cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Calibration of a Linear Free Energy Estimation Approach for Estimating Stability Constants for Metal-Bacterial Surface Complexes

In this study, we use the measured extent of metal adsorption onto bacterial cells to constrain a linear free energy relationship that allows estimation of unknown stability constants for metal-bacterial surface complexes based on the value of corresponding aqueous metal-acetate stability constants. A previous study (Fein et al., 2001) used metal adsorption experiments to constrain a similar relationship, but the experiments were conducted using acid-washed bacteria, and subsequent evidence (Borrok et al., 2004a) shows that the acid-washing step affects the extent of adsorption of a number of metals onto bacterial surfaces. We measured the adsorption of Zn, Ni, Co, Sr, and Nd onto Bacillus subtilis in 0.1 M NaClO4 as a function of pH and metal:bacterial site ratio, using a non-electrostatic discrete four-site model of the bacterial protonation reactions as a basis for the metal adsorption modeling. The adsorption of the divalent cations (Zn, Ni, Co, and Sr) could best be modeled by considering adsorption ...
An evaluation of support for order-level monophyly and interrelationships within the class Demospongiae using partial data from the large subunit rDNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit I.

Large subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU rDNA) sequence data from 120 taxa and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1(COI) sequence data from 27 taxa are analyzed separately and together to estimate the internal phylogeny of the class Demospongiae and to evaluate how consistent these data are with pre-existing hypotheses of relationship concerning order-level monophyly and relationships. The monophyly of Porifera is only slightly inconsistent with LSU data, which do not support the monophyly of the class Demospongiae regardless of the inclusion or exclusion of Homoscleromopha (this result is likely due to the placement of a single hexactinellid taxon within the Demospongiae), however, no LSU support is found for the monophyly of Silicea (Demospongiae + Hexactinellida) unless homoscleromorphs are excluded. Neither the subclasses Ceractinomorpha and Tetractinomorpha, nor the orders Halichondrida, Hadromerida, and Haplosclerida are supported as monophyletic under any data partition. The haplosclerid suborders Haplosclerina and Petrosina are supported as monophyletic to the exclusion of the suborder Spongillina, and the orders Dictyoceratida, Verongida, Poecilosclerida, Astrophorida, Spirophorida, Homosclerophorida, and Agelasida are largely reconstructed as monophyletic, with the exception of few anomalously placed taxa. Few inter-order relationships are strongly supported by any data partition, but there is moderate support for a verongid + chondrosid clade and a tetractinellid + halichondrid clade. Furthermore, LSU data strongly support the existence of two novel clades that do not correspond to the existing classification and that show no morphological uniformity. Finally, every data partition supports the monophyly of a clade that includes the order Agelasida, some members of the genus Axinella, and two taxa tentatively identified as belonging to the orders Hadromerida and Halichondrida.
Period-one oscillation for photonic microwave transmission using an optically injected semiconductor laser.

Optically injected semiconductor laser under period-one oscillation is investigated as a source for photonic microwave transmission over fiber. The period-one nonlinear dynamics of an optically injected laser is studied for the purpose of minimizing the microwave power penalty induced by chromatic dispersion. Over a large range of injection strengths and frequency detunings, we first obtain the mapping of the period-one oscillation characteristics, including the microwave frequency, the microwave power, and the single sideband (SSB) characteristics of the optical spectrum. By accounting for the fiber chromatic dispersion, we calculate its effect on the optical spectrum and the associated microwave power penalty. A mapping of the minimum microwave power deliverable after the maximum penalty is obtained. The system is shown to be least susceptible to the penalty when operated under strong injection with the frequency detuned above the Hopf bifurcation line. Microwave frequency beyond six times the relaxation resonance frequency can be effectively transmitted.
Increasing equity, affirming the power of narrative and expanding dialogue: The evolution of entertainment education over two decades

Abstract This article provides a critical summary and review of the presentations and discussions that took place during the Fifth International Conference on Entertainment Education (EE) in New Delhi, India, in November 2011, in an attempt to understand what it tells us about the state of the field and where it is going. This gathering of EE scholars, practitioners, activists, donors, government policymakers, media producers, artists, writers and performers from 31 countries represented a broad spectrum of contemporary work and perspectives on EE, reflecting its topical, geographic, conceptual, technological and methodological diversity. Key themes that shape EE discourse today are identified, including a focus on increasing equity, affirming the power of narrative and storytelling for social change, and expanding opportunities for transformative dialogue. The review also identified several key challenges facing the field of EE going forward, including how to work effectively with donor agencies and the ...
Human c-myc and n-ras expression during induction of HL-60 cellular differentiation

