cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MO‐FF‐A4‐01: Evaluation of Background Trend Correction Technique in Breast Tomosynthesis Quantitation

Purpose: The main shortcoming of breast tomosynthesis (tomo) imaging when compared to CT is poor resolution in the depth direction and the associated difficulty in quantifying tissue density. This study will assess the quantitative potential of breast tomo using a clinical prototype and relatively simple reconstruction and the proposed background trend correction scheme. Tomo quantitation would allow improved characterization of lesions as well as proper image processing of tomo images (analogous to that of mammography).Method and Materials: Studies were based on a Siemens prototype breast tomo system with a 45° total angular span. First, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted using geometry to mimic the aforementioned prototype and voxelized breast tissue‐equivalent phantoms embedded with eleven small cuboid lesions of varying density. The material surrounding the lesions was either fat or glandular equivalent plastic. From the simulations, the effects of scatter, lesion depth, and background material density were studied. Empirical studies were then conducted with the prototype system and tissue‐equivalent phantoms similar to those of the simulations to allow investigation of the effects of lesion depth and background material density. All image reconstruction was performed using filtered backprojection incorporating a filter designed to emulate some grayscale characteristics of iterative reconstruction.Results: Resulting images displayed a visible difference in lesion brightness for both empirical and simulated experiments. After applying our background trend correction technique, the lesion voxel values varied linearly with glandular fraction (all R2 ⩾ 0.90) under all simulated and empirical conditions. Significant differences were encountered only for different background materials (in all scatter‐included paradigms). Conclusions: These high R2 values suggest that breast tomo image voxel values corrected by our outlined methods are highly positively correlated with true tissue density, implying that breast tomo imaging has definite quantitative potential.
Phase stability domains of (Bi,Pb)-2223: Data sources, correlation, and assessment

An assessment of the phase stability of lead-doped Bi-2223, (Bi,Pb)-2223, as a function of temperature and partial pressure of oxygen, p(0{sub 2}), derived from equilibration and electromotive force studies carried out by numerous groups of investigators is presented. The data obtained from this assessment, coupled with additional more recent data from the laboratory, can be used to estimate the stability of this promising high-{Tc} bismuth cuprate system in the temperature range from 650 to 870 C and for oxygen partial pressures ranging from 10{sup {minus}5} to one atm.
Temporal evolution of the CBV-fMRI signal to rat whisker stimulation of variable duration and intensity: A linearity analysis

Cerebral blood volume functional magnetic resonance imaging (CBV-fMRI) experiments employing iron oxide contrast agent were conducted in rat whisker barrel cortex at 3 Tesla. Stimuli of constant frequency (12 Hz) but variable duration and intensity were delivered separately using a homemade whisker stimulator. The temporal behavior of CBV-fMRI signals was investigated using a linearity analysis method. Both superposition and scaling tests show that CBV-fMRI responses are generally consistent with a linear time-invariant (LTI) model. In particular, the response to a stimulus of higher intensity can be linearly scaled from that of lower intensity. However, significant deviations exist when the stimulus duration is manipulated, particularly in the trailing edge of the CBV-fMRI response curves.
Revitalizing computing camp and outreach: how do we engage teenagers in "cool" technology? (abstract only)

Tech Camps are popular outreach tools to interest teens in computing programs and technology careers. One of the biggest obstacles is how to make Tech Camp "cool" and inviting for teenagers. How do we grab the attention of students to enroll? Once at camp, how do we engage teens with computing as a creative tool with relevancy to their lives? It is summer; subject areas must be entertaining and relevant. Can we stay ahead of the tech-savvy teens with our budget constraints? Robots and storytelling have long been used; how do we innovate and spark interest, throughout the year? The purpose of this BOF is to share ideas, such as App Inventor for Android to create apps, including text messaging, encouraging students to incorporate their own creative graphics, and using tablet devices.
The effect of metiamide on the gastric mucosal barrier

Abstract The effect of Metiamide, an H2-receptor antagonist, on the hydrogen ion back diffusion and transmucosal electrical potential difference was tested in the nonsecreting in vitro frog gastric mucosa. Under the conditions of this study, the topical application of Metiamide did not effect either hydrogen ion back diffusion or transmucosal electrical potential difference. These data suggest that the increase in gastric potential difference noted in in vivo studies results from the suppression of acid secretion and not from alterations in the gastric mucosal barrier. Likewise, these data do not support the concept that H2-receptor antagonists “enhance” gastric mucosal barrier integrity.
DENSITY-DEPENDENT COEXISTENCE IN FISH COMMUNITIES

