cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reference selection of NIR breast imaging using perturbation approach

A typical perturbation-based image reconstruction technique requires a homogeneous reference for accurate estimation of target-caused perturbation and accurate reconstruction of target optical properties. Therefore reference selection is critical. In this report, we analyze the influence of different references on reconstructed optical images when a typical perturbation approach, such as Born method, is used for imaging reconstruction. A new photon tracking method using Monte Carlo simulation is developed and used to analyze the contributions of a target and a chest-wall layer underneath the breast tissue to the NIR measurements. We have found that a chest-wall layer has much larger contribution than the target when the breast-tissue layer thickness is less than 1.5 to 2.0 cm deep depending on bulk optical properties. Different references, such as optical property-matched and depth-unmatched reference, depth-matched and property-unmatched reference, property-unmatched and depth-unmatched reference, and property-matched and depth-matched reference, are compared and evaluated using the total perturbation and the reconstructed image quality as quantitative criteria. We have found that the property-matched and depth-matched reference provides the best result with error less than 5%, and the depth-matched and property-unmatched reference provides the worst results with error larger than 60%. Phantom experiments confirm with the simulation results. As results, we suggest using the measurements from a normal contralateral site of the same quadrant as the breast lesion with matched propagation depth as best property-matched and depth-matched reference with the help of co-registered ultrasound in clinical trials.
TheXYZAlgorithm For Real-Time Compression of Full-Motion Video

Abstract In this paper, we describe a new full-motion video compression algorithm, based on three-dimensional Discrete Cosine Transform. The algorithm, called XYZ -video compression, takes advantage of statistical behaviour of video data both in spatial and temporal domains. We demonstrate the algorithm by implementing it in software and comparing it with the MPEG video compression standard. The results show a significant superiority of the proposed XYZ -video compression algorithm compared to the MEPG standard. This superiority is shown in several key categories: (i) XYZ - video compression gives much higher compression ratios than the MPEG standard for the same quality of the decompressed video, and (ii) the compression time for XYZ algorithm is much shorter than for the MPEG standard. This suggests that the XYZ -video compression scheme can be efficiently applied for real-time video compression.
Assessment of metal contaminations leaching out from recycling plastic bottles upon treatments

Heavy metal contaminants in environment, especially in drinking water, are always of great concern due to their health impact. Due to the use of heavy metals as catalysts during plastic syntheses, particularly antimony, human exposure to metal release from plastic bottles has been a serious concern in recent years. The aim and scope of this study were to assess metal contaminations leaching out from a series of recycling plastic bottles upon treatments. In this study, leaching concentrations of 16 metal elements were determined in 21 different types of plastic bottles from five commercial brands, which were made of recycling materials ranging from no. 1 to no. 7. Several sets of experiments were conducted to study the factors that could potentially affect the metal elements leaching from plastic bottles, which include cooling with frozen water, heating with boiling water, microwave, incubating with low-pH water, outdoor sunlight irradiation, and in-car storage. Heating and microwave can lead to a noticeable increase of antimony leaching relative to the controls in bottle samples A to G, and some even reached to a higher level than the maximum contamination level (MCL) of the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations. Incubation with low-pH water, outdoor sunlight irradiation, and in-car storage had no significant effect on antimony leaching relative to controls in bottle samples A to G, and the levels of antimony leaching detected were below 6 ppb which is the MCL of USEPA regulations. Cooling had almost no effect on antimony leaching based on our results. For the other interested 15 metal elements (Al, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Ba, Tl, Pb), no significant leaching was detected or the level was far below the MCL of USEPA regulations in all bottle samples in this study. In addition, washing procedure did contribute to the antimony leaching concentration for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. The difference of antimony leaching concentration between washing procedure involved and no washing procedure involved (AC) was larger than zero for samples A to G. This interesting result showed that higher antimony concentration was detected in experiments with no washing procedures compared with those experiments with washing procedures. Our study results indicate that partial antimony leaching from PET bottles comes from contaminations on the surface of plastic during manufacturing process, while major antimony leaching comes from conditional changes. The results revealed that heating and microwaving enhance antimony leaching significantly in PET plastic bottles. Plastic bottle manufacturers should consider the contaminations during manufacturing process and washing bottles before first use was strongly recommended to remove those contaminants.
Sponsored Social Change in a Public Housing Project

Federal and local pressures have given rise to a hybrid organization that brings together disparate groups from the public and non-profit sectors to address complex social problems. This article examines one such organizational emergence of state-affiliated sponsorship. Based on data from a multi-method case study, we find that not only do members of the sponsoring organization use legitimate authority structures, existing laws, and social norms to reproduce their power, they do so with a state mandate that privileges their expertise and processes.
Two-Dimensional Implicit Thermal Response and Ablation Program for Charring Materials

