cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting aqueous aluminium concentrations in natural waters

Aluminium is a pH-sensitive element that can cause acute toxicity symptoms in some organisms at aqueous activities of 10 µM or less1–3. Scientists working on agricultural systems have long been concerned with the deleterious effects of aluminium on crop roots4,5. More recently, environmental scientists have reported a potentially harmful biogeochemical link between acidic deposition onto forest soils and aluminium toxicity in forest and aquatic communities of northeastern North America and northern Europe6–8. Because of this general interest in aluminium toxicity as an environmental threat, there have been renewed efforts to model the chemistry and transport of aqueous aluminium in soils and surface waters. Here we propose that much of the spatial and temporal variability in aqueous aluminium chemistry can be accounted for by a two-component equilibrium model involving a solid-phase humic adsorbent and an aluminium trihydroxide mineral phase. Inputs for the model are solution pH, copper-extractable organic aluminium and the titratable carboxyl content of soil humus.
R-matrix approach to collinear inelastic collisions: Resonances

Abstract The quantum mechanical collinear atom-diatom collision problem is treated via a discrete expansion of the wave-function in terms of uncoupled, distorte wave states, using the Wigner-Eisenbud R -matrix formalism. Previously unreported narrow Feshbach resonances, which reduce the inelastic transition probability, are easily found and examined. Off resonant transition probabilities are in agreement with the work of Diestler and Feuer using the same model.
Application of a Viscous Flow Methodology to the NREL Phase VI Rotor

A numerical technique has been developed for efficiently simulating fully three-dimensional viscous fluid flow around horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT). In this approach, the viscous region surrounding the blades is modeled using 3-D unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. The inviscid region away from the boundary layer and the wake is modeled using potential flow. The concentrated vortices that emanate from the blade tip are treated as piecewise straight line segments that are allowed to deform and convect at the local flow velocity. Biot-Savart law is used to estimate the velocity field associated with these vortices. Calculations are presented under axial wind conditions for a NREL two-bladed rotor, known as the Phase VI rotor, tested at the NASA Ames Research Center. Good agreement with the measurements is found. The computed results are used to develop improved engineering models for the loss of lift at the blade tip, and for the delay in the stall angle at inboard locations. The improved models are incorporated in a blade element-momentum (BEM) analysis to study the post-stall behavior of a three-bladed rotor tested at NREL.Copyright © 2001 by L. Sankar and ASME
Single stage dual purpose offline HB-LED driver with power factor correction for illumination and visible light communication

In this paper a dual purpose offline LED driver using Single Stage Buck-Boost Buck (S2–B3) converter for illumination control and Visible Light Communications (VLC) with Power Factor Correction (PFC) is presented. The (S2–B3) converter is designed to operate buck-boost section in Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) with constant duty ratio to provide inherent power factor correction (PFC). The buck section of the converter is operated in Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) with Average Current Mode Control (ACMC) to realize a constant current source for LED loads. LEDs when switched ON and OFF with megahertz frequencies will facilitate VLC along with illumination. Data transfer and illumination control are achieved through Variable Pulse Position Modulation (VPPM) and high frequency dimming respectively. Simulation and experimental results of the proposed dual purpose converter with PFC for a 500 lm output with 110/120V AC input are presented.
Rapid action of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on calcium transport in perfused chick duodenum: Effect of inhibitors

Transport of 45Ca from the lumen to the venous effluent was studied in duodena of normal, vitamin D3-replete (+D) chicks perfused through the celiac artery with 130 pM 1,25(OH)2D3 or vehicle. Administration of actinomycin D 3 h prior to perfusion did not alter the unstimulated transport rate or diminish the response to exogenous 1,25(OH)2D3: After 40 min exposure to the seco-steroid, 45Ca in the vascular effluent was 140% of control levels. The anti-microfilament agent cytochalasin b and the ionophore monensin, an inhibitor of Golgi function, similarly failed to suppress 1,25(OH)2D3-stimulated calcium transport. In pilot studies, Golgi and basal-lateral membrane fractions were prepared from duodenal epithelium of vitamin D-deficient (-D) chicks treated with vehicle or 650 pmol of 1,25(OH)2D3in vivo 2 h, 10 h, or 15 h before sacrifice, as well as from +D birds. Analyses of Golgi fractions for cathepsin B (CB) activity revealed a biphasic response with time, increasing to 200% of -D levels 2 h after 1,25(OH)2D3 administration and in equivalent preparations from +D birds. Less pronounced increases in acid phosphatase activity were observed in the same membrane fractions. In basal-lateral membranes, enhanced CB activity was detectable 10 h after 1,25(OH)2D3in vivo, rose to 155% of -D levels at 15 h, and to 245% of controls in fractions from +D birds, whereas acid phosphatase was 75%, 81%, and 125% of controls, respectively, at these times. Levels of CB in whole homogenates from which membranes were isolated rose to 200% of controls at 2 h and 10 h after 1,25(OH)2D3, but declined to 112% of controls in +D chicks. Acid phosphatase levels in the same homogenates were lower than or equivalent to control levels. These findings suggested additional perfusion studies in normal birds. Although vascular perfusion with iodoacetate and 1,25(OH)2D3, or leupeptin and 1,25(OH)2D3, failed to inhibit the effect of the vitamin D metabolite, 1,25(OH)2D3-enhanced calcium transport was abolished by addition of 1 mM leupeptin to the lumenal medium, but not by 1 mM pepstatin. The combined data suggest that lysosomes or their hydrolases may be involved in 1,25(OH)2D3-mediated transport of calcium across intestinal epithelial cells.
CHAMP: a locally adaptive unmixing-based hyperspectral anomaly detection algorithm

