cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feature tracking for high speed AFM: Experimental demonstration

The scanning speed of atomic force microscopes continues to advance with some current commercial microscopes achieving on the order of one frame per second with at least one reaching 10 frames per second. Despite the success of these instruments, even higher frame rates are needed with scan ranges larger than is currently achievable. Moreover, there is a significant installed base of slower instruments that would benefit from algorithmic approaches to increasing frame rate without requiring significant hardware modifications. In this paper we present an experimental demonstration of high speed scanning on an existing, non high-speed instrument, through the use of a feedback-based, feature-tracking algorithm that reduces imaging time by focusing on features of interest to reduce the total imaging area. Experiments on both circular and square gratings show a reduction in imaging time by a factor of 3–12 over raster scanning, depending on the parameters chosen.
Real-time, intraoperative detection of residual breast cancer in lumpectomy cavity walls using a novel cathepsin-activated fluorescent imaging system

Obtaining tumor-free surgical margins is critical to prevent recurrence in breast-conserving surgery but it remains challenging. We assessed the LUM Imaging System for real-time, intraoperative detection of residual tumor. Lumpectomy cavity walls and excised specimens of breast cancer lumpectomy patients were assessed with the LUM Imaging System (Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley MA) with and without intravenous LUM015, a cathepsin-activatable fluorescent agent. Fluorescence at potential sites of residual tumor was evaluated with a sterile hand-held probe, displayed on a monitor and correlated with histopathology. Background autofluorescence was assessed in excised specimens from 9 patients who did not receive LUM015. In vivo lumpectomy cavities and excised specimens were then imaged in 15 women undergoing breast cancer surgery who received no LUM015, 0.5, or 1 mg/kg LUM015 (5 women per dose). Among these, 11 patients had invasive carcinoma with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 4 had only DCIS. Image acquisition took 1 s for each 2.6-cm-diameter surface. No significant background normal breast fluorescence was identified. Elevated fluorescent signal was seen from invasive cancers and DCIS. Mean tumor-to-normal signal ratios were 4.70 ± 1.23 at 0.5 mg/kg and 4.22 ± 0.9 at 1.0 mg/kg (p = 0.54). Tumor was distinguished from normal tissue in pre-and postmenopausal women and readings were not affected by breast density. Some benign tissues produced fluorescent signal with LUM015. The LUM Imaging System allows rapid identification of residual tumor in the lumpectomy cavity of breast cancer patients and may reduce rates of positive margins.
Lipoxygenase, Cyclooxygenase and Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase: Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction and Expression Studies

Arachidonic acid is converted to an array of potent biological mediators such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes and thromboxane in a tissue and cell specific fashion (1,2). The enzymes that catalyze these transformations, leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase, reticulocyte/eosinophil 15-lipoxygenase, platelet 12-lipoxygenase, prostaglandin G/H synthase (cyclooxygenase) and leukotriene A4 hydrolase have been characterized and their sequences have been deduced by cloning of their respective complementary DNAs (3–10). Besides substrate availability, it has become increasingly evident that transcriptional and translational control as well as “suicide-type” inactivation are critical factors that regulate eicosanoid generation (11). We have now established a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay as a means to assess this regulation at the mRNA level.
Illness Behaviour — A Political Analysis

This chapter examines the nature of medicine and the political context of the terms “health” and “illness”. More specifically, issues of power will be addressed. Power will be illustrated on the macro level by the phenomenon of medicalization and on the micro by the encounter between health-care provider and patient.
Multivariate system reliability analysis considering highly nonlinear and dependent safety events

Abstract Most of the existing system reliability analysis methods have focused on series and parallel systems whose components are weakly nonlinear and dependent. This paper proposes a new system reliability analysis method, named multivariate system reliability analysis (MSRA), for complex engineered systems with highly nonlinear and dependent components that are connected in series, parallel, and mixed configurations. The proposed method first employs multivariate Gaussian process (MGP) to sequentially construct a single surrogate jointly over the performance functions of all components and then performs Monte Carlo simulation on the surrogate model for system reliability analysis. The joint surrogate is updated adaptively using a novel acquisition function named multivariate probability of improvement (MPI). MGP considers the correlations between the component performance functions and provides a joint Gaussian prediction of these functions. This joint Gaussian surrogate model allows the use of MPI to achieve a dynamic trade-off between exploring the regions in the input space with high prediction uncertainty and exploring those that are close to the system limit-state function. The results of three abstract and two practical case studies show that MSRA is capable of achieving better accuracy in estimating the system reliability than the existing surrogate-based methods.
Food insecurity and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Mississippi adults

