cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kant's Conception of Inner Value

: This article addresses a foundational issue in Kant's moral philosophy, the question of the relation of the Categorical Imperative to value. There is an important movement in current Kant scholarship that argues that there is a value underlying the Categorical Imperative. However, some scholars have raised doubts as to whether Kant has a conception of value that could ground the Categorical Imperative. In this paper I seek to add to these doubts by arguing, first, that value would have to be of a particular kind in order to be the foundation of Kant's moral philosophy. Second, I argue that Kant does not have such a conception of value, and that his arguments rule out that value could ground his moral philosophy. I then outline an alternative reading of how Kant uses ‘inner value’. My conclusion will be that Kant does not derive the Categorical Imperative from an underlying value. While some of his passages could also be read as if value were foundational for Kant, a close look at these passages and his arguments point away from this conclusion.
An ICA framework for integrating fMRI, ERP and genetic data

In this talk, we discuss an ICA-based framework to combine or fuse multimodal data in groups of subjects using features extracted from the single-subject data. Many studies are currently collecting multiple types of imaging data from the same participants. ICA has proven particularly useful for data fusion of multiple tasks or data modalities such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data or event-related potentials (ERP). For example, in relating SNPs and fMRI data, a genetic independent component is defined as a group of SNPs which partially determines a specific phenotype or endophenotype. The relationship between brain function and the genetic component can be adaptively maximized along with the independence among components. In summary, we hope to motivate the importance of combining multimodal brain imaging data in a unified model and also to show that an ICA-based framework provides a powerful way to identify joint relationships between multimodal data which would have been missed otherwise.
Development of a sensor for temperature and water concentration in combustion gases using a single tunable diode laser

The water vapour spectrum in the 1–2 µm near-infrared region is systematically analysed to find the best absorption transitions for sensitive measurement of H2O concentration and temperature in combustion environments using a single tunable diode laser with typical distributed feedback single-mode scanning range (1 cm−1). The use of a single laser, even with relatively narrow tuning range, can offer distinct advantages over wavelength-multiplexing techniques. The strategy and spectroscopic criteria for selecting optimum wavelength regions and absorption line combinations are discussed. It should be stressed that no single figure of merit can be derived to simplify the selection process, and the optimum line pair should be chosen case by case. Our investigation reveals that the 1.8 µm spectral region is especially promising, and we have identified 10 of the best water line pairs in this spectral region for temperature measurements in flames. Based on these findings, a pair of H2O transitions near 1.8 µm was targeted for the design and development of an initial single-laser sensor for simultaneously measuring H2O concentration and temperature in atmospheric-pressure flames. As part of the sensor development effort, fundamental spectroscopic parameters including the line strength, line-centre frequency and lower state energies of the probed transitions were measured experimentally to improve the current databases. We conclude with demonstration results in a steady and a forced atmospheric-pressure laboratory combustor.
Issues in assessing and reducing the risk for venous thromboembolism

Purpose To describe issues and challenges associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment and the use of drug therapies for VTE prophylaxis. Summary Patients at risk for VTE are a heterogeneous group. Systems for scoring VTE risk have been developed to identify patients who warrant prophylaxis, but most risk-scoring systems are complex and have not been validated. The optimal drug therapies and dosing strategies for reducing VTE risk are not well defined for many clinical situations, despite the availability of evidence-based guidelines from authoritative sources. Patient characteristics can influence the agent selected, dosing, timing of initiation, and duration of drug therapy. Individualized approaches to prophylaxis in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery should take into account the presence of severe renal impairment, critical illness, morbid obesity, epidural catheters, and history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. To provide safe, effective VTE prophylaxis, clinicians, including health-system pharmacists, should collaborate in developing management plans tailored to patients’ needs. Conclusion Preventing VTE is a challenge that can be addressed by gaining an understanding of the issues involved in patient assessment and prophylactic drug therapy and using a team approach to optimize patient outcomes.
Biochemical changes in tissues of goldfish acclimated to high and low temperatures—II. synthesis of protein and RNA of subcellular fractions and tissue composition

