cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finding outliers in models of spatial data

Statistical models fit to data often require extensive and challenging re-estimation before achieving final form. For example, outliers can adversely affect fits. In other cases involving spatial data, a cluster may exist for which the model is incorrect, also adversely affecting the fit to the "good" data. In both cases, estimate residuals must be checked and rechecked until the data are cleaned and the appropriate model found. In this article, we demonstrate an algorithm that fits models to the largest subset of the data that is appropriate. Specifically, if a hypothesized linear regression model fits ninety percent of the data, our algorithm can not only find an excellent fit as if only that "good" data were presented, but will also highlight the ten percent of the "bad" data that is not fit. Our work in digital government has focused on mapping data. Thus we illustrate how models fit to census track data work, and how the data in the "bad" set can be viewed spatially through ArcView or other tools. This approach greatly simplifies the task of modeling spatial data, and makes us of advanced map visualization tools to understand the nature of subsets of the data for which the model is not appropriate.
Semi-Permeable Musicking Membranes

The terms “border,” “frontier,” and “diaspora” all foreground the notion of boundaries. Borders form the outer edge of something; they establish boundaries. Frontiers are at or just beyond those edges. And diasporas are dispersions into new territories, reminding us that boundaries, no matter how rigid or fixed they may appear, are always shifting and at least semi-permeable. Ultimately boundaries attempt to define the extent of some-thing, some-time, or some-where. They can even appear to define the extent of some-one. Boundaries, whether physical or conceptual, do often seem necessary in order to establish coherence and identity. Categorization, for example, is an essential cognitive strategy that humans use in order to reduce the hypercomplexity of the world to a more manageable complexity.1 By establishing criteria for inclusion, however, boundaries invariably ignore and exclude. Perhaps our most intimate and familiar boundary is that of our own body. With it, and its many sensorimotor processes, we engage our world. While doing so, we recursively construct a self-consciousness, a boundary, of sorts, around who “we” are. But no individual organism can exist in isolation. Even at the level of single cells—which are characterized, first of all, by a boundary of the cellular membrane—complex metabolic processes are ceaselessly at work, transporting nutrients in and waste out. And as we step up into the realm of multi-cellular organisms, the interconnected webs only increase in scope and complexity. Ecoliteracy advocate Fritjof Capra reminds us: “Animals depend on the photosynthesis of plants for their energy needs; plants depend on the carbon dioxide produced by animals, as well as the nitrogen fixed by the bacteria at their roots; and together plants, animals, and microorganisms regulate the entire biosphere and maintain the conditions conducive to life.”2 According to the Gaia theory of James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis, life is best thought of as a property of planets rather than of individual organisms. Music, in its broadest possible definition, is also best thought of as a property of humanity. The current thinking in the field of biomusicology, for instance, argues that musicking, for our ancestors, enhanced cooperative
Phase II Trial of Doxorubicin and Paclitaxel Plus Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Metastatic Breast Cancer: An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study

PURPOSE: Several groups have reported that the combination of doxorubicin plus paclitaxel given as a 3-hour intravenous (IV) infusion for up to eight cycles produces a high response rate (> 80%) and complete response rate (> 20%) in metastatic breast cancer, but is also complicated by a 20% incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF). The purpose of this phase II trial was to evaluate the antineoplastic activity of the regimen in a multi-institutional setting and to reduce the incidence of cardiotoxicity by limiting treatment to a maximum of six cycles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients with advanced breast cancer received doxorubicin (60 mg/m2 by IV injection) followed 15 minutes later by paclitaxel (200 mg/m2 by IV infusion over 3 hours) every 3 weeks for four to six cycles. RESULTS: Objective responses occurred in 25 of 48 assessable patients (52%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 38% to 66%), including four complete responses (8%; 95% CI, 0% to 16%). The median cumulative doxorubicin dose given wa...
An Acceptance-Based Behavioral Therapy for Individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

In response to clinical observations and research findings that individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder are reactive to their internal experiences, avoid and suppress painful emotions, thoughts, and sensations, and limit their involvement in meaningful activities, an Acceptance Based Behavioral Therapy (ABBT) was developed to specifically target these responses. ABBT incorporates acceptance and mindfulness strategies with more traditional behavior therapy techniques. Specifically, ABBT uses mindfulness and acceptance approaches as an alternate response to the rigid, avoidant responses characteristic of GAD. Likewise, therapy focuses on identifying and enacting behaviors that are congruent with what is personally meaningful to the client rather than engaging in actions that are motivated by avoidance of anxiety. This article provides a case conceptualization from an ABBT perspective for "William," the composite client presented in Robichaud (this issue). The article goes on to demonstrate how an ABBT approach to treatment may unfold session-by-session for "William."
An Exploratory Study of Mindfulness Meditation for Alternative School Students: Perceived Benefits for Improving School Climate and Student Functioning

