cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bee nutrition and floral resource restoration

Bee-population declines are linked to nutritional shortages caused by land-use intensification, which reduces diversity and abundance of host-plant species. Bees require nectar and pollen floral resources that provide necessary carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and micronutrients for survival, reproduction, and resilience to stress. However, nectar and pollen nutritional quality varies widely among host-plant species, which in turn influences how bees forage to obtain their nutritionally appropriate diets. Unfortunately, we know little about the nutritional requirements of different bee species. Research must be conducted on bee species nutritional needs and host-plant species resource quality to develop diverse and nutritionally balanced plant communities. Restoring appropriate suites of plant species to landscapes can support diverse bee species populations and their associated pollination ecosystem services.
BOUNDARIES OF THE TERRESTRIAL WAVEGUIDE

The ground surface at the lower waveguide boundary is frequently treated as a homogeneous isotropic medium, but stratifications in either the horizontal or vertical directions may give rise to an effective anisotropy.
Oxidation-reduction potentials in cecal contents of germfree and conventional rats.

SummaryOxidation-reduction potentials in cecal contents of germfree rats were 250 to 300 mV more positive than in the contents of conventional animals. Treatment of germ-free rats with cecal contents from conventional rats showed that 4 hours later these animals demonstrated oxidation-reduction values comparable to those found in conventional rats. The more positive oxidation-reduction potential thus appears directly related to the absence of an intestinal micro-flora.
Systematic assessment of survey scan and MS2-based abundance strategies for label-free quantitative proteomics using high-resolution MS data.

Survey-scan-based label-free method have shown no compelling benefit over fragment ion (MS2)-based approaches when low-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) was used, the growing prevalence of high-resolution analyzers may have changed the game. This necessitates an updated, comparative investigation of these approaches for data acquired by high-resolution MS. Here, we compared survey scan-based (ion current, IC) and MS2-based abundance features including spectral-count (SpC) and MS2 total-ion-current (MS2-TIC), for quantitative analysis using various high-resolution LC/MS data sets. Key discoveries include: (i) study with seven different biological data sets revealed only IC achieved high reproducibility for lower-abundance proteins; (ii) evaluation with 5-replicate analyses of a yeast sample showed IC provided much higher quantitative precision and lower missing data; (iii) IC, SpC, and MS2-TIC all showed good quantitative linearity (R2 > 0.99) over a >1000-fold concentration range; (iv) both MS2-TIC and IC...
A Novel Nonparametric Maximum Likelihood Estimator for Probability Density Functions

Parametric maximum likelihood (ML) estimators of probability density functions (pdfs) are widely used today because they are efficient to compute and have several nice properties such as consistency, fast convergence rates, and asymptotic normality. However, data is often complex making parametrization of the pdf difficult, and nonparametric estimation is required. Popular nonparametric methods, such as kernel density estimation (KDE), produce consistent estimators but are not ML and have slower convergence rates than parametric ML estimators. Further, these nonparametric methods do not share the other desirable properties of parametric ML estimators. This paper introduces a nonparametric ML estimator that assumes that the square-root of the underlying pdf is band-limited (BL) and hence “smooth”. The BLML estimator is computed and shown to be consistent. Although convergence rates are not theoretically derived, the BLML estimator exhibits faster convergence rates than state-of-the-art nonparametric methods in simulations. Further, algorithms to compute the BLML estimator with lesser computational complexity than that of KDE methods are presented. The efficacy of the BLML estimator is shown by applying it to (i) density tail estimation and (ii) density estimation of complex neuronal receptive fields where it outperforms state-of-the-art methods used in neuroscience.
Transparent conducting oxide clad limited area epitaxy semipolar III-nitride laser diodes

The bottom cladding design of semipolar III-nitride laser diodes is limited by stress relaxation via misfit dislocations that form via the glide of pre-existing threading dislocations (TDs), whereas the top cladding is limited by the growth time and temperature of the p-type layers. These design limitations have individually been addressed by using limited area epitaxy (LAE) to block TD glide in n-type AlGaN bottom cladding layers and by using transparent conducting oxide (TCO) top cladding layers to reduce the growth time and temperature of the p-type layers. In addition, a TCO-based top cladding should have significantly lower resistivity than a conventional p-type (Al)GaN top cladding. In this work, LAE and indium-tin-oxide cladding layers are used simultaneously in a ( 202¯1) III-nitride laser structure. Lasing was achieved at 446 nm with a threshold current density of 8.5 kA/cm2 and a threshold voltage of 8.4 V.
High-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation in a Patient with an Implanted Cardiac Device.

Background New advances in spinal cord stimulation have led to improved treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain. While the overall safety of newer stimulation devices has been established, no published reports exist regarding safety considerations when these devices are implanted in patients with a preexisting cardiac device. Case report An 83-year-old man with a history of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest secondary to an episode of ventricular fibrillation underwent automated implantable cardiac defibrillator placement. Concomitantly, he suffered from intractable chronic low axial back pain and was deemed a candidate for high-frequency (10 kHz) spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Cardiac monitoring during SCS trial and implantation was performed with no interference noted. Following high-frequency SCS implantation, the patient was observed to have significant pain relief with functional improvement. Discussion While others have reported safety during traditional SCS in patients with implanted cardiac devices, this is the first case report to describe safe and effective use of high-frequency SCS in a patient with an implanted cardiac device.
The uptake and metabolism of fructose-1,6-diphosphate in rat cardiomyocytes.

Fructose‐1,6‐diphosphate (FDP) is a glycolytic intermediate which has been theorized to increase the metabolic activity of ischemic tissues. Here we examine the effects of externally applied FDP on cardiomyocyte uptake and metabolism. Adult rat cardiomyocytes were isolated and exposed to varying concentrations (0, 5, 25 and 50 mM) of FDP for either 1, 16 or 24 h of hypoxia (95% N2/5% CO2), each time period followed by a 1 h reoxygenation (95% air/5% CO2). The uptake of FDP by rat cardiomyocytes was more concentration‐dependent than time‐dependent. Furthermore, the uptake of FDP by the cardiomyocytes was similar in the hypoxia and normoxia treated cells. Alamar Blue, a redox indicator that is sensitive to metabolic activity, was used to monitor the effects of the FDP on cardiomyocyte metabolism. In the 1 h hypoxia or normoxia group, the 5, 10 and 25 mM FDP showed a significant increase in metabolism compared to the control cells. When the length of hypoxia was extended to 16 h, all doses of FDP were greater than control. And at the 24 h hypoxia or normoxia time period, only the 10, 25 and 50 mM FDP groups were greater than control. The results indicate a non-linear trend between the external concentration of FDP and the changes noted in metabolism. The findings from this study indicate that a narrow concentration range between 5–10 mM augments cardiomyocyte metabolism, but higher or lower doses may have little additional affect.
Effects of the Intensity of Electric Shock on Response Suppression During Multiple and Mixed Schedules of Signalled and Unsignallei Electric-Shock Delivery

In three experiments, food-rein forced responding was studied during multiple schedules of signalled and unsignalled electric-shock delivery. Depending upon the shock intensity employed, responding was (a) similarly suppressed in each component, (b) reduced primarily in the component associated with unsignalled shock, or (c) reduced considerably in both components of the multiple schedule. Mild shock intensities, which initially failed to produce differential response suppression, did so when they were reintroduced following exposure to more intense signalled and unsignalled shock. Food-maintained responding was studied during mixed as well as multiple schedules of signalled and unsignalled electric-shock delivery in Experiment 3. During the mixed schedules of food-and-shock delivery, the components were not distinguished by correlated stimuli, remaining either light or dark. While the multiple schedule readily led to differential response suppression, similar levels of response suppression were found in both components during the mixed schedule of signalled and unsignalled shock delivery. These experiments show that differential response suppression during signalled and unsignalled shock is a function of shock intensity and the discriminability of shock and shock-free occasions.
Naivete about temptation and self-control: Foundations for recursive naive quasi-hyperbolic discounting

Abstract We introduce and characterize a recursive model of dynamic choice that accommodates naivete about present bias. While recursive representations are important for infinite-horizon problems, the commonly used Strotz model of time inconsistency presents well-known technical difficulties that preclude such representations. Our model incorporates costly self-control in the sense of Gul and Pesendorfer (2001) to overcome these hurdles. The important novel condition is an axiom for naivete. We first introduce definitions of absolute and comparative naivete for a simple two-period model and show that they correspond to tight parametric restrictions for the costly self-control representation. We then proceed to study preferences in infinite-horizon environments. Incorporating our definition of absolute naivete as an axiom, we characterize a recursive representation of naive quasi-hyperbolic discounting with self-control for an individual who is jointly overoptimistic about her present-bias factor and her ability to exert self-control. We also study comparative statics for differences in naivete across individuals, and we present an extension of our model where naivete diminishes over time.
Valproic acid-induced hyperammonemia: Incidence, clinical significance, and treatment management.

Abstract Introduction: Valproic acid (VPA)–induced hyperammonemia poses several clinical challenges in psychiatric medicine. The reported incidence of this adverse effect varies widely across the l...
Charge density wave states in tantalum dichalcogenides

Using density functional theory, we explore a range of charge density wave states (CDWs) in tantalum-based transition-metal dichalcogenide monolayers. The high-symmetry states of the $1H$ phases of $\mathrm{Ta}{X}_{2}$ ($X$ = S, Se, Te) are lower in total energy compared to the $1T$ variants, while the $1T$ phases exhibit a much stronger tendency for CDW formation. The stability of several CDWs is found to be stronger as the chalcogenide is changed in the sequence (S, Se, Te), with the tellurium-based systems exhibiting several CDWs with binding energy per formula unit in the range of $100\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{meV}$. These $1T$ CDW phases are lower in energy than the corresponding $1H$ CDW phases. The diversity of CDWs exhibited by these materials suggests that many ``hidden'' states may occur on ultrafast excitation or photodoping. Changes in electronic structure across the $\mathrm{Ta}{X}_{2}$ series are also elucidated.
GIS-based method for estimating surficial groundwater levels in coastal Virginia using limited information

AbstractIn many coastal areas, high water tables are present, complicating installation of some stormwater best management practices (BMPs) that rely on infiltration. Regional estimates of the seas...
False positive tumor markers: Elevation in patients with breast cancer on FAC-type chemotherapy and correlation with the development of hand-foot syndrome

Breast cancer patients on dose-intensive chemotherapy often have elevated tumor markers during the course of treatment. Our objective was to estimate the incidence of a "false positive" tumor marker screen and to determine whether hand-foot epithelial damage was correlated. Data from 53 patients with high risk primary breast cancer who had undergone adjuvant or neoadjuvant 5FU-containing chemotherapy (FAC or FAC plus G-CSF) for 3 to 12 months were reviewed. The relationship between tumor marker elevation and disease recurrence, regimen intensity, and the occurrence of hand-foot syndrome was examined. Thirty-three of the 53 patients had elevated tumor markers in the absence of recurrent disease. The false positive rate was higher in patients who underwent FAC plus G-CSF chemotherapy than in patients who underwent FAC chemotherapy (92% vs 55%, p = .01). A false positive marker screen was associated with the occurrence of hand-foot syndrome even when the effect of regimen was accounted for by stratification (p = .01). Tumor marker screening of breast cancer patients on this type of adjuvant chemotherapy has poor specificity for recurrent malignancy. These data suggest tumor marker elevation may be an indicator of epithelial toxicity during chemotherapy, manifested clinically as hand-foot syndrome.
A Decision Level Fusion and Signal Analysis Technique for Activity Segmentation and Recognition on Smart Phones

The objective of this work is to recognize modes of locomotion and transportation accurately, with special emphasis on precise detection of transitions between different activities. The recognition of activities of daily living (ADLs), specifically modes of locomotion and transportation, provides an important context for many ubiquitous sensing applications. The precise detection of activity transition time is also important for applications that require immediate response. Many prior signal processing techniques use a fixed-length window for signal segmentation, which leads to poor performance for detecting activity transitions due to the limitation of a single window size. In this paper, we construct weak classifiers based on different window sizes and propose a decision level fusion approach to effectively classify and assign a label for each sample by fusing the decisions from all weak classifiers. Moreover, we propose a set of phone orientation independent features to ensure the system can work with arbitrary phone orientation. Our team, The Drifters, attained an F-score improvement of 1.9%, increasing from 94% to 95.9%, using our proposed method compared to using a single fixed-size window segmentation technique.
Does Animation Facilitate Understanding of Graphic Symbols Representing Verbs in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose The effects of animation on identification of graphic symbols for verbs were studied using the Autism Language Program Graphic Symbols Set in children diagnosed with mild-to-severe autism s...
Abstract 292: Depression is Associated With Decrease in Cardiac Catheterization Rate and Delay in Cardiac Catheterization in Patient With Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Insight From National Inpatient Sample Database

Background: Depression poses a major health challenge to patients with cardiovascular disease. But little is known about its impact on Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods: Usin...
Countering Violent Extremism in Sub-Saharan Africa: What Policy Makers Need to Know:

This essay addresses recurring and growing inaccurate reports from political officials as well as counter-terrorism analysts and journalists that the Sahara-Sahel group Boko Haram is a defeated ent...
Act One to the End: Ask the Ayatollah, a Play (with Henry Corbin)

ABSTRACTThis play is based on the author’s ethnographic and archival research on the French philosopher Henry Corbin’s years in Tehran, Iran. Corbin taught in Tehran between 1947 and 1978 (the eve ...
Alternative Plasma-Facing-Material Concepts for Extreme Plasma-Burning Nuclear Fusion Environments

AbstractOne of the most significant design challenges for materials performance exposed to extreme environments (e.g., heat, pressure, and radiation) is maintaining structural integrity while preve...
Green’s Functions on Riemann Surfaces

In this chapter, we give some explicit formulas for Neron functions on Riemann surfaces, and an explicit construction due to Coleman. These are with respect to a canonical volume form. We shall also explain how the functions change when we change the metrics. We work complex analytically, in which case we can characterize the Neron functions in a complex analytic fashion, thus finding classical objects called Green’s functions. We shall give the definition of Green’s function and prove its basic properties ab ovo. Actually, we give several proofs for some of the basic theorems, depending on different explicit constructions. One of them depends on the Hodge decomposition and harmonic forms, for which a complete treatment is given in Griffiths-Harris. Another depends on the smoothness of the Green’s function, which may be constructed by theta functions. Different people at different times will use the different techniques for different purposes. Since the construction of the Green’s function by theta functions is given in detail in [La 1], Chapter 13, I do not reproduce this construction here. For the most part, in the application to the intersection theory and Riemann-Roch theorem, we use only the basic formal properties, and the construction of a Green’s function is irrelevant. In the proof of the existence of Faltings volumes, given in Chapter VI, we need to relate the Green’s function on the curve with the Green’s function on the Jacobian, associated with the theta divisor. At this point, we shall make a reference to [La 1], Chapter 13 for one particular property that is needed.
Appendix A: Mathematical Tools

The derivation and analysis of the basic equation describing turbulence generated by solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations require several mathematical tools collected and briefly discussed and relevant references are given in the present appendix.
Introduction: Examining Family and Relationship Violence in U.S. Society

This introductory chapter outlines the topics covered in this book. To set the stage for the discussion of various forms of violence in the family such as intimate partner violence (IPV) and child maltreatment, as well as sibling violence, and aggression directed toward pets and older adults in the family, this chapter examines data on violent crime in the United States. The National Crime Victimization Survey administered by the U.S. Department of Justice is a major source of information. Violent crime has generally decreased since the 1990s in the U.S. as well as in other countries. Possible reasons for this are discussed. In spite of these empirical data, the public is generally more fearful about crime and often express surprise about the dropping crime rates. These fears are believed to arise from greater media attention being given to crime victims. Attitudes are changing as well as behavior. We first examine views about the acceptability of IPV. Along with the feminist activity of the late twentieth century, there has been more attention given to IPV. Increasingly, violence toward an intimate partner is viewed as unacceptable behavior, especially for men who are violent toward a female partner. Even greater changes can be seen in the acceptability of violent parental behavior toward children. Although some still believe that spanking is a necessary form of child discipline, attitudes of professionals who work with children as well as the general public show increasing disapproval. Issues relating to the measurement of family violence are briefly discussed.
A unifying framework disentangles genetic, epigenetic, and stochastic sources of drug-response variability in an in vitro model of tumor heterogeneity

Tumor heterogeneity is a primary cause of treatment failure and acquired resistance in cancer patients. Even in cancers driven by a single mutated oncogene, variability of targeted therapy response is observed. Additional genetic mutations can only partially explain this variability, leading to consideration of non-genetic factors, such as “stem-like” and “mesenchymal” phenotypic states, as critical contributors to tumor relapse and resistance. Here, we show that both genetic and non-genetic factors contribute to targeted drug-response variability in an experimental tumor heterogeneity model based on multiple versions and clonal sublines of PC9, the archetypal EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer cell line. We observe significant drug-response variability across PC9 cell line versions, among sublines, and within sublines. To disentangle genetic, epigenetic, and stochastic components underlying this variability, we adopt a theoretical framework whereby distinct genetic states give rise to multiple epigenetic “basins of attraction”, across which cells can transition driven by stochastic factors such as gene expression noise and asymmetric cell division. Using mutational impact analysis, single-cell differential gene expression, and semantic similarity of gene ontology terms to connect genomics and transcriptomics, we establish a baseline of genetic differences explaining drug-response variability across PC9 cell line versions. In contrast, with the same approach, we conclude that in all but one of the clonal sublines, drug-response variability is due to epigenetic rather than genetic differences. Finally, using a clonal drug-response assay and stochastic simulations, we attribute drug-response variability within sublines to intracellular stochastic fluctuations and confirm that one subline likely contains a genetic resistance mutation that emerged in the absence of selective pressures. We propose that a theoretical framework deconvolving the complex interplay among genetic, epigenetic, and stochastic sources of intratumoral heterogeneity will lead to novel therapeutic strategies to combat tumor relapse and resistance.
Pediatric Tuberculosis: The Impact of "Omics" on Diagnostics Development.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health concern for all ages. However, the disease presents a larger challenge in pediatric populations, partially owing to the lack of reliable diagnostic standards for the early identification of infection. Currently, there are no biomarkers that have been clinically validated for use in pediatric TB diagnosis. Identification and validation of biomarkers could provide critical information on prognosis of disease, and response to treatment. In this review, we discuss how the “omics” approach has influenced biomarker discovery and the advancement of a next generation rapid point-of-care diagnostic for TB, with special emphasis on pediatric disease. Limitations of current published studies and the barriers to their implementation into the field will be thoroughly reviewed within this article in hopes of highlighting future avenues and needs for combating the problem of pediatric tuberculosis.
Monopole Contribution to the Stark Width of Hydrogenlike Spectral Lines in Plasmas: Analytical Results

One of the most reliable and frequently used methods for diagnosing various laboratory and astrophysical plasmas is based on the Stark broadening of spectral lines. It allows for determining from the experimental line profiles important parameters, such as the electron density and temperature, the ion density, the magnetic field, and the field strength of various types of the electrostatic plasma turbulence. Since, in this method, radiating atoms or ions are used as the sensitive probes of the above parameters, these probes have to be properly calibrated. In other words, an accurate theory of the Stark broadening of spectral lines in plasmas is required. In the present paper, we study, analytically, the monopole contribution to the Stark width of hydrogen-like spectral lines in plasmas. For this purpose, we use the formalism from paper by Mejri, Nguyen, and Ben Lakhdar. We show that the monopole contribution to the width has a non-monotonic dependence on the velocity of perturbing electrons. Namely, at relatively small electron velocities, the width decreases as the velocity increases. Then it reaches a minimum and (at relatively large electron velocities), as the velocity further increases, the width increases. The non-monotonic dependence of the monopole contribution to the width on the electron velocity is a counter-intuitive result. The outcome that at relatively large electron velocities, the monopole contribution to the width increases with the increase in the electron velocity is in a striking distinction to the dipole contribution to the width, which decreases as the electron velocity increases. We show that, in the situation encountered in various areas of plasma research (such as in magnetically-controlled fusion), where there is a relativistic electron beam (REB) in a plasma, the monopole contribution to the width due to the REB exceeds the corresponding dipole contribution by four orders of magnitude and practically determines the entire Stark width of hydrogenic spectral lines due to the REB.
Urinary Tract Infection after Elective Spine Surgery: Timing, Predictive Factors, and Outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective review of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with the timing of urinary tract infection (UTI) after elective spine surgery, and to determine whether postoperative UTI timing affects short-term outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common post-surgical complication; however, the predominant timing, location, and potential differential effects have not been carefully studied. METHODS We analyzed elective spine surgery patients from 2012 to 2018 in the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). We grouped patients with postoperative UTI by day of onset relative to discharge, to create cohorts of patients who developed inpatient UTI and post-discharge UTI. We compared both UTI cohorts with a control (no UTI) population and with each other to identify differences in baseline characteristics including demographic, comorbidity and operative factors. We performed multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of UTI in each cohort and to assess adjusted risks of poor outcomes associated with UTI timing. RESULTS A total of 289,121 patients met inclusion criteria and 0.88% developed UTI (n = 2553). Only 31.6% of UTIs occurred before discharge (n = 806), with 68.4% occurring after discharge (n = 1747). The inpatient UTI cohort had significantly longer operative time, more fusion procedures, more posterior procedures, and more procedures involving the lumbar levels than the post-discharge cohort. Predictors of inpatient UTI included procedure type, spine region, and approach. Predictors of post-discharge UTI included length-of-stay and discharge destination. Both UTI cohorts were significantly associated with sepsis; however, post-discharge UTI carried a higher odds (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 24.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 21.05-29.45, P < 0.001 vs. aOR = 14.31, 95% CI = 11.09-18.45, P < 0.001). Inpatient UTI was not associated with 30-day readmission, although post-discharge UTI was (aOR = 8.23, 95% CI = 7.36-9.20, P < 0.001). Conversely, inpatient UTI was associated with increased odds of 30-day mortality (aOR = 3.23, 95% CI = 1.62-6.41, P = 0.001), but post-discharge UTI was not. CONCLUSION Predictive factors and outcomes differ based on timing of UTI after elective spine surgery. Before discharge, procedure -specific details predict UTI, but after discharge they do not. These findings suggest that traditional thinking about UTI prevention may need modification.Level of Evidence: 3.
Integrated production and maintenance planning in cyber-physical production systems

Abstract Rising production costs and efficiency requirements are challenges for manufacturing companies. One possibility to cope with these challenges is to improve maintenance efficiency and effectiveness by integrating predictive maintenance tools into cyber-physical production systems. However, the integration of these tool information into production and maintenance planning systems in order to determine necessary maintenance tasks is one of the main challenges for manufacturing companies. Therefore, this paper presents an innovative system for an effective integrated production and maintenance planning in complex cyber-physical production systems using multi-criteria decision-making. A prototypical application is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach.
The Mystic Ark: Hugh of Saint Victor, Art, and Thought in the Twelfth Century

Preface 1. The Mystic Ark lectures 2. The image of The Mystic Ark 3. Conclusion: The Mystic Ark and the multiplication and systematization of imagery Appendix.
Brainwriting in virtual legislative sessions

Many studies have demonstrated the efficiency and effectiveness of using group support systems in large, face-to-face meetings known as legislative sessions. However, few have inves­ tigated how individual participants or sub-groups in different rooms linked via a computer network, forming a "virtual" group, may use the systems. An experiment using two sizes of virtual groups (8 and 16 participants) showed that participants were satisfied with the meeting process. In addition, there were no significant differences in five process and outcome variables between the two sizes of groups, indicating that an upper limit on the size of the virtual groups had not been reached. INTRODUC:TION Group Support Systems (OSS) have been used to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of meetings requiring the sharing of ideas (Dennis, George, Jessup, Nunamaker, & Vogel, 1988). Groups of more than eight people in an electronic meeting have typically met at the same time in the same room (called a "synchronous legislative session") to exchange typed comments simulta­ neously and anonymously (Huber, 1984). However, not all potential participants may be able to attend such face-to-face (FTP) meetings (Gillenwater, Conlon, & Hwang, 1995; Jacob & Pirkul, 1989). At least one study (Aiken & Vanjani, 1997) has indicated that sub-groups distributed geographically may meet, forming a virtual legislative session. For example, four participants may type and view comments on their computers connected to a network in one room while five participants may type and view comments using the network in another room, forming a virtual group of nine members. The two rooms may be in the same building or in different cities, greatly reducing the time and inconvenience of travel to another site (Fellers & Moon, 1994; Romano, Nunamaker, Briggs, & Mittleman, 1999). Groups split into two or more sub-groups in different locations may not function as effec­ tively or efficiently as when all participants are in the same room (Smith & Vanecek, 1990). Group members may loose their sense of camaraderie or cohesion, and the meeting facilitator may lose control of the groups (Romano, Nunamaker, & Briggs, 1999). Additional voice or
Minimizing thermally induced interfacial shearing stress in a thermoelectric module

The problem of minimizing the level of the thermally induced interfacial shearing stress in a Thermo-Electric Module (TEM) is addressed using analytical and finite-element-analysis (FEA) based modeling. The maximum stress is calculated for different leg sizes. Good agreement between the analytical and FEA predictions has been found. It is concluded that the shearing stress can be effectively minimized by using thinner legs with compliant interfaces.
Braintrust: What Neuroscience Tells Us About Morality

List of Illustrations ix Chapter 1. Introduction 1 Chapter 2. Brain-Based Values 12 Chapter 3. Caring and Caring For 27 Chapter 4. Cooperating and Trusting 63 Chapter 5. Networking: Genes, Brains, and Behavior 95 Chapter 6. Skills for a Social Life 118 Chapter 7. Not as a Rule 163 Chapter 8. Religion and Morality 191 Notes 205 Bibliography 235 Acknowledgments 259 Index 261
Finding Intrinsic and Extrinsic Viewing Parameters from a Single Realist Painting

In this paper we studied the geometry of a three-dimensional tableau from a single realist painting --- Scott Fraser's Three way vanitas (2006). The tableau contains a carefully chosen complex arrangement of objects including a moth, egg, cup, and strand of string, glass of water, bone, and hand mirror. Each of the three plane mirrors presents a different view of the tableau from a virtual camera behind each mirror and symmetric to the artist's viewing point. Our new contribution was to incorporate single-view geometric information extracted from the direct image of the wooden mirror frames in order to obtain the camera models of both the real camera and the three virtual cameras. Both the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters are estimated for the direct image and the images in three plane mirrors depicted within the painting.
Effect of Viral Infections on Pulmonary Function in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases

The effect of 100 separate viral infections of the respiratory tract on pulmonary function was evaluated prospectively over an eight-year period in 84 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and in eight normal subjects. Some viral infections were associated with small acute declines in forced vital capacity and/or 1-sec forced expiratory volume of 25-300 ml. These declines were detectable only during the 90-day period after infection. The greatest abnormalities of pulmonary function followed infections with influenza virus, and the mean acute changes in 1-sec forced expiratory volume (- 118.5 ml) were significantly greater than expected (- 15.2 ml; P = 0.03). Smaller, statistically insignificant declines followed infections with parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus, and no changes were detectable after infections with coronavirus, herpes simplex virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. Long-term effects of influenza or other viral infections on the course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were not detected in this study population. The hypothesis that viral infections of the respiratory tract may contribute to progressive deterioration of airway function in patients with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) has intrigued
Accuracy and decision time for decentralized implementations of the sequential probability ratio test

This paper focuses on decentralized decision making in a population of individuals each implementing the sequential probability ratio test. The individual decisions are combined by a fusion center into a collective decision via an aggregation rule. For distinct aggregation rules, we study how the population size affects the performance of the collective decision making, i.e., the decision accuracy and time. We analyze two aggregation rules, the fastest rule and the majority rule. In the fastest rule, the group decision is equal to the first decision made by any individual. In the majority rule, the group decision is equal to the majority of the decisions. Under the assumption of measurement independence among individuals, we introduce a novel numerical representation of the performance of decentralized decision making. We study our settings analytically as well as numerically. Our numerical results and simulations characterize the tradeoff between accuracy and decision time as a function of the population size.
Three-dimensional ordering, spin excitations, and dilution effects in the quasi-1D ferromagnetic (DMeFc)(TCNE)

The linear chain S =1/2 molecular ferromagnet decamethylferrocenium tetracyanoethanide [(DMeFc)(TCNE)] has been studied by frequency‐dependent ac susceptibility experiments. χ’(T) and χ‘(T) exhibit maxima in the temperature range of 4.8–4.9 K, which corresponds to the transition temperature to the three‐dimensional (3D) ferromagnetic ground state. The 3D ordering is due to the presence of a finite interchain ferromagnetic interaction, as determined earlier by dc magnetic susceptibility and specific heat experiments. The results of ac susceptibility measurements below Tc are analyzed in terms of a Debye‐like model to investigate the presence of gaps in the spin excitation spectrum of the system. Considerable changes are observed in the critical temperature on introducing spinless sites into the system. The transition temperature of the dilution series (DMeFc)x(DMeCo)1−x(TCNE), where (DMeCo)+=(decamethylcobaltocenium+) has spin S=0, decreases with increasing (1−x).
Ground state of the Kondo model

The single-impurity Kondo problem is investigated with the use of the nonperturbative Lanczos (tridiagonalization) method. We are able to obtain an explicit expression for the ground-state energy in terms of the Kondo coupling constant J. The method places no restrictions on the range of J.
Characterizing Markov equivalence classes for AMP chain graph models

Chain graphs (CG) (= adicyclic graphs) use undirected and directed edges to represent both structural and associative dependences. Like acyclic directed graphs (ADGs), the CG associated with a statistical Markov model may not be unique, so CGs fall into Markov equivalence classes, which may be superexponentially large, leading to unidentifiability and computational inefficiency in model search and selection. It is shown here that, under the Andersson-Madigan-Perlman (AMP) interpretation of a CG, each Markov-equivalence class can be uniquely represented by a single distinguished CG, the AMP essential graph, that is itself simultaneously Markov equivalent to all CGs in the AMP Markov equivalence class. A complete characterization of AMP essential graphs is obtained. Like the essential graph previously introduced for ADGs, the AMP essential graph will play a fundamental role for inference and model search and selection for AMP CG models.
Image classification using artifical neural networks

A convolution neural network (CNN) and a backpropagation neural network (BPN) were used for classification of regions of interest (ROIs) on mammograms as either mass or normal tissue. Input images to the CNN were obtained from the ROIs using averaging and subsampling. Input features to the BPN were obtained from spatial gray level dependence (SGLD) matrices at multiple resolutions. A data set consisting of 168 ROIs containing biopsy- proven masses and 504 ROIs containing normal breast tissue was used for training and testing of the neural networks. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) methodology was used to evaluate the classification accuracy. The area under the test ROC curve reached 0.83 for the CNN, 0.88 for the BPN, and 0.89 for a combination of the CNN and BPN outputs. Our results indicate that (1) CNN performance may be improved by using additional texture information; and (2) the overall performance may be improved by combining CNN and BPN classifiers.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Reliability of circulation models

Abstract Current meter observations in Lake Ontario covering the 140-day period from 4 November 1982 to 23 March 1983 are used to evaluate the performance of circulation models for different time scales. The measurements were taken in a single cross-section of the lake with sufficiently high resolution to verify conservation of total water transport through the section. The results indicate that a typical linear hydrodynamic model can reproduce short- and medium-term circulations induced by wind variations, but that nonlinear effects must be included to simulate seasonal-mean current patterns.
Predictors of the longitudinal course of postpartum depression following interpersonal psychotherapy.

Objective: We examined the course and predictors of postpartum depression in the 18 months following interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Method: We enrolled 120 community women with major depression in a 12-week randomized trial of individual IPT during the postpartum period (O’Hara, Stuart, Gorman, & Wenzel, 2000). At 6, 12, and 18 months posttreatment, women participated in clinical interviews to establish the course of depression over the previous 6 months. We used survival analyses to characterize recovery and recurrence in the follow-up and growth curve modeling techniques to identify predictors of change in depression during the follow-up period. Potential predictors included severity, chronicity, and personal history of depression. Results: Of 35 women who recovered with acute treatment, 20 (57%) achieved sustained recovery during follow-up; average time to recurrence was 33.40 weeks (SD 18.43 weeks). Over 80% of women who did not recover with acute treatment experienced recovery at some point during follow-up; average time to recovery was 28.60 weeks (SD 17.51 weeks). Time depressed each month decreased over the follow-up period. Posttreatment depressive severity and length of the index episode predicted changes in depression over time. Posttreatment depression severity, personal history of depression, and weeks of treatment in the follow-up were significant predictors of time depressed during follow-up. Conclusions: IPT resulted in long-term benefits past the termination of acute treatment, even for women who did not initially recover. Though the vast majority of women who did not recover with acute treatment did recover during the follow-up period, continuation of IPT may accelerate the process.
Support for the effectiveness of culturally competent drug and alcohol treatment, policy planning and programme development

With a rapidly diversifying US population, alcohol and other drug treatment providers are finding increasing need to focus on culturally competent interventions. While the research on such interventions is somewhat limited, existing empirical findings suggest the efficacy of cultural competence in treatment, policy planning and programme development. Research on culturally competent mental health and drug and alcohol treatment is reviewed, suggestions are made for future research efforts, and areas of particular effectiveness are highlighted. The use of existing research emphasizes the urgency of the move towards more culturally competenttreatment models.
Blunted activation in orbitofrontal cortex during mania: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background Patients with bipolar disorder have been reported to have abnormal cortical function during mania. In this study, we sought to investigate neural activity in the frontal lobe during mania, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Specifically, we sought to evaluate activation in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, a brain region that is normally activated during activities that require response inhibition. Methods Eleven manic subjects and 13 control subjects underwent fMRI while performing the Go-NoGo task, a neuropsychological paradigm known to activate the orbitofrontal cortex in normal subjects. Patterns of whole-brain activation during fMRI scanning were determined with statistical parametric mapping. Contrasts were made for each subject for the NoGo minus Go conditions. Contrasts were used in a second-level analysis with subject as a random factor. Results Functional MRI data revealed robust activation of the right orbitofrontal cortex (Brodmann’s area [BA] 47) in control subjects but not in manic subjects. Random-effects analyses demonstrated significantly less magnitude in signal intensity in the right lateral orbitofrontal cortex (BA 47), right hippocampus, and left cingulate (BA 24) in manic compared with control subjects. Conclusions Mania is associated with a significant attenuation of task-related activation of right lateral orbitofrontal function. This lack of activation of a brain region that is usually involved in suppression of responses might account for some of the disinhibition seen in mania. In addition, hippocampal and cingulate activation seem to be decreased. The relationship between this reduced function and the symptoms of mania remain to be further explored.
Reactivation of a cryptobiotic stream ecosystem in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: A long-term geomorphological experiment

Abstract The McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica contain many glacial meltwater streams that flow for 6 to 12 weeks during the austral summer and link the glaciers to the lakes on the valley floors. Dry valley streams gain solutes longitudinally through weathering reactions and microbial processes occurring in the hyporheic zone. Some streams have thriving cyanobacterial mats. In streams with regular summer flow, the mats are freeze-dried through the winter and begin photosynthesizing with the onset of flow. To evaluate the longer term persistence of cyanobacterial mats, we diverted flow to an abandoned channel, which had not received substantial flow for approximately two decades. Monitoring of specific conductance showed that for the first 3 years after the diversion, the solute concentrations were greater in the reactivated channel than in most other dry valley streams. We observed that cyanobacterial mats became abundant in the reactivated channel within a week, indicating that the mats had been preserved in a cryptobiotic state in the channel. Over the next several years, these mats had high rates of productivity and nitrogen fixation compared to mats from other streams. Experiments in which mats from the reactivated channel and another stream were incubated in water from both of the streams indicated that the greater solute concentrations in the reactivated channel stimulated net primary productivity of mats from both streams. These stream-scale experimental results indicate that the cryptobiotic preservation of cyanobacterial mats in abandoned channels in the dry valleys allows for rapid response of these stream ecosystems to climatic and geomorphological change, similar to other arid zone stream ecosystems.
Solution NMR Structure of a Designed Metalloprotein and Complementary Molecular Dynamics Refinement

We report the solution NMR structure of a designed dimetal-binding protein, di-Zn(II) DFsc, along with a secondary refinement step employing molecular dynamics techniques. Calculation of the initial NMR structural ensemble by standard methods led to distortions in the metal-ligand geometries at the active site. Unrestrained molecular dynamics using a nonbonded force field for the metal shell, followed by quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical dynamics of DFsc, were used to relax local frustrations at the dimetal site that were apparent in the initial NMR structure and provide a more realistic description of the structure. The MD model is consistent with NMR restraints, and in good agreement with the structural and functional properties expected for DF proteins. This work demonstrates that NMR structures of metalloproteins can be further refined using classical and first-principles molecular dynamics methods in the presence of explicit solvent to provide otherwise unavailable insight into the geometry of the metal center.