cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stranger in a Strange Land: An Outsider's View of Antitrust and the Courts

What I know about antitrust law and economics has been learned largely from reading the papers of this conference and listening to their presentation. I am an antitrust ignoramus or at least an antitrust innocent. My participation in the conference was induced by one of its organizers, Spencer Waller, who has ably used my comparative institutional approach to analyze antitrust law and felt that I might lend a “fresh perspective.” As I note later in this paper, ignorance can make a fresh perspective expensive. Still, after some reflection on the many interesting observations on antitrust offered at the conference, I am offering a brief comparative institutional perspective on the role of courts in antitrust. It seems that the landscape of antitrust decision-making described at the conference is particularly ill-suited for a significant role for the courts—the adjudicative process—either in the form of judicial review or private damage actions. Since the former is the basis for legal scholarship on antitrust and the latter represents much of the practice of antitrust law in the United States, I am unlikely to make many friends with this position. But I suppose that is an advantage of being an outsider. Let me start with the insight that antitrust administrative agencies are highly imperfect decision-makers that make many mistakes. I can say this without much knowledge of the actual workings of antitrust because, at high numbers and complexity, all decision-making alternatives are highly imperfect and all decision-makers make many mistakes.1 And in the antitrust context, there are large numbers of
Specific expression of PD-L1 in RELA-fusion supratentorial ependymoma: Implications for PD-1-targeted therapy

Background A desperate need for novel therapies in pediatric ependymoma (EPN) exists, as chemotherapy remains ineffective and radiotherapy often fails. EPN have significant infiltration of immune cells, which correlates with outcome. Immune checkpoint inhibitors provide an avenue for new treatments. This study characterizes tumor-infiltrating immune cells in EPN and aims at predicting candidates for clinical trials using checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-L1/PD-1 (programmed death ligand 1/programmed death 1). Methods The transcriptomic profiles of the primary study cohort of EPN and other pediatric brain tumors were interrogated to identify PD-L1 expression levels. Transcriptomic findings were validated using the western blotting, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Results We evaluated PD-L1 mRNA expression across four intracranial subtypes of EPN in two independent cohorts and found supratentorial RELA fusion (ST-RELA) tumors to have significantly higher levels. There was a correlation between high gene expression and protein PD-L1 levels in ST-RELA tumors by both the western blot and immunohistochemisty. The investigation of EPN cell populations revealed PD-L1 was expressed on both tumor and myeloid cells in ST-RELA. Other subtypes had little PD-L1 in either tumor or myeloid cell compartments. Lastly, we measured PD-1 levels on tumor-infiltrating T cells and found ST-RELA tumors express PD-1 in both CD4 and CD8 T cells. A functional T-cell exhaustion assay found ST-RELA T cells to be exhausted and unable to secrete IFNγ on stimulation. Conclusions These findings in ST-RELA suggest tumor evasion and immunsuppression due to PD-L1/PD-1-mediated T-cell exhaustion. Trials of checkpoint inhibitors in EPN should be enriched for ST-RELA tumors.
A closer look at the determinants of international migration: decomposing cultural distance

Using a modified gravity model and three measures of cultural distance, we employ the zero-inflated negative binomial estimation technique to examine the impact of cultural distance on internationa...
ecoxight: Discovery, Exploration, and Analysis of Business Ecosystems Using Interactive Visualization

The term ecosystem is used pervasively in industry, government, and academia to describe the complex, dynamic, hyperconnected nature of many social, economic, and technical systems that exist today. Ecosystems are characterized by a large, dynamic, and heterogeneous set of geospatially distributed entities that are interconnected through various types of relationships. This study describes the design and development of ecoxight, a Web-based visualization platform that provides multiple coordinated views of multipartite, multiattribute, dynamic, and geospatial ecosystem data with novel and rich interaction capabilities to augment decision makers ecosystem intelligence. The design of ecoxight was informed by an extensive multiphase field study of executives. The ecoxight platform not only provides capabilities to interactively explore and make sense of ecosystems but also provides rich visual construction capabilities to help decision makers align their mental model. We demonstrate the usability, utility, and value of our system using multiple evaluation studies with practitioners using socially curated data on the emerging application programming interface ecosystem. We report on our findings and conclude with research implications. Collectively, our study contributes to design science research at the intersection of information systems and strategy and the rapidly emerging field of visual enterprise analytics.
Voces Liqvatae: A Re-Reading of Horace's Ode 3.29

