cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hybrid vigour: Reply to Mitchell

Mitchell [1xSee all References[1] lays serious charges. I plead innocent on all counts. My article [2xAgainst simulation: the argument from error. Saxe, R. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2005; 9: 174–179Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (167)See all References[2] does not claim that ‘because observers do not always simulate, they must never do so.’ Far from ignoring cases that are well described by simulation, like the attribution of basic emotions, I explicitly grant them; and rather than promoting an ‘either/or’ dichotomy between Simulation Theory (ST) and Theory Theory (TT), I dedicate the main figure to a discussion of possible ST–TT hybrids.Hybrid theories come in multiple flavours, though. Mitchell calls for ‘increased focus on the different circumstances in which observers flexibly deploy one or the other process.’ Previous authors [3xSee all References, 4xMindreading: An Integrated Account of Pretence, Self-Awareness, and Understanding of Other Minds. Nichols, S. and Stich, S. Crossref | Scopus (268)See all References] do take this tack, proposing that observers simulate in some contexts and use a naive theory in others. But the existing dual-system models are unsatisfying. Proposals for how to distinguish the contexts requiring simulation or theorizing seem unnatural, for example dividing brief (simulation) from longer-term mental states [3xSee all References[3], or accurate (simulation) from inaccurate attributions [4xMindreading: An Integrated Account of Pretence, Self-Awareness, and Understanding of Other Minds. Nichols, S. and Stich, S. Crossref | Scopus (268)See all References[4] (see Box 3 in [2xAgainst simulation: the argument from error. Saxe, R. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2005; 9: 174–179Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (167)See all References[2]). More importantly, in these models simulation and theorizing exist side-by-side but independently, and the observer uses them one at a time. If anything, the dichotomy between the two processes is enhanced.So although I agree with Mitchell's call for hybrid theories, I disagree with the flavour he chooses. Rather than focus on the circumstances in which observers either simulate or theorize, I prefer to ask how the separate intuitions that motivate ST and TT can be integrated into a single more general model. For example, how could a naive theory of mind be informed by the observer's own experiences? (see also Box 5 in [2xAgainst simulation: the argument from error. Saxe, R. Trends Cogn. Sci. 2005; 9: 174–179Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (167)See all References[2]). A more integrated hybrid would respect the differences between ST and TT, but undermine the dichotomy. If my theory of Mitchell's motivation is right, this is what he should want too.
Self-sustained motion of a train of haptotactic microcapsules.

Using theory and simulation, we design a “train” of N microcapsules that undergoes self-sustained, directed motion along an adhesive surface in solution. The motion is initiated by the release of n...
Eurozone entry criteria after the crisis

Eurozone entry is governed by the Maastricht convergence criteria on inflation, longterm interest rates, fiscal deficits, debt, exchange rate stability and legal regulations. The criteria, rooted in the economic realities of the early 1990s, have long been critically discussed, notably as the new and on average faster growing EU member states became eligible for Eurozone membership. To date, the difficulties of changing treaty-based rules have however stalled reforms. The crisis has further weakened belief in the ability of the criteria to fulfill their core function of effectively distinguishing between countries likely to thrive and countries likely to struggle under monetary union. The ability to satisfy the inflation criteria in a single year (often assisted by one time administrative intervention) has not prevented subsequent sustained divergences in unit labor cost growth across Eurozone members now posing adjustment challenges. Neither the fiscal criteria nor the long-term interest rate criteria have prevented the emergence of fiscal sustainability challenges, with a large majority of member states currently subject to the excessive deficit procedure. Though much of the current debate on the future of the Eurozone centers on scenarios ranging from survival to various flavors of orderly or chaotic exits, all nonEurozone EU member states save Denmark and the United Kingdom are obligated to work towards the adoption of the single currency; and a number of non-Eurozone member states have recently affirmed their commitment towards a speedy entry. Expansion thus remains the default scenario. As non-members move towards application – most likely led by Lithuania reconsidering entry criteria thus remains timely; equally important, the ongoing substantial changes in economic governance create a political window of opportunity whose absence has stymied earlier calls for reforms. The following note takes a short look at some of the issues arising in this context. Int Econ Econ Policy (2012) 9:1–6 DOI 10.1007/s10368-012-0205-8
Evidence of coated membranes in the ruffled border of the osteoclast