A set of stage-structured competition models is considered. The models are parameterized using allometric relationships specific to four fish life history strategies, constraining the model to biologically plausible regions in parameter space. Using a coupled consumer–resource competition model, I get the paradoxical result that two populations can coexist in equilibrium on an identical resource base, without recourse to temporal or spatial partitioning. In contrast to much theory on limiting similarity, the model also predicts that fish populations of similar life history strategies can coexist in equilibrium with complete resource overlap. This form of coexistence (called density-dependent coexistence) requires that life history strategies differ such that an advantage at one stage of the life cycle implies a disadvantage at another stage in the life cycle. These exact life history trade-offs appear in small-bodied fish. Furthermore, it is postulated that this result may be applicable to other taxa.
14N nuclear quadrupole resonance in weakly paramagnetic organic dye cations

Abstract 14N NQR spectra at 77 K for seven organic dye cations and one free base are reported. The cations are weakly paramagnetic at 77 K, exhibiting broad and featureless EPR spectra characteristic of weak charge-transfer complexes. The positive charge in the cations is largely delocalized. The existence of a simple relationship between the 14N NQR data and optical properties for three cyanine laser dyes is discussed.
Path integral derivation of gravitational anomalies in arbitrary even dimensions

In this short note, we show how to derive gravitational anomalies l ) in arbitrary even dimen­ sions by using the path integral method 2 ) with the help of the proper time technique 3 ) to evaluate the Jacobian. Contrary to the former claim, I) this derivation is as easy as by the method of using the 0+ 1 dimensional nonlinear a-model. 4 ) We separately study Lagrangians with chiral fermions of "spin" 1/2 and 3/2 in an even­ dimensional curved space-time. Since the deriva­ tion in this note is only a slight modification of the paper 5) . in which the gravitational chiral anomalies were derived, we follow the notations in that paper and will not explain the details. The following procedure derives gravitational anomalies for both spin 1/2 and 3/2 cases. j) Notice that the Jacobian under the general coordinate transformation can be written as a product of two operators: One is respon­ sible for the chiral anomaly and another is linear in a covariant derivative operator.
Microspectrophotometric characterization of aromatic constituents in cell walls of hard and soft wheats

Cell walls of epidermis, hypodermis, nucellar epidermis, aleurone, and endosperm in hard and soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L) kernels were evaluated for aromatic constituents using ultraviolet (UV) absorption microspectrophotometry. Wheat varieties sampled were soft red winter Caldwell, hard red winter varieties Tam 200 and Karl, and hard red spring varieties Len and Yecora rojo. Spectra of cell walls of epidermis and hypodermis (beeswing cells) suggested larger amounts and a greater degree of polymerization of aromatic constituents in these walls compared to those of other cell types. Results also suggested the presence of ester-linked ferulic acid. Nucellar epidermal walls also had polymerized aromatics and ferulic acid, but amounts appeared to be much less than in the walls of the beeswing cells. UV spectra of aleurone walls suggested that the predominant aromatic was ester-linked ferulic acid ; anticlinal walls had substantially more aromatic constituents than outer or inner periclinal walls. Endosperm walls lacked any indication of aromatics by this method. Grain hardness did not appear to be related to cell wall aromatics. UV absorption microspectrophotometry indicated significant variations in wall aromatics of different cell types of wheat grains.
Pre-procreative ages in population stability and cyclicity.

Age‐specific models of population renewal (with and without feedback) which imply convergence to a stable state for some levels of fertility or feedback may imply the presence of long‐term cycling around a constant or exponentially changing equilibrium for other levels of fertility or feedback. The switch from one regime to the other is a “bifurcation.”; The conditions for bifurcation involve the roots of an analogue of Lotka's Equation. Typically bifurcation is induced by raising the strength of feedback or the level of fertility. It has been known since the early 1980s, however, that this is sometimes impossible. It is sometimes impossible even with the linear renewal equation itself and with the most basic of non‐linear models, Lee's cohort feedback model. Here it is proved that this typical route to bifurcation does not fail for these basic models in the presence of a condition which always holds for realistic applications with higher organisms: the existence of a span of ages before the onset of fert...
A novel solar-driven air gap membrane distillation system

Abstract Membrane distillation (MD) is a thermal-based membrane technology that is capable of treating highly concentrated or contaminated brines, including use as part of a zero liquid discharge desalination system. The low temperatures of operation of MD make it ideal to be used with solar energy as a heat source. However, current solar powered MD systems show poor performance and operate at low temperature compared to other thermal desalination systems. This paper describes a novel configuration of air gap MD which employs direct heating of the MD membrane by solar energy. The configuration provides a more uniform temperature profile over the membrane in the flow direction thereby enhancing vapor production. Heat transfer process modeling of the system shows that it can achieve a thermal efficiency that is nearly twice that of current solar powered MD systems.
An analysis of activity scheduling behavior of airport travelers