This exploratory study examined the perceived benefits of mindfulness meditation (MM) for compensatory alternative high school students. An 8-week school-based MM program was provided to high school students (N = 35; 19 boys and 16 girls). Concept mapping, a mixed-method approach, was used to collect and analyze the data. This process yielded eight clusters representing the perceived benefits of meditation for students: improved stress management, enhanced self-awareness, enhanced emotional coping, enhanced ability to pay attention, improved state of mind, more time spent being calm, improved school climate, and enhanced student engagement. These clusters encompass three broad domains of perceived benefits for students including intrapersonal, psychosocial, and systemic benefits. Students rated the potential for meditation to relieve stress and to improve school climate as particularly important for them. These findings may be used when planning school-based meditation programs and may serve as a useful guide for researchers studying meditation practices for youth.
Consistency and Change in Political Campaign Communication: Analyzing the 2012 Elections

From a communication perspective, the fundamental nature of a democracy is perhaps best understood as a civic dialogue, an ongoing conversation between and among candidates or elected leaders and t...
The impact of strategic procurement in the UK government sector

The impact of strategic procurement is driven by the contribution of the function to overall corporate performance and its interface relationships. The actual impact on corporate performance in the UK government sector has been neither empirically substantiated nor rigorously examined. This paper provides empirical evidence that much progress has been achieved in strategic procurement in government and suggests areas for continuous improvement.
Cutaneous myiasis following travel to Belize.

Two days after returning from Belize, a 70-vear-old man developed three nonhealing ulcers with serosanguinous drainage on the right posterior ankle. He recalled mildly pruritic “mosquito bites” on the ankles prior to leaving Belize, but no evidence of skin breakdown. Tbe patient denied fever, chills, or other systemic symptoms associated witb his skin lesions. A one-week course of cephalexin, 500 mg po q.i.d., given for “superficial cellulitis,” failed to improve the plaque on the right ankle. The patient was evaluated in the dermatology department 4 weeks after his return from Belize with no progression of the ankle lesions. The examination showed a 4 x7 cm indurated, nontender, erythematous plaque with three sinuses draining serosanguinous fluid (Fig. 1). A skin biopsy was performed on an area containing a draining sinus tract and submitted for routine and special stains. Tissue and wound cultures were negative for bacteria (aerobic and anaerobic), fungi, mycobacteria, and Leishmania. Histopathologic Findings: The deep retlcular dermis and subcutis showed an extensive, polymorphous, inflammatory reaction surrounding a parasitic structure that measured 1.8 mm in diameter (Fig. 2). The parasite had a thick eosinophilic cuticle with striated muscle visible around the out-lines of the alimentary tube and other organs (Fig. 3). The morphologic appearance of the parasite was consistent with the larva of a fly, most likely of the Dermatobia species. Clinical Course: Conservative treatment with polymyxin B sulfate-bacitracin zinc ointment and ace wrap occlusion for 2 days resulted in the extraction of two mature larvae (Fig. 4). The patient reported the sensation of “movement” within the sinuses immediately prior to larval extraction. The third larval specimen was contained in the skin biopsy tissue. All three sites of larval penetration showed rapid healing following the extraction of the larvae.
Calcineurin is required for TRPV1-induced long-term depression of hippocampal interneurons.

Abstract Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) mediates a novel form of presynaptic long-term depression (LTD) in hippocampal interneurons. To date, while TRPV1 is currently being heavily studied in the PNS for its anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties, much less is known regarding TRPV1 signaling and function in the CNS, including the mechanism mediating hippocampal interneuron LTD. Here we performed whole-cell voltage clamp electrophysiology experiments on CA1 hippocampal interneurons from Sprague–Dawley male rats to identify this signaling mechanism. Because calcineurin is linked to multiple synaptic plasticity types, we investigated whether TRPV1 activates presynaptic calcineurin, which in turn induces LTD. To do so we employed calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporin A or FK-506. To determine the location of the calcineurin involved we either bath applied calcineurin antagonists, blocking calcineurin activity ubiquitously in the slice, presynaptically and postsynaptically, or applied antagonists to the internal solution to block calcineurin postsynaptically. Both calcineurin antagonists applied to the bath blocked TRPV1-dependent LTD, indicating calcineurin involvement in LTD. Because calcineurin antagonist applied to the internal solution did not block TRPV1-LTD, it suggests presynaptic calcineurin is required for LTD. Finally, because high frequency stimulus used to induce LTD could potentially activate receptors besides TRPV1, we confirmed that bath, but not intracellularly applied cyclosporin A, also blocked TRPV1 agonist-induced depression of CA1 interneurons. In conclusion, these data illustrate that presynaptic calcineurin activity is required for both TRPV1-induced LTD and TRPV1 agonist-induced depression. This finding is the first to demonstrate the TRPV1-induced signaling mechanism in CA1 hippocampus.
Effects of Vitamin C and Iron on Cadmium Metabolism