Previous electron microscopic studies have shown that the surface of the osteoclast which abuts the resorbing bone is specialized for increased surface area by the presence of numerous surface projections and cytoplasmic infoldings, giving it the appearance of a “ruffled border”. We have obtained further evidence that this area of the cell membrane is structurally different from that which delimits the remainder of the osteoclast. These observations were made on osteoclasts from cultured mouse bone, from normal rat tibia, and from the jaws of the pickerel, Esox lucius . The membranes of the ruffled border were coated along with their cytoplasmic surface by fine bristle-like structures, 150–200 A in length, which were evenly spaced and projected perpendicularly into the cytoplasm. Coated vesicles were frequently observed to be continuous with the cell membrane at the base of the surface infoldings and also located deeper within the cytoplasm. The remainder of the cell membrane was clearly devoid of coating material except at points of contact with an occasional coated vesicle. Although the physiologic significance of this coating in osteoclasts remains to be established, it is nevertheless interesting since structurally similar coatings have been implicated in selective protein uptake and active ion exchange in other cell types.
In‐house evaluation against the Investors in People standard: some pointers for self‐regulation in higher education

The national standard for staff development, “Investors in People”, is now being widely taken up in higher education. Institutional assessment takes place by individuals or small teams drawn from a network of accredited assessors. Ahead of formal assessment, institutions typically arrange a “mock assessment” using the same network of consultants. Describes the case where the mock assessment was brought in‐house using the experience of evaluation developed by an internal academic audit team. The team was able to produce an effective assessment which carried with it a range of benefits which could not have been achieved in such measure by an external process. The case shows the benefits of a flexible evaluative capacity in pressing for the case for a greater reliance in the future to be placed on self‐regulation, and points to a way in which more “owned” and cost effective approaches to investors’ assessments could be developed in the future.
CX3CR1+ interstitial dendritic cells form a contiguous network throughout the entire kidney

Dendritic cells (DCs) interface innate and adaptive immunity in nonlymphoid organs; however, the exact distribution and types of DC within the kidney are not known. We utilized CX3CR1GFP/+ mice to characterize the anatomy and phenotype of tissue-resident CX3CR1+ DCs within normal kidney. Laser-scanning confocal microscopy revealed an extensive, contiguous network of stellate-shaped CX3CR1+ DCs throughout the interstitial and mesangial spaces of the entire kidney. Intravital microscopy of the superficial cortex showed stationary interstitial CX3CR1+ DCs that continually probe the surrounding tissue environment through dendrite extensions. Flow cytometry of renal CX3CR1+ DCs showed significant coexpression of CD11c and F4/80, high major histocompatibility complex class II and FcR expression, and immature costimulatory but competent phagocytic ability indicative of tissue-resident, immature DCs ready to respond to environment cues. Thus, within the renal parenchyma, there exists little immunological privilege from the surveillance provided by renal CX3CR1+ DCs, a major constituent of the heterogeneous mononuclear phagocyte system populating normal kidney.
From Manufacturing Scheduling to Supply Chain Coordination: The Control of Complexity and Uncertainty

With time-based competition and rapid technology advancements, effective manufacturing scheduling and supply chain coordination are critical to quickly respond to changing market conditions. These problems, however, are difficult in view of inherent complexity and various uncertainties involved. A manufacturing scheduling problem is first formulated within the job shop context with order arrivals, processing times, due dates, and part priorities as a separable optimization problem. A solution methodology that combines Lagrangian relaxation, dynamic programming, and heuristics is developed. Method improvements to consider uncertainties and to effectively solve large problems are highlighted. The approach is then extended to coordinate companies in a decentralized supply chain. By relaxing cross-company constraints, the model is decomposed into company-wise subproblems, and a nested optimization structure is developed based on the job shop scheduling results. Coordination is performed through the iterative updating of cross- company prices without accessing other companies' private information or intruding their decision-making authorities.
Long non-coding RNAs in stem cells and cancer

An overwhelming majority of the transcribed genome encodes for non-coding RNA (ncRNA) sequences. Deep sequencing of the transcriptome has uncovered tens of thousands of long ncRNA (lncRNA) sequences. However, little is known regarding the possible functions for a vast majority of these sequences. Among those lncRNAs whose function has been experimentally validated, most serve as regulators of gene expression. LncRNAs have been found to be critical to development and homeostasis and they have been implicated in several pathologies including cancer. Here, we examine the functions and underlying mechanisms of lncRNAs in stem cells and in cancer biology, areas linked by the actions of lncRNAs.
Power Plays: Can Power Dynamics Explain Changes in Corporate Governance Practices?

