cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fast and Accurate Radiation Calculations for Printed Circuit Boards and Packages

Hybrid 2.5-D field solvers have been successfully applied to the analysis of high-speed printed circuit boards (PCB) and electronic packages. To enable electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility analysis, the solver needs to calculate the electromagnetic radiation in the near-field and far-field regions of the structure efficiently and accurately. We present two enhancements to the radiation calculations. The first is to use fast algorithms to accelerate the near-field and far-field calculations and the second is to correct the trace radiations by including the effect of the dielectric substrate. We demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of these enhancements with three simulation examples.
Distance Graphs Generated by Five Primes (Research)

Let D be a set of prime numbers. We investigate the chromatic number of graphs with vertex set of the integers and edges between any pair of vertices whose absolute difference falls in D. Such a graph is called a prime distance graph, and the set D is called the distance set. The chromatic number of prime distance graphs is known when the distance set D has at most four primes. In this paper we begin to classify prime distance graphs with a distance set of five primes. In particular, we completely classify the family of distance sets D = {2, 3, 7, 19, p} where p is any prime, and solve most of the more general family D = {2, 3, 7, p, q} for any primes p and q. The number theoretic function κ(D) is used as a tool, and some general properties about κ(D) are established.
Abstract 2856: An intelligent boosting to amplify signal with isobaric labeling (iBASIL) strategy for precise quantitative single-cell proteomics analysis

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics has great potential for overcoming the limitations of antibody-based immunoassays for antibody-independent, comprehensive, and quantitative proteomic analysis of single cells. Indeed, recent advances in nanoscale sample preparation have enabled effective processing of single cells. In particular, the concept of using boosting/carrier channels in isobaric labeling to increase the sensitivity in MS detection (e.g., our recent boosting to amplify signal with isobaric labeling (BASIL) approach) has also been increasingly used for quantitative proteomic analysis of small-sized samples including single cells. However, the full potential of such boosting/carrier approaches has not been significantly explored, nor has the resulting quantitation quality been carefully evaluated. Herein, we have systematically evaluated and optimized the BASIL approach, originally developed for quantifying phosphorylation in small number of cells, for highly effective analysis of single cells. This improved, intelligent BASIL (iBASIL) approach enables comprehensive and quantitative single-cell proteomics analysis by carefully controlling the boosting-to-sample ratio and optimizing MS automatic gain control and ion injection time settings. Using standard LC-MS platforms, iBASIL enabled precise quantification of 800-1,200 proteins from single FACS-isolated cells (depending on the cell type). Moreover, coupling iBASIL to nanoscale fractionation enabled identification of >3,000 proteins and reliable quantification of >2,000 proteins while readily separating single cells from 3 different acute myeloid leukemia cell lines. We believe iBASIL has broad utility for comprehensive and precise quantitative single-cell proteomics for systems biology and biomedical research, as well as for comprehensive proteomic analysis of size-limited clinical specimens that cannot be readily accessed by regular proteomics platforms. It also has the potential to be adapted for phosphoproteome analysis of as few as 100 cells. Citation Format: Chia-Feng Tsai, Rui Zhao, Ronald Moore, Sarah Williams, Kendall Schultz, Paul Piehowski, Ljiljana Pasa-Tolic, Karin Rodland, Richard Smith, Tujin Shi, Ying Zhu, Ying Zhu, Tao Liu. An intelligent boosting to amplify signal with isobaric labeling (iBASIL) strategy for precise quantitative single-cell proteomics analysis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2856.
Owen Rankin at J&J and the Olympic Games: Let the Games Begin (a)

Whether taught to students unfamiliar with U.S. business culture or to students unacquainted with working in China, this case allows for an exploration of values that shape attitudes and behaviors in both countries. The material presents one executive's unique leadership experience in managing across cultures. From creating cross-cultural teams to balancing the goals of corporate in the United States and local operations in China, Owen Rankin's role as a leader in the middle is rich with experiences dealing with preconceived notions. The case works as a source for any manager working outside his or her home country. In the (A) case Owen Rankin, VP of corporate reputation at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), is appointed to head up J&J's Olympic Games committee. He was tasked with convincing others in the organization to move forward on the project. Rankin and his team spent months going back and forth to China, meeting with J&J business-unit leaders, and trying to persuade them to support the project. The (A) case ends at Rankin and his core committee back in China at their final decision-making meeting—would it be a go or a no-go decision?The (B) case presents Rankin's experience to build a team, engage stakeholders, develop and activate programs, attend the games, and then wrap up the closing of the sponsorship. As Rankin and his team supervised the dismantling of the event, thoughts turned to the next Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, and London, England. Should J&J continue to be a sponsor? Excerpt UVA-OB-1070 Nov. 11, 2015 Owen Rankin at J&J and the Olympic Games: Let the Games Begin (A) I had no sports marketing experience. I had no Olympic experience. —Owen Rankin As VP of corporate reputation at Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Owen Rankin spent a lot of time worrying about the company's market value and name in what some had described as the “reputation economy.” Reputation was one of those intangible parts of doing business that when positive seemed less important than when something negative occurred and tarnished a firm's image. . . .
Longitudinal associations of fitness and obesity in young adulthood with right ventricular function and pulmonary artery systolic pressure in middle age: The cardia study