In hujus carminis percensendis celebrandisque virtutibus facile deficias vel si tibi linguae centum atque ora sient totidem vocesque Iiquatae.G. MitscherlichA. W. Verrall wrote in 1884 that Horace's great Maecenas-ode, 3.29, was ‘insipid’ in its most philosophic moments if it was read only for its apparent meaning, that is, as a lecture on a philosophy of life. Especially because of the so-called Murena affair of 22 B.C., Verrall thought that to read 3.29 only as a pedagogical exercise was to stretch our very understanding of Horace's greatness: ‘… if he was a lyrical poet [his italics] at all, … the question of “before or after the year 22” goes to the essence of his work.’ Yet received opinion, formed almost exclusively since Verrall wrote, has read the ode precisely in the way Verrall thought made it sound insipid, as affirming a philosophy of life. Virtually no one has followed the dramatic and compelling lines of argumentation Verrall has laid out in his study of the ode. As a result, both the virtuosity as well as the drama of 3.29 have suffered from a lack of close attention.
Influence of Physicians’ Beliefs on Propensity to Include Religion/Spirituality in Patient Interactions

This study examines physicians' beliefs, their perceptions of whether religion impacts health outcomes, and their propensity to discuss religion/spirituality with patients. It is not uncommon for patients to want religious/spiritual conversations, but the occurrence is infrequent. This study adds to knowledge regarding which physicians include these topics. Using a nationally representative sample of physicians and a mediated bi-factor structural equation model, the author finds that "religious and spiritual" physicians connect religion and patient health more than other religious/spiritual orientations. As a result, "religious and spiritual" physicians include religion/spirituality most often (indirect path). After this variation is accounted for, "spiritual but not religious" physicians still include this content, but the "religious but not spiritual" and "neither religious nor spiritual" physicians tend to avoid talking about religiosity/spirituality with patients.
The Theory of Automata, a Survey

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a survey, which focuses that part of automaton theory that lies outside of certain sub-theories—namely, switching theory, the theory of computability, artificial intelligence, and learning machines as well as several topics related to the statistical aspects of machines. These sub-theories are briefly described with some references to show how they fit into the theory as a whole. An automaton is a device of finite size at any time with certain parts specified as inputs and outputs, such that what happens at the outputs at any time is determined, or at least its probability distribution function is determined, by what has happened at the inputs. The chapter discusses five types of automaton—fixed and growing; discrete and continuous; synchronous and non-synchronous; deterministic and probabilistic; and finite-state and infinite-state. Given a state and a value for each input of a finite automaton, at any moment of time, the value for each output and the state at the next moment of time is determined. The behavior of the device is characterized completely by a description of these transitions from state to state and output values, presented as a table or a graph.
The Radiology of Pituitary Adenomas—An Update

Prior to the utilization of sellar tomography in patients with intrasellar tumors, adenomas less than 10 mm in diameter were seldom detected radio-graphically. The application of pluridirectional and, more recently, computed tomography (CT) of the sella to the workup of these patients has revolutionized their management. Patients with tumors ranging in size from 5 mm in diameter to large supra- and parasellar masses can now be medically or surgically managed entirely on the basis of tomography, CT of the sella, the endocrine findings, and the visual-field examination. Pneumoencephalography (PEG) is now seldom indicated in these patients, though on occasions, particularly when an empty sella is suspected, the definitive diagnosis is achieved by PEG. Even more recently, a water-soluble contrast agent, metrizamide, for subarachnoid space opacification has been introduced. The agent can be maneuvered into the suprasellar cisterns, and the use of metrizamide cisternography with CT may eliminate PEG in the few instances in which it is still presently indicated (see Chapter 10, Fig. 19).
Universal expression for droplet-fiber detachment force

The study reported here is devised to formulate the force required to detach a droplet from a fiber in terms of fiber and droplet physical dimensions and wetting properties. More specifically, a series of experiments were conducted to detach ferrofluid droplets from fibers with different diameters and Young–Laplace contact angles (YLCAs) in a controlled magnetic field and to measure their detachment force. Numerical simulation was conducted to complement the experiment and also to provide validation and insights into the balance of forces acting on a detaching droplet. Our analysis starts with proposing a series of expressions that relate droplet detachment force to its geometrical dimensions at the moment of detachment (at the final equilibrium state before spontaneous detachment). To circumvent the need for conducting experiments or computer simulations to obtain these geometric dimensions, we developed a mathematical relationship that uses an existing set of detachment force data, obtained for an arbitrary droplet–fiber system, to predict the force of detachment for the droplet–fiber system at hand. To further facilitate the use of the above relationship, we used our own data to create an easy-to-use correlation for detachment force. This semi-empirical correlation can be used universally for droplet detachment force prediction without the need for running an experiment or a computer simulation for YLCAs greater than about 20°.
Reduced expression of iron transport and homeostasis genes in Pseudomonas fluorescens during iron uptake from nanoscale iron

