cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vapor chloride treatment studies of CdTe/CdS solar cells

The most commonly used processing step for the fabrication of CdTe thin film solar cells is a heat treatment in the presence of CdCI/sub 2/. This paper discusses results on the effect of a vapor CdCI/sub 2/ heat treatment on the characteristics of thin film CdTe/CdS solar cells. The heat treatment was carried out in three different ambient environments, He, O/sub 2/, and H/sub 2/, and over a wide range of temperatures. Best solar cell performance to-date was achieved for cells heat-treated in the presence of O/sub 2/. Solar cells heat-treated in He and H/sub 2/ exhibited lower ff's and Voc's respectively. The process was optimized for high throughput and demonstrated state of the art Voc's and ffs for short annealing times.
Handedness-dependent and -independent cerebral asymmetries in the anterior intraparietal sulcus and ventral premotor cortex during grasp planning

When planning grasping actions, right-handers show left-lateralized responses in the anterior intraparietal sulcus (aIPS) and ventral premotor cortex (vPMC), two areas that are also implicated in sensorimotor control of grasp. We investigated whether a similar cerebral asymmetry is evident in strongly left-handed individuals. Fourteen participants were trained to grasp an object appearing in a variety of orientations with their left and right hands and with a novel mechanical tool (operated with either hand). BOLD fMRI data were then acquired while they decided prospectively whether an over- or under-hand grip would be most comfortable for grasping the same stimulus set while remaining still. Behavioral performances were equivalent to those recorded previously in right-handers and indicated reliance on effector-specific internal representations. In left-handers, however, grip selection decisions for both sides (left, right) and effectors (hand, tool) were associated with bilateral increases in activity within aIPS and vPMC. A direct comparison between left- and right-handers did reveal equivalent increases in left vPMC regardless of hand dominance. By contrast, aIPS and right vPMC activity were dependent on handedness, showing greater activity in the motor-dominant hemisphere. Though showing bilateral increases in both left- and right-handers, greater increases in the motor dominant hemisphere were also detected in the caudal IPS (cIPS), superior parietal lobule (SPL) and dorsal premotor cortex (dPMC). These findings provide further evidence that regions involved in the sensorimotor control of grasp also participate in grasp planning, and that for certain areas hand dominance is a predictor of the cerebral organization of motor cognitive functions.
Evidence for microscopic causality violation.

Evidence has been discovered for the violation of microscopic causality in the Compton scattering of light by protons. A calculation of the degree of acausality expected on the basis of a semiclassical model is found to be in quantitative agreement with the data.
The Influence of the Spouse on American Expatriate Adjustment and Intent to Stay in Pacific Rim Overseas Assignments

Past international human resource management literature has suggested that most American multinationalfirms that employ expatriate managers have difficulty successfully retaining these managers in overseas assignments. Although some scholars have suggested that the inability of the spouse to adjust is one of the major reasons expatriate managers return early from their overseas assignments, few researchers have attempted to verify empirically a relationship between the spouse's adjustment and the adjustment and intentions to stay or leave of the expatriate manager. This study found that a favorable opinion about the overseas assignment by the spouse is positively related to the spouse's adjustment and the novelty of the foreign culture has a negative relationship with the spouse's adjustment. Additionally, the adjustment of the spouse is highly correlated to the adjustment of the expatriate manager and the adjustment of the spouse and the expatriate are positively related to the expatriate's intention to ...
Time-Dependent Network Pricing and Bandwidth Trading

The usage of a network usually differs significantly at different times of a day, due to users' time-preference. This phenomenon is also prominent in the market of "bandwidth- on-demand", since the demand is typically higher during large events. Thus, an unselfish "social planner" should deploy a proper pricing scheme to reduce congestions and achieve efficient use of the network (i.e., maximize the "social welfare"); whereas a selfish service provider (SP) can exploit the time-preference to increase its revenue. In this paper, we present a model to study the important role of time-preference in network pricing. In this model, each user chooses his access time based on his preference, the congestion level, and the price he would be charged. Without pricing, the "price of anarchy" (POA) can be arbitrarily bad. We then derive a simple pricing scheme to maximize the social welfare. Next, from the SP's viewpoint, we consider the revenue- maximizing pricing strategy and its effect on the social welfare. We show that if the SP can differentiate its prices over different users and times, the maximal revenue can be achieved, as well as the maximal social welfare. However, if the SP has insufficient information about the users and can only differentiate its prices over the access times, then the resulting social welfare can be much less than the optimum, especially when there are many low-utility users. Otherwise, the difference is bounded and less significant.
Computer Simulation of Systemic Circulation and Clot Lysis Dynamics During Thrombolytic Therapy That Accounts for Inner Clot Transport and Reaction