Abstract 1. 1. The greater incorporation of 14C-leucine into proteins of subcellular fractions (except “supernatant” fraction of muscle) from the 5°C-acclimated goldfish tissues over the 25°C-acclimated ones was found to be relatively uniform and non-specific. However, a differential increase of synthesis was suggested by “mitochondrial” fraction of gill and liver and “microsomal” fraction of muscle. 2. 2. The rate of incorporation of 3H-cytidine into both “nuclear” and “microsomal” RNA of the fish liver and muscle revealed an augmentation during cold acclimation, but the gill exhibited an “inverse compensation” in this respect. 3. 3. The level of radioactive incorporation at 12 h increased in the “nuclear” RNA of all the tissues over the 1-hr values almost equally in both temperature-groups of fish. However, the “microsomal” RNA exhibited a greater increase of the incorporated level in the cold-adapted fish tissues than in the warm-adapted ones, suggesting an increased stabilization of the formed RNA molecules in the “microsomal” fractions during cold acclimation. 4. 4. The total amount of DNA and water content content of the tissues did not undergo any change due to thermal acclimation of the fish. 5. 5. A remarkable increase of the total protein content of both liver and gill, less in muscle, of the fish could not be explained by the lesser degree of reduction of the free amino acid content of gill and muscle (not in liver) during cold adaptation. 6. 6. The total RNA content of gills and RNA concentrations in both “nuclear” and “microsomal” fractions of all tissues increased during adaptation of the fish to cold. The “supernatant” RNA content decreased in both gill and liver but increased in muscle of the cold-adapted fish over the warm-adapted individuals. 7. 7. The relative weight of the liver and the size of the hepatic cells, their nuclic and nucleolei demonstrated an increase during cold acclimation in this fish.
Immunohistochemical detection of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP).

Traditional histochemical detection of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) can impose substantial technical limitations on studies requiring co-localization of neurotransmitters, receptors and other neural antigens. The goal of our experiments was to establish the ideal conditions and reagents for immunohistochemical detection of WGA-HRP. WGA-HRP was injected into the tongues and vibrissae pads of adult rats to characterize labeling of somas and synapses, respectively. Rats were perfused with either 4% paraformaldehyde (for light microscopy, LM) or 4% paraformaldehyde/0.15% glutaraldehyde (for electron microscopy, EM) after survival times of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 days. For LM, brainstem tissue was cut on a cryostat at 20 μm and collected onto glass slides. For EM, tissue was sectioned with a vibratome at 50 μm and processed free floating. For LM, WGA-HRP was detected with goat anti-HRP, goat anti-WGA, biotinylated goat anti-HRP or biotinylated goat anti-WGA antibodies. For EM, WGA-HRP was detected with biotinylated goat anti-WGA and anti-HRP antibodies. Survival intervals of 3 days were ideal for staining of hypoglossal neurons, whereas an interval of 4 days produced the strongest staining of synapses within the spinal trigeminal nucleus. For LM, the biotinylated antibodies resulted in better signal-to-noise ratios than the unconjugated antibodies. At both the LM and EM levels, the biotinylated antibody to WGA produced better quality staining than the biotinylated antibody to HRP.
Causes of model-data discrepancies in european climate during oxygen isotope stage 3 with insights from the last glacial maximum

Oxygen isotope stage 3 (OIS 3), encompassing the long middle section of the last glacial interval, has been the focus of an intensive high-resolution climate modeling effort for Europe. These model simulations produce substantially colder climates than modern simulations; however, the temperatures appear warmer than many proxy indicators suggest. In order to evaluate the importance of the model boundary conditions, comparable simulations are completed for the last glacial maximum (LGM). The LGM simulation produces a much colder European continent than OIS 3, despite similarities in the specification of sea-surface temperatures (SSTs). Ice-sheet dimension is evidently a key factor in explaining the difference in European climates over the past 40,000 yr. However, underestimates in specified OIS 3 ice sheets cannot be invoked to explain the discrepancies, since data strongly indicate small ice-sheet extents at that time; this leaves errors in specified OIS 3 SSTs as the most likely cause.
MacSHAPA and the enterprise of exploratory sequential data analysis (ESDA)

This paper discusses some of the problems associated with observational data analysis for complex domains, and introduces the term "exploratory sequential data analysis" (ESDA) to describe the different kinds of observational data analysis currently being performed in many areas of the behavioral and social sciences. The development and functionality of a software tool?MacSHAPA?for certain kinds of ESDA is described. MacSHAPA is designed to bring investigators into closer contact with their data and to help them achieve greater research productivity and quality. MacSHAPA allows investigators to see their data in various ways, to enter it, edit it and encode it, and to carry out statistical analyses and make reports. MacSHAPA's relation to other ESDA software tools is indicated throughout the paper.
Challenges and results in city-scale sensing

The dramatically increasing rate of urbanization is driving demand for more intelligent urban and environmental systems. City leaders and service providers are looking to base decisions on data, and to so, are deploying sensors extensively. However, even the most advanced cities are having difficulties assimilating and analyzing data collected from these sensors. In this talk, I will describe research we are conducting into creating analytics, optimizations, and systems for sustainable energy, constrained resources (e.g., municipal water management), transportation, and the underlying city fabric that assimilates and shares data and models for these domains.
Macrophyte disturbance alters aquatic surface microlayer structure, metabolism, and fate

