cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of d,l-fenfluramine on aggressive and impulsive responding in adult males with a history of conduct disorder.

Rationale: The role of serotonin in aggression and impulsivity was examined by administering the serotonin-releasing drug, d,l-fenfluramine and measuring effects on aggressive and impulsive responding under controlled laboratory conditions. Methods: Ten male subjects with a history of conduct disorder and criminal behavior participated in experimental sessions, which measured aggressive and impulsive responses. Aggression was measured using the Point subtraction Aggression paradigm (PSAP), which provides subjects with an aggressive, escape and monetary reinforced response options. Impulsive responses were measured using a paradigm which provided subjects with choices between small rewards after short delays versus larger rewards have long delays. Results: Acute challenge doses (0.2,0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg) of d,l-fenfluramine produced significant dose-dependent decreases in aggressive and impulsive responses. Escape and monetary reinforced responses were not significantly changed. Decreases in aggressive responses were therefore selective, because escape responses were not affected, and could not be attributed to a non-specific sedative action because monetary reinforced responses were slightly increased. Conclusions: Release of serotonin and/or reuptake blockade by d,l-fenfluramine is the possible mechanism for reductions in aggression and impulsivity. These results are consistent with a large body of data linking reduced serotonin function and aggressive behavior and impulsivity.
Blind efficient scores detection and decoding of multibit watermarks

One of the challenges in digital watermarking is to develop a statistically powerful blind detector and decoder for multi-bit watermarks. In this paper, we propose a general statistical procedure for blind multi-bit watermark detection and decoding based on the total efficient scores vector and obtain the asymptotic distribution of the proposed detectors. The main idea and mathematics of the general method are illustrated by two widely-used parametric distributions: the generalized Gaussian distribution and the Weibull distribution. Some optimality properties of the procedure are discussed and probability plots are proposed to graphically assess the finite sample performance. The robustness and survivability of the proposed watermarking method for digital images are evaluated and tested by embedding the watermarks in a band of arcs from low to middle frequencies in the DFT domain.
Sustainability and sociology

Sociologists have been slow to address directly the questions raised by the issue of sustainability, despite the prominence of the idea in other disciplines and policy fields. This article argues that sociologists are “missing the boat” by ignoring the questions that sustainability raises. In addition, it is suggested that sociology is uniquely equipped with the theoretical and methodological background to contribute scientifically accurate understandings of this phenomenon to a world much in need of such guidance. The article concludes that addressing questions of sustainability may nudge sociology into new and fruitful directions of inquiry.
Choosing a substitute cardiac valve: type, size, surgeon.

Certain ideal characteristics of substitute cardiac valves are analyzed for each of the four basic types of available substitute cardiac valves. Of the four, the caged disc prosthesis is the least desirable: It obstructs, it clots and it degenerates. Each of the other three types of substitute cardiac valves has more favorable characteristics. Ideally, the caged ball prosthesis might be limited to patients with predominantly regurgitant lesions because of the problem of prosthetic disproportion. The tilting disc has favorable hemodynamic and wear characteristics, but long-term anticoagulant therapy is essential, as with the caged ball and caged disc types of prosthesis. The porcine xenograft appears to be desirable, but patients with sufficient implantation time (more than 5 years) for proper evaluation are just beginning to be studied and, therefore, final judgment must be reserved. Assuming that valve replacement is to be carried out in a large medical center by a surgical team experienced in this procedure, the results of this operation today are dependent more on the type and size of substitute valve inserted than on the surgeon who inserts the valve. It is therefore important for the cardiologist to become more informed about the various types of prosthetic cardiac valves and to become a member of the team deciding which type and size of cardiac valve are most suitable for his (or her) patient.
Review Article: Terminal Delirium in Geriatric Patients With Cancer at End of Life

Terminal delirium is a common symptom that is frequently underdiagnosed in geriatric patients with cancer at end of life and is a major cause of distress for the patient as well as their family. This article explores the hyperactive and hypoactive delirium subtypes as well as the pathophysiology of terminal delirium and the theory of acetylcholine deficiency and dopamine excess. The causes for terminal delirium underdiagnosis as well as the causes of terminal delirium itself are identified. The use of the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is discussed as a means of delirium diagnosis and the Memorial Delirium Assessment scale (MDAS) is presented as a tool to measure its severity. Lastly, nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment measures are reviewed and an algorithm is presented to assist the clinician in the identification and management of terminal delirium.
Nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a white-noise potential : Phase-space approach to spread and singularity

We propose a phase-space formulation for the nonlinear Schr¨ odinger equation with a white-noise potential in order to shed light on two issues: the rate of spread and the singularity formation in the average sense. Our main tools are the energy law and the variance identity. The method is completely elementary. For the problem of wave spread, we show that the ensemble-averaged dispersion in the critical or defocusing case follows the cubic-in-time law while in the supercritical and subcritical focusing cases the cubic law becomes an upper and lower bound respectively. We have also found that in the critical and supercritical focusing cases the presence of a white-noise random potential results in different conditions for singularity-with-positive-probability from the homogeneous case but does not prevent singularity formation. We show that in the supercritical focusing case the ensemble-averaged self-interaction energy and the momentum variance can exceed any fixed level in a finite time with positive probability. c 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Agonist-induced Ca2+ mobilization in cultured bovine and human corneal endothelial cells.