Background We developed a computer model to predict lysis rates of thrombi for intravenous thrombolytic regimens based on the convective/diffusive penetration of reacting and adsorbing fibrinolytic species from the circulation into the proximal face of a dissolving clot. Methods and Results Solution of a one-compartment plasma model provided the dynamic concentrations of fibrinolytic species that served as inlet conditions for simulation of the one-dimensional spatiodynamics within a dissolving fibrin clot of defined composition. The model predicted the circulating levels of tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) and plasminogen levels found in clinical trials for various intravenous therapies. To test the model predictions under in vitro conditions, plasma clots were perfused with TPA (0.1 μmol/L) and plasminogen (1.0 μmol/L) delivered at constant permeation velocity of 0.1 or 0.2 mm/min. The model provided an accurate prediction of the measured lysis front movement. For TPA administration regimens used clin...
High-affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are required for antidepressant effects of amitriptyline on behavior and hippocampal cell proliferation

Background A wide variety of antidepressants act as noncompetitive antagonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), but the relationship between this antagonism and the therapeutic effects of antidepressants is unknown. Methods Antidepressant properties of the noncompetitive nAChR antagonist mecamylamine in the forced swim test were tested alone and in combination with the tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline. Mice lacking high-affinity nAChRs were tested in three behavioral models to determine whether these receptors are required for behavioral effects of amitriptyline in common models of antidepressant action. Finally, the brains of wild-type and knockout animals treated with amitriptyline were examined to determine whether high-affinity nAChRs are required for antidepressant-induced increases in hippocampal cell proliferation. Results Inhibition of nAChRs by mecamylamine had antidepressant-like effects in the forced swim test and potentiated the antidepressant activity of amitriptyline when the two drugs were used in combination. Mice lacking high-affinity nAChRs showed no behavioral response to amitriptyline. Finally, after chronic treatment with amitriptyline, nAChR knockout mice did not show the increase in hippocampal cell proliferation seen in wild-type mice. Conclusions These data support the hypothesis that antagonism of nAChRs is an essential component of the therapeutic action of antidepressants.
Expansion of microvascular networks in vivo by phthalimide neovascular factor 1 (PNF1).

Phthalimide neovascular factor (PNF1, formerly SC-3-149) is a potent stimulator of proangiogenic signaling pathways in endothelial cells. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo effects of sustained PNF1 release to promote ingrowth and expansion of microvascular networks surrounding biomaterial implants. The dorsal skinfold window chamber was used to evaluate the structural remodeling response of the local microvasculature. PNF1 was released from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLAGA) films, and a transport model was utilized to predict PNF1 penetration into the surrounding tissue. PNF1 significantly expanded microvascular networks within a 2 mm radius from implants after 3 and 7 days by increasing microvessel length density and lumenal diameter of local arterioles and venules. Staining of histological sections with CD11b showed enhanced recruitment of circulating white blood cells, including monocytes, which are critical for the process of vessel enlargement through arteriogenesis. As PNF1 has been shown to modulate MT1-MMP, a facilitator of CCL2 dependent leukocyte transmigration, aspects of window chamber experiments were repeated in CCR2−/− (CCL2 receptor) mouse chimeras to more fully explore the critical nature of monocyte recruitment on the therapeutic benefits of PNF1 function in vivo.
Making concurrent engineering work in your company

Discusses the possible results of concurrent engineering in a typical company. The benefits include stronger teamwork, higher quality designs, shorter overall time schedules and lower cost.
Efficient Reformulation of Solid-Phase Diffusion in Physics-Based Lithium-Ion Battery Models

Lithium-ion batteries are typically modeled using porous electrode theory coupled with various transport and reaction mechanisms with an appropriate discretization or approximation for the solid phase. One of the major difficulties in simulating Li-ion battery models is the need for simulating solid-phase diffusion in a second dimension r. It increases the complexity of the model as well as the computation time/cost to a great extent. Traditional approach toward solid-phase diffusion leads to more difficulties, with the use of emerging cathode materials, which involve phase changes and thus moving boundaries. A computationally efficient representation for solid-phase diffusion is discussed in this paper. The operating condition has a significant effect on the validity, accuracy, and efficiency of various approximations for the solid-phase diffusion. This paper compares approaches available today for solid-phase reformulation and provides two efficient forms for constant and varying diffusivities in the solid phase. This paper introduces an efficient method of an eigenfunction based Galerkin collocation and a mixed order finite difference method for approximating/representing solid-phase concentration variations within the active materials of porous electrodes for a pseudo-two-dimensional model for lithium-ion batteries.
Therapeutics of the Self: Surveillance in the Service of the Therapeutic

The article uses the reality-based television shows The Bachelor and The Bachelorette as a lens through which to examine the representation of therapeutic behavior, arguing that a re-articulation of the therapeutic is necessary to understand the coupling of surveillance and the therapeutic on television. The work examines how participants on reality shows, to legitimate themselves under surveillance, must assert what the author terms the “therapeutics of the self,” a pride in displaying a consistent self verified by surveillance. The “therapeutics of the self” builds on the trend observed by scholars studying therapeutic culture in which people are incited to constantly work on, hence change, the self. The author argues that the “therapeutics of the self” promotes as therapeutic the assertion of self-sameness across disparate social spaces (on the shows and in “real” life): stasis. Hence, paradoxically, the unchanged self works to improve—change—the self.
Structural history of ophiolite obduction, Bay of Islands, Newfoundland