Abstract Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have beneficial effects on the host plant that include acquisition of nutrients such as iron (Fe). In this study, the impact of varying concentrations of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI, 1, 2 and 5 g L−1) on a PGPR, Pseudomonas fluorescens' viability, growth and production of siderophores was investigated. Microscale zero-valent iron (MZVI) particles were also included in this study to determine and compare the effects of particle size on Fe acquisition and use by Pseudomonas fluorescens. Siderophores chelate insoluble forms of Fe that are then rendered bioavailable to P. fluorescens as well as some plants. This research indicates that the Fe species derived from lower concentrations of NZVI additions (1 g L−1) are bioavailable and can be utilized as a nutrient by P. fluorescens without the bacteria producing siderophores, an energy intensive process. Also, NZVI application as a fertilizer has promise for better utilization of Fe by plants. P. fluorescens colony forming units (log10 CFU mL−1) growth in cultures containing 1 g L−1 NZVI were significantly higher exceeded (14 units) than those grown without NZVI additions (13 units). The majority of P. fluorescens cells treated with 2 and 5 g L−1 were nonviable and produced limited colony forming units (4 units). The effects of NZVI on siderophore production by P. fluorescens were assessed using chrome azurol S (CAS) plates and real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Further, expression of genes involved in Fe utilization [putative pvdS (PFL 4190) and a bacterioferritin-associated ferredoxin gene (PFL 4858)] were targeted using real time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Expression of both genes was below detection limits in cultures exposed to NZVI but measurable in MZVI and control treatments, again indicating potential ease in uptake of Fe by P. fluorescens from NZVI. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of NZVI particles on the exterior and interior of cells; energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) verified that the material was derived from NZVI and that Fe concentrations were higher in the interior of cells exposed to 1 g L−1 NZVI compared to the control. The research findings from this study indicate that NZVI has the potential to accumulate in plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and affect the growth of organisms in environments like the rhizobiome which may affect plant growth positively. This research opens up opportunities for future studies to determine the effects of Fe and other nutrients and micronutrients derived from nanomaterials, particularly in oligotrophic systems.
Modeling and evaluation of fissile material utilization of the UMLRR using Monte Carlo MCNP6 code

Abstract Accurate knowledge of the neutron flux and temporal nuclide inventory is essential for reactor operations to meet the requirements of criticality safety, safeguards, and spent fuel storage. The University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor (UMLRR) reactor has been modeled with the deterministic-based code, VENTURE and with an older version of MCNP (MCNP5). The Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP6) code with integrated buildup depletion code (CINDER90) provides a high-fidelity tool that can be used to perform 3D, full core simulation to evaluate fissile material utilization, and nuclide inventory calculations as a function of burnup. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the UMLRR core, including the development of a 3D model of core assemblies for criticality calculation, the analysis of the axial and radial neutron flux profiles and the depletion evaluation of the UMLRR fuel. The benchmarked analysis of the UMLRR core using MCNP6 will be used to track core performance, for control blade worth evaluation, the design of experiments, fuel lifetime and optimize fuel utilization.
Game Theoretic Based Intelligent Multi-User Millimeter-Wave MIMO Systems under Uncertain Environment and Unknown Interference

This paper investigates the intelligent development problem for of multi-user millimeter-wave (mmWave) MIMO systems under uncertain environment and unknown interference. To effectively increase the real-time performance of millimeter-wave (mmWave) MIMO system, a series of advanced communication techniques have been proposed recently, such as Hybrid precoding and MIMO relay, which integrated analog and digital schemes to reduce the hardware complexity of the conventional fully-digital beamforming and further maximizing the capacity of the MIMO channel through introducing relays and formulating multi-hop system. However, in practice harsh conditions such as uncertainty environment like rain, wind, snow, users’ movement, and the unknown interference, would seriously affect the effectiveness and practicality of those emerging communication techniques. This paper proposes a Game Theoretic Based Intelligent Multi-User Millimeter-Wave MIMO (GT-MU-MIMO) system that includes a novel dynamic code book based beam training protocol and an online reinforcement learning algorithm supervising the mobility of multi-robot-relay as well as handling the serious effects from the uncertain environment and unknown interference. Firstly, a novel dynamic codebook development has been introduced to lower the complexity during multi-user beam training. Then, a decentralized game theoretic deep reinforcement learning based intelligent algorithm has been developed. It will not only optimize GT-MU-MIMO beam training efficiency and managing mobility of multi-robot-relay online, and also effectively handle uncertainty while user moving and avoiding the signal interference from unknown radio jamming attack, etc. The effectiveness of proposed design has been demonstrated through computer aided simulation.
Hand Hygiene Observations… Not So Secret Anymore