Background: Food insecurity is a public health problem. There is limited data on food insecurity in Mississippi. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2015 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which included the Social Context Module for 5870 respondents. Respondents who indicated that in the past 12 months they were “always”, “usually”, or “sometimes” “worried or stressed about having enough money to buy nutritious meals” were considered food insecure. Food insecurity was compared across sociodemographic and health characteristics using chi-square tests, and the association between food insecurity and select cardiovascular disease risk factors was assessed using logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of food insecurity was 42.9%. Compared to the referent group, Mississippi adults with high blood pressure had 51% higher odds, those with diabetes had 30% higher odds, those who were not physically active had 36% higher odds, and those who consumed fewer than five fruits and vegetables daily had 50% higher odds of being food insecure. Conclusion: Among Mississippi adults, food insecurity is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical inactivity, and smoking.
Constructing the Dynamo of Dixie: race, urban planning, and cosmopolitanism in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Courtney Elizabeth Knapp’s Constructing the Dynamo of Dixie is a compelling empirical study of the racialized politics of urban placemaking. Drawing on archival, ethnographic, and participatory act...
Partitioning of Foraging Habitat by Three Kingfishers (Alcedinidae: Cerylinae) along the South Llano River, Texas, USA

Current northward expansion of Ringed Kingfisher (Megaceryle torquata) and Green Kingfisher (Chloroceryle americana) into central Texas places them in aquatic systems with the temperate Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon). Recent contact among the three species provides an opportunity to assess resource partitioning. A 23.5 km stretch of the South Llano River near Junction, Texas, USA was surveyed to determine seasonal abundance and compare foraging perch characteristics among the species. Data were collected on 7 foraging perch characteristics for 250 kingfisher observations across 26 surveys. Mean encounter rate for Green, Belted, and Ringed kingfishers per river kilometer was 0.48, 0.22, and 0.09, respectively. Green Kingfishers were present year-round, while the Belted and Ringed kingfishers were absent or rare from mid-spring to mid-summer. Characteristics of foraging perches were similar among the species with the exception of perch height, with Green Kingfisher having lower perches (142.3 cm ± 126.6 SD) than both Belted (550.8 cm ± 449.4 SD) and Ringed kingfishers (551.1 cm ± 422.7 SD). Mean perch heights of Green Kingfishers averaged higher during surveys when Belted Kingfishers were absent (210.5 cm ± 191.0 SD, n = 36) compared to surveys when Belted Kingfishers were present (124.0 cm ± 89.1 SD, n = 129).
Foreign Ownership, Informal Competition and Innovation in Emerging Economies

We study innovation in emerging economies, analyzing how informal competition affects the innovativeness of subsidiaries of foreign multinationals. We build on the capability-based view to proposin...
The tenor of his voice: Abiola Irele in Francophone Environments

This is a three-part part article on the role Abiola Irele played in the Francophone world. First, Abiola Irele is presented as a Renaissance intellectual, someone who, as a “passeur” as defined by...
Prehospital Disposition and Patient Outcomes in Cardiac Arrest AFTER Resuscitation Termination Protocol Change in an Urban Setting

INTRODUCTION Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a leading cause of death in the United States, and efforts have been made to develop termination of resuscitation protocols utilizing clinical criteria predictive of successful resuscitation and survival to discharge. A termination of resuscitation protocol utilizing longer resuscitation time and end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) monitoring criteria for termination was implemented for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers in an urban prehospital system in 2017. This study examines the effect the modified termination of resuscitation protocol had on rates of patient transport to a hospital, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and survival to discharge. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed utilizing data from the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) database. A total of 1,005 prehospital cardiac arrest patients 18 years and older from 2016 through 2017 were included in the analysis. Patients with traumatic cardiac arrest or had valid do-not-resuscitate orders were excluded. Unadjusted analysis using chi-square statistics was performed, including an analysis stratified by Utstein style reporting. Adjusted analysis was also performed using logistic regression with multiple imputation for missing values. RESULTS Unadjusted analysis showed a significant decrease in ROSC on emergency department (ED) arrival (30% versus 13%; P <.001) following the change in protocol. There was no significant difference in patient transport rate (62%) and a statistically non-significant decrease in overall survival (15% versus 11%). When stratified by Utstein style analysis, statistically significant decreases in ED arrival with ROSC were seen for unwitnessed asystolic, as well as bystander witnessed asystolic, pulseless electrical activity (PEA), and shockable OHCA. Adjusted analysis showed a decreased likelihood of ROSC with the protocol change (0.337; 95% CI, 0.235-0.482). CONCLUSION The modification of termination of resuscitation protocol was not associated with a statistically significant change in transport rate or survival. A significant decrease in rate of arrivals to the ED with ROSC was seen, particularly for bystander witnessed OHCA.
27 – Silicon Photonics