The TITANprogramforpredicting charringmaterial ablationand shapechangeof thermal protectionmaterials is presented. The governing equations include energy conservation and a three-component decomposition model. The surface energy balance condition is solved with a moving grid to calculate the shape change due to surface recession. The governing equations are discretized with a  nite volume approximation with a general body- tted coordinate system. A time-accurate solution is achieved by an implicit time-marching techniquewith Gauss–Seidel line relaxationwith alternating sweeps. Benchmark solutionsare calculated and comparedwith availablesolutions to check code consistency and accuracy. For fully coupled solid– uid simulation, this technique has been directly integrated with both a high- delity Navier–Stokes solver and an aerothermal  ow eld engineering correlation code. Representative computations, including a slender hypersonic reentry vehicle and a  at-faced cylinder model in an arcjet test, are presented and discussed in detail.
An analysis of naltrexone and naloxone's possible agonistic actions in the dog

Abstract Naltrexone (0.01–2.0 mg/kg, i.v.) produced dose-dependent EEG slowing in the conscious dog as did morphine (0.5–8 mg/kg, i.v.) and fentanyl (5–20 Mg/kg, i.v.). However, the dose-response curve for nalrexone was not parallel to the morphine or fentanyl dose-response curves. Morphine and fentanyl but not naltrexone also produced dose-dependent miosis and increased the skin twitch reflex latency. When administered into the fourth cerebral ventricle naltrexone (60 μg), morphine (80 μg) and ethylketazocine (30 μg) produced EEG slowing. Again, naltrexone did not alter the skin twitch latency whereas morphine lengthened it and ethylketazocine reduced it. The pharmacological profiles obtained from different routes of administration indicate that naltrexone is clearly different from morphine, fentanyl and ethylketazocine. However, naltrexone may act as a partial agonist in the production of EEG slowing at a previously unidentified opioid receptor.
Implications of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981: Discussion

These papers should be of interest to both economists working in public policy and policy makers, many of whom-for better or worse-are not economists. Cash flow projections, with and without the assistance of the federal government, go to the heart of concerns that many of us have about production agriculture during the current decade. In fact, though commodity price support programs have been an integral part-indeed the centerpiece-of public policy in agriculture for nearly fifty years, the literature is rather barren when it comes to analyzing the impact of these programs beyond the first year or two. Both of these papers do that, and in that sense they make a positive contribution to what I hope will be a growing body of literature. Another introductory comment is that the papers are symbiotic, perhaps even more so than implied in their respective titles. One cannot discuss the financial well-being of the farming industry without talking about farm prices and incomes. On the other hand, farm prices and incomes have relevance ultimately only as they affect people: how they are organized and their well-being as individuals. This touches on my biggest concern about the papers. Both emphasize cash receipts and other "flow" concepts as distinguished from "stock of assets" concepts. However, the recent paper by Rausser, Zilberman, and Just which Johnson and Clayton referred to makes two points worth considering: (a) the appropriate level of aggregation for assessing the impacts of agricultural policies is within a group, e.g., corn producers; (b) the indirect effect on asset markets is ultimately the most significant aspect of government assistance to agricultural producers. I consider cash flow implications of commodity programs a good first step, but we simply do not know enough yet about the impact of commodity programs on the organization of agriculture. My point is not to be critical of two useful papers, but instead to be cautious. To the exnt that the audience for the papers are policy makers, my concern is heightened. Unanswered organizational questions must not be allowed to remain unconfronted as work con-
Facilitating Positive Changes in Self-Constructions

Abstract The Dependable Strengths Articulation Process (DSAP) is a systematic set of procedures designed to facilitate an increase in positive self-constructions. It was used to facilitate positive changes in self-descriptions as measured by the Adjective Check List. The DSAP encourages the participant to identify good experiences, which are used to elicit personal constructs. These constructs are distilled to a select group, labeled as dependable strengths, and cross-verified by a listing of supportive experiences. The DSAP is explained and elaborated with the concepts and corollaries of personal construct psychology. Research is cited to support the DSAP's focus on positive experiences and its promise for increasing positive self-constructions. A case is made to focus on positive events when eliciting personal constructs for use in anticipated self-roles.
Moderating effects of perceived racism on john henryism and blood pressure reactivity in black female college students

