cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simulation of almost defect-free silicon crystal growth

Detailed simulations of defect dynamics during Czochralski growth of silicon crystals demonstrate that the precipitation of either vacancies to form voids or self-interstitials to form stacking faults can be avoided by careful choice of crystal pull rate V and axial temperature gradient near the melt/crystal interface G(r). Almost perfect crystalline silicon is created, except for very small oxide precipitates, which are dissolved in subsequent annealing of the wafers. The presence of oxygen increases the range of V/G(r) for growth of this material.
Is a fish in hand worth two in the sea? Evidence from a stated preference study

Abstract The value anglers place on their fishing opportunities is critical information for fully informing marine policy within an economic efficiency framework. In this paper, we use data from a 2007 stated preference survey of anglers to estimate the value of catching Pacific halibut ( Hippoglossus stenolepis ), Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ), and coho salmon ( Oncorhynchus kisutch ) off the coast of Southeast and Southcentral Alaska, the primary regions for saltwater sport fishing in the state. The data support a specification that differentiates between values for fish that are caught and kept, caught and released (due to a bag limit restriction), and potential catch (fish in excess of the number caught but within the bag limit). The results indicate that for single-day marine private boat fishing trips where one species is caught with catches less than or equal to the allowable bag (or take) limit, Southeast Alaska residents had mean values for fishing ranging from $248 to $313 (U.S. dollars), depending upon whether the fish was kept or released. Single-day private boat fishing trips in Southcentral Alaska were valued between $284 and $385 by Alaska residents. Among Alaska residents, mean values for charter fishing trips in Southcentral Alaska were between $228 and $328. Non-residents had much higher total values for the same fishing experiences, likely due to the fact that the trips are both less common and considerably more expensive to participate in given the travel costs to Alaska. Mean trip values ranged from $1849 to $2686 for charter fishing in Southeast Alaska and $1954 to $2819 in Southcentral Alaska. Non-resident and Alaska resident anglers generally had statistically-significant positive values for increases in number of fish caught and kept, potential catch, and fish size.
Rotational Feshbach resonances in ultracold molecular collisions

In collisions at ultralow temperatures, molecules will possess Feshbach resonances, foreign to ultracold atoms, whose virtual excited states consist of rotations of the molecules. We estimate the mean spacing and mean widths of these resonant states, exploiting the fact the molecular collisions at low energy display chaotic motion. As examples, we consider the experimentally relevant molecules O2, OH, and PbO. Especially for polar species, the density of s-wave resonant states is quite high, implying potentially disastrous consequences for trapped molecules.
EVALUATION OF DISTRIBUTIVE MIXING EFFICIENCY IN MIXING EQUIPMENT

A framework was developed to evaluate the distributive mixing efficiency during processing in a mixer. The dynamics of distributive mixing was studied numerically by means of tracking the evolution of particles originally gathered as clusters. The goodness of mixing was characterized in terms of length stretch, pairwise correlation function and volume fraction of islands. The length stretch reflects the capability of the mixer to spread particles away from their neighbors initially present in the same cluster. The pairwise correlation function characterizes the global distribution of particles in the mixing region. The volume fraction of islands quantifies the regions void of minor component and provides a better local analysis of the mixing. This framework was applied to study distributive mixing in the C-shaped chamber of an intermeshing counter-rotating twin screw extruder.
Perception of the duration of a silent interval in nonspeech stimuli: a test of the motor theory of speech perception.

The categorical perception of synthetically produced speech stimuli varying along a single dimension (duration of silent interval) has been used as evidence for a motor theory of speech perception....
Asthma and infectious respiratory disease in children – correlation to residence near hazardous waste sites

Rates of hospitalization for asthma and respiratory infectious disease in children were modeled as a function of residence: (1) in a zip code containing a hazardous waste site with persistent organic pollutants ('POPs'); (2) in a zip code with a waste site that did not contain POPs ('other'); or (3) in a zip code without any identified waste site ('clean'), as well as other demographic covariates. After adjustment, living in a zip code containing a POPs waste site significantly increased the frequency of hospitalization for asthma and infectious respiratory disease. Living in a zip code with an 'other' waste site also increased hospitalization frequencies for both diseases. The association was strongest for zip codes whose residents were in the lowest quartile of medium family income. This evidence supports the hypothesis that living near a hazardous waste site increases risk of respiratory disease in children.
To ingest or rest? Specialized roles of lateral hypothalamic area neurons in coordinating energy balance.