Publisher Summary Silicon photonics is the emerging technology that produces optical devices and circuits using silicon as the core material with standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing equipment and processes. Integrated photonics is a main candidate as photonic technology, providing the various demands of numerous fields such as communication, computing, imaging, and sensing. It refers to miniaturized optoelectronic systems, which combine very small optical and electronic elements on a common substrate by means of optical wave-guides and metal lines. Silicon photonic waveguide components propose even more far-reaching bandwidth than many other materials. The main issues that need further development to fulfill silicon photonics' high potential include the optimization of the elements' performance, and development of integrated optoelectronic circuit solutions and this emerging technology in all facets—design, testing, processing standards, packaging, reliability, and market.
Using A-Train Observations to Evaluate East Pacific Cloud Occurrence and Radiative Effects in the Community Atmosphere Model

AbstractUsing information from the A-Train satellites, the properties and radiative effects of East Pacific boundary layer clouds are evaluated in the Community Atmosphere Model version 5 (CAM5) fr...
Quantitative determination and validation of 17 cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The increase in production of cannabis for medical and recreational purposes in recent years has led to a corresponding increase in laboratories performing cannabinoid analysis of cannabis and hemp. We have developed and validated a quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method that is simple, reliable, specific, and accurate for the analysis of 17 cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp. Liquid-solid sample extraction coupled with dilution into a calibration range from 10 to 10,000 ng/mL and LC-MS/MS analysis provides quantification of samples ranging from 0.002 to 200 mg/g (0.0002 to 20.0%) in matrix. Linearity of calibration curves in methanol was demonstrated with regression r2 ≥ 0.99. Within-batch precision (0.5 to 6.5%) and accuracy (91.4 to 108.0%) and between-batch precision (0.9 to 5.1%) and accuracy (91.5 to 107.5%) were demonstrated for quality control (QC) samples in methanol. Within-batch precision (0.2 to 3.6%) and accuracy (85.4 to 111.6%) and between-batch precision (1.4 to 6.1 %) and accuracy (90.2 to 110.3%) were also evaluated with a candidate cannabis certified reference material (CRM). Repeatability (1.5 to 12.4% RSD) and intermediate precision (2.2 to 12.8% RSD) were demonstrated via analysis of seven cannabis samples with HorRat values ranging from 0.3 to 3.1. The method provides enhanced detection limits coupled with a large quantitative range for 17 cannabinoids in plant material. It is suitable for a wide range of applications including routine analysis for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (Δ9-THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), and cannabinol (CBN) as well as more advanced interrogation of samples for both major and minor cannabinoids.
The Electoral Foundations of Japan's Banking Regulation

This article locates Japan's financial policies in the context of electoral incentives. The collapse of Japan's economic bubble in 1990 exposed the rot in the banking system, hidden for decades by a Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) government intent on maintaining favor with local support groups and protecting inefficient small banks. In a move wholly uncharacteristic of Japan's postwar politics, the LDP ultimately forced the banks to absorb huge losses rather than require taxpayers to bail out their mortgage-lending subsidiaries (jusen). We compare the government's subsequent bank bailout scheme with past government action and find that the government's objectives have shifted from boosting bank profits to ensuring their prudential regulation. We conclude on an optimistic note about the prospects for more public goods-oriented politics in Japan.
Common Sense Economics

For decades Wall Street professionals and academics have been perplexed by decreasing interest rates in the United States in an environment of increasing debt. This focus on the supply of debt has led to many failed prognostications regarding impending interest rate increases. The bond vigilantes of 1980 have given way to current incoherent talk of central bank financial repression. This analysis looks at wealth inequality and the demand for debt and shows how it causes interest rates to decrease and how wealth inequality stalls the consumer-demand side of the economy. Wealth inequality leads to an unbalanced economy just as total wealth equality would also lead to an unbalanced economy. Interest rates are the signal telling us about the spread of wealth distribution in the economy and the balance we need to strike.
Barium-isotopic fractionation in seawater mediated by barite cycling and oceanic circulation

The marine biogeochemical cycle of Ba is thought to be controlled by particulate BaSO4 (barite) precipitation associated with the microbial oxidation of organic carbon and its subsequent dissolution in the BaSO4-undersaturated water column. Despite many of these processes being largely unique to Ba cycling, concentrations of Ba and Si in seawater exhibit a strong linear correlation. The reasons for this correlation are ambiguous, as are the depth ranges corresponding to the most active BaSO4 cycling and the intermediate sources of Ba to particulate BaSO4. Stable isotopic analyses of dissolved Ba in seawater should help address these issues, as Ba-isotopic compositions are predicted to be sensitive to the physical and biogeochemical process that cycle Ba. We report a new methodology for the determination of dissolved Ba-isotopic compositions in seawater and results from a 4500 m depth profile in the South Atlantic at 39.99° S, 0.92° E that exhibit oceanographically-consistent variation with depth. These data reveal that water masses obtain their [Ba] and Ba-isotopic signatures when at or near the surface, which relates to the cycling of marine BaSO4. The shallow origin of these signatures requires that the substantial Ba-isotopic variations in the bathypelagic zone were inherited from when those deep waters were last ventilated. Indeed, the water column below 600 m is well explained by conservative mixing of water masses with distinct [Ba] and Ba-isotopic compositions. This leads us to conclude that large scale oceanic circulation is important for sustaining the similar oceanographic distributions of Ba and Si in the South Atlantic, and possibly elsewhere. These data demonstrate that the processes of organic carbon oxidation, BaSO4 cycling, and Ba-isotopic fractionation in seawater are closely coupled, such that Ba-isotopic analyses harbor great potential as a tracer of the carbon cycle in the modern and paleo-oceans.
Exploiting reconfigurability through domain-specific systems