Background: Relative to other ethnic groups in the United States, Blacks have disproportionately higher rates of hypertension. Research suggests that perceived racism might moderate the relation between such Pearson variables as John Henryism and cardiac/vascular functioning.Purpose: This study examined the possible moderating influence of perceived racism on the John Henryism reactivity relation in a sample of 117 Black female college students (M age = 26.10 years, SD = 8.83).Methods: Blood pressure was measured before and during a speaking task. John Henryism and perceived racism were assessed via self-report.Results: Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that John Henryism was inversely related to systolic blood pressure reactivity (p = .007). These analyses also indicated that John Henryism and perceived racism interacted to predict both systolic (p = .007) and diastolic blood pressure reactivity (p = .0005). Follow-up regression analyses indicated that John Henryism was unrelated to systolic and diastolic blood pressure reactivity for women high in perceived racism (ps .01).Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of examining the potential moderating effects of ethnically relevant situation factors when exploring the relation of John Henryism to blood pressure reactivity.
A practical general approximation criterion for methods of multipliers based on Bregman distances

This paper demonstrates that for generalized methods of multipliers for convex programming based on Bregman distance kernels – including the classical quadratic method of multipliers – the minimization of the augmented Lagrangian can be truncated using a simple, generally implementable stopping criterion based only on the norms of the primal iterate and the gradient (or a subgradient) of the augmented Lagrangian at that iterate. Previous results in this and related areas have required conditions that are much harder to verify, such as e-optimality with respect to the augmented Lagrangian, or strong conditions on the convex program to be solved. Here, only existence of a KKT pair is required, and the convergence properties of the exact form of the method are preserved. The key new element in the analysis is the use of a full conjugate duality framework, as opposed to mainly examining the action of the method on the standard dual function of the convex program. An existence result for the iterates, stronger than those possible for the exact form of the algorithm, is also included.
Same school, separate worlds: A sociocultural study of identity, resistance, and negotiation in a rural, lower track science classroom

This ethnographic study examined how rural, lower track, underrepresented students made sense of their place in school and what role school science played in their cultural reproduction. The objectives of the study were to identify key components of science classroom discourse, analyze means of negotiating these components, and explicate participants' beliefs and roles in defining microcultural identities specific to rural, underrepresented school contexts. Eight students and their teacher participated in this study, which drew heavily upon teacher and student revoicing of common events. Results showed that the quality of science instruction was subverted through a process of negotiation between students and teachers in the context of low expectations and the school culture. Implications for research and practice are discussed. fl 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 38: 574 - 598, 2001
The genetic toxicology of 5-fluoropyrimidines and 5-chlorouracil

The halogenated pyrimidines were synthesized in the 1950s as potential anti-tumor agents after the discovery that certain tumors preferentially incorporated uracil rather than thymine into the DNA. The fluorinated derivatives are widely recognized today as effective treatment modalities, especially with tumors of the head, neck and breast. Mechanistically, efficacy of the fluorinated pyrimidines results from the ability of these compounds to incorporate into RNA and inhibit its maturation to those forms necessary for cellular metabolism and from the inhibition of the enzyme, thymidylate synthetase, which controls the biosynthesis of thymine and DNA synthesis. The 5-fluoropyrimidines can incorporate into DNA, but the contribution of this phenomenon to the overall efficacy of this class of chemotherapeutic agents is not totally resolved. Evidence exists that this class of compounds possesses the properties to induce genotoxic effects, both in bacterial and eukaryotic cells. Most notably, these effects include the induction of cellular toxicity and the induction of chromosome aberrations. The biology and chemistry of the chlorinated pyrimidines were first explored as a possible means of sensitizing the DNA to ionizing radiation in a manner similar to the sensitization observed when DNA incorporates bromodeoxyuridine. This approach was not utilized clinically. The genetic toxicology of this compound became important with the discovery of the ribonucleoside in the effluents of sewage treatment plants. Evidence is now available that the chlorinated pyrimidines, upon conversion to deoxyribonucleosides, are effective mutagens, clastogens and toxicants, as well as extremely effective inducers of sister-chromatid exchanges.
MRI of shoulder instability: state of the art.

In recent years, our understanding of normal anatomy and traumatic lesions of the glenoid labrum and the associated glenohumeral ligaments and joint capsule have grown substantially. Pathologic abnormalities are generally seen in individuals with an antecedent episode of shoulder trauma, typically involving a dislocation or a subluxation. These lesions can have a wide range of appearances and the radiologist must be familiar with them to make the correct diagnosis and avoid the potential pitfalls related to normal anatomic variations in the glenoid and capsuloligamentous structures. The purpose of this article is to review a variety of traumatic lesions involving the labral ligamentous complex in patients with glenohumeral instability. These lesions predominantly involve the inferior and anteroinferior supporting structures.
Physiologic and clinicopathologic effects of crude oil on loggerhead sea turtles.