The genome of the human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cell contains amplified c-myc sequences and the transforming N-ras oncogene. The present study has monitored c-myc and N-ras expression in HL-60 cells during induction of myeloid and monocytic differentiation with dimethyl sulfoxide, hexamethylene bisacetamide, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and 1,25 dihydroxy-vitamin D3. The results demonstrate that induction of HL-60 differentiation is associated with decreases in c-myc RNA, while there is little if any effect on expression of the N-ras gene. Although the diminution in c-myc expression occurred as an early event in the induction of HL-60 differentiation, the rate of decrease in c-myc transcripts varied with respect to cessation of proliferation. Thus, the appearance of the mature phenotype and loss of proliferative capacity are associated with declines in c-myc RNA, while these events appear to occur in the absence of significant alterations in N-ras expression.
Initial comparison of registration and fusion of SPECT-CmT mammotomography images

A hybrid, dual modality single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and x-ray computed mammotomography (CmT) scanner for dedicated breast and axillary imaging is under development. CmT imaging provides high resolution anatomical images, whereas SPECT provides functional images albeit with coarser resolution. As is being seen clinically in whole body imaging, integration of the images is expected to enhance (visually) and improve (with attenuation correction of SPECT) information provided by either modality for the detection, characterization and potentially staging of breast cancer. The registration of these images considers variations in object positions between the different modalities and imaging parameters (pixel size, conditions of acquisition, scan limitations). Automatic methods can be used which find the geometric transformations of the different imaging modalities involved. Here we demonstrate the initial stages of iterative 2-dimensional registration and fusion of SPECT with parallel beam geometry and CmT with offset cone-beam acquisition geometry for mammotomography with images acquired and reconstructed independently on each system. Two registration algorithms are considered: the first is an intrinsic correlation, Mutual Information (MI) method based on intrinsic image content; the second is a rigid body transform method, Iterative Closest Point (ICP) method based on identification of fiducial markers visible to both emission (SPECT) and transmission (CmT) imaging modalities. Experiments include use of a geometric resolution/frequency phantom imaged under different conditions, and two different anthropomorphic breast phantom sizes (325 and 935mL). Initial results with the geometric phantom demonstrate that MI can be misled by highly symmetric features, and ICP using control points is more accurate to within fractions of a voxel. Initial breast phantom studies indicate that object size and SPECT resolution limitations may contribute to registration errors.
Treatment of mononeuropathy multiplex in hepatitis C virus and cryoglobulinemia.

Recent reports advocate α-interferon (α-Ifn) treatment for mononeuropathy multiplex in hepatitis C virus-associated cryoglobulinemia. We report 2 patients with this disorder to describe two underrecognized treatment outcomes—worsening of polyneuropathy with initiation of α-Ifn, in the absence of immunosuppression, and deterioration of liver function with prednisone, despite improvement of polyneuropathy. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 21: 1526–1529, 1998
Remote switching of cellular activity using light through quantum dots

We report integration of CdTe quantum dot (QD) film with LnCap (prostate cancer) cell and CdSe QD probes with cortical neurons for control of cellular activity. We demonstrate the remote switching of cellular activity by exciting QDs with light. Changes in membrane potential and ionic currents are recorded using the patch-clamp method. Upon excitation, the cell shows activation of ion channels and hyperpolarization of the cell membrane.
Testing the Effects of Detachment Limits and Transport Capacity Formulation on Sediment Runoff Predictions Using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers GSSHA Model

AbstractThe physics-based Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) model was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for hydrologic, sediment transport, and water quality analyses. GSSHA simulates erosion and transport of sediments on the overland flow plain based on rainfall intensity and overland flow depth and velocity. The original sediment transport capabilities in GSSHA were taken from the GSSHA predecessor, CASC2D-SED. Independent testing of the sediment transport methods in CASC2D-SED by researchers identified several deficiencies in the formulation that caused significant overestimation of sediment yield during hydrologic events that were much larger than a calibration event. Sediment detachment limits and a variety of overland sediment transport equations were incorporated into the GSSHA model to address these deficiencies. This paper presents an evaluation of these modifications in terms of GSSHA sediment yield predictions of both single-event and summer growing season sedim...
Mg thin films with Al seed layers for UV plasmonics

We demonstrate that the inclusion of aluminum (Al) seed layers allows for the growth of finer grain, smoother magnesium (Mg) films, allowing for improved plasmonic response in the UV spectral range. We deposit Al seed layers and Mg films using DC/RF magnetron sputtering. For Al seed layer thicknesses of 2, 5, 10 and 15 nm, we measure the corresponding optical constants over the wavelength range of 250 to 600 nm using a variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometer and compare the results to a reference 100 nm thick Mg film deposited without a seed layer. The optical constants of Mg depend on the seed layer thicknesses and the surface morphology of Mg films. The surface morphology of the Mg films are characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and x-ray diffraction and the surface oxide layer on Mg is examined using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We observe that the presence of the seed layer improves the LSP figure of merit in the UV spectral range of 250–400 nm. From the perspective of plasmonics applications, we find that the best localized surface plasmon resonance (LSP) figures of merit are observed for the 10 nm thick Al seed layer. In fact, the LSP figure of merit of the 100 nm Mg film with and without the Al seed layer is found to be greater than Al films in the spectral range of 250–400 nm, confirming earlier findings with thicker Mg films.
A Na+/H+ exchanger and its relation to oxidative effects in plasma membrane vesicles from lens fibers☆

