cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between the accuracy of classifier error estimation and complexity of decision boundary

Error estimation is a crucial part of classification methodology and it becomes problematic with small samples. We demonstrate here that the complexity of the decision boundary plays a key role on the performance of error estimation methods. First, a model is developed which quantifies the complexity of a classification problem purely in terms of the geometry of the decision boundary, without relying on the Bayes error. Then, this model is used in a simulation study to analyze the bias and root-mean-square (RMS) error of a few widely used error estimation methods relative to the complexity of the decision boundary: resubstitution, leave-one-out, 10-fold cross-validation with repetition, 0.632 bootstrap, and bolstered resubstitution, in two- and three-dimensional spaces. Each estimator is implemented with three classification rules: quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), 3-nearest-neighbor (3NN) and two-layer neural network (NNet). The results show that all the estimation methods lose accuracy as complexity increases.
An interactive tool to investigate the inference performance of network dynamics from data

Network structure plays a significant role in determining the performance of network inference tasks. An interactive tool to study the dependence of network topology on estimation performance was developed. The tool allows end-users to easily create and modify network structures and observe the performance of pole estimation measured by Cramer-Rao bounds. The tool also automatically suggests the best measurement locations to maximize estimation performance, and thus finds its broad applications on the optimal design of data collection experiments. Finally, a series of theoretical results that explicitly connect subsets of network structures with inference performance are obtained.
Amide N-oxides: an ab initio molecular orbital study

Abstract There are no known examples of amide N-oxides. The present study employs ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the 6-3G∗ level to explore potential target molecules in this class. Bridgehead bicyclic lactams appear to be attractive targets for oxidation to form the corresponding N-oxides because they have reduced (or zero) amide resonance energy. The amide N-oxide linkage is predicted to have a ca. 9–10 kcal/mol rotational barrier due to eclipsing of nonbonded oxygen atoms in the transition state. The linkage has a nearly flat conformational (ΦON–CO) profile in the range 120–240° and this suggests that a very sterically hindered acyclic amide N-oxide may be a practical synthetic target. The oxidation of strained amides is calculated to be highly exothermic if dimethyldioxirane is employed. This reagent is predicted to react appreciably exothermically with normal, stable amides such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, thus offering the potential for generating and studying such relatively unstable amide N-oxides at low temperatures.
Penetration of resin dental materials into enamel surfaces with reference to bonding.

Abstract The penetration of Bonfil, Sevriton, Addent, Dakor and two experimental adhesives into enamel surfaces was investigated with particular reference to the possibility that mechanical factors due to resin penetration might be involved in the bonding of these materials to acid conditioned enamel surfaces. Radiosulphur 35 as SO 4 and basic fuchsin dye did not penetrate the interface between the Sevriton self-curing resin or the adhesive and the enamel surface to which they were attached even after 6 months to 1 year in physiological saline solution. Enhanced bonding to acid conditioned surfaces compared to unconditioned ones appeared to be associated with the presence of “prism-like” tags presumably formed by penetration of the resin into enamel spaces created by the acid conditioning. When surfaces were not conditioned prior to application of the test materials poor bonding resulted with absences of tags. Differences in bonding strength and/or its longevity among the various materials may be related to differences in their physical and chemical properties.
RASEE: a rapid spin-echo pulse sequence.

Abstract Most fast-imaging sequences use gradient echoes and a low flip-angle excitation. The low flip angle is used because it gives increased signal when TR
Papilio phylogeny based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and II genes.

Butterflies of the genus Papilio have served as the basis for numerous studies in insect physiology, genetics, and ecology. However, phylogenetic work on relationships among major lineages in the genus has been limited and inconclusive. We have sequenced 2.3 kb of DNA from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I and II genes (COI and COII) for 23 Papilio taxa and two outgroups, Pachliopta neptunus and Eurytides marcellus, in order to assess the potential of these genes for use in Papilio phylogenetics and to examine patterns of gene evolution across a broad taxonomic range. Nucleotide and amino acid variation is distributed heterogeneously, both within and between genes. Structural features of the proteins are not always reliable predictors of variation. In a combined analysis, these sequences support a nearly fully resolved topology within subgenera and species groups, though higher level relationships among species groups require additional study. The most noteworthy findings are that neither Papilio alexanor nor P. xuthus belongs in the machaon group and that the subgenus Pterourus is paraphyletic with respect to the subgenus Pyrrhosticta. We leave relationships among members of the phorcas species group as a trichotomy. These two protein coding genes, particularly COI, show excellent performance in resolving relationships at the level of species and species groups among Papilionidae. We strongly endorse a similar approach for future studies aimed at these levels.
An optimal time---space algorithm for dense stereo matching