The article discusses a study which investigated the relationship between changes in corporate governance practices and a firm's financial performance. Three broad types of governance practices, namely governance features, charter amendments and state antitakeover laws from 1980 to 1995, were considered. The author found a dramatic increase in the number of firms adopting governance practices between 1980 and 1995. He also found that shareholders seemed to adopt governance practices that constrained their wealth. Another finding related to the shifting balance of power in corporations between shareholders and boards.
“So Many People are Struggling”: Developing Social Empathy Through a Poverty Simulation

This article reports on the use of a poverty simulation with a sample of students from a large public university in the Southeast. To better understand whether participation in a poverty simulation influences attitudes and fosters social empathy for people in poverty, a pre- and postquestionnaire and a reflection paper were used. Quantitative analysis suggests that the simulation fostered more understanding of the conditions contributing to poverty. Qualitative analysis indicates that students gained greater depth of understanding and empathy about the lived experience of poverty. Together, the results suggest the poverty simulation develops a more nuanced understanding of poverty.
Rolling Loss of Pneumatic Highway Tires in the Eighties

Abstract Up to and including World War II, not more than a dozen papers had been written on the subject of tire rolling loss. The number quickly increased after the oil embargo in 1976 and reached a peak around 1980 with more than thirty papers published per year. Several symposia were held in these years on the subject, and a comprehensive review of rolling-loss research was written by one of the authors of this article. Other, briefer reviews were published at that time by Barson, who discussed various techniques of measuring tire rolling loss; Moore, who pointed out ways of reducing rolling loss and hence fuel consumption; Clark, who touched upon some physical phenomena of tire rolling loss; and Chang and Shackleton, as well as Levine, who reviewed the effects of tire construction and materials on rolling loss. The main concern at that time was to understand the mechanism of tire rolling loss so that it could be effectively reduced. Hence, accurate laboratory testing procedures were developed to identi...
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates inositol trisphosphate formation in cells which overexpress the EGF receptor.

EGF is a low molecular weight polypeptide hormone which acts as a regulator of cell growth and differentiation. The A-431 cell line has been used frequently to examine receptor-mediated biochemical effects of EGF, since this cell line has an increased (20–50 fold) level of EGF receptors. We have utilized A-431 cells to examine the influence of EGF on formation of an intracellular second messenger, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3), and other inositol phosphates. The results show that EGF induces rapid formation of Ins-1,4,5-P3 as well as Ins-1,3,4-P3 and Ins-1,3,4,5-P4. There is a concurrent decrease in the level of the lipid precursor for Ins-1,4,5-P3, phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Furthermore, we have examined five other cell lines that overexpress the EGF receptor and find that EGF treatment induces formation of inositol polyphosphates in those cell lines also.
The deacetylase Sir2 from the yeast Clavispora lusitaniae lacks the evolutionarily conserved capacity to generate subtelomeric heterochromatin

Deacetylases of the Sir2 or sirtuin family are thought to regulate life cycle progression and life span in response to nutrient availability. This family has undergone successive rounds of duplication and diversification, enabling the enzymes to perform a wide variety of biological functions. Two evolutionarily conserved functions of yeast Sir2 proteins are the generation of repressive chromatin in subtelomeric domains and the suppression of unbalanced recombination within the tandem rDNA array. Here, we describe the function of the Sir2 ortholog ClHst1 in the yeast Clavispora lusitaniae, an occasional opportunistic pathogen. ClHst1 was localized to the non-transcribed spacer regions of the rDNA repeats and deacetylated histones at these loci, indicating that, like other Sir2 proteins, ClHst1 modulates chromatin structure at the rDNA repeats. However, we found no evidence that ClHst1 associates with subtelomeric regions or impacts gene expression directly. This surprising observation highlights the plasticity of sirtuin function. Related yeast species, including Candida albicans, possess an additional Sir2 family member. Thus, it is likely that the ancestral Candida SIR2/HST1 gene was duplicated and subfunctionalized, such that HST1 retained the capacity to regulate rDNA whereas SIR2 had other functions, perhaps including the generation of subtelomeric chromatin. After subsequent species diversification, the SIR2 paralog was apparently lost in the C. lusitaniae lineage. Thus, C. lusitaniae presents an opportunity to discover how subtelomeric chromatin can be reconfigured.
Generating smooth 2-D monocolor line drawings on video displays

One of the major drawbacks of video display systems for line drawing applications has been the poor image quality they usually produce—“jaggy”, “staircased” line edges, moire patterns in regions of closely spaced lines, even, with some systems, lines disappearing (“falling in”) between pixels. Correcting these effects, with appropriate area-sampling techniques, has generally been too computationally expensive to adopt.A new algorithm is presented which generates precise, smooth images of line drawings and solid polygonal-shaped objects on multi-grey-level pixel-mapped video systems. The method is based on an analysis of boundary conditions at each pixel affected by one or more lines. With this method a number of previously needed steps can be quickly eliminated. The commonality of boundary conditions between adjacent pixels and the coherence of such conditions in a raster-scan ordering of such pixels allows efficient generation of these boundary conditions. A recursive subdivision approach allows handling of arbitrarily complex cases by a simple boundary-analyzing technique. Compared with current line-drawing systems, a video system with this algorithm would also display an improved image with respect to certain common visual effects—e.g., distance modulation of line intensity (which may be desirable), artificial small bright clusters of detail (which is undesirable).Since the software interface to the algorithm may be handled through already-standard graphical subroutines, adoption of the algorithm may be accomplished without burdening graphic system users or graphic system-utilizing software.
Conceptual thresholds for same and different in old-(Macaca mulatta) and new-world (Cebus apella) monkeys.