Anomaly detection offers a means by which to identify potentially important objects in a scene without prior knowledge of their spectral signatures. As such, this approach is less sensitive to variations in target class composition, atmospheric and illumination conditions, and sensor gain settings than would be a spectral matched filter or similar algorithm. The best existing anomaly detectors generally fall into one of two categories: those based on local Gaussian statistics, and those based on linear mixing moles. Unmixing-based approaches better represent the real distribution of data in a scene, but are typically derived and applied on a global or scene-wide basis. Locally adaptive approaches allow detection of more subtle anomalies by accommodating the spatial non-homogeneity of background classes in a typical scene, but provide a poorer representation of the true underlying background distribution. The CHAMP algorithm combines the best attributes of both approaches, applying a linear-mixing model approach in a spatially adaptive manner. The algorithm itself, and teste results on simulated and actual hyperspectral image data, are presented in this paper.
Sizing Up a Situation: LD Children's Understanding of Social Interactions.

Learning disabled (LD) and nondisabled (NLD) children were shown a series of soap opera vignettes in order to test their comprehension of interpersonal interactions. Results showed that the LD grou...
The Constitutionality of the Death Penalty for Repeat Child Molesters

This article carefully examines the constitutionality of a recent capital child rape statute in Louisiana. It specifically focuses on whether such a statute violates the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution by being a disproportionate and cruel and unusual application of the death penalty. The origins, interpretation, and evolving nature of the Eighth Amendment are closely explored. The Furman procedural test and Solem proportionality test are applied to properly assess the statute's constitutionality. The relevant literature on these legal applications is also reviewed. In addition, the role of forensic psychology is investigated to determine how psychologists and psychiatrists may play a role in this new policy toward child molesters. Research on pedophilia as a mental abnormality and effective approaches to treatment of pedophilia by professionals are briefly discussed.
Choice for response alternatives differing in reinforcement frequency in dopamine D2 receptor mutant and Swiss-Webster mice

Rationale A previous study showed that dopamine (DA) D2 receptors (D2Rs) are involved in the reinforcing effectiveness of food, but the specific involvement of DA D2Rs in choice among food reinforcers remains unclear. Objectives The current study used genetic and pharmacological approaches to assess the role of D2Rs in choice among food-reinforcement frequencies using the generalized matching law (GML), which specifies that logged response and time allocation ratios vary linearly with logged reinforcer ratios. Methods Congenic D2R knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice were exposed to concurrent variable-interval schedules of reinforcement with scheduled relative-reinforcement rates from 4:1 to 1:4. Effects of the D2 Ra ntagonist (−)-eticlopride (0.1–1.0 mg/kg) were assessed in Swiss-Webster mice. Results Response and time allocation ratios were related to obtained reinforcement ratios as predicted by the GML. GML fits accounted for ≥92 % of the variance in allocation ratios and did not differ in D2R KO and WT mice. Similarly, there were no significant effects of (−)-eticlopride dose on GML fits, despite effects on overall response rates. Conclusions The current results demonstrate that neither deletion nor acute blockade of D2Rs affects choice among response alternatives varying in food-reinforcement frequencies. Because previously published results suggest a role of D2Rs in choice between response alternatives differing in reinforcer magnitude and delay or magnitude and probability, the current findings suggest that D2Rs play a role in choice only among certain parameters of reinforcement. Furthermore, these findings suggest parameters of reinforcement may only be fungible in a complex manner.
MALDI-TOF Detection of Olefin Structural Isomerization in Metathesis Chemistry