The increasing demand for higher resolution images and higher frame rate videos will always pose a challenge to computational power when real-time performance is required to solve the stereo-matching problem in 3D reconstruction applications. Therefore, the use of asymptotic analysis is necessary to measure the time and space performance of stereo-matching algorithms regardless of the size of the input and of the computational power available. In this paper, we survey several classic stereo-matching algorithms with regard to time---space complexity. We also report running time experiments for several algorithms that are consistent with our complexity analysis. We present a new dense stereo-matching algorithm based on a greedy heuristic path computation in disparity space. A procedure which improves disparity maps in depth discontinuity regions is introduced. This procedure works as a post-processing step for any technique that solves the dense stereo-matching problem. We prove that our algorithm and post-processing procedure have optimal O(n) time---space complexity, where n is the size of a stereo image. Our algorithm performs only a constant number of computations per pixel since it avoids a brute force search over the disparity range. Hence, our algorithm is faster than "real-time" techniques while producing comparable results when evaluated with ground-truth benchmarks. The correctness of our algorithm is demonstrated with experiments in real and synthetic data.
THE INFLUENCE OF GLOBAL MARKETING STANDARDIZATION ON PERFORMANCE

The authors address a key controversy in the marketing literature about the suitability of global standardization. An empirical investigation of the differences between firms that emphasize global ...
Overexpression of a cytochrome b5 reductase-like protein causes kinetoplast DNA loss in Trypanosoma brucei.

The mitochondrial genome of trypanosomes, termed kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), contains thousands of minicircles and dozens of maxicircles topologically interlocked in a network. To identify proteins involved in network replication, we screened an inducible RNA interference-based genomic library for cells that lose kinetoplast DNA. In one cloned cell line with inducible kinetoplast DNA loss, we found that the RNA interference vector had aberrantly integrated into the genome resulting in overexpression of genes down-stream of the integration site (Motyka, S. A., Zhao, Z., Gull, K., and Englund, P. T. (2004) Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 134, 163–167). We now report that the relevant overexpressed gene encodes a mitochondrial cytochrome b5 reductase-like protein. This overexpression caused kDNA loss by oxidation/inactivation of the universal minicircle sequence-binding protein, which normally binds the minicircle replication origin and triggers replication. The rapid loss of maxicircles suggests that the universal minicircle sequence-binding protein might also control maxicircle replication. Several lines of evidence indicate that the cytochrome b5 reductase-like protein controls the oxidization status of the universal minicircle sequence-binding protein via tryparedoxin, a mitochondrial redox protein. For example, overexpression of mitochondrial tryparedoxin peroxidase, which utilizes tryparedoxin, also caused oxidation of the universal minicircle sequence-binding protein and kDNA loss. Furthermore, the growth defect caused by overexpression of cytochrome b5 reductase-like protein could be partially rescued by simultaneously overexpressing tryparedoxin.
Effects of oxygen on metabolic and secretory activities of βTC3 cells

Abstract We have investigated the rates of glucose consumption, lactate production and insulin secretion by mouse insulinoma βTC3 cells exposed to high glucose and oxygen concentrations in the range of 132 mmHg (normoxia) to 0 mmHg (anoxia). The rates of glucose consumption and lactate production, and the yield of lactate on glucose were 6.4 ± 0.2 nmol/h − 10 5 cells, 7.7 ± 0.5 nmol/h − 10 5 cells, and 1.2 ± 0.1 respectively, at oxygen concentrations between 132-25 mmHg. These values increased gradually as the oxygen concentration was reduced below 25 mmHg, reaching a maximum value of 12.8 ± 0.4, 23.8 ± 1.1, 1.9 ± 0.1 respectively, at complete anoxia. Insulin secretion remained constant at 360 ± 24 pmol/h − 10 8 cells at oxygen concentrations between 132-7 mmHg, but was inhibited at lower oxygen concentrations, dropping to 96 ± 24 pmol/h − 10 8 cells at 0 mmHg. The rate of insulin secretion in the presence of high glucose under anoxia was significantly higher than the rate of basal secretion (28.2 ± 3.0 pmol/h − 10 8 cells) at normoxia. The secretory properties of βTC3 cells at low oxygen concentrations may have implications in the development of a diffusion-based bioartificial tissue constructs for the long-term treatment of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.
Securing RSVP for multimedia applications

Distributed multimedia applications require end-to-end quality of service (QoS) in order to be accepted and used. One approach to achieve end-to-end QoS is to provide end-to-end resource reservations. Resource ReSerVation Protocol (RSVP) [5] [1] is a unicast and multicast signalling protocol for setting up network bandwidth reservation. In this paper, we propose a solution for securing RSVP messages in a flexible, efficient and scalable manner. Our solution extends the RSVP protocol with a scalable QoS protection, using a hybrid hierarchical security approach. The RSVP messages go through two different protocol treatments - one within subnetworks and the other across subnetworks. We use delayed integrity checking within the subnetwork by sending feedback messages from the egress node. A stronger integrity and encryption check is made on messages sent across subnetworks. Our solution is thus an intermediate approach between the extremes of hop by hop authentication [2] and the SDS/CD protocol [8] and overcomes the drawbacks of the two protocols.
Evaluation of intra- and inter-fraction movement of the cervix during intensity modulated radiation therapy