The physiologic and clinicopathologic effects of weathered South Louisiana crude oil exposure were studied in the laboratory in juvenile loggerhead sea turtles. Sea turtles ingested oil incidentally, and oil was observed clinging to the nares, eyes, and upper esophagus, and was found in the feces. Oiled turtles had up to a four-fold increase in white blood cell counts, a 50% reduction in red blood cell counts, and red blood cell polychromasia. Most serum blood chemistries (e.g., BUN, protein) were within normal ranges, although glucose returned more slowly to baseline values than in the controls. Gross and histologic changes were present in the skin and mucosal surfaces of oiled turtles, including acute inflammatory cell infiltrates, dysplasia of epidermal epithelium, and a loss of cellular architectural organization of the skin layers. The cellular changes in the epidermis are of particular concern because they may increase susceptibility to infection. Although many of the observed physiological insults resolved within a 21-day recovery period, the long-term biological effects of oil on sea turtles remain completely unknown.
The Biblical View of the Kidney

The biblical view of the kidney differs radically from the modern perception. For example, there is no reference in the Bible to the fact that the kidneys make urine. The kidneys were viewed as the seat of conscience and of ethical feelings and yearnings, and the source of mortality and ethical activity. The kidneys were believed to be associated with the innermost parts of the personality. There are references to God examining the ethical nature of man through the kidneys or punishing man by injuring the kidneys. The fat around the kidneys was considered to be of special value for sacrifice and may have symbolized luxury or opulence. Much of the biblical understanding of the anatomy of the kidneys and the anatomic relationships between the kidneys, perirenal fat and the liver appears to be derived from observations made in domestic animals.
Modeling of Microstructures Actuation by the Knudsen Thermal Force

Heated microscale objects immersed in a gas ambient are subject to thermal Knudsen forces generated by the non-equilibrium energy exchange between gas molecules and solid surfaces. Knudsen forces are significant when the length scale of a temperature gradient is comparable to the gas molecular mean free path. This can occur for very low gas pressures or at extremely small length scales. The overall goal of this work is to study the feasibility of using Knudsen force as an alternative actuation mechanism for N/MEMS. The kinetic solution of Boltzmann equation using the discrete ordinate/finite volume discretization in the high-dimensional phase space is circumventing difficulties associated with traditional stochastic DSMC approach in dealing with the slow bulk motion. The comparison to measurements by (Passian et al, PRL, 2003) shows that Knudsen force is well reproduced by simulations assuming full momentum accommodation for nitrogen and argon gas and an incomplete accommodation for helium. It provides a pathway for design and analysis of devices taking advantage of the benign mechanism of the Knudsen forces, in particular, the absence of high electric fields. The analysis shows that the Knudsen force results in an impact velocity of only 0.9 cm/s whereas electrostatic forces with low voltages below 0.5V result in impact velocity in the range of 6–20 cm/s. We further discuss how Knudsen force can be used for low impact velocity actuation and also to overcome the stiction problem.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Computed NMR shielding of phosphorus-containing conjugated five-membered ring heterocycles as a measure of aromaticity

The GIAO-HF method in Gaussian 03 was used to calculate the isotropic shielding value of the proximal hydrogen of a diatomic hydrogen probe oriented perpendicular to the plane and moved in a square grid 2.5A above the plane of conjugated five-membered ring heterocyclic compounds: pyrrole, furan, phosphole and thiophene and their phosphorus containing analogs. Subtraction of the calculated isotropic shielding value of diatomic hydrogen from each of these isotropic shielding values gave the shielding increment (Δσ) for each probe position. Plotting this value against Cartesian coordinates of the probe position allowed determination of the computed through-space shielding increment surfaces for these compounds. Substantial shielding was observed above the center of each ring, as expected for aromatic compounds. The magnitude of the shielding increment 2.5A above the heterocyclic ring center correlated reasonably well with the other published methods of assessing aromaticity of these systems ASE (aromatic stabilization energy), Λ (exaltation of magnetic susceptibility) and NICS(1) (nucleus-independent chemical shift) values, both of which are magnetic criteria. The magnitude of the shielding increment also correlated with the number of phosphorus atoms in the ring. Greatest shielding (5.5ppm) was observed 2.5A above 2,3,4,5-tetraphosphathiophene.
Dynamic light scattering from a side-chain liquid crystalline polymer in a nematic solvent

Light scattering measurements are made on a mixture of a Side Chain Liquid Crystalline Polymer (SCLCP) and a low molecular weight liquid crystal 5CB (pentyl cyanobiphenyl) in the nematic phase. Results obtained from two different scattering geometries are presented and discussed.
589 Involvement of Osteopontin in the Matrix Degrading and Proangiogenic Changes Mediated by Nicotine in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Background Substantial evidence indicates that exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with an elevated risk of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of nicotine on the development or progression of PDA remain to be investigated. Previously, we showed that nicotine promotes the expression of osteopontin c (OPNc), an isoform of OPN protein that confers on cancer cells a migratory phenotype. In this study, we explored the potential prometastatic role of nicotine in PDA through studying its effect on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and evaluated the role of OPN in mediating these effects.
A Study of Effects on Optimal Control Systems Due to Variations in Plant Parameters

This paper consists of two main parts. The first part is devoted to the investigation of the variations in trajectory and in the cost of an optimal control system subject to small deterministic and stochastic disturbances arising either from changes in the parameters of the plant or from the errors in the estimation of state variables. The second part deals with the inverse problem of estimating the changes in the plant parameters provided that the variations in trajectory can be observed. Both fixed and time-dependent parameter cases are considered.
Variable homeoviscous responses of different brain membranes of thermally-acclimated goldfish.