Abstract The existence of a Na + /H + exchange mechanism and its role in the regulation of lens fiber cell intracellular pH, as well as the effect of oxidants and antioxidants, have been examined in vesicular preparations from spiny dogfish and bovine eyes. The fluorescent probes, SBFI (sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate) for Na + and SNARF-1 (seminaphthorhodafluor-1) for H + , were used to determine fluorescent ratios in a dual-wavelength spectrofluorimeter. The results show that: (1) the plasma membrane vesicles can be purified from lens fiber (52·5% of the vesicles were in the right-side out orientation for the fish eyes and 56·3% for the bovine eyes, show enrichment for the membrane marker activities and have an average size of 0·2–0·5 μm); (2) the influx of Na + was dependent on an outwardly directed pH gradient with the uptake of Na + sensitive to 500 μ m amiloride but not affected by 50 μ m valinomycin and 50 m m K gluconate; (3) wheb the pH o (extravesicular pH) of the vesicles was set at 8·1 and pH i (intravesicular pH) to 6·1, an inwardly directed Na + gradient caused an increase in intravesicular pH by about 0·3 pH unit, and in bovine lens fiber vesicles the Na + influx is highly dependent on the intravesicular pH (or on the pH o /pH i gradient); (4) 50 μ m H 2 O 2 increases the Na + /H + exchange rate by 174% in the vesicles derived from fish lens fibers. Similarly, 100 μ m H 2 O 2 stimulates the Na + /H + exchange rate by 194% in bovine eye fibers. This activation is prevented by preincubation with GSH (reduced glutathione) but not with GSSG (oxidizing glutathione). We conclude that a Na + /H + exchange mechanism is present in the lens fiber membranes. This exchanger possibly regulates intracellular pH and controls the intracellular Na + concentration. The sensitivity of the Na + /H + exchanger to the oxidant, hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and the protection by the antioxidant GSH suggests a possible role for the Na + /H + exchange mechanism in the formation of cataracts.
Purification and properties of two DNA ligases from human placenta

Two DNA ligase activities have been separated, purified, and characterized. The resolution of the two enzymes from crude extracts was initially achieved through Polymin P precipitation. The ligation activity precipitating with the nucleic acids on treatment with Polymin P is designated as DNA ligase I, and an activity remaining in the supernatant fraction, as DNA ligase II. DNA ligase I and II are ATP and Mg2+-dependent enzymes with pH optima of 7.8 and 8.0 and isoelectric points of 6.9 and 7.6, respectively. The purified I and II DNA ligase activities have molecular weights of 83,000 and 89,000, respectively. Both activities are inhibited by dATP and inorganic pyrophosphate. However, in the presence of optimum rATP levels, dATP stimulates DNA ligase II activity, whereas DNA ligase I is inhibited under the same conditions. Both activities are DNA specific and ligation follows reaction steps similar to those described for the Escherichia coli DNA ligase.
An estimate of the annual direct cost of treating cutaneous melanoma

Abstract Background: Although the survival benefits of early stage melanoma have been clearly documented, the potential economic impact of early versus late stage disease has not been assessed. Objective: Our purpose was to estimate the annual direct cost of diagnosing and treating melanoma, based on the number of projected cases of melanoma entering each stage in 1997. Methods: A model was constructed with assumptions derived from the literature and clinical experience at the Massachusetts General Hospital Melanoma Center and the Boston University Medical Center. Cost estimates were based on 1997 Boston area Medicare reimbursements. Results: The annual direct cost of treating newly diagnosed melanoma in 1997 was estimated to be $563 million. Stage I and II disease each comprised about 5% of the total cost; stage III and stage IV disease consumed 34% and 55% of the total cost, respectively. About 90% of the total annual direct cost of treating melanoma in 1997 was attributable to less than 20% of patients (those patients with advanced disease, that is, stage III and stage IV). Conclusion: In addition to the potential survival advantages, aggressive primary prevention through sun protection and intensive screening to enhance earlier detection should reduce the economic burden of melanoma care.(J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;38:669-80.)
Polarization and polarization transfer in the 2H(d, n)3He reaction at 10 MeV

Abstract Angular distributions of six polarization transfer coefficients K x x′ (θ), k x z′ (θ), K z x (θ), K z z (θ), and K yy y (θ) ; of the four analyzing powers Ay(θ), Axx(θ), Ayy(θ), and Azz(θ); and of the polarization function Pý(θ), have been measured atEd = 10.00 MeV for the reaction 2H(d, n)3He. Measurements were made for neutron lab angles between 0° and 80° in 10° steps. Additionally the y-axis associated quantities were measured at θ1ab = 99°. Most of the measured coefficients are large at some angles and all show considerable variation with angle.
Thermal Expansions of the Beta and Gamma Phases in a Co–Ni–Fe Superalloy Determined by X-ray Diffraction