Domain-specific systems represent an important opportunity for FPGA-based systems. They provide a way to exploit the low-level flexibility of the device through the use of domain-specific libraries of specialized circuit elements. Moreover, reconfigurability of the FPGAs is also exploited by reusing these circuit elements to implement a wide variety of applications within the specific domain. Application areas such as image processing, signal processing, graphics, DNA analysis, and other areas are important areas that can use this approach to achieve high levels of performance at reasonable cost. Unfortunately, current CAD tools are a relatively poor match for the design needs of such systems. However, some of the additions listed in this paper should not be too difficult to implement and they would greatly ease the design of such systems.
Privacy-Preserving Computation and Verification of Aggregate Queries on Outsourced Databases

Outsourced databases provide a solution for data owners who want to delegate the task of answering database queries to third-party service providers. However, distrustful users may desire a means of verifying the integrity of responses to their database queries. Simultaneously, for privacy or security reasons, the data owner may want to keep the database hidden from service providers. This security property is particularly relevant for aggregate databases, where data is sensitive, and results should only be revealed for queries that are aggregate in nature. In such a scenario, using simple signature schemes for verification does not suffice. We present a solution in which service providers can collaboratively compute aggregate queries without gaining knowledge of intermediate results, and users can verify the results of their queries, relying only on their trust of the data owner. Our protocols are secure under reasonable cryptographic assumptions, and are robust to collusion among k dishonest service providers.
Expressive encryption systems from lattices

In this survey, we review a number of the many "expressive" encryption systems that have recently appeared from lattices, and explore the innovative techniques that underpin them.
International Students: Their Effect on College Health Education.

(1987). International Students: Their Effect on College Health Education. Health Education: Vol. 18, International Health, pp. 26-28.
Mathematical Proficiency and Perseverance in Action: The Case of Maria and Andrew*

In response to an expanding definition of mathematical proficiency, educators must attend to what mathematically proficient students should know as well as what they should do. As students are asked to struggle and wrestle with mathematics, educators should expect that students demonstrate perseverance through engagement with difficult mathematics. This has significant implications for seeing one’s self as a learner and doer of mathematics, particularly for those with historically limited access to mathematics-related opportunities. A case study analysis of a pair of students in a second grade classroom engaged in algebraic reasoning revealed a striking example of perseverance in action that supports mathematical learning. Analysis of classroom discourse across the classroom revealed the social and sociomathematical norms of the classroom that supported such perseverance. Developing mathematically proficient students who persevere has widespread implications as it is those who see themselves as doers of mathematics who have the most access to future educational and economic opportunities. *This study was supported in part by a grant (#R305A100181) from the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education. The views expressed in this paper are the authors’ alone and do not reflect the views/policies of the funding agency.
The fine structure of nuclei in mature sperm. I. Application of the Langmuir trough-critical point method to histone-containing sperm nuclei.

The fine structure of histone-containing sperm nuclei of the leopard frog, sea urchin, and goldfish, were studied by the Langmuir trough-critical point method. Striking similarities in nuclear fine structure were observed in these sperm. In each case, well separated, randomly distributed fibers of similar appearance and dimensions were the only structures seen. Measurements of nuclear fibers revealed mean diameters of 164 A for the sea urchin, 171 A for the goldfish, and 179 A for the frog. The relationship of these diameters to previously reported fiber diameters in isolated nuclei and chromosomes is discussed.
Some dimensionality reduction studies in continuous speech recognition

The IBM continuous speech recognition system has relied usually on 80- or 81-dimensional frequency-domain output every centisecond from the signal processing stages to generate its training and test data. On a controlled one-speaker data-base, a performance measure of 90.7 percent word-level accuracy was achieved using this type of data. For reasons of computational advantages, an investigation was carried out to determine a suitable method for reducing this dimensionality to 30 with minimal loss in accuracy. In one study, eigenvectors derived from the covariance matrix of 81- dimensional data were utilized to optimally rotate the data down to 30 dimensions. Two different variations of this experiment, the speaker-dependent and the speaker-independent cases, were attempted. In the other study, a more traditional approach of dividing the relevant frequency domain into 30 separate bands was investigated. The results of these studies indicated that the latter approach was marginally superior in performance to either of the two eigenvector techniques, and, in fact, accomplished the desired data reduction with no loss in accuracy.
THE EFFECTS OF 500 KEV ELECTRON IRRADIATION AND SUBSEQUENT ANNEALING ON 1/F NOISE IN COPPER FILMS