Macrophytes drive the functioning of many salt marsh ecosystem components. We questioned how temporary clearing of the macrophyte community, during restoration, would impact processes at the scale of the aquatic surface microlayer. Development, deposition, and breakup of the tidal creek surface microlayer were followed over tidal cycles seasonally in a cleared “former” Phragmites marsh and an adjacent restored Spartina marsh. Metabolic and physical processes of the mobile surface microlayers and underlying water were compared, along with distribution of organic and inorganic components onto simulated plant stems. In July and October, chlorophyll-a quantities were less on simulated stems in the cleared site than in the restored site. The aquatic microlayer in the cleared site creek exhibited lower photosynthesis and respiration rates, fewer diatoms and green algae, and less chlorophyll-a. There was a lower concentration (250 times) and reduced diversity of fatty acids in the surface microlayer of the cleared site, reflecting a smaller and less diverse microbial community and reduced food resources. Fiddler crab activity was an order of magnitude higher where macrophytes had been cleared. Their consumption of edaphic algae on the mud surface may account for the reduced algae and other organics in the creek surface microlayer, thus representing a redirection of this food resource from creek consumers. Overall, there were less total particulates in the creek surface microlayer at the cleared site, and they dropped out of the surface microlayer sooner in the tidal cycle, resulting in a lower sediment load available for deposit onto marsh surfaces.
Developer concentration influence on DUV process

Currently, TMAH 2.38 percent concentration developer is popular to run photo process form g-line, I-line to DUV. For next generation photo process, the PR thickness will be thinner, CD and PR profile control are more important, so developer process will be more critical. The influence of developer concentration on DUV process performance has been investigated in this paper. We have tested 5 samples of TMAH concentration developer from 1.6 percent to 2.38 percent with one kind of DUV photoresist. The data of 0.25 micrometers L/S and 0.3 micrometers hole of masking linearity, resolution, total exposure latitude, focus latitude, and resists profile have been collected and analyzed. The optimal concentration of developer is described. Besides, 10 DUV photoresist with optimal concentration developer are tested and compared with general developer. Some chemical structures of DUV photoresist are also discussed in this paper.
Modeling train movements through complex rail networks

Trains operating in densely populated metropolitan areas typically encounter complex trackage configurations. To make optimal use of the available rail capacity, some portions of the rail network may consist of single-track lines while other locations may consist of double- or triple-track lines. Because of varying local conditions, different points in the rail network may have different speed limits. We formulate a graphical technique for modeling such complex rail networks; and we use this technique to develop a deadlock-free algorithm for dispatching each train to its destination with nearly minimal travel time while (a) abiding by the speed limits at each point on each train's route, and (b) maintaining adequate headways between trains. We implemented this train-dispatching algorithm in a simulation model of the movements of passenger and freight trains in Los Angeles County, and we validated the simulation as yielding an adequate approximation to the current system performance.
Effects of 5' and 3' truncations of the myb gene on the transforming ability of avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV).

Abstract Proviruses based on the avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) have been constructed which code for variations of the c-myb and/or v-myb gene product. These proviruses have been used in a soft colony agar assay to assess the contributions of the 5′ and 3′ deletions of the v-myb oncogene in the cellular transforming activity of the virus. The results indicate that 3′ truncations are an integral part of the gene's mechanism of activation and that the truncations on the 5′ end of the gene are important either in its mechanism of activation or its expression by viral control elements.
Magnesium-induced vasodilation in the dorsal hand vein

Objective Magnesium affects blood pressure by modulating vascular tone and reactivity. In obstetric patients, magnesium is administered to prevent eclamptic seizures and as a tocolytic to treat preterm labour. Prior to studying vascular sensitivity in women with pre-eclampsia, we sought to determine the effect of magnesium on venous tone in healthy women of childbearing age. Design Dose–response study. Setting Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York. Population Ten healthy non-pregnant women (age range 21–47 years). Methods Vascular response to magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) was measured in a dorsal hand vein using the linear variable differential transformer (LVDT) technique. Complete dose–response curves to MgSO4 (0.0000275–0.088 mmol/min) were determined after 50% preconstriction of the vein with phenylephrine. Main outcome measures The ED50 of MgSO4 (dose resulting in 50% of maximal effect, Emax) was determined. Blood samples from the contralateral upper extremity were obtained to assess total plasma magnesium levels at baseline and at the highest infused dose of magnesium. ED50 results are expressed as geometric mean (95% confidence interval, CI). Emax results and magnesium plasma concentrations are expressed as mean [SD]. Results The ED50 of MgSO4 was 0.000307 mmol/min (95% CI 0.138, 0.666) and Emax was 102% [20%]. Conclusion Magnesium induces dose-dependent venodilation in healthy women in the absence of systemic haemodynamic effects. The dose resulting in vasodilation using the LVDT/hand vein model is two to three orders of magnitude less than the therapeutic doses of magnesium used for tocolysis or seizure prophylaxis. Studies of the effect of systemically administered therapeutic doses of magnesium on vascular reactivity in pre-eclampsia will be of interest.
The application of insular biogeographic theory to the conservation of large mammals in the northern rocky mountains