Abstract The effects of thermal acclimation of goldfish upon the bulk fluidity of synaptic, mitochondrial and myelin membrane fractions of brain was determined using steady-state and differential polarised phase fluorimetry. Membrane fluidity decreased in the order, mitochondria>synaptic membranes>myelin. In each case membranes from cold-acclimated goldfish were more fluid than the corresponding membranes of warm-acclimated goldfish, though the adjustment of fluidity in each case was insufficient to compensate for the direct effects of the temperature difference. The extent of fluidity compensation was greatest in the mitochondrial fraction and least in the myelin fraction, indicating heterogeneous responses in different membrane-types. Steady-state and dynamic fluorimetric techniques provided identical estimates of the homeoviscous responses, indicating that despite its short-comings, the steady-state technique provided as good a measure of adaptive responses as the more complex and sophisticated technique.
Down and Out in the Stock Market: The Law and Finance of the Delisting Process

Since 1995 more than 7300 firms have delisted from U.S. stock markets, with almost half of these being involuntary. This paper examines the law and finance of the delisting process. We examine economic rationales for delisting, the legal rules that define it, and the causes of delisting. Using a sample of NYSE firms delisted in 2002, we examine the effects of their delisting and subsequent trading on the Pink Sheets. We find huge costs to delisting, with percentage spreads tripling, volatility doubling, but volume remarkably high. We also show that delisting is applied inconsistently, with some firms trading for months after failing the listing requirements. We argue that the current delisting process is flawed, and we provide some alternatives.
Tips on Creating and Maintaining an Educational World Wide Web Site

In this article, I describe several benefits of using the World Wide Web (Web) for instructional purposes, and I offer 8 general tips on how to create and maintain an educational Web site. Most of these tips are easy to implement if readers have a basic grasp of hypertext markup language (HTML, the language most Web pages are written in). For readers who do not yet have experience with HTML, I provide references for tutorials that cover the essentials in 1 to 3 days. Throughout the article, I discuss examples from my experience with Social Psychology Network, an educational Web site I created in 1996.
SCOTT: set cover tracing technology

In this paper, we describe SCOTT: a demonstration system that uses the Set Cover Tracing algorithm for determining the source of pirate content. This algorithm is very efficient in dealing with collusion attacks - the performance is close to linear in the number of colluders. However, the algorithm is based on the Set Cover Problem, which is known to be NP hard. SCOTT confirms the assertion in the original paper that a set cover algorithm is efficient in this particular application. The SCOTT system is suitable for use in a commercial application; the most notable of which is tracing the source of pirate Blu-ray movies. (Blu-ray players contain a built-in tracing traitors key assignment.) It also contains a visualization of the tracing process. After each pirate movie, SCOTT displays the universal of all players and its estimate of guilt for each player.
Nonlinear phase shift of cascaded microring resonators

We study cascaded microring resonator (CMRR) configurations as general nonlinear phase-shifting elements that exhibit enhanced nonlinear sensitivity and flattened transmission characteristics. We show that even when the material itself has large two-photon absorption, CMRR devices with five rings facilitate a factor-of-10 enhancement of the optical nonlinearity when compared with a channel waveguide having the same group delay. In addition, high throughput in intensity can be maintained up to a 3π phase shift.
Approximations to the plasma dispersion function

Linear wave propagation in hot collisionless plasmas is described by the linearized Vlasov and Maxwell equations. In uniform media, the utilization of spatial and temporal transforms of those equations leads to the consideration of integrals of the Hilbert transform type. Analysis and comparison of two simple approximations are provided based on the utilization of resonance velocity distributions. Application is then made to the Landau and whistler waves, along with a discussion of the results, and commentary on possible improvements.
Gait Asymmetries Persist 1 Year After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background:After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), motivation to return to previous levels of activity is high. Very few studies have used return-to-activity criteria to determine when to permit athletic play. Return-to-activity measures objectively evaluate functional limb symmetry; however, previous biomechanical studies have found gait deviations in these individuals that persist up to 2 years after surgery.Purpose:To evaluate gait biomechanics in a specific cohort of ACL patients 1 year after surgery and retrospectively compare individuals who pass return-to-activity criteria 6 months after surgery with those who fail.Study Design:Prospective analysis.Methods:A total of 40 athletes who participated regularly (>50 h/y) in cutting, jumping, and pivoting activities and who sustained an isolated, unilateral ACL rupture were included in this study. All participants underwent reconstruction by the same surgeon and received individualized postoperative rehabilitation. Performance-based and se...
Identification of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) pyrolysis products by simultaneous thermogravimetric modulated beam mass spectrometry and time-of-flight velocity-spectra measurements