BACKGROUND Tracking hand hygiene compliance (HHC) is an important function in healthcare to monitor compliance and validate accountability. Using a covert approach to monitoring hand hygiene limits the ability to collect a sufficient number of observations that are non-biased and highly reliable. Our objective is to create a program to reduce bias, be more reliable, yield a greater number of observations, and provide real time feedback. METHODS We implemented an overt observation program to collect data and provide real-time feedback to staff at a 900-bed multi-facility academic medical center. Paid overt observers, who wear blue vests, used an electronic survey tool on mobile tablets to collect hand hygiene observations on all staff disciplines entering and exiting patient care areas. Observers had to collect both the entry and exit of the staff member to count as one observation. The observers also gave immediate feedback, both positive acknowledgment and constructive reminders for missed opportunities. Captured in real time, the data was distributed weekly and monthly to unit and discipline leadership. RESULTS The total number of observations from the overt program was 24,598 for fiscal year (FY) 2016 compared to 8,548 covert observations in FY 2015. HHC improved from 68% to 88% from FY 2016 to FY 2017. The increase in HHC was statistically significant using the Chi square test. Verbal feedback given to staff increased from 67% in FY 2017 to 88% in FY 2018. CONCLUSIONS Since overt observers are not unit specific, they are able to provide an unbiased perspective when gathering observations. Assessments of the program are continuous. Observers complete competencies on an established schedule to ensure accuracy and consistency of each observer. With the implementation of the overt program, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of observations collected, improved compliance, and the ability to give and track feedback.
Who Manages the Firm Matters: The Incremental Effect of Individual Managers on Accounting Quality

ABSTRACT I investigate whether individual managers have an incremental effect on firms' accounting quality (AQ) after controlling for known determinants of AQ, time fixed effects, and firm fixed ef...
Early childhood lead exposure and the persistence of educational consequences into adolescence.

Abstract Background There is consensus that early childhood lead exposure causes adverse cognitive and behavioral effects, even at blood lead levels (BLL) below 5 μg/dL. What has not been established is to what extent the effects of childhood lead exposure persist across grades. Objective To measure the effects of early childhood lead exposure (BLL 1–10 μg/dL) on educational performance from grades 3–8; to determine if effects in lower grades persist as a child progresses through school; and if so, to characterize the pattern of persistence. Methods We examine data from 560,624 children living in North Carolina between 2000 and 2012 with a BLL ≤10 μg/dL measured between age 0–5 years. Children are matched to their standardized math and reading scores for grades 3–8, creating an unbalanced panel of 2,344,358 student-year observations. We use socio-economic, demographic, and school information along with matching techniques to control for confounding effects. Results We find that early childhood exposure to low lead levels caused persistent deficits in educational performance across grades. In each grade (3–8), children with higher blood lead levels had, on average, lower percentile scores in both math and reading than children with lower blood lead levels. In our primary model, we find that children with BLL = 5 μg/dL in early childhood ranked 0.90–1.20 (1.35–1.55) percentiles lower than children with BLL ≤ 1 μg/dL on math (reading) tests during grades 3–8. As children progressed through school, the average percentile deficit in their test scores remained stable. Conclusions Our study shows that the adverse effects of early childhood exposure to low lead levels persist through early adolescence, and that the magnitude of the test-score percentile deficit remains steady between grades 3–8.
Whole Tumor Histogram Analysis Using DW MRI in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Correlates with Tumor Biomarkers and Outcome

The ability to non-invasively predict outcomes and monitor treatment response in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is important as treatment regimens are constantly being trialed. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram values to predict Ki-67 expression, a tumor proliferation marker, and patient outcomes in PCNSL in both immunocompetent patients and patients living with HIV (PLWH). Qualitative PCNSL magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics from 93 patients (23 PLWH and 70 immunocompetent) were analyzed, and whole tumor segmentation was performed on the ADC maps. Quantitative histogram analyses of the segmentations were calculated. These measures were compared to PCNSL Ki-67 expression. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed via comparison to the International Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma Collaboration Group Response Criteria. Associations between ADC measures and clinical outcomes were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Normalized ADC (nADC)Min, nADCMean, nADC1, nADC5, and nADC15 values were significantly associated with a poorer OS. nADCMax, nADCMean, nADC5, nADC15, nADC75, nADC95, nADC99 inversely correlated with Ki-67 expression. OS was also significantly associated with lesion hemorrhage. PFS was not significantly associated with ADC values but with lesion hemorrhage. ADC histogram values and related parameters can predict the degree of tumor proliferation and patient outcomes for primary central nervous system lymphoma patients and in both immunocompetent patients and patients living with HIV.
The Era of Digital Health: A Review of Portable and Wearable Affinity Biosensors

