cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Values and Limits of Substitutional Sovereignty

I have been asked to comment on Cory Ondrejka’s “Collapsing Geography” in part because I have recently written about traditional sovereignty. 1 I was not a participant in Second Life (SL), but as a result of this assignment I have become one. This experiment with virtualism serves to critique values of citizenship and geography that form the core of traditional sovereignty; in so doing it suggests ways to improve traditional approaches to the subject. When Ondrejka says “nations must reexamine their sources of, and claims to, national power” 2 he forces us, in Thomas Mann’s words, to imagine another reality. Moreover, to the extent that SL is an economic market and more than a game (as Ondrejka urges over Thomas Malaby’s objections), it invites governance by real world legal rules. These two themes— what the SL offers the first and what the first world may impose on the second— are the focal points of this comment.
Genotypic and functional properties of early infant HIV-1 envelopes.

Understanding the properties of HIV-1 variants that are transmitted from women to their infants is crucial to improving strategies to prevent transmission. In this study, 162 full-length envelope (env) clones were generated from plasma RNA obtained from 5 HIV-1 Clade B infected mother-infant pairs. Following extensive genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, 35 representative clones were selected for functional studies. Infant quasispecies were highly homogeneous and generally represented minor maternal variants, consistent with transmission across a selective bottleneck. Infant clones did not differ from the maternal in env length, or glycosylation. All infant variants utilized the CCR5 co-receptor, but were not macrophage tropic. Relatively high levels (IC50 ≥ 100 μg/ml) of autologous maternal plasma IgG were required to neutralize maternal and infant viruses; however, all infant viruses were neutralized by pooled sera from HIV-1 infected individuals, implying that they were not inherently neutralization-resistant. All infant viruses were sensitive to the HIV-1 entry inhibitors Enfuvirtide and soluble CD4; none were resistant to Maraviroc. Sensitivity to human monoclonal antibodies 4E10, 2F5, b12 and 2G12 varied. This study provides extensive characterization of the genotypic and functional properties of HIV-1 env shortly after transmission. We present the first detailed comparisons of the macrophage tropism of infant and maternal env variants and their sensitivity to Maraviroc, the only CCR5 antagonist approved for therapeutic use. These findings may have implications for improving approaches to prevent mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission.
Deformation of a HF-V-NB C15 Laves Phase

We have performed compression tests on Hf14V64Nb22 at both room temperature and elevated temperatures with different strain rates to study the deformation modes of the ternary C15 Laves phase based on HfV2. At room temperature the alloy exhibits fair ductility and is insensitive to strain rate. TEM observation revealed that the major deformation modes at room temperature are {111} mechanical twinning. Compression tests up to 1000°C, combined with SEM and TEM examinations, revealed that the mechanical properties can be divided into three temperature regions: at low temperatures the alloy is fairly ductile due to the formation of deformation twins, in the intermediate temperature region the alloy exhibits a ductility minimum, and at high temperatures (>0.65Tm) the alloy shows large plastic deformations via 1/2 dislocation slip. A new deformation twinning mechanism is proposed based on synchroshear mechanism.
Morphology, Classification, and Antiquity of Melittosphex burmensis (Apoidea: Melittosphecidae) and Implications for Early Bee Evolution

Abstract Melittosphex burmensis (Melittosphecidae) is an important apoid fossil from middle Cretaceous (∼100 Ma) amber from Myanmar (Burma). Melittosphex exhibits a combination of wasp and bee features making it an important transitional form linking bees with crabronid wasps. The presence of branched hairs suggests that it was a pollen-collector and many aspects of the morphology suggest that it is more closely related to bees than to any fossil or extant group of wasps. Here we report additional morphological information on Melittosphex burmensis. This specimen remains the earliest body-fossil evidence that pollen-collecting Apoidea (bees) were present approximately 20 million years after the origin of the eudicots (∼120 Ma), the major angiosperm lineage with extensive reliance on bee pollination.
THE EFFECT OF HOSPITAL VOLUME ON CANCER CONTROL AFTER RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY

ABSTRACTPurpose:: For complex oncological procedures, hospital volume affects short and long-term patient outcome. We examined the association of hospital volume and long-term cancer control after radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods:: With a cohort study design, we used the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked files to identify a population based sample of men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer treated primarily with radical prostatectomy. Failure of cancer control was defined as the use of postoperative medical or surgical hormone ablation or treatment with radiation therapy more than 6 months after surgery.Results:: A total of 12,635 men underwent radical prostatectomy for incident prostate cancer. After adjusting for age, comorbidity, histological grade and clinical stage, the risk of adjuvant therapy was greater among those treated at low (1 to 33 cases) and medium (34 to 61 cases) volume hospitals than at very high (more than 108 cases) volume hospitals (HR 1.25, p <0....
Interpretation of handwritten addresses in US mailstream