Abstract The presence of 10 species of large mammals in 24 mountain ranges of central Montana was investigated. The occurrence of these species in relation to land area during historical times was found to be similar to the continental distribution described by biogeographic theory (z = 0·15). Habitat diversity was related to area and the topographic relief and, in turn, the presence of the mammal species was correlated with the number of habitat types as well as area. The insularity of the mammal populations of the larger land units increased (from z = 0·15 to z = 0·39) as human economic development occurred. Large area and increased topographic relief tended to protect species from impact extinction. Wildlife conservation programmes restored populations to many areas, having their greatest impact upon units ranging in size from 130 to 5700 km 2 .
o,o-Dityrosine in native and horseradish peroxidase-activated galactose oxidase

Abstract Treatment of galactose oxidase with catalytic amounts of horseradish peroxidase results in increases in both enzyme activity and Cu(II)-associated absorbance. This reaction requires O2 and is reversed upon removal of O2 or peroxidase. o,o-Dityrosine is detected in amino acid hydrolysates of peroxidase-treated galactose oxidase as a ninhydrin peak. Furthermore, even native enzyme contains this species as detected by fluorescence measurements. Peroxidase treatment increases the amount of dityrosine present. The dityrosine forms an intramolecular crosslink, the first such crosslink found in a nonstructural protein. The peroxidase-catalyzed formation of the dityrosine and putative precursor radical(s) is thought to involve a tyrosyl ligand to the Cu(II) in galactose oxidase. Such a radical may be involved in the activation observed.
Aerial census of manatees in northeastern Florida

Abstract Aerial surveys over northeastern Florida show annual and seasonal variations in manatee abundance, distribution and behaviour. Manatee abundance and distribution in the lower St Johns River is possibly limited by cold water temperatures during the winter and a limited food supply. The northeastern stretch of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is used primarily by manatees as a migratory route along the east coast of Florida and southern Georgia during the late autumn and early spring. Low calf counts coupled with high adult mortality and decreased annual winter counts at two northeastern Florida power plants suggest that the manatee population in northeastern Florida may be declining. The burgeoning population along Florida's northeastern coast and the subsequent increase in boat traffic and habitat destruction will probably cause a further decline in population numbers. It is essential that conservation efforts be directed towards this region of the state.
The cytology of pediatric masses: A differential diagnostic approach

In the United States, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and other cytodiagnostic methods have been underutilized in the evaluation of masses in the pediatric age group. Cytopathologists and cytotechnologists are therefore relatively unfamiliar with the cellular features of lesions that occur in children. On the basis of the cytologic findings from 64 pediatric cases, including 56 FNABs and 8 intra-operative imprints, a differential diagnostic approach to lesions in this age group is presented. The majority of cases can be placed into 1 of 5 cytomorphologic categories: (1) round-cell pattern, (2) mixed inflammatory pattern, (3) spindle-cell pattern, (4) epithelial pattern, and (5) cystic pattern. Once a cytomorphologic category is determined, evaluation for unique cellular features, special studies, and clinical correlation allows a specific diagnosis to be made in most cases. Pitfalls in pediatric cytopathology are illustrated by discussion of the following cases: a renal Burkitt's lymphoma mimicking a Wilms' tumor, a traumatic neuroma masquerading as a recurrent malignant schwannoma, Langerhans-cell histiocytosis resembling granulomatous inflammation, and a cystic granuloma that mimicked a branchial cleft cyst. Consideration of these problems and use of the recommended diagnostic approach will aid in interpretation in this difficult area.
The Wealth Effects of Non-Senior Management Departures from Investment Banks

Abstract This article analyzes excess returns to shareholders from announcements of senior and non-senior management departures from investment banks. Excess returns are negative for firms that lose non-senior managers, while no average stock price reactions are detected for firms that lose senior managers. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that departures of non-senior managers are associated with decreases in shareholder wealth. The results are also consistent with the hypothesis that the real effect from management changes confounds the information effect for senior management departures. Event study results reveal that losses from management departures are more adverse for firms with positive prior performance and firms with departing merchant bankers. Moreover, losses are more severe when firms with positive prior performance announce departures of non-senior merchant bankers. The average dollar value loss in firm value from non-senior management departures greatly exceeds average annual compensation of midlevel managers at investment banks. Excess returns are negative and significant for firms with departures of multiple managers and for departures from some less prestigious investment banks. However, differences in excess returns are not significant at the usual confidence levels for departures from more prestigous versus less prestigous investment banks. The results present new insight about whether the wealth effects of management departures reflect the release of previously private information about firm prospects. In particular, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that wealth effects of non-senior management departures from investment banks reflect a negative signal about future firm performance. The results also suggest that the market may anticipate losses signaled by management departures from poorly performing firms.
A Sense of Priorities for the Healthcare Commons

Limited resources make it impossible to deliver all healthcare services to all people. Therefore, it is vital for the nation to adopt rational methods for setting priorities. The work of the National Commission on Prevention Priorities takes such an approach in ranking the relative importance of effective preventive services, and it carries important implications for policymakers, clinicians, and patients. The crisis facing health care requires society to function as a community to use limited resources in ways that maximize the public good.
Unvalued interpretable features and topic A-movement in Chinese raising modal constructions