Polycrystalline copper films were maintained at 90K on the cold stage of an electron microscope and irradiated with 500keV electrons to induce defect. With an electron dose of about 5 x 10/sup 20/cm/sup -2/, the spectral density of the noise voltage across the films increased by an order of magnitude while the electrical resistivity increased by at most 10%. The films were annealed at progressively higher temperatures; after each annealing process the 1/f noise and resistivity were remeasured at 90K. Both the 1/f noise and resistivity were reduced, but at the lower annealing temperatures the fractional reduction in the added noise was substantially more than in the added resistivity. These result suggest that a large fraction of the added noise may be generated by a small mobile fraction of the added defects that are more readily annealed than the majority of the defects. After a room temperature annealing process, both the noise and resistivity returned nearly to their initial values. The temperature dependence of the noise after irradiation and partial annealing was consistant with the Dutta-Dimon-Horn thermal activation model.
Electrical Breakdown and Tracking Characteristics of Pulsed High Voltages in Cryogenic Helium and Nitrogen

The use of superconducting energy storage systems has become of interest in the past few years as a possible solution to the large energy-storage requirements in a pulsed-type fusion reactor such as the proposed SFTR (Scyllac Fusion Test Reactor) at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. In these systems rather large voltage pulses are imposed on components as a result of associated electrical circuitry, which includes the superconducting energy system. It is therefore essential to know the dielectric strength of the cryogens proposed for use in the superconducting system so that the engineer can design any high-voltage components within reasonable limits of safety.
Retroviruses. Closing the joint.

To insert their genetic material into a host's DNA, retroviruses use an enzyme called integrase. But integrase leaves a gap around the inserted sequence around the host's DNA -- a gap that must be repaired before DNA synthesis can proceed. New work indicates that, unexpectedly, one of the host's damage-sensing systems involving the DNA-dependent protein kinase may be required.
The Histochemistry of Esterases

Publisher Summary Esterases are enzymes hydrolyzing carboxylic acid esters of alcohols and phenols. The chapter presents the biochemical differences between esterases in a logical system. The differences are relative rather than absolute. For instance, esterase has no real preference for esters of aromatic acids but will hydrolyze them much more readily than lipase. In the case of biochemical studies, tissue extracts contain the constituents of a large variety of cells and an unpredictable array of enzymes. These enzymes can be separated into reasonably pure fractions only if the solubility properties of the individual components are exactly known. In histochemistry, on the other hand, a number of different enzymatic behaviors can be observed directly, within one sample, with as much sharpness as the resolving power of the microscope permits. In many cases, a relatively few individual cells, scattered among a vast majority of cells of a different type, are enzymatically different from their environment.
Dynamic modeling of switched reluctance machines with PSpice for Windows

Different models for switched reluctance machines (SRMs) are presented. All models are developed for the newest version (6.3) of PSpice for Windows. The models demonstrate the software's capabilities to define custom symbols and construct multilevel hierarchical models. PSpice also has strong analog behavioral modeling capabilities that are fully exploited. For this paper, 6-4 motors are simulated, but the models can be extended to other designs. The first model is based on an equivalent circuit representation with linear, voltage controlled inductors. The second model is based on a set of analytical equations which include saturation effects. In both cases, the electrical and mechanical system is modeled. Coupling between the windings is neglected. The models yield information about electrical as well as mechanical parameters such as induced phase voltage and torque. Both models produce comparable results in the unsaturated regime for the phase current. At higher current levels the model based on the analytical equations gives more accurate results.
Rotate and double

The program developed in this paper solves the problem of finding numbers X such that 2X = Y, where Y is derived from X by right-rotating X one digit position so that the rightmost digit becomes the leftmost digit. The problem is particularly interesting because it has vastly different solutions for number systems other than the decimal system. The developed program has the characteristic that, while it is not difficult to design, it requires a non-trivial proof of termination. This makes the development a nice candidate for demonstrating the merit of Dijkstra’s “separation of concerns.” Once termination is proven, we gain so much insight into the program that it can be substantially improved. Finally, analysis of the “useful” solutions leads to another version and an even more significant improvement in performance.
Creating Conversation: Reflections on Cultural Sensitivity in Family Interviewing:

This study examines culturally sensitive practices in family interviewing and developing individualized education programs. Participants were 14 professionals in the field of special education, who provided their perceptions and reflections on their experiences as members of cultural minority groups in the United States. The article reviews literature relevant to cultural sensitivity and family interviewing, describes the method and findings of the study, and discusses culturally sensitive practices in family interviewing, while avoiding stereotypes and generalizations. Recommendations for professionals include increasing their own knowledge base about other cultures; examining their own cultural biases; providing a family focus; allowing sufficient time for comfortable interviews; and considering time, place, and language needs.
An assessment of computer science animations

Several approaches have been tried with some success in animating and visualizing computer science basics such as architecture and data representation. In a set of five online modules using interactive animations the developers leveraged their experience in multimedia design and usability to create instructional materials for computer science non-majors. The developers then surveyed 95 student-users1 from three different educational venues to determine whether their efforts generated positive results in terms of what the students learned about computer science and the role of online learning in the curriculum.
Auger recombination in heavily doped shallow-emitter silicon p-n-junction solar cells, diodes, and transistors

A rigorous analytic evaluation of an emitter model that includes Auger recombination but excludes bandgap narrowing is presented. It is shown that such a model cannot explain the experimentally observed values of the open-circuit voltage V OC in p-n-junction silicon solar cells. Thus physical mechanisms in addition to Auger recombination are responsible for the experimentally observed values of V OC in silicon solar cells and the common-emitter current gain in bipolar transistors.
Heterodox Economics, Tolerance, and Pluralism: A Reply to Garnett and Mearman

In my response to Garnett and Mearman, I argue that many of their comments are based on the assumption that mainstream economics has truth and value, which is in fact not the case. In addition, I argue that that the divided economics community arises from actions taken by mainstream economists and not due to actions taken by heterodox economists. Finally, I argue that pluralism through tolerance is the way forward.JEL classification: B40, B50
Optimal Strategies Including Use of Newer Anticoagulants for Prevention of Stroke and Bleeding Complications Before, During, and After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter

Anticoagulation is a key component of peri-procedural care for patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL). The timing of discontinuation and re-initiation of anticoagulants in the peri-procedural time frame is an important consideration in trying to minimize the risk of stroke and procedure-related bleeding. Until recently, options for oral anticoagulation were limited to warfarin, which typically requires 4–5 days before a therapeutic International Normalized Ratio (INR) is achieved. Therefore, patients deemed to have a high risk of peri-procedural stroke had to either have their procedure performed with a therapeutic INR, or with cessation of warfarin and the adjunctive use of bridging heparinoids. Recently, however, three novel oral anticoagulant agents, each with a rapid onset of action, have been approved by the FDA for use in thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients with AF and AFL. These new drugs (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban) broaden the menu of options with regard to peri-procedural anticoagulation strategies that can be employed for ablation of AF and AFL.
Randomness, Contingency, and Faith: Is there a Science of Subjectivity?

Materialists argue that there is no place for God in the universe. Chance and contingency are all that structure our world. However, the materialists' dismissal of subjectivity manifests a flawed metaphysics that invalidates their arguments against God. In this essay I explore the following: (1) How does personal metaphysics affect one's ability to do science? (2) Are the materialist arguments about contingency used to dismiss the importance of our place in the universe valid? (3) What are the implications of subjectivity on belief and science? To answer the first question, I examine the later years of Sir Alfred Russel Wallace, one of the cofounders of evolution through natural selection with Darwin. His belief in nineteenth-century spiritualism profoundly affected his standing in the scientific community. I describe the effect of spiritualism on Wallace's science. To answer the second question, I use my own work in mathematical modeling of evolutionary processes to show that randomness, and contingency at one level, can actually be nearly deterministic at another. I demonstrate how arguments about chance and contingency do not imply anything relevant about whether there is a designer behind the universe. To answer the third question I begin by exploring a paradox of consciousness and show how the existence of subjective truths may provide a paradigm, for sustaining a rational belief in God. These questions form the framework of a structured belief in a creator while yet embracing what science has to offer about the development of life on our planet.
Stochastic dynamics of penetrable rods in one dimension: Entangled dynamics and transport properties

The dynamical properties of a system of soft rods governed by stochastic hard collisions (SHCs) have been determined over a varying range of softness using molecular dynamics simulations in one dimension and analytic theory. The SHC model allows for interpenetration of the system’s constituent particles in the simulations, generating overlapping clustering behavior analogous to the spatial structures observed in systems governed by deterministic bounded potentials. Through variation of an assigned softness parameter δ, the limiting ranges of intermolecular softness are bridged, connecting the limiting ensemble behavior from hard to ideal (completely soft). Various dynamical and structural observables are measured from simulation and compared to developed theoretical values. The spatial properties are found to be well predicted by theories developed for the deterministic penetrable-sphere model with a transformation from energetic to probabilistic arguments. While the overlapping spatial structures are complex, the dynamical properties can be adequately approximated through a theory built on impulsive interactions with Enskog corrections. Our theory suggests that as the softness of interaction is varied toward the ideal limit, correlated collision processes are less important to the energy transfer mechanism, and Markovian processes dominate the evolution of the configuration space ensemble. For interaction softness close to hard limit, collision processes are highly correlated and overlapping spatial configurations give rise to entanglement of single-particle trajectories.
Randomized Space-Time Coding for Distributed Cooperative Communication