Background Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and obesity are risk factors for heart failure but their associations with right ventricular (RV) systolic function and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) are not well understood. Methods and Results Participants in the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study who underwent maximal treadmill testing at baseline and had a follow-up echocardiographic examination at year 25 were included. A subset of participants had repeat CRF and body mass index (BMI) assessment at year 20. The associations of baseline and changes in CRF and BMI on follow-up (baseline to year 20) with RV systolic function parameters (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, RV Doppler systolic velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus), and PASP were assessed using multivariable-adjusted linear regression models. The study included 3433 participants. In adjusted analysis, higher baseline BMI but not CRF was significantly associated with higher PASP. Among RV systolic function parameters, higher baseline CRF and BMI were significantly associated with higher tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and RV systolic velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus. In the subgroup of participants with follow-up assessment of CRF or BMI at year 20, less decline in CRF was associated with higher RV systolic velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus and lower PASP, while greater increase in BMI was significantly associated with higher PASP in middle age. Conclusions Higher CRF in young adulthood and less decline in CRF over time are each significantly associated with better RV systolic function. Higher baseline BMI and greater age-related increases in BMI are each significantly associated with higher PASP in middle age. These findings provide insights into possible mechanisms through which low fitness and obesity may contribute toward risk of heart failure.
Is Speed Enough? Examining the Definition of Broadband and Its Implications for Public Policy

The benefits of broadband to a post-pandemic modern society are increasingly clear. Policy makers are responding by significantly increasing universal service funds focused on increasing the availability of broadband to underserved and unserved areas. In the push to deploy more broadband and eliminate the Digital Divide, one obvious, but often overlooked, element of the policy discussion is the definition of the term “broadband” that determines the core technical characteristics of the broadband services built via government subsidies and support. This paper examines the approach taken by the FCC to develop and maintain its Definition of Broadband by performing a historical analysis of the series of section 706 inquiries that established the current definition of 25 Mbps in the downstream and 3 Mbps in the upstream directions. Based upon this analysis, the paper then describes a set of principles to guide policy makers and regulatory processes developing or updating the Definition of Broadband in the future. The paper provides a useful contribution for policy makers considering how to best target resources to connect all segments of society to the Internet by describing the key role that the Definition of Broadband plays in these deliberations. While this paper does not recommend any specific changes to the current Definition of Broadband, it does recommend a more robust strategic planning approach for developing the nation’s broadband strategy as this technology emerges as critical infrastructure for modern society.
Graphene-based catalyst for CO2 reduction: The critical role of solvents in materials design

Abstract The catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to hydrocarbon fuels offers a tremendous opportunity for a transformational impact on both global energy and environmental sustainability. To enhance the CO2 reduction process, the design and synthesis of novel and efficient catalytic materials with control-over properties are needed. The solvent used in the synthesis of these materials can play a crucial role in tailoring the material properties resulting in changes to their catalytic performance. However, the field still lacks a systematic analysis of the specific effect for different solvents. Here, we report the role of water, ethanol (EtOH), ethylene glycol (EG), Dimethylformamide (DMF), and γ-Butyrolactone (GBL) on the synthesis of reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-copper nanoparticles (CuNP) electrocatalysts used in CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR). As these solvents contain different terminal groups and molecular sizes, we observed a variation in the d-spacing of the rGO, surface area, nanoparticle yield, and defect density, and characterized the corresponding change in the CO2RR activity. The use of DMF results in higher porosity, d-spacing, yield of CuNP, surface area and defect density which lead to comparatively higher efficiency and selectivity of and selectivity of 19.5 % and 28.4 % for formate and CO, respectively.
Enhancing foam fire suppression analysis through CO2 TDLAS quantification