Toxic levels of dietary cadmium (5-200 ppm) interfered with iron absorption and produced an iron deficiency. Supplements of iron (particularly the divalent form) and ascorbic acid protected against the cadmium. With very low levels of dietary cadmium (about 0.06-0.08 ppm), typical of those in the diets of humans, supplements of iron(II) and ascorbic acid markedly decreased cadmium concentrations in the liver, kidney, and small intestine. Iron deficiency changed the distribution of cadmium within the body. The effect of ascorbic acid on cadmium metabolism appears to depend primarily, if not entirely, on its influence in improving iron absorption. Maintenance of modest iron stores appears to be very important in minimizing cadmium absorption.
Controlling the subcellular localization of DNA polymerases ι and η via interactions with ubiquitin

Y-family DNA polymerases have spacious active sites that can accommodate a wide variety of geometric distortions. As a consequence, they are considerably more error-prone than high-fidelity replicases. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the in vivo activity of these polymerases is tightly regulated, so as to minimize their inadvertent access to primer-termini. We report here that one such mechanism employed by human cells relies on a specific and direct interaction between DNA polymerases ι and η with ubiquitin (Ub). Indeed, we show that both polymerases interact noncovalently with free polyUb chains, as well as mono-ubiquitinated proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ub-PCNA). Mutants of polι (P692R) and polη (H654A) were isolated that are defective in their interactions with polyUb and Ub-PCNA, whilst retaining their ability to interact with unmodified PCNA. Interestingly, the polymerase mutants exhibit significantly lower levels of replication foci in response to DNA damage, thereby highlighting the biological importance of the polymerase–Ub interaction in regulating the access of the TLS polymerases to stalled replication forks in vivo.
Lidar measurement of the vertical aerosol extinction profiles with range-dependent backscatter-to-extinction ratios.

An iterative lidar-signal inversion method is presented that is valid for two-component (molecular and aerosol) scattering atmospheres. The iterative procedure transforms the original lidar signal, thereby making it possible to use the lidar-equation solution for a single-component atmosphere. In a manner analogous to Fernald’s approach, the molecular extinction profile is used as a foundation for the boundary-condition determination, but the inversion procedure can be performed with either constant or variable (range-dependent) phase functions. A specific region in the measured range is located at which the ratio of the aerosol to molecular extinction coefficients is a minimum as determined by an examination of the lidar-signal profile; for this region boundary conditions are specified.
Effect of pH on Thermal Stabilization of Oral Poliovirus Vaccine by Magnesium Chloride

SummaryMgCl2-stabilized oral poliovirus vaccines can be stored in the liquid state at 4°C for one year without detectable loss of infectivity, and for 18 months with only slight decreases in infectivity. Maximum stabilization is attained in M MgCl2 at pH 6.4 in tightly stoppered vials. Under these conditions, vaccines of all 3 types are stable for at least 3 weeks at room temperature (25–28°C). The use of the stabilized vaccine eliminates the limitations imposed on the ordinary thermolabile vaccine.
Kinetics and mechanism of reductive dehalogenation of carbon tetrachloride using zero-valence metals

Abstract Elemental iron and zinc reduced part-per-thousand levels of aqueous-phase carbon tetrachloride to chloroform in a few hours. Free metal ions, chloride ion and hydrogen gas were produced in the reaction; protons were consumed. Process kinetics were dependent on solution pH, surface area of the elemental metal, carbon tetrachloride concentration, buffer selection and solvent composition (volume fraction 2-propanol). Reaction rate was first-order with respect to carbon tetrachloride at concentrations less than 7.5 mM. This class of reactions offers promise as a means for initiating the destruction of heavily halogenated organic compounds.
Quantum Discord and the Power of One Qubit

We use quantum discord to characterize the correlations present in the model called deterministic quantum computation with one quantum bit (DQC1), introduced by Knill and Laflamme [Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 5672 (1998)]. The model involves a collection of qubits in the completely mixed state coupled to a single control qubit that has nonzero purity. The initial state, operations, and measurements in the model all point to a natural bipartite split between the control qubit and the mixed ones. Although there is no entanglement between these two parts, we show that the quantum discord across this split is nonzero for typical instances of the DQC1 ciruit. Nonzero values of discord indicate the presence of nonclassical correlations. We propose quantum discord as figure of merit for characterizing the resources present in this computational model.
New Technologies for Monitoring the Precision Alignment of Large Detector Systems

Abstract Two classes of inexpensive systems are described for performing dynamic, high-resolution measurements of the mechanical alignment between components of a large collider detector. One is a three-opint optical system based on video cameras and simple frame processing, while the other is a multipoint stretched wire with three-dimensional displacement readout. Test results are presented for both types of devices, and an application is outlined for a large muon system.
Evolutionary tabu search strategies for the simultaneous registration of multiple atomic structures in cryo-EM reconstructions