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry has been employed to examine polymers generated via acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization using a ruthenium metathesis catalyst at 50 °C, a study which targets the analysis of ADMET polymers having amino acid pendant groups placed at specific positions along the polyolefin backbone. The MALDI spectra clearly delineate olefin isomerization chemistry which competes with propagation when catalyst 2 is employed, the result being loss of precise control of polymer structure. The distribution of peaks in the MALDI spectra matches the distribution pattern of gas chromatography (GC) peaks obtained for other ADMET polymers, leading to the following conclusions. First, structural isomerization and metathesis occur concurrently rather than in any kind of sequence. Second, the relative amount of isomerized chains produced dominates over the amount of nonisomerized products. In contrast to GC, MALDI analysis unequivocally identifies the mass of the oligomeric chains, allowing for ...
Noise-activated switching in a driven nonlinear micromechanical oscillator

We study noise induced switching in systems far from equilibrium by using an underdamped micromechanical torsional oscillator driven into the nonlinear regime. Within a certain range of driving frequencies, the oscillator possesses two stable dynamical states with different oscillation amplitudes. We induce the oscillator to escape from one dynamical state into the other by introducing noise in the excitation. By measuring the rate of random transitions as a function of noise intensity, we deduce the activation energy as a function of frequency detuning. Close to the critical point, the activation energy is expected to display system-independent scaling. The measured critical exponent is in good agreement with variational calculations and asymptotic scaling theory.
Effect of Washing on the Nutritional and Quality Characteristics of Dried Minced Rockfish Flesh

Yield and nutritional characteristics of unwashed and washed minced rockfish flesh and fillets were determined. The yield of fillets from whole fish was 26% compared to 43% for minced flesh. Washing minced flesh resulted in a 37% loss of solids. The greatest reductions were found in the ash (80%) and lipid (65%) levels in the washed flesh. Most of the sarcoplasmic proteins were lost during washing, but 77% of the total protein (N × 6.25) was recovered in the washed fraction. Washing minced flesh did not affect the amino acid composition, and PER values for all three fish treatments were higher than the casein reference. The rapid formation of trimethylamine and dimethylamine in the dried fillets and dried minced unwashed flesh may explain the development of off-flavors in wafers containing 10% dried fish after 8 wk of storage at 30°C.
Ring- and N-hydroxylation of 2-acetylaminofluorene by reconstituted mouse liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 enzyme system

The N- and ring-hydroxylation of 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) are examined with a reconstituted cytochrome P-450 enzyme system from liver microsomal fractions from both control and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC)-pretreated mice. Partial purification of cytochrome P-450 fraction is achieved by bacterial protease treatment of microsomes followed by Triton X-100 solubilization and ammonium sulfate precipitation. Both cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase fractions are required for optimum oxidative activity. Hydroxylation activity is determined by the source of cytochrome P-450 fraction; cytochrome P-450 fraction from MC-pretreated mice is several fold more active than that from controls.
An image of an exoplanet separated by two diffraction beamwidths from a star

Three exoplanets around the star HR 8799 have recently been discovered by means of differential imaging with large telescopes. Bright scattered starlight limits high-contrast imaging to large angular offsets, currently of the order of ten diffraction beamwidths, 10λ/D, of the star (where λ is the wavelength and D is the aperture diameter). Imaging faint planets at smaller angles calls for reducing the starlight and associated photon and speckle noise before detection, while efficiently transmitting nearby planet light. To carry out initial demonstrations of reduced-angle high-contrast coronagraphy, we installed a vortex coronagraph capable of reaching small angles behind a small, well-corrected telescope subaperture that provides low levels of scattered starlight. Here we report the detection of all three HR 8799 planets with the resultant small-aperture (1.5 m) system, for which only 2λ/D separate the innermost planet from the star, with a final noise level within a factor of two of that given by photon statistics. Similar well-corrected small-angle coronagraphs should thus be able to detect exoplanets located even closer to their host stars with larger ground-based telescopes, and also allow a reduction in the size of potential space telescopes aimed at the imaging of very faint terrestrial planets.
The effect of neutrophils, tumor necrosis factor, and granulocyte macrophage/colony stimulating factor on Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina in culture

Bovine neutrophils, human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), and bovine recombinant granulocyte macrophage/colony stimulating factor (GM/CSF) were added to microaerophilic cultures of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina to determine if those substances could inhibit growth. Incorporation of [3H]hypoxanthine by the Babesia spp. was utilized as an indirect measure of parasite growth. When neutrophils were added to cultures of B. bovis and B. bigemina, the highest percentage inhibition of growth was attained. There was no significant enhancement of neutrophil killing when TNF or GM/CSF or both were added to either Babesia spp. Addition of TNF or GM/CSF or both substances (without neutrophils) resulted in an increase in growth of B. bovis and B. bigemina. For B. bovis, the group that contained neutrophils only and the group that contained neutrophils and TNF resulted in significantly higher growth inhibitions than the treatment group which contained neutrophils and GM/CSF or the group that contained neutrophils, TNF, and GM/CSF. No significant differences in inhibition were observed for the same treatment groups between B. bovis and B. bigemina.
Selection and characterization of RNAs that relieve transcriptional interference in Escherichia coli

