard deviations or frequencies/percentages. We used chi-square tests to compare patient characteristic differences and t-tests to compare payments at low- versus high-cost hospitals. We also calculated the percentage of total payment variation contributed by each payment component. RESULTS Among 10,168 non-cervical spinal fusions, 90-day episode payments averaged $42,879. Payments were 17.7% greater among highest-spending than lowest-spending quartile hospitals ($47,124 vs $38,753, p CONCLUSIONS Post-acute care, especially inpatient rehabilitation, is the primary driver of variation in 90-day episode payments for non-cervical spine fusions. Strategies for success in bundled payment initiatives will require attention to potentially discretionary use of post-acute care after index hospitalization. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.
Impact of Brine Discharge from Seawater Desalination Plants on Persian/Arabian Gulf Salinity

AbstractThe Persian Gulf (also known as Arabian Gulf) is surrounded by desalination plants with about 50% of worldwide capacity to desalinate seawater. Most of these plants dispose of hypersaline e...
Fine-grained acceleration using runtime integrated custom execution (RICE): work-in-progress

Runtime Integrated Custom Execution (RICE) relocates traditional peripheral reconfigurable acceleration devices into the pipeline of the processor. This relocation unlocks fine-grained acceleration previously impeded by communication overhead to a peripheral accelerator. Preliminary simulation results on a subset of the PARSEC benchmark suite shows promise for RICE in HPC applications.
Delving Below the Species Level To Characterize the Ecological Diversity within the Global Virome: An Exploration of West Nile Virus

Efforts to describe the diversity of viruses have largely focused on classifying viruses at the species level. However, substantial ecological diversity, both in virulence level and host range, is known within virus species. Here we demonstrate a proof of concept for easily discovering ecological diversity within a virus species taxon. We have focused on the West Nile Virus to take advantage of its broad host range in nature. We produced a genome-based phylogeny of world diversity of WNV and then used Ecotype Simulation 2 to hypothesize demarcation of genomes into 69 putative ecotypes (ecologically distinct populations), based only on clustering of genome sequences. Then we looked for evidence of ecological divergence among ecotypes based on differences in host bird associations within the Connecticut-New York region. Our results indicated significant heterogeneity among ecotypes for their associations with different bird hosts. Ecological diversity within other zoonotic viruses could be easily discovered using this approach. Opportunities for extending this line of research to human associations of virus ecotypes are limited by missing geographic metadata on human samples.
Significance of abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies in normally grown fetuses.

To determine whether there is a relationship between abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies (UADS) and small for gestational age (SGA) birth weight and other adverse perinatal outcomes in fetuses that appear normally grown by ultrasound. This was a retrospective study of all women who had UADS performed at or after 26 weeks of gestation at our institution between January 2005 and December 2012. Women were excluded if they had a fetal demise, a fetus with growth restriction, a fetus with congenital anomaly, or a multiple gestation. Women with missing delivery outcomes were excluded. The primary outcome was birth weight below the 10th percentile. There were 2744 women included in the study. Of those, 98 (3.6%) had an abnormal UADS, and 379 (13.8%) had an SGA neonate. Of the 2646 women who had a normal UADS, 353 (13.3%) women had an SGA neonate. Twenty-six (26.5%) of the 98 women who had an abnormal UADS had an SGA neonate. After adjusting for potential confounders, the adjusted odds ratio for an SGA neonate with an abnormal UADS was 2.2 (95% CI, 1.38–3.58; p 0.05). Our data suggest that abnormal UADS in fetuses that appear normally grown by ultrasound are associated with SGA neonates and NICU admission.
Winding the Clock: Development of Hypothalamic Structures Controlling Biological Timing and Sleep