A structural characterization of multi-component cellular assemblies is essential to explain the mechanisms governing biological function. Macromolecular architectures may be revealed by integrating information collected from various biophysical sources - for instance, by interpreting low-resolution electron cryomicroscopy reconstructions in relation to the crystal structures of the constituent fragments. A simultaneous registration of multiple components is beneficial when building atomic models as it introduces additional spatial constraints to facilitate the native placement inside the map. The high-dimensional nature of such a search problem prevents the exhaustive exploration of all possible solutions. Here we introduce a novel method based on genetic algorithms, for the efficient exploration of the multi-body registration search space. The classic scheme of a genetic algorithm was enhanced with new genetic operations, tabu search and parallel computing strategies and validated on a benchmark of synthetic and experimental cryo-EM datasets. Even at a low level of detail, for example 35-40 A, the technique successfully registered multiple component biomolecules, measuring accuracies within one order of magnitude of the nominal resolutions of the maps. The algorithm was implemented using the Sculptor molecular modeling framework, which also provides a user-friendly graphical interface and enables an instantaneous, visual exploration of intermediate solutions.
Evaluation of soybean, dry bean, and sunflower for resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Many inoculation methods have been used to evaluate resistance of different crops to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary. Only a few of these methods have been used to evaluate more than one crop. This study compared disease evaluations of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) inoculated in the greenhouse (cut stem inoculation method) to field evaluations. In one experiment, stems of two soybean cultivars, Williams 82 (susceptible) and NKS19-90 (partially resistant), were severed and inoculated with a colonized mycelial plug of S. sclerotiorum placed on top of the plant at the cut point of the stem. Stem lesion lengths on these two cultivars were used to determine what effect plant age and post-infection temperature had on disease development. There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference in lesion lengths between inoculated 5-wk-old plants compared with 6- or 7-wk-old plants within each cultivar. At different post-infection temperatures, lesions developed at 25 degrees C but not at 30 degrees C. In another experiment, disease rating of 15 soybean cultivars evaluated in the greenhouse and field had significant (P < 0.05) correlation coefficients from 0.53 to 0.79. In addition to soybean, two experiments were completed on dry bean and sunflower. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences in lesion lengths among 14 genotypes within dry bean and sunflower. The correlation between greenhouse and field evaluations of dry bean and sunflower were 0.74 and 0.50 (P < 0.05), respectively. In summary, disease assessments from the cut stem inoculation compared favorably with disease assessments in the field for soybean, dry bean, and sunflower.
The verbal stare: Focus on attention in conversation

Verbal staring, a constant “you” orientation or focus on other in talk, was hypothesized to result in defensive responses. Comparisons were made between subject talk under two conditions: “I‐message” in which confederates focused their remarks on themselves, and “you‐message” in which confederates used the grammatical second person to keep the conversation focused on the subject. Subjects in the “I‐message” condition supported their opinions with examples from their own experiences. Subjects responded to the verbal stare ("you‐messages"), as predicted, by supporting their opinions with hypothetical examples and opinions of others. There was, correspondingly, a less frequent use of personal examples by subjects in the “you‐mes‐age” condition. Contrary to the prediction, subjects in the “you‐message” condition talked more than those in “I‐message” condition.
Cognitive reference points in judgments of symbolic magnitude

Research on speeded symbolic magnitude comparisons indicates that decisions are made more quickly when the magnitudes of the stimuli being compared are relatively close to an explicit or implicit reference point. Alternative explanations of this phenomenon are tested by seeking similar effects in nonspeeded rating tasks. In accord with the predictions of discriminability models, rated magnitude differences between stimuli in the vicinity of a reference point are expanded relative to differences between stimuli far from it. The inferred locations of cities along a west-east axis varies systematically depending on which coast, Pacific or Atlantic, is specified as the reference point. Scales derived from the rating data are correlated with the pattern of reaction times obtained in a comparable speeded comparison task. In addition, the distance between the cities nearest the locale of our subjects is subjectively stretched. Reference point effects are also observed when the form of the comparative specifies an implicit reference point at either end of a continuum of subjective size; however, these effects are very small and do not clearly support a discriminability interpretation. Stronger evidence for discriminability effects is obtained when an explicit reference point is established at an arbitrary size value. An implicit scaling model, related to range-frequency theory, is proposed to account for the influence of reference points on relative discriminability of stimulus magnitudes. The implicit scaling model is used to develop an account of how symbolic magnitudes may be learned and of how habitual reference points can produce asymmetries in distance judgments.
Parametric study of a hydrogen-oxygen high temperature electrolyser-fuel cell power plant

Abstract A model of a high temperature electrolyser-fuel cell, hydrogen—oxygen, thermally regenerative power cycle is developed and used to simulate system performance for varying system parameters. This power cycle uses a hydrogen—oxygen fuel cell, operating at low temperature, for electrical energy production, and uses a high temperature electrolyser for regeneration of the hydrogen and oxygen. Estimates of system efficiency, weight, and volume are provided for a one kWe module assuming specific electrolyser and fuel cell characteristics, and examining both current and assumed future characteristics. Specific interest is placed on examining the system responses to changes in device voltage vs current density operating curves, and the associated optimum operating ranges. The ‘Current Technology’ module is based on the 1300 K solid oxide electrolyser cell and the alkaline fuel cell. The ‘Future Technology’ system examines benefits involved with developing a 1800 K electrolyser operating with an advanced fuel cell.
Plant community development as affected by initial planting richness in created mesocosm wetlands