Background and purpose To assess the degree of intra- and inter-fraction cervical motion throughout a course of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for cervical cancer patients. Materials and methods A retrospective study of 10 women with stage 1B1-3B cervical cancer diagnosed from September 2007 to July 2008 was conducted. All patients were treated with chemoradiation using IMRT followed by intracavitary brachytherapy. Pretreatment, patients had 2 seeds placed at a depth of 10mm into the cervix. On-Board Imaging (OBI) was used to obtain anterior/posterior (AP) and lateral X-rays before and after each treatment. OBI images were rigidly aligned to baseline digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs), and movement of cervical seeds was determined in the lateral, vertical, and AP directions. Mean differences in cervical seed position and standard error of the mean (SEM) were calculated. Results A total of 922 images were reviewed, with approximately 90 images per patient. The mean intra-fractional movement in cervical seed position in the lateral, vertical, and AP directions were 1.6mm (SD±2.0), 2.6mm (SD±2.4), and 2.9mm (SD±2.7), respectively, with a range from 0 to 15mm for each direction. The mean inter-fractional movement in the lateral, vertical, and AP directions were 1.9mm (SD±1.9), 4.1mm (SD±3.2), and 4.2mm (SD±3.5), respectively, with a range from 0 to 18mm for each direction. Conclusions This is the first study to assess intra- and inter-fractional movement of the cervix using daily imaging before and after each fraction. Within and between radiation treatments, cervical motion averages approximately 3mm in any given direction. However, maximal movement of the cervix can be as far as 18mm from baseline. This wide range of motion needs to be accounted for when generating planning treatment volumes.
Requirement of human plasmin for streptokinase activation of bovine plasminogen.

Abstract It was recently reported that while native streptokinase (SK) cannot activate bovine plasminogen (plgn), a derivative of SK (SK 1 ) prepared by interaction of SK with human plasminogen was capable of activating bovine plasminogen. Evidence is now presented to show that the activator activity of SK 1 towards bovine plasminogen requires the presence of trace amounts of human plasmin. With an assay for plgn or plasmin which permits detection of 0.01 CTA units, we found small amounts of plasmin in our SK 1 preparations. When SK 1 preparations were completely freed of plasmin by passage through a lysine-sepharose column, bovine activator activity disappeared but human activator activity remained. Addition of human plasmin (ogen) to the column-treated SK 1 preparations restored bovine activator activity. When the plasmin inhibitors, p-nitrophenyl-p-guanidinobenzoate or pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, were added to SK 1 preparations, or when plasmin was inactivated by reduction and alkylation, bovine activator activity was lost but human activator activity remained.
Adsorption and dehydrogenation of ortho-carborane on the Pt(111) surface

The surface chemistry of 1,2-closo-dicarbadodecaborane (ortho-carborane), C2B10H12, on Pt(111), was studied with reflection–absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), temperature programmed desorpti...
Activation of endogenous type-C viral p30 antigen in chemically-induced rat hepatocellular carcinomas.

Chemically induced rat hepatocellular carcinomas were prospectively examined for expression of the major group-specific antigen (p30) of genetically transmitted rat type-C viruses. Ten primary tumors induced following oral administration of the carcinogen N-2-acetylaminofluorine did not express elevated levels of viral antigen as compared to antigen levels detected in normal liver tissue. By contrast, rapidly growing transplantable hepatocellular carcinomas (THCs) derived from primary tumors expressed increased quantities of viral antigen. The expression of antigen was marginally elevated after only one transplantation, increased to maximal levels after several transplant generations and, once achieved, was stably maintained throughout subsequent transplants. Studies with additional previously established THCs showed that poorly differentiated, rapidly proliferating tumors tended to express elevated levels of viral antigen, while more differentiated, slowly growing tumors did not. The results show that the expression of endogenous type-C viral 30 antigen is a stable phenotypic property of many rat THC lines.
A Novel Infrared Gas Cell

In the course of a vibrational study of methanetellurol (CH3TeH) a need arose for a short path (approximately 10 cm) it gas cell which uses no stopcock grease, no wax to seal the windows, presents a relatively inert inner surface, and can be rapidly assembled and disassembled. These requirements arise from the fact that methanetellurol and many similar compounds are unstable, decompose, and/or absorb readily in the presence of active surfaces, stopcock grease, and sealing wax. These materials are generally used in the construction of conventional cells, particularly the homemade variety, and their presence often accounts for experimental difficulties. There are several commercially available cells which partially meet these requirements but all of these have some undesirable features, such as ground glass stopcocks which require silicone or hydrocarbon grease. Therefore, we have devised and wish to describe a fairly inexpensive cell which meets the above specifications.
Development of a field method for determining the service lives of respirator cartridges--Part IV: Results of field validation trials.