Digital health facilitated by wearable/portable electronics and big data analytics holds great potential in empowering patients with real‐time diagnostics tools and information. The detection of a majority of biomarkers at trace levels in body fluids using mobile health (mHealth) devices requires bioaffinity sensors that rely on “bioreceptors” for specific recognition. Portable point‐of‐care testing (POCT) bioaffinity sensors have demonstrated their broad utility for diverse applications ranging from health monitoring to disease diagnosis and management. In addition, flexible and stretchable electronics‐enabled wearable platforms have emerged in the past decade as an interesting approach in the ambulatory collection of real‐time data. Herein, the technological advancements of mHealth bioaffinity sensors evolved from laboratory assays to portable POCT devices, and to wearable electronics, are synthesized. The involved recognition events in the mHealth affinity biosensors enabled by bioreceptors (e.g., antibodies, DNAs, aptamers, and molecularly imprinted polymers) are discussed along with their transduction mechanisms (e.g., electrochemical and optical) and system‐level integration technologies. Finally, an outlook of the field is provided and key technological bottlenecks to overcome identified, in order to achieve a new sensing paradigm in wearable bioaffinity platforms.
Evaluation of the Need for and Design of a City Energy Operations System

There is growing interest in city and community scale energy efficiency goals across the US and around the world [1]. Forward thinking developers are expressing interest in developing methods to track the actual operations of new urban developments and campuses. Local governments and developers are exploring how to ensure that the built infrastructure, including buildings, transportation, energy generation and storage assets, is not only designed for energy efficiency, but operates efficiently as well. There is a need for city and district scale tools to support energy analysis from design through operations. Smart city data analytics is a growing area of interest in the smart city technology space. However, while there is enthusiasm for the concept of smart city energy analytics, there is a lack of common semantic data models, interoperable systems, and methods to collect data and support decision-making for operating multi-building city- and district-scale energy systems. Urban developers are asking broad questions about how such a system might be designed, built, valued, maintained, and optimized. This paper describes ongoing research to explore and define a City or District Energy Operations System (CityEOS).
Early outcomes comparing induction with antithymocyte globulin vs alemtuzumab in two steroid-avoidance protocols in pediatric renal transplantation.

Steroid avoidance in pediatric kidney transplants was found effective with extended daclizumab induction. Upon discontinuation of daclizumab, lymphocyte-depleting agents became used, with little comparative data. We assessed outcomes in children undergoing low immunologic-risk deceased donor (DD) kidney transplants using induction with antithymocyte globulin (ATG) compared to alemtuzumab. We reviewed consecutive DD kidney transplants from January 2015 to September 2017 at two pediatric centers that used different lymphocyte-depleting agents in steroid-avoidance protocols: ATG (Center A) and alemtuzumab (Center B), with tacrolimus and MMF as maintenance immunosuppression. Anti-infective prophylaxis was based on center protocol. Over the first year post-tx, there were similar rates of infections. EBV and BK viremia were comparable though Center A manifested more low-grade CMV viremia (A 46% vs B 0%; P = .0009) at median onset 1.8 months, followed by early seroconversion. Reduction of immunosuppression did not differ between groups. DSA at 1 year was similar (A 8% vs 13%) with low rates of BPAR. Need for steroid-based conversion was low. There were no graft losses and no differences in median eGFR at 30, 90, 180, and 365 days. (a) 1-year graft outcomes are excellent in steroid-avoidance regimens using ATG or alemtuzumab induction; (b) conversion to steroid-based therapy is low; (c) alemtuzumab/high-dose MMF is associated with lower WBC and more GCSF use; (d) alemtuzumab/higher dose MMF results in more diarrhea and azathioprine conversion than ATG/lower dose MMF; (e) CMV viremia is seen more often with ATG use with infection prophylaxis reduction; however, seroconversion occurs promptly.
A Review of Fluorescent Carbon Dots, Their Synthesis, Physical and Chemical Characteristics, and Applications.

Carbon dots (CDs) are a particularly useful type of fluorescent nanoparticle that demonstrate biocompatibility, resistance to photobleaching, as well as diversity in composition and characteristics amongst the different types available. There are two main morphologies of CDs: Disk-shaped with 1–3 stacked sheets of aromatic carbon rings and quasi-spherical with a core-shell arrangement having crystalline and amorphous properties. They can be synthesized from various potentially environmentally friendly methods including hydrothermal carbonization, microwaving, pyrolysis or combustion, and are then purified via one or more methods. CDs can have either excitation wavelength-dependent or -independent emission with each having their own benefits in microscopic fluorescent imaging. Some CDs have an affinity for a particular cell type, organelle or chemical. This property allows the CDs to be used as sensors in a biological environment and can even provide quantitative information if the quenching or intensity of their fluorescence is dependent on the concentration of the analyte. In addition to fluorescent imaging, CDs can also be used for other applications including drug delivery, quality control, photodynamic therapy, and photocatalysis.
Collapse of a homogeneous fluid mass in a stratified fluid