Commercially useful multiphase alloy Inconel 783 is made up of Ni(28%), Fe(25%), and Co(35%) with smaller amounts of Cr, Al, Nb, Mo, Ti, C, and Si. In this work, relative temperature variations of the lattice constants a(T)/a0 of the gamma (face-centered-cubic) and beta (body-centered-cubic) phases of this alloy are determined from 97 to 773 K using analyses of their x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Plots of a(T)/a0 for the two phases vary from 1.0 at 97 K to 1.012 at 773 K and show that (i) for T = 500 K, thermal expansion of the β phase is larger than that of the = phase; and (ii) an abrupt jump is observed near 300 K. The appearance of new lines above 700 K in XRD representing Co2CrO4 and CoCr2O4 is interpreted in terms of the oxidation of the γ phase, whereas the β phase is oxidation resistant. The anomalous change in a(T)/a0, observed near 300 K and accompanied by a similar change in the temperature variation of the initial magnetic susceptibility, is not well understood. A brief discussion on the implications of these results is presented.
The informational character of self-organized coordination dynamics

The classical dualism between information and dynamics rests on an incommensurability between two alternative modes of description. Part of the problem may be because the term “dynamics” is often restricted to “ordinary physics” and hence “ordinary” physical quantities. Studies of instabilities in biological systems show that the relevant variables are context-specific informational quantities (the so-called order parameters of synergetics) that exhibit nonlinear behavior, here termed coordination dynamics. In coordination dynamics, specific behavioral requirements are expressed in terms of these intrinsically meaningful order parameters. Thus, the predicates of information are dynamical to the extent that the predicates of (coordination) dynamics are informational (circular causality).
MABDOS: a generalized program for internal radionuclide dosimetry

Dosimetry calculations of monoclonal antibodies (MABs) are made difficult because the focus of radioactivity is targeted for a nonstandard volume in a nonstandard geometry, precluding straightforward application of the MIRD formalism. MABDOS, a program for performing internal radionuclide dosimetry, addresses this shortcoming. It accounts for the perturbations introduced by the inclusion of tumor(s) as additional source/target of radiation. Biodistribution data are conformed to a compartmental model, allowing the forward simulation of compartmental activity. Integration of the resultant time-activity curves yields cumulative activities for each compartment. Allowing compartments to represent physical organ spaces, cumulative activities are loaded into a column vector representing radionuclide source organs. A matrix multiplication between column vector and the appropriate S table is carried out. S factors for tumors as source and target organ are calculated by treating the tumor as a spherical perturbation to Standard Man geometry, and carrying out a Monte Carlo simulation on-the-fly. The software presents an integrated modeling/dosimetry environment and offers a viable methodology for performing prospective treatment planning.
A unified scheme for resource protection in automated trust negotiation

Automated trust negotiation is an approach to establishing trust between strangers through iterative disclosure of digital credentials. In automated trust negotiation, access control policies play a key role in protecting resources from unauthorized access. Unlike in traditional trust management systems, the access control policy for a resource is usually unknown to the party requesting access to the resource, when trust negotiation starts. The negotiating parties can rely on policy disclosures to learn each other's access control requirements. However a policy itself may also contain sensitive information. Disclosing policies' contents unconditionally may leak valuable business information or jeopardize individuals' privacy. In this paper we propose UniPro, a unified scheme to model protection of resources, including policies, in trust negotiation. UniPro improves on previous work by modeling policies as first-class resources, protecting them in the same way as other resources, providing fine-grained control over policy disclosure, and clearly distinguishing between policy disclosure and policy satisfaction, which gives users more flexibility in expressing their authorization requirements. We also show that UniPro can be used with practical negotiation strategies without jeopardizing autonomy in the choice of strategy, and present criteria under which negotiations using UniPro are guaranteed to succeed in establishing trust.
National High School Athlete Concussion Rates From 2005-2006 to 2011-2012

Background:High school athletes are at risk for concussions. Although a previously published study showed an increase in concussion rates for a single school district, it remains unknown if the rate of concussions among high school athletes is increasing nationally.Purpose:To investigate national high school athlete concussion rates over time.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiologic study.Methods:The rate of concussions per 1000 athlete-exposures was calculated for academic years 2005-2006 through 2011-2012 using the High School Reporting Information Online sports injury surveillance system.Results:During the 7-year period of this study, High School Reporting Information Online captured 4024 concussions with overall concussion diagnosis rates increasing significantly from 0.23 to 0.51 (P = .004). Concussion diagnosis rates increased for each of the 9 sports studied, with 5 sports having statistically significant increases over this 7-year period.Conclusion:The study analysis indicates that national concussi...
The Nucleic Acid Database: A Resource for Nucleic Acid Science

The Nucleic Acid Database (NDB) distributes information about nucleic acid-containing structures. Here the information content of the database as well as the query capabilities are described. A summary of how the technology developed by this project has been used to develop other macromolecular databases is given.
Solid phase assay of radioactive antibody to soluble antigens