The daily cycle of sleep and wake governs all aspects of behavior and is under tight homeostatic regulation. The core circadian oscillator in turn restricts sleep to specific intervals of the solar day. The neurons that regulate both sleep and circadian timing reside largely in the hypothalamus, and are linked in a complex, reciprocally connected, and still incompletely characterized network. While our knowledge of the neural circuitry controlling circadian rhythms and sleep has advanced considerably, our understanding of the mechanisms by which they are assembled during embryonic and postnatal development lag far behind. In this chapter, we review advances in the understanding of hypothalamic circuitry controlling circadian rhythms and sleep and our current knowledge of the gene regulatory networks that guide their development. In addition, we discuss the potential for future studies of hypothalamic development to provide new insights into the mechanisms by which animals regulate the timing and duration of sleep.
Giant Cell, Giant Problems: A Case of Giant Cell Myocarditis Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock and Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia Managed With a Mechanical Circulatory Support Device

Abstract This report reviews the management of a case of Giant Cell Myocarditis (GCM) that presented with cardiogenic shock. This case highlights the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to the care of these patients including the use of a mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device.
Size Effect Study of the L10 Phase Transformation in FePt Nanoparticles

The relation between particle size and anisotropy in the fcc to L10 phase transformation in FePt nanoparticles is described. After annealing to partially sinter the particles, the volume distribution was found by transmission electron microscopy, and related to the magnetic switching field distribution. With the assumption that larger particles have higher switching fields, we find a consistent size threshold,d*, of about 12 nm for high anisotropy, independent of the annealing conditions. Our analysis shows that the phase transformation is limited by the lack of nucleation sites in small particles rather than by the chemical inhomogeneity.
De Lazarillo a Qispillu: de la casa de un escudero a las encrucijadas de un Fausto andino

Faust: … Look here; what am I doing?First Spirit: You are moving your finger quickly through the flame of the light.Faust: And not burning myself. Go, do likewise; pass seven times just as quickly ...
Cyclic Microchip Assay for Measurement of Hundreds of Functional Proteins in Single Neurons

Abstract Proteins are responsible for nearly all cell functions throughout cellular life. To date, the molecular functions of hundreds of proteins have been studied as they are critical to cellular processes. Those proteins are varied dramatically at different statuses and differential stages of the cells even in the same tissue. The existing single-cell tools can only analyze dozens of proteins and thus have not been able to fully characterize a cell yet. Herein, we present a single-cell cyclic multiplex in situ tagging (CycMIST) technology that affords the comprehensive functional proteome profiling of single cells. It permits multiple, separate rounds of multiplex assays of the same single cells on a microchip where each round detects 40-50 proteins. A decoding process is followed to assign protein identities and quantify protein detection signals. We demonstrate the technology on a neuron cell line by detecting 182 proteins that includes surface makers, neuron function proteins, neurodegeneration markers, signaling pathway proteins and transcription factors. Further study on 5XFAD mouse, an Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) model, cells validate the utility of our technology which reveals the deep heterogeneity of brain cells. Through comparison with control mouse cells, the differentially expressed proteins in the AD mouse model have been detected. The single-cell CycMIST technology can potentially analyze the entire functional proteome spectrum, and thus it may offer new insights into cell machinery and advance many fields including systems biology, drug discovery, molecular diagnostics, and clinical studies.
Unfit for Subjection: Mental Illness, Mental Health, and the University Undercommons

This colloquy, by graduate-student-led collective Project Spectrum, attempts to map out existing discussions around inclusion and equity in music academia, with a specific focus on identifying and analyzing the structures in academia that work against minoritized and historically excluded scholars. Sarah Hankins shares thoughts on mental illness, arguing that it is a gap in our discourse. Hankins asks us to bear witness to experiences of those who boldly declare that they are “unfit” for the pipeline—“unfit” to survive the pipeline, to have access to the pipeline, and for the so-called promises at the end of the pipeline. Following the work of Black studies, queer of color critique, Black radicalism, Afropessimism, and especially the writings of Stefano Harney and Fred Moten, Hankins’s intervention in this colloquy demands pause in academia’s system of perpetual motion.
The Weirdness of James Bond's World: How Thorstein Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class Helps Us Understand Ian Fleming's 007