Obduction-related structures in the ophiolitic Bay of Islands Complex, west Newfoundland, are classified into shearing dominated and accretion dominated. Mapping of these structures is combined with other geological constraints and provides the basis for a reconstruction of the obduction history of the ophiolite. The earliest detachment structures are shearing dominated and are preserved in the basal peridotites. They indicate north-directed thrusting. Detachment was facilitated by the shallow position of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary below the recently extinct Bay of Islands spreading ridge. Detachment involved lithosphere of the southern side and immediate northern side of the ridge. During the early stages of detachment, the Coastal Complex, an arc-related unit located to the west of the Bay of Islands Complex, acted largely as a lateral ramp to obduction. Early accretion occurred in two tectonic situations: (1) at the stage when the basal decollement plane intersected the boundary to the structurally and lithologically diverse Coastal Complex; this resulted in accretion of blocks up to several hundred meters thick with a lithological make-up not known from the Bay of Islands Complex; and (2) at the stage when the basal thrust plane intersected the oceanic crust. Deformation switched into the mafic and hydrated footwall lithologles and led to intermittent accretion of mafic oceanic crustal rocks now preserved in the metamorphic sole. Only the Lewis Hills massif, located close to the Coastal Complex during detachment, preserves evidence for both types of early accretion. At a later stage of obduction, localized removal of the basal sequence of the ophiolite was associated with accretion of a diverse assemblage of harzburgites, amphibolites, and greenschists.
Issue Specialization as a Variable in Opinion Assignment on the U.S. Supreme Court

Is issue specialization another variable in opinion assignment on the United States Supreme Court? I examined the civil liberties cases of the Warren Court and found that issue specialization was usual and commonplace on the Court. It was present, however, in narrow issues (such as right to counsel) and not in civil liberties in general or even in somewhat broader issues (such as criminal defendant cases). I also discovered that Chief Justice Warren tended to select as issue specialists justices who had the same or similar ideological views as himself.
Two-Lesion Kinetic Model of Double-Strand Break Rejoining and Cell Killing

Abstract Stewart, R. D. Two-Lesion Kinetic Model of Double-Strand Break Rejoining and Cell Killing. Radiat. Res. 156, 365–378 (2001). Radiobiological models, such as the lethal and potentially lethal (LPL) model and the repair-misrepair (RMR) model, have been reasonably successful at explaining the cell killing effects of radiation. However, the models have been less successful at relating cell killing to the formation, repair and misrepair of double-strand breaks (DSBs), which are widely accepted as the main type of DNA damage responsible for radiation-induced cell killing. A fully satisfactory model should be capable of predicting cell killing for a wide range of exposure conditions using a single set of model parameters. Moreover, these same parameters should give realistic estimates for the initial DSB yield, the DSB rejoining rate, and the residual number of unrepaired DSBs after all repair is complete. To better link biochemical processing of the DSB to cell killing, a two-lesion kinetic (TLK) model...
Commercial scenarios for the Web: opportunities and challenges

The potential of the World Wide Web on the Internet as a commercial medium and market has been widely documented in a variety of media. However, a critical examination of its commercial development has received little attention. Therefore, in this paper we propose a structural framework for examining the explosion in commercial activity on the Web. First, we explore the role of the Web as a distribution channel and a medium for marketing communications. Second, we examine the factors that have led to the development of the Web as a commercial medium, evaluating the benefits it provides to both consumers and firms and its attractive size and demographic characteristics. Third, we discuss the barriers to commercial growth of the Web from both the supply and demand side perspectives. This analysis leads to a new classification of commercialization efforts that categorizes commercial Web sites into six distinct types including 1) Online Storefront, 2) Internet Presence, 3) Content, 4) Mall, 5) Incentive Site, and, 6) Search Agent. The first three comprise the “Integrated Destination Site,” and the latter three represent forms of “Web Traffic Control.” Our framework, argued in the context of integrated marketing, facilitates greater understanding of the Web as a commercial medium, and allows examination of commercial Web sites in terms of the opportunities and challenges firms face in the rush towards commercialization.
Influenza Vaccination Among US Children With Asthma, 2005–2013

Abstract Background Children with asthma face higher risk of complications from influenza. Trends in influenza vaccination among children with asthma are unknown. Methods We used 2005–2013 National Health Interview Survey data for children 2 to 17 years of age. We assessed, separately for children with and without asthma, any vaccination (received August through May) during each of the 2005–2006 through 2012–2013 influenza seasons and, for the 2010–2011 through 2012–2013 seasons only, early vaccination (received August through October). We used April–July interviews each year (n = 31,668) to assess vaccination during the previous influenza season. Predictive margins from logistic regression with time as the independent and vaccination status as the dependent variable were used to assess time trends. We also estimated the association between several sociodemographic variables and the likelihood of influenza vaccination. Results From 2005 to 2013, among children with asthma, influenza vaccination receipt increased about 3 percentage points per year ( P Conclusions The percentage of children 2 to 17 years of age with asthma receiving influenza vaccination has increased since 2004–2005, reaching approximately 55% in 2012–2013.
Advances in hormonal contraception.