Abstract Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) was used to monitor CO2 concentrations above a pool fire as experimental firefighting foams were applied to the pool surface. A 2.0 μm diode laser was used in a modified section of ventilation duct above a 19 cm diameter heptane pool fire. Laser signal intensity and temperature were measured to calculate CO2 concentration with time. The concentration profiles were determined for a reference fluorosurfactant foam and a series of fluorine-free foams containing siloxane surfactants blended with a hydrocarbon surfactant (Glucopon 215 UP), and solvent. Seven mixtures were evaluated: three foams fully covered the fuel pool and two foams extinguished the fire. Due to the rapid response of the measurement technique, a dramatic drop in CO2 concentration was observed as the fire was extinguished. Pool coverage corresponded to an observed peak in CO2 concentration. The concentration profiles allowed for a more accurate assessment of foams that were unable to extinguish a pool fire. Further analysis of these profiles may elucidate time-scales important for rapid fire suppression. Defining and characterizing mechanisms of foam fire suppression at these time-scales may improve and accelerate research efforts for the development of fluorine-free surfactants in firefighting foams.
Shifting Experience Requirements for Obtaining Initial Certification as a CPA: A Study of Changing Standards and Experience Requirements

Credentialing as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is critical for professional practice in accounting. Historically, such certification required training within public accounting settings with CPA firms and specifically in the area of attestation. In response to input from public accounting firms and, more broadly, the accounting profession, there have been notable regulatory changes in experience requirements for CPA certification. Connecticut, for example, recently modified its experience requirements for initial certification as a CPA. While previously experience was solely satisfied through public attestation experience this is no longer true. In fact, in part by appeals from both large and small public accounting firms, new regulatory amendments were enact to effectively mollifying barriers on the areas from which candidates may satisfy the experience requirement for the initial CPA certification. By removing the specific attestation experience requirement, candidates may now obtain the requisite experience from a broader range of practice areas of practice without having to obtain the specific attestation experience in public accounting settings. This article explores the changes in Connecticut’s experience requirements for obtaining the initial CPA certification and addresses two questions: 1) is there a trend in broadening experience requirements for CPA certification and 2) what are the consequences of allowing CPA candidates to gain the requisite experience in accounting positions outside public accounting settings.
Erasing the Maternal: Rereading Elizabeth Bishop

... a perfect erasure disappears along with what is erased. For an erasure to be pres ent for us, we must know that something was there; we must see the traces of the erasure: blottings, blurrings, indentations on the page or in the landscape. Erasure is the forceful writing of loss, absence and rejection. Because we crave to 'be'?in body, in works, in writing ?we can never view such erasures dispassionately, as mere blank space.
Soil microbial community structure is unaltered by plant invasion, vegetation clipping, and nitrogen fertilization in experimental semi-arid grasslands

Global and regional environmental changes often co-occur, creating complex gradients of disturbance on the landscape. Soil microbial communities are an important component of ecosystem response to environmental change, yet little is known about how microbial structure and function respond to multiple disturbances, or whether multiple environmental changes lead to unanticipated interactive effects. Our study used experimental semi-arid grassland plots in a Mediterranean-climate to determine how soil microbial communities in a seasonally variable ecosystem respond to one, two, or three simultaneous environmental changes: exotic plant invasion, plant invasion + vegetation clipping (to simulate common management practices like mowing or livestock grazing), plant invasion + nitrogen (N) fertilization, and plant invasion + clipping + N fertilization. We examined microbial community structure 5-6 years after plot establishment via sequencing of >1 million 16S rRNA genes. Abiotic soil properties (soil moisture, temperature, pH, and inorganic N) and microbial functioning (nitrification and denitrification potentials) were also measured and showed treatment-induced shifts, including altered NO3- availability, temperature, and nitrification potential. Despite these changes, bacterial and archaeal communities showed little variation in composition and diversity across treatments. Even communities in plots exposed to three interacting environmental changes were similar to those in restored native grassland plots. Historical exposure to large seasonal and inter-annual variations in key soil properties, in addition to prior site cultivation, may select for a functionally plastic or largely dormant microbial community, resulting in a microbial community that is structurally robust to single and multiple environmental changes.
Ultra-low power RFIC design using moderately inverted MOSFETs: an analytical/experimental study

This paper studies the use of moderately inverted MOS transistors in ultra-low power (ULP) RFIC design. We introduce a new figure of merit for a MOS transistor, i.e., the g/sub m/f/sub T/-to-current ratio, (g/sub m/f/sub T//I/sub D/) which accounts for both the unity-gain frequency and current consumption during the optimization process of the transistor's performance. Using this figure of merit while taking into account the velocity saturation of short-channel MOS devices, it is shown both experimentally and analytically that the g/sub m/f/sub T//I/sub D/ reaches its maximum value in moderate inversion region. Moreover, we analytically investigate the noise behavior of the MOS transistor during the transition from weak inversion to strong inversion region. The measurement results have been obtained for an NMOS transistor fabricated in Jazz Semiconductor's CMOS process.
Government Formation in Parliamentary Democracies and Foreign Exchange Markets: Theory and Empirical Evidence from Europe