Learning of the relational same/different (S/D) concept has been demonstrated to be largely dependent upon stimulus sets containing more than two items for pigeons and old-world monkeys. Stimulus arrays containing several images for use in same/different discrimination procures (e.g. 16 identical images vs. 16 nonidentical images) have been shown to facilitate and even be necessary for learning of relational concepts (Flemming et al., 2007; Wasserman et al., 2001; Young et al., 1997). In the present study, we investigate the threshold at which a new world primate, the capuchin (Cebus apella) may be able to make such a discrimination. Utilizing a method of increasing entropy, rather than conventional procedures of decreasing entropy, we demonstrate unique evidence that capuchin monkeys are readily capable of making 2-item relational S/D conditional discriminations. In another experiment, we examine the supposed level of difficulty in making S/D discriminations by rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Whereas pigeons (Columba livia) and baboons (Papio papio) have shown marked difficulty simultaneously discriminating same from different arrays at all when composed of fewer than 8 items each, rhesus monkeys seem to understand that pairs of stimuli connote sameness and difference just the same (Flemming et al., 2007). With sustained accurate performance of 2-item S/D discriminations, both experienced and task-naive rhesus monkeys appear quite certain in their conceptual knowledge of same and different. We conclude that learning of the same/different relational concept may be less dependent upon high levels of entropy contrast than originally hypothesized for nonhuman primates.
BNP as discharge criteria for heart failure

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is a significant clinical and economic burden in the industrialized world. Advances in pharmaceutical compounds and various medical device technologies along with the use of sophisticated HF clinics have enhanced HF treatment and improved morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. However, hospital readmission rates remain stubbornly high. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels provide valuable information about a patient's chance of readmission within 30 days of discharge, making BNP a potentially useful tool for making discharge decisions and possibly reducing readmissions. Methods This review examines the strength and level of evidence in key areas to determine if BNP levels could be used as a guide for discharge of HF patients. Although most of the literature describes nonrandomized studies, there is general agreement that BNP levels can be measured accurately and precisely, that BNP levels reflect varying physiologic states, and that they predict outcomes. Conclusions More studies are needed to determine extent of biologic variability. The further use of BNP as a potential discharge marker is promising but awaits additional randomized study that reflects use in a broad-based population.
Nonlinear optical devices in silicon

Nonlinear optical devices, with silicon-on-insulator material system as platform for their fabrication are discussed. Third order nonlinearity in silicon offers active functionalities in silicon by taking advantage of the high index contrast and tight beam confinement. Among the third order effects; Raman, Kerr nonlinearity, two-photon absorption are particularly strong
Skilled Immigration and Economic Growth

Skilled immigrants have achieved great success in founding U.S. engineering and technology startups, which have in turn contributed greatly to the country's economic growth over time. In this work we explore the educational attainment and career trajectories of these immigrant entrepreneurs. Our research confirms that advanced education in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is correlated with high rates of entrepreneurship and innovation among both immigrant and U.S.-born founder populations. To maintain and grow the U.S. entrepreneurial landscape, future policy endeavors may target means of attracting and retaining innovative, highly skilled foreign minds.
Weighted batch means and improvements in coverage

Weighted batch means is a procedure for producing a confidence interval for the mean of a covariance- stationary process. Weights placed on the observations within a batch are functions of the parameters of a fitted time-series model. Experiments show that the method works well in terms of achieved coverage when only a comparatively small number of observations is available, even for processes that display strong correlation. In theory the method should provide exact coverage for some processes. However, practice the time-series identification procedure and estimation of the parameters and weights bring in bias. We investigate the sources of bias and suggest how coverage might be improved.
ADS-B space-oriented message set design

This paper designs, simulates, and tests a potential Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) space-oriented message set to improve situational awareness of commercial space vehicles inside the National Airspace System (NAS), and to minimize their impacts and potential hazards on the NAS. ADS-B is considered as the solution to integrate the future commercial space transportation system with the air transportation system. To accommodate future space flight operations in the NAS, a potential ADS-B space-oriented message set is proposed to be exclusively transmitted from space vehicles to other traffic and air traffic controllers. New data fields are defined in the message set to cover a space vehicle's entire flight profile. The formats of these new data fields are demonstrated in details. A simulation is created containing space vehicle and aircraft trajectories to test the functionality of the ADS-B space-oriented message set. The message set is encoded at the space vehicle site, transmitted from space vehicle to aircraft via the Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) datalink, and decoded at the aircraft site. The simulation eventually reaches a conflict scenario. By using the Closest Point of Approach (CPA) algorithm, the aircraft analyzes its own state vector and the space vehicle's state vector decoded from ADS-B messages to perform conflict detection. Sensitivity studies are conducted based on the CPA algorithm concentrating on three ADS-B system parameters, which are message update rate, data latency, and state vector accuracy.
Transfer of protective immunity in murine histoplasmosis by a CD4+ T-cell clone.