A nested logit model is presented that can be used to predict the activity pattern of travelers inside an airport based on their socio-demographical characteristics (e.g. gender, age), group size, and travel related information (e.g. number of bags, airport size, and total available time). The availability of such a model enhances representation of the behavior dynamics when simulating airport pedestrian traffic. An internet-based revealed preference survey was used to collect data from persons that visit airports including both travelers and non-travelers. The survey focused on the agenda of subjects' most recent airport trip, the frequency and attitude concerning certain types of activities they performed inside the airport, and the socio-demographic characteristics of each respondent. Three possible nested logit model structures are analyzed and one has been identified as a plausible and statistically acceptable nested structure. Also, the empirical results demonstrate the applicability of a nested logit model for use in identifying travelers' activity patterns in an airport.
SU‐E‐T‐770: Compensator‐Based Intensity Modulated Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer

Purpose: Bulky (>40 cc) cervical cancerbrachytherapy (BT) tumordose conformity is often poor since the dose limitations of nearby organs at risk (OARs) prevent the radially symmetric dose distributions from covering tumor extremities. We introduce compensator‐based intensity modulated brachytherapy (CIMBT), a non‐invasive alternative to supplementary interstitial BT that improves the dose conformity to bulky cervical cancertumors. CIMBT dose distributions are generated by an electronic brachytherapy (eBT) source wrapped in a novel compensator that is covered in varying thicknesses of high‐Z material. Methods: A 3‐D CIMBT treatment planning system prototype was developed that simultaneously optimizes the compensator thickness distribution and the source dwell times at multiple positions. Ir‐192, Xoft Axxent eBT, and CIMBT treatment plans were generated for a stage IB cervical cancer patient with a laterally and posteriorly‐extended 41.3 cc high‐risk clinical target volume (HR‐CTV). The BT doses were escalated as high as possible without compromising the GEC‐ESTRO recommended bladder, rectum, and sigmoid constraints. Results: CIMBT improved HR‐CTV D90 considerably above that of Ir‐192 and eBT. D90‐values for Ir‐192, eBT, and CIMBT were 64, 62 and 90 Gy(EQD2), respectively. Ir‐192 and eBT treatment times were comparable, and the CIMBT delivery time was greater than the eBT case by a factor of 3.4. The user could easily obtain decreased CIMBT treatment times by constraining D90 in the HR‐CTV. No improvement in the dose CIMBT dose distribution was evident for compensator thicknesses greater than 100 μm of gold. Conclusions: Compensator‐based IMBT has the potential to significantly improve cervical cancerdose distributions without the need for supplementary interstitial BT. The physician will have the freedom to optimize the tradeoff between increased delivery time and tumordose conformity with CIMBT. We expect that patient‐specific compensators can be constructed rapidly in clinical situations using circuit board printing technology.
A system for the long‐term continuous exposure of laboratory animals to mixtures of air pollutants1

Abstract A facility has been developed for the continuous chronic exposure of large numbers of animals to various levels of air pollution mixtures. It consists of four large environmental rooms which are self‐contained, each constituting a large exposure chamber. The rooms are suitable for housing almost any species of laboratory animals. A main air handler conditions and cleans outside air which is distributed to the four rooms and hallway. Air flow, temperature and humidity are precisely controlled independently in each room. Actual air pollution involves large numbers of trace substances and is impractical to reproduce entirely. For the present, a controlled mixture is being used, consisting of submicron sulfate aerosol and major gaseous pollutants in proportions similar to those in urban atmospheres. The mixture is introduced into three of the four exposure rooms at three pre‐determined levels; low (typical of average air pollution), high (alert or episodic levels) and exaggerated (or emergency levels...
Pulse Sequences for Interventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Interventional magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) is different from diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in its spatial, temporal, and contrast resolution requirements due to its specific clinical applications. As a result, the pulse sequences used in iMRI often are significantly different than those used in the more conventional diagnostic arena. The focus of this article is to summarize how iMRI is different from diagnostic MRI, to describe a variety of MRI pulse sequences and sequence strategies that have evolved because of these differences, and to describe some MRI sequence strategies that are in development and may be seen in future iMRI applications.
Facile infrared laser-induced decomposition of triethyl phosphite

Abstract The pulsed CO 2 laser photolysis of triethyl phosphite, P(OC 2 H 5 ) 3 is reported. Unimolecular decomposition produces PO(OC 2 H 5 ) 2 and C 2 H 5 . Sequential photolysis and/or subsequent bimolecular reaction yields the observed end products and accounts for luminescence from PO, (PO) 2 , C 2 , HPO and OH. The facile nature of this process is discussed, and mechanisms suggested.
New method for the direct analysis of supercritical fluid coal extraction and liquefaction

A new method is described for the direct mass spectrometric analysis of the products of coal supercritical fluid extraction processes. Coal placed in an extraction cell was elevated to supercritical conditions with pressure regulation by a high pressure pump. The extracted products were continuously analysed by direct fluid injection into a mass spectrometer chemical ionization ion source. The extraction process was observed as a function of pressure to determine threshold pressures for individual solutes or as a function of temperature at constant pressure. The method was demonstrated for a supercritical fluid extraction of a bituminous coal by a mixture of n-pentane and 2-propanol at 280 °C and 0.5–10 MPa.
The attenuation of chemical elements in acidic leachates from coal mineral wastes by soils

The chemical attenuation of acidity and selected elements (aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, fluorine, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc) in acidic leachates from coal mineral wastes by four natural subsurface soils has been investigated using laboratory column methods Leachate solutions were allowed to percolate through the soils under simulated natural flow conditions, and the elemental concentrations in the influents and effluents were measured periodically Elemental retentions were substantial for all species except managanese, which was eluted in excess from all soils except the most calcareous Two processes appeared to operate in decreasing influent concentrations: (1) precipitation of solid phases caused by increased pH of the leachate as it percolated through the soil, and (2) adsorption of elements onto exchange and sorption sites naturally present in the soil and on iron and aluminum oxide precipitates formed in situ from leachate components because of the increased pH The soil property most important in retention was its alkalinity Thus, carbonaceous soils provide the best control material for acidic leachates from coal mineral wastes. Results show that natural soils can substantially reduce pollutant fluxes to the environment from acidic coal waste dumps and should be considered when selecting waste disposal sites
Recruiting Substance-Using Men Who Have Sex With Men into HIV Prevention Research: Current Status and Future Directions

Research investigators have identified increasing challenges to the recruitment of men who have sex with men (MSM) for observational and intervention HIV/AIDS studies. To address these issues, program staff from the National Institute on Drug Abuse convened a meeting on April 28th to 29th, 2009 to discuss issues in MSM recruitment. The panel indicated that there was decreased community identification with HIV research, although altruistic, community-oriented motives continued to be important. Substance use adds to recruitment challenges, particularly recruitment of MSM who use stigmatized substances. Relatively new recruitment methods such as respondent driven sampling, venue-data-time sampling, and internet sampling have helped advance knowledge about the recruitment process; however, they have not mitigated the challenges to MSM recruitment. Recruitment of youth and members of racial/ethnic minority populations present additional considerations. This report summarizes the meeting’s proceedings, key points of discussion, and areas for further research consideration.
Ozone Needle Mottle of Pine in Southern California

The specific type of chlorotic mottling in ponderosa pine needles, as reported by various workers,1,8,9 justifies the assumption that X-diesase, needle dieback, chlorotic decline, and ozone needle mottle in various pine species described in this paper are one and the same disease. Experimental production of chlorotic needle mottling in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws) with ozone-polluted ambient air and with synthesized ozone by Miller8 further justifies this basic assumption. Controlled fumigation studies (1959 and 1960 at the Citrus Research and Agricultural Experiment Station, Riverside, Calif.)15 confirm needle mottle of pine as a distinctive physiogenic disease, and atmopheric ozone as the prime etiological factor. Basic experimental research together with the wide range of field studies and observations by the present authors10,15 have clarified the type and sequence in symptom expression essential for diagnosis, and have greatly extended the range of pine species visibly susceptible to atmosph...
Calcium Channel Blockers in the Management of Low-tension and Open-angle Glaucoma

Fifty-six patients with either open-angle or low-tension glaucoma who were concurrently taking calcium channel blockers were compared to similar groups not taking such medications for a mean follow-up period of 3.4 years. Serial stereoscopic optic nerve photographs and visual fields of all patients were evaluated for evidence of glaucomatous progression. In patients with low-tension glaucoma, there was a significant difference in the progression of visual field defects, with only two of 18 eyes (11%) of patients taking calcium channel blockers, compared to ten of 18 eyes (56%) of controls showing new visual field defects. Similarly, low-tension glaucoma patients taking calcium channel blocker therapy demonstrated no evidence of progressive optic nerve damage, compared to eight of 18 control eyes (44%). In contrast, patients with open-angle glaucoma taking calcium channel blockers showed no marked difference in the progression of glaucoma, compared to controls. These findings suggest that calcium channel blockers may be useful in the management of low-tension glaucoma.
Vein reactivation and complex vein intersection geometries in the Taconic slate belt

Abstract This paper describes some complex intersection geometries for veins in the Taconic slate belt of western New England, U.S.A. The complexity is primarily a result of the preferential reactivation during slaty cleavage development of one set of veins within an orthogonal system of pre-cleavage veins. The relative age of the precleavage veins also influences the intersection geometry in that the non-reactivated veins, which form the younger set of pre-cleavage veins, act as barriers to the propagation of the syn-cleavage veins. These types of intersection geometries are easily misinterpreted without microscale observations of vein textures and may be more common than is currently appreciated.
Climate science: Tropical Atlantic warm events

Sea surface temperatures in the eastern equatorial Atlantic Ocean are subject to year-to-year variations. Reanalysis data and model simulations suggest that advection of warm water from north of the Equator can drive some of the warm events.
Forward and backward continuation for neutral functional differential equations

Basic theory of existence, uniqueness, and continuation for neutral functional differential equations
β2-Microglobulin Kinetics in Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Comparison of Conventional and High-Flux Dialyzers and the Effects of Dialyzer Reuse

β2-Microglobulin (β2M) forms synovial and bony amyloid deposits in long-term hemodialysis patients. To define the kinetics of β2M during hemodialysis and the effects of dialyzer reprocessing, we measured serum β2M, plasma C3a, and neutrophil counts immediately predialysis; 15, 90, and 180 minutes after beginning dialysis; and 15 minutes postdialysis in ten chronic hemodialysis patients. The studies were performed during first and third uses of cuprammonium rayon and polysulfone dialyzers processed by rinsing with water, then bleach, in an automated system (Seratronics DRS 4) and then packed in 1.5% formaldehyde. Mean serum β2M (corrected for ultrafiltration) decreased by 16.6% ± 18.1% with new cuprammonium dialyzers and 57.1% ± 12.8% with new polysulfone dialyzers. Dialyzer reprocessing had no significant effect on this decline. Predialysis serum β2M decreased by 30.4% ± 15.5% 1 month after switching from cuprammonium to polysulfone dialyzers; these levels remained stable after 3 months of dialysis with polysulfone. Complement activation and neutropenia during dialysis were significantly more marked with cuprammonium, but were not affected by reprocessing of either dialyzer. In vitro adsorption of 124I-β2M to polysulfone fibers was greater than to cuprammonium; adsorption was not influenced by dialyzer reprocessing.
Fibrous and protoplasmic astrocytes express GABAA receptors that differ in benzodiazepine pharmacology

Abstract Astrocytes cultured from spinal cord contain two morphologically distinguishable types of astrocytes: fibrous and protoplasmic cells. Both astrocyte subtypes, in culture, are able to express GABA A receptors, and their activation results in inward currents at the resting potential. Using patch-clamp electrophysiology we characterized their basic receptor pharmacology and compared it to spinal cord neurons that were also present in small numbers in these cultures. As in neuronal GABA A receptors, the local anesthetic pentobarbital effectively potentiated GABA-induced currents in both astrocyte subtypes. Similarly, the benzodiazepine diazepam, on average doubled GABA-induced currents in both astrocyte subtypes. In contrast to these effects that were similar in both astrocytes types and similar to spinal cord neurons, the response to the convulsant methyl-4-ethyl-6,7-dimethoxy-β-carboline-3-car☐ylate (DMCM), which is an inverse benzodiazepine agonist differs between astrocyte subtypes. DMCM reduced GABA-induced currents by about 50% in fibrous astrocytes as we also observed with spinal cord neurons. In contrast, DMCM increased GABA currents in protoplasmic astrocytes by up to 150%, an effect never observed in neurons. DMCM potentiations of GABA currents have recently been attributed to differences in receptor subunit composition. Our results thus indicate that subtypes of astrocytes express GABA A receptors that differ pharmacologically and likely differ also in subunit composition.
Concanavalin A-induced resistance to Listeria monocytogenes and activation of macrophages: defect in mice treated with 89Sr

89Sr-treated mice injected with concanavalin A (Con A) 24 h prior to infection with Listeria monocytogenes (LM) could not enhance the clearance of LM from the spleen. Adoptive transfer of normal syngeneic spleen cells together with Con A rendered these animals more resistant. Spleen cells of 89Sr-treated or age-matched control mice were stimulated with Con A for 24 h, and supernatant fluids were assessed for macrophage-activating factor (MAF), i.e. the ability to activate resident peritoneal macrophages to kill LM intracellularly in vitro. A defective MAF production by spleen cells was observed in 89Sr-treated, 2 week-old, and athymic nude mice. Also, treatment of spleen cells with anti-Thy-1.2 antiserum plus complement inhibited MAF production. Synergism between spleen cells from 89Sr-treated and nude mice did not occur. The cells required for MAF production were relatively resistant to gamma irradiation. Nylon wool filtration did not modify the ability of spleen cells to make MAF. 89Sr-treated mice possess macrophages responsive to MAF derived from normal spleen cells. The data suggest that the failure of 89Sr-treated mice to develop an anti-LM response observed in this system could be due to a defective capacity to produce protective humoral factors and/or cells in response to Con A.
Explaining crashes at intersections with red light cameras: A note

This note examines if offsetting driver behavior affects rear end crashes at intersections with red light cameras. It models offsetting driver behavior and estimates simultaneous probit equations to analyze this behavior. It finds that in the city considered the effect of red light cameras on the probability of a rear end crash occurring is very strong and positive, thus suggesting that offsetting behavior is present.
Column Water Vapor Content in Clear and Cloudy Skies