This study examines how the politics of coalition government formation affect foreign exchange markets in Western European parliamentary democracies. Existing studies suggest that ex ante uncertainty associated with formation of coalition governments increases exchange rate volatility. We develop a formal model that places currency traders at the center and examines how traders respond to the uncertainty produced by coalition bargaining in parliamentary democracies. In sharp contrast to the literature, the model shows that traders rationally respond to uncertainty about the potential coalition government that may form and expected policies that will be implemented by the coalition government by reducing the volume of trading they do in that currency and that this, in turn, leads to a decline in the mean and volatility of exchange rates. Estimates from exchange rate series of nine Western European parliamentary democracies statistically support the claim that exchange rate volatility is negatively associated with traders' ex ante uncertainty about the potential coalition government that may form.
Extended treatment duration for treatment naïve chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 late viral responders: a meta-analysis comparing 48 weeks vs 72 weeks of pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Summary. Patients with genotype I chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with late virological response to therapy have low sustained viral response (SVR) with standard 48 weeks of therapy and may benefit from extended therapy. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of five studies to compare the outcome of 48 weeks vs 72 weeks treatment in treatment naive chronic hepatitis C genotype I patients with late virological response. The end of treatment response with extended 72 weeks of treatment compared to standard 48 weeks of treatment was similar 48% and 56%, respectively, with pooled odds ratio (OR) (0.85; 95% CI 0.52–1.37). However, the SVR rates were higher with 72 weeks of treatment compared to 48 weeks treatment 32%vs 25% with pooled OR of 1.67 in favour of extended duration therapy (95% CI 1.16–2.40). This was because of lower relapse rates with extended duration therapy (35%vs 55%) with OR of 0.39 in favour of 72 weeks therapy (95% CI 0.25–0.61). There was no heterogeneity. No publication bias was noted as assessed by Egger’s test. Extending the treatment duration from 48 to 72 weeks in genotype 1 infected patients with late virological response improves SVR. Thus, therapy extension in genotype 1 late viral responders (LVR) may be a consideration to improve treatment response; however, the proportion of patients with LVR that might benefit from 72-week therapy appears to be small.
Semantic Importance Sampling for Statistical Model Checking

Statistical Model Checking SMC is a technique, based on Monte-Carlo simulations, for computing the bounded probability that a specific event occurs during a stochastic system's execution. Estimating the probability of a "rare" event accurately with SMC requires many simulations. To this end, Importance Sampling IS is used to reduce the simulation effort. Commonly, IS involves "tilting" the parameters of the original input distribution, which is ineffective if the set of inputs causing the event i.e., input-event region is disjoint. In this paper, we propose a technique called Semantic Importance Sampling SIS to address this challenge. Using an SMT solver, SIS recursively constructs an abstract indicator function that over-approximates the input-event region, and then uses this abstract indicator function to perform SMC with IS. By using abstraction and SMT solving, SIS thus exposes a new connection between the verification of non-deterministic and stochastic systems. We also propose two optimizations that reduce the SMT solving cost of SIS significantly. Finally, we implement SIS and validate it on several problems. Our results indicate that SIS reduces simulation effort by multiple orders of magnitude even in systems with disjoint input-event regions.
The Discipline: its impact on my theological perspective, pastoral identity and practice.

SUMMARY This article is a personal interpretation of how The Discipline has re-formulated the pastoral identity, practice, and theology of a board certified chaplain providing ministry to patients in the heart sciences. His reflections take into account his history as an ordained priest and as a professionally trained chaplain. The article reflects his struggles and theological transformations, demonstrating how a theological base may emerge from the interpretative reflection on The Discipline. The article describes the uneasy internal and external processes that occurred in and around him during that transformation. His story also attests to growth made “from the inside out” as a chaplain within a generative multi-faith department.
Hybrid control in the nematode

Summary form only given. A research effort on the structure and organization of complex systems, based on a simple biological model, the nematode species C. elegans an dAscaris, has been initiated. The work, which emphasizes the nervous system, centers on construction of a computer representation of the organism, using multiple interconnected partial models reflecting its interacting computational and control structures, and determination of the underlying principles of organization. A key problem is to develop a proper framework for the description of neuronal communication, which proceeds not only by means of electrical signals, but also by multiple interacting modes of chemical signaling, acting over characteristic time and distance scales. The model that is suggested is based on hybrid control, because it incorporates both continuous and discrete-event control and it combines logic and dynamics. >
Calcium specificity signaling mechanisms in abscisic acid signal transduction in Arabidopsis guard cells

Plant leaves have tiny openings or pores called stomata, which allow carbon dioxide, water vapor and other gases to diffuse in and out of the plant. Two cells called guard cells surround each stoma and control the opening and closing of the pore. If a plant is losing excessive amounts of water, for example during a drought, the plant produces a hormone called abscisic acid that promotes the closure of its stomata. When abscisic acid is present, the guard cells are sensitive to changes in their internal concentration of calcium ions so that calcium ions can activate a protein called SLAC1. This leads to responses in the guard cells that close the stoma. The calcium ions activate SLAC1 by stimulating enzymes called calcium-dependent protein kinases (CPKs). However, abscisic acid can also trigger other enzymes that can activate SLAC1 independently of the calcium ions. Calcium ions are also reported to be involved in the opening of stomata, when abscisic acid is not present. Therefore, it is not clear how abscisic acid works to specifically ‘prime’ guard cells to close the stomata in response to increases in calcium ions during drought. Brandt, Munemasa et al. studied stomata in a plant called Arabidopsis thaliana. The experiments show that, in the presence of abscisic acid, mutant plants that lack four different CPK enzymes are impaired in the activation of SLAC1 and the closing of stomata in response to increases in calcium ions. Further experiments found that other enzymes called the PP2Cs—which are switched off by abscisic acid—are responsible for regulating the Ca2+ sensitivity of guard cells. Switching off PP2Cs enables closing of the stomata in response to calcium ions. It has been suggested previously that the CPKs and the calcium-independent enzymes are involved in two separate pathways that promote the closure of stomata. However, Brandt, Munemasa et al. found that the calcium-independent enzymes are required for calcium ions to activate SLAC1 in guard cells, revealing that these two pathways are linked. Brandt, Munemasa et al.'s findings reveal how abscisic acid is able to specifically prime guard cells to close stomata in response to calcium ions. The next challenge is to understand how the CPKs and calcium-independent enzymes work together during the closure of stomata.
Imaging Patterns and Outcome of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome During Childhood Cancer Treatment

Background Diagnosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) requires presence of headache, seizures, impaired vision, or altered mentation accompanied by specific imaging findings. We aimed to study long-term clinical and radiologic outcome of PRES in children with cancer to augment limited available data. Procedure Retrospective review of children with cancer who were diagnosed with PRES. Results We identified PRES in 21 males and 16 females among 5,217 children treated during the study period. Median time from cancer diagnosis to PRES was 6.6 months in 25 leukemia (1.6%), five brain tumor (0.3%), and seven other solid tumor (0.4%) patients; P = <0.0001 for leukemia versus all other tumors. Symptoms included seizures (97%), headaches (40%), altered mentation (68%), and vision impairment (27%). Hypertension was seen in 97%, and steroids use was seen in 78%. Headaches, visual disturbance, and mental status resolved within a median of <3 days, whereas epilepsy developed in 19%. T2 hyperintense signal was present in 100% of occipital, 47% of temporal, 75% of parietal, and 55% of frontal lobes, as well as 22% of cerebellum and 5% of basal ganglia. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 34 patients showed partial or complete T2 resolution in 79%, development of laminar necrosis in five, microhemorrhages in six, and focal atrophy in three. Conclusion PRES in children is more common in hematological malignancy compared with other tumors and is associated with hypertension and steroid use. Seizure is the most common acute manifestation. Most MRI changes resolve, but persistent imaging abnormality and epilepsy may develop in a significant minority.
Pancreatic Secretion in Dogs with Ethionine-Induced Pancreatitis

Summary 1.In the pancreatic juice of dogs with pancreatitis secondary to ethionine, there was decreased output of volume, trypsinogen and trypsin inhibitor. 2.The secretion of water was less impaired than the secretion of organic material. 3.Extracts of the pancreas in the ethionine-treated animals showed an increased concentration of trypsinogen, and a decreased concentration of trypsin inhibitor. 4.The ratio of inhibitor to trypsinogen was decreased in both the pancreatic juice and tissue in animals with pancreatitis. 5.The amount of free trypsin of juice and tissue was increased in pancreatitis.
Insect Injury to Sour Cherries in the Absence of Insecticide Sprays

The effect of insect populations on sour cherries in the absence of insecticide sprays was studied in a Montmorency cherry orchard from 1959 through 1962. Fruit from trees sprayed only with a fungicide (dodine) was examined for insect injury at harvest. Results for 1961 and 1962 are given in detail. Seventeen percent were injured in 1961 and 20% in 1962 with the plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar (Herbst), causing 14 and 17%, respectively. The remaining 3% injury was due primarily to lepidopterous larvae, including internal injury by the cherry fruitworm, Grapholitha packardi Zeller, and the destructive pruneworm, Mineola scitulella Hulst, and external feeding by the eye-spotted bud moth, Spilonota ocellana (Denis & Schiffermuller), and fruit-tree leaf roller, Archips argyrospilus (Walker), The plum curculio was responsible for additional losses of 9 and 6% owing to fruit “drop” prior to harvest in 1961 and 1962, respectively. The total crop loss caused by insect injury was 26%.
Projects to prevent out-of-home placement

Seven projects designed to prevent out-of-home placement are reviewed. Three projects reported statistically significant differences in favor of experimental groups, while four reported a lack of success in achieving their main goal. Methodological limitations make comparisons of projects difficult. Nevertheless, the results of these investigations do not provide reason for optimism that preventive efforts will be markedly successful. The current emphasis on maintaining children in their own homes may help to explain some of the low placement rates achieved for experimental and control group children served by projects conducted in recent years.
Vocal learning beyond imitation: mechanisms of adaptive vocal development in songbirds and human infants

Studies of vocal learning in songbirds typically focus on the acquisition of sensory templates for song imitation and on the consequent process of matching song production to templates. However, functional vocal development also requires the capacity to adaptively diverge from sensory templates, and to flexibly assemble vocal units. Examples of adaptive divergence include the corrective imitation of abnormal songs, and the decreased tendency to copy over-abundant syllables. Such frequency-dependent effects might mirror tradeoffs between the assimilation of group identity (culture) while establishing individual and flexibly expressive songs. Intriguingly, although the requirements for vocal plasticity vary across songbirds, and more so between birdsong and language, the capacity to flexibly assemble vocal sounds develops in a similar, stepwise manner across species. Therefore, universal features of vocal learning go well beyond the capacity to imitate.
Predicting Breast-Feeding Intention among Low-Income Pregnant Women: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Models

This study examined the applicability of the transtheoretical model and a model derived from the theory of reasoned action for predicting breast-feeding intention among low-income pregnant women. Participants completed a 70-item self-report questionnaire assessing their breast-feeding attitudes, intentions, and support. A positive correlation existed between Stages of Change for breast-feeding and the number of Processes of Change used by respondents. A negative correlation existed between Stages of Change for breast-feeding and the number of negative breast-feeding beliefs held by respondents. Furthermore, women's normative beliefs and outcome beliefs were significantly correlated with breast-feeding intention in manners consistent with the model developed from the theory of reasoned action. After accounting for significant sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, the Processes of Change and outcome beliefs remained independently correlated with breast-feeding intention. These models are capable of predicting the intention to breast-feed and might offer an innovative approach for further breast-feeding research and intervention development.
Self-organization in computer simulated selective systems

In certain biologic systems, the signal selects functional or numerical expansion of the recognizing elements. Examples of these systems include the immune system, brain cortex, and evolution. One common feature of these Darwinian-type systems is degenerate recognition, in which one signal can recognize several different elements, with different affinities and consequences. For example, T cell antigen receptors and antibodies demonstrate relative but not absolute specificity of recognition. Thus, the variables of dose of the signal and affinity of the recognizing element modulate the outcome. Another feature of these systems is the ability to create self-organized patterns, which do not mirror the incoming signals. The hypothesis of this study is that degenerate recognition with subsequent selection of recognizing elements can explain self-organization of these systems. An entirely numerical model was explored, using the cellular automata approach. Three intrinsic features of a common selective system were incorporated into this model: a large number of recognizing elements; degenerative recognition of stimuli by these elements; and subsequent selection. Different numerical patterns of incoming stimuli were tested. The model showed self-organizing dynamics. Usually, the population of recognizing elements demonstrated an initial period of equilibrium, then a chaotic transitional state, and, finally, the bifurcational appearance of a stable self-organized pattern. The final resolution into a stable pattern can be either gradual or quasi-saltational. I conclude that systems with a large number of recognizing elements, degenerative recognition, and selection of recognizing elements can self organize based upon the pattern of the incoming stimuli.
Experimental manipulation of cognitive control processes causes an increase in communication disturbances in healthy volunteers.

Background. Although communication disturbances (CD) have been associated with poor cognitive control, it is unclear whether they are associated specifically with poor cognitive control or with poor cognition in general. The current research examined whether (a) two specific components of cognitive control, working memory and interference resolution, were associated with CD, and (b) associations between CD and cognitive control could be accounted for by generalized poor cognitive performance. Method. In this study, as healthy volunteers spoke, the level of cognitive demands was experimentally increased, thereby simulating cognitive deficits (i.e. a reduction in the degree to which certain types of cognitive processes could be used for speech). Hence, this research examined whether simulated cognitive deficits would cause an increase in CD. Participants also completed separate cognitive tasks that assessed working memory, interference resolution and general cognitive ability. Results. An increase in working memory demands caused an increase in CD. Moreover, working memory demands interacted with interference resolution demands, with the greatest amount of CD caused by both high working memory and high interference resolution demands. By contrast, increasing another cognitive demand, sustained attention, did not increase CD. Furthermore, performance on separate working memory and interference resolution tasks interacted to predict CD on the experimental speech task. However, performance on a psychometrically matched cognitive task did not predict CD. Conclusion. Overall, the current study provides evidence that working memory and interference resolution may be specifically associated with CD and that manipulations of these cognitive control processes can cause an increase in CD.
Origin of gauge invariance in string theory. II. The closed string

A recently developed geometric approach to quantizing the open bosonic string is extended to the case of the closed string. Spacetime gauge invariance arises naturally from spacelike translations on the world sheet.
Evaluation of taranabant (MK-0364) for its self-administration in rhesus monkeys and for its discriminative stimulus effects in rats†

Taranabant (aka, MK-0364) was tested in rhesus monkeys that were trained to self-administer cocaine and in rats that were trained to discriminate Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from vehicle in order to facilitate inferences about taranabant's potential to produce subjective effects similar to THC and to be used for recreational purposes (i.e., for its potential abuse liability). Four rhesus monkeys with chronically implanted intravenous catheters were trained to lever press according to fixed-ratio 50 (FR50) schedules reinforced with infusions of 0.03 or 0.01 mg/kg cocaine during daily, 1-h experimental sessions. During substitution tests, cocaine was replaced with a test dose (0.001–0.1 mg/kg) of taranabant for four, consecutive daily sessions. Additionally, 10 adult male Long-Evans hooded rats were trained to discriminate 3 mg/kg i.p. THC from vehicle using a food-reinforced, lever press procedure. Following training, doses of THC (0.1–10 mg/kg i.p.) and taranabant (0.3–17 mg/kg i.p.) were tested. None of the four monkeys self-administered taranabant above vehicle-control levels, and for three of the monkeys levels of responding were, at times, lower than those of vehicle itself. During discrimination tests, increases in the dose of THC or taranabant resulted in ED50 values (±95% CI) of 9.65 mg/kg (7.03–13.27) and of 20.51 mg/kg (8.13–51.64), respectively, for reducing response rates. THC, but not taranabant, dose-dependently generalized to the 3-mg/kg THC discriminative stimulus at levels of 80% and above. These results indicate that taranabant does not exhibit THC-like agonistic activity in vivo, and consequentially suggest it would be unlikely that it would have a THC-like abuse potential. Drug Dev Res 70:577–584, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estimation of surface heat and momentum fluxes using the flux-variance method above uniform and non-uniform terrain

Eddy-correlation measurements above an uneven-aged forest, a uniform-irrigated bare soil field, and within a grass-covered forest clearing were used to investigate the usefulness of the fluxvariance method above uniform and non-uniform terrain. For this purpose, the Monin and Obukhov (1954) variance similarity functions were compared with direct measurements. Such comparisons were in close agreement for momentum and heat but not for water vapor. Deviations between measured and predicted similarity functions for water vapor were attributed to three factors: 1) the active role of temperature in surface-layer turbulence, 2) dissimilarity between sources and sinks of heat and water vapor at the ground surface, and 3) the non-uniformity in water vapor sources and sinks. It was demonstrated that the latter non-uniformity contributed to horizontal gradients that do not scale with the vertical flux. These three factors resulted in a turbulence regime that appeared more efficient in transporting heat than water vapor for the dynamic convective sublayer but not for the dynamic sublayer. The agreement between eddy-correlation measured and flux-variance predicted sensible heat flux was better than that for latent heat flux at all three sites. The flux-variance method systematically overestimated the latent heat flux when compared to eddy-correlation measurements. It was demonstrated that the non-uniformity in water vapor sources reduced the surface flux when compared to an “equivalent” uniform terrain subjected to identical shear stress, sensible heat flux, and atmospheric water vapor variance. Finally, the correlation between the temperature and water vapor fluctuations was related to the relative efficiency of surface-layer turbulence in removing heat and water vapor. These relations were used to assess critical assumptions in the derivation of the flux-variance formulation.
Stabilization of a hybrid system of elasticity by feedback boundary damping

A hybrid control system is presented as consisting of an elastic beam linked to a rigid body, and the system is asymptotically stabilized through feedback boundary damping. Solutions of the hybrid system are constructed that decay towards zero at nonexponential, even arbitrarily slow, decay rates. This feedback control analysis complements the authors' earlier report on the open-loop controllability of this same hybrid system, which is a simplified model of a space-structure.
Odd Lot Trades: The Behavior, Characteristics, and Information Content, Over Time