We have reported that a murine Histoplasma capsulatum-reactive CD4+ T-cell line and clones thereof did not adoptively transfer protection against H. capsulatum infection in normal or cyclophosphamide-treated C57BL/6 mice. One explanation for the results was that the T cells failed to traffic to lymphoid organs in these animals. In this study, we have sought to determine whether one of these clones, 2.3H3, could mediate protection in nude (C57BL/10) or irradiated (5 Gy) heterozygous nude (nu/+) C57BL/6 mice. Mice were inoculated intravenously with 10(7) resting 2.3H3 cells or with an equal number of cells of the ovalbumin-reactive clone 1S6; 2 h later, the mice were challenged intranasally with 5 x 10(6) yeast cells. By day 5 of infection, lungs, livers, and spleens of nude and irradiated nu/+ mice given 2.3H3 contained significantly fewer (P 0.05). The mortality rate of mice inoculated with 2.3H3 and that of mice inoculated with 1S6 were similar. Histopathological examination of tissues from 2.3H3- and 1S6-inoculated mice demonstrated the presence of granulomatous inflammation in organs from both groups. Tissues from 2.3H3-treated mice contained fewer yeasts per high-power field than tissues from 1S6-treated mice. Thus, irradiated or nude mice are permissive for the expression of protective immunity by a CD4+ T-cell clone. Although the protective capacity of T cells in these animals is transient, these animals will be useful for differentiating protective from nonprotective T-cell clones.
On the Need for Knowledge of the Phase in Exploiting Known Primary Transmissions

Recently Tarokh and others have raised the possibility that a cognitive radio might know the interference signal being transmitted by a strong primary user in a non-causal way and use this knowledge to increase its data rates. However, there is a subtle difference between knowing the signal transmitted by the primary and the actual interference experienced at our receiver since there is a wireless channel between these two points. We show that even an unknown phase results in a substantial decrease in the data rates that can be achieved, and thus there is a need to feedback interference channel estimates to the cognitive transmitter. We give a scheme that uses appropriate "training" to obtain such estimates and quantify this scheme's required overhead as a function of the relevant coherence time and interference power.
Prospective study on the augmentation of the maxillary sinus with calcium sulfate: histological results.

Background: The main goal of the sinus elevation procedure is the formation of vital bone to allow the tissue integration of endosseous implants to support prosthetic restorations in the edentulous posterior maxilla. The ideal graft material is yet to be found. The present study investigated the histologic results of a sinus augmentation procedure performed with calcium sulfate as the grafting material. Methods: The clinical trial consisted of 2 groups: a first (control) group of 12 patients (15 sinuses) in which the material was carefully placed but not stratified. In the second (test) group, 45 patients (50 sinuses) were treated by modifying the application. The calcium sulfate was putty-like in consistency and placed as it hardened in layers, avoiding fluid contamination. The histologic samples were collected, either at 9 months, at the uncovering procedure (for implants placed simultaneously with grafting material), or at 6 months at the time of implant insertion (for implants placed at a later stage). Results: The augmentation procedure resulted in good, new tissue formation within the sinuses when clinically and radiographically evaluated. The technique used in the test group produced a reduction in the graft shrinkage during healing, therefore slowing down the material resorption rate. Histologically, new bone formation with progressive lamellar maturation was found in both groups. Some particles produced by calcium sulfate resorption were still present after 6 months in the test group specimens, but no longer detectable after 9 months. Samples from the control group showed a mean histomorphometric bone density of 34.25% ± 10.02, while samples from the test group showed a mean value of 55.54% ± 19.82. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that calcium sulfate appears to be an effective material for sinus augmentation, yielding vital bone suitable for implant integration. In addition, the technique used in the test group seemed to improve the quality and quantity of bone formation. J Periodontol 2000;71:940-947.
Out of sight is not out of mind