Results of a fourth study on the use of small, carbon-filled glass tubes, referred to as respirator carbon tubes (RCTs), for predicting the service lives of organic vapor respirator cartridges are presented. Organic vapors are drawn through the RCT by using a personal sampling pump until breakthrough is detected. This breakthrough time is then used in conjunction with a bed-residence adsorption model to predict the breakthrough time of a cartridge containing carbon identical to that in the RCT. Previous laboratory work demonstrated that accurate prediction of cartridge breakthrough time was possible for exposure to carbon tetrachloride in atmospheres containing 5–94% relative humidity (RH) with both dry and prehumidified carbon beds and with n-hexane, pyridine, and binary mixtures of each with carbon tetrachloride. This report examines the performance of the RCT method in a workplace environment where carbon tetrachloride concentrations varied from 101 to 855 ppm, pyridine levels varied from 0 to 29 ppm, ...
Horizontal systems: Leading technology for next generation HDI production

The developments in high density interconnect, HDI technology are characterized by the following: - Ever higher packaging density. - Reduction in line and space. - New dielectrics to meet high frequency demands. - Employment of thinner substrates. - Environmental and legislative impact. - Requirement for high overall process yields. - Demand for continuous reduction in process costs.
Cesarean section and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: choice of anesthesia

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a rare genetically transmitted connective tissue disorder, non-specific to pregnancy. Because of multi-organ involvement and varied presentations of this disease, no uniform anesthetic recommendations can be made. We report a case of a parturient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome who presented in active labor with spontaneous rupture of membranes and footling breech presentation. She received single dose spinal anesthesia for an uneventful emergency cesarean section.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATED 12-8 BIT CONVERSION ALGORITHM FOR DISPLAYING AND ARCHIVING SCANNED RADIOGRAPHS

The lossless capture of the entire range of optical densities encountered in a radiograph can require up to 4000 individual shades of gray. Most inexpensive computer displays, and most grayscale image formats contain only 256 gray shades. To use these systems, a look up table must be generated to display the scanned image, which maps the approximately 4000 gray shades in the digitized radiograph to the 256 gray shades on the monitor, However, if this conversion is inappropriately performed, much of the information contained in the original image could be lost. This study was undertaken to develop an histogram equalization algorithm that would automatically convert the 4000 gray shade digitized radiograph into a 256 gray shade image file, without perceptable loss of diagnostic information or image quality.
Temperature‐dependent changes in circadian patterns of cricket premating behaviour

. Male-calling and female-walking in Teleogryllus commodus (Walker) is mainly performed during the night (in LD 12:12 at constant temperature). Cold nights of 1–7°C switched both activities from night to daytime. After cold exposure it took several transient cycles until the original phase angle difference to lights-out was re-established. The involvement of a circadian clock in these processes was revealed by observing the free-running rhythm in constant light after a cold night. The rhythm was delayed, evidently due to the resetting of the biological clock by the cold exposure. This temporal alteration of premating behaviour in males and females is discussed in relation to intraspecific consequences, its adaptive value in natural conditions, and with respect to the potential parallel effects in parasites and predators.
Soil moisture variability across climate zones

[1] Variability in soil moisture is controlled by temporal variability in atmospheric conditions and spatial variability in land-surface conditions. Observations of soil moisture have revealed a variety of patterns – generally, in semiarid regions variance increased as mean soil moisture content increased, in humid regions variance decreased as mean soil moisture content increased, and in temperate regions variance peaked at intermediate moisture contents. We collected soil moisture data at Big Meadows, an upland wetland in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, and we observed peak variance at intermediate moisture contents, consistent with other sites in temperate climate zones. A modified soil moisture dynamics model was used to examine how soil moisture patterns evolve through time, how topography, soil, and vegetation affect these patterns, and how the trends observed across climate zones can be explained. The trends observed relate to theoretical bounds on soil moisture distributions, i.e., the wilting point and the porosity.
Discovering data mining: from concept to implementation

This paper is a review of the book Discovering Data Mining: From Concept to Implementation -- Peter Cabena, Pablo Hadjinian, Rolf Stadler, Jaap Verhees, and Alessandro Zanasi (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 195 pp., 1998).
A Detergent-like Mechanism of Action of the Cytolytic Toxin Cyt1A from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis

The cytolytic δ-endotoxin Cyt1A from Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis is used in commercial preparations of environmentally safe insecticides. The current hypothesis on its mode of action is that the toxin self-assembles into well-defined cation-selective channels or pores, which results in colloid-osmotic lysis of the cell. Recently, a new hypothesis has been put forward suggesting that Cyt1A rather nonspecifically aggregates on the membrane surface and acts in a detergent-like manner. To distinguish between these two hypotheses, we investigated whether in the presence of lipid Cyt1A self-assembles into stoichiometric oligomers, which are characteristic of pores or channels, or aggregates into nonstoichiometric complexes, which would support the detergent-like model. Sodium dodecyl sulfate−polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that in the presence of lipid Cyt1A forms protein aggregates with a broad range of molecular weights, some being too large to enter the gel. Cyt1A tryptophan (Trp) flu...
Transmission of a generalised wave in dielectric layer systems

The transmission of a generalised wave, which reproduces the plane, cylindrical and spherical waves as special cases, propagating in single dielectric and multiple dielectric layer systems, is studied by the transfer matrix method. Interesting properties originating from the coherence of the wave are demonstrated and their applications are discussed.
Nanoscale Engineering for Smart Biocatalysts with Fine-Tuned Properties and Functionalities

Many advanced applications of biocatalysts require fine-tuned properties and functions to ensure the biocatalysts’ precise localization, structure-specific targeting, switchable activities or self-signaling. The current review presents recent advances in realizing novel biocatalysts possessing such fine-tuned properties. Smart biocatalysts can be another term for such a new class biocatalysts.
Self-management education for adults with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of the effect on glycemic control

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of self-management education on GHb in adults with type 2 diabetes. Research design and methods We searched for English language trials in Medline (1980-1999), Cinahl (1982-1999), and the Educational Resources Information Center database (ERIC) (1980-1999), and we manually searched review articles, journals with highest topic relevance, and reference lists of included articles. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials that were published in the English language, tested the effect of self-management education on adults with type 2 diabetes, and reported extractable data on the effect of treatment on GHb. A total of 31 studies of 463 initially identified articles met selection criteria. We computed net change in GHb, stratified by follow-up interval, tested for trial heterogeneity, and calculated pooled effects sizes using random effects models. We examined the effect of baseline GHb, follow-up interval, and intervention characteristics on GHb. Results On average, the intervention decreased GHb by 0.76% (95% CI 0.34-1.18) more than the control group at immediate follow-up; by 0.26% (0.21% increase - 0.73% decrease) at 1-3 months of follow-up; and by 0.26% (0.05-0.48) at > or = 4 months of follow-up. GHb decreased more with additional contact time between participant and educator; a decrease of 1% was noted for every additional 23.6 h (13.3-105.4) of contact. Conclusions Self-management education improves GHb levels at immediate follow-up, and increased contact time increases the effect. The benefit declines 1-3 months after the intervention ceases, however, suggesting that learned behaviors change over time. Further research is needed to develop interventions effective in maintaining long-term glycemic control.
Brief interventions for high-risk drinkers.

Aims and objectives. The purpose of this paper is to explore the literature on brief alcohol intervention and to review the literature that examines the status of the clinic nurse in the delivery of these interventions. The objective is to review critically the literature on brief intervention to create links for nurse developed and delivered brief intervention to high-risk drinkers. Background. Population estimates suggest that more than one-third of North Americans drink excessively with even higher rates for individuals treated in primary care settings. Alcohol use has been identified as the third leading cause of mortality in the United States. This problem is not unique to the US and, worldwide, agencies and governmental offices and ministries have issued recommendations to screen patients for alcohol misuse and deliver brief interventions to individuals considered to be high-risk drinkers. Numerous randomized controlled trials and recent meta-analyses have supported the use of screening and brief intervention for reducing alcohol consumption in primary healthcare settings. The vast majority of studies reporting on brief interventions have focused on the role of the physician with minimal if any involvement of the clinic nurse. A scant number of studies have been conducted that define and assess the role or potential role of the clinic nurse in providing screening and brief intervention to high-risk drinkers in the primary care setting. Methods. Systematic review. Results. Six systematic reviews and meta-analyses from an international base of studies support the use of brief intervention in the primary care setting. Three randomized control trials have highlighted the role of the staff or clinic nurse but there are no meta-analyses addressing nurse-delivered brief interventions. Numerous studies have explored factors effecting the implementation of brief intervention into the primary care setting. Conclusion. Brief intervention is recognized as a legitimate nursing role but little has been done to develop and define the role of the nurse in delivering brief interventions to high-risk drinkers. This represents a major lacuna in both the nursing and alcoholism literature, where only a handful of studies have investigated nurse-delivered brief intervention. Relevance to clinical practice. As health screening and health promotion are hallmarks of nursing care, nurses need to explore the use of brief intervention in their daily practice.
Is There a Future for AI Without Representation