We investigated the possibility that cultured corneal endothelial cells express receptors that are coupled to the phosphoinositide cycle/intracellular Ca2+ signaling pathway. Agonist-stimulated changes in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in single bovine and human corneal endothelial cells (BCEC and HCEC, respectively) derived from confluent cultures were measured by microspectrofluorimetry using the Ca2+-sensitive probe, fura-2. Total inositol phosphates accumulated during a 30 min incubation in the presence or absence of agonists was determined in Li+ containing medium with cells pre-labelled for 48 hrs with 10 μCi/ml 3H-myoinositol. Histamine (HA), ADP and ATP induced a rapid increase in [Ca2+]i. Subsequently, [Ca2+]i decreased to either a stable, agonist-dependent sustained elevation, or fell back to baseline to begin oscillatory fluctuations. The initial rise in [Ca2+]i was insensitive to removal of extracellular calcium (Ca2+○), whereas the stable elevations in [Ca2+]i and the [Ca2+]i oscillations re...
Redundancy and Dimensionality Reduction in Sparse-Distributed Representations of Natural Objects in Terms of Their Local Features

Low-dimensional representations are key to solving problems in high-level vision, such as face compression and recognition. Factorial coding strategies for reducing the redundancy present in natural images on the basis of their second-order statistics have been successful in accounting for both psychophysical and neurophysiological properties of early vision. Class-specific representations are presumably formed later, at the higher-level stages of cortical processing. Here we show that when retinotopic factorial codes are derived for ensembles of natural objects, such as human faces, not only redundancy, but also dimensionality is reduced. We also show that objects are built from parts in a non-Gaussian fashion which allows these local-feature codes to have dimensionalities that are substantially lower than the respective Nyquist sampling rates.
SBRT for the Primary Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer: The Effect of Gleason Score, Dose and Heterogeneity of Intermediate Risk on Outcome Utilizing 2.2014 NCCN Risk Stratification Guidelines

Purpose: To report an update of our previous experience using stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for the primary treatment of prostate cancer, risk stratified by the updated NCCN version 2.2014, reporting efficacy and toxicity in a community hospital setting. Methods: From 2007 to 2012, 142 localized prostate cancer patients were treated with SBRT using CyberKnife. NCCN guidelines Version 2.2014 risk groups analyzed included very low (20%), low (23%), intermediate (35%), and high (22%) risk. To further explore group heterogeneity and to comply with new guidelines, we separated our prior intermediate risk group into favorable intermediate and unfavorable intermediate groups depending on how many intermediate risk factors were present (one vs. >one). The unfavorable intermediate group was further analyzed in combination with the high risk group as per NCCN guidelines Version 2.2014. Various dose levels were used over the years of treatment, and have been categorized into low dose (35 Gy, n=5 or 36.25 Gy, n=107) and high dose (37.5 Gy, n=30). All treatments were delivered in five fractions. Toxicity was assessed using Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. Results: 5-year actuarial freedom from biochemical failure (FFBF) was 100%, 91.7%, 95.2%, 90.0% and 86.7% for very low, low, intermediate and high risk patients, respectively (NS). A significant difference in 5 year FFBF was noted for patients with Gleason score >8 vs. 7 vs. 5/6 (p=0.03) and low vs. high dose (p=0.05). T-stage, pretreatment PSA, age, risk stratification group and use of ADT did not affect 5-year FFBF. Multivariate analysis revealed Gleason score and dose to be the most predictive factors for 5-year FFBF. Conclusion: Our experience with SBRT for the primary treatment of localized prostate cancer demonstrates favorable efficacy and toxicity comparable to the results reported for IMRT in literature. Gleason score remains the single most important pretreatment predictor of outcome.
An Evaluation of Racial Bias in a Life Satisfaction Scale.