This working paper takes as its subject the well-known "oddities" of the original Ian Fleming James Bond novels--the questionable-seeming claims for Bond's exceptional competence as a secret agent, the place of various luxuries with which Fleming closely associates Bond (down to his favored brand of strawberry jam) and the complex interactions between Bond and villain, with their sometime combination of gentility and gamesmanship with murderous intent. Examining these features of the books through the lens afforded by the sociologist Thorstein Veblen's "theory of the leisure class," it shows that these details of the stories, implausible as they are, are remarkably consistent with Veblen's analysis of the prowess-living, conspicuously consuming "barbarian," which world-view seems to deeply inform the work.
Genetic variation in the HSD17B1 gene and risk of prostate cancer: Results from the NCI breast and prostate cancer cohort consortium (BPC3)

2556 Steroid hormones are believed to play an important role in prostate carcinogenesis, but epidemiological evidence linking prostate cancer and serum measurements of steroid hormones or related genes has been inconclusive, in part due to small samples sizes or incomplete characterization of genetic variation at the locus of interest. Here we report on the results of a comprehensive study of the association between HSD17B1 and prostate cancer by the Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium (BPC3), a large, multi-center collaborative study. HSD17B1 encodes 17 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (17HSD 1), an enzyme involved in both the deactivating conversion of the DHEA androgen precursor to Δ5-androsterone-3β,17β-diol (Δ5-diol), an androgen deactivating step and the activating conversion of estrone to estradiol. The BPC3 systematically screened variation in HSD17B1 via resequencing (in a panel of 190 advanced breast and prostate cancer cases) and dense genotyping (in a panel of 349 breast cancer controls). Four haplotype-tagging SNPs (htSNPs) including the non-synonymous SNP S313G were chosen to efficiently predict common variants in U.S. and European whites (rsq-h > 85%). We genotyped these htSNPs in a sample of 6,117 U.S. and European cases and 7,009 matched controls and found four common haplotypes (>5% frequency in controls) with a cumulative frequency of over 99%. We found no evidence that variation in HSD17B1 haplotypes was associated with risk of prostate cancer or disease severity (global test for association with prostate cancer: chi-square = 6.29 on 3 d.f.; p =.10). Odds ratios for heterozygote carriers of each of the four htSNP haplotypes common in whites (relative to non-carriers) ranged from .92 to 1.06; odds ratios for homozygous carriers ranged from .90 to 1.36. SNP S312G was also not associated with prostate cancer ( p =.35); ORs (and 99% CIs) for heterozygotes and homozygote carriers of the minor allele were .97 (.88-1.07) and .94 (.84-1.05), respectively. Analyses stratified by age, BMI, and family history of disease similarly found no subgroup-specific effect for HSD17B1 . These results, combined with the BPC3’s large sample size, comprehensive genetic screening, prospectively-collected anthropometric and exposure data, and diverse study population suggest that any HSD17B1 variants that do affect the risk of prostate cancer are likely to have very small effects or low frequency.
Changes in the central nervous system and their clinical correlates during long-term spaceflight.

The purpose of this paper is to review the metabolic, neurotransmitter, and morphological changes that occur in the human central nervous system (CNS) during long-duration spaceflight. If there are to be either permanent space habitats or long-duration interplanetary missions, we must determine if there will be any detrimental reversible or irreversible effects on the brain from this prolonged exposure to space. We must also determine how these effects might manifest themselves in performance, psychological, or cognitive dysfunction. The space environment has many characteristics, including microgravity, electromagnetic fields, and radiation, that may have an effect on the function and morphology of the CNS. To date, the primary focus of U.S. research has been the changes that occur in the neurovestibular system in relation to space adaptation syndrome (particularly space motion sickness). Russia, which has more experience than the U.S. with spaceflights of durations longer than several weeks, has attempted to determine the consequences of this long-duration spaceflight on the human CNS. Changes already known to occur as a result of both short- and long-duration spaceflight include alterations in the neurovestibular system, cephalic fluid shifts, loss of total body fluid, changes in electrolyte concentrations, decreases in both muscular and skeletal mass, alterations in sensory perception, changes in proprioception, and changes in human behavior. This paper will examine how these effects are related to changes in cerebral metabolism, anatomy, and neurotransmitter physiology.
Nano-ADEPT: An entry system for secondary payloads