Abstract The gain or loss of plant species may alter the development of structural and functional attributes critical to developing or restoring ecosystem services in created mitigation wetlands. A three-year study was conducted in created mesocosm wetlands to determine the role of initial planting richness (IPR) in vegetation community development using five species of plants common to natural and created wetlands in the Virginia Piedmont. The mesocosms were naturally colonized by volunteer species after planting the same as in real-world mitigation wetlands created in the region. At the end of each growing season, all species present were identified, and species richness (S) and cover percentages (i.e., percent total, planted and volunteer species) were measured. Indices for diversity (Shannon–Weiner H′) and prevalence (PI) were calculated. After establishment of planted rhizomes, hydrology was maintained solely by precipitation. However, unintended leaking in six mesocosms in the beginning of the study created two distinctively different hydrologic conditions (i.e., wet vs. dry conditions) that were factored into the final data analysis. Both richness (S) and biodiversity (H′) varied significantly with initial planting richness (IPR). Differences in these two attributes were mainly due to differences between monotypic mesocosms (IPR = 1) and those with the greatest number of species initially planted (IPR = 5). Hydrologic conditions impacted some of the plant community characteristics, including total percent cover being higher in one year and PI being lower both in “wet” conditions. The mesocosms were becoming typical of wetlands with more hydrophytes present over the course of the study. The outcome of the study showed that the mesocosm wetlands were following a similar pattern found in vegetation community development trajectory of newly created mitigation wetlands. The study showed the positive effect of initial planting richness on species richness and diversity in the early development of plant community. Our findings also reinforce the importance of maintaining adequate hydrologic conditions for the early development of vegetation community in created mitigation wetlands.
Theory of the potential of a donor ion in silicon

In this paper a variational principle has been formulated for obtaining an approximate solution of Poisson's equation for the potential of a donor ion embedded in Si. A comparison of a two parameter approximate analytical potential with the exact numerical potential shows excellent agreement for several electron concentrations. It is also found that the present theory, using the concept of a “spatially variable dielectric constant,” leads to a donor-ion potential which deviates significantly from the potential of Dingle, which has been the traditional starting point of calculations of electron mobility limited by ionized-impurity scattering.
Effects of Isoproterenol on T‐Wave Amplitude and Heart Rate: A Dose‐Response Study

This report examines the hypothesis that electrocardiographic T-wave amplitude is sensitive to graded increases in beta-sympathetic stimulation of the heart. Beta-adrenergic activity was manipulated pharmacologically in 9 healthy men by bolus infusion of isoproterenol in each of six doses: 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 micrograms. Results indicated that elevations in heart rate above placebo values increased as a linear function of isoproterenol dose. In contrast, the dose-response curve for T-wave amplitude was best described by a quadratic function: an initial reduction in T-wave amplitude at low levels of isoproterenol infusion was followed by a significant reversal of this effect at higher doses. Comparison of the heart rate and T-wave amplitude data points to limitations in the use of the latter as an index of beta-adrenergic activity. One of several possible explanations for the T-wave results would entail a mechanism that preserves ventricular function at high levels of beta-sympathetic stimulation.
New Symbolic Substitution Algorithms For Optical Arithmetic Using Signed-Digit Representation

In this paper, we present a new approach to designing optical digital arithmetic systems. We present new arithmetic algorithms based on a modified signed-digit number representation. New Signed-digit symbolic substitution rules are introduced. to implement them. These signed-digit arithmetic algorithms are well suited for optical implementation because, of the confined carry propagation within adjacent digits. We present an optical architecture of such an arithmetic processor. The proposed optical arithmetic processor can potentially achieve 0(10 2 ) to 0(10 3 ) improvement in speed as compared with conventional electronic arithmetic processors.
Hume's Skeptical Politics

I argue that there is a unity between Hume’s philosophical reflection and his political views and that many interesting connections can be found that illuminate both aspects of his thought. This paper highlights two of these connections. First, I argue that the conclusions Hume comes to in his political writings are natural outgrowths of his skepticism, a skepticism that recommends limitation of inquiry, modesty, moderation and openness. Most scholars who view Hume’s skepticism as informing his political views see it as supporting a conservative politics, one which is concerned above all to preserve the status quo. I reject the idea that the kind of philosophical skepticism embraced by Hume leads to such conservatism. The second main aspect of the unity of Hume’s thought I discuss concerns that way in which he addresses normative questions in the epistemological and political realms. The question of what resources Hume has to evaluate some beliefs or philosophical systems as better than others, given his skeptical conclusions, is one that has been of central concern for Hume scholars. His evaluations of political systems and governments can be understood in a similar way; the principles we use to evaluate personal beliefs can also be applied in the evaluation of political systems.
Polycapillary optics: comparison of computational modeling and experimental results