In the United States oral contraceptive pills (OCP) remain the most common form of contraception for adolescents and reproductive-age women. Although with ideal use the failure rate of OCP is 0.1 per 100 women-years typical use failure rates particularly for adolescents are much higher (three to eight per 100 women-years). Hence the need for more effective and non-user dependent contraception continues to grow. Over the past few years both new oral contraceptives and different delivery methods have been developed. These developments have been driven by the sustained effort to optimize efficacy and minimize adverse effects. A trend has also developed towards using different modes of delivery in an attempt to improve tolerability reducing the need for daily compliance and making the efficacy of the method less dependent on administration by the user. This trend has resulted in an explosion of new types and forms of contraception including some that have been marketed others that are still in the pipeline and still others that have already been withdrawn from the market. This article summarizes those formulations and methods that have been developed in the past 15 years and glances ahead at those that are reaching the finish line in the long road to contraceptive development and approval. (excerpt)
Wide-angle planar microtracking for high efficiency microcell concentrating photovoltaics

We explore a lenslet-based concentrating photovoltaic system integrated together with high efficiency microcell photovoltaics that enables planar microtracking at concentration ratios >200x over a 120° field of view.
The191Os/191mIr generator for clinical use

An evaluation of adsorbents for potential use in the191Os/191mIr medical radionuclide generator was performed. The adsorbents included 39 inorganic materials broadly classified as oxides, antimonates, ferro-ferricyanides, phosphates, sulfides, and miscellaneous including activated carbon and the organic anion-exchanger AGMP-1. The uptake of191Os in oxidation states (VI) [potassium tetrachloroosmate], (IV) [potassium hexachloroosmate] and (III) [potassium hexathiocyanatoosmate] was measured. Adsorbents having a high191Os uptake were evaluated for191mIr elution yield using three physiologically compatible eluents. Only activated carbon and AGMP-1 adsorbents showed significant191mIr elution yields under the test conditions (10% and 37%, respectively). The results of these studies suggest that activated carbon may be a promising adsorbent for development of a new191Os/191mIr medical radionuclide generator. Activated carbon is a good candidate for further development since it is inert to the chemical and radiation effects which may effect an organic based ion exchange material such as AGMP-1.
Serum-Based Standards for Lithium Determinations

Serum lithium determinations have become increasingly important in monitoring this widely used drug. A comparison of lithium determinations using aqueous and serum standards has been made to investigate the effect of viscosity on the sensitivity of lithium measurement. Agreement in the standard values was found over most of the therapeutic range; however, the data suggest that as the lithium concentration increases, differences between values of aqueous standards and serum-based standards increase.
An analytical bond-order potential for the aluminum copper binary system

Abstract Al-rich Al1−xCux alloys are important structural materials in the aerospace industry due to their high strength to density ratio. They are also emerging materials for hydrogen containing structures due to their potentially high resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. To enable accurate simulations of the mechanical behavior of Al1−xCux alloys that can guide material improvement, we have developed a high-fidelity analytical bond-order potential (BOP) for the Al-Cu system (the code is publically available in molecular dynamics package LAMMPS). The formalism of the potential is derived from quantum mechanical theories, and the parameters are optimized in an iteration fashion. The iterations begin by fitting properties of a variety of elemental and compound configurations (with coordination varying from 1 to 12) including small clusters, bulk lattices, defects, and surfaces. Following the fitting process, crystalline growth of important equilibrium phases is checked through molecular dynamics simulations of vapor deposition. It is demonstrated that this Al-Cu bond-order potential has unique advantages relative to existing literature potentials in reproducing structural and property tends from experiments and quantum-mechanical calculations, and providing good descriptions of melting temperature, defect characteristics, and surface energies. Most importantly, this BOP is the only potential currently available capable of capturing the Al-rich end of the Al-Cu phase diagram. This capability is rigorously verified by the potential's ability to capture the crystalline growth of the ground-state structures for elemental Al and Cu, as well as, the θ and θ′ phases of the Al2Cu compound in vapor deposition simulations.
Abstract P616: Renal Sympathetic Outflow And Beta-adrenergic Signaling Promote Dendritic Cell Activation In Hypertension