This paper investigates the prospects of Rodney Brooks' proposal for AI without representation. It turns out that the supposedly characteristic features of "new AI" (embodiment, situatedness, absence of reasoning, and absence of representation) are all present in conventional systems: "New AI" is just like old AI. Brooks proposal boils down to the architectural rejection of central control in intelligent agents--Which, however, turns out to be crucial. Some of more recent cognitive science suggests that we might do well to dispose of the image of intelligent agents as central representation processors. If this paradigm shift is achieved, Brooks' proposal for cognition without representation appears promising for full-blown intelligent agents--Though not for conscious agents.
Empirical study of an intelligent argumentation system in MCDM

Intelligent argumentation based collaborative decision making system assists stakeholders in a decision making group to assess various alternatives under different criterion based on the argumentation. A performance score of each alternative under every criterion in Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) is represented in a decision matrix and it denotes satisfaction of the criteria by that alternative. The process of determining the performance scores of alternatives in a decision matrix for criterion could be controversial sometimes because of the subjective nature of criterion. We developed a framework for acquiring performance scores in a decision matrix for multi-criteria decision making using an intelligent argumentation and collaborative decision support system we developed in the past [1]. To validate the framework empirically, we have conducted a study in a group of stakeholders by providing them an access to use the intelligent argumentation based collaborative decision making tool over the Web. The objectives of the study are: 1) to validate the intelligent argumentation system for deriving performance scores in multi-criteria decision making, and 2) to validate the overall effectiveness of the intelligent argumentation system in capturing rationale of stakeholders. The results of the empirical study are analyzed in depth and they show that the system is effective in terms of collaborative decision support and rationale capturing. In this paper, we present how the study was carried out and its empirical results.
The Cultural Dimensions of Ecological Literacy

(1996). The Cultural Dimensions of Ecological Literacy. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 5-10.
Simple Sulfinate Synthesis Enables CH Trifluoromethylcyclopropanation

A simple method to convert readily available carboxylic acids into sulfinate salts by employing an interrupted Barton decarboxylation reaction is reported. A medicinally oriented panel of ten new sulfinate reagents was created using this method, including a key trifluoromethylcyclopropanation reagent, TFCS-Na. The reactivity of six of these salts towards CH functionalization was field-tested using several different classes of heterocycles.
Design and implementation of an agent home scheme strategy for prefetch-based DSM systems

In recent years, cluster computing has been widely investigated and there is no doubt that it can provide a cost-effective computing infrastructure by aggregating computational power, communication, and storage resources. Moreover, it is also considered to be a very attractive platform for low-cost supercomputing. Distributed shared memory (DSM) systems utilize the physical memory of each computing node interconnected in a private network to form a global virtual shared memory. Since this global shared memory is distributed among the computing nodes, accessing the data located in remote computing nodes is an absolute necessity. However, this action will result in significant remote memory access latencies which are major sources of overhead in DSM systems. For these reasons, in order to increase overall system performance and decrease this overhead, a number of strategies have been devised. Prefetching is one such approach which can reduce latencies, although it always increases the workload in the home nodes. In this paper, we propose a scheme named Agent Home Scheme. Its most noticeable feature, when compared to other schemes, is that the agent home distributes the workloads of each computing nodes when sending data. By doing this, we can reduce not only the workload of the home nodes by balancing the workload for each node, but also the waiting time. Experimental results show that the proposed method can obtain about 20% higher performance than the original JIAJIA, about 18% more than History Prefetching Strategy (HPS), and about 10% higher than Effective Prefetch Strategy (EPS).
Advanced Geometric Camera Calibration for Machine Vision

In many machine vision applications, a crucial step is to accurately determine the relation between the image of the object and its physical dimension by performing a calibra- tion process. Over time, various calibration techniques have been developed. Nevertheless, the existing methods cannot satisfy the ever-increasing demands for higher accuracy per- formance. In this letter, an advanced geometric camera cali- bration technique which employs a frontal image concept and a hyper-precise control point detection scheme with digital image correlation is presented. Simulation and real experi- mental results have successfully demonstrated the superior of the proposed technique. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumen-
Controlling molecular mobility and ductile–brittle transitions of polycarbonate copolymers

To control molecular mobility and study its effects on mechanical properties, we synthesized two series of poly(ester carbonate) and polycarbonate copolymers with different linkages: (Bxt)n (x = 3, 5, 7, 9) and (BxT)n (x = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9), where t represents the terephthalate, T represents the tetramethyl bisphenol A carbonate linkages, and B is the conventional bisphenol-A (BPA) carbonate. These two series of materials have distinct differences in their relaxation behaviors and chain mobility, as indicated by the π-flip motion of the phenylene rings in the Bx blocks. Uniaxial tensile tests of the copolymers indicate that the brittle–ductile transition (BDT) temperatures of the copolymers are correlated to whether the γ-relaxation peaks due to the Bx sequence is fully established. The materials possessing more fully established low-temperature γ peaks give rise to a lower BDT. Also, the locations of the γ peaks are correlated to the ring flips of the Bx blocks of polymer chains. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 1730–1740, 2001
Crisis in the Curriculum? New Counselors' Crisis Preparation, Experiences, and Self‐Efficacy

Professional counselors are responsible for providing crisis assessment, referral, and intervention (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, 2009); however, little is known about their preparation and experiences in these areas. This study examined new professional counselors' (N= 193) crisis intervention preparation, crisis intervention self-efficacy, and crisis intervention experiences. Although participants had limited crisis preparation during their master's programs, most engaged in crisis intervention during their field experiences. Implications for continuing education and counselor education are explored.
The type 1 angiotensin-II receptor mediates intracellular calcium mobilization in rat luteal cells.