Small spacecraft have emerged in recent years from a niche academic pursuit to a platform for governments and corporations to perform scientific and commercial ventures in space at much lower cost. Simultaneously, the field of Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) is rapidly maturing a number of technologies geared toward delivering ever-larger payloads to destinations across our solar system, with the culminating event being safe transport of human beings to the surface of Mars. One of these technologies for landing large payloads, known as the Adaptable, Deployable Entry and Placement Technology (ADEPT), uses a mechanical skeleton to deploy a revolutionary carbon fabric system that serves as both heat shield and primary structure during atmospheric entry. This paper explores the application of a Nano-ADEPT entry system for delivery of very small payloads (< 5 kg) to locations of interest in an effort to leverage low-cost platforms to rapidly mature the technology while simultaneously delivering high-value science. It is shown that secondary payload missions to Mars as well as entry from low Earth orbit are feasible. Secondary payload missions to Venus at small scale present a greater challenge and may only be feasible if the system can be designed with exceptionally low mass. The technology maturation strategy for Nano-ADEPT is described. Four test campaigns underway at the time of writing are discussed in detail, including deployment testing, wind tunnel testing, system-level arc jet testing, and a sounding rocket flight test. To conclude, a mission opportunity is described to demonstrate Nano-ADEPT from the International Space Station.
Deglacial variability of Antarctic Intermediate Water penetration into the North Atlantic from authigenic neodymium isotope ratios

[1] Understanding intermediate water circulation across the last deglacial is critical in assessing the role of oceanic heat transport associated with Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation variability across abrupt climate events. However, the links between intermediate water circulation and abrupt climate events such as the Younger Dryas (YD) and Heinrich Event 1 (H1) are still poorly constrained. Here, we reconstruct changes in Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) circulation in the subtropical North Atlantic over the past 25 kyr by measuring authigenic neodymium isotope ratios in sediments from two sites in the Florida Straits. Our authigenic Nd isotope records suggest that there was little to no penetration of AAIW into the subtropical North Atlantic during the YD and H1. Variations in the northward penetration of AAIW into the Florida Straits documented in our authigenic Nd isotope record are synchronous with multiple climatic archives, including the Greenland ice core δ18O record, the Cariaco Basin atmosphere Δ14C reconstruction, the Bermuda Rise sedimentary Pa/Th record, and nutrient and stable isotope data from the tropical North Atlantic. The synchroneity of our Nd records with multiple climatic archives suggests a tight connection between AAIW variability and high-latitude North Atlantic climate change.
Asthma in the United States: recent trends and current status.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of and morbidity and mortality from asthma in Americans and the impact of the disease on health resource utilization and costs, define asthma control and characterize the extent to which it is achieved with recommended asthma therapies, discuss patterns of medication use in patients with asthma who are at high risk for morbidity and mortality, characterize health resource utilization and morbidity in patients with difficult-to-treat asthma, and identify the objectives of asthma drug therapy research efforts. DATA SOURCES: This article is based on a presentation given by the author at a symposium entitled “New Frontiers in Asthma Management: Biotechnology for Optimal Therapeutic and Economic Outcomes” at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy’s 15th Annual Meeting and Showcase in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on April 10, 2003. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of asthma and associated costs has increased in the United States. Patients with asthma that is difficult to treat because of frequent or severe exacerbations, inability to avoid asthma triggers, or the need for multiple drug therapies or complex medication regimens are responsible for a disproportionately large share of health resource utilization and costs. Medication use is less than optimal in many patients with asthma who are at high risk for morbidity and mortality, and asthma control is poor in many patients despite the use of recommended drug therapies. Results of the TENOR Study, a large, 3-year, multicenter, observational cohort study, demonstrated that difficult-to-treat asthma is associated with substantial health resource utilization and morbidity. New asthma drug therapies are needed to improve asthma control, patient adherence to the therapeutic regimen, and quality of life and reduce the incidence of asthma exacerbations, health resource utilization, and costs.
Characterization of potential precursor populations in the mouse olfactory epithelium using immunocytochemistry and autoradiography