Abstract The purpose of this paper is three-fold: (i) I argue that topic A-movement exists in Chinese. Specifically, I show that argument displacement in Chinese raising modal constructions (RMC) containing raising modals like yinggai ‘should’ and keneng ‘likely’ is A-movement to spec-TP, yet semantically exhibits topicality; (ii) even though Miyagawa's (2010) extension of Chomsky, 2007 , Chomsky, 2008 feature inheritance hypothesis to the Topic feature provides a possible derivational system to capture topic A-movement in this construction, I show that object topic A-movement in this construction is underivable under Miyagawa's (2010) probe-driven system of movement based on feature inheritance. This is because of a timing problem regarding feature inheritance and Chomsky's (2001) Phase-Impenetrability Condition independently noted by Epstein et al. (2012) and Richards (2011) ; (iii) I propose that two major modifications are needed to maintain the basic assumptions of Miyagawa (2010) to derive object topic A-movement in RMC: (a) a more fine-grained characterization of topic A-movement on the basis of the dissociation of feature interpretability and feature valuation (see Pesetsky and Torrego, 2007 , Carstens, 2010 , Carstens, 2011 , Boskovic, in press ), and (b) the adoption of Boskovic’s (2007) moving-element-driven theory of movement.
Parameter inference of queueing models for IT systems using end-to-end measurements

Performance modeling has become increasingly important in the design, engineering and optimization of information technology (IT) infrastructures and applications. However, modeling work itself is time consuming and requires a good knowledge not only of the system, but also of modeling techniques. One of the biggest challenges in modeling complex IT systems consists in the calibration of model parameters, such as the service requirements of various job classes. We present an approach for solving this problem in the queueing network framework using inference techniques. This is done through a mathematical programming formulation, for which we propose an efficient and robust solution method. The necessary input data are end-to-end measurements which are usually easy to obtain. The robustness of our method means that the inferred model performs well in the presence of noisy data and further, is able to detect and remove outlying data sets. We present numerical experiments using data from real IT practice to demonstrate the promise of our framework and algorithm.
Consequence of Delayed Diagnosis of Ataxia-Telangiectasia. † 1712

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder in which the diagnosis is obvious when ataxia and telangiectasia are both present. However, the diagnosis can be made upon the onset of ataxia and before the appearance of telangiectasia if it is considered and confirmed by laboratory tests. Early diagnosis is important for genetic counseling, appropriate care, and the avoidance of unnecessary tests. The purpose of the present study was to identify factors responsible for delays in diagnosis of AT. The records of all patients seen at the AT Clinical Center from July 1, 1995 to September 1, 1996 were reviewed. Patients were defined as having AT if they had characteristic neurologic dysfunction or family history and one of the following criteria (1) oculocutaneous telangiectasia (2) elevated serum alpha feto-protein or (3) x-ray induced chromosomal breakage. From a total of 42 patients referred to the AT Clinic, 36 patients were index cases of AT in their respective families. The median age of diagnosis (70 mos) occurred after the onset of gait abnormalities (15 mos) and followed closely the development of telangiectasia (68.5 mos). In over two-thirds of cases, the diagnosis was not made until telangiectasia appeared (25/36 index cases). The most common misdiagnosis before AT was established was cerebral palsy (23/36 index cases). A complete referral history was available in 31 out of the 36 index cases. 24 of these 31 patients were seen by at least one pediatric neurologist for their gait abnormalities before the onset of telangiectasia; of these, only 8 patients had the diagnosis of AT made before the onset of telangiectasia. 15 siblings (4 with AT) were born after the onset of ataxia but before the establishment of a diagnosis in the propositi. Our experience suggests that the name, while a concise and memorable label for the disorder, is also a barrier to early diagnosis. We recommend the use of serum alpha feto-protein as a diagnostic test for young children presenting with ataxia alone.
Le phospho-FACS : un outil puissant d’exploration des cascades de transduction intracellulaires

Resume Introduction Le FACS (fluorescence-activated cell sorting), ou cytometrie en flux, a ete developpe en 1971 par l’equipe de Leonard Herzenberg a l’Universite de Stanford. Sans cesse perfectionnee, cette technologie permet l’analyse et le tri unicellulaire en fonction de multiples parametres, tels que les proprietes physiques des cellules ou leurs niveaux relatifs d’expression d’epitopes glyco-proteiques et de metabolites. Etat des connaissances Recemment, l’utilisation d’anticorps fluorescents specifiques pour les formes phosphorylees de proteines d’interet, ou « phospho-epitopes », a permis d’etendre le champ d’application du FACS. Cette nouvelle application, denommee « phospho-FACS », est rapidement devenue un outil de predilection pour l’etude des cascades de phosphorylation intracellulaires. Perspectives En recherche fondamentale ou clinique, l’application du phospho-FACS a l’etude de sous-populations sanguines ou peripheriques, frequentes ou rares, permet la decouverte de marqueurs pathologiques et l’innovation therapeutique. Conclusions De par sa rapidite d’implementation et sa capacite d’analyse a l’echelle de la cellule unique, le phospho-FACS presente de nombreux avantages compares aux techniques preexistantes d’etude des cascades de phosphorylation.
Effects of cueing in cooperative search