This study investigated the possibility of racial bias in one of the few extant life satisfaction measures appropriate for children and adolescents, the Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (Huebner, 1991a). Participants were 115 Black and 106 White adolescents in Grades 8 through 12. There was no evidence of bias with respect to reliability, factorial validity, or concurrent validity.
Evidence For Heterojunction Effects in Polycrystalline Si 1- x Ge x Thin Film Transistors With Si Caps

Polycrystalline silicon-germanium (poly-Si1-xGex) thin film transistors (TFTs) werefabricated with and without Si interlayers (caps) to buffer the SiO2 gate dielectric and theSi1-xGex channel. Both low temperature processes (≤ 550 δC) compatible with glass for flat panel displays and high temperature processes were used. NMOS TFTs show dramatic performanceimprovements up to moderate (5 to 10 nm) interlayer thicknesses. In contrast, PMOS TFTs showonly small improvements at low interlayer thicknesses (< 5 nm), after which performancedeclines. Computer simulations using an effective medium model for polycrystalline materialssuggest that in addition to interface improvement, a pseudomorphic heterojunction is formedfrom the strained Si cap and unstrained poly-Si1-xGex channel with both conduction and valenceband offsets. These offsets play a significant role in inversion layer formation.
ISS Rendezvous Phasing Considerations Pertaining To Optimal STS-114/LF1 Launch Opportunities *

Mandatory lighting restrictions have been applied to Space Shuttle Return-To-Flight (RTF) launch windows such that launches targeting an International Space Station (ISS) rendezvous are restricted to "seasons" commencing every two months and lasting at most 21 days. On approximately 25% of these days, ISS geocentric phase angle exceeds a maximum value permitting docking on Shuttle Flight Day 3 (FD3) in accord with the optimal flight crew activity timeline. Based on ISS trajectory constraints, including those imposed by Russian Soyuz or Progress rendezvous prior to a Shuttle launch season, a dispersed ISS trajectory envelope can be defined during the season. The envelope can then be sampled to predict prospects for Space Shuttle launch into a FD3 rendezvous on each day in the season. This paper applies the prediction technique to STS-114/LF1 launch seasons. It then introduces operational considerations applicable to any launch season, identifying favorable and unfavorable ISS trajectory dispersions in advance. Space Shuttle and ISS program managers are using these considerations to schedule an ISS trajectory correction prior to a Space Shuttle launch season. When targeted with strategy documented by this paper, the correction dramatically improves FD3 rendezvous prospects during a specified season segment.
The relationship between exposure to alcohol advertising in stores, owning alcohol promotional items, and adolescent alcohol use.

AIM: This paper describes adolescents' exposure to alcohol advertising in stores and to alcohol-branded promotional items and their association with self-reported drinking. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was administered in non-tracked required courses to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders (n = 2125) in three California middle schools. Logistic regressions compared the odds of ever (vs. never) drinking and current (vs. ever) drinking after controlling for psychosocial and other risk factors for adolescent alcohol use. RESULTS: Two-thirds of middle school students reported at least weekly visits to liquor, convenience, or small grocery stores where alcohol advertising is widespread. Such exposure was associated with higher odds of ever drinking, but was not associated with current drinking. One-fifth of students reported owning at least one alcohol promotional item. These students were three times more likely to have ever tried drinking and 1.5 times more likely to report current drinking than students without such items. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides clear evidence of an association of adolescent drinking with weekly exposure to alcohol advertising in stores and with ownership of alcohol promotional items. Given their potential influence on adolescent drinking behaviour, retail ads, and promotional items for alcohol deserve further study. Language: en
Complexity Theory and Spatial Simulations of Land Use/Land Cover Dynamics: The Use of “What if” Scenarios for Education, Land Management, and Decision‐Making

Abstract Land use/land cover (LULC) change occurs through the interactions of people, place, and environment. LULC simulation models can be used to examine pattern‐process relations through the lens of complexity theory, by incorporating nonlinear relationships such as feedbacks and analyzing resultant emergent patterns. This paper focuses on the use of LULC simulation models, particularly cellular automata (CA) and, to a lesser extent, agentbased models (ABM), as a means to engage educators and students, as well as land managers and other decisionmakers, in critical thinking about LULC dynamics. To that end, we detail the importance of systems thinking and complexity theory as background to the use of CA and ABM and briefly describe how CA/ABM work. We then provide a case study of current LULC simulation work in the Northern Ecuadorian Amazon (NEA) and describe plans for education/outreach. We discuss the benefits and challenges of classroom implementation as well as possibilities for extension to land m...
High-resolution low-level Brillouin spectroscopy in solids

In this paper some of the experimental considerations for obtaining phonon attenuation in solids by Brillouin scattering are described. Measurements of room temperature damping of longitudinal hypersonic waves in α-quartz, fused silica, and calcium fluoride are reported. The observed phonon frequency and linewidth for backward scattering of 6328-A light in these solids is typically ∼ 30 GHz and ∼ 30 MHz (FWHM), respectively. This corresponds to a damping length of \sim 60 \mu , which is inaccessible by conventional ultrasonics techniques.
Demand-driven type inference with subgoal pruning