Survival depends on an organism’s ability to sense nutrient status and accordingly regulate intake and energy expenditure behaviors. Uncoupling of energy sensing and behavior, however, underlies energy balance disorders such as anorexia or obesity. The hypothalamus regulates energy balance, and in particular the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) is poised to coordinate peripheral cues of energy status and behaviors that impact weight, such as drinking, locomotor behavior, arousal/sleep and autonomic output. There are several populations of LHA neurons that are defined by their neuropeptide content and contribute to energy balance. LHA neurons that express the neuropeptides melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) or orexins/hypocretins (OX) are best characterized and these neurons play important roles in regulating ingestion, arousal, locomotor behavior and autonomic function via distinct neuronal circuits. Recently, another population of LHA neurons containing the neuropeptide Neurotensin (Nts) has been implicated in coordinating anorectic stimuli and behavior to regulate hydration and energy balance. Understanding the specific roles of MCH, OX and Nts neurons in harmonizing energy sensing and behavior thus has the potential to inform pharmacological strategies to modify behaviors and treat energy balance disorders.
CCK4 contains the full hormonal information of cholecystokinin in isolated pancreatic acini.

Abstract In mouse and rat isolated pancreatic acini, the C-terminal tetrapeptide amide of CCK (CCK4) fully mimicked the actions of the physiological octapeptide hormone (CCK8) although CCK4 was 10–100 thousand fold less potent than CCK8. Parallelism was observed for stimulation of both amylase secretion (including the submaximal secretion observed at supramaximal concentrations of agonist), and stimulation of glucose transport. Furthermore, CCK4 and CCK8 were able to comletely inhibit the binding of radioiodinated CCK33 to CCK receptors on acini. Therefore, the CCK4 sequence appears to be the minimal functional unit which possesses all of the information required to elicit the actions of CCK on the pancreas. The additional 4 amino acids present in CCK8 increase the affinity of the CCK molecule for pancreatic CCK receptors and thus enhance target organ specificity and sensitivity.
Ultrasonographic appearance of bull accessory sex glands

Abstract The accessory sex glands of bulls were studied using transrectal ultrasonography. Accessory sex gland dimensions of nine live bulls were ultrasonographically determined and were compared with post slaughter dimensions. Ultrasonographic measurements of vesicular gland height, ampullar diameter, and bulbourethral gland width were not significantly different from direct measurements in the same animals postslaughter (P > 0.24). However, ultrasonographic measurements of urethral height and bulbourethral gland height were significantly smaller than direct measurements (P Serial ultrasonographic measurements of the accessory sex glands of eight bulls were made over a three-week period. These measurements were repeatable over time in individual animals for each structure measured (coefficient of variation
Optimization of stepper parameters and their influence on OPC

An algorithm for the optimization of stepper parameters has been designed and implemented. The cost function used in this optimization is the contrast. The aerial image is computed using the computer code FAIM. First, the contrast of the image is calculated and the derivatives of the contrast with respect to the stepper parameters are evaluated. The computational cost of these calculations is only slightly more than that of one aerial image simulation. A conjugate gradient type algorithm is then used to obtain the minimum of the contrast.
Iterative ranking-and-selection for large-scale optimization

We develop a novel algorithm for simulation based optimization where the number of alternatives is finite but very large. Our approach draws on recent work in adaptive random search and from ranking-and-selection. In particular, it combines the nested partitions method for global optimization and Y. Rinott's (1978) two-stage ranking-and-selection procedure. We prove asymptotic convergence of the new algorithm under fairly mild conditions.
What is a social tie

Usually the determination of social ties follows a standardized procedure asking individuals who they consider a friend, approach for professional help, or communicate with on a regular basis. However, social ties are rather elusive to quantify, especially for a large sample of subjects over prolonged periods of time. As a direct consequence, investigated groups of subjects are usually small. Furthermore, data collection is restricted to mostly one time point, therefore collapsing all social activity into a static network of ties. Most social network studies heavily rely on such self-reports from study participants, data that obviously strongly suffer from cognitive biases, errors of perception, and ambiguities. Although important work has been published based on self-reported data, the ability to capture behavioral patterns is rather limited (1). However, the availability of digital communication datasets mitigates these initial problems. Because social networks are not static structures, the time resolution of such datasets allows an insight into the evolution and dynamics of social structures, prompting social theories about contacts, community, and consumption to be reexamined (2–8). For example, an analysis of e-mail logs from a major educational institution showed patterns of social ties as a function of existing social structure, shared activities, and personal attributes (6). The analysis of a large mobile phone call network revisited the quantification of previously rather elusive quantities such as weak and strong ties (9). Furthermore, such e-mail networks also allow the identification of a backbone that contributes to the fast dissemination of information … 1Present address: National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892. E-mail: wuchtys{at}mail.nih.gov
Some implications of existentialism for rhetoric

This essay continues a controversy initiated in the CSSJ in 1962‐1963 (XIII, 4, and XIV, 1). It argues that Existentialism will provide meaningful questions which must be pursued if rhetoric is to be firmly based. In particular, it contends that our common maxims heard in speech classes and seen in texts, “Be logical!”; and “First, seek the truth!”; are at best insufficient and in practice may be invidious.
Nutrition support among critically ill children with AKI.

Summary Background Critically ill children are at high risk of underfeeding and AKI, which may lead to further nutritional deficiencies. This study aimed to determine the adequacy of nutrition support during the first 5 days of intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Design, setting, participants, & measurements A chart review of pediatric patients admitted to the pediatric ICU for .72 hours between August 2007 and March 2008 was conducted. Patients were classified as having no AKI versus AKI by modified pediatric RIFLE criteria. All nutrition was analyzed. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) was estimated by the Schofield equation and protein needs by American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition guidelines. Results Of the 167 patients, 102 were male and 65 were female (median age 1.4 years). Using the RIFLE criteria, 102 (61%) patients had no AKI, whereas 44 (26%) were classified as category R (risk), 12 (7%) as category I (injury), and 9 (5%) as category F (failure). The median 5-day energy intake was lower relative to estimated BMR. Overall protein provision (19%) was lower than energy provision (55%) compared with estimated needs (P,0.001). I/F patients were more likely to be fasted versus receiving enteral/parenteral nutrition (n=813 patient days) and to receive ,90% of BMR (n=832 patient days) than No AKI/R patients. Conclusions Underfeeding, common in critically ill children, was accentuated in AKI. Protein underfeeding was greater than energy underfeeding in the first 5 days of PICU stay. Efforts should be made to provide adequate nutrition in ICU patients with AKI.
Spheroplasts of Haemophilus influenzae Induced by Cell Wall-Active Antibiotics and Their Effect upon the Interpretation of Susceptibility Tests

The interpretation of in vitro susceptibility tests of Haemophilus influenzae performed by the agar or broth dilution methods with Levinthal enrichment was found to be markedly influenced by the production of spheroplasts by this species. Using an inoculum of 10(7) organisms/ml, this phenomenon was frequently evident macroscopically as a haziness on agar substrates and in broths containing cell wall-acting agents, such as ampicillin, cephalothin, and penicillin, but was not noted with chloramphenicol. Phase-contrast microscopic examination of the haze from these sources revealed numerous spherical bodies in contrast to the typical cocco-bacillary forms observed in growth controls. With this inoculum size, minimal bactericidal concentrations could not be determined since subculture of 0.1 ml of the hazy broths or the surface haze onto chocolate agar resulted in most instances in the development of a small number of colonies which, upon smear and gram stain, revealed typical Haemophilus morphology. An inoculum of 10(4) organisms/ml abolished the haziness on agar surfaces and in broths and resulted in clear-cut end points. Also, although spherical bodies were still present, they were distinctly less in number as contrasted to tests performed with an inoculum of 10(7) organisms/ml. It is recommended that minimal inhibitory concentration end points in antibiotic susceptibility tests be determined by microscopic, rather than macroscopic, observation of the growth milieu to determine the presence or absence of morphologically typical bacilli which, when observed, is indicative of true in vitro resistance.
Novel blind video forgery detection using markov models on motion residue

In this paper we present a novel blind video forgery detection method by applying Markov models to motion in videos. Motion is an important aspect of video forgery detection as it effects forgery detection in videos. Most of the current video forgery detection algorithms do not consider motion in their approach. Motion is usually captured from motion vectors and prediction error frame. However capturing motion for I-frame is computationally expensive, so in this paper we extract the motion information by applying collusion on successive frames. First a base frame is obtained by applying collusion on successive frames and the difference between actual and estimate gives information about motion. Then we apply Markov models on this motion residue and apply pattern recognition on this. We used Support Vector Machines (SVMs) in our experiment. We obtained an accuracy of 87% even for reduced feature set.
A Comparison of Infrared‐ and Torch‐Soldering of Au‐Pd and Co‐Cr Metal‐Ceramic Alloys Using a High‐Fusing Solder

Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the bond strengths and fracture modes of soldered joints formed by infrared and gas-oxygen torch heating of a high-fusing, gold-based solder in two metal-ceramic alloys. Materials and Methods Pairs of half-dumbbell–shaped specimens of either an Au-Pd or a Co-Cr alloy were positioned with a 0.25-mm gap and were joined using a high-fusing, gold-based solder by either gas-oxygen torch heating or infrared heating. The resulting specimens were subjected to a heat treatment that simulated ceramic firing. Each specimen was fractured in tension at a loading rate of 0.5 cm/min, and its bond strength was measured. The halves of the specimen were rejoined using the other heating method and were heat treated, and the specimen's bond strength was again measured. Fractured cross-sections were examined at a magnification of 40× to determine the following: the fracture mode (adhesive, cohesive, or mixed); the percentage of adhesive fracture; the presence or absence of voids, porosities, or flux inclusions; and the percentage of the cross-section that was discolored. Results Three-factor analyses of variance showed that neither the heating method, the particular specimen tested, nor the order of testing significantly affected the bond strength (P < .05). For each alloy, significantly fewer infrared-heated joints than torch-heated joints contained voids, porosities, or flux inclusions visible at 40× (χ2 test, P < .05). All fractures were either entirely cohesive in the solder or mixed cohesive and adhesive. When infrared heating was used, entirely cohesive fractures occurred more frequently in the Au-Pd alloy specimens than in the Co-Cr alloy specimens (χ2 test, P < .05). The coefficients of variation of the bond strengths for the infrared-heated joints were smaller than those for the torch-heated joints. Conclusions Although the two heating methods produced solder joints that had strengths that were not significantly different, infrared-heated joints showed less scatter in bond strengths. It was suggested that, in the hands of most technicians, fewer infrared-heated joints would contain defects visible at a magnification of 40×. The presence of such defects may increase the probability of in vivo failure caused by cyclic stresses.
Wireless recharging of battery over large distance for implantable bladder pressure chronic monitoring

This paper presents a wireless power recharging system design for implantable bladder pressure chronic monitoring application. The power recharging system consists of an external 6-turn 15-cm-diameter powering coil and a silicone-encapsulated implantable 18-turn spiral coil with a dimension of 7 mm × 17 mm × 2.5 mm, which encloses a 3-mm-diameter 12-mm-long rechargeable battery, two ferrite rods, an ASIC and a tuning capacitor. For a constant charging current of 100 µA, an RF power of 700 µW needs to be coupled into the implantable microsystem through the tuned coils. Analyses and experiments confirm that with the two coils aligned coaxially or with a tilting angle of 30° and 6 cm offset in coils axes, an external power of 3.5W or 10W is required, respectively, to achieve a large coupling distance of 20 cm at an optimal frequency of 3 MHz.
Institutional Placement of Persons With Dementia: What Predicts Occurrence and Timing?

The decision to place an individual with dementia in an institutional care facility is often one of the most difficult judgments made in families. The purpose of this study was to determine the key variables that affect the occurrence and timing of institutional placement for families caring for an individual with dementia. The results of this study indicated that the most salient variables affecting the occurrence and timing of institutional placement for persons with dementia were the caregivers' depression scores and the care recipients' behavior change scores over time. These results indicate the need to screen for behavior change in the person with dementia and symptoms of depression in the caregivers to help families predict the need for institutional placement.
Thermal effects in gas absorption

The transformation of the energy equation from the mass average to the volume average reference frame exposes a pseudo Dufour effect. The theoretical model for absorption into a stagnant liquid including this effect, the heat of absorption, variable density, an interfacial velocity, and an arbitrary equilibrium condition at the interface is able to predict experimental data over a wide range of conditions. The data consisted of liquid temperature profiles and mass transfer rates into a stagnant liquid. The ammonia-water system exhibited interfacial temperature rises from 6.9°K to 18.2°K. The interfacial temperature rise for the propane-decane system was 1.3°K. Simpler theoretical models were able to predict the mass transfer rates or the temperature profiles.
Source identification of underground fuel spills by solid-phase microextraction/high-resolution gas chromatography/genetic algorithms.

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME), capillary column gas chromatography, and pattern recognition methods were used to develop a potential method for typing jet fuels so a spill sample in the enviro...
Comparison of Host-Seeking Behavior of the Filth Fly Pupal Parasitoids, Spalangia cameroni and Muscidifurax raptor (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

The pupal parasitoids, Spalangia cameroni Perkins and Muscidifurax raptor Girault and Sanders, can be purchased for biological control of house flies Musca domestica L. and stable flies Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae). Little is known about the odors involved in host-seeking behavior of these two species, so odors associated with house flies were investigated in the laboratory using a Y-tube olfactometer. Odor stimuli from house fly host puparia, larvae, pine-shavings bedding with horse manure, and developing flies in the pine-shavings-manure substrate were evaluated in bioassays using the two pteromalid species. In choice tests, naive female S. cameroni were strongly attracted to odor from the substrate containing house fly larvae and secondarily from the uninfested substrate and substrate with puparia versus humidified and purified air. This species also selected the substrate with larvae versus the substrate with the house fly puparia or uninfested substrate. Muscidifurax raptor was attracted to odor from the substrate containing puparia, washed puparia, and substrate with puparia removed. The data suggest that coexistence between the two pteromalid parasitoids, S. cameroni and M. raptor, might be promoted by different host-seeking behavior.
Wireless community networks

An open standard IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networking technology provides an inexpensive and easy way to share bandwidth among multiple users. Such technology makes it possible to implement ad hoc wireless community networks using fixed wireless nodes rather than conventional base. A rural ad hoc network forwards packets from one wireless node to another to route data to a limited number of Internet gateways. A wireless community network uses two types of links between nodes. Point-to-multipoint links use omnidirectional antennas, while point-to-point links employ unidirectional antennas.
Potential of visible and near infrared spectroscopy in the determination of instrumental leaf grade in lint cottons

Existence of non-lint materials (or botanic trash) within commercial cotton bales degrades their market value, requires a further cleaning process, and compromises finished product quality. To meet...
Pharmacodynamics of Ampicillin-Sulbactam in an In Vitro Infection Model against Escherichia coli Strains with Various Levels of Resistance

The activity of ampicillin-sulbactam against beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli has been questioned. Therefore, in this study, the killing activity of ampicillin-sulbactam was investigated in an in vitro infection model which simulates human pharmacokinetics. One ampicillin-sensitive strain (E. coli ATCC 25922, ampicillin-sulbactam MIC = 4/2 microg/ml) and three ampicillin-resistant TEM-1-producing strains with various levels of ampicillin-sulbactam resistance (EC11, MIC = 4/2 microg/ml; TIM2, MIC = 12/6 microg/ml; and GB85, MIC > 128/64 microg/ml) were studied. The E. coli strains were exposed to ampicillin-sulbactam at a starting inoculum of 6 to 7 log10 CFU/ml. Ampicillin-sulbactam was infused over 30 min to simulate doses of 3 and 1.5 g every 6 h for 24 h. The 3-g ampicillin-sulbactam dose was bactericidal against E. coli ATCC 25922, EC11, and TIM2. The 1.5-g dose displayed bactericidal activity against ATCC 25922 and EC11 similar to that of the higher dose but failed to kill TIM2 due to inadequate time above the MIC and increased MICs over 24 h. GB85 was highly resistant and grew similarly to controls. Despite an MIC at 10(7) CFU/ml indicating resistance (20/10 microg/ml), TIM2 was killed by the 3-g dose of ampicillin-sulbactam. Current MIC breakpoints may not adequately portray the activity of ampicillin-sulbactam, considering both the activity in in vitro infection models and clinical data.
George Peters Award: How does breast-specific gamma imaging affect the management of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer?

Abstract Background We sought to determine the number of patients with known breast cancer who were found to have an additional, mammographically occult lesion detected on breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI). Methods An institutional review board–approved review of all patients who underwent BSGI at Beth Israel Medical Center from 2006 to 2008 was performed. Results A total of 82 patients underwent BSGI for newly diagnosed breast cancer. Of these, 18 had an additional abnormality, and 17 were biopsied. There were 4 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, 1 invasive lobular carcinoma, 1 ductal carcinoma in situ, 1 lobular carcinoma in situ, 2 papillomas, and 8 benign biopsies. One patient proceeded directly to mastectomy and an area of ductal carcinoma in situ was found, corresponding to the BSGI. Conclusions In our study group, 22% of patients had a surgical change in management based on BSGI findings. BSGI detected additional carcinoma in 9%. BSGI plays an important role in the clinical management of patients with known breast cancer.
Dynamic PDE surfaces with flexible and general geometric constraints

PDE surfaces, whose behavior is governed by partial differential equations (PDEs), have demonstrated many modeling advantages in surface blending, free-form surface modeling, and surface aesthetic or functional specifications. Although PDE surfaces can potentially unify geometric attributes and functional constraints for surface design, current PDE based techniques exhibit certain difficulties such as the restrained topological structure of modeled objects and the lack of interactive editing functionalities. We propose an integrated approach and develop a set of algorithms that augment conventional PDE surfaces with material properties and dynamic behavior. The authors incorporate PDE surfaces into the powerful physics based framework, aiming to realize the full potential of the PDE methodology. We have implemented a prototype software environment that can offer users a wide array of PDE surfaces with flexible topology (through trimming and joining operations) as well as generalized boundary constraints. Using our system, designers can dynamically manipulate PDE surfaces at arbitrary location with applied forces. Our sculpting toolkits allow users to interactively modify arbitrary point, curve span, and/or region of interest throughout the entire PDE surface in an intuitive and predictable way. To achieve real time sculpting, we employ several simple, yet efficient numerical techniques such as finite difference discretization, multi-grid subdivision, and FEM approximation. Our experiments demonstrate many advantages of physics based PDE formulation such as intuitive control, real time feedback, and usability to both professional and non-expert users.
Spherical electric motors

The history of spherical motors is traced, beginning with the initial research in the mid-1950s. Interest grew in the 1960s in their use in space, due to their light weight compared with that of conventional motors. In the 1970s, the spherical concept was applied to pumps where the impeller is of spherical shape so that no shaft seals are required. The 1980s saw still more activity, this time with a heavy influence on analysis. The complicated geometry of the motor, which results in a high production cost and does not seem to enhance reliability, has prevented commercial success. It may prove useful for large weightless structures to be constructed out in space. >
Stability Analysis of a Modulated AC/DC System Using the Eigenvalue Sensitivity Approach

This paper develops an optimal control strategy for improved dynamic performance of integrated ac/dc systems, based on power modulation techniques. The basic feature of the method is the minimization of the adverse reactive power interactions between the controls and voltage sensitive loads, which tend to reduce the effectiveness of the modulation process. A method for stability analysis, based on linearization techniques and eigenvalue sensitivities, is developed and applied to a typical ac/dc system with non-linearly voltage dependent load. The dynamic performance of the system, both with dc power modulation and power system stabilizer, is evaluated for various operating conditions, different load characteristics and different excitation systems. Finally, a dynamic simulation program is developed and used to obtain the exact transient response of the ac/dc system in the time domain. The simulation results presented in the paper verify the responses predicted from the linear eigenvalue sensitivity analysis.
California community colleges: Help or hindrance to Latinos in the higher education pipeline?

This chapter examines the flow of Latino students through the California Community College system.
Feature Space Decomposition for effective robot adaptation

Adaptation is an essential capability for intelligent robots to work in new environments. In the learning framework of Programming by Demonstration (PbD) and Reinforcement Learning (RL), a robot usually learns skills from a latent feature space obtained by dimension reduction techniques. Because the latent space is optimized for a specific environment during the training phase, it typically contains fewer variations. Accordingly, searching for a solution within the latent space can be less effective for robot adaptation to new environments with unseen changes. In this paper, we propose a novel Feature Space Decomposition (FSD) approach to effectively address the robot adaptation problem, which is directly applicable to the learning framework based on PbD and RL. Our FSD method decomposes the high-dimensional original features extracted from the demonstration data into principal and non-principal feature space. Then, the non-principal features are used to form a new low-dimensional search space for autonomous robot adaptation based on RL, which is initialized using a generalized trajectory represented by a Gaussian Mixture Model that is learned from the principal features. The scalability of our FSD approach guarantees that optimal solutions can be found in the new non-principal space, if they exist in the original feature space. Experimental results on real robots validate that our FSD approach enables the robots to effectively adapt to new environments, and is usually able to find optimal solutions more quickly than traditional approaches when significant environment changes occur.
The Political Economics of Marine Aquaculture in the United States

ABSTRACTGovernment regulatory policies and social acceptance are critically important to the growth of marine aquaculture in the United States. In much of the country, opposition to marine aquaculture by local and national interest groups and local, state, tribal, or national policies have limited marine aquaculture to a scale far below its potential. There are several reason for this: (1) Marine aquaculture is relatively small, diverse, and (with some notable exceptions) unproven; (2) marine waters are public resources; (3) some Americans perceive potential negative effects of marine aquaculture without offsetting positive effects; (4) aquaculture faces significant social opposition; and (5) the governance system for leasing and regulation hinders the development of U.S. marine aquaculture. This article discusses five broad strategies and recent efforts to advance marine aquaculture in the United States: (1) fixing problems, (2) creating benefits, (3) building partnerships, (4) arguing effectively, and (...
Unified Synthetic Approach to Silver Nanostructures by Galvanic Displacement Reaction on Copper: From Nanobelts to Nanoshells

We report a unified nontemplate approach to a variety of silver nanostructures, including nanobelts, dendrites, nanodisks, and nanoshells. The growth of these silver nanostructures occurs by galvanic displacement initiated by short-circuited nanobatteries formed between the copper nano/microparticles and protruding silver “seeds” on their surface. The silver nanostructures share analogous structural features because they develop from very similar silver seed crystals during their early growth stage. Transmission electron microcopy (TEM) studies reveal essentially identical electron diffraction patterns and crystal structures through the different growth stages. The formation of different silver nanostructures can be systematically controlled, for example, by varying the size of the copper particle as well as the identity and concentration of the starting silver(I) species.
ZUbers against ZLyfts apocalypse: an analysis framework for DoS attacks on mobility-as-a-service systems

The vulnerability of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) systems to Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks is studied. We use a queuing-theoretical framework to model the re-dispatch process used by operators to maintain a high service availability, as well as potential cyber-attacks on this process. It encompasses a customer arrival rate model at different sections of an urban area to pick up vehicles traveling within the network. Expanding this re-balance model, we analyze DoS cyber-attacks of MaaS systems by controlling a fraction of the cars maliciously through fake reservations (so called Zombies) placed in the system (similar to the computer science field where a Zombie is a computer that a remote attacker has accessed for malicious purpose). The attacker can then use the block-coordinate descent algorithm proposed in the present work to derive optimal strategies to minimize the efficiency of the MaaS system, thereby allowing us to quantify the economic loss of such systems under attack. The technique is shown to work well and enables us to arbitrarily deplete taxi availabilities based on the attacker's choice and the radius of attacks, which is demonstrated by drawing a "Cal" logo in Manhattan. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis using data from 75 million taxi trips shows diminishing returns for the attacker and that countermeasures raising the attack cost to more than $15 could protect MaaS systems in NYC from Zombies.
Methods of generating state revenue for breast cancer prevention and early detection: an analysis of pink dollars.

Objective. We assessed income tax check-offs, specialty license plates, and lottery tickets as ways states raise funds for the early detection and prevention of breast cancer. Methods. We conducted an inventory of state legislation allowing these revenue-generating methods, and collected and compared information on each initiative. We conducted logistic regression analyses to compare these methods with state breast cancer mortality rates. Results. Eighteen states had programs for contributions through an income tax check-off. Revenue for tax check-offs and plates is influenced by state popula tion. The median annual revenue for the income tax check-off was $115,000. Twenty-six states had breast cancer license plates generating more than $4.1 million in revenue. The extra cost of the plates ranged from $20 to 75 (mean 5 $37). Only Illinois offered a state breast cancer lottery ticket, which raised $4 million from 2005 to 2009. States with medium or high breast cancer mortality rates were 2.5 times more likely to offer breast cancer specialty license plates than states with low breast cancer mortality rates; however, we found no statistically significant difference in breast cancer mortality tertiles by income tax check-off. Conclusion. Revenue-generating breast cancer initiatives can be successful strategies for states to raise funds for breast cancer prevention and early detection programs. Although these initiatives can generate revenue, amounts are variable due to population differences, the number of other plates/check-offs/ lotteries offered, and the choice to decrease donations during difficult eco nomic times. State breast cancer mortality rates may influence the availability of these initiatives.
Resection of thoracic and abdominal teratoma in patients after cisplatin-based chemotherapy for germ cell tumor. Late results.

Fifty-one patients with primary testicular (N = 46) or mediastinal germ cell cancer (N = 5) were treated from April, 1975, through May, 1981, and had teratoma resected from residual disease after cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. All patients had normal serum markers before resection of pulmonary (N = 12), mediastinal (N = 5), thoracoabdominal (N = 8), supraclavicular (N = 1) or abdominal disease (N = 25). Teratoma was classified as mature teratoma (N = 29), immature teratoma (N = 15), or immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements (N = 7). Thirty of 51 (60%) patients remain free of recurrent disease, whereas 20 patients have either recurrent carcinoma (N = 10) or teratoma (N = 10). One patient has a presumed second malignancy. After additional chemotherapy, four patients with recurrent carcinoma are alive and disease free and six have died. After an additional operation, Eight of 10 patients with recurrent teratoma are long-term survivors. In four patients the initial relapse of carcinoma developed more than 2 years after therapy; in an additional patient carcinoma recurred after a 32 month disease-free survival period. Univariate factors predicting for relapse include tumor burden, immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements, and site (mediastinum), whereas only immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements and site predicted for survival. Immature teratoma and mature teratoma had similar relapse-free intervals and overall survival intervals. According to a multivariate analysis, primary tumor site at the mediastinum is the most significant adverse factor predictive for both relapse and survival (two of five patients survived). This, study appears to support the various preclinical models that demonstrate multipotential capabilities of teratoma. Complete surgical excision of teratoma remains the most effective treatment with continued close follow-up recommended for high-risk patients (immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements, large tumor burden, or primary mediastinal tumors).
Facilitating the collection and dissemination of patient care information for emergency medical personnel

The information that emergency medical technicians (EMTs) collect at the incident site is typically communicated verbally to the emergency department (ED) prior to arrival. However, communication by verbal channels can introduce lags, is limited by human recall and attention, is repetitious, and often lacks consistent and sufficient detail. To fill this gap, the work herein describes the design of a mobile data entry system for EMTs and a desktop-based data display and messaging system for charge nurses in the ED. With the system, EMTs can enter the case type, patient details, assessment, vitals, and treatments. After the EMT sends the report, the charge nurse can accept the patient, assign a room and resources, and further message with the EMT. Design choices were based upon stakeholder analysis. Since the data and data entry required of the EMTs can be extensive, non-sequential, partially available, and case dependent, the app was designed to avoid open-field typing, employ a compact navigational strategy, dynamically generate fields adapted to the medical scenario, and switch between editing and reviewing a report in context. The design was implemented into an interactive wireframe for testing on smart phones. Usability evaluation was performed via heuristic evaluation and user scenario testing with EMTs. On average, users could complete a typical, time-sensitive case in 66 seconds, which is near theoretical estimates and current means of verbal communication now done via phone and radio.
Cost-Effectiveness of Tomosynthesis in Annual Screening Mammography

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the addition of annual screening tomosynthesis to 2D digital mammography alone for women beginning at 40 years old and to determine differences for age decade subgroups. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Decision-tree analysis comparing annual tomosynthesis versus 2D mammography alone from a federal payer perspective and lifetime horizon was created from published multiinstitutional data, published institutional data, literature values, and Medicare reimbursement rates. Cost-effectiveness was calculated through incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and net monetary benefit calculations. Sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the implication of different variables including changes in recall rate and disutility for false-positives. RESULTS. Base-case analysis showed an incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year gained for tomosynthesis over 2D alone for all ages (≥ 40 years old) of $20,230, 40- to 49-year-old subgroup of $20...
Ability Perception and Cardiovascular Response to Behavioral Challenge