Abstract Specific, sensitive, precise and relatively accurate assays of radioactive antibody to HSA, KLH and DNP are described. These assays were required for in vitro studies of de novo antibody synthesis by the incorporation of radioactive amino acid into the antibody molecule. The assays are based on the specific binding of these radioactive antibodies to antigen attached to an insoluble bromoacetyl cellulose matrix. The specificity of binding was routinely confirmed by checking the ability of excess non-radioactive antibody to block binding of the radioactive antibody. In the HSA system a large quantity of soluble antigen served as a specific inhibitor by binding radioactive antibody and preventing it from attaching to the immunosorbent. Radioactivity in antibody was computed by subtracting any radioactivity binding to the insoluble matrix which could not be blocked by specific antigen or antibody. A simple modification of these methods for measuring radioactive antibody will provide a means for measuring small amounts of soluble non-radioactive antigen or antibody.
Family Structure, Migration and the Entrepreneur

The problem of entrepreneurship has been one of the central interests of economic theorists since the industrial revolution. Discussions of the entrepreneur in such theory tended to a large extent to focus upon the basis of entrepreneurship. This argument is typified by Schumpeter's criticism of Marx's handling of the problem of primitive accumulation; Schumpeter argues against the rejection by Marx of superior intelligence and energy as explanatory factors in entrepreneurial success.
Contracting transaction hierarchies

Existing transaction models are capable of providing flow control and data control in a single transaction hierarchy. The notion of contract transaction is introduced to support interaction between multiple transaction hierarchies.
On simplifying 'incremental remap'-based transport schemes

The flux-form incremental remapping transport scheme introduced by Dukowicz and Baumgardner [1] converts the transport problem into a remapping problem. This involves identifying overlap areas between quadrilateral flux-areas and regular square grid cells which is non-trivial and leads to some algorithm complexity. In the simpler swept area approach (originally introduced by Hirt et al. [2]) the search for overlap areas is eliminated even if the flux-areas overlap several regular grid cells. The resulting simplified scheme leads to a much simpler and robust algorithm. We show that for sufficiently small Courant numbers (approximately CFL=<1/2) the simplified (or swept area) scheme can be more accurate than the original incremental remapping scheme. This is demonstrated through a Von Neumann stability analysis, an error analysis and in idealized transport test cases on the sphere using the 'incremental remapping'-based scheme called FF-CSLAM (Flux-Form version of the Conservative Semi-Lagrangian Multi-tracer scheme) on the cubed-sphere.
Siblicide revisited in the spotted hyaena: does it conform to obligate or facultative models?

Aggression among spotted hyaena, Crocuta crocuta, siblings is often intense, and sometimes lethal. Frank et al. (1991, Science, 252, 702‐704) proposed that siblicide routinely occurs in half of all spotted hyaena litters, namely those composed of same-sex twins. We propose an alternative to this ‘obligate’ model. In our ‘facultative’ model we suggest that siblicide is far less common than previously supposed, and that it occurs only when resources are insufficient to sustain two cubs. According to this facultative model, intense neonatal aggression functions to establish intralitter dominance rather than to kill siblings. Furthermore, differences in litter size and composition between captive and field settings previously used to support the obligate model are assumed in the facultative model to be due to prenatal factors rather than to postnatal siblicide. Here we tested the predictions of these two hypotheses with 10 years of field data from hyaenas inhabiting the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. We found that, although sex compositions of hyaena litters averaged over the entire 10-year period did not differ from those predicted by chance, they did vary with environmental conditions. Litter sizes, by contrast, remained constant. These data are inconsistent with the widely accepted hypothesis that spotted hyaenas in same-sex litters routinely engage in siblicide. © 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
The Distribution of 14C-Labelled Lidocaine Injected Intravenously in the Rat

The physiologic distribution of 14C-labelled lidocaine after intravenous injection was studied in the rat Plasma levels decreased rapidly, with only 6.8 per cent of the injected dose remaining by one minute. The vessel-rich (highly perfused) organs and plasma showed similar decay curves. An increasi
Observation of super-resolution in digital breast tomosynthesis.