Highly dynamic languages like Smalltalk do not have much static type information immediately available before the program runs. Static types can still be inferred by analysis tools, but historically, such analysis is only effective on smaller programs of at most a few tens of thousands of lines of code. This dissertation presents a new type inference algorithm, DDP, that is effective on larger programs with hundreds of thousands of lines of code. The approach of the algorithm borrows from the field of knowledge-based systems: it is a demand-driven algorithm that sometimes prunes subgoals. The algorithm is formally described, proven correct, and implemented. Experimental results show that the inferred types are usefully precise. A complete program understanding application, Chuck, has been developed that uses DDP type inferences. This work contributes the DDP algorithm itself, the most thorough semantics of Smalltalk to date, a new general approach for analysis algorithms, and experimental analysis of DDP including determination of useful parameter settings. It also contributes an implementation of DDP, a general analysis framework for Smalltalk, and a complete end-user application that uses DDP.
An -dimensional space that admits a Poincaré inequality but has no manifold points

For each integer n > 2 we construct a compact, geodesic metric space X which has topological dimension n, is Ahlfors n-regular, satisfies the Poincare inequality, possesses IR' as a unique tangent cone at Stan almost every point, but has no manifold points.
A fractal forecasting model for financial time series

Financial market time series exhibit high degrees of non-linear variability, and frequently have fractal properties. When the fractal dimension of a time series is non-integer, this is associated with two features: (1) inhomogeneity— extreme fluctuations at irregular intervals, and (2) scaling symmetries— proportionality relationships between fluctuations over different separation distances. In multivariate systems such as financial markets, fractality is stochastic rather than deterministic, and generally originates as a result of multiplicative interactions. Volatility diffusion models with multiple stochastic factors can generate fractal structures. In some cases, such as exchange rates, the underlying structural equation also gives rise to fractality. Fractal principles can be used to develop forecasting algorithms. The forecasting method that yields the best results here is the state transition-fitted residual scale ratio (ST-FRSR) model. A state transition model is used to predict the conditional probability of extreme events. Ratios of rates of change at proximate separation distances are used to parameterize the scaling symmetries. Forecasting experiments are run using intraday exchange rate futures contracts measured at 15-minute intervals. The overall forecast error is reduced on average by up to 7% and in one instance by nearly a quarter. However, the forecast error during the outlying events is reduced by 39% to 57%. The ST-FRSR reduces the predictive error primarily by capturing extreme fluctuations more accurately. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of fatty acid supplements on milk yield and energy balance of lactating dairy cows.

Abstract Saturated and unsaturated fatty acid supplements (FS) were evaluated for effects on yield of milk and milk components, concentration of milk components including milk fatty acid profile, and energy balance. Eight ruminally and duodenally cannulated cows and 8 noncannulated cows were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square design experiment with 21-d periods. Treatments were control and a linear substitution of 2.5% fatty acids from saturated FS (SAT; prilled, hydrogenated free fatty acids) for partially unsaturated FS (UNS; calcium soaps of long-chain fatty acids). The SAT treatment did not change milk fat concentration, but UNS linearly decreased milk fat in cannulated cows and tended to decrease milk fat in noncannulated cows compared with control. Milk fat depression with UNS corresponded to increased concentrations of trans -10, cis -12 conjugated linoleic acid and trans C18:1 fatty acids in milk. Milk fat profile was similar for SAT and control, but UNS decreased concentration of short- and medium-chain FA. Digestible energy intake tended to decrease linearly with increasing unsaturated FS in cannulated and noncannulated cows. Increasing unsaturated FS linearly increased empty body weight and net energy gain in cannulated cows, whereas increasing saturated FS linearly increased plasma insulin. Efficiency of conversion of digestible energy to milk tended to decrease linearly with increasing unsaturated FS for cannulated cows only. Addition of SAT provided little benefit to production and energy balance, whereas UNS decreased energy intake and milk energy yield.
The safety and health improvement: enhancing law enforcement departments study: feasibility and findings.

This randomized prospective trial aimed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a team-based worksite health and safety intervention for law enforcement personnel. Four-hundred and eight subjects were enrolled and half were randomized to meet participants met for weekly, peer-led sessions delivered from a scripted team-based health and safety curriculum. Curriculum addressed: exercise, nutrition, stress, sleep, body weight, injury, and other unhealthy lifestyle behaviours such as smoking and heavy alcohol use. Health and safety questionnaires administered before and after the intervention found significant improvements for increased fruit and vegetable consumption, overall healthy eating, increased sleep quantity and sleep quality, and reduced personal stress.
Patchy Myocardial Fibrosis 20 Years after Radiation Therapy

We describe a case of a young woman diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma at age 8 and treated with adriamycin and radiation therapy. Twenty years later the patient has a cardiomyopathy and a focal area of patchy infiltration of fibrotic tissue along the left ventricle and atrium. Although fibrosis due to radiation exposure has been demonstrated on biopsy and autopsy studies, we are not aware of previous reports of echocardiographic demonstration of this finding. The most likely explanation for the fibrosis location is the left posterolateral direction of the radiation beam.
International Education Standards (IES): Issues of Implementation A Report on the Third IAAER Globalization Roundtable