We examined anxiety when wireless mobile devices were unexpectedly not available.Participants felt significantly more anxious over time.Heavy wireless mobile device users were more anxious than low or moderate users.Wireless mobile device dependency may cause anxiety when device is absent.Heavy wireless mobile device users may feel separation anxiety when device is absent. Overuse of wireless mobile devices (WMDs) may be associated with a form of psychological dependency, of which a prominent feature may be anxiety arising from separation from these devices. College students, who are among the most avid consumers of WMDs, might be susceptible to the negative effects of WMD overuse. The present study examined anxiety in American college students when their WMDs were unexpectedly not available. Upon arrival, approximately one half of the 163 participants were randomly assigned to have their WMDs removed from their possession; the other half was allowed to keep their WMDs but were required to turn them off and place them out of sight. Participants were forced to sit quietly with no distractions during the study. The state portion of the State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered three times, 20min apart, beginning 10min after the participants entered the room. The results showed that participants felt significantly more anxious over time. However, this pattern was evident only with heavy WMD users and with moderate WMD users whose devices were taken away. Dependency upon WMDs, mediated by an unhealthy connection to their constant use, may lead to increased anxiety when the device is absent.
Bayesian predictive inference under informative sampling and transformation: Research Articles

We consider the problem in which a biased sample is selected from a finite population (a random sample from a super-population), and inference is required for the finite population mean and the super-population mean. The selection probabilities are linearly related to the measurements, providing a non-ignorable selection model. When all the selection probabilities are known, as in our problem, inference about the finite population mean and the super-population mean can be made. As a practical issue, our method requires normality, but the measurements are not necessarily normally distributed. Thus, the key issue is the dilemma that a transformation to normality is needed, but this transformation will destroy the linearity between the selection probabilities and the measurements. This is the key issue we address in this work. We use the Gibbs sampler and the sample importance resampling algorithm to fit the non-ignorable selection model to a simple example on natural gas production. Our non-ignorable selection model estimates the finite population mean production much closer to the true finite population mean than a model which ignores the selection probabilities, and there is improved precision of the non-ignorable selection model over this latter model. A naive 95p credible interval based on the Horvitz–Thompson estimator is too wide. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Profiling, what-if analysis, and cost-based optimization of MapReduce programs

MapReduce has emerged as a viable competitor to database systems in big data analytics. MapReduce programs are being written for a wide variety of application domains including business data processing, text analysis, natural language processing, Web graph and social network analysis, and computational science. However, MapReduce systems lack a feature that has been key to the historical success of database systems, namely, cost-based optimization. A major challenge here is that, to the MapReduce system, a program consists of black-box map and reduce functions written in some programming language like C++, Java, Python, or Ruby. We introduce, to our knowledge, the first Cost-based Optimizer for simple to arbitrarily complex MapReduce programs. We focus on the optimization opportunities presented by the large space of configuration parameters for these programs. We also introduce a Profiler to collect detailed statistical information from unmodified MapReduce programs, and a What-if Engine for fine-grained cost estimation. All components have been prototyped for the popular Hadoop MapReduce system. The effectiveness of each component is demonstrated through a comprehensive evaluation using representative MapReduce programs from various application domains.
Chemical Vapor Deposition Epitaxy of Silicon-based Materials using Neopentasilane

For the past several years we have investigated the use of neopentasilane (Si5H12) as a precursor for the chemical vapor deposition epitaxy of silicon, Si1-xGex, and Si1-yCy alloys at temperatures from 550 to 700 C. High growth rates (over 100 nm/min for silicon at 600 C) and high layer quality by TEM and MOSFET mobility have been observed. This talk will summarize these experimental results, and then discuss open questions, especially regarding the growth mechanism. For example, for nearly all silicon-based CVD with more standard precursors, the growth rate at low temperatures is usually limited by hydrogen desorption from the surface. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that when the partial pressure of the hydrogen carrier is reduced during the growth of silicon (reducing the equilibrium surface coverage of hydrogen), the growth rates rapidly increase [1]. However, when neopentasilane is used as a precursor, virtually no change in growth rate is observed when nitrogen is substituted for a hydrogen carrier. We will propose models to explain both this effect and the high growth rates.
A review on streamer waves and associated coronal seismological study

In this paper,we reviewed our latest studies on a newly-discovered phenomenon dubbed "streamer waves" which are excited in the aftermath of CME-streamer interaction.Streamer waves represent one of the largest wave phenomena ever observed in the solar corona.The wave mode is interpreted as the fast kink body mode supported by and propagating outwards along the plasma sheet of the streamer.With the white light coronagraph data and available observational constraints on the solar wind parameters,we develop a novel seimological technique to diagnose the radial profiles of the Alfven speed and magnetic field strength in the region surrounding the plasma sheet structure from 3 to 10 solar radii.We also conduct a data survey searching for well-defined streamer wave events observed by the SOHO/LASCO coronagraph throughout Solar Cycle 23.As a result,eight candidate events were found.We compare different events and find that in most of them the driving CMEs' ejecta were characterized by high speed and wide angular span,and the CME-streamer interactions generally occurred along the flank of the streamer structure at an altitude no higher than the bottom of the field of view of LASCO C2.In addition,all front-side CMEs had accompanying flares.These common observational features shed light on the excitation conditions of streamer wave events.
Accounting Profitability and Takeover Likelihood