There are at least two basal cell populations in the olfactory epithelium that could give rise to olfactory neurons during development, in the normal adult, and after experimentally induced receptor cell death. These populations have been subdivided as horizontal (HBC) and globose (GBC) basal cells on the basis of morphological criteria and by staining with antibodies against cytokeratin. HBCs are positive for cytokeratin while GBCs are negative. We have studied which cell type is induced to divide during receptor cell regeneration stimulated by olfactory bulbectomy using a combination of immunocytochemistry and autoradiography. By examining which population increases its labeling index with 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) at various times after bulbectomy, it is shown that there is an increase in 3H-TdR uptake in the cytokeratin-negative GBCs with no change in the cytokeratin-positive HBCs. This suggests that the GBCs are specifically induced to divide in response to cues that accompany receptor cell death, and it is thus concluded that these cells are among the precursors of new olfactory receptor neurons.
Application of SSE to detection of TCM on multipath fading ISI channels

A novel receiver structure for trellis coded modulation on multipath fading ISI (intersymbol interference) channels that permits the use of large-state trellis-codes is proposed. The receiver consists of a sequential sequence estimator using the Fano algorithm, and a channel estimator consisting of a fast nonrecursive startup algorithm for training and the LMS (least mean square) algorithm for tracking. During the tracking mode, the channel estimates are updated by using the most recent tentative decisions output by the sequential sequence estimator. This approach results in good tracking even on rapidly varying channels and greatly reduces the degradation in performance of the sequential sequence estimator due to channel estimation error. Performance is evaluated through software simulations. >
Primary amenorrhea in a teenager.

A 15-year-old girl presented to her pediatrician with primary amenorrhea. She was worried because all of her friends had begun menstruating. Her pediatrician saw an abnormal vaginal opening and referred the patient to a gynecologist. The patient reported thelarche at age 11 and adrenarche at age 12. She denied vaginal spotting unusual drainage and either cyclical or noncyclical abdominal pain. She was otherwise healthy and on no medications. She denied (when asked in private) any sexual activity. Her family history was negative for any gynecological issues. (excerpt)
Theory of structural properties of covalent semiconductors

We describe a method to calculate structural properties of semiconductors from the electron-ion Hamiltonian using density-functional expressions for the total energy. The method is applied to Si using an ionic pseudopotential with a plane-wave basis and considering TO ($\ensuremath{\Gamma}$), $\mathrm{TA}(X)$, and ${C}_{11}\ensuremath{-}{C}_{12}$ lattice distortions. Harmonic and anharmonic forces and Gr\"uneisen coefficients are shown to be in reasonable agreement with experiment except that additional steps toward self-consistency appear to be essential for the very sensitive $\mathrm{TA}(X)$ mode. Charge densities for the distorted crystals show the nature of the electronic forces and the relation to phenomenological models.
Radiation interactions in high-pressure gases

This paper concerns basic radiation interaction processes in dense fluids and interphase studies aimed at interfacing knowledge on radiation interaction processes in low-pressure gases and knowledge on such processes in liquids. Microscopic and macroscopic properties of—and processes in—matter in the intermediate density range between the low-pressure gas and the condensed phase are discussed. Results of recent studies on the effect of the density and nature of the medium on electron production in irradiated fluids and on the state, energy, transport, and attachment of slow excess electrons in dense fluids (high-pressure gases and dielectric liquids) are described. The possible significance of electron-molecule interactions in dense gases in establishing mechanisms of radio-biological action is indicated.
Performance comparison of phenomenology-based features to generic features for false alarm reduction in UWB SAR imagery

A feature based approach is taken to reduce the occurrence of false alarms in foliage penetrating, ultra-wideband, synthetic aperture radar data. A set of 'generic' features is defined based on target size, shape, and pixel intensity. A second set of features is defined that contains generic features combined with features based on scattering phenomenology. Each set is combined using a quadratic polynomial discriminant (QPD), and performance is characterized by generating a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results show that the feature set containing phenomenological features improves performance against both broadside and end-on targets. Performance against end-on targets, however, is especially pronounced.
Social Media and Shared—or Divergent—Uses? A Coorientation Analysis of Public Relations Practitioners and Journalists