Polycapillary optics consist of hundreds of thousands of tiny hollow tubes that utilize total external reflection to redirect x-rays incident at grazing angles. These optics have been developed for various applications, from beam filtering to x-ray collimating or focusing. A fully three-dimensional Monte-Carlo-based ray-tracing simulation of polycapillary optics has been developed to model a variety of optics geometries. Good agreement to experimental data was found with a small number of fitting parameters.
Effects of human lymphocyte-conditioned medium on MG-63 human osteosarcoma cell function

Lymphocytes are implicated in the pathogenesis of bone disease in chronic inflammation, osteoporosis, transplantation and osteopetrosis. The effects of lymphocytes and lymphocyte-conditioned medium on bone-resorbing activity and osteoclast function have been well studied, but there are few studies of the effects of LCM on bone formation and osteoblast function. The effects of LCM on the function of the MG-63 human osteosarcoma cell line were studied, which, when stimulated with 1,25-(OH)2D3, demonstrates many of the properties of the mature human osteoblast. Lymphocytes contain oestrogen receptors and the model was also used to test the hypothesis that the effects of oestrogen on bone cells may be mediated indirectly via lymphokines. Lymphokines were measured by ELISA in human lymphocyte conditioned medium (LCM) collected following incubation of mixed lymphocytes with or without stimulation for 72 h. Unstimulated LCM increased proliferation of MG-63 cells and this increase was not affected by neutralization of interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-3, IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumour necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin alpha, or interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). Phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated LCM decreased proliferation of MG-63 cells, as well as induced expression of IL-6 mRNA, increased alkaline phosphatase production, and inhibited osteocalcin production. The decrease in proliferation was abolished by neutralization of IFN-gamma but was unaffected by neutralization of IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, GM-CSF, TNF, or lymphotoxin alpha. Neutralization of IFN-gamma in stimulated LCM also partially inhibited the increase in alkaline phosphatase production but had no effects on the decrease in osteocalcin production. Although oestrogen inhibited lymphocyte proliferation, the effects of LCM collected from lymphocytes in the presence of oestrogen on MG-63 cell proliferation and function was no different than the effects of LCM collected in the absence of oestrogen. LCM has multiple effects on MG-63 cell function and gene expression. Lymphocyte stimulation during the preparation of LCM further modulates these effects. Although partially mediated by IFN-gamma, the effects of LCM on these cells cannot be completely explained by individual component lymphokines. This may have implications for understanding the pathophysiology of bone loss in inflammatory disorders as well as possible feedback loops of locally generated cytokines in bone.
On the Reliability of Blocking Effects in Response Acquisition with Delayed Reinforcement

Background Stimuli perfectly correlated with impending access to food have been shown to both attenuate response rates and to prevent response acquisition when they occur during delays to reinforcement. One explanation of these findings is that the stimulus better predicts food than the operant response itself, and therefore, “blocks” learning of the response-reinforcer association. That such stimuli can abolish operant learning implies a breakdown in an organism’s ability to detect causality between its own behavior and effects on the environment.
Imaging short‐period seismic radiation from the 27 February 2010 Chile (MW 8.8) earthquake by back‐projection of P, PP, and PKIKP waves

[1] Teleseismic short-period (0.5–5 s) P waves from the 27 February 2010 Chile earthquake (Mw 8.8) are back projected to the source region to image locations of coherent short-period seismic wave radiation. Several receiver array configurations are analyzed using different P wave arrivals, including networks of stations in North America (P), Japan (PKIKP), and Europe (PP), as well as a global configuration of stations with a broad azimuthal distribution and longer-period P waves (5–20 s). Coherent bursts of short-period radiation from the source are concentrated below the Chilean coastline, along the downdip portion of the megathrust. The short-period source region expands bilaterally, with significant irregularity in the radiation. Comparison with finite fault slip models inverted from longer-period seismic waves indicates that the regions of large slip on the megathrust are located updip of the regions of short-period radiation, a manifestation of frequency-dependent seismic radiation, similar to observations for the great 2011 Tohoku earthquake (Mw 9.0). Back projection of synthetic P waves generated from the finite fault models demonstrates that if the short-period energy had radiated with the same space-time distribution as the long-period energy, back-projection analysis would image it in the correct location, updip. We conclude that back-projection imaging of short-period signals provides a distinct view of the seismic source that is missed by studies based only on long-period seismic waves, geodetic data, and/or tsunami observations.
Epidermal and dermal phospholipids of the human eyelid: a 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