Purpose: Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a 3D x-ray imaging modality in which tomographic sections of the breast are generated from a limited range of tube angles. Because oblique x-ray incidence shifts the image of an object in subpixel detector element increments with each increasing projection angle, it is demonstrated that DBT is capable of super-resolution (i.e., subpixel resolution). Methods: By convention, DBT reconstructions are performed on planes parallel to the breast support at various depths of the breast volume. In order for resolution in each reconstructed slice to be comparable to the detector, the pixel size should match that of the detector elements; hence, the highest frequency that can be resolved in the plane of reconstruction is the alias frequency of the detector. This study considers reconstruction grids with much smaller pixelation to visualize higher frequencies. For analytical proof of super-resolution, a theoretical framework is developed in which the reconstruction of a high frequency sinusoidal input is calculated using both simple backprojection (SBP) and filtered backprojection. To study the frequency spectrum of the reconstruction, its Fourier transform is also determined. The experimental feasibility of super-resolution was investigated by acquiring images of a bar pattern phantom with frequencies higher thanmore » the detector alias frequency. Results: Using analytical modeling, it is shown that the central projection cannot resolve frequencies exceeding the detector alias frequency. The Fourier transform of the central projection is maximized at a lower frequency than the input as evidence of aliasing. By contrast, SBP reconstruction can resolve the input, and its Fourier transform is correctly maximized at the input frequency. Incorporating filters into the reconstruction smoothens pixelation artifacts in the spatial domain and reduces spectral leakage in the Fourier domain. It is also demonstrated that the existence of super-resolution is dependent on position in the reconstruction and on the directionality of the input frequency. Consistent with the analytical results, experimental reconstructions of bar patterns showed visibility of frequencies greater than the detector alias frequency. Super-resolution was present at positions predicted from analytical modeling. Conclusions: This work demonstrates the existence of super-resolution in DBT. Super-resolution has the potential to impact the visualization of fine structural details in the breast, such as microcalcifications and other subtle signs of cancer.« less
Async: De-congestion and yield management in cellular data networks

We design and implement a novel system called Async, which enables a mobile network operator (MNO) to efficiently manage the growth of mobile data by leveraging the delay-elastic nature of certain applications and the price-sensitive nature of certain users. Specifically, Async introduces an alternate “asynchronous” content-delivery paradigm for heavy content (e.g., videos), and facilitates an MNO to negotiate with users a delay in delivery in exchange for appropriate incentives. The MNO uses the negotiated delays to actively manage Async flows to reduce congestion and improve the quality-of-experience (QoE) of both delayed and regular flows. We show that in comparison to state-of-the-art, Async's network-based flow management enhances QoE for more than 30% of the regular flows, with up to 60% improvement in per-flow QoE metric, while still meeting the negotiated delivery times of 95% of the delayed flows. Async also lowers the delivery times of delayed flows by ∼67% and significantly increases robustness to traffic unpredictability. Our design is robust to disconnections and does not require any modifications to existing network infrastructure and protocols. Our prototype deployment (using Apache's mod_proxy and an Android app) on live networks confirms Async's efficacy in meeting EDTs for diverse deployment scenarios.
Ultraviolet photochemistry of trichlorovinylsilane and allyltrichlorosilane: vinyl radical (HCCH2) and allyl radical (H2CCHCH2) production in 193 nm photolysis

The absolute gas phase ultraviolet absorption spectra of trichlorovinylsilane and allyltrichlorosilane have been measured from 191 to 220 nm. Over this region the absorption spectra of both species are broad and relatively featureless, and their cross sections increase with decreasing wavelength. The electronic transitions of trichlorovinylsilane were calculated by ab initio quantum chemical methods and the observed absorption bands assigned to the A 1A″ ← 1A″ transition. The maximum absorption cross section in the region, at 191 nm, is σ = (8.50 ± 0.06) × 10−18 cm2 for trichlorovinylsilane and σ = (2.10 ± 0.02) × 10−17 cm2 for allyltrichlorosilane. The vinyl radical and the allyl radical are formed promptly from the 193 nm photolysis of their respective trichlorosilane precursors. By comparison of the transient visible absorption and the 1315 nm I atom absorption from 266 nm photolysis of vinyl iodide and allyl iodide, the absorption cross sections at 404 nm of vinyl radical ((2.9 ± 0.4) × 10−19 cm2) and allyl radical ((3.6 ± 0.8) × 10−19 cm2) were derived. These cross sections are in significant disagreement with literature values derived from kinetic modeling of allyl or vinyl radical self-reactions. Using these cross sections, the vinyl radical yield from trichlorovinylsilane was determined to be ϕ = (0.9 ± 0.2) per 193 nm photon absorbed, and the allyl radical yield from allyltrichlorosilane ϕ = (0.7 ± 0.2) per 193 nm photon absorbed.
Benchmarking the Sandia Pulsed Reactor III cavity neutron spectrum for electronic parts calibration and testing

The SPR (Sandia Pulsed Reactor) III bare cavity spectrum and integral parameters have been determined with 24 measured spectrum sensor responses and an independent, detailed, transport calculation. This environment qualifies as a benchmark field for electronic parts testing. The measured SPR III cavity spectrum is characterized by a very smooth curve that predicts the measured activities with a standard deviation of 3.5% for the 24 sensors. Within the limitations of the computational model, the spectrum is also very close to that provided by MCNP (Monte Carlo Neutron Photon) calculations. >
Intrinsic Checkpointing: A Methodology for Decreasing Simulation Time Through Binary Modification