In an experimental study of the turbulent wake behind an object moving horizontally in a stratified liquid, Schooley and Stewart [1] found that the growth of the wake is suppressed in the vertical direction as the well-mixed, nearly homogeneous fluid in the wake seeks to its own level of density. Thus, in the immediate vicinity of the body, the wake grows uniformly in all transverse directions, but after a certain distance behind the body, it begins to shrink in height and to spread in horizontal width at a rate faster than that in a homogeneous fluid. Wu [2], utilizing the fact that the longitudinal variation of a wake boundary is relatively small compared with the transversel variation, conducted two-dimensional experiments on the gravitational collapse of a homogeneous fluid mass in a stratified fluid. The homogeneous fluid is originally confined in a hollow circular cylinder and has the same density as the ambient stratified fluid at the level of the horizontal axis of the cylinder. At the time t = 0, the cylinder is removed and the vertical collapse of the homogeneous fluid within is then recorded cinematically as a function of time. Related studies have been reported in [3], [4)], and [5].
The Facts on File dictionary of artificial intelligence

This dictionary defines over 2000 terms in all major areas of artificial intelligence, from search and knowledge representation to problem solving, cognition, logics, robotics and automatic programming. Current concepts, techniques and systems are all brought together in standard dictionary format.
GaN-based three-junction cascaded light-emitting diode with low-resistance InGaN tunnel junctions

We report on the cascading of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) up to three junctions using low-resistance InGaN tunnel junctions (TJs). At a forward current density of 10 A/cm2, triple- and dual-junction LEDs operated at 9.09 and 6.07 V with total differential resistances of 6.31 × 10−2 and 4.16 × 10−2 Ω cm2, respectively. A significant increase in output power was observed from the triple-junction LED compared to the dual one, showing that all LED layers contribute to the luminescence output. Enabling high brightness at low current, cascaded LEDs can circumvent efficiency droop mechanism.
Probing Membrane Bilayer Interactions of 1,4-Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers

The results of this study demonstrate that the equilibrium nonspecific binding of DHP Ca2+ channel blockers to the membrane bilayer is highly dependent on cholesterol content. The molecular explanation for this observation appears to be related to the fact that cholesterol and DHPs occupy a similar molecular location in the membrane hydrocarbon core (Fig. 4). The membrane location of amlodipine may also be critical for subsequent receptor recognition and binding to voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels in peripheral and CNS tissue. Finally, changes in the cholesterol content of neural plasma membranes isolated from diseased cortical regions of subjects with AD were reported and may be indicative of a general defect in lipid metabolism. Further studies are underway to characterize in greater detail possible changes in cholesterol content with aging and AD. The implication of these changes for structure/function relationships in the membrane is also being explored.
Trophic relationships between a native and a nonnative predator in a system of natural lakes.

Abstract – Bull trout, a species of char listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act, have been displaced from portions of their historic range following the introduction of nonnative lake trout. It has been suggested that competitive exclusion as a result of trophic overlap between bull trout and lake trout may be the causal mechanism associated with displacement of bull trout. This study used stable isotope data to evaluate trophic relationships among native bull trout, nonnative lake trout and other fishes in seven lakes in Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana. Bull trout and lake trout had greater δ15N values relative to other fishes among lakes (δ15N ≥ 3.0‰). Lake trout had greater δ15N values relative to bull trout (δ15N = +1.0‰). Bull trout had greater δ13C values relative to lake trout in six of the seven lakes examined. Although both bull trout and lake trout had greater δ15N values relative to other fishes within lakes in GNP, differences in δ15N and δ13C between bull trout and lake trout suggest that they are consuming different prey species or similar prey species in different proportions. Therefore, displacement of bull trout as a direct result of complete overlap in food resource use is not anticipated unless diet shifts occur or food resources become limiting. Additionally, future studies should evaluate food habits to identify important prey species and sources of partial dietary overlap between bull trout and lake trout.
NLX: building web pages with interactive calculations in minutes

An object technology and procedure are described for the rapid development of Web pages containing interactive calculations for learning or research applications. NumberLinX (NLX) consists of a library of Java objects for interacting with model equations, also coded in Java. Functions of the NLX objects include control of the calculations, changing model parameters, and displaying calculated results. NLX objects are general and do not require Java code changes for different models and applications. HTML parameters are used to connect interactive objects together, for example linking input objects to model parameters and output display objects to calculated variables. HTML templates for the NLX objects simplify the construction of interactive Web pages containing the objects.
Quantification of hearing loss in patients with posterior semicircular canal dehiscence.