Hypertension is associated with increased sympathetic outflow and activation of adaptive immunity. In hypertensive states, proteins that are oxidatively modified by highly reactive γ-ketoaldehydes (isoketals) accumulate in dendritic cells (DCs). These isoketal-protein adducts are immunogenic and lead to subsequent activation of T cells. We hypothesized that renal sympathetic nerves link the central nervous system to immune activation in hypertension. To test this, we performed bilateral renal denervation (RDN) in C57BL/6 mice by applying phenol to the renal artery. One week later, mice received an subcutaneous infusion of angiotensin II (490 ng/kg/min) for 14 days. RDN lowered the hypertensive response to angiotensin II infusion (130±3 vs. 161±3 mmHg) as measured by telemetry. By flow cytometry, we found that RDN reduced accumulation of T cells in the kidney. Ang II infusion caused resulted in 15-25% increases in expression of the maturation markers CD80 and CD86, as well as 2-fold increase in isoketal adducts in the DCs of spleen. It also increased IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production by splenic DCs by 4 to 6-fold. These increases were attenuated by RDN. Having confirmed that DCs express almost every subtype of adrenergic receptor by real time PCR, we further determined if sympathetic neurotransmitters contribute to DC activation by treating bone marrow-derived DCs with either norepinephrine (NE) or neuropeptide Y (NPY) in vitro. As measured by flow cytometry, NE dose-dependently increased isoketal-protein adducts in DCs (vehicle: 19 ± 3 vs. 3 μmol/L: 39 ± 4%). This was prevented by pretreating cells with the β-adrenergic antagonist propranolol (1 μmol/L), but not by blocking α1 or α2 adrenoreceptors with prazosin and yohimbine. In contrast, NPY did not affect DC isoketal-protein content. Therefore, our data indicate that renal sympathetic nerves increase isoketal-adduct formation in DCs via β-adrenergic signaling and that this contributes to the activation of adaptive immunity in hypertension. These data suggest that beta blockade might have previously unappreciated anti-inflammatory effects in the treatment of hypertension.
Kinetic Analysis of Transmission Mechanism for Spiral Gear Slotting Machine

The transmission mechanism for spiral slotting machine was analyzed and simulated by Matlab.The results showed that high precision of tooth shape would be obtained in 65% of cycle time due to the smooth movement of rotating mechanism during the slotting process.And return process could be set in 35% of cycle time of quick return motion,in order to save time and improve machining efficiency.
Analysis on Provincial System Available Capability of Accommodating Wind Power Considering Peak Load Dispatch and Transmission Constraints

With the increasing of wind power installed capacity,peak load regulation and transmission capacity have become main restrictions for accommodation of wind power.In order to provide an intuitive demonstration on the accommodation of wind power and guidance for the planning and dispatching of wind power,this paper presents a method for predicting the accommodation of wind energy considering peak load and transmission regulation.Based on the present condition of the gird,construction of power source and the actual operational data of the northern provinces of China with rich wind power resource,this paper analyzes and predicts two provinces' available capability of wind energy in the target year under different scenarios.At last,this paper gives advices to improve the capability to connect wind power.
SU-F-J-143: Initial Assessment of Image Quality of An Integrated MR-Linac System with ACR Phantom

Purpose/Objective(s): To assess the image quality of an integrated MR-Linac system and compare with other MRI systems that are primarily used for diagnostic purposes. Materials/Methods: An ACR MRI quality control (QC) phantom was used to evaluate the image quality of a fully integrated 1.5T MRI-Linac system recently installed at our institution. This system has a new split magnet design which gives the magnetic field strength of 1.5T. All images were acquired with a set of phased-array surface coils which are designed to have minimal attention of radiation beam. The anterior coil rests on a coil holder which keeps the anterior coil's position consistent for QA purposes. The posterior coil is imbedded in the patient couch. Multiple sets of T1, T2/PD images were acquired using the protocols as prescribed by the ACR on three different dates, ranging 3 months apart. Results: The geometric distortion are within 0.5 mm in the axial scans and within 1mm in the saggital (z-direction) scans. Slice thickness accuracy, image uniformity, ghosting ratio, high contrast detectability are comparable to other 1.5T diagnostic MRI scanners. The low-contrast object detectability are lower comparatively, which is a result of using the body array coil. Additionally, the beam's-eye-view images (oblique coronal and saggital images) have minimal geometric distortion at all linac gantry angles tested. No observable changes or drift in image quality is found from images acquired 3 month apart. Conclusion: Despite the use of a body array surface coil, the image quality is comparable to that of an 1.5T MRI scanner and is of sufficient quality to pass the ACR MRI accreditation program. The geometric distortion of the MRI system of the integrated MR-Linac is within 1mm for an object size similar to the ACR phantom, sufficient for radiation therapy treatment purpose. The authors received corporate sponsored research grants from Elekta which is the vendor for the MR-Linac evaluated in this study.
Taking the fictional stance

AbstractIn this paper, I set out to answer two foundational questions concerning our psychological engagements with fictions. The first is the question of fictional transformation: How we can see fictional media while also ‘seeing’ those objects as fictional ones? The second is the question of fictional response: How and why we take the objects of fiction to be the types of things that we can respond to and judge? Standard responses to these questions rely on distinct cognitive attitudes like pretense, imagination, and make-believe. I call this position the distinct attitude view (DAV). I argue against the DAV, arguing instead that a psychological framework of fiction can answer the two questions without appealing to distinct mental attitudes. Hence, I call my position the standard attitude view (SAV). The challenge for the SAV is to explain the two questions in terms of everyday mental states and the intentional content of those states. I do so by appealing to the concept of taking the fictional stance. ...
Auditory “bubbles”: Efficient classification of the spectrotemporal modulations essential for speech intelligibility