With the proliferation of benchmarks available today, benchmarking new designs can significantly impact overall development time. In order to fully test and represent a typical workload, a large number of benchmarks must be run, and while current techniques such as SimPoint and SMARTS have had considerable success reducing simulation time, there are still areas of improvement. This paper details a methodology that continues to decrease this simulation time by analyzing and augmenting benchmark binaries to contain intrinsic checkpoints that allow for the rapid execution of important portions of code thereby removing the need for explicit checkpointing support. In addition, these modified binaries have increased portability across multiple simulation environments and the ability to be run in a highly parallel fashion. Average speedups for SPEC2000 of roughly 60x are seen over a standard SimPoint interval of 100 million instructions corresponding to a reduction in simulation time from 3.13 hours down to 3 minutes
Transparent and Accurate Traffic Load Estimation for EnterpriseWireless LAN

The exponential increase in the deployment of IEEE 802.11-based wireless LAN (WLAN) technology has transformed it into an essential building block of the networking infrastructure of commercial enterprises. How to effectively manage these WLAN networks and stop malicious intruders are the two main barriers for further spread of this technology. At the same time, the enormous economies of scale behind IEEE 802.11-based WLAN products also result in rapid technological advances and astounding pricing efficiencies. Today, the street price of a low-end 802.11g access point is as low as $50 USD, with an estimated manufacturing cost of less than $25. In this paper, we describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of a scalable wireless LAN traffic monitoring system called wireless network sentry (Wintry), which provides real-time visibility of the usage of an enterprise's wireless links in a way that is completely transparent to the monitored WLAN networks. Moreover, Wintry is able to leverage low-cost programmable WLAN access points and reduce the total hardware cost to the minimum. A key feature of Wintry is an accurate radio channel busy time estimation algorithm that correctly takes into account both back-off delay and corrupted packets in WLAN traffic load computation without requiring any modification to monitored WLAN devices.
Interoperability of multiple databases for the design and simulation of high-speed digital subscriber lines

The performance evaluation of the high-speed digital subscriber line (HDSL) depends upon the design, linkages, and the cooperative role of the extensive databases during the simulation studies. Such databases are necessary during component design performance evaluation and the overall feasibility studies ofthe HDSL at the basic data rate (144 kilobits/sec) or at the primary data rate (1.544 Megabits/sec in US and 2.048 Mb/s in Europe). The authors present the design and procedures to build these interoperable databases. They are also present the successes and frustrations in organizing and working with such interdependent and interoperable databases. >
Expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is induced in injured rat carotid arteries and mediates vascular smooth muscle cell migration.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a lineage-restricted hematopoietic growth factor that stimulates proliferation and maturation of hematopoietic progenitors and is a known powerful m...
The nature and limits of violence.

I take advantage of a point made by H. J. Gert, in "Rights and Rights Violators: A New Approach to the Nature of Rights" (The Journal of Philosophy 1990; 87 (12): 688-694) to provide the following definition of violence. "Violence is an intentional or knowing attempt by a moral agent to directly cause harm, i.e., death, pain, disability, loss of freedom or pleasure, to someone who is protected by morality without the consent of that person." I show how this definition applies to violence in hospitals and discuss some of the ethical problems created by violent patients.
Puerperal weck clip sterilization: study II (second study of two consecutive studies).

One hundred and four puerperal applications have been performed using the (original) Weck pistol-grip applicator and applying the large Week clip in the inverted V configuration. Follow-up varied from 37 to 42 months. The corrected failure rate was 8.7%. Mechanical difficulties were encountered with the jaws and metal sleeve of the (original) Week pistol-grip applicator. Recovered clip configuration and tubal tissue histology are presented. Histologic changes suggest possible reversibility.
Herbivory and advance reproduction influence quaking aspen regeneration response to management in southern Utah, USA.

Recent concern regarding the potential decline of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) forests in the western United States has sparked concern over whether the species can be effectively regenerated. Using a retrospective approach, we quantified the response of regenerating aspen stems to an ordinary set of silvicultural treatments conducted over approximately the past decade in southern Utah, USA. A suite of variables describing stand structure and composition, stand vigor, physiographic factors, herbivore pressure, and treatment types were measured to predict the possible controls, as well as their relative importance, on aspen regeneration. Results suggested that aspen regeneration was most strongly related to browsing pressure, site preparation technique, and the presence of advance reproduction before treatment, which is a novel finding. Secondary predictors included elevation, site index, and overstory conditions, which are generally characteristics of stand vigor. Management recommendations ...
Addressing the emotional barriers to access to reproductive care.