The phospholipids of the skin are difficult to quantify because they represent only a small fraction of the skin tissue. In this study, 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance, which permits precise profiling of these phospholipids, was used to compare the phospholipids of upper eyelid epidermal and dermal lipid extracts (n = 13 profiles). Phospholipid profiles included alkylacylphosphatidylcholine (AAPC), dihydrosphingomyelin (DHSM), diphosphatidylglycerol (cardiolipin), ethanolamine plasmalogen (EPLAS), lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, sphingomyelin, and uncharacterized phospholipids (U1 and U2, particularly enriched in the epidermis). The computed phospholipid metabolic index (n = 86 indexes) findings can be summarized as follows: a lower content of the enol and ether phospholipids in the epidermis relative to the dermis, internal compensation among the component phospholipids so as to maintain the choline functional group ratio, and a greater concentration of hydroxyl-containing functional groups in the epidermis. A membrane index (f mem ) value of -0.37 for the epidermis deviated considerably from the value of -0.06 characteristic of living membranes and the dermis. The production of the reduced phosphatides, EPLAS and AAPC, indicates the use of alternative pathways between the two tissues. Relative to the dermis, increased PC in the epidermis coupled with decreased DHSM, EPLAS, and AAPC are factors enabling the epidermis of eyelid tissue to be an effective water barrier.
Glucose, glycogen, and insulin responses in the hypothermic rat

The rat appears to be unable to utilize glucose during hypothermia. The objective of this study was to examine carbohydrate homeostasis during induction, hypothermia, and rewarming phases. Groups of normothermic animals were euthanized to serve as time controls for comparison. Hypothermia (15 degrees C) was produced by exposure to helox (80% helium:20% oxygen) at 0 +/- 1 degree C. Hyperglycemia was noted during the induction process (169 +/- 8 in control vs 326 +/- 49 mg/dl). Serum glucose increased further during 4 hr of hypothermia, but following rewarming (Tre of 33 +/- 1 degrees C) was reduced (153 +/- 16 mg/dl) significantly (P less than 0.05). Serum insulin was depressed during hypothermic induction (from 48 +/- 4 in controls to 19 +/- 3 microU/ml in hypothermic rats) and increased only slightly during the arousal process, remaining significantly lower than in normothermic subjects. Initial hepatic, skeletal muscle, and cardiac glycogen concentrations were reduced 34, 68, and 75%, respectively, during hypothermic induction. While liver glycogen decreased further during 4 hr of hypothermia, skeletal and cardiac stores increased markedly. During rewarming, hepatic glycogen was markedly decreased, while skeletal and cardiac stores were maintained. These data suggest that hyperglycemia in the hypothermic rat can be accounted for by glycogenolysis and hypoinsulinemia. In addition, this study indicates repletion of skeletal and cardiac muscle glycogen during maintained hypothermia and sparing of muscle glycogen during rewarming.
A new look at the Bezold–Brücke hue shift in the peripheral retina

Experiments were conducted with a bipartite field to better understand the Bezold-Brucke hue shift in the peripheral retina. The first experiment measured hue shift in the fovea and at 1 degrees and 8 degrees along the horizontal meridian of the nasal retina for nominal test wavelengths of 430, 450, 490, 520 and 610 nm. Peripheral measurements were obtained under two adaptation conditions: after 30 min dark adaptation and following a rod-bleach. Results indicated that foveal hue shifts differed from those obtained after a rod-bleach. Data from the rod-bleach and no-bleach conditions in the periphery were similar, indicating that rods could not account for the differences between the foveal data and the rod-bleach peripheral data. Hue shifts obtained for the 520 nm test stimulus, and to a smaller extent other test wavelengths, at 8 degrees nasal retinal eccentricity revealed that the wavelength of the matching stimulus depended upon the lateral position of the matching and test fields, and this effect was greater in the no-bleach condition than the rod-bleach condition. Several factors were investigated in experiments 2 and 3 to explain the results with the 520 nm test field. It appears that differential rod density under the two half fields and the compression of photoreceptors by the optic disk may partially, but not fully, account for the 520 nm effect.
Reinventing Unix: an introduction to the Plan 9 operating system

Plan 9 is based on three basic principles: all objects are either files or file systems, communication is over a network, and private namespaces allow their owners to access local and remote processes transparently. Resources are shared using standard, open protocols and consistent reusable interfaces. This type of distributed system is conducive to project collaboration without regard to place. The geographic location of the machines and the communication network are invisible to its users. It is well suited to grid computing.
Optimizing Field Repair Kits Based on Job Completion Rate

A formulation is presented for obtaining the optimal kit of parts and tools for on-site equipment repairs, based on the fraction of jobs which can be completed from the contents of the kit. This formulation generalizes previous approaches in that part demands need not be independent and various numbers of parts as well as multiple part types per job may be required. It is shown that the formulation is a special case of Balinski's "selection problem" and thus can be solved by maximal flow/minimal cut network algorithms.
Experimental study of thermoelectricity in superconducting indium