The intracellular cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca]i) was determined in cultured rat luteal cells using the calcium-chelating dye fura-2 and microspectrofluorimetry. Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) induced a dose-dependent transient increase in [Ca]i (ED50, 9.0 +/- 6.5 nM). After the initial peak in [Ca]i, cytosolic calcium returned to a secondary elevated basal level that was dependent upon the presence of extracellular calcium. Pretreatment of rat luteal cells with Ang-II (100 nM) desensitized a subsequent response to a higher concentration (1 microM), but did not desensitize a prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha)-induced calcium flux. Although the peak increases in [Ca]i induced by Ang-II (1 microM) and PGF2 alpha (10 microM) were not significantly different, the plateau phase stimulated by PGF2 alpha was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that stimulated by Ang-II (1 microM). Pretreatment of luteal cells with the type 2 Ang-II receptor antagonist PD 123319 (10 microM) did not inhibit calcium mobilization...
Incorporating ‘catastrophic’ climate change into policy analysis

Although existing economic research is informative with regard to the importance of including potential ‘catastrophic’ climate change impacts in the analysis of GHG mitigation benefits, the generic and abstract form of the ‘catastrophe’ implemented has led to a lack of specific policy implications. This article provides an important starting point for a discussion of how to improve economic modelling of potential large-scale impacts of climate change. It considers how the term ‘abrupt climate change’ has been used in the scientific literature to describe changes in the climate system and carefully reviews the characteristics of the events that have been discussed in this context. The findings are compared to the way in which the economic literature has modelled potential economic and human welfare impacts of these ‘catastrophic’ events. In general, the economics literature is found to have modelled such impacts in a uniform way that fails to account for differences in relevant end points and timescales. T...
Application of demand-control theory to sign language interpreting: implications for stress and interpreter training.

The translation work of sign language interpreters involves much more than language. The characteristics and goings-on in the physical environment, the dynamics and interactions between the people who are present, and even the “inner noise” of the interpreter contribute to the accuracy, or lack thereof, of the resulting translation. The competent interpreter must understand and respond appropriately to the language and nonlanguage aspects of each interpreting assignment. We use the framework of demand-control theory (Karasek, 1979) to examine the complex occupation of sign language interpreting. Demand-control theory is a job analysis method useful in studies of occupational stress and reduction of stress-related illness, injury, and burnout. We describe sources of demand in the interpreting profession, including demands that arise from factors other than those associated with languages (linguistic demands). These include environmental, interpersonal, and intrapersonal demands. Karasek’s concept of control, or decision latitude, is also explored in relation to the interpreting profession. We discuss the prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders (CTD), turnover, and burnout in the interpreting profession in light of demandcontrol theory and data from interpreter surveys, including a new survey study described herein. We conclude that nonlinguistic demand factors in particular and perceived restrictions in decision latitude likely contribute to stress, CTD, burnout, and the resulting shortage of sign language interpreters. We make suggestions for improvements in interpreter education and professional development, including the institution of an advanced, supervised professional training period, modeled after internships common in other high demand professional occupations.
Solution of material balances for flowsheets modelled with elementary modules: The unconstrained case

A study is made of the structure and properties of material balance simulation problems, and a technique is developed for their efficient solution. The method requires neither simultaneous solution of all balance equations nor iterative convergence methods. Instead, for each stream mixing point in the flow sheet, a vector balance equation is developed which contains as unknowns only mixer output streams. This unique set of vector equations is sequenced for solution by using precedence ordering and substitution techniques. It is shown that only as many vector equations need to be solved simultaneously as there are streams which would require iteration in the conventional sequential approach. Once the mixer output streams are calculated, the remaining intermediate process streams are evaluated directly with no further equation solving. Computational results are presented showing the efficiency of the method.
A Synthesis of Best-Value Procurement Practices for Sustainable Design-Build Projects in the Public Sector