Health care professionals make the medical care of infertility patients a priority, with the goal of achieving a singleton pregnancy for each. Patients who never seek out care, who do not return for treatment after the diagnostic workup, or who drop out of treatment are rarely noticed. Yet this is the outcome for the majority of patients, and the primary reason after financial for treatment termination is the emotional aspect. Attending to the psychological needs of our patients must become a higher priority, to provide all patients true access to care.
The Good Prince: Transition, Texting and Moral Narrative in the Murals of Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico

Nearly seventy years ago, a group of competitive explorers, few on good terms, reconnoitred the Maya ruins of Bonampak, Chiapas, Mexico. There, in what is now known as Structure 1, they found the most densely figured and compositionally ambitious paintings from Precolumbian America – the Bonampak murals, in a building dated by their final, painted notation to c. AD 791. The themes, events, dramatis personae, dynastic setting and execution of the murals find general consensus among scholars, if with some disagreement about detail and, in some respects, the overall thematic focus of the paintings. A key, under-used resource consists of some 125 texts or captions in hieroglyphic writing that identify, or studiously ignore, the serried warriors, dancers in feathered costumes, courtly ladies, foes in extremis, ambassadors, and lords in repose that crowd the murals. Brought to crisp view by infrared vidicon imaging in 1996, subsequently processed and here reported, the captions pose further questions about the decision to name people, past and present. The typology, positioning, relative weighting and onomastic contents of the captions at Bonampak clarify a veridical story, artfully positioned and cadenced, that stresses a tale of three youths. Likely brothers, they can be seen to enjoy a distinct centrality in the murals, more so than the ruler himself. The Bonampak paintings thus discharge several functions. They offer a specific account of a prince's career, assisted by two young peers, a primer for the skills and accomplishments of a suitable heir, a vertical account of generational interplay at times of transition, and a horizontal lesson, too, that a good prince both leads and relies on brothers, close kin and courtiers for collective success. Whether the path to the throne was completed remains an unresolved matter, insoluble without further evidence.
A Contribution to the Theory of Income Inequality

This paper uses the Solow Model of economic growth to model the evolution of inequality over time. In steady state, differences in household saving rates generate differences in household capital income. Households that save more accumulate more capital and have higher steady-state income. Tax policy affects the distribution of income through its inﬂuence on household saving rates. Increasing the tax rate on labor income causes a greater percentage decrease in the steady-state saving rates of relatively low savers, thus increasing pre-tax income inequality. Conversely, increasing the tax rate on capital income reduces pre-tax income inequality because it causes a greater percentage decrease in the steady-state saving rates of relatively high savers. Empirical tests of the model using data from the March Current Population Survey and NBER’s TAXSIM model suggest that higher taxes on wage income are associated with higher levels of income inequality. A high degree of correlation among the average marginal tax rates prevents us from drawing inferences about the effect that taxation of capital income has on inequality.
Laparoendoscopic single site surgery in pediatric urology: does it require specialized tools?

Purpose: To describe our experience utilizing Laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) surgery in pediatric urology. Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed on LESS urologic procedures from November 2009 through March 2013. A total of 44 patients underwent 54 procedures including: nephrectomy (23), orchiopexy (14), varicocelectomy (9), orchiectomy (2), urachal cyst excision (3), and antegrade continence enema (3) (ACE). Results: Median patient age was 6.9 years old. Estimated blood loss (EBL), ranged from less than 5cc to 47cc for a bilateral nephrectomy. Operative time varied from 56 mins for varicocelectomy to a median of 360 minutes for a bilateral nephroureterectomy. Incision length ranged between 2 and 2.5cm. In our initial experience we used a commercial port. However, as we progressed, we were able to perform the majority of our procedures via adjacent fascial punctures for instrumentation at the single incision site. One patient did require conversion to an open procedure as a result of bleeding. Three complications were noted (6.8%), with two Clavien Grade 3b complications. Two patients required additional procedures at 1-year follow-up. Conclusions: The use of LESS applies to many pediatric urologic procedures, ideally for ablative procedures or simple reconstructive efforts. The use of adjacent fascial puncture sites for instrumentation can obviate the need for a commercial port or multiple trocars.
Diagnosing the Task

Part II of this book is devoted to identifying the appropriate leader behaviour for motivating people in a system to accomplish a goal. This process involves diagnosing the environment—self, system, and task— and applying leader behaviour theory.
Atom Tracker: Designing a Mobile Augmented Reality Experience to Support Instruction About Cycles and Conservation of Matter in Outdoor Learning Environments

We describe a mobile augmented reality (AR) experience called Atom Tracker designed to help middle school students better understand the cycling of matter in ecosystems with a focus on the concept of conservation of matter and the processes of photosynthesis and respiration. Location-based AR allows students to locate virtual "hotspots," where they interact with multiple representations including vision-based AR animations of virtual atoms during ecological processes such as photosynthesis and physical LEGO® -based representations of molecules. This design case describes the design rationale, the iterative design process, the context for implementation, and reflections on the success and limitations of the Atom Tracker AR experience. An augmented reality interface was chosen due to theoretical support for its utility in supporting interaction with multiple representations (both physical and virtual) of atoms and molecules, the ability to condense and expand temporal and spatial scales associated with ecological processes, and its ability to explicitly situate these representations in real-world contexts that could support learning. Two significant design challenges that we recognized were (a) appropriately leveraging narrative, student engagement and agency when designing around the topic of atoms and molecules, which are inanimate and invisible; and (b) designing for engagement with both virtual and physical resources available during the experience.