Using a traditional coorientation model (Grunig & Hunt, 1984; Broom, 1977) comparing the uses of social media among journalists and public relations practitioners, this survey found a similar though not perfectly aligned overall picture comparing the groups' uses and perceived importance of the tools. In fact, there were only minor differences between the groups with regard to agreement, accuracy, and congruency in social media use. In terms of understanding, reporters noted they were more likely to work with practitioners who were using social media tools. Thus, although usage gaps did emerge, journalists and practitioners appear to have overall convergence and shared orientations in their understandings of the other's use of social media, and important implications of these orientations on organizations' strategic visions emerge.
Pseudo-Energy Transfer in Some Unimolecular Decompositions

The unimolecular decomposition of molecules involving rupture of a bond and formation of unstable radicals (i.e., ones which decompose exothermally) is discussed. It is shown, by using contour maps, that two cases should be considered. If the decomposition of the unstable radical does not involve activation energy, then the process starts as expansion of one bond, but eventually the reaction path turns toward the center and the process proceeds as a simultaneous decomposition of the molecule into 3 or more fragments. The transition point is represented by a saddle point and the activation energy is lower than the expected bond dissociation energy. In a loose language, the exothermicity of the radical decomposition helps in the primary dissociation process.On the other hand, if the decomposition of the unstable radical does involve activation energy, then the unimolecular rupture of the first bond proceeds normally.
Gene Sampling Strategies for Multi-Locus Population Estimates of Genetic Diversity (θ)

BACKGROUND Theoretical work suggests that data from multiple nuclear loci provide better estimates of population genetic parameters than do single loci, but just how many loci are needed and how much sequence is required from each has been little explored. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPLE FINDINGS To investigate how much data is required to estimate the population genetic parameter theta (4N(e)mu) accurately under ideal circumstances, we simulated datasets of DNA sequences under three values of theta per site (0.1, 0.01, 0.001), varying in both the total number of base pairs sequenced per individual and the number of equal-length loci. From these datasets we estimated theta using the maximum likelihood coalescent framework implemented in the computer program Migrate. Our results corroborated the theoretical expectation that increasing the number of loci impacted the accuracy of the estimate more than increasing the sequence length at single loci. However, when the value of theta was low (0.001), the per-locus sequence length was also important for estimating theta accurately, something that has not been emphasized in previous work. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Accurate estimation of theta required data from at least 25 independently evolving loci. Beyond this, there was little added benefit in terms of decreasing the squared coefficient of variation of the coalescent estimates relative to the extra effort required to sample more loci.
An earthquake mechanism based on rapid sealing of faults

RECENT seismological, heat flow and stress measurements in active fault zones such as the San Andreas have led to the suggestion1,2 that such zones can be relatively weak. One explanation for this may be the presence of overpressured fluids along the fault3–5, which would reduce the shear stress required for sliding by partially 'floating' the rock. Although several mechanisms have been proposed for overpressurizing fault fluids3,4,6,7, we recall that 'pressure seals' are known to form in both sedimentary8 and igneous9 rocks by the redistribution of materials in solution; the formation of such a seal along the boundaries of a fault will prevent the communication of fluids between the porous, deforming fault zone and the surrounding country rock. Compaction of fault gouge, under hydrostatic loading and/or during shear, elevates pore pressure in the sealed fault and allows sliding at low shear stress. We report the results of laboratory sliding experiments on granite, which demonstrate that the sliding resistance of faults can be significantly decreased by sealing and compaction. The weakening that results from shear-induced compaction can be rapid, and may provide an instability mechanism for earthquakes.
On reaching head-to-tail ratios for balanced and unbalanced coins

Given a coin with head-to-tail probability ratio 1 to λ with integer λ⩾1. Let T denote the time it takes to reach the head-to-tail ratio r=q/(λq+m). We prove that the limit probability P(T<∞) of ever reaching this ratio r is (λ+1)/(m+λ+1), as q→∞ and q and m are co-primes. Asymptotic results for the conditional expected time E(T|T<∞) and standard deviation σ(T|T<∞) are also derived. A surprising aspect of the results is that these quantities are not continuous functions of the ratio r.
On-line carbon nanotube-based biosensors in microfluidic channels