This paper reports on a comprehensive study of thermoelectricity in pure superconducting indium near the transition temperature. The samples consisted of hollow bimetallic toroids of lead and indium. Upon application of a temperature gradient, a magnetic flux was produced within the hollow cavity of the toroids which could be coupled, via a superconducting flux transformer, into a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. The thermoelectric origins of the magnetic flux and the experimental method are discussed in detail. The magnetic flux was measured in seven specimens, and in each was found to diverge as the transition temperature was approached with a ${(1\ensuremath{-}\frac{T}{{T}_{c}})}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{3}{2}}$ power-law dependence. The magnitude of the flux varied by about a factor of 40 among the different samples and appeared to scale with the normal-state thermoelectric properties of the indium. Tests intended to eliminate possible spurious causes for the magnetic flux are also discussed.
Mean creep: the soft mode in elastic sheet buckling

In this note, we introduce the equations for the order parameters describing the buckling of thin, elastic sheets. What is new is the realization that mean creep, namely in-plane displacements, are soft (Goldstone) modes which can be driven by variations in the pattern intensity and which, in turn, affect how the buckling pattern develops. The order-parameter equations are canonical and belong to the universal classes of equations for pattern order parameters to which Yoshiki Kuramoto has contributed so much. We are very pleased to be part of this special issue of Physica D in honoring this remarkable colleague.
Spectroscopic characterization of uranium in evaporation basin sediments

Evaporation ponds in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV), CA, used for the containment of irrigation drainage waters contain elevated levels of uranium (U) resulting from the extensive leaching by carbonate-rich irrigation waters of the local agricultural soils that contain low levels of naturally-occurring U. The SJV ponds are subjected to changes in redox chemistry with cycles of drying and flooding. Our past studies have shown that U in the SJV Pond 14 surface sediments is present as mostly the oxidized and soluble form, U(VI). However, we were uncertain whether the U in the soil was only present as a U oxide of mixed stoichiometry, such as U3O8(s) (pitchblende) or other species. Here we present characterization information, which includes wet chemical and in situ spectroscopic techniques (X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and low temperature time-resolved luminescence spectroscopies) for samples from two SJV Pond sediments. Surface sediments from SJV Pond 16 were characterized for average oxidation state of U with XANES spectroscopy. The fraction of U(VI) to U(IV) in the Pond 16 sediments decreased with depth with U(IV) being the dominant oxidation state in the 5 cm to 15 cm depth. Two luminescent U(VI) species were identified in the surface sediments from Pond 14; a U(VI)-tricarbonate phase and another phase likely comprised of U(VI)-hydroxide or hydroxycarbonate. The luminescent U(VI) population in the Pond 16 sediments is dominated by species with comparable spectral characteristics to the U(VI)-hydroxide or hydroxycarbonate species found in the Pond 14 sediments. The luminescence spectroscopic results were complemented by wet chemical U leaching methods, which involved the use of carbonate and sulfuric acid solutions and oxidizing solutions of peroxide, hypochlorite and Mn(IV). Leaching was shown to decrease the total U concentration in the sediments in all cases. However, results from luminescence studies of the residual fraction in the leached sediments suggest that there was no selectivity in the removal of the spectroscopically identifiable U(VI) species by acidic oxidizing, basic oxidizing or basic non-oxidizing solutions. A net increase in the emission intensity of the U(VI) luminescent species in most leached samples was consistent with conversion of U(IV) to U(VI), as a result of chemical oxidation and exposure to air during the leaching process. The wet chemical extractions and in situ spectroscopic techniques provided fundamental and basic knowledge about the fraction of U(IV) to U(VI), the speciation of luminescent U(VI), and the susceptibility of the sediment U species to leaching.
Conformational analysis of an α-galactosyl trisaccharide epitope involved in hyperacute rejection upon xenotransplantation

Abstract α-Galactosyl epitopes are carbohydrate structures bearing an α-Gal-(1→3)-Gal terminus (α-Gal epitopes). The interaction of these epitopes on the surface of animal cells with anti α-Gal antibodies in human serum is believed to be the main cause in antibody-mediated hyperacute rejection in xenotransplantation. In this paper, conformational analysis of an N -linked α- d -Gal p -(1→3)-β- d -Gal p -(1→4)-β- d -Glc p trisaccharide epitope was conducted in terms of each monosaccharide residue conformation, primary hydroxymethyl group configuration, and interglycosidic conformations. Selective 2D J - δ INEPT experiments have been carried out at three different temperatures to evaluate three-bond, long-range 13 C– 1 H coupling constants for the crucial α-(1→3) linkage. The NMR experimental data were complemented by theoretical calculations. The flexibility and dynamics of the trisaccharide have been studied by Metropolis Monte Carlo simulations. Ensemble-averaged three-bond, long-range 13 C– 1 H coupling constants and nuclear Overhauser effects were in good agreement with the experimental data. The α-(1→3) glycosidic linkage has shown a restricted flexibility as indicated by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling.