cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth kinetics during kesterite coevaporation

Kesterite solar cells have been considered as earth-abundant substitute to chalcopyrites. NREL's 9.2% co-evaporated kesterite solar cell is inspired by the copper-rich growth of co-evaporated chalcopyrites. The excess Cu x Se y is believed to conduct liquid-phase assisted grain growth and hence improves the device performance. The effect of the deposition sequence on film growth, morphology, and device performance, are explored in this study. At high deposition temperature, the expected binary precursors of Cu 2 ZnSnSe 4 include Cu x Se y and ZnSe but not SnSe x . Because SnSe x is volatile, the sticking of Sn occurs only if the adsorbed Sn encounters Cu x Se y and ZnSe and the formation of kesterite takes place. Otherwise, SnSe x will be re-evaporated. Here we designed deposition recipes to create precursor films with different ratio between ZnSe/Cu x Se y /as-formed kesterite in the first stage, and end the deposition with the same end-point composition. First, it is of interest if the existence of Cu x Se y phase provides the opportunity of grain growth analogous to co-evaporating CIGS. Second, by observing the evolution of the substrate temperature during deposition, the reaction progression may be better realized. Third, this series of depositions with different sequence also tells us the saturated Zn level relative to Cu and Sn, and where the excess portion of Zn stays in the film. Finally, the device performance above 9% is briefly presented
Large deviation solution for cooperative spectrum sensing with diversity analysis

Spectrum sensing is an important building block to realize the cognitive radio concept. In order to combat fading in the wireless environment, cooperation among the sensing users is usually employed. In this paper, we develop a closed-form optimal local decision threshold for cooperative spectrum sensing in cognitive radio systems via large deviation analysis. The resultant strategy is independent of the total number of cooperating users. We show that it is not only asymptotically optimal when the number of sensing users approaches infinity, but also can achieve the maximum diversity. Numerical results are provided to verify our analysis.
Fully automated simple analytical peptide chromatography on the amino acid analyzer at the 10−8 mole level

Abstract Automated peptide analysis has been investigated under a variety of conditions in order to determine those most suitable for short analysis time, optimum resolution, low sample loads, and little or no modification to the analyzer. This has been achieved on 13.5–14 × 0.9 cm columns of Aminex A5 with an elution rate for buffer and ninhydrin each at 100 ml/hr. Chromatography was at 55° and total analyses were complete in 6–7 hr. Other than the slightly longer column to be used for basic amino acids, no other modifications to the analyzer were necessary. Sample loads of peptides from 0.5–1 mg of original protein gave excellent color yields, and the operation may be run routinely with peptides from 0.5 mg of protein. Examples of the utility of the system are shown in the analysis of tryptic peptides of reduced-carboxymethylated lysozyme and of apomyoglobin.
Three-dimensional pore connectivity evaluation in a Holocene and Jurassic microbialite buildup

Microbial carbonates have complex pore networks formed by their biological growth framework, which later may be modified by diagenetic alteration. A proper evaluation of the porous media characteristics and their evolution is essential to better characterize microbial carbonate reservoirs. However, conventional methods of fundamental rock characteristic description are insufficient to elucidate the heterogeneity of pore networks and textural shifts. X-ray computed tomography allows a better evaluation of these fundamental characteristics, which, when integrated with stratigraphic analysis, enhances the understanding of the volume and connectivity of pore networks in different microbial textures. A three-dimensional evaluation of a Holocene microbialite from Brazil provides insights about how the primary pore network is related to the textural changes in microbialite successions, which, in ancient deposits, may be reduced or enhanced by diagenesis. Conventional methods such as petrography, carbon and oxygen stable isotope analysis, and laboratory measurements for porosity and permeability were integrated with computed tomography images and three-dimensional rendering to provide a high-resolution history of the evolution of porosity and permeability within this microbialite. The pore network differences are related to microbial textural evolution driven by environmental changes. The depositional textures control petrophysical properties based on fundamental rock characteristics such as structure size, structure packing, and framework fabric. Those fundamental characteristics influence the pore volume and number of pore throats. Large structures, open packing, and chaotic framework fabric result in a better connected pore network, whereas small structures, tight packing, and organized fabric result in less connected pore networks. Comparative pore geometry analysis of the Upper Jurassic Smackover Formation thrombolites shows that their depositional textures also had high primary porosity values. If the microbial textures and petrophysical properties are environmentally controlled, their prediction in the subsurface is made possible by refined depositional models.
The Hypothesis-Oriented Pediatric Focused Algorithm: A Framework for Clinical Reasoning in Pediatric Physical Therapist Practice

Pediatric physical therapist practice presents unique challenges to the clinical reasoning processes of novice clinicians and physical therapist students. The purpose of this article is to present the Hypothesis-Oriented Pediatric Focused Algorithm (HOP-FA), a clinical framework designed to guide the clinical reasoning process in pediatric physical therapist practice. The HOP-FA provides a systematic, stepwise guide to the patient/client management process wherein the therapist is asked to consider various factors and issues that may affect the clinical reasoning process for a particular child and family. The framework provided by the HOP-FA is not built upon a specific therapeutic philosophy and may be useful as a tool in clinical education, in the classroom, and for clinicians who are new to or re-entering pediatric practice.
Association Between Hospitals Caring for a Disproportionately High Percentage of Minority Trauma Patients and Increased Mortality: A Nationwide Analysis of 434 Hospitals

Objective To determine whether there is an increased odds of mortality among trauma patients treated at hospitals with higher proportions of minority patients (ie, black and Hispanic patients combined). Design Hospitals were categorized on the basis of the percentage of minority patients admitted with trauma. The adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality were compared between hospitals with less than 25% of patients who were minorities (the reference group) and hospitals with 25% to 50% of patients who were minorities and hospitals with more than 50% of patients who were minorities. Multivariate logistic regression (with generalized linear modeling and a cluster-correlated robust estimate of variance) was used to control for multiple patient and injury severity characteristics. Setting A total of 434 hospitals in the National Trauma Data Bank. Participants Patients aged 18 to 64 years whose medical records were included in the National Trauma Data Bank for the years 2007 and 2008 with an Injury Severity Score of 9 or greater and who were white, black, or Hispanic. Main Outcome Measures Crude mortality and adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 311 568 patients were examined. Hospitals in which the percentage of minority patients was more than 50% also had younger patients, fewer female patients, more patients with penetrating trauma, and the highest crude mortality. After adjustment for potential confounders, patients treated at hospitals in which the percentage of minority patients was 25% to 50% and at hospitals in which the percentage of minority patients was more than 50% demonstrated increased odds of death (adjusted odds ratio, 1.16 [95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.34] and adjusted odds ratio, 1.37 [95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.61], respectively), compared with the reference group. This disparity increased further on subset analysis of patients with a blunt injury. Uninsured patients had significantly increased odds of mortality within all 3 hospital groups. Conclusions Patients treated at hospitals with higher proportions of minority trauma patients have increased odds of dying, even after adjusting for potential confounders. Differences in outcomes between trauma hospitals may partly explain racial disparities.
Modeling, Simulation, and control of switched reluctance motor drives

This paper presents the modeling, simulation, and control aspects of four-quadrant switched reluctance motor (SRM) drives. The design of SRM drive systems must be focused on application-based appropriate control and engineering solutions needed to overcome the practical issues. A complex model is described for the physical motor simulation to incorporate the important dynamics of the SRM. A simpler, but quite accurate, model is presented for the SRM controller. Various practical limitations have been incorporated in the simulation model to make it closer to the experimental setup. The SRM control parameters are chosen based on torque-per-ampere maximization requirement. Experimental results for a 1.0-kW SRM obtained on a digital platform are presented along with useful guidelines for prototype implementation.
Adaptive control of deburring robots based on human skill models

A new controller for robotic deburring was developed on the basis of a human skill model. The architecture of this controller is a self-tuning adaptive control system. The gain tuning mechanism was designed to function just like the associative memories of a human expert, which enables the expert to perform skilful motion. The associative memories of a human expert were learned from teaching data acquired from the expert. A recursive least squares algorithm was applied to identify the process state. The stability analysis showed that the parameter estimation always converges to the true parameter values and the overall system is passive so that its response to any finite input is always stable. The experimental results of the system responses showed that the adaptive controller can adjust the reference feedrate in accordance with the process characteristics and that the adaptive controller can generate an effective reference feedrate with respect to the varying task conditions. >
On the mechanism of the smooth increase of the mean ion charge in Ar photoionization near the K-edge

Abstract It is demonstrated, that the Auger decay of the virtually created 1s vacancy can explain semi-quantitatively the experimentally observed (by Doppelfeld et al. [J. Phys. B 26 (1993) 445]) increase of the mean charge of the ions, produced in the photoionization of Ar close but below the 1s threshold.
Hypersensitivity of pulmonary C fibre afferents induced by cationic proteins in the rat

1. Airway administration of synthetic cationic proteins, poly-L-lysine (PLL) and poly-L-arginine (PLA), is known to induce bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and an involvement of bronchopulmonary C fibre activation has been suggested. In this study we investigated the effects of PLL and PLA on single-unit pulmonary vagal C fibre afferents in anaesthetized, open-chest rats. 2. Intratracheal (I.T.) instillation of PLL or PLA activated C fibre endings in a dose-dependent manner; for example, a high dose of PLL (50 microg in 0.1 ml) had a sporadic but intense stimulatory effect on these afferents. The augmented C fibre activity slowly declined but remained elevated even after 120 min. 3. Intratracheal instillation of PLL or PLA greatly enhanced the sensitivities of pulmonary C fibres to both lung inflation and chemical stimuli (e.g. capsaicin); for example, the change in fibre activity in response to constant-pressure lung inflation (tracheal pressure (P(t)) = 30 cmH(2)O; 10 s duration) increased by approximately 6-fold after PLL instillation. 4. When administered by intravenous injection or instilled into a different region of the lung, PLL or PLA, even at a higher dose, failed to have any effect on the C fibre endings. 5. The stimulatory and sensitizing effects of PLL or PLA were completely nullified when their cationic charges were neutralized with low molecule weight heparin. 6. In conclusion, I.T. instillation of synthetic cationic proteins causes an intense stimulatory effect on pulmonary C fibres and potentiates their sensitivities to both lung inflation and chemical stimuli. These effects are probably generated by an interaction between the cationic charges carried by these proteins and the airway mucosa.
A dozen ways to prevent nickel-titanium rotary instrument fracture

ABSTRACT Background and Overview With the increased use of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments for root canal preparation in endodontics, instrument fracture has become more prevalent. Extensive research has been conducted on the physical properties and mechanical characteristics of NiTi rotary instruments, as well as the factors that can contribute to instrument failure. NiTi rotary instruments are subjected to torque and are susceptible to cyclic fatigue, which are the main causes of instrument fracture. However, with an understanding of how these instruments function in preparing root canals and by applying ways to reduce torque-generated metal fatigue, clinicians can use the instruments safely in clinical practice. Results The author presents 12 measures that clinicians can take to prevent NiTi rotary instrument fracture and discusses them in detail. Clinical Implications NiTi rotary instrument fracture complicates the progress, and compromises the prognosis of endodontic treatment. However, when clinicians take appropriate measures, rotary instrument fractures can be prevented.
The aftershock sequence of the Kamchatka earthquake of November 4, 1952

Aftershock epicenters of the Kamchatka earthquake of November 4, 1952, are distributed over an area approximately 1,030 kilometers in length by 240 kilometers in width. Assuming that this distribution represents the active strain zone, the total average strain, average elastic energy, and average stress of the rocks before slip were 11.9 × 10^(−5), 1.35 × 10^2 ergs/cm.^3, and 12.6 kg/cm.^2, respectively. The strain-release curve of the sequence has been constructed using observations from Uppsala and Kiruna. The data include more than 400 shocks with magnitudes 6.0 and greater which have occurred up to December, 1956. The curve exhibits three segments each of the form ΣJ^(1/2) = A + B log t, where J is the energy and t is the time measured from the time of the principal earthquake. The slope B changes abruptly at t = 0.4 days and at t = 195 days, the latter change being particularly pronounced. Moreover, this was accompanied by other evidence suggesting a change in mechanism. The coefficients B have almost the exact ratio of 1 : 2 : 5 in the three intervals 0-0.4, 0.4—195, and after 195 days. The aftershock activity has its highest concentration in the vicinity of the principal earthquake and tapers off toward both ends of the active fault segment. The majority of the aftershocks have clear pP impulses occurring generally 9 to 13 sec. after P, indicating that the foci were in or close to the Mohorovicic discontinuity. The rate of strain accumulation and release for the time interval from 1897 to 1956 for the entire Kamchatka-northern Japan stress system shows a slow decrease with time. Comparison of the rate of the entire system with that of the aftershock sequence leads to an approximate estimate of the possible duration of the sequence.
Getting to the Roots of Change: Performance Management and Organizational Culture

Transforming a public bureaucracy into a results-based organization requires bold and sustained leadership of cultural change—not simply changes in structures and practices. Cultural change at the New York City Department of Finance involves changing the hearts and minds of both managers and line workers deep in the organization by pushing decision making down and empowering employees to act with accountability. Practice is required. Leadership must have considerable tolerance for well-conceived error while managers throughout the organization learn to use data to test hypotheses about what produces results. In addition, success depends on managing up as well as down. Achieving relaxation of budget rules, spending flexibility, and an ability to adapt plans to changing needs as the transformation takes hold requires the support of external stakeholders and authorizers. Moving to a nimble, responsive, results-based organization is the result of significant organizational learning. Learning takes time.
Using Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders Quality Indicators to Measure Quality of Hospital Care for Vulnerable Elders

OBJECTIVES: To assess the quality of care for hospitalized vulnerable elders using measures based on Assessing Care of Vulnerable Elders (ACOVE) quality indicators (QIs). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Single academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Subjects aged 65 and older hospitalized on the University of Chicago general medicine inpatient service who were defined as vulnerable using the Vulnerable Elder Survey-13 (VES-13), a validated tool based on age, self-reported health, and functional status. MEASUREMENTS: Inpatient interview and chart review using ACOVE-based process-of-care measures referring to 16 QIs in general hospital care and geriatric-prevalent conditions (e.g., pressure ulcers, dementia, and delirium); adherence rates calculated for type of care process (screening, diagnosis, and treatment) and type of provider (doctor, nurse). RESULTS: Six hundred of 845 (71%) older patients participated. Of these, 349 (58%) were deemed vulnerable based on VES-13 score. Three hundred twenty-eight (94%) charts were available for review. QIs for general medical care were met at a significantly higher rate than for pressure ulcer care (81.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 579.3‐ 83.7% vs 75.8%, 95% CI 570.5‐81.1%, P 5.04) and for delirium and dementia care (81.5%, 95% CI 579.3‐83.7 vs 31.4% 95% CI 527.5‐35.2%, Po.01). According to standard nursing assessment forms, nurses were responsible for high rates of adherence to certain screening indicators (pain, nutrition, functional status, pressure ulcer risk; Po.001 when compared with physicians), although in patients with functional limitations, nurse admission assessments of functional limitations often did not agree with reports of limitations by patients on admission. CONCLUSION: Adherence to geriatric-specific QIs is lower than adherence to general hospital care QIs. Hospital care QIs that focus on screening may overestimate performance by detecting standard nursing or protocoldriven care. J Am Geriatr Soc 55:1705–1711, 2007.
Effects of chloride channel blockers on hypoxic injury in rat proximal tubules

Effects of chloride channel blockers on hypoxic injury in rat proximal tubules. These studies examined the pathways and consequences of chloride uptake into proximal tubule cells during in vitro hypoxia. The chloride channel blocker diphenylamine-2-carboxylate (DPC) markedly reduced the degree of hypoxia-induced membrane damage as measured by the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). DPC reduced the release of LDH from hypoxic tubules from 38 ± 2.7% to 16 ± 1.7% after 30 minutes of hypoxia (P
Downregulation of Ke 6, a novel gene encoded within the major histocompatibility complex, in murine polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is characterized by progressive enlargement of the kidneys due to numerous expanding cysts ultimately leading to renal failure. We have identified a gene, Ke 6, located within the H-2K/tw5 region on mouse chromosome 17, which is downregulated in two distinct murine models of heritable PKD. Ke 6 is a member of the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase family and possess remarkable amino acid sequence conservation with several bacterial proteins with oxidoreductase function. The Ke 6 gene gives rise to two transcripts--a 1-kb Ke 6a mRNA which is abundant in kidney and liver tissue and a 1.4-kb Ke 6b mRNA which is found at a moderate level in spleen tissue. We report here the complete nucleotide sequence of Ke 6a cDNA and the expression of the Ke 6 gene in murine models of PKD. The Ke 6 gene may be intimately involved in the manifestation of these cystic kidney diseases.
Abstract IA5: Discovering the distal fallopian tube as the origin for high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Recent developments in the study of epithelial ovarian cancer have called into question the traditional views regarding the site of tumor initiation. Histopathologic studies and genomic analyses suggest that extra-ovarian sites, like the fallopian tube (FT) epithelium, may harbor the coveted cell of origin and could therefore contribute significantly to the development of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Our ability to validate these emerging genomic and pathologic observations and characterize the early transformation events of HGSOC hinges on the development of novel model systems. The tubal hypothesis of serous tumorigenesis has led us to develop a number of experimental platforms. These platforms provide us with a unique view into the susceptibilities of the FT epithelium to neoplastic transformation and provide a vehicle to query the contribution of any given genetic alteration to tumor development in vitro and in vivo. These models include the ex-vivo bioanalytical platform of benign FT epithelium, the in vitro FT secretory cell transformation model, a series of patient-derived primary tumor xenograft (PDX) models that retain the phenotypic and genotypic properties of the original patient tumors, and a genetically-engineered mouse model (GEMM) that specifically targets the FT epithelium in vivo. Our GEM model specifically targets the Mullerian secretory cell. It uses the Pax8 promoter to drive expression of the Cre recombinase in the fallopian tube (FT) secretory cells. Pax8 is a lineage marker for the Mullerian system. It is necessary for the development of the female reproductive tract and its expression is retained in the adult FT secretory cell and in nearly all HGSOCs. By crossing our Pax8-Cre deletor mouse with mice carrying floxed alleles of BRCA genes, TP53 (or mutant) and/or PTEN, we could specifically manipulate the expression of these genes in the FT secretory cell. Using this approach, in collaboration with the laboratory of Daniela Dinulescu, we showed that HGSOC can originate in secretory cell of the FT and also established that serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) is the precursor lesion to high-grade serous ovarian and peritoneal carcinomas. Importantly, the tumors that arise in this model not only look like high-grade serous carcinomas but they also retain the genomic complexity that is a hallmark of human HGSOC. In addition to providing mechanistic insight into the origin and pathogenesis of HGSC, this model provides a platform to explore HGSOC sensitivity to novel therapeutic strategies and to develop better detection strategies for early tumor diagnosis in high-risk women. Citation Format: Ronny Drapkin. Discovering the distal fallopian tube as the origin for high-grade serous ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Ovarian Cancer Research: From Concept to Clinic; Sep 18-21, 2013; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2013;19(19 Suppl):Abstract nr IA5.
Plant Layout Optimization Considering the Effect of Maintenance

With increasing production costs and constraints, demand has increased for manufacturers to minimize maintenance cost and product transport time. We address some aspects of this problem by examining how to choose the optimal layout of stations (machines or buffers) in a production facility based on how the station layout affects the maintenance and product transport times. Specifically, we consider how the location of the stations relative to the maintenance facility affects the overall maintenance time as well as how the location of the final station affects the product transport time. Hence, we can address maintenance cost during the design-phase of a production facility. By employing discrete-design optimization techniques, we generate and evaluate various station layouts to choose an optimal layout whichsatisfies all geometric and adjacency constraints. Wefocus on a single, serial production line including a set of n stations
System reliability-based design optimization using the MPP-based dimension reduction method

The system probability of failure calculation of the series system entails multi-dimensional integration, which is very difficult and numerically expensive. To resolve the computational burden, the narrow bound method, which accounts for the component failures and joint failures between two failure modes, has been widely used. For the analytic calculation of the component probability of failure, this paper proposes to use the most probable point (MPP)-based dimension reduction method (DRM). For the joint probability of failure calculation, three cases are considered based on the convexity or concavity of the performance functions. Design sensitivity analysis for the system reliability-based design optimization (RBDO), which is the major contribution of this paper, is carried out as well. Based on the results of numerical examples, the system probability of failure and its sensitivity calculation show very good agreement with the results obtained by Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) and the finite difference method (FDM).
Time-series analysis of myoelectric cycling of sphincter of Oddi: evidence of cycling during fed state

The sphincter of Oddi (SO) in the fasted opossum exhibits spontaneous cyclic spikeburst activity that is temporally related to the interdigestive migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) of the small intestine. After feeding, the cyclic activity is apparently disrupted. Our aim was to use time-series analysis to mathematically describe the periodic behavior of the fasted state and to determine whether this periodicity is present after feeding. Five opossums were chronically prepared with bipolar electrodes secured to the SO. With the animals fasted and conscious, myoelectric activity was recorded for at least two MMC cycles after which they were fed 170 kcal of cream. Spikeburst frequency data were analyzed by fast Fourier transform (FFT) and by digital band-pass filtering. Results from FFT analysis showed an intense low-frequency peak during the fasted state which persisted but was markedly depressed during the fed state. Analysis of the data after filtering also showed persistent sinusoidal activity at the MMC frequency after feeding, although the waveform was significantly depressed by both peak-to-peak amplitude and root mean square amplitude analysis. Recovery to normal fasting cyclic behavior with recovery of both FFT and filtered data was observed. We conclude that in the opossum the cyclic nature of the SO myoelectric activity observed during the fasted state persists after feeding, but is inhibited and masked by an increase in overall spikeburst activity.
Increased resolution ECE imaging of temperature profiles/fluctuations in tokamak plasmas

Electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) is a passive radiometric imaging diagnostic technique in which broadband ECE radiation is collected by one or more 1-D imaging array to generate 2-D localized, time-resolved electron temperature T e images. Translatable optics allow each imaging array to independently focus on different portions of the plasma, forming up to 24 (v) × 8 (h) = 192 channel images of T e profiles and fluctuations. Recent advances in ECEI technology now allow for a doubling of the radial (horizontal) resolution by extending the instantaneous IF coverage of each array element from the previous 2–9.2 GHz to 2–16.4 GHz and doubling the number of radial frequency channels from 8 to 16 (see figure below).
Metabolism of Enucleated Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the metabolism of enucleated cells. Investigation of the anucleate state comprises in essence the characterization of metabolic changes occurring in cells that gradually exhaust their supply of genetic information of nuclear origin. Depending on the lifetime of individual messenger species and on the stability of vital proteins persisting after the complete decay of their respective mRNA, a breakdown of the cellular organization sooner or later occurs. This simplified model ignores several additional parameters, viz., the replenishment of cytoplasmic ribosomes and tRNA by the nucleus, the contribution by the nucleus of products other than RNA, and the existence of independent genetic elements in the cytoplasm. Because of the very low turnover rate of rRNA and the main structure of tRNA, these RNA components only become limiting in anucleate cells that contain exceedingly long-lived mRNA. In spite of its somewhat artificial nature, an anucleate cellular system can provide valuable information concerning posttranscriptional regulation of metabolism in general, and of protein synthesis in particular. The rate of synthesis of a given protein in the intact cell depends on the amounts of available mRNA, which in turn are governed by the rate of synthesis, controlled at the gene level, and the rate of decay. Some facets of the anucleate metabolism bear also on cellular differentiation. Certain metazoan cells become naturally enucleated during their terminal stage of differentiation. This anucleate phase then represents the ultimate level of the acquisition of a specialized function.
Practical Aspects of Terrain Correction In Airborne Gravity Gradiometry