In November 2006, the International Association for Accounting Education and Research (IAAER), in cooperation with the Expert Accountants' Association of Turkey, hosted its Third Globalization Roundtable on the theme of Implementing International Education Standards (IESs) especially in new and potential entrants to the European Union (EU). This Roundtable was held in Istanbul and brought together leaders of the academic accounting community from around the world familiar with IESs released by International Accounting Education Standards Board (IAESB) of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) to discuss issues related to the implementation, especially in new and potential entrants to the EU, and to identify the challenges remaining including additional implementation guidance or assistance that may be necessary. This report summarizes the deliberations.
A peptide functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel for investigating the influence of biochemical and biophysical matrix properties on tumor cell migration

To address the challenges associated with defined control over matrix properties in 3D cell culture systems, we employed a peptide functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel matrix in which mechanical modulus and adhesive properties were tuned. An HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line was chosen as a model for probing matrix influences on tumor cell migration using the PEG hydrogel platform. HT-1080 speed varied with a complex dependence on both matrix modulus and Cys-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (CRGDS) adhesion ligand concentration, with regimes in which motility increased, decreased, or was minimally altered being observed. We further investigated cell motility by forming matrix interfaces that mimic aspects of tissue boundaries that might be encountered during invasion by taking advantage of the spatial control of the thiol–ene photochemistry to form patterned regions of low and high cross-linking densities. HT-1080s in 100 Pa regions of patterned PEG hydrogels tended to reverse direction or aggregate at the interface when they encountered a 360 Pa boundary. In contrast, HT-1080s were apparently unimpeded when migrating from the stiff to the soft regions of PEG peptide hydrogels, which may indicate that cells are capable of “reverse durotaxis” within at least some matrix regimes. Taken together, our results identified matrix regimes in which HT-1080 motility was both positively and negatively influenced by cell adhesion or matrix modulus.
Estimates of Global and Regional Premature Cardiovascular Mortality in 2025

Background— United Nations member states have agreed to reduce premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality 25% by 2025. Global CVD risk factor targets have been recommended. We produced estimates to show how selected risk factor reduction would affect CVD mortality for different regions and countries. Methods and Results— We used mortality, risk factor, and relative risk data from the Global Burden of Disease, Risk Factors, and Injuries (GBD) 2013 study to project CVD mortality for 188 countries up to the year 2025. We disaggregated observed CVD mortality in 1990 and 2013 into deaths attributable and unattributable to hypertension, tobacco smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity using an age- and sex-specific population-attributable fraction. Risk factors were projected to 2025 assuming that current trends continue. Counterfactual scenarios were then constructed reflecting CVD premature mortality if United Nations risk factor targets are achieved in the year 2025, adjusting for joint effects of risk factors. We estimate 7.8 million premature CVD deaths in 2025 if current risk factor trends continue. Premature CVD deaths would be reduced to 5.7 million if these risk factors targets are achieved as a result of a 26% reduction for men and a 23% reduction for women in the global risk of premature CVD death. Globally, decreasing the prevalence of hypertension accounted for the largest risk reduction, followed by a reduction in tobacco smoking for men and obesity for women, but these results varied by region. The impact of meeting all risk factor targets on CVD mortality varied widely by region and sex. Conclusions— The United Nations target of a 25% reduction in premature CVD mortality by the year 2025 appears achievable for some countries, but more aggressive risk factor targets may be required if all regions are to reach this goal. Without these reductions in CVD risk factors, many countries will see no change or even an increase in premature CVD mortality.
Improving the Teaching of Science through Discipline-Based Education Research: An Example from Physics.

Research on the learning and teaching of science is an important field for scholarly inquiry by faculty in science departments. Such research has proved to be an efficient means for improving the effectiveness of instruction in physics. A basic topic in introductory physics is used to illustrate how discipline-based education research has helped identify certain conceptual and reasoning difficulties that are common among university students and pre-university teachers. The results have been used to guide the design of instruction that has brought about a significant improvement in learning. The type of research illustrated requires a deep knowledge of physics and ready accessibility to students as they study that subject. Both of these conditions are usually present only in physics departments, not in departments in which the primary focus is on educational theory and methodology. Although the context of this paper is physics, analogies can readily be made to other sciences.
Impact of the Real Median Price of Single-Family Homes on Geographic Mobility, 2000-2005

The present study investigates the impact of the real median price of single-family homes on net internal migration flows in the United States over the 2000-2005 period. After allowing for factors ...
Photocatalysis Using Semiconductor Nanoclusters

We report on experiments using nanosize MoS2 to photo-oxidize organic pollutants in water using visible light as the energy source. We have demonstrated that we can vary the redox potentials and absorbance characteristics of these small semiconductors by adjusting their size, and our studies of the photooxidation of organic molecules have revealed that the rate of oxidation increases with increasing bandgap (i.e. more positive valence band and more negative conduction band potentials). Because these photocatalysis reactions can be performed with the nanoclusters fully dispersed and stable in solution, liquid chromatography can be used to determine both the intermediate reaction products and the state of the nanoclusters during the reaction. We have demonstrated that the MoS2 nanoclusters remain unchanged during the photooxidation process by this technique. We also report on studies of MoS2 nanoclusters deposited on TiO2 powder.
Composite agents

We introduce the concept of composite agents to effectively model complex agent interactions for agent-based crowd simulation. Each composite agent consists of a basic agent that is associated with one or more proxy agents. This formulation allows an agent to exercise influence over other agents greater than that implied by its physical properties. Composite agents can be added to most agent-based simulation systems and used to model emergent behaviors among individuals. In practice, there is negligible overhead of introducing composite agents in the simulation. We highlight their application to modeling aggression, social priority, authority, protection and guidance in complex scenes.
Mobile robot navigation in 2-D dynamic environments using an electrostatic potential field

Proposes a solution to the two-dimensional (2-D) collision fee path planning problem for an autonomous mobile robot utilizing an electrostatic potential field (EPF) developed through a resistor network, derived to represent the environment. No assumptions are made about the amount of information contained in the a priori environment map (it may be completely empty) or the shape of the obstacles. The well-formulated and well-known laws of electrostatic fields are used to prove that the proposed approach generates an approximately optimal path (based on cell resolution) in a real-time frame. It is also proven through the classical laws of electrostatics that the derived potential function is a global navigation function (as defined by Rimon and Koditschek, 1992), that the field is free of all local minima and that all paths necessarily lead to the goal position. The complexity of the EPF generated path is shown to be O(mn/sub M/), where m is the total number of polygons in the environment and n/sub M/ is the maximum number of sides of a polygonal object. The method is tested both by simulation and experimentally on a Nomad200 mobile robot platform equipped with a ring of sixteen sonar sensors.
Experimental study on bubble dynamics and wall heat transfer arising from a single nucleation site at subcooled flow boiling conditions - Part 2: Data analysis on sliding bubble characteristics and associated wall heat transfer

This second of two companion papers presents an analysis of sliding bubble and wall heat transfer parameters measured during subcooled boiling in a square, vertical, upward flow channel. Bubbles were generated only from a single nucleation site for better observation of both the sliding bubble characteristics and their impact on wall heat transfer through optical measurement techniques. Specific interests include: (i) bubbles departure and subsequent growth while sliding, (ii) bubbles release frequency, (iii) coalescence of sliding bubbles, (iv) sliding bubbles velocity, (v) bubbles size distribution and (vi) wall heat transfer influenced by sliding bubbles. The results showed that sliding bubbles involve two distinct growth behaviors: (i) at low mass fluxes, sliding bubbles grew fast near the nucleation site, subsequently shrank, and then grew again, (ii) as mass flux increased, however, sliding bubbles grew more steadily. The bubbles originating from the single nucleation site coalesced frequently while sliding, which showed close relation with bubbles release frequency. The sliding bubble velocity near the nucleation site consistently decreased by increasing mass flux, while the observation often became reversed as the bubbles slid downstream due to the effect of interfacial drag. The sliding bubbles moved faster than the local liquid (i.e., ur < 0) at low mass flux conditions, but it became reversed as the mass flux increased. The size distribution of sliding bubbles followed Gaussian distribution well both near and far from the nucleation site. The standard deviation of bubble size varied insignificantly through sliding compared to the changes in mean bubble size. Lastly, the sliding bubbles enhanced the wall heat transfer and the effect became more noticeable as inlet subcooling/mass flux decreased or wall heat flux increased. In particular, the sliding bubble characteristics such as bubble growth behavior observed near the nucleation site played a dominant role in determining the ultimate level of wall heat transfer enhancement within the test channel.
STUDY ON NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF J_2X_4 RESERVOIR WITH BOTTOM WATER IN LULIANG OILFIELD

The Xishanyao J_2x_4 reservoir in Luliang oilfield is a typical reservoir with bottom water, characterized by low amplitude structure, sand-mud laminated layers and complicated oil-water relationship. To improve the status that the water cut is raising rapidly, at the early stage of development, numerical simulation method is utilized to study the reasonable technical policies, such as ratio of water injection and recovery, timing of water injection and perforating level. The simulation results show that the reasonable injection-production ratio is 0.7, that water should be injected after developing for one and half years, and that 50% perforating level is optimal. Such results have a good guidance for the development of this reservoir.
Present in its Absence: Law Librarians and Technology at the Founding of AALL

While it might seem that the law librarians who created AALL in 1906 had much less to do with technology than the librarians of today, Ms. Solon argues that in fact they not only were intimately connected with it but also produced it when needed. She examines three specific areas - bibliography, indexing, and classification - which, she contends, exemplify how these librarians responded to problems with technological solutions.
Molecular Niches for the Laboratory Diagnosis of Sepsis

Bloodstream infections are among the top causes of death in the US, and substantial mortality is attributed to testing delays in determination of the microbial cause(s) and selection of the appropriate antibiotic. In this review, we summarize the human and financial impact of sepsis, as well as the predisposing factors, symptoms, and common modes of bacterial pathogenesis. We also detail important clinical and laboratory criteria for the diagnosis of sepsis and key aspects of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines as they relate to diagnosis, therapy, and resuscitation from the septic event. Clinical laboratories must expand their understanding of the complexities related to diagnosing and treating sepsis in order to expand their role as productive members of interdisciplinary health care teams focused on improving survival from sepsis and limiting the financial impact that sepsis imparts on our health care systems.
A numerical investigation of thermal property effects on melt pool characteristics in powder-bed electron beam additive manufacturing:

Powder-bed electron beam additive manufacturing has the potential to be a cost-effective alternative in producing complex-shaped, custom-designed metal parts using various alloys. Material thermal properties have a rather sophisticated effect on the thermal characteristics such as the melt pool geometry in fabrications, impacting the build part quality. The objective of this study is to achieve a quantitative relationship that can correlate the material thermal properties and the melt pool geometric characteristics in the electron beam additive manufacturing process. The motivation is to understand the interactions of material property effect since testing individual properties is insufficient because of the change of almost all thermal properties when switching from one to the other material. In this research, a full-factorial simulation experiment was conducted to include a wide range of the thermal properties and their combinations. A developed finite element thermal model was applied to perform electr...
Coronary artery calcification is common on nongated chest computed tomography imaging

Background Coronary artery calcification as assessed by computed tomography (CT) is a validated predictor of cardiovascular risk, whether identified on a dedicated cardiac study or on a routine non-gated chest CT. The prevalence of incidentally detected coronary artery calcification on non-gated chest CT imaging and consistency of reporting have not been well characterized. Hypothesis Coronary calcification is present on chest CT in some patients not taking statin therapy and may be under-reported. Methods Non-gated chest CT images dated 1/1/2012 to 1/1/2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics and medical history were obtained from charts. Patients with known history of coronary revascularization and/or pacemaker/defibrillator were excluded. Two independent readers with cardiac CT expertise evaluated images for the presence and anatomical distribution of any coronary calcification, blinded to all clinical information including CT reports. Original clinical CT reports were subsequently reviewed. Results Coronary calcification was identified in 204/304 (68%) chest CTs. Patients with calcification were older and had more hyperlipidemia, smoking history, and known coronary artery disease. Of patients with calcification, 43% were on aspirin and 62% were on statin medication at the time of CT. Coronary calcification was identified in 69% of reports when present. Conclusions A high prevalence of coronary calcification was found in non-gated chest CT scans performed for non-cardiac indications. In one-third, coronary calcification was not mentioned in the clinical report when actually present. In this population of patients with cardiac risk factors, standard reporting of the presence of coronary calcification may provide an opportunity for risk factor modification.
Effect of contact resistance between particles on the current distribution in a packed bed electrode

A microscopic, modelistic approach was carried out to elucidate the electrochemical reduction of a nuclear waste solution in a packed bed electrode. The interfacial surface reactions within the packed bed were taken into account and the particle–particle contact resistance through oxide films was found to be big enough to effect the potential distribution throughout the bed. On the basis of equations developed here, the contribution of the resistance of the oxide film to the potential and current distribution throughout the bed was compared with the macroscopic homogeneous approach.
Drug-sniffing Dog in the Shared Hallway of an Apartment Building: Reasonable Expectation of Privacy? United States v. Whitaker (2016)

In United States v. Whitaker,1 1 820 F.3d 849 (2016). the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals held that when the police used a drug-sniffing dog in the shared hallway of an apartment building to gathe...
Insights into Key Interactions between Vancomycin and Bacterial Cell Wall Structures