Oligonucleotide-directed triple helix formation offers a method for duplex DNA recognition, and has been proposed as an approach to the rational design of gene-specific repressors. Indeed, certain RNA and DNA oligonucleotides have previously been shown to bind duplex DNA and repress in vitro transcription by occluding the binding of transcription factors or RNA polymerase at target genes. While similar oligonucleotides have reportedly caused repression of target genes in cultured cells, physical evidence of triple helix formation in vivo is generally lacking. In the present study we wished to determine whether RNA transcripts could repress the activity of an Escherichia coli promoter in vivo by binding to the duplex promoter DNA. An in vivo genetic selection previously developed to identify DNA binding proteins was modified for this purpose. Using expression libraries encoding RNAs predisposed to forming triple helices with a DNA target site, we have selected RNA transcripts that confer survival to E.coli by disrupting transcriptional interference. Surprisingly, genetic and biochemical evidence shows that these RNAs do not form triple helices at the target promoter in vivo , despite the fact that they contain sequences capable of forming triple helices at the duplex DNA target in vitro . Rather, the selected RNAs appear to disrupt transcriptional interference via an antisense mechanism.
Graduate research planning

The Triple C model (Badiru and Pulat, 1995) is an effective project planning tool that can be adopted for graduate research management. The model states that project management can be enhanced by implementing it within the integrated functions of: communication cooperation coordination
Data fusion and auto-fusion for quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR)

Data fusion originally referred to the process of combining multi-sensor data from different sources such that the resulting information/ model is in some sense better than would be possible when these sources where used individually. In this paper the data fusion concept is extended to molecular drug design. Rather than using data from different sensor sources, different descriptor sets are used to predict activities or responses for a set of molecules. Data fusion techniques are applied in order to improve the predictive (QSAR) model on test data. In this case this type of data fusion is referred to as auto-fusion. An effective auto-fusion functional model and alternative architectures are proposed for a predictive molecular design or QSAR model to model and predict the binding affinity to the human serum albumin.
Floating-disk parylene micro check valve

A novel micro check valve which has nearly ideal fluidic shunting behaviors is presented. Featuring a parylene-based floating disk, this surface-micromachined check valve ultimately realizes both zero forward cracking pressure and zero reverse leakage in fluidic operations. Two different floating disk designs have been implemented to demonstrate functionality of the microvalve. Experimental data of underwater testing successfully show that in-channel floating-disk valves in both designs have great fluidic performance close to an ideal check valve, except the additional fluidic resistance in the order of 1013 N-s/m5 based on dimensions of the fabricated devices. Their pressure loading limit have been confirmed to be higher than 300 kPa without water leakage. This type of micro check valve is believed to have great use of flow control in integrated microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip applications.
WORD SEGMENTATION : THE ROLE OF DISTRIBUTIONAL CUES

One of the infant’s first tasks in language acquisition is to discover the words embedded in a mostly continuous speech stream. This learning problem might be solved by using distributional cues to word boundaries — for example, by computing the transitional probabilities between sounds in the language input and using the relative strengths of these probabilities to hypothesize word boundaries. The learner might be further aided by language-specific prosodic cues correlated with word boundaries. As a first step in testing these hypotheses, we briefly exposed adults to an artificial language in which the only cues available for word segmentation were the transitional probabilities between syllables. Subjects were able to learn the words of this language. Furthermore, the addition of certain prosodic cues served to enhance performance. These results suggest that distributional cues may play an important role in the initial word segmentation of language learners. q 1996 Academic Press, Inc.
Concurrent processing of saccades in visual search.

We provide evidence that the saccadic system can simultaneously program two saccades to different goals. We presented subjects with simple visual search displays in which they were required to make a saccade to an odd-colored target embedded in an array of distractors. When there was strong competition between target and distractor stimuli (due to color priming from previous trials), subjects were more likely to make a saccade to a distractor. Such error saccades were often followed, after a very short inter-saccadic interval (10‐100 ms), by a second saccade to the target. The brevity of these inter-saccadic intervals suggests that the programming of the two saccades (one to a distractor and one to the target) overlapped in time. Using a saccade-contingent change in the search display, we show that new visual information presented during the initial saccade does not change the goal of the second saccade. This supports the idea that, by the end of the first saccade, programming of the second saccade is already well underway. We also elicited two-saccade responses (similar to those seen in search) using a double-step task, with the first saccade directed to the initial target step and the second saccade directed to the second target step. If the two saccades are programmed in parallel and programming of each saccade is triggered by one of the two target steps, the second saccade should occur at a relatively fixed time after the onset of the second target step, regardless of the timing of the initial saccade. This prediction was confirmed, supporting the idea that the two saccades are programmed in parallel. Finally, we observed that the shortest inter-saccadic intervals typically followed hypometric initial saccades, suggesting that the initial saccade may have been interrupted by the impending second saccade. Using predictions from physiological studies of interrupted saccades, we tested this hypothesis and found that the hypometric initial saccades did not appear to be interrupted in mid-flight. We discuss the significance of our findings for models of the saccadic system. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
An Alternative for Presenting Interactive Dynamic Data Sets in Electronic Presentations: A Scrollable Flash Movie Loop