Speech intelligibility depends on the integrity of spectrotemporal patterns in the signal. The current study is concerned with the speech modulation power spectrum (MPS), which is a two-dimensional representation of energy at different combinations of temporal and spectral (i.e., spectrotemporal) modulation rates. A psychophysical procedure was developed to identify the regions of the MPS that contribute to successful reception of auditory sentences. The procedure, based on the two-dimensional image classification technique known as “bubbles” (Gosselin and Schyns (2001). Vision Res. 41, 2261–2271), involves filtering (i.e., degrading) the speech signal by removing parts of the MPS at random, and relating filter patterns to observer performance (keywords identified) over a number of trials. The result is a classification image (CImg) or “perceptual map” that emphasizes regions of the MPS essential for speech intelligibility. This procedure was tested using normal-rate and 2×-time-compressed sentences. The results indicated: (a) CImgs could be reliably estimated in individual listeners in relatively few trials, (b) CImgs tracked changes in spectrotemporal modulation energy induced by time compression, though not completely, indicating that “perceptual maps” deviated from physical stimulus energy, and (c) the bubbles method captured variance in intelligibility not reflected in a common modulation-based intelligibility metric (spectrotemporal modulation index or STMI).
Significant Association Between Promoter Polymorphism of the Erythropoietin Gene and Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

Abstract 3825 Poster Board III-761 The risk of developing myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) increases in the presence of a combination of genetic susceptibility factors and environmental carcinogenic factors. While numerous toxic agents have been described, genetic susceptibility factors for MDS are not well defined. A recent study showed that the TT genotype of the SNP rs1617640, located in the promoter of the eosinophile peroxidase (EPO) gene, is significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy and end-stage renal disease in patients with diabetes. Experimental models showed that the GG genotype is associated with several-fold lower erythropoietin expression than is the TT genotype. Since EPO plays a major role in the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells, we explored the association of the rs1617640 SNP genotype with MDS. We compared the EPO promoter SNP genotype in 187 MDS patients, 256 AML patients, and 95 normal control individuals. The GG genotype was significantly more common in patients with MDS (25.1%) than in normal control subjects (6.3%) and AML patients (12.5%) (P=0.0003); the GT genotype was present in 38.4% of MDS patients, 43.2% of AML patients, and 46.2% of normal control subjects. Combined analysis of data from MDS and control subjects indicated an elevated risk of MDS in individuals with the GG genotype relative to those with a non-GG genotype (odd ratio [OR] =4.98; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.04-12.13). The GG (vs non-GG) genotype was also associated with elevated MDS risk when analysis was limited to the MDS and AML groups (OR =2.35; 95% CI=1.43-3.86). In contrast, analysis of AML and control group data showed a statistically insignificant elevated risk for AML in individuals with the GG genotype (OR=2.12; 95% CI=0.86-5.24). The odds of MDS and AML did not differ significantly with respect to GT (vs non-GT) or TT (vs non-TT) genotypes when compared with control subjects. Clinical and follow up data were available for 112 MDS patients and 186 AML patients. There was no correlation between EPO promoter genotype and response to therapy or overall survival in MDS or AML. In the MDS group, the GG genotype was significantly associated with shorter complete remission duration, as compared with the TT genotype (P=0.03). We found no correlation between EPO genotype and cytogenetic abnormalities, performance status, or other laboratory variables. In conclusion, the EPO promoter GG genotype shows strong association with MDS. Since MDS is well documented to develop after exposure to toxic agents, the clinical value of screening for the EPO promoter GG genotype in individuals at high risk due to exposure to toxic agents, then storing hematopoietic stem cells from those with the GG genotype for possible future use, should be investigated. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Improving the Security and Efficiency of Private Genomic Computation Using Server Aid

In many genomic applications, especially nonmedical applications, computations are carried out in a server-mediated setting where the server enables joint genomic computations between users. Thus, it’s sensible to utilize the server’s computational capabilities to aid data protection.
Audited financial statements in the federal government: Intentions, outcomes and on-going challenges for management and policy-making

The Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 (and the subsequent Government Management Reform Act of 1994) mandated federal agencies to prepare corporate-style annual financial statements and subject them to independent audit. Over a decade later, it is reasonable to ask what the consequences of CFO Act financial statements have been. Accrual accounting produces auditable financial statements that establish accountability, contribute to the credibility of financial information, and identify long-term financial issues; but financial statements are not linked to the processes for resource-allocation decisions, nor do they produce information needed by managers. Some of these shortcomings are explained by contextual and sectoral differences.
Spatial distribution bias in subject-specific abnormalities analyses