Highly aligned double wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNT) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were synthesized in the shape of towers and embedded into microchannels for use as a biosensor. The towers were fabricated on a substrate patterned in 1mm x 1mm blocks with 1 mm spacing between the blocks. Chemical vapor deposition was used for the nanotube synthesis process. Patterned towers up to 8 mm high were grown and easily peeled off the silicon substrate. A nanotube electrode was then soldered on printed circuit boards and epoxy was cast into the tower under pressure. After curing, the top of the tower was polished. RF-plasma at 13.56 MHz was used to enhance the electrocatalytic effect of the nanotube electrode by removing excess epoxy and exposing the ends of the nanotubes. Au particles were electrodeposited on the plasma treated tower electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) for the reduction of 6 mM K 3 Fe(CN)6 (in a 1.0 M KNO3 supporting electrolyte) was performed to examine the redox behavior of the nanotube tower electrode. Next, a master mold for polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was patterned using SU-8 and then a Pt disk electrode was embedded into the PDMS. The final fluidic channel between the epoxy-nanotube electrode and PDMS was sealed using a UV-curing adhesive. Impedance between the Pt and nanotube electrodes was monitored while flowing different solutions and LNCaP prostate cells. The impedance changed in proportion to the concentration of cells in the solution. A needle-type composite microelectrode was then fabricated by injecting a carbon nanotube-epoxy solution into a pulled-glass tube. CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to detect dopamine were showed a highly linear response with a sensitivity 100 nA/mM. Based on the impedance results using the flowing cells and the CV and DPV results, carbon nanotube microelectrodes are a promising candidate for cancer cell detection and neurotransmitter detection.
Observations on the racial distribution of variants of blood type Rh.

SummaryObservations on a large series of blood donors indicate that the rare type rh′ is about 4 to 5 times as frequent among Negroids as among Caucasoids. Moreover, it is found that type rh′ bloods giving weak or “intermediate” reactions are about 5 to 6 times as common among Negroids as among Caucasoids, confirming previous observations on a shorter series of cases. It is pointed out that the existence of bloods giving weak reactions with anti-rh′ serum is more reasonably explained by postulating the existence of qualitative variants of the rh′ factor such as rh′w, than by attributing the weak reactions to the presence of a smaller quantity of the factor rh′ in the blood. A similar explanation would apply to certain bloods giving “intermediate” reactions with sera anti-Rho, anti-rh’. anti-hr’, and anti-hr’.
Female territorial aggression and steroid hormones in mountain spiny lizards.

Abstract In certain species, females are highly aggressive. For example, female mountain spiny lizards, Sceloporus jarrovi , express aggressive behaviours when defending their territories. Despite the occurrence of female aggression, relatively little is known about its underlying hormonal mediation. As a first step in understanding neuroendocrine mechanisms of female aggression, this study documented seasonal changes in territorial aggression, plasma steroid hormone levels, and reproductive condition in free-living female mountain spiny lizards. We determined how seasonal patterns of testosterone (T), oestradiol (E), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and corticosterone (B) corresponded to seasonal patterns of aggression. At times of the year when females were most aggressive, plasma levels of T and E were elevated. At times of the year when females were least aggressive, plasma B was elevated. Furthermore, when levels of T were elevated, females were more aggressive, and when levels of B were elevated, females were less aggressive. Plasma levels of DHT were not associated with aggression. These seasonal patterns are consistent with the hypotheses that T, and perhaps E, promote female aggression, while B suppresses female aggression. Despite these associations of hormones and aggression, no hormone was associated with aggression in a one-to-one fashion. This suggests that if steroid hormones contribute to the expression of female aggression, they must interact with each other or with other factors (for example, other hormones, receptor levels, environmental factors) to mediate fully the expression of aggression.
Memory performance estimation of CUDA programs