I investigate the role odd lot trades play in equity markets, and how this role changes over four periods: 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2012. In each of these years, I examine the determinants, price contribution, and characteristics of odd lot trading. I find that odd lot proportions are increasing, but the determinants of the proportions remain consistent. I find that odd lot transactions contribute to price formation, this contribution is in excess of the odd lot proportion of volume, and is increasing over time. An intraweek pattern of odd lot trading exists with Monday having the highest proportions.
Keep it simple: Developing the legal lessons for more effective mediation enforcement

In the second of two parts, Lucy V. Katz, of Fairfield, Conn., provides more on the state of the law of mediation enforcement, and includes a sample mediation clause suitable for adaptation into your contracts.
Using Nitrile-Derivatized Amino Acids as Infrared Probes of Local Environment

It is well-known that the C⋮N stretching vibration in acetonitrile is sensitive to solvent. Therefore, we proposed in this contribution to use this vibrational mode to report local environment of a particular amino acid in proteins or local environmental changes upon binding or folding. We have studied the solvent-induced frequency shift of two nitrile-derivatized amino acids, which are, AlaCN and PheCN, in H2O and tetrahydrofuran (THF), respectively. Here, THF was used to approximate a protein's hydrophobic interior because of its low dielectric constant. As expected, the C⋮N stretching vibrations of both AlaCN and PheCN shift as much as ∼10 cm-1 toward higher frequency when THF was replaced with H2O, indicative of the sensitivity of this vibration to solvation. To further test the utility of nitrile-derivatized amino acids as probes of the environment within a peptide, we have studied the binding between calmodulin (CaM) and a peptide from the CaM binding domain of skeletal muscle myosin light chain kin...
Determination of traffic intensity from camera images using image processing and pattern recognition techniques

The goal of this project was to detect the intensity of traffic on a road at different times of the day during daytime. Although the work presented utilized images from a section of a highway, the results of this project are intended for making decisions on the type of intervention necessary on any given road at different times for traffic control, such as installation of traffic signals, duration of red, green and yellow lights at intersections, and assignment of traffic control officers near school zones or other relevant locations. In this project, directional patterns are used to detect and count the number of cars in traffic images over a fixed area of the road to determine local traffic intensity. Directional patterns are chosen because they are simple and common to almost all moving vehicles. Perspective vision effects specific to each camera orientation has to be considered, as they affect the size and direction of patterns to be recognized. In this work, a simple and fast algorithm has been developed based on horizontal directional pattern matching and perspective vision adjustment. The results of the algorithm under various conditions are presented and compared in this paper. Using the developed algorithm, the traffic intensity can accurately be determined on clear days with average sized cars. The accuracy is reduced on rainy days when the camera lens contains raindrops, when there are very long vehicles, such as trucks or tankers, in the view, and when there is very low light around dusk or dawn.
A Pilot Study Assessing the Relationship Between Child Harming Thoughts and Postpartum Depression

This pilot study explored relationships between postpartum mood and child harming thoughts. Fifty mothers from an outpatient pediatric office completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Postpartum Depression Predictors Inventory-Revised (PDPI-R), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Participants also completed the Child Thoughts Inventory (CTI), a modified version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (Y-BOCS) and Florida Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (FOCI). Results indicated significant positive correlations between postpartum depression and anxiety and frequency and intensity of child harming thoughts. In addition, having a poor self-view was significantly correlated with intensity of child harming thoughts and previous anxiety was correlated with both frequency and intensity of child harming thoughts. Despite the fact that mothers experiencing postpartum mood disturbances rarely harm their infants the findings of this pilot study suggest that these women may have frequent and intense ego-dystonic thoughts about harming their children. Results also suggest that postpartum depression and anxiety may share similar cognitive processes.
Three-dimensional position sensing and field shaping in orthogonal-strip germanium gamma-ray detectors ☆

Abstract We have fabricated a prototype orthogonal-strip germanium detector for gamma-ray imaging studies. With this detector we demonstrate that a gamma-ray interaction event in the detector can be located in three dimensions. In particular, we determine the interaction depth from the difference in time in the arrival of the holes at an electrode on one side of the detector and the arrival of the electrons at an electrode on the opposing detector surface. This depth of interaction sensing should lead to improved image resolution. A separate issue with such a detector is the loss of energy resolution and efficiency resulting from incomplete charge collection for interaction events taking place in the gap regions between the detector electrodes. We also demonstrate with our prototype detector that this problem can be substantially reduced by using field-shaping electrodes. A bias applied between the charge-sensing electrodes and the field-shaping electrodes improves the charge collection to the charge-sensing electrodes and consequently the detector performance.