We study the practical aspects of performing terrain corrections in airborne/seaborne gravity gradient surveys in terms of necessary spatial extents and required resolution of digital elevation models. We develop a new and practical method for performing terrain corrections through an extension of Parker’s 1972 method for calculating potential anomalies in the Fourier domain. We then study and present a discussion of the parameters necessary for an accurate and efficient terrain correction.
Solving words as anagrams

Two experiments investigated the effect of spacing on the solution of word and nonword anagrams. In word problems the five letters already constitute a word and the solution is another unrelated word. The results indicate that word problems are more difficult than nonword problems and that spacing probably does not affect anagram solution.
Uranium Sorption with Functionalized Mesoporous Carbon Materials

A series of functionalized mesoporous carbon (MC) materials were prepared by covalent grafting with amidoxime, carboxyl, and phosphoryl functional groups and screened for uranium (U) sorption from aqueous media. The MC materials were characterized by nitrogen adsorption measurements and thermogravimetric analysis and investigated for U(VI) extraction from both acidic water (pH 4) and artificial seawater (pH 8.2). Under both conditions, a phosphoric acid-functionalized MC exhibited the highest U(VI) sorption, with a maximum sorption capacity of 97 mg of U(VI)/(g of sorbent) in acidic water and 67 mg of U(VI)/(g of sorbent) in artificial seawater. The effects of pH on U(VI) sorption, sorption kinetics, and sorption isotherms were obtained for the phosphoric acid-functionalized MC. Quantitative U(VI) removal from U(VI)-loaded sorbents was achieved by washing with HCl at concentrations higher than 0.01 M. These results indicate that functionalized MC provides a promising platform for the development of novel ...
TU-FG-207A-03: Overview of CT Reconstruction and Denoising Strategies

Peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings publish hundreds of papers that describe new medical imaging algorithms, including, for example, techniques for computer-aided diagnosis or characterization, segmentation, image registration, image reconstruction, and radiomics. It is difficult, if not impossible, to fairly compare the performance of these algorithms as investigators must either use different data sets, or if using the same data, use different implementations of competing algorithms. Grand Challenges facilitate the fair comparison of algorithms by providing a common data set to all participants and by having each participant be responsible for implementation of their own algorithm. The dissemination of findings from Grand Challenges provides important information to the scientific community and helps to determine which approaches have the greatest promise for successful translation to clinical practice. In this session we will review the outcomes and lessons learned from the 2015 SPIE-AAPM-NCI Lung Nodule Classification Challenge. We will then turn to the 2016 NIH-AAPM-Mayo Clinic Low Dose CT Grand Challenge, providing an overview of denoising and iterative reconstruction approaches and a description of the Challenge. The top 3 performing participants will be announced, and each will give a short presentation on their technique. Learning Objectives: 1.Understand the role of Grand Challenges in the field of medical imaging 2.Be able to summarize the outcomes of the 2015 lung nodule classification challenge 3.Be able to review the primary types of noise reduction techniques used in CT 4.Be familiar with a library of patient CT projection data available to researchers 5.Learn which techniques performed best in the Low Dose CT Grand Challenge Pelc: GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare; McCollough: Research grant, Siemens Healthcare; Low Dose CT Grand Challenge supported by the AAPM Science Council and NIH (grant EB 017185), and hosted by the Mayo Clinic; Giger: stockholder R2 technology/Hologic, royalties from Hologic, GE Medical Systems, MEDIAN Technologies, Riverain Medical, Mitsubishi/Toshiba. Cofounder/stockholder Quantitative Insights.
Burglary Expertise: Comparing Burglars to Other Offenders

ABSTRACTResearchers have studied offense-specific expertise among burglars with a variety of methods, including by comparing their simulated target choices to those of students, residents, and police officers. However, prior work has almost never compared the choices of burglars and non-burglar offenders, and so it is unclear whether burglars’ expertise exceeds that possessed by others with similar backgrounds and lifestyles. The present study adds to this literature by using a series of home photographs to compare the choices of burglars and non-burglar offenders. In the analysis, although similar factors influenced the choices of both groups, hints of expertise did emerge.
Immunolocalization of iron regulatory protein expression in the murine central nervous system.