CUDA has successfully popularized GPU computing, and GPGPU applications are now used in various embedded systems. The CUDA programming model provides a simple interface to program on GPUs, but tuning GPGPU applications for high performance is still quite challenging. Programmers need to consider numerous architectural details, and small changes in source code, especially on the memory access pattern, can affect performance significantly. This makes it very difficult to optimize CUDA programs. This article presents CuMAPz, which is a tool to analyze and compare the memory performance of CUDA programs. CuMAPz can help programmers explore different ways of using shared and global memories, and optimize their program for efficient memory behavior. CuMAPz models several memory-performance-related factors: data reuse, global memory access coalescing, global memory latency hiding, shared memory bank conflict, channel skew, and branch divergence. Experimental results show that CuMAPz can accurately estimate performance with correlation coefficient of 0.96. By using CuMAPz to explore the memory access design space, we could improve the performance of our benchmarks by 30p more than the previous approach [Hong and Kim 2010].
What is the Value of CT Angiography for Patients with Acute Chest Pain

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is an innovative technique to visualize the coronary arteries in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. CCTA has been validated in patients with non acute symptoms. Because of its high negative predictive value in this population, some have advocated using it in patients admitted to the emergency department with chest pain to determine the presence of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). With current CCTA protocols, adequate evaluation of the coronary arteries is feasible using radiation doses similar to, and even lower than, those for single-photon emission CT, which is commonly used to stratify these patients. In addition to its unique capability of visualizing the coronary tree in a noninvasive fashion, CCTA evaluates extracardiac pathologic conditions, which are part of the differential diagnosis in patients with chest pain, such as pulmonary embolism and acute aortic syndrome. These conditions, although less common than ACS, are also life threatening and their timely diagnosis and treatment may have a positive impact on survival. Other less frequent conditions, such as coronary artery anomalies, also are easily detected with CCTA. Overall, CCTA has an excellent negative predictive value and sensitivity for ACS in patients presenting with chest pain and simultaneously can aid in the diagnoses of other relevant intrathoracic abnormalities.
RADIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF FROZEN CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE FOR TOTAL VIABLE MICROORGANISMS

A radiometric bacterial detection system was investigated as an alternate method to the agar plate count for estimating total microbial population in frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ). Basically, the technique involves detection of 1 4 CO2 produced by microorganisms from labeled glucose. Additional labeled nutrients were added to the test medium (tryptic soy broth plus labeled glucose) for certain lactic acid bacteria found in orange juice that do not produce gas from glucose. The organisms used in this study included four strains of yeast (Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, Z. vini, and two isolates from FCOJ), two strains of Leuconostoc sp., and two cultures of Lactobacilli (L. casei and L. plantarum). Standard curves were prepared from the known cultures by plotting time required for radiometric detection versus concentration as determined using routine plating procedures. Results indicate concentrations of 104 yeast, Leuconostoc, and Lactobacillus per ml can be detected in 6, 7, and 10 hr respectively. Of 600 orange juice samples examined, 44 positives (104/ml) were detected in 12 hr, 41 of which were positive in 8 hr. Two false positive results were obtained with the radiometric technique but no false negatives were observed.
Exploring the Impact of Online Privacy Disclosures on Consumer Trust

Abstract We explore the impact of privacy disclosures on online shoppers’ trust in an e-tailer through a two-phase study. In the first study, we use a between-subjects factorial design to test whether the presence of an online privacy policy influences consumer trust and find that consumers are likely to respond more favorably to a shopping site with a clearly stated privacy message than to one without it, especially when privacy risk is high. In our second experiment, we examine the effects of different forms of privacy disclosures. The results suggest that online shoppers find a short, straightforward privacy statement more comprehensible than a lengthy, legalistic one. However, how a privacy policy is presented (in terms of wording) does not affect a shopper's trust in the store to any significant degree.
Trace element measurements using white synchrotron radiation

Abstract Synchrotron radiation, when used for X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has several advantages over conventional X-ray sources. Our group at Brookhaven National Laboratory is developing the equipment and expertise to make XRF measurements with synchrotron radiation. The apparatus is briefly described, along with the alignment techniques. Some minimum detectable limits for trace elements in thin biological standards measured with white light irradiations are presented.