The neuroimaging community has seen a renewed interest in algorithms that provide a location-independent summary of subject-specific abnormalities (SSA) to assess individual lesion load. More recently, these methods have been extended to assess whether multiple individuals within the same cohort exhibit extrema in the same spatial location (e.g., voxel or region of interest). However, the statistical validity of this approach has not been rigorously established. The current study evaluated the potential for a spatial bias in the distribution of SSA using several common z-transformation algorithms (leave-one-out [LOO]; independent sample [IDS]; Enhanced Z-Score Microstructural Assessment of Pathology [EZ-MAP]; distribution-corrected z-scores [DisCo-Z]) using both simulated data and DTI data from 50 healthy controls. Results indicated that methods which z-transformed data based on statistical moments from a reference group (LOO, DisCo-Z) led to bias in the spatial location of extrema for the comparison group. In contrast, methods that z-transformed data using an independent third group (EZ-MAP, IDS) resulted in no spatial bias. Importantly, none of the methods exhibited bias when results were summed across all individual elements. The spatial bias is primarily driven by sampling error, in which differences in the mean and standard deviation of the untransformed data have a higher probability of producing extrema in the same spatial location for the comparison but not reference group. In conclusion, evaluating SSA overlap within cohorts should be either be avoided in deference to established group-wise comparisons or performed only when data is available from an independent third group.
Back To Basics of Sequence Stratigraphy: Early Miocene and Mid-cretaceous Examples from the New Jersey Paleoshelf

Abstract Many sequence stratigraphic approaches have used relative sea-level curves that are dependent on models or preconceived notions to recognize depositional sequences, key stratal surfaces, and systems tracts, leading to contradictory interpretations. Here, we urge following basic sequence stratigraphic principles independent of sea-level curves using seismic terminations, facies successions and stacking patterns from well logs and sections, and chronostratigraphic data to recognize sequence boundaries, other stratal surfaces, parasequences, and systems tracts. We provide examples from the New Jersey siliciclastic paleoshelf from the: 1) early Miocene using academic-based chronostratigraphic, seismic, core, downhole, and core log data, and 2) mid-Cretaceous using commercial well-log, seismic, and biostratigraphic data. We use classic criteria to identify sequence boundaries on seismic profiles by reflection terminations (onlap, downlap, erosional truncation, and toplap), in cores by surfaces of erosion associated with hiatuses detected using biostratigraphy and Sr-isotope stratigraphy and changes in stacking patterns, and in logs by changes in stacking patterns. Maximum flooding surfaces (MFSs) are major seismic downlap surfaces associated with changes from retrogradational to progradational parasequence stacking patterns. Systems tracts are identified by their bounding surfaces and fining- (generally deepening) and coarsening- (generally shallowing) upward trends in cores and well-log stacking patterns. Our Miocene examples of sequences m5.4 (17.7–16.1 Ma) and m5.8 (20.1–19.2 Ma) illustrate how basic sequence stratigraphic techniques reveal higher-order sequences within Myr scale composite sequences. Our mid-Cretaceous examples from the New Jersey shelf provide a paleoshelf transect spanning the Great Stone Dome to the outer continental shelf to identify parasequences, sequences, and systems tracts. This sequence stratigraphic framework provides insights into Myr scale coeval depositional environments across the paleoshelf and reservoir continuity, and highlights the application of basic sequence stratigraphic criteria to reservoir-scale evaluation, not only for oil and gas resources, but also for carbon storage.
Measurement of DNA Double Strand Breaks in Mammalian Cells: Comparison Between Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis and Non-Unwinding Filter Elution

DNA damage induction dose response curves were measured in synchronous and plateauphase CHO cells following exposure to sparsely ionizing radiation using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and non-unwinding filter elution; assays that have been shown to respond specifically to the presence of double strand (dsb) breaks in the DNA. The fraction of DNA-associated activity released (FAR) from the agarose plug, where cells were embedded, and the fraction of activity eluted (FAE) from the filter were measured and used as parameters for the quantitation of the DNA damage present after pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and non-unwinding filter elution, respectively. Dose response curves for FAR and FAE were, as expected in general sigmoid, but under certain lysis conditions, the data obtained in the low dose region could be fitted by straight lines. FAR and FAE per Gy fluctuated throughout the cell cycle in a quantitatively similar manner suggesting that both techniques respond to similar cell cycle associated effects. High values were obtained for these parameters in cells irradiated in G1 or G2+M; the values decreased as cells entered S, and reached a minimum in the middle of this phase. Calibration of pulsed field gel electrophoresis by means of 125I-decay demonstrated that the fluctuations in the FAR per unit dose do not reflect variations in the production of DNA dsb. It is, therefore, proposed that the observed phenomena reflect alterations in the physicochemical properties of the DNA induced by the inception of replication, and caused by the presence of forks and eyes in the molecules. In both assays, the resulting DNA damage induction dose response curves could be altered by modifying the lysis conditions employed. In general, the sensitivity of the assay increased when NLS (sodium-N-laurylsarcosine) was substituted for SDS (sodium dodecyl sulphate) and when high temperatures (50–60°C) were used during lysis. These findings indicate that correlations established between the magnitude of the generated signal, by either technique, and DNA dsb, hold only for the particular cell population used and the specific lysis conditions employed. Extrapolation of such correlations for the interpretation of results obtained with different cell populations treated under different conditions may lead to erroneous conclusions.
Dehydration Pathways for Glucose and Cellobiose During Fast Pyrolysis.