To suggest that a person has control over an outcome is to suggest that the person can affect the outcome—that is, impact its presence, quality, or the like—through action (e.g., see Skinner, 1996). There are various determinants of perceived control, including the appraised character of activity that must be carried out to alter an outcome (easy versus difficult), the appraised effectiveness of that activity in accomplishing its purpose, and the appraised ability (or efficacy, Bandura, 1986) of the performer to do what must be done. In this chapter, I focus on the latter determinant of perceived control and consider its relation to cardiovascular (CV) responsivity (i.e., CV elevation above baseline).
Growth of Salmonella typhimurium and Mesophilic Organisms on Beef Steaks as Influenced by Type of Packaging1,2

Two trials, each utilizing 72 samples of fresh beef loin steak, were done to determine the effects of various packing systems upon growth of Salmonella typhimurium . Samples were inoculated with 105 cells/cm2 of the organism and randomly assigned to four packaging treatments: (1) overwrapping in oxygen-permeable film; (2) vacuum packaging; (3) packaging in barrier bags flushed with a 60% CO2: 40% O2 gas atmosphere then evacuated and sealed; and (4) packaging in barrier bags filled with a 60% CO2: 40% O2 gas atmosphere. Twelve steak samples were inoculated with S. typhimurium and 6 were uninoculated and served as a control in each treatment group. Samples were displayed in retail meat cases at 10 C for 3, 6 or 9 days, when they were evaluated for shrinkage and numbers of mesophilic organisms and S. typhimurium . Percent shrinkage was not affected (P>0.05) by packaging treatment. Counts of mesophilic organisms were similar (P>0.05) for vacuum- and gas-treated steaks, which were significantly lower (P<0.05) than counts from film overwrapped samples. Numbers of S. typhimurium increased significantly (P<0.05) during storage on samples wrapped with oxygen permeable film but remained low and fairly constant for vacuum- or gas-treated steaks. After 9 days of display, the film overwrapped steaks had greater (P<0.05) numbers of S. typhimurium than those of other treatments, whereas steaks held within the 60% CO2: 40% O2 gas atmosphere had lowest numbers overall.
Abstract 4777: Triptolide inhibits Wnt signaling due to DNA methylation alteration that is determined by dynamic histone 3 K79 lysine methylation in NSCLC

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Epigenetic alterations including DNA methylation and histone modifications have been associated with virtually every step of tumor development and progression. This realization has triggered an impressive quest for the development of “epigenetic drugs” and epigenetic therapies. Here we present data demonstrating that triptolide, with a unique mechanism, has anticancer effect in lung cancer development and progression. With the use of our unique non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) mouse model (ED160, Fen1 mutation), data shows triptolide decreases lung cancer incidence from 70% to 10%. In addition, triptolide effectively inhibits lung cancer growth and metastasis in NSG mouse Xenograft. Triptolide inactivates Wnt signaling by restoring WIF1 expression which is due to WIF1 gene demethylation. Furthermore, we revealed histone 3 lysine methylation alteration determines DNA methylation status by the communication between DNMT1 and histone 3. Together, these evidences indicated that sequential histone and DNA methylation active Wnt signaling; further it contributes to NSCLC development and progression. This discovery potentially is yielding epigenetic therapeutic opportunities for NSCLC. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Youqiang Li, Binghui Shen, Jae Kim, Dan Raz. Triptolide inhibits Wnt signaling due to DNA methylation alteration that is determined by dynamic histone 3 K79 lysine methylation in NSCLC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 4777. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-4777
Using High Pressure NMR to Study Folding Cooperativity and Kinetics of Protein L9

The ribosomal protein L9 is comprised of two globular domains, the N-terminal (NTL9) and C-terminal (CTL9) domains, connected by a rigid linker. The folding properties of the two domains have been investigated extensively with a variety of denaturants, including urea, GdnHCl, temperature, and pH. Both NTL9 and CTL9 have exhibited cooperative folding in a two-state manner. Pressure perturbation, as a relatively new denaturing factor, has been proved to unfold proteins locally by targeting their packing defects, and to slow protein folding due to the positive activation volume of folding. Conventional NMR spectroscopy is too slow to characterize the folding transition state of most single domain proteins. When combined with NMR spectroscopy, which provides residue-specific resolution, high pressure (HP) could reveal sequence based information regarding protein folding cooperativity and conformational dynamics. Hence we applied HP-NMR to NTL9, CTL9 and their variants, seeking to gain more insights on their folding mechanism. To study their folding equilibria, 1H-15N HSQC spectra were recorded as a function of pressure, and the intensity of each amide proton resonance was analyzed as a function of pressure. We combined HP with 15N ZZ-exchange NMR experiments to determine residue-specific folding and unfolding rate constants. Our thermodynamic and kinetic results reveal that NTL9 folding is very close to two-state, while small deviations from two-state behavior were observed for CTL9. The volumetric properties of these domains indicate that most of the solvent excluded voids in the hydrophobic cores of the folded structures are formed in their respective transition states.