We consider the effects of cueing in a cooperative search mission that involves several autonomous agents. Two scenarios are discussed: one in which the search is conducted by a number of identical search-and-engage vehicles and one where these vehicles are assisted by a search-only (reconnaissance) asset. The cooperation between the autonomous agents is facilitated via cueing, i.e., the information transmitted to the agents by a searcher that has just detected a target. The effect of cueing on the target detection probability is derived from first principles using a Markov chain analysis. In particular, it is demonstrated that the benefit of cueing on the system's effectiveness is bounded. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006
Instructional Design for College-Level Courses Using Interactive Television

The effectiveness of courses delivered over a distance, like face-to-face instruction, depends on the planning of the course, class activities and the instructional materials used. The use of systematic instructional design (ID) in course planning can help to make any instruction more successful in promoting learning. However, there are significant differences between face-to-face instruction and distance learning. In this article, applicable instructional design models are reviewed, the unique characteristics of distance education in higher education via interactive television (ITV) are discussed, and a nine step instructional design model, designed specifically for college course delivery via interactive television, is presented. This model is an adaptation of the Dick and Carey model which is discussed in the article. Implementation of this model in situations which do not have large support staffs and budgets for ITV is discussed.
On Gaussian elimination and determinant formulas for matrices with chordal inverses

In this paper a formula is obtained for the entries of the diagonal factor in the UDL factorisation of an invertible operator matrix in the case when its inverse has a chordal graph. As a consequence, in the finite dimensional case a determinant formula is obtained in terms of some key principal minors. After a cancellation process this formula leads to a determinant formula from an earlier paper by W.W. Barrett and C.R. Johnson, deriving in this way a different and shorter proof of their result. Finally, an algorithmic method of constructing minimal vertex separators of chordal graphs is presented
Near-Field Optical Microscopy, Spectroscopy, and Chemical Sensors

Introduction Optical microscopy and spectroscopy have long been key techniques in medicine, biology, chemistry, and materials science. Among their advantages are: 1. Universality. All materials and samples attenuate light and have spectroscopic states. 2. Noninvasiveness. Most often the sample is not altered in a microscopic and/or spectroscopic investigation. Moreover, biological samples usually can be studied in their native environment. Most chemical reactions are not perturbed by light of long enough wavelength. 3. Real-time observation. Biological phenomena, chemical reactions, crystallization, and so on can be observed under the microscope as they happen in situ (even with one's eyes); spectroscopic measurements can be performed on line in an industrial process or other setting. 4. Energy and chemical state resolution. The obvious advantages of spectroscopy and photochemistry, at ambient temperature, can be trivially added to the optical methods mentioned above. By contrast, this is not easily accom...
The fiscal profitability of urban renewal under matching grants and revenue sharing

Abstract This paper calculates the fiscal profitability of urban renewal to the city in which a project is located. Renewal is treated as an investment by the city, yielding negative returns when the project is begun and slums are destroyed, and positive returns when the project is completed. Urban renewal is shown to be profitable to cities, on the average, under the funding system of matching grants used from 1949 to 1974, but not profitable under the special revenue-sharing program established in 1974. Also, the new financing method is a significant step toward increased economic efficiency from a national standpoint.
Experimental study of buffet load alleviation using piezoelectric plate actuators

The objective of this research was to experimentally study the capability of adaptive material plate actuators to alleviate buffet loads. This investigation involved a single degree-of-freedom wind-tunnel model consisting of a rigid surface and a flexible mount system which permitted only plunge translation. Actuators made of piezoelectric material and affixed to the mount system provided the actuation mechanism for this system. Command signals, applied to the piezoelectric actuators, exerted control over the damping of the system. The closed-loop response, on average, was 32 percent below the open-loop strain response.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Methods for validating real-time constraints

Abstract Exclusive methods for determining whether all jobs complete by their deadlines in systems that use modern priority-driven scheduling strategies are often infeasible or unreliable because the execution and release times of each job may vary. This article presents several worst-case bounds and efficient algorithms for determining how late the completion times of jobs can be in static and dynamic multiprocessor or distributed systems.
Perceived fidelity of compressed and reconstructed radiological images: a preliminary exploration of compression, luminance, and viewing distance.