A full understanding of all possible elementary reactions applicable to cellulose fast pyrolysis is key to developing a comprehensive kinetic model for fast pyrolysis of cellulose. Since water is an observed product of fast pyrolysis of cellulose, the energetics of the dehydration reactions of cellulose were explored computationally by using density functional theory. Glucose and cellobiose were selected as the cellulose model compounds. The four water loss mechanisms studied are Maccoll elimination, Pinacol ring contraction, cyclic Grob fragmentation, and alcohol condensation, some of which have not been considered previously in the literature. Levoglucosan formation via alcohol condensation has the lowest calculated free-energy barrier (50.4 kcal mol–1) for glucose dehydration. All other water loss reactions have calculated free-energy barriers greater than 60 kcal mol–1. Cellobiose dehydration shows similar trends to those of glucose, suggesting that these reactions are applicable to glucooligosacchari...
Self-consistent continuum-based transient simulation of electroformation of niobium oxide-tantalum dioxide selector-memristor structures

Transient electroformation simulation of niobium oxide selectors, self-aligned to tantalum dioxide memristor structures, is described by a computational solution of the mass transport equation self-consistently coupled to the heat and electronic charge transport equations. Augmentation of an electrothermal drift-diffusion formulation by a thermally activated field-enhanced mass transport term self-consistently describes transient evolution ab initio of electric potential, temperature, and charge carrier density to model electroformation of our niobium oxide-tantalum dioxide selector-memristor structure. The present formulation requires no a priori current filament model. Simulated transient electroforming behavior of our as-fabricated self-aligned selectors illustrates that transient evolution of niobium oxide to its stable metallic phase produces a decrease in localized resistivity, initiating a self-limiting effect on spontaneous electroformation, suggesting a method to finely tailor electroformation processes by explicitly tuning pre-fabrication device design and post-fabrication electrical operations for optimum initial conditioning of selector structures.
COMPARISON WITH INTENSITY OF SECONDARY DENGUE INFECTION BY DETECTING DENGUE-SPECIFIC IMMUNOGLOBULIN G ANTIBODIES

Objective: Detection of dengue-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the serum of healthy individuals signifies previous dengue infection. This phenomenon can be utilized to demonstrate dengue activity in a suspected area and to stratify intensity of infection in the urban and rural surroundings. Methods: Serum samples of altogether 881 healthy volunteers, 560 persons living in the central part of the city Kolkata and 321 individuals residing at a village Memari (highly endemic for dengue), 85 Km away from Kolkata, having no apparent proof of dengue activity were examined for the detection of dengue-specific IgG antibodies. Results: Of 560 serum samples collected from Kolkata, 55.5% (249) were IgG reactive. Respective figures for Memari were 321 and 25.3% (81). This indicated that the virus was also active at rural area, though the endemic property was lower than in Kolkata. In both urban (r=−0.585, p=0.017) and rural (r=−0.392, p=0.013) West Bengal, the suspected and IgG reactive cases apparently negatively correlated with age, but the percentage of reactivity was found to increase with age. The number of IgG reactive cases was significantly more in Kolkata than at Memari, indicating that dengue virus was active at Memari though the endemic property was much lower than that of Kolkata and chances of secondary dengue infection vis-a-vis dengue hemorrhagic fever would be more in Kolkata than at Memari. Conclusion: Evaluation of IgG specific dengue antibodies can be utilized to compare intensity of secondary dengue infection vis-a-vis DHF and its endemic property in different places, furnish a preliminary idea.
Assessing Drivers' Trust of Automated Vehicle Driving Styles With a Two-Part Mixed Model of Intervention Tendency and Magnitude.

ObjectiveThis study examines how driving styles of fully automated vehicles affect drivers’ trust using a statistical technique—the two-part mixed model—that considers the frequency and magnitude o...
I Can’t Complain

Life as an academic is not generally understood by people outside the academy, which can cause tensions and discord and leave a grieving person feeling more alone when what is most needed is understanding. This chapter reveals how the author wove back and forth between grief, reading and writing as she worked to find stability in her life after her husband’s death. Finding support in reading Plutchik’s theory of the nature or emotions and Neimeyer’s constructivist approach to healing, using her skills as a researcher to write a memoir, as well as reading and writing literature provided the motivation and strength she needed to heal.
Entre rejas y entre textos: El proceso de creación de las Romanzas de las rejas o la conquista del espacio narrativo

This essay explores some of the strategies used by Carlota O’Neill in Romanzas de las rejas to create a narrative space of her own inside prison. These prose poems were written during her fourth ye...