We study the design of distributed space-time codes for cooperative communication. We assume that each node is equipped with a single antenna; however, to obtain diversity and coding gains, the cooperating nodes act as elements of a multiantenna system. With few exceptions, most of the literature on the subject proposes coding rules in which each node emulates a predetermined antenna of a multiantenna system. Since the nodes need to know their specific antenna index, either internode communication or a central control unit is required. Our design objective is to obtain diversity and coding gains while eliminating the need for code or antenna allocation. We achieve our objective by introducing novel randomized strategies that decentralize the transmission of a space time code from a set of distributed relays. Our simple idea is to let each node transmit an independent random linear combination of the codewords that would have been transmitted by all the elements of a multiantenna system. In addition to introducing this new class of designs, we fully characterize the diversity order of the corresponding symbol error probability and also analyze how the performance is linked to different choices of the statistics of the random coefficients. We show that the proposed scheme achieves full diversity (N) if N L . Interestingly, in certain cases (e.g.,N = L = 2 ), we show that the achieved diversity order is fractional (d* = 1.5)!
Comparison of poly(A)·poly(dT) and poly(I)·poly(dC) as immunogens for the induction of antibodies to RNA-DNA hybrids

A goat immunized with poly(A).poly(dT) produced three distinct antibody populations. The major one was specific for RNA-DNA hybrids and was purified from precipitates made with poly(I).poly(dC). It also reacted with hybrids of mixed base composition made with E. coli RNA polymerase. The other populations were purified with poly(A).poly(U) or poly(dT). Three rabbits also produced mainly hybrid-specific antibody in response to poly(A) . poly(dT). A goat immunized with poly(I).poly(dC) formed antibodies reactive with poly(I) and others reactive with poly(dC) but none specific for hybrid structure. Three rabbits did not respond to poly(I).poly(dC). Measurements of reactions with anti-inosine sera, thermal denaturation and sensitivity to S1 nuclease indicated that poly(I).poly(dC) is a less stable helix than poly(A).poly(dT) or poly(I).poly(C). Poly(A).poly(dT) is the more suitable synthetic immunogen for the production of hybrid-specific antibodies.
Blind source separation using Renyi's α-marginal entropies

Abstract We have recently suggested the minimization of a nonparametric estimator of Renyi's mutual information as a criterion for blind source separation. Using a two-stage topology, consisting of spatial whitening and a series of Givens rotations, the cost function reduces to the sum of marginal entropies, just like in the Shannon's entropy case. Since we use a Parzen window density estimator and eliminate the joint entropy by employing an orthonormal demixing matrix, the problems of probability density function inaccuracy due to truncation of series expansion and the estimation of joint pdfs in high-dimensional spaces (given the typical paucity of data) are avoided, respectively. In our previous formulation, the algorithm was restricted to Renyi's second-order entropy and Gaussian kernels for the Parzen window estimator. The present work extends the previous results by formulating a new estimation methodology for Renyi's entropy, which allows the designer to choose any order of entropy and any suitable kernel function. Simulations illustrate that the proposed method compares favorably to Hyvarinen's FastICA, Bell and Sejnowski's Infomax and Common's minimum of mutual information.
Cholecystokinin stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone release in the monkey (Macaca mulatta).

There is evidence to suggest that the arginine vasopressin release observed in association with emesis after i.v. injection of cholecystokinin (CCK) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) is mediated by stimulation of emetic centers in the brainstem. That the GnRH-releasing action of NMDA is also sometimes accompanied by emesis led to the suggestion that stimulation of this parvocellular system by the glutamate agonist may also be mediated in part via activation of brainstem pathways. If this is the case, then other nauseogenic agents, such as CCK, should similarly elicit GnRH release. The foregoing prediction was tested in the castrated juvenile male monkey, an experimental model characterized by the absence of spontaneous GnRH release. GnRH discharges were monitored indirectly by measuring changes in circulating LH concentrations after the responsivity of the gonadotroph had been heightened by a chronic intermittent i.v. infusion of the decapeptide. An i.v. bolus of CCK at 10 and 30 micrograms/kg BW led to a d...
Stimulation of rod outer segment phagocytosis by serum occurs only at the RPE apical surface