This study examines the association between accounting profitability and takeover likelihood of a firm. Takeover likelihood is negatively associated with negative industry-adjusted ROA, and is positively associated with positive industry-adjusted ROA. The negative association is consistent with Palepu’s (1986) argument that acquirers can unlock more value in firms with poorer performance through efficient management. The positive association among firms with above industry average profitability is consistent with the opportunistic behavior of acquirers’ management. The positive association is more (less) pronounced when the personal benefits (costs) of acquisition to acquirers’ management is greater.
Protection against oxygen toxicity by tracheal insufflation of endotoxin: role of Mn SOD and alveolar macrophages

Endotoxin and the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1, are known to protect adult rats against O2 toxicity. However, whether the effect of endotoxin is mediated through its direct effect on lung cells or through cytokines is not clear. In this study, we demonstrated that endotoxin at a dosage of 5 micrograms/rat (14-20 micrograms/kg) attenuated O2-induced pulmonary injury and markedly prolonged the survival of rats exposed to 100% O2. Endotoxin was more protective when given by intratracheal insufflation or intravenous injection than by intraperitoneal injection. The endotoxin-induced O2 tolerance was associated with a selective enhancement of pulmonary manganese superoxide dismutase, but not Cu,Zn SOD, mRNA. In addition, depletion of 84% rat alveolar macrophages by liposome-encapsulated dichloromethylene diphosphonate, resulted in a marked reduction (86%) of endotoxin-induced release of tumor necrosis factor into the alveolar space. However, endotoxin was still protective in these alveolar macrophage-depleted animals.
Reading and Writing: Qualitative Analysis of Pharmacists' Use of the EHR when Preparing for Team Rounds.

In the collaborative hospital environment, pharmacists are important members of the healthcare team, yet compared to physicians and nurses, little is known about pharmacists’ information needs or how they interact with the electronic health record (EHR). We directly observed seven clinical inpatient pharmacists as they interacted with the EHR preparing for clinical rounds using an eye-tracking camera and contextual inquiry. Pharmacists spent 50% of their time reading information from the EHR, such as notes and medication lists, and 27% of their time copying EHR data onto paper, such as patient history and laboratory results. In an environment where minutes count, the results of this study can help inform the development of CDS tools and/or EHR designs to facilitate the information needs of the pharmacists in providing care for their patients.
Gamma-ray spectrometry in the decay of (194)Ir to (194)Pt.

Abstract As a complement to a resent high-resolution spectrometric investigation of the decay of 194 Au to levels of 194 Pt, a similar study has been undertaken of the decay of 19-h 194 Ir to 194 Pt. The two decays populate a similar set of levels in 194 Pt, and so the complementary investigations with similar resolution and efficiency permit a direct comparison of the two data sets. Overall there is excellent agreement between the energies of the common γ -ray transitions and also between the deduced energies of the excited states in 194 Pt. The 194 Ir half-life has been remeasured to be 19.20(2) h.
A shadow nation: The making of Muslim India

The ‘Muslim community’ in India emerged during colonial rule as a new kind of sociological category. This emergence was linked to the designs and exigencies of British rule, including the deployment from the early years of the nineteenth century of new forms of classification like the census, which for the first time defined India’s Muslims as a minority. More interesting, however, was the way in which the colonial state provided Muslims the opportunity to redefine themselves as a group. In this chapter, I will argue that rather than being territorialized by British rule as a demographic or religious minority, Muslims adopted forms of selfdefinition that ended up deterritorializing both India and Islam. They did so by abandoning the idea of territorial nationality, which defined them as second-class subjects in a state where they were unfree instead of free, a minority instead of a majority. What resulted from this abandonment of territoriality was a Muslim community that occupied an imagined space situated at an angle to the sovereignty of the state. Like a shadow, this community was spread by the territorial notion of nationality, while at the same time being quite distinct from it.
Supercapacitor Electrodes Based on High-Purity Electrospun Polyaniline and Polyaniline-Carbon Nanotube Nanofibers.