The authors’ goal was to explore the impact of image compression algorithm and ratio, image luminance, and viewing distance on radiologists’ perception of reconstructed image fidelity. Five radiologists viewed 16 sets of four hard-copy chest radiographs prepared for secondary interpretation. Each set included one uncompressed, and three compressed and reconstruted images prepared using three different algorithms but the same compression ratio. The sets were prepared using two subjects, four compression ratios (10∶1, 20∶1, 30∶1, 40∶1), and two luminance levels (2,400 cd/m2, standard lightbox illumination, and 200 cd/m2, simulating a typical CRT display). Readers ranked image quality and evaluated obviousness and clinical importance of differences. Viewing distances for image screening, inspection, and comparison were recorded. At 10∶1 compression, the compressed and uncompressed images were nearly indistinguishable; the three algorithms were very similar, and differences were rated “not obvious” and “not important.” At higher compression, readers consistently preferred uncompressed images, with notable differences between algorithms. The obviousness and clinical importance of differences were rated higher at lightbox luminance. Viewing distances appeared to be idiosyncratic
The Effects of Misconceptions on the Properties of Friedman's Test

Friedman's test is a widely used rank-based alternative to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) F-test for identifying treatment differences in a randomized complete block design. Many texts provide incomplete or misleading information about when Friedman's test may be appropriately applied. We discuss the assumptions needed for the test and common misconceptions. We show via simulation that when the variance or skew of the treatment distributions differ, application of Friedman's test to detect differences in treatment location can result in Type I error probabilities larger than the nominal α, and even when α is unaffected, the power of the test can be less than expected.
Trends and Factors Associated With Infant Bed Sharing, 1993-2010: The National Infant Sleep Position Study

Importance A strong association between infant bed sharing and sudden infant death syndrome or unintentional sleep-related death in infants has been established. Occurrences of unintentional sleep-related deaths among infants appear to be increasing. Objectives To determine the trends and factors associated with infant bed sharing from 1993 through 2010, including the association of physician advice on bed sharing. Design National Infant Sleep Position study conducted with annual telephone surveys. Setting The 48 contiguous states. Participants Nighttime caregivers of infants born within 7 months of each survey administration. Approximately 1000 interviews were completed annually. Main Outcomes and Measures Infant bed sharing as a usual practice. Results Of 18 986 participants, 11.2% reported an infant sharing a bed as a usual practice. Bed sharing increased from 1993 (6.5%) to 2010 (13.5%). Although bed sharing increased significantly among white respondents from 1993 to 2000 ( P P = .48). Black and Hispanic respondents reported an increase in bed sharing throughout the study period, with no difference between the earlier and later periods ( P = .63 and P = .77, respectively). After accounting for the study year, factors associated with increase in infant bed sharing as a usual practice included maternal educational level of less than high school compared with college or greater (adjusted odds ratio, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.12-1.79]); black (3.47 [2.97-4.05]), Hispanic (1.33 [1.10-1.61]), and other (2.46 [2.03-2.97]) maternal race or ethnicity compared with white race; household income of less than $20 000 (1.69 [1.44-1.99]) and $20 000 to $50 000 (1.29 [1.14-1.45]) compared with greater than $50 000; living in the West (1.61 [1.38-1.88]) or the South (1.47 [1.30-1.66]) compared with the Midwest; infants younger than 8 weeks (1.45 [1.21-1.73]) or ages 8 to 15 weeks (1.31 [1.17-1.45]) compared with 16 weeks or older; and being born prematurely compared with full-term (1.41 [1.22-1.62]). Almost 46% of the participants reported talking to a physician about bed sharing. Compared with those who did not receive advice from a physician, those who reported their physicians had a negative attitude were less likely to have the infant share a bed (adjusted odds ratio, 0.66 [95% CI, 0.53-0.82]), whereas a neutral attitude was associated with increased bed sharing (1.38 [1.05-1.80]). Conclusions and Relevance Our finding of a continual increase in bed sharing throughout the study period among black and Hispanic infants suggests that the current American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation about bed sharing is not universally followed. The factors associated with infant bed sharing may be useful in evaluating the impact of a broad intervention to change behavior.
Physicochemical, Molecular-Orbital and Electronic Properties of Acephate and Methamidophos