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to describe an alternative for creating scrollable movie loops for electronic presentations including PowerPoint.CONCLUSION. The alternative provided in this article enables academic radiologists to present scrollable movie loops in PowerPoint. The scrolling capability is created using Flash ActionScript. A Flash template with the required ActionScript code is provided. Users can simply download the template and follow the step-by-step demonstration to create scrollable movie loops. No previous ActionScript programming knowledge is necessary.
Conversation: Possibilities of its Repair and Descent into Discourse and Computation

Context: This essay contends that radical constructivism makes a mistake in focusing on cognition at the expense of where cognitive phenomena surface: in the interactive use of language. Goal: It …
Influence of cover crops on insect pests and predators in conservation tillage cotton

In fall 2000, an on-farm sustainable agricultural research project was established for cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., in Tift County, Georgia. The objective of our 2-yr research project was to determine the impact of several cover crops on pest and predator insects in cotton. The five cover crop treatments included 1) cereal rye, Secale cereale L., a standard grass cover crop; 2) crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum L., a standard legume cover crop; 3) a legume mixture of balansa clover, Trifolium michelianum Savi; crimson clover; and hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth; 4) a legume mixture + rye combination; and 5) no cover crop in conventionally tilled fields. Three main groups or species of pests were collected in cover crops and cotton: 1) the heliothines Heliothis virescens (F.) and Helicoverpa zea (Boddie); 2) the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois); and 3) stink bugs. The main stink bugs collected were the southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula (L.); the brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say); and the green stink bug, Acrosternum hilare (Say). Cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, were collected only on cotton. For both years of the study, the heliothines were the only pests that exceeded their economic threshold in cotton, and the number of times this threshold was exceeded in cotton was higher in control cotton than in crimson clover and rye cotton. Heliothine predators and aphidophagous lady beetles occurred in cover crops and cotton during both years of the experiment. Geocoris punctipes (Say), Orius insidiosus (Say), and red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren were relatively the most abundant heliothine predators observed. Lady beetles included the convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville; the sevenspotted lady beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L.; spotted lady beetle, Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer); and the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas). Density of G. punctipes was higher in cotton fields previously planted in crimson clover compared with control cotton fields for all combined sampling dates in 2001. Intercropping cotton in live strips of cover crop was probably responsible for the relay of G. punctipes onto cotton in these crimson clover fields. Density of O. insidiosus was not significantly different between cover crop and control cotton fields. Lady beetles seemed to relay from cover crops into cotton. Conservation of the habitat of fire ants during planting probably was responsible for the higher density of red imported fire ants observed in all conservation tillage cotton fields relative to control cotton fields. Reduction in the number of times in which economic thresholds for heliothines were exceeded in crimson clover and rye compared with control fields indicated that the buildup of predaceous fire ants and G. punctipes in these cover crops subsequently resulted in reduction in the level of heliothines in conservation tillage cotton with these cover crops compared with conventional tillage cotton without cover crops.
Silvicultural and reserve impacts on potential fire behavior and forest conservation: Twenty-five years of experience from Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests

Most administrators and ecologists agree that reducing the levels of hazardous fuels on forests is essential to restore healthy watersheds and protect adjacent human communities. The current debate over the appropriateness, technique, and timing of treatments utilized to restore vegetation structure and composition is currently on-going at local, state, and national levels. To provide information for these forums, the efficacy of seven traditional silvicultural systems and two types of reserves used in the Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests is evaluated in terms of vegetation structure, fuel bed characteristics, modeled fire behavior, and potential wildfire related mortality. The systems include old-growth reserve, young-growth reserve, thinning from below, individual tree selection, overstory removal, and four types of plantations. These are the most commonly used silvicultural systems and reserves on federal, state, and private lands in the western United States. Each silvicultural system or reserve had three replicates and varied in size from 15 to 25 ha; a systematic design of plots was used to collect tree and fuel information. The majority of the traditional silvicultural systems examined in this work (all plantation treatments, overstory removal, individual tree selection) did not effectively reduce potential fire behavior and effects, especially wildfire induced tree mortality at high and extreme fire weather conditions. Overall, thinning from below, and old-growth and young-growth reserves were more effective at reducing predicted tree mortality.
An application of Bayesian statistical methods to adaptive radiotherapy

In adaptive radiotherapy, measured patient-specific setup variations are used to modify the patient setup and treatment plan, potentially many times during the treatment course. To estimate the setup adjustments and re-plan the treatment, the measured data are usually processed using Kalman filtering or by computing running averages. We propose, as an alternative, the use of Bayesian statistical methods, which combine a population (prior) distribution of systematic and random setup errors with the measurements to determine a patient-specific (posterior) probability distribution. The posterior distribution can either be used directly in the re-planning of the treatment or in the generation of statistics needed for adjustments. Based on the assumption that day-to-day setup variations are independent and identically distributed Normal distributions, we can efficiently compute parameters of the posterior distribution from parameters of the prior distribution and statistics of the measurements. We illustrate a simple procedure to apply the method in practice to adaptive radiotherapy, allowing for multiple adjustments of treatment parameters during the course of treatment.
Requirements Capture with RCAT

NASA spends millions designing and building spacecraft for its missions. The dependence on software is growing as spacecraft become more complex. With the increasing dependence on software comes the risk that bugs can lead to the loss of a mission. At NASApsilas Jet Propulsion Laboratory new tools are being developed to address this problem. Logic model checking and runtime verification can increase the confidence in a design or an implementation. A barrier to the application of such property-based checks is the difficulty in mastering the requirements notations that are currently available. For these techniques to be easily usable, a simple but expressive requirement specification method is essential. This paper describes a requirements capture notation and supporting tool that graphically captures formal requirements and converts them into automata that can be used in model checking and for runtime verification.
Capabilities, Transaction Costs, and Firm Boundaries

Although the literature on firm boundaries has been greatly influenced by transaction cost economics, strategy scholars often emphasize the importance of capabilities considerations in these decisions. This has led to a debate that, we suggest, has generated more heat than light. We argue that the two sets of considerations are in fact so intertwined dynamically that treating them as independent, competitive explanations is fundamentally misleading. We offer a theoretical synthesis of transaction cost and capabilities approaches to firm boundaries that seeks to overcome each approach's limitations and provides a unified and logically consistent understanding of boundary decisions.
Peer and Social Influence on Opinion Expression Combining the Theories of Planned Behavior and the Spiral of Silence

This study uses the theory of planned behavior and spiral of silence to explore the role of peer and social influence on communicative acts related to drinking behavior. Consistent with the theory of planned behavior, results of the study suggest that a person’s own attitudes and sense of self-efficacy are important influences on willingness to communicate about drinking. Peer influence and, to a lesser extent, perceptions of majority attitudes were associated with willingness to voice an opinion. Only limited evidence of an association between media use and attention and beliefs about efficacy and majority opinion was found. Discussion centers on the possibility of incorporating concepts derived from the theory of planned behavior into the spiral of silence framework. Implications of these findings for future public service interventions also are discussed.
Science and the Protection of Endangered Species

A report by Dobson et al . ([p. 550][1]) in this week's issue of Science brings together data from many sources on the distribution of endemic plants and animals in the United States and identifies three “hot spots” that contain a particularly high number of endangered species. Hawaii, California, and Florida contain concentrations of endangered organisms. In their Perspective, Pulliam and Interior Secretary Babbitt describe how these data can be profitably used in improving the fate of endangered species and making policy decisions. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.275.5299.499
The digital age: top breastfeeding resources.

The Surgeon General’s call to action mandates that health professionals do all they can to support breastfeeding mothers (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2011). This article focuses on the different types of information and support available on the Web or through the use of mobile technology for breastfeeding mothers. The digital age offers new and different avenues of practical help and support for mothers who are confronted with the daily challenges of breastfeeding their infant.
Genetics of Sleep Timing, Duration and Homeostasis in Humans.

Both sleep and wakefulness are modulated by an endogenous biological clock located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the anterior hypothalamus. Beyond driving the body to fall asleep and to wake up, the biological clock also modulates waking behavior, as reflected in sleepiness and cognitive performance, generating circadian rhythmicity in almost all neurobehavioral variables investigated to date [1,2]. Theoretical conceptualizations of the daily temporal modulation of sleep and wakefulness (and to a lesser extent the modulation of waking cognitive functions) have been instantiated in the two-process mathematical model of sleep regulation [3,4] and its mathematical variants [5]. The two-process model of sleep regulation has been applied to the temporal profiles of sleep [6,7] and wakefulness [8]. The model consists of a sleep homeostatic process (S) and a circadian process (C), which interact to determine the timing of sleep onset and offset, as well as the stability of waking neurocognitive functions [1,2,9]. The homeostatic process represents the drive for sleep that increases during wakefulness (as can be observed when wakefulness is maintained beyond habitual bedtime into the night and subsequent day) and decreases during sleep (which represents recuperation obtained from sleep). When this homeostatic drive increases above a certain threshold, sleep is triggered; when it decreases below a different threshold, wakefulness is invoked. The circadian process represents daily oscillatory modulation of these threshold levels. It has been suggested that the circadian system actively promotes wakefulness more than sleep [10], although this hypothesis is not presently universally accepted. The circadian drive for wakefulness may be experienced as spontaneously-enhanced alertness in the early evening even after a sleepless night. Sleep deprivation, however, can elevate homeostatic pressure to the point that waking cognitive functions are degraded even at the time of the peak circadian drive for wakefulness [11]. There are robust individual differences in both the sleep homeostatic and circadian processes, pointing to genetic underpinnings. This review begins with a discussion of the genetic basis of circadian rhythms and the timing of sleep. It next briefly discusses the genetic basis of sleep in healthy adults, including observed individual variability in sleep parameters. Next, it discusses individual differences in the context of the total absence of and the restriction of sleep as a phenotype, and recent studies using candidate gene approaches to identify genes that may relate to such responses. Finally, future areas of research are discussed.
Analysis of vaccinia virus temperature-sensitive I7L mutants reveals two potential functional domains

As an approach to initiating a structure-function analysis of the vaccinia virus I7L core protein proteinase, a collection of conditional-lethal mutants in which the mutation had been mapped to the I7L locus were subjected to genomic sequencing and phenotypic analyses. Mutations in six vaccinia virus I7L temperature sensitive mutants fall into two groups: changes at three positions at the N-terminal end between amino acids 29 and 37 and two different substitutions at amino acid 344, near the catalytic domain. Regardless of the position of the mutation, mutants at the non-permissive temperature failed to cleave core protein precursors and had their development arrested prior to core condensation. Thus it appears that the two clusters of mutations may affect two different functional domains required for proteinase activity.
A system-level approach for deciphering the transcriptional response to prion infection

Motivation: Deciphering the response of a complex biological system to an insulting event, at the gene expression level, requires adopting theoretical models that are more sophisticated than a one-to-one comparison (i.e. t-test). Here, we investigate the ability of a novel reverse engineering approach (System Response Inference) to unveil non-obvious transcriptional signatures of the system response induced by prion infection. Results: To this end, we analyze previously published gene expression data, from which we extrapolate a putative full-scale model of transcriptional gene–gene dependencies in the mouse central nervous system. Then, we use this nominal model to interpret the gene expression changes caused by prion replication, aiming at selecting the genes primarily influenced by this perturbation. Our method sheds light on the mode of action of prions by identifying key transcripts that are the most likely to be responsible for the overall transcriptional rearrangement from a nominal regulatory network. As a first result of our inference, we have been able to predict known targets of prions (i.e. PrPC) and to unveil the potential role of previously unsuspected genes. Contact: [email protected] Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The effect of anonymity on conformity to group norms in online contexts: A meta-analysis

This research meta-analyzed 13 journal articles regarding anonymity and conformity to group norms. Results showed that there was a positive relationship between anonymity and conformity, with a weighted mean effect size = 0.16, which was in line with the social identity model of deindividuation effects. This study also investigated the differences between different types of anonymity and found that visual anonymity had a medium magnitude of effect size on conformity ( = 0.33), whereas evidence was lacking in terms of the significant effects of physical anonymity and personal information anonymity. In addition, the presence of an outgroup was also a moderator of the effect of anonymity on conformity. Studies in which participants were aware of the existence of an outgroup ( = 0.22) had larger effect sizes than those with no outgroup ( = 0.10).
Treating comorbid anxiety and depression: Psychosocial and pharmacological approaches.

Comorbid anxiety with depression predicts poor outcomes with a higher percentage of treatment resistance than either disorder occurring alone. Overlap of anxiety and depression complicates diagnosis and renders treatment challenging. A vital step in treatment of such comorbidity is careful and comprehensive diagnostic assessment. We attempt to explain various psychosocial and pharmacological approaches for treatment of comorbid anxiety and depression. For the psychosocial component, we focus only on generalized anxiety disorder based on the following theoretical models: (1) “the avoidance model”; (2) “the intolerance of uncertainty model”; (3) “the meta-cognitive model”; (4) “the emotion dysregulation model”; and (5) “the acceptance based model”. For depression, the following theoretical models are explicated: (1) “the cognitive model”; (2) “the behavioral activation model”; and (3) “the interpersonal model”. Integration of these approaches is suggested. The treatment of comorbid anxiety and depression necessitates specific psychopharmacological adjustments as compared to treating either condition alone. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are considered first-line treatment in uncomplicated depression comorbid with a spectrum of anxiety disorders. Short-acting benzodiazepines (BZDs) are an important “bridging strategy” to address an acute anxiety component. In patients with comorbid substance abuse, avoidance of BZDs is recommended and we advise using an atypical antipsychotic in lieu of BZDs. For mixed anxiety and depression comorbid with bipolar disorder, we recommend augmentation of an antidepressant with either lamotrigine or an atypical agent. Combination and augmentation therapies in the treatment of comorbid conditions vis-a-vis monotherapy may be necessary for positive outcomes. Combination therapy with tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin and selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g., duloxetine) are specifically useful for comorbid chronic pain syndromes. Aripiprazole, quetiapine, risperidone and other novel atypical agents may be effective as augmentations. For treatment-resistant patients, we recommend a “stacking approach” not dissimilar from treatment of hypertension In conclusion, we delineate a comprehensive approach comprising integration of various psychosocial approaches and incremental pharmacological interventions entailing bridging strategies, augmentation therapies and ultimately stacking approaches towards effectively treating comorbid anxiety and depression.
Urban Community Credit Scores: Exploring the Use of Urban Geography and Geographical Information Systems

While social security numbers are issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for the purpose of collecting revenue and distributing benefits and to manage data for that purpose, the three major credit bureaus and other agencies use these numbers to identify individuals for other purposes. The credit reporting agencies or bureaus also create credit profiles and credit scores to analyze risk factors for employers, banks, property managers, and many other lenders concerning people seeking credit. However, credit bureau agencies also compile data on target groups and compare the controlled data to compose individual credit scores, which is attached to individual social security numbers. Additionally, the credit agencies create maps based on the geographical and demographic information of consumers in a given area and use these geographic information systems (GIS) to compare the data to the highest scores in the United States to create a comparative score score. Therefore, the credit bureau data may help create lower credit scores and unequal lending opportunities, higher interest rates, racial steering, segregation, and discrimination against the population in urban communities.
Electronic and Optical Properties of a-Si1−xCx:H Films Produced From Admixtures of Silane and Ditertiarybutylsilane

We investigated the optical and electronic properties of amorphous silicon carbide (a-Si1−xCx:H) films produced by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition from admixtures of silane and ditertiarybutylsilane [SiH2 (C4H9) 2 or DTBS] using photothermal deflection spectroscopy, electrical conductivity and its temperature dependence as well as photoconductivity. These a-Si1−xCx:H films exhibit low Urbach energies and high photoconductivities similar to films produced with other carbon feedstock sources. We also present our results for hydrogen diluted a-Si1−xCx:H films using DTBS as the carbon feedstock source.
Association between Respiratory Syncytial Virus Outbreaks and Lower Respiratory Tract Deaths of Infants and Young Children

The temporal patterns of respiratory virus isolations from 10 laboratories in the USA were compared with that of deaths of children less than 5 years old from July 1975 through June 1984. Isolations of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) occurred as yearly winter outbreaks; parainfluenza virus 1 and 2 isolations occurred as well-defined outbreaks every other year in the autumn; parainfluenza virus 3 isolations occurred throughout the year with periodic, increased isolations suggestive of outbreaks; and influenza virus isolations (A, B, or A plus B) occurred as yearly winter outbreaks. After data were controlled for seasonal patterns, RSV isolations were strongly correlated with the winter peaks in lower respiratory tract illness (LRI) deaths of infants 1-11 months old; influenza virus isolations were correlated with the winter peak in LRI deaths of children 24-59 months old. The parainfluenza viruses were not correlated with respiratory deaths. This study supports the idea that RSV is a major contributor to winter peaks in LRI deaths of children 1-11 months old.
Towards an Operator Decision Model for ISR Type Missions

*† This paper presents the results of two operator decision-making simulations and a model for a simplified Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance type mission utilizing a time dependent information function for target identification. The simulations required an operator to control a friendly UAV tasked with identifying enemy targets within a twodimensional map. Targets had varying levels of value, quoted in terms of a priori knowledge of the probability of the target being a SAM. Operators had two decisions to make: One, the binary decision of which target to choose first, and two, when and if to task the UAV to the second target to start data collection. Two sets of data were collected. The first set was based in simulations with no a priori knowledge of a target being a SAM site (i.e. probability was 50% for each). Data was collected experimentally with a total of 20 sample points per operator, and then analyzed in order to develop an analytically tractable model of operator choice in such a scenario. The second set included the influence of the probability of target being a SAM. In the second case, data was collected experimentally with a total of 100 sample points per operator. In all experimental scenarios, target choice and time on target were recorded. An optimal decision-making policy was also prescribed for all scenarios and compared to the operator data. Results showed a good agreement between data and the optimal decision-making policy in most scenarios, indicating good decision-making. For scenarios with disagreement, the model gives more detail as to the environmental variables that caused the most confusion for the operators.