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic used for the treatment of serious infections by Gram-positive pathogens. Vancomycin inhibits cell wall biosynthesis by targeting the d-Ala-d-Ala terminus of peptidoglycan (PG). The highly cross-linked heptapeptide aglycon structure of vancomycin is the d-Ala-d-Ala binding site. The first residue of vancomycin is N-methyl-leucine, which is crucial for the dipeptide binding. The removal of N-methyl-leucine by Edman degradation results in desleucyl-vancomycin devoid of antimicrobial activities. To investigate the function of N-methyl-leucine for the dipeptide binding in vancomycin, molecular dynamics simulations of vancomycin and three N-terminus-modified vancomycin derivatives: desleucyl-vancomycin, vancomycinNtoC, and vancomycinSar, binding to a PG unit of the sequence l-Ala-d-iso-Gln-l-Lys-d-Ala-d-Ala with an intact pentaglycine bridge structure attached to the bridge link of l-Lys were carried out. Glycopeptide-PG binding interactions were characterized by root-mean-square-deviation contour analysis of atomic positions in vancomycin and its three analogues bound to a PG unit. The overall sampling space for four glycopeptide-PG complexes shows four distinct distributions with a continuous change between the conformational spaces. The hydrogen bond analyses show that multiple hydrogen bonds between the d-Ala-d-Ala and the vancomycin aglycon structure strengthened the dipeptide binding. The simulations revealed that the removal or chemical modification of N-methyl-leucine significantly weakens the dipeptide binding to the aglycon structure and provides interesting structural insights into glycopeptide-PG binding interactions.
Fully embedded actuators in elastomeric skin for use in humanoid robots

Humanoid robot head designs that have embedded actuators within the elastomeric skin solve most of the problems of hardware integration and space requirement of perepheral elements. Presently, most humanoid robotic heads use actuators such as servo motors and pneumatic actuators to achieve head movements and facial expressions. These actuators are expensive, bulky, heavy in weight, and take up a lot of space. The use of embedded actuators will closely mimic the natural human head that consists of numerious muscles and sensors. Here, we present soft actuators based on twisted and coiled polymer (TCP) muscles within elastomeric skin for the robot face design and development. The TCPs are made of silver-coated nylon 6,6 following the common fabrication process: twisting, coiling, annealing and training. The fabricated skin was mounted on a 3D printed humanoid head and facial expressions were tested. We showed several head movements and the six basic facial expressions. It is for the first time such significant improvement is shown in humanoid robots with facial expressions due the embedded actuators in the silicone skin.
A conserved glycine harboring disease-associated mutations is required for slow deactivation and high Ca2+ permeability in NMDA receptors

A variety of de novo and inherited missense mutations associated with neurological disorders are found in the NMDA receptor M4 transmembrane helices, which are peripheral to the pore domain in eukaryotic ionotropic glutamate receptors. Subsets of these mutations affect receptor gating with dramatic effects, including in one instance halting it, occurring at a conserved glycine near the extracellular end of M4. Functional experiments and molecular dynamic simulations of constructs with and without substitutions at this glycine indicate that it acts as a hinge, permitting the intracellular portion of the ion channel to laterally expand. This expansion stabilizes long-lived open states leading to slow deactivation and high Ca2+ permeability. Our studies provide a functional and structural framework for the effect of missense mutations on NMDARs at central synapses and highlight how the M4 segment may represent a pathway for intracellular modulation of NMDA receptor function.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INDUSTRIAL USE OF HEMICELLULOSES

Recent work on isolation, purification, and structural analysis of hemicelluloses is reviewed. Principal homoglycans such as glucuronoarabinozylans, glucomannans, galactomannans, and arabinoxylans are covered. Attention is given to the use and potential use of hemicelluloses as adhesives, thickeners, coagulants, hardening agents, anti-cancer agents, and as special food additives. Chemically modified hemicelluloses are reviewed and their suggested industrial uses are discussed.
Further Analyses: FDC vs. TDC

The following sections provide some final thoughts and analysis of the FDC and TDC VCO-based quantizer, such as the circuit requirements for each quantizer and performance of the quantizers, given a two-tone test.
Exploiting phase transition in latent networks for clustering

In this paper, we model the pair-wise similarities of a set of documents as a weighted network with a single cutoff parameter. Such a network can be thought of an ensemble of unweighted graphs, each consisting of edges with weights greater than the cutoff value. We look at this network ensemble as a complex system with a temperature parameter, and refer to it as a Latent Network. Our experiments on a number of datasets from two different domains show that certain properties of latent networks like clustering coefficient, average shortest path, and connected components exhibit patterns that are significantly divergent from randomized networks. We explain that these patterns reflect the network phase transition as well as the existence of a community structure in document collections. Using numerical analysis, we show that we can use the aforementioned network properties to predicts the clustering Normalized Mutual Information (NMI) with high correlation (ρ > 0.9). Finally we show that our clustering method significantly outperforms other baseline methods (NMI > 0.5)
Adolescent Ratings of Group Process: What They See May Not Be Exactly What We See

Group therapists have long been interested in the concept of group process. However, to date, process research in the adolescent literature has been scant. This study concerned the systematic evaluation of adolescent group member and group leader ratings of group process, using Dimock's coding system. Participants included 7 adolescents (14 years to 16 years, 4 boys and 3 girls) who were referred to a school-based therapy group. Results revealed that group members reported higher levels of task-related behaviors and group building and maintenance behaviors than group leaders, which is a similar pattern noted in the adult literature. Implications of this investigation are discussed.