Freestanding, binder-free supercapacitor electrodes based on high-purity polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers were fabricated via a single step electrospinning process. The successful electrospinning of nanofibers with an unprecedentedly high composition of PANI (93 wt %) was made possible due to blending ultrahigh molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with PANI in solution to impart adequate chain entanglements, a critical requirement for electrospinning. To further enhance the conductivity and stability of the electrodes, a small concentration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was added to the PANI/PEO solution prior to electrospinning to generate PANI/CNT/PEO nanofibers (12 wt % CNTs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) porosimetry were conducted to characterize the external morphology of the nanofibers. The electrospun nanofibers were further probed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The elec...
Acceleration Incentives and X-Efficiency

Subsidies and taxes have long commended themselves as devices for the modification of incentives, both in the world of the designer of public policy and in the more abstract realm of economic analysis. The obvious arrangement for their use involves a payment, positive or negative, that varies directly with some measure of contribution. Thus, if social policy calls for the stimulation of exports, subsidy payments are proportioned to a firm’s export volume, etc. In this way it is hoped to strengthen the workings of the invisible hand as an instrument of social policy, making it more nearly true that ‘what is good for General Motors is good for the country’.
Bayesian Ordinal Aggregation of Peer Assessments: A Case Study on KDD 2015

Peer assessment is the most common approach to evaluating scientific work, and it is also gaining popularity for scaling evaluation of student work in large and distributed classes. The key idea is that each peer reviewer or grader rates a relatively small subset of the items, and that some method of manual, semi-automatic, or fully-automatic aggregation of all assessments defines the eventual rating of all items – the grade in peer grading, or whether to accept or reject a scientific manuscript. In this paper, we explore in how far a Bayesian Ordinal Peer Assessment (BOPA) method can provide additional decision support when making acceptance/rejection decisions for a scientific conference. Using data from the 2015 ACM Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD), where this system was deployed, we discuss the potential merit of the BOPA approach compared to conventional decision support offered by the Microsoft Conference Management System (CMT).
Design Tools for Emerging Technologies

The rapidly expanding diversity of technology available at the nanoscale is disrupting the existing transistor-centric microelectronics design paradigm, resulting in nearly decade-long delays between prototype demonstration and technology deployment. The key to reducing these innovation-inhibiting delays is to develop algorithmic approaches that can start with first principles based descriptions of novel nanotechnology and rapidly and reliably synthesize manufacturable designs. Design tools are evolving this direction, with new extremely efficient yet customizable physical simulators, automatic parameterized low-order model extraction, and ever improving algorithms for robust optimization-new techniques that generate manufacturable designs by optimizing both system performance and robustness to manufacturing variations. In this paper we give a few examples of the coupling of such approaches, but mostly offer pointers to literature for researchers interested in contributed to this rapidly growing field of coupled simulation and robust optimization
Site-selection of Si1−xGex quantum dots on patterned Si(001) substrates

We investigate the heteroepitaxial Si0.5Ge0.5 quantum dot site-selection on a patterned Si(001) substrate by continuously varying the underlying substrate pattern morphology from pit-in-terrace to quasi-sinusoidal. The pit-in-terrace morphology leads to well-ordered quantum dots centered in the pits over a wide range of pattern wavelengths. However, for quasi-sinusoidal morphology, when the pattern wavelength is twice the intrinsic lengthscale, quantum dots suddenly bifurcate and shift to form in every saddle point, with high uniformity in size and site occupancy. We compare our results with existing models of quantum dot formation on patterned surfaces.
Metabolic Diversity and Novelties in the Oomycetes

The eukaryotic microbes called oomycetes include many important saprophytes and pathogens, with the latter exhibiting necrotrophy, biotrophy, or obligate biotrophy. Understanding oomycete metabolism is fundamental to understanding these lifestyles. Genome mining and biochemical studies have shown that oomycetes, which belong to the kingdom Stramenopila, secrete suites of carbohydrate- and protein-degrading enzymes adapted to their environmental niches and produce unusual lipids and energy storage compounds. Despite having limited secondary metabolism, many oomycetes make chemicals for communicating within their species or with their hosts. Horizontal and endosymbiotic gene transfer events have diversified oomycete metabolism, resulting in biochemical pathways that often depart from standard textbook descriptions by amalgamating enzymes from multiple sources. Gene fusions and duplications have further shaped the composition and expression of the enzymes. Current research is helping us learn how oomycetes i...
Accommodating explicit user expressions of uncertainty in voice search or something like that.

Voice search applications encourage users to “just say what you want” in order to obtain useful mobile content such as automated directory assistance (ADA). Unfortunately, when users only remember part of what they are looking for, they are forced to guess, even though what they know may be sufficient to retrieve the desired information. In this paper, we propose expanding the capabilities of voice search to allow users to explicitly express their uncertainties as part of their queries, and as such, to provide partial knowledge. Applied to ADA, we highlight the enhanced user experience uncertain expressions afford and delineate how we performed language modeling and information retrieval. We evaluate our approach by assessing its impact on overall ADA performance and by discussing the results of an experiment in which users generated both uncertain expressions as well as guesses for directory listings. Uncertain expressions reduced relative error rate by 31.8% compared to guessing.