The pyrolysis and products formed during the isothermal decomposition of HMX at 211 o C are H 2 O, HCN, CO, CH 2 O, NO, N 2 O, methylformamide, C 2 H 6 N 2 O, octahydro-1-nitroso-3,5,7-trinito-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine, and a nonvolatile residue. The temporal bahaviors of these products during the decomposition are presented. The method for usinf time-of-flight (TOF) velocity spectra to assist mass-spectrometry measurements in identifying the different gaseous products formed from the pyrolysis of material by determining the approximate molecular weights of the different gaseous products contributing to the different m/z values in the mass spectrum of the mixture is described. The ion fragmentation of HMX as a function of electron energy shows complete fragmentation of the HMX molecular ion for electron energies ≥ 12.4 eV. No fragments from the pyrolysis of HMX other than those mentioned above are observed
The structure of uranium (VI) sorption complexes on silica, alumina, and montmorillonite

Abstract We have investigated the adsorption of the uranyl ion (UO22+) in contact with amorphous silica (SiO2), γ-alumina (Al2O3), and montmorillonite surfaces in the pH range of 3.1–6.5, using X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy to observe the local structure around the uranium atom. Analysis shows that in all samples the uranyl ion structure is preserved, with two axial oxygen atoms detected at ca. 1.8 A. For the montmorillonite samples at low pH a single equatorial oxygen shell is observed at ca. 2.4 A, with a coordination number of 6 ± 1. At near-neutral pH (6.41) and high ion concentration (0.1 M NaCl), two separate equatorial shells are observed with bond lengths of ca. 2.30 and 2.48 A. The samples of uranyl on silica and γ-alumina are all observed to have two separate equatorial shells with bond lengths of ca. 2.30 A and 2.49 A. A uranium shell at ca. 4.0 A is observed in the near-neutral pH (∼6.5) samples of uranyl on silica and on γ-alumina. A silicon shell at ca. 3.10 A is observed in the sample of uranyl on silica at pH 6.5. These results suggest that adsorption of the uranyl ion onto montmorillonite at low pH occurs via ion exchange, leaving the inner-sphere uranyl aquo-ion structure intact. At near-neutral pH and in the presence of a competing cation, inner-sphere complexation with the surface predominates. Adsorption of the uranyl onto the silica and γ-alumina surfaces appears to occur via an inner-sphere, bidentate complexation with the surface, with the formation of polynuclear surface complexes occurring at near-neutral pH.
Data Intensive Query Processing for Large RDF Graphs Using Cloud Computing Tools

Cloud computing is the newest paradigm in the IT world and hence the focus of new research. Companies hosting cloud computing services face the challenge of handling data intensive applications. Semantic web technologies can be an ideal candidate to be used together with cloud computing tools to provide a solution. These technologies have been standardized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). One such standard is the Resource Description Framework (RDF). With the explosion of semantic web technologies, large RDF graphs are common place. Current frameworks do not scale for large RDF graphs. In this paper, we describe a framework that we built using Hadoop, a popular open source framework for Cloud Computing, to store and retrieve large numbers of RDF triples. We describe a scheme to store RDF data in Hadoop Distributed File System. We present an algorithm to generate the best possible query plan to answer a SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language (SPARQL) query based on a cost model. We use Hadoop's MapReduce framework to answer the queries. Our results show that we can store large RDF graphs in Hadoop clusters built with cheap commodity class hardware. Furthermore, we show that our framework is scalable and efficient and can easily handle billions of RDF triples, unlike traditional approaches.
Resisting Religious Coercive Control

Religious coercive control refers to the use of religious beliefs and doctrine as means to coercively control intimate partners. Scholars have shown that some abusive partners use the Christian doctrine of submission as a means of religious coercive control. I explore how victims who experience the doctrine of submission qua religious coercive control actively resist it. I argue that victims' successful resistance of the doctrine is contingent on their religious capital-that is, the knowledge and mastery that people have of a particular religious culture-and interpretive confidence-that is, people's subjective confidence in their interpretations of religious culture-related to the doctrine.
GPS-based framework towards more realistic and real-time construction equipment operation simulation

This paper presents an automated GPS-based method for assessing construction equipment operations productivity. The literature revealed several shortcomings in simulation of construction equipment, for example, the availability of realistic data that supports a simulation framework, and identified the need for integrating real-time field data into simulations. Commercially available GPS-based data logging technology was then evaluated. Analysis methods and rules for monitoring productivity were also discussed. A software interface was created that allowed to analyze and visualize several important parameters towards creating more realistic simulation models. The experimental results showed a productivity assessment method by collecting spatio-temporal data using GPS data logging technology, applied to construction equipment operations, and finally identified and tracked productivity and safety based information for job site layout decision making. This research aids construction project managers in decision making for planning work tasks, hazard identification, and worker training by providing realistic and real-time project equipment operation information.
3: An Assessment of Adolescents’ Knowledge of Confidentiality in Health Care

Purpose: To gain a better understanding of adolescents’ knowledge about their ability to receive confidential health care without the knowledge and consent of their parents or guardians. Methods: In primary care and subspecialty pediatric clinics, subjects ages twelve through seventeen were given an anonymous survey to complete. The questionnaire determined if the respondents were aware that adolescents could receive health care in a confidential manner. The questionnaire also determined the specific areas of health care respondents believed could be kept confidential. Questions were designed to determine adolescents’ knowledge about the circumstances where health care providers could break patient confidentiality. The study was approved by the hospital IRB. Results: A total of 47 adolescents completed the survey (48.9% male, 51.1% female). The survey completion appeared fairly evenly spread among the ages of 12 to 17. The majority of adolescents (74.5%) surveyed reported that they had never discussed confidentiality with their doctor. A majority of adolescents (66.0%) were aware that confidential health care is available. However, among those who believed that a healthcare provider could provide confidential care, there was no clear pattern as to which areas of care could be provided in a confidential manner. Those respondents who self-identified as being sexually active were statistically more likely to be aware of the availability of confidential health care as compared to those respondents who self-identified as not being sexually active (100% vs. 51.6%, p 0.05). Among those respondents who were aware that health care could be obtained in a confidential manner, most were aware that under certain circumstances, the health care provider could break the patient’s confidentiality. However, only 42.6% of respondents believed that their health care providers followed the laws relating to confidentiality. Conclusions: Adolescents have a wide range of correct and incorrect knowledge regarding confidentiality in health care. Given the importance of confidentiality to the delivery of appropriate health care to adolescents, education is needed to convey the message that confidentiality in adolescents’ health care is available. Not only do adolescents need to know that confidential health care is available, but clinicians who deliver care to adolescents need to be encouraged to discuss confidentiality with their adolescent patients and their parents or guardians. Sources of Support: None.
The Role of the Kidneys in Hypertension

The devastating long-term consequences of high blood pressure include stroke, heart disease, atherosclerosis, renal disease, and other end-organ damage. From a physiologic perspective, it is not apparent why the propensity for hypertension is so widespread in the general population. Clearly, an adequate arterial pressure is essential for perfusion of the tissues to provide adequate oxygenation and nutrition to the brain and other critical organs. Although the various microcirculatory beds have the capability to adjust vascular resistance to autoregulate blood flow, systemic arterial pressure is usually maintained at levels greater than required for requisite tissue perfusion. The myriad of neurohumoral mechanisms designed to protect against decreases in systemic arterial pressure provide a reserve capacity for increased perfusion when there are increased tissue demands. The unfortunate consequence of having these powerful physiologic control mechanisms is that they may be inappropriately activated in certain circumstances or by genetically determined traits, leading to hypertension and cardiovascular injury. Evidence continues to accumulate indicating that the kidney not only is victim to hypertension-related injury, but also contributes as a villain to the hypertensinogenic process.
Using estimates from behavioral synthesis tools in compiler-directed design space exploration

This paper considers the role of performance and area estimates from behavioral synthesis in design space exploration. We have developed a compilation system that automatically maps high-level algorithms written in C to application-specific designs for Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), through a collaboration between parallelizing compiler technology and high-level synthesis tools. Using several code transformations, the compiler optimizes a design to increase parallelism and utilization of external memory bandwidth, and selects the best design among a set of candidates. Performance and area estimates from behavioral synthesis provide feedback to the compiler to guide this selection. Estimates can be derived far more quickly (up to several orders of magnitude faster) than full synthesis and place-and-route, thus allowing the compiler to consider many more designs than would otherwise be practical. In this paper, we examine the accuracy of the estimates from behavioral synthesis as compared to the fully synthesized designs for a collection of 209 designs for five multimedia kernels. Though the estimates are not completely accurate, our results show that the same design would be selected by the design space exploration algorithm, whether we use estimates or actual results from place-and-route, because it favors smaller designs and only increases complexity when the benefit is significant.
Protein correlates of molecular alterations in lung adenocarcinoma: Immunohistochemistry as a surrogate for molecular analysis