The phagocytosis of isolated rod outer segments by cultured rat retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) previously has been shown to be stimulated by serum in the culture medium. In vivo, serum is normally in contact with the basolateral surface of the RPE. Components of serum have also been detected in the interphotoreceptor matrix, raising the possibility that these components may be in contact with the apical RPE surface. However, with conventional culture techniques it is not clear whether the stimulation of phagocytosis by serum occurs at the basolateral or apical surface. To resolve this uncertainty, phagocytosis was studied using RPE cultured on microporous filters, permitting control of which RPE surfaces are in contact with serum. Serum was found to have no influence on phagocytosis when present at the RPE basolateral surface, regardless of the serum concentration (2 or 20%). In contrast, phagocytosis was elevated three- to fivefold when 2% serum was present at the apical RPE surface, irrespective of the presence of serum at the basolateral surface. It is concluded that serum stimulates the phagocytosis of ROS only when the serum is present at the RPE apical surface.
Theoretical and measured encircled energy and wide-angle scatter of SUMER demonstration telescope mirror in FUV

The theoretical encircled energy and wide angle scatter of the SUMER Demonstration Telescope (SDT) mirror was analyzed at the wavelength of 123.6 nm. The modeling was accomplished with two software packages: (1) Metrology Data Processor (METDAT) and (2) Optical Surface Analysis Code (OSAC). The modeling is based on measured mirror surface figure error data and roughness characteristics covering all important spatial frequencies affecting the imaging in the Far Ultraviolet (FUV) wavelength region. The performance of the SDT mirror including the encircled energy and wide angle scatter was also directly measured at 123.6 nm. We found an excellent agreement between the measured and theoretical encircled energy up to about 3 arcseconds from the peak and wide angle scatter up to about 20 arcminutes from the peak at 123.6 nm. The 80 percent encircled energy diameter of the SDT mirror is about 2.6 arcseconds and the amount of scattered light drops to about 5.0 X 10-10 of peak irradiance 20 arcminutes from the peak. The performance of the mirror in the FUV is degraded by the mid-frequency errors.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of Temperature on Growth and Phototropism of Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings

Seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana grown at 25°C responded to a change in growth temperature by changing their elongation rate within the next 150 min. Regardless of whether the new temperature was higher or lower than 25°C, the seedlings grew slower after the transfer at all tested temperatures. When the seedlings were grown for 2 days at 11.5°C, 17.9°C, and 23.5°C and then transferred to the range of temperatures between 4°C and 38°C they exhibited maximum elongation in the temperature range between 18°C and 23°C. The kinetics of first positive phototropism in seedlings transferred from 25°C to 15°C differed from the kinetics exhibited by seedlings transferred from 25°C to 28°C. At 15°C, measurable curvature began 40–50 min after the blue light (BL) pulse and no straightening was evident within 150 min after the BL pulse. Seedlings transferred to 28°C exhibited kinetics of phototropism similar to the phototropic response of plants maintained at 25°C except that straightening began slightly faster in the seedlings at 28°C. Based on these results, it is concluded that changes in temperature conditions affect both the elongation rate of seedlings and a first positive phototropism and that phototropic curvature and subsequent straightening are independently controlled.
Protein modifications by activated carcinogens. II. The acetylation of ribonuclease by N-acetoxy-3-fluorenylacetamide.

The reaction of N-[3H]acetoxy-3-fluorenylacetamide (N-[3H]acetoxy-3-FAA), a potent carcinogen for the rat, with RNAase yielded three modified proteins separable from RNAase by ion exchange chromatography on Bio-Gel CM-30 with a gradient of increasing sodium ion concentration. Only minor amounts of RNAase were recovered. The modified proteins were labeled with3H to a varying degree, and their order of elution was inversely related to the extent of labeling. The modification of the proteins was the result of the transfer of the acetyl group from N-[3H]acetoxy-3-FAA to RNAase. The evidence for this conclusion was (a) the release of 84–86% of the radioactivity as [3H] acetic acid from the two major proteins upon acid hydrolysis and (b) the isolation of e-N-[3H]acetyl-l-lysine from enzymatic hydrolysates of these proteins. A comparison of the present data with those previously reported for the acetylaton of RNAase by the isomeric carcinogen, N-acetoxy-2-FAA, showed that N-acetoxy-3-FAA is the more potent acetylating agent. The present study in conjunction with the previous results, suggests that structural alteration of cellular nucleophiles by acylation may be a biochemical mechanism underlying the biological activity of N-acetoxy-3-FAA and related activated carcinogens.
Image Enhancement by Holography

The speed of the holographic image deblurring method has recently been further enhanced by a new speed in the realization of the powerful holographic image-deblurring filter. The filter makes it possible to carry out the deblurring, in the optical computer used, in times of the order of one second. The experimental achievements using the holographic image-enhancement method are illustrated with examples ranging from out-of-focus or motion-blurred photographs, including 'amateur' photos recorded on Polaroid film, to the sharpening of the best available electron micrographs of viruses. Images recorded with X-rays, notably from rocket-borne photos of the sun, and out-of-focus photographs from cameras in NASA satellites have been similarly deblurred.