AbstractConclusion: Patients with posterior semicircular canal dehiscence (PSCD) have low frequency conductive hearing loss similar to patients with superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) secondary to a pathologic third window. Objectives: PSCD can result in conductive hearing loss, but the magnitude of this hearing loss remains to be quantified. Patients with SSCD have been shown to have low frequency conductive hearing loss. The underlying pathophysiology of hearing loss from PSCD and SSCD is similar and related to a pathologic third window. Method: A PubMed search was completed for a meta-analysis of patients with PSCD. Articles with quality audiograms were obtained. Air conduction thresholds for ears with posterior semicircular canal dehiscence were compared to the opposite ear as well as normal control data. Results: Eight articles with 21 patients with PSCD and quality audiograms were included. Two patients had bilateral PSCD and one of those was excluded because hearing thresholds were at th...
Localization of acidic fibroblast growth factor in specific subcortical neuronal populations

The effects of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in vitro include the stimulation of mitogenesis in a variety of non-neuronal cell types and the promotion of the survival of various central and peripheral neuronal populations. The precise physiological role of FGFs in vivo is currently not known. As a step toward understanding the role of FGFs in the nervous system, the present study determined the distribution of acidic FGF (aFGF) in the rat CNS. The levels of aFGF in dissected areas of the nervous system were quantified using a biological assay method, and the cellular distribution of aFGF was determined in tissue sections using immunohistochemical methods. aFGF was found to be localized within specific neuronal populations in the CNS and was absent from non-neuronal cells. Neurons containing aFGF immunoreactivity included magnocellular neurons in the septal area and nucleus basalis; some additional defined neuronal groups in the subcortical telencephalon; specific neuronal populations in the hypothalamus, the thalamus, the substantia nigra, the reticular formation, and the pons; and motor and sensory neurons. Cerebral cortex and hippocampus contained only a very limited number of aFGF-immunoreactive neurons. A significant overlap of neuronal populations known to express the low-affinity NGF receptor (LNGFR) with populations containing aFGF immunoreactivity was also observed. These neuronal populations are known to be affected by neurodegenerative diseases, and the possible functional implications of the presence of aFGF and the LNGFR in these cells are discussed.
The relationship of structure and antibacterial activity in the nitrofurans.

The study of many furan derivatives suggests certain necessary structural configurations for in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity. The specificity of a nitro group in the 5 position of 2-substituted furans in conferring antibacterial activity is well demonstrated. Certain requirements need be met in the nature of the substituent in the 2 position in order to also obtain in vivo activity. Chemotherapeutic activity is displayed by a number of semicarbazone and substituted semicarbazone derivatives of nitrofurans containing the necessary carbonyl group in the 2 position. The substitution of other heterocyclic ring systems such as thiophene and pyrrole does not lead to the antibacterial effectiveness of analogous nitrofuran compounds. Attempts to explain or correlate antibacterial activity with structural configuration by physicochemical methods have not met with success. Certain suggestions as to the mode of antibacterial action of the nitrofurans have been made.
Effects of 60-Hz electric fields on avoidance behavior and activity of rats.

In repeated short-term tests, and one longer test, behavior of rats was evaluted in a long, narrow shuttlebox. One side of the box was exposed to an electric field at various strengths, while a visually identical opposite side was shielded from exposure. In short-term tests, rats generally remained shielded from electric fields of 90 kV/m and greater during the first session, and maintained this response in subsequent sessions. In the longer test, this same preference response was demonstrated at field strengths of 75 kV/m and greater; however, at 25 and 50 kV/m, rats exhibited a statistically significant preference for the exposed region of the shuttlebox, but only during the light portion of a 12-h light; 12-h dark cycle. The experimental data support the hypothesis that the observed behavioral effects are the result of direct interaction of the electric field with the animal, and not the result of secondary factors such as electric shock, corona discharge, audible noise, ozone, or vibration of the experimental apparatus.
Genetic and Environmental Contributions to the Relationships Between Brain Structure and Average Lifetime Cigarette Use

Chronic cigarette use has been consistently associated with differences in the neuroanatomy of smokers relative to nonsmokers in case-control studies. However, the etiology underlying the relationships between brain structure and cigarette use is unclear. A community-based sample of male twin pairs ages 51-59 (110 monozygotic pairs, 92 dizygotic pairs) was used to determine the extent to which there are common genetic and environmental influences between brain structure and average lifetime cigarette use. Brain structure was measured by high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging, from which subcortical volume and cortical volume, thickness and surface area were derived. Bivariate genetic models were fitted between these measures and average lifetime cigarette use measured as cigarette pack-years. Widespread, negative phenotypic correlations were detected between cigarette pack-years and several cortical as well as subcortical structures. Shared genetic and unique environmental factors contributed to the phenotypic correlations shared between cigarette pack-years and subcortical volume as well as cortical volume and surface area. Brain structures involved in many of the correlations were previously reported to play a role in specific aspects of networks of smoking-related behaviors. These results provide evidence for conducting future research on the etiology of smoking-related behaviors using measures of brain morphology.
Quantifying Local Creation and Regional Transport Using a Hierarchical Space―Time Model of Ozone as a Function of Observed NOx, a Latent Space―Time VOC Process, Emissions, and Meteorology