Most clinically actionable alterations in lung adenocarcinomas are detected using molecular or cytogenetic techniques. However, many such alterations have a protein-level correlate that can be interrogated using immunohistochemistry. This review will summarize the therapeutic relevance of predictive biomarkers in lung adenocarcinoma including the oncogenes EGFR, MET, ALK, RET, and ROS1 and tumor suppressors PTEN and LKB1 with an emphasis on established and emerging protein immunohistochemistry reagents and their promise in clinical practice.
Navigating computer science research through waves of privacy concerns: discussions among computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University

Computer Science research and practice are raising growing privacy concerns among the public and government. Computer technology's increasing ability to capture, organize, interpret and share data about individuals raises questions about what privacy practices computer science researchers should adopt, if any. These issues are already very real in ongoing research projects in the School of Computer Science (SCS) at Carnegie Mellon University, from mining databases of individual transactions, to studying how people use the web, to mounting cameras in lounges, to building hallway robots that capture data about passers by, to building intelligent workstation assistants that learn user habits. This article introduces the nature of privacy concerns related to computer science research and explains potential benefits and risks (especially of abuse and misuse). Traditional methods for providing privacy assurances in research, such as Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), are examined, and innovative new approaches, such as privacy technology, are introduced.
A determination of the masses of Ceres, Pallas, and Vesta from their perturbations upon the orbit of Mars

Measurements of Mars-orbit perturbations have been conducted in order to estimate the masses of the Ceres, Pallas, and Vesta asteroids. A full, least-squares adjustment of all ephemeris parameters, including the relevant asteroid masses, is compiled on the basis of observational data encompassing the highly accurate Viking Lander ranging data. The mass for Ceres, of 5.0 + or - 0.2 x 10 to the -10th solar masses, that for Pallas, of 1.4 + or - 0.2 x 10 to the -10th solar masses, and that for Vesta, of 1.5 + or - 0.3 x 10 to the -10th solar masses, respectively represent 15, 30, and 9 percent increases over Schubart's (1970, 1974, 1975) previous determinations.
Viscous fluid mixing in a tilted tank by periodic shear

A tilted-partially filled rotating tank is studied, both experimentally and theoretically at small Reynolds and capillary numbers, to study mixing viscous fluid by periodic shear. The maximum mixed cross-sectional area, Amax() = A(tmax()), and mixing rate, 1/tmax(), are 9 estimated as a function of the flow parameters, which are the tilt angle, , and free surface height, H0. A nonlinear flow model is found by expanding linear solid body rotation about a curved rotation axis that is needed to satisfy the zero shear stress and no normal velocity 11 component for the flow in the vicinity of the free surface. A linear analysis of the nonlinear solution reveals an underlying periodic shear that is responsible for fluid mixing. The analysis suggests that the rate of mixing per unit area is a maximum near = 52/180. Laser fluorescence 13 experiments are performed to examine the mixing patterns via experimental Poincare mapping [Fountain, G.O., Khakhar, D.V., Ottino, J.M., 1998. Visualization of three-dimensional chaos. Science 281, 683–686.]. Steady-state images of the mixed cross-sectional area are compared 15 with the theory as a function of the flow parameters. 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd. 17
Self-Transcendence and Medication Adherence in Older Adults With Hypertension

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between self-transcendence and medication adherence among older adults prescribed antihypertensive medication. Design: Descriptive, correlational research design. Method: Forty-six older adults who were prescribed antihypertensive medications from an independent living facility participated in this study. Participants were given a survey that included a demographic questionnaire, the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, and Reed’s Self-Transcendence Scale. Findings: No significant relationship was found between medication adherence and self-transcendence (r = −.20, p = .18). Ninety percent of the participants however, admitted to cutting back or stopping their medication without notifying their providers. Conclusion: Continued investigation is needed to identify reasons why older adults fail to adhere to taking prescribed hypertension medications in order to improve health outcomes in this population.
Using the Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD) for analysis of protein similarities and structure.

The Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD) collects and organizes information about the molecular biology and genetics of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The latest protein structure and comparison tools available at SGD are presented here. With the completion of the yeast sequence and the Caenorhabditis elegans sequence soon to follow, comparison of proteins from complete eukaryotic proteomes will be an extremely powerful way to learn more about a particular protein's structure, its function, and its relationships with other proteins. SGD can be accessed through the World Wide Web at http://genome-www.stanford.edu/Saccharomyces/
Smoothness of Stationary Subdivision on Irregular Meshes

We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for tangent plane and C(superscript k)-continuity of stationary subdivision schemes near extraordinary vertices. Our criteria generalize most previously known conditions. We introduce a new approach to analysis of subdivision surfaces based on the idea of the universal surface. Any subdivision surface can be locally represented as a projection of the universal surface, which is uniquely defined by the subdivision scheme. This approach provides us with a more intuitive geometric understanding of subdivision near extraordinary vertices.