Abstract Research in sustainable building practices suggests that integrated project delivery methods can more successfully deliver green buildings as measured by cost, schedule, and quality objectives. Design-build is an integrated project delivery method that has increased in use in the public sector. Design-build projects are commonly acquired through best-value procurement, which includes factors in addition to price. However, the procurement process of green buildings requires specific selection factors that are not accounted for in conventional buildings. This study synthesizes the current state of practice for best-value procurement of sustainable design-build projects within the public sector. The findings are based upon a content analysis of procurement documents for 26 projects. The results of this study reveal that procurement opportunities exist to improve best-value award algorithms. The findings show that owners are missing opportunities to evaluate design-builders on sustainable building ex...
Leader-Follower semi-Markov Decision Problems: Theoretical Framework and Approximate Solution

Leader-follower problems are hierarchical decision problems in which a leader uses incentives to induce certain desired behavior among a set of self-interested followers. Dynamic leader-follower problems extend this structure to multi-period decision situations. In this work we propose a Markov decision process (MDP) framework for a class of dynamic leader-follower problems that have important applications and discuss their approximate solution using reinforcement learning (RL). In these problems, the leader makes incentive decisions intermittently while the followers make their decisions in every period. Our theoretical framework and computational approach are based on the observation that such dynamic problems can be thought of as consisting of two coupled sequential decision processes, that of the leader and of the followers. In our formulation, the leader's decision problem that has the structure of a single-agent semi-Markov decision process (SMDP), and the followers' sequential decision problem structured as a stochastic game (multiagent competitive MDP) operate over the same state space. We call this MDP framework a leader-follower semi-Markov decision process (LFSMDP). We consider approximate solution of these problems using RL and demonstrate the solution approach in the special case where the followers' stochastic game is a repeated game.
Recognition of the A chain carboxy-terminal heparin binding region of fibronectin involves multiple sites: two contiguous sequences act independently to promote neural cell adhesion.

Cellular interactions with fibronectin-treated substrata have a complex molecular basis involving multiple domains. A carboxy-terminal cell and heparin binding region of fibronectin (FN) is particularly interesting because it is a strong promoter of neurite outgrowth (Rogers, S.L., J.B. McCarthy, S.L. Palm, L.T. Furcht, and P.C. Letourneau, 1985. J. Neurosci. 5:369-378) and cell attachment (McCarthy, J.B., S.T. Hagen, and L.T. Furcht. 1986. J. Cell Biol. 102:179-188). To further understand the molecular mechanisms of neuronal interactions with this region of FN, we screened two peptides from the 33-kD heparin binding fragment of the FN A chain, FN-C/H II (KNNQKSEPLIGRKKT) and CS1 (Humphries, M.J., A. Komoriya, S.K. Akiyama, K. Olden, and K.M. Yamada. 1987. J. Biol. Chem. 262:6886-6892), for their ability to promote B104 neuroblastoma cell-substratum adhesion and neurite outgrowth. Both FN-C/H II and CS1 promoted B104 cell attachment in a concentration-dependent and saturable manner, with attachment to FN-C/H II exceeding attachment to CS1. In solution, both exogenous FN-C/H II or CS1 partially inhibited cell adhesion to the 33-kD fragment. Similar results were obtained with anti-FN-C/H II antibodies. In contrast, soluble GRGDSP did not affect B104 cell adhesion to FN-C/H II. These results indicate that both FN-C/H II and CS1 represent distinct, RGD-independent, cell adhesion-promoting sites active within the 33-kD fragment, and further define FN-C/H II as a novel neural recognition sequence in FN. B104 adhesion to FN-C/H II and CS1 differs in sensitivity to heparin, yet each peptide inhibited adhesion to the other peptide, suggesting cell adhesion is somehow related at the cellular level. Within the A chain 33-kD fragment, FN-C/H II and CS1 are contiguous, and might represent components of a larger domain with greater neurite-promoting activity since only the 33-kD fragment, and neither individual peptide, was effective at promoting B104 neurite outgrowth. These data further support the hypothesis that cell responses to FN are mediated by multiple sites involving both heparin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms.
Characterizations of biodegradable epoxy-coated cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) thin film for flexible microwave applications

Wood pulp cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) thin film is a novel recyclable and biodegradable material. We investigated the microwave dielectric properties of the epoxy coated-CNF thin film for potential broad applications in flexible high speed electronics. The characterizations of dielectric properties were carried out in a frequency range of 1–10 GHz. The dielectric constant and loss tangent were extracted by using measurements of microstrip transmission lines that were built on the epoxy coated-CNF film and combined with Agilent Advanced Design System simulations. The RF property for the epoxy coated-CNF was compared to that of commercial polyethylene terephthalate film (PET). With the comparable microwave properties of non-biodegradable PET film, our study suggests that the epoxy coated-CNF film is a suitable biodegradable and environment-friendly substrate for flexible microwave and other applications.
The Stemonitomycetidae, A New Subclass of Myxomycetes

(1973). The Stemonitomycetidae, A New Subclass of Myxomycetes. Mycologia: Vol. 65, No. 2, pp. 477-485.