We explore the ability of a process-based space–time model to decompose 8-hour ozone on a given day and site into parts attributable to local emissions and regional transport, to provide space–time predictions, and to assess the efficacy of past and future emission controls. We model ozone as created plus transported plus an error with seasonally varying spatial covariance parameters. Created ozone is a function of the observed NOx concentration, the latent VOC concentration, and solar radiation surrogates. Transported ozone is a weighted average of the ozone observed at all sites on the previous day, where the weights are a function of wind speed and direction. The latent VOC process mean includes emissions, temperature, and a workday indicator, and the error has seasonally varying spatial covariance parameters. Using likelihood methods, we fit the model and obtain one set of predictions appropriate for prediction backward in time, and another appropriate for predicting under hypothetical emission scenarios. The first set of predictions has a lower root-mean-squared error (RMSE) when compared to point observations than do the 36 km gridcell averages from the Community Mesoscale Air Quality Model (CMAQ) used by the EPA; the second set has the same RMSE as CMAQ, but under-predicts high ozone values.
Electron beam effects during analysis of glass thin films with auger electron spectroscopy

Migration of sodium in thin films of soda-silica glass deposited on a stainless steel substrate has been studied. The amounts of charge trapping and local heating were a strong function of beam parameters for thin films. For example, the time required for the sodium Auger signal to decay to 50% of its initial value increased as the beam energy was increased or as the current density was decreased. The rearrangement of sodium due to charge trapping was calculated and compared to experimental data. The calculated and experimental data agree well and indicate that fields of ∼105 V cm−1 exist during analysis. The depth distribution of sodium indicates that either electrons or ion bombardment can cause sodium migration during analysis. The cross-section for electron-induced desorption was measured to be 3 × 10−20 cm2 for sodium in this glass, therefore it is only important at very high current densities.
Spectral unmixing with nonnegative matrix factorization

The present study is an illustration of the application of Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF) to the problem of linear unmixing of mineral endmembers in hyperspectral images. NMF can be seen as for nonnegative linear coding of the data points. We will show how a novel implementation of the NMF is able to perform both endmember extraction and abundance calculation. A synthetic example, used to illustrate the issue shows that NMF correctly identifies endmembers in a random mixing of real library spectra.
Growth of Oxide Nanorod Arrays through Sol Electrophoretic Deposition

Metal oxides, particularly complex metal oxides, are important materials for various applications in industry and technology. This is due to their multi-faceted functional properties, their chemical and thermal stability, and their mechanical properties. Metal oxides (and particularly complex metal oxides) can have many unique physical properties including electronic and ionic conductivity, superconductivity, ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, dielectric and magnetic properties [1]. These materials find a wide range of applications in electronic devices, sensors and actuators. For example, piezoelectrics (typically lead zirconate titanate, PZT) play a key role in many micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) [2]. Tin oxide doped indium oxide (ITO) films on glass substrates have been widely used as optically transparent electrodes in devices such as light-emitting diodes [3]. Sol—gel derived mesoporous titania films are being intensively studied in inorganic—organic hybrid photoelectrochemical cells [4]. Further, many of the physical properties of oxide materials are tunable through appropriate doping or substitution [5]. Zirconia that is partially stabilized through doping with materials such as calcium oxide or yttrium oxide exhibits excellent mechanical properties, particularly toughness not commonly found in other oxide materials [6]. Doped zirconia is also an excellent oxygen ionic conductor, with applications in oxygen sensors and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) [6]. Oxide surfaces can have special chemical properties, making them useful as catalysts and sensors [7]. Furthermore, oxide surfaces can be easily incorporated with organic functional groups through surface condensation or self-assembly [8].
Effect of amine structure on gallium extraction from hydrochloric acid solutions

Abstract The extractability of amine salts has been studied in a series of secondary amines-tertiary amines-quaternary ammonium salts while extracting gallium from hydrochloric acid solutions. The two- and single-parametric correlations obtained have revealed that the steric factor of the substituent attached to the nitrogen atom is not vital to the series of extractants studied. A change in the gallium extraction constant is determined by the induction effect (electronegativity) of substituents, thus the extractability of gallium with quaternary ammonium salts is the highest. Trialkyl amine was thus chosen as an extractant for the commercial applications of gallium extraction from complex acid solutions.