We examined the expression of the iron regulatory proteins 1 and 2 (IRP1 and IRP2) in the brains of adult (4–6 months) CBA/J mice. Anti-IRP1 immunoreactivity was localized to cell bodies, including putative neurons and oligodendrocytes. In contrast, anti-IRP2 staining was prevalent throughout the neuropil of regions of the brain consistent with the central autonomic network (CAN) and mossy fibers emanating from hippocampal dentate granule cells. Essentially no staining for IRP2 was observed in the cerebellum in contrast to strong IRP1 immunoreactivity in Purkinje cells. Notably, cells within one vestibular nucleus exhibited staining by both IRP1 and IRP2. Our results suggest distinct roles for IRP1 and IRP2 in the regulation of iron homeostasis in the mammalian nervous system where IRP1 may provide a maintenance function in contrast to IRP2 that could participate in modulating proper CAN functions, including cardiopulmonary, gustatory as well as fine motor control.
The Gig Economy & The Future of Employment and Labor Law

In April 2016, Professor Orly Lobel delivered the 12th Annual Pemberton Lecture at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Lobel asks, what is the future of employment and labor law protections when reality is rapidly transforming the ways we work? What is the status of gig work and what are the rights as well as duties of gig workers? She proposes four paths for systematic reform, where each path is complementary rather than mutually exclusive to the others. The first path is to clarify and simplify the notoriously malleable classification doctrine; the second is to expand certain employment protections to all workers, regardless of classification, or in other words to altogether reject classification; the third is to create special rules for intermediate categories; and the fourth is to disassociate certain social protections from the work.
Novel evidence that the mannan-binding lectin pathway of complement activation plays a pivotal role in triggering mobilization of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells by activation of both the complement and coagulation cascades.

Novel evidence that the mannan-binding lectin pathway of complement activation plays a pivotal role in triggering mobilization of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells by activation of both the complement and coagulation cascades
Kelo and the Constitutional Revolution that Wasn't

The constitutional revolution called for in response to Kelo v. New London didn't happen. The state political response was more show than substance, and political memory has faded to the extent that we have elected a president whose Trump Casino Hotel was behind an egregious attempted taking in New Jersey. In this response to an excellent article by Wesley Horton (who argued the case for New London) and Brendon Levesque, I reflect on the optics and reality of Kelo and its aftermath. Although New London was a struggling city trying to reclaim a flood-prone, largely abandoned brownfield next to an open sewage treatment plant, the specter of white, female, owners of detached single family homes subject to eminent domain overwhelmed these facts. Meanwhile, Susette Kelo remains a symbol of a state abuse of power, although she translated her legal claim into $442,000 compensation for her little pink house, more than eight times what she paid for it. Although litigation and its stigma derailed the planned development until the Great Recession brought it to a halt, Fort Trumbull today houses industry and public access in a way not possible before redevelopment. This is not to say that eminent domain abuse is not real, but that there is a great divide between its real victims and those that resonate with property rights advocates. There was little outrage, for example, when Nebraska weakened eminent domain standards to make way for the Keystone Pipeline, or Louisiana did so to bulldoze a New Orleans neighborhood to create a privatized hospital system. Horton and Levesque respond to eminent domain abuse by proposing standards to measure pretext and the likelihood of success of eminent domain projects. But some of the standards they propose already exist, and others would undermine public-private partnerships and require inexpert judges to make decisions better left to planners subject to public vote. The kind of scrutiny we need is that which will allow governments to serve the public interest without unduly favoring the powerful. Kelo, by allowing troubled cities to try to bolster their economies through comprehensive public planning, struck that balance well.
Electrodiagnostic Testing for Nerve Injuries and Repairs

Surgeons and electrodiagnostic medicine practitioners must have a close working relationship to properly manage nerve injury patients. A carefully planned electrodiagnostic examination is critical for accurate localization, defining pathophysiology and determining prognosis for spontaneous recovery. Intraoperative electrodiagnostic testing can provide additional information which assists in planning surgical repairs.
Colonoscopy Quality: Metrics and Implementation

Colonoscopy is an excellent area for quality improvement because it is high volume, has significant associated risk and expense, and there is evidence that variability in its performance affects outcomes. The best end point for validation of quality metrics in colonoscopy is colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, but a more readily accessible metric is the adenoma detection rate. Fourteen quality metrics were proposed in 2006, and these are described in this article. Implementation of quality improvement initiatives involves rapid assessments and changes on an iterative basis, and can be done at the individual, group, or facility level.
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Tamoxifen Resistance in Luminal Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive cancer is the most frequent subtype representing more than 70% of breast cancers. These tumors respond to endocrine therapy targeting the ER pathway including selective ER modulators (SERMs), selective ER downregulators (SERDs) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs). However, resistance to endocrine therapy associated with disease progression remains a significant therapeutic challenge. The precise mechanisms of endocrine resistance remain unclear. This is partly due to the complexity of the signaling pathways that influence the estrogen-mediated regulation in breast cancer. Mechanisms include ER modifications, alteration of coregulatory function and modification of growth factor signaling pathways. In this review, we provide an overview of epigenetic mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance in ER-positive luminal breast cancer. We highlight the effect of epigenetic changes on some of the key mechanisms involved in tamoxifen resistance, such as tumor-cell heterogeneity, ER signaling pathway and cancer stem cells (CSCs). It became increasingly recognized that CSCs are playing an important role in driving metastasis and tamoxifen resistance. Understanding the mechanism of tamoxifen resistance will provide insight into the design of novel strategies to overcome the resistance and make further improvements in breast cancer therapeutics.
Program Development for Disadvantaged High-Ability Students