Abstract With radiosonde data from 15 Northern Hemisphere stations, surface-to-400-mb column water vapor is computed from daytime soundings for 1988–1990. On the basis of simultaneous surface visual cloud observations, the data are categorized according to sky-cover amount. Climatological column water vapor content in clear skies is shown to be significantly lower than in cloudy skies. Column water vapor content in tropical regions varies only slightly with cloud cover, but at midlatitude stations, particularly in winter, clear-sky values are much lower. The variation in column water content with cloud cover is not simply due to variations in atmospheric temperature, since the increase in water vapor with cloud cover is generally associated with a decrease in daytime temperature. Biases in radiosonde instruments associated with cloudiness do not explain the station-to-station variations in the magnitude of the increase of column water vapor with cloud cover. Statistics are presented that can be used as gu...
High-Performance Zonal Histogramming on Large-Scale Geospatial Rasters Using GPUs and GPU-Accelerated Clusters

Hardware Accelerators are playing increasingly important roles in achieving desired performance from desktop to cluster computing. While General Purpose computing on Graphics Processing Units (GPGPU) technologies have been widely applied to computing intensive applications, there is relatively little work on using GPUs and GPU-accelerated clusters for data intensive computing that typically involves significant irregular data accesses. In this study, we report our designs and implementations of a popular geospatial operation called Zonal Histogramming on Nvidia GPUs. Given a zonal dataset in the form of a collection of polygons and a geospatial raster that can be considered as a 2D grid, for each polygon, Zonal Histogramming computes a histogram of the values of raster cells that fall within the polygon. Our experiments on 3000+ US counties (polygons) over 20+ billion NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 30 meter resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) raster cells have shown that, an impressive 46 seconds end-to-end runtime can be achieved using a single Nvidia GTX Titan GPU device. The runtime is further reduced to 10 seconds using 8 nodes on ORNL's Titan GPU-accelerated cluster. The desired high performance opens many possibilities for large-scale geospatial computing that is important for environmental and climate research.
Temperature dependence of the magnetization in ferromagnetic surfaces and overlayers

Abstract The effect of softening of the exchange in a magnetic overlayer (surface) on the temperature dependence of the surface magnetization Ms(T) in the spin-wave regime is investigated. A recursion method for calculating the surface density of spin-wave states (DOS) is developed. It is applied to a magnetic overlayer of n atomic layers with softened exchange between the layers. The principal result obtained for an overlayer of any thickness between n = 1 and n = 20 is that the surface DOS and, therefore, the temperature dependence of the surface magnetization Ms(T) are determined by the exchange interactions in the overlayer (surface). The classical result of surface magnetism that Ms(T) follows the Bloch T 3 2 law but decreases twice as fast as in the bulk breaks down at temperatures as low as 1% of the Curie temperature Tc. Above this temperature, there is a rapid crossover to a second extended region of an effective T 3 2 law with a prefactor determined by the surface exchange. This second region of the T 3 2 law which extends up to temperatures T ≈ 0.4 Tc provides a perfect explanation for the observed Ms(T) which was determined recently by SPLEED for Ni40Fe40B20 surface and by Mossbauer spectroscopy for Fe(110) surface.
Market Roll-Out and Retailer Adoption for New Brands

This paper proposes a descriptive model of the spatial and temporal evolution of retail distribution for new packaged goods. The distribution model postulates separate processes for local market entry by manufacturers, and adoption by retailers given entry. Of special interest is whether retail adoption occurs along a competitive network with retailers as nodes and overlapping trade areas of these retailers as links. The model is calibrated on data covering the introduction of two very successful new brands in the frozen pizza category. For these brands, manufacturers sequentially enter markets based on spatial proximity to markets already entered (spatial evolution), and on whether chains in these markets adopted previously elsewhere (market selection). A retail chain adopts new brands based on the adoption timing of competing chains within its trade territory (competitive contagion) and on the fraction of its trade area in which the new brand is available (trade area coverage). The effects of market selection and of trade area coverage create dependencies between market entry and retail adoption. Because of these dependencies the attraction of a particular market as a lead market depends on its location in the geographic structure of the U.S. retail trade.
Dementia in the Oldest-Old: A Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database Analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore gender and race-specific mortality and comorbidities associated with dementia hospitalizations among the oldest-old. Method: Using the 1999-2008 Nati...
Introduction [to “Transactions of 1935”]