Abstract Methamidophos (Me) and its N-acetylated derivative, acephate (Ac), are water soluble insecticides that have similar insecticidal potency, but different mammalian toxicity. Me is a potent inhibitor, while Ac is a poor inhibitor of mammalian AChE (mAChE). At physiological pH, both insecticides exhibit similar accumulation in RBC, while Ac exhibits greater binding to plasma proteins than Me. These differential effects of Ac and Me are attributed to the differences in their physicochemical, molecular-orbital and electronic properties. Ac and Me are freely soluble in aqueous solution, moderately soluble in ethyl-acetate (EtAct) and insoluble in n-hexane. The solubility of these insecticides in aqueous solution and the partitioning of these insecticides from aqueous solution into EtAct are independent of the pH of the aqueous solution. At pH 8, Me did not react with o-phthalaldehyde (a NH2 selective dye), but γ-amino-butyric acid (pKa 10) did. Thus, despite the presence of an amino group, Ac and Me do not exhibit pH dependent solubility in aqueous and in organic solvents. Ac has two O atoms with non-bonding electrons (POδ− and COδ−) where PO and CO point in opposite directions. Me has only one O atom with non-bonding electrons (POδ−). However, because of charge translocation, the CO group of Ac exists as CO− and the PNH3+ group of Me exists as PNH2+ at a pH lower than their pKa. The PN bond of Me, but not of Ac, is hydrolyzed at pH 2. Thus, the presence of an electron rich domain stabilizes Ac's PN bond. The CH3SP bond of both insecticides is similarly hydrolyzed at pH 11. This indicates that the two compounds are considerably similar except that Ac has an additional electron rich domain. At physiological pH, therefore, the functional differences between these insecticides may be due to the differences in their electronic structure. We propose that, similar to a previous model for cationic inhibitors of AChE [13] , the POδ− group of Me forms hydrogen bonds within the oxyanion-hole causing the leaving group (SCH3) to orient towards the “gorge” opening. This orientation allows the P atom of Me to interact with Ser200, resulting in the phosphorylation of the enzyme. For acephate, either PO or CO, but not both, interact within the oxyanion-hole. This destabilizes the binding of Ac to the active center, resulting in reduced AChE phosphorylation.
Three-dimensional optical tomography: resolution in small-object imaging.

Near-infrared (NIR) optical tomography can provide estimates of the internal distribution of optical absorption and transport scattering from boundary measurements of light propagation within biological tissue. Although this is a truly three-dimensional (3D) imaging problem, most research to date has concentrated on two-dimensional modeling and image reconstruction. More recently, 3D imaging algorithms are demonstrating better estimation of the light propagation within the imaging region and are providing the basis of more accurate image reconstruction algorithms. As 3D methods emerge, it will become increasingly important to evaluate their resolution, contrast, and localization of optical property heterogeneity. We present a concise study of 3D reconstructed resolution of a small, low-contrast, absorbing and scattering anomaly as it is placed in different locations within a cylindrical phantom. The object is an 8-mm-diameter cylinder, which represents a typical small target that needs to be resolved in NIR mammographic imaging. The best resolution and contrast is observed when the object is located near the periphery of the imaging region (12–22 mm from the edge) and is also positioned within the multiple measurement planes, with the most accurate results seen for the scatter image when the anomaly is at 17 mm from the edge. Furthermore, the accuracy of quantitative imaging is increased to almost 100% of the target values when a priori information regarding the internal structure of imaging domain is utilized.
Relapse prevention treatment for cocaine dependence: group vs. individual format.

To investigate the role of treatment modality in relapse prevention treatment, 32 cocaine-dependent subjects were randomly assigned by cohorts to group-based relapse prevention (G-RP) or individually based RP (I-RP). The two RP formats were identical in content, consisting of 12 outpatient treatment sessions over a 2-month period immediately following hospitalization. The proportion of subjects providing cocaine-free urines at the end of RP treatment did not differ between formats; however, G-RP subjects reported using cocaine on significantly fewer days during treatment, and experiencing fewer cocaine-related problems than did I-RP subjects. Follow-up data collected at 12 and 24 weeks' posttreatment revealed no significant differences between RP formats on any cocaine-use outcome measures. Regardless of therapy format, RP treatment was related to statistically significant and sustained improvements in other areas of psychosocial functioning, including addiction severity, coping, and craving for cocaine. The overall findings suggest that the efficacy of relapse prevention training is not limited by therapy format.
Minimizing Energy Cost in Electric Arc Furnace Steel Making by Optimal Control Designs

Production cost in steel industry is a challenge issue and energy optimization is an important part. This paper proposes an optimal control design aiming at minimizing the production cost of the electric arc furnace steel making. In particular, it is shown that with the structure of an electric arc furnace, the production cost which is a linear programming problem can be solved by the tools of linear quadratic regulation control design that not only provides an optimal solution but also is in a feedback form. Modeling and control designs are validated by the actual production data sets.
Properties of Hg1−xCdxTe native oxide interfaces

The properties of native oxide/semiconductor systems are of obvious importance for all semiconductor technologies in use today. In a few cases, the formation of native oxide/semiconductor interfaces can lead to superior device structures—metal–oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices in Si are a key example. In other cases, the native oxides formed lead to pathological behavior, such as the case for GaAs. The chemical stability of the oxide semiconductor system normally determines its ultimate utility. It is, of course, conceivable that a thermochemically unstable structure may find technological use if the reactions are slow enough. However, the small number of interface defects necessary to affect electrical properties usually dictates that a stable interface is necessary. Hg1−xCdxTe exhibits these types of instabilities through reactions of oxidized Hg and Te with Te bonded Cd. In addition to the above chemical concepts, this paper reviews the kinetics of the oxide Hg1−xCdxTe reactions and the dynamics of sub...