Examining lessons learned through 4 years of experience of hosting Camp Launch, a university-based residential science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enrichment program for low-income, high-ability, middle school students, this article explores components of the program and offers suggestions for implementing programs that serve this population. The camp exposes students to a variety of learning activities, including academic classes in STEM area and writing, personal development class, evening classes beyond STEM areas such as art and drama, diverse physical activities, career conference, and field trips. For such a program to be successful, it is critical to find and develop good human resources, including teachers experienced with the population and counselors who are mature and effective communicators. Curriculum must be appropriate for high-ability students, and all staff members should be prepared to work with this special population. A network of collaborators, from university pro...
Influence of Particle Size and Loading on Particle Accessibility in Electrospun Poly(ethylene oxide) and ZIF-8 Composite Fibers: Experiments and Theory

Developing electrospun nanofiber/nanoparticle composites (ENNCs) is an emerging strategy for immobilizing functional particles for a variety of applications. The radial location of the particle along the fiber, either at the surface or in the bulk, has implication into the resulting properties. To explore particle location along fibers, ZIF-8 impregnated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) nanofibers are formed by electrospinning particle suspensions. Fibers impregnated with two different ZIF-8 particle sizes (200 nm and 12.5 μm) were electrospun and shown by nitrogen porosimetry to be nearly completely wrapped by PEO in each case at loadings near 10 wt %. This was favorably compared to developed theory of polymeric membrane encapsulated particles and extended to other electrospun fiber/particle composites through a brief literature review. ENNCs with varying loadings of nanosized ZIF-8 particles were then fabricated and tested with nitrogen porosimetry to find that the particles became available for adsorption at...
Theories and Frameworks for Online Education: Seeking an Integrated Model

Abstract This article examines theoretical frameworks and models that focus on the pedagogical aspects of online education. After a review of learning theory as applied to online education, a proposal for an integrated Multimodal Model for Online Education is provided based on pedagogical purpose. The model attempts to integrate the work of several other major theorists and model builders such as Anderson (2011).
Tropical Oil Crops and Rural Poverty

I study the poverty impacts of the largest modern plantation-based agricultural expansion, Indonesian palm oil over the 2000s. Causal effects are identified by instrumenting the decadal expansion in the area planted with oil palm in each district with its agro-climatically attainable yield. Of the more than 10 million Indonesians lifted from poverty over the 2000s, my most conservative estimate suggests at least 1.3 million rural people have escaped poverty due to growth in the palm oil sector. The areal expansion increased expenditure for low income households and expanded rural public services, specifically road networks and households’ access to electricity.
Testing of a Tool for Prostate Cancer Screening Discussions in Primary Care.

Background As prostate cancer (PCa) screening decisions often occur in outpatient primary care, a brief tool to help the PCa screening conversation in busy clinic settings is needed. Methods A previously created 9-item tool to aid PCa screening discussions was tested in 5 diverse primary care clinics. Fifteen providers were recruited to use the tool for 4 weeks and the tool was revised based upon feedback. The providers then used the tool with a convenience sample of patients during routine clinic visits. Pre- and post-visit surveys were administered to assess patients’ knowledge of the option to be screened for PCa and of specific factors to consider in the decision. McNemar’s and Stuart-Maxwell tests were used to compare pre-and post-survey responses. Results Fourteen of 15 providers completed feedback surveys and had positive responses to the tool. All 15 providers then tested the tool on 95 men age 40-69 at the 5 clinics with 2-10 patients each. The proportion of patients who strongly agreed that they had the option to choose to screen for PCa increased from 57-72% (p=0.018) from the pre- to post-survey, that there are factors in the personal or family history that may affect PCa risk from 34 to 47% (p=0.012), and that their opinions about possible side effects of treatment for PCa should be considered in the decision from 47 to 61% (p=0.009). Conclusions A brief conversation tool for the PCa screening discussion was well-received in busy primary care settings, and improved patients’ knowledge about the screening decision.
Social Work and Social justice: A Reply to Leroy Pelton

(2001). Social Work and Social Justice. Journal of Social Work Education: Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 441-444.