The American Geophysical Onion was established in 1919 as the American Committee of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, and its Executive Committee is the Committee on Geophysics of the National Research Council. The objects of the Union are to promote the study of problems concerned with the figure and physics of the Earth, to initiate and coordinate researches which depend upon international and national cooperation, and to provide for their scientific discussion and publication. In the accomplishment of these objects, the Union is divided into sections following the plan of organization of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics. There are now seven sections, namely, (a) Geodesy, (b) Seismology, (c) Meteorology, (d) Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity, (e) Oceanography, (f) Volcanology, and (g) Hydrology. A Section of Geophysical Chemistry was discontinued May 31, 1924, as the International Union had failed to provide such a Section; the Section of Hydrology was established November 15, 1930—matters pertaining to scientific hydrology referred to the American Geophysical Union had been previously looked after by special committees on Hydrology.
Beyond Lack of Compactness and Lack of Stability of a Coupled Parabolic-Hyperbolic Fluid-Structure System

In this paper we shall derive certain qualitative properties for a partial differential equation (PDE) system which comprises (parabolic) Stokes fluid flow and a (hyperbolic) elastic structure equation. The appearance of such coupled PDE models in the literature is well established, inasmuch as they mathematically govern many physical phenomena; e.g., the immersion of an elastic structure within a fluid. The coupling between the distinct hyperbolic and parabolic dynamics occurs at the boundary interface between the media. In [A-T.1] semigroup well-posedness on the associated space of finite energy was established for solution variables {w, wt, u}, say, where, [w, wt] are the respective displacement and velocity of the structure, and u the velocity of the fluid (there is also an associated pressure term, p, say). One problem with this fluid-structure semigroup setup is that, due to the definition of the domain D(A) of the generator A, there is no immediate implication of smoothing in the w-variable (i.e., its resolvent R(λ, A) is not compact on this component space). Thus, one is presented with the basic question of whether smooth initial data (I.C.) will give rise to higher regularity of the solutions. Accordingly, one main result described here states that said mechanical displacement, fluid velocity, and pressure term do in fact enjoy a greater regularity if, in addition to the I.C. {wo, w1, wo} ∈ D(A), one also has wo in (H2(Ωs))d. A second problem of the model is the inherent lack of long time stability. In this connection, a second result described here provides for uniform stabilization of the fluid-structure dynamics, by means of the insertion of a damping term at the interface between the two media.
Micro-HCCI combustion: experimental characterization and development of a detailed chemical kinetic model with coupled piston motion

Abstract Recent experimental and modeling work concerning Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) combustion in small scales is presented. A zero-dimensional numerical model incorporating detailed chemical kinetics, heat transfer, blow-by, and a force balance is developed to interpret the experimental results and to explore HCCI combustion with a free-piston. The model consists of a new “Reactor Problem” for the sensitivity and kinetics component (Senkin) of the Chemkin software package. Following validation and interpretation of the experimental results, the model is used to conduct parametric studies. These studies and a non-dimensionalization of the governing equations yield parameters that characterize free-piston dynamics. These parameters are subsequently used to relate initial conditions to the percent mass lost.
Modeling and control of fuzzy discrete event systems

In order to make it possible to effectively represent deterministic uncertainties and vagueness as well as the human subjective observation and judgement inherent to many real-world problems, especially those in biomedicine, we introduce, in this paper, fuzzy states and fuzzy events and generalize (crisp) discrete event systems (DES) to fuzzy DES. The largely graph-based current framework of the crisp DES is unsuitable for the expansion, and we have thus reformulated it using state vectors and event transition matrices which can be extended to fuzzy vectors and matrices by allowing their elements to take values between 0 and 1. To measure information related to fuzzy DES, we generalize the crisp DES observability. The new observability allows one to determine whether or not the system output observed is sufficient for decision making. Finally, we extend the optimal control of DES to fuzzy DES. The new fuzzy DES theory is consistent with the existing theory, both at the conceptual and the computation levels, in that the former contains the latter as a special case when the memberships must be either 0 or 1. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the theoretical development.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire: The PSSUQ:

Usability evaluators used an 18-item, post-study questionnaire in three related usability tests. I conducted an exploratory factor analysis to investigate statistical justification to combine items into subscales. The factor analysis indicated that three factors accounted for 87 percent of the total variance. Coefficient alpha analyses showed that the reliability of the overall summative scale was .97, and ranged from .91 to .96 for the three subscales. In the sensitivity analyses, the overall scale and all three subscales detected significant differences among the user groups; and one subscale indicated a significant system effect. Correlation analyses support the validity of the scales. The overall scale correlated highly with the sum of the After-Scenario Questionnaire ratings that participants gave after each scenario. The overall scale also correlated moderately with the percentage of successful scenario completion. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that these alternative measurements ...
Structured uncertainty in control system design

This paper reviews control system analysis and synthesis techniques for robust performance with structured uncertainty in the form of multiple unstructured perturbations and parameter variations. The structured singular value, µ, plays a central role. The case where parameter variations are known to be real is considered.
Reconfigurable optical tweezers using MEMS scanning micromirror

We demonstrated generation of various optical trap spots using a MEMS scanning micromirror with optical tweezers. By controlling the actuation voltage pattern, various focused laser lines and separate laser spots were achieved.
A /sup 252/Cf time-of-flight system for SEU testing

A time-of-flight (TOF) system using one micron phosphors optically coupled to RCA8850 photomultiplier (PM) tubes has been developed and demonstrated. Excellent separation between light and heavy fission fragments has been obtained. SEU events are correlated with the specific fragment causing the upset. >
Energy release in the reaction of metal powders with fluorine containing polymers

Fluorine and its derivatives have been used as a substitute to oxygen-containing oxidizers in higher performing propellants and other energetic materials. They typically react rapidly with metals or thin oxide layers of the metals to produce metal fluorides, generally in the gaseous state. Thermal reactions of stoichiometric mixtures of metal (M=Al, Ti) -F containing polymers have been studied using thermal analyzers and their energetics are compared with the metals in other halogen element containing oxidizers. The experimental results indicated that thermal reaction becomes more exothermic as the bond strength between Al-X (X=F, Br, I) becomes stronger. It was also found that oxidation of metal powders is largely affected by the size of metal powders as well as the nature of existing oxide layer.
Replication of many human viruses is refractory to inhibition by endogenous cellular MicroRNAs

ABSTRACT The issue of whether viruses are subject to restriction by endogenous microRNAs (miRNAs) and/or by virus-induced small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in infected human somatic cells has been controversial. Here, we address this question in two ways. First, using deep sequencing, we demonstrate that infection of human cells by the RNA virus dengue virus (DENV) or West Nile virus (WNV) does not result in the production of any virus-derived siRNAs or viral miRNAs. Second, to more globally assess the potential of small regulatory RNAs to inhibit virus replication, we used gene editing to derive human cell lines that lack a functional Dicer enzyme and that therefore are unable to produce miRNAs or siRNAs. Infection of these cells with a wide range of viruses, including DENV, WNV, yellow fever virus, Sindbis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, measles virus, influenza A virus, reovirus, vesicular stomatitis virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1, or herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), failed to reveal any enhancement in the replication of any of these viruses, although HSV-1, which encodes at least eight Dicer-dependent viral miRNAs, did replicate somewhat more slowly in the absence of Dicer. We conclude that most, and perhaps all, human viruses have evolved to be resistant to inhibition by endogenous human miRNAs during productive replication and that dependence on a cellular miRNA, as seen with hepatitis C virus, is rare. How viruses have evolved to avoid inhibition by endogenous cellular miRNAs, which are generally highly conserved during metazoan evolution, remains to be determined. IMPORTANCE Eukaryotic cells express a wide range of small regulatory RNAs, including miRNAs, that have the potential to inhibit the expression of mRNAs that show sequence complementarity. Indeed, previous work has suggested that endogenous miRNAs have the potential to inhibit viral gene expression and replication. Here, we demonstrate that the replication of a wide range of pathogenic viruses is not enhanced in human cells engineered to be unable to produce miRNAs, indicating that viruses have evolved to be resistant to inhibition by miRNAs. This result is important, as it implies that manipulation of miRNA levels is not likely to prove useful in inhibiting virus replication. It also focuses attention on the question of how viruses have evolved to resist inhibition by miRNAs and whether virus mutants that have lost this resistance might prove useful, for example, in the development of attenuated virus vaccines.
On recent advances in time/utility function real-time scheduling and resource management

We argue that the key underpinning of the current state-of-the real-time practice - the priority artifact - and that of the current state-of-the real-time art - deadline-based timeliness optimality - are entirely inadequate for specifying timeliness objectives, for reasoning about timeliness behavior, and for performing resource management that can dependably satisfy timeliness objectives in many dynamic real-time systems. We argue that time/utility functions and the utility accrual scheduling paradigm provide a more generalized, adaptive, and flexible approach. Recent research in the utility accrual paradigm has significantly advanced the state-of-the-art of that paradigm. We survey these advances.
The sale of a unique object in an open market

My purpose in this article is not to probe the sorts of deals most likely to be made by the wealthy—though the examples chosen are obviously from a restricted class of deals. Neither am I attempting to “show up” principled negotiation as a general rule. Most of the examples used in this article are so clearly atypical that a general system of negotiating could not be impeached solely by reference to them.
Policy Alternatives for Alcohol-Impaired Driving

This article summarizes current scientific evidence about the impact of public policy measures on alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes. The public policy measures considered are ( 1) minimum drinking age laws, (2) taxation of alcoholic beverages, (3) drinking and driving laws, (4) laws and regulations governing the physical availability of alcoholic beverages, and (5) server intervention programs. It is concluded that certain public policy measures reduce alcohol-related crashes. These measures include higher taxes on alcoholic beverages and at least some laws and regulations governing the physical availability of alcohol (as well as the minimum drinking age). The article suggests that strengthening drinking and driving laws without also adopting these other measures may have less than optimum (and possibly disappointing) effects.