Determining the delivery location for mail pieces based on handwritten addresses is a problem that trained humans can normally solve. As a problem in machine reading and interpretation, it presents many challenges. A method for determining the delivery point codes (DPCs) for handwritten addresses by computer is described. Solution to the task requires locating and recognizing address components (e.g., ZIP Code, street number, P.O. box number) and using multiple information sources to assign the DPC to an address. The methodology uses diverse pattern recognition techniques, image processing algorithms (thresholding, underline removal, separation of lines, location and recognition of address components), and access to United States Postal Service (USPS) databases to determine the DPC. >
Performance of Charbray and Hereford cattle and crosses between them

This experiment was designed to compare the average performance of Charollais-Hereford and Hereford-Charbray calves with the average performance of purebred Hereford and Charbray calves as a measure of hybrid vigour in various traits of economic importance.The ratio of lumbar length to carcass length was larger in the crossbreds. With this exception there was no significant difference between purebreds and crossbreds in any of the measurements that characterise performance of the live animal or the carcass. However, the trend of the carcass measurements possibly indicated that the purebreds were fatter and higher in carcass grade than the crossbreds.Studies on three cuts of meat from each carcass indicated larger cooking losses (percentage drip loss) in steaks from purebreds and larger ‘shear’ values for steaks from crossbreds. The panel of judges found no significant differences in tenderness, flavour or juiciness. There were no significant differences in colour of lean meat from crossbred and purebred animals.Meat from the purebred Herefords appeared fatter and more tender than that from the Charbray cattle, but this comparison may be biased due to sire differences.
Smooth Muscle α-Actin CArG Elements Coordinate Formation of a Smooth Muscle Cell–Selective, Serum Response Factor–Containing Activation Complex

Previous studies have shown that multiple serum response factor (SRF)-binding CArG elements were required for smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific regulation of smooth muscle (SM) alpha-actin expression. However, a critical question remains as to the mechanisms whereby a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor such as SRF might contribute to SMC-specific expression. The goal of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that SMC-selective expression of SM alpha-actin is due at least in part to (1) unique CArG flanking sequences that distinguish the SM alpha-actin CArGs from other ubiquitously expressed CArG-dependent genes such as c-fos, (2) cooperative interactions between CArG elements, and (3) SRF-dependent binding of SMC-selective proteins to the CArG-containing regions of the promoter. Results demonstrated that specific sequences flanking CArG B were important for promoter activity in SMCs but not in bovine aortic endothelial cells. We also provided evidence indicating that the structural orientation between CArGs A and B was an important determinant of promoter function. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and methylation interference footprinting demonstrated that a unique SRF-containing complex formed that was selective for SMCs and, furthermore, that this complex was probably stabilized by protein-protein interactions and not by specific interactions with CArG flanking sequences. Taken together, the results of these studies provide evidence that SM alpha-actin expression in SMCs is complex and may involve the formation of a unique multiprotein initiation complex that is coordinated by SRF complexes bound to multiple CArG elements.
Delineating the Structure of Normal and Abnormal Personality: An Integrative Hierarchical Approach.

Increasing evidence indicates that normal and abnormal personality can be treated within a single structural framework. However, identification of a single integrated structure of normal and abnormal personality has remained elusive. Here, a constructive replication approach was used to delineate an integrative hierarchical account of the structure of normal and abnormal personality. This hierarchical structure, which integrates many Big Trait models proposed in the literature, replicated across a meta-analysis as well as an empirical study, and across samples of participants as well as measures. The proposed structure resembles previously suggested accounts of personality hierarchy and provides insight into the nature of personality hierarchy more generally. Potential directions for future research on personality and psychopathology are discussed.
Effects of Acceptability on Teachers' Implementation of Curriculum-Based Measurement and Student Achievement in Mathematics Computation

We investigated the hypothesis that treatment acceptability influences teachers' use of a formative evaluation system (curriculum-based measurement) and, relatedly, the amount of gain effected in math for their students. Twenty-one special education teachers implemented curriculum-based measurement for 4 months. On the basis of their responses to a questionnaire assessing treatment acceptability of curriculum-based measurement, teachers were divided into groups (high- and low-acceptability). We compared the two groups of teachers on (a) five measures of implementation and (b) amount of growth evidenced by their students in math. Results indicated that high- and low-acceptability teachers differed on two of five implementation measures, and that there was a significant difference in the rate of growth effected in their students in math. Implications of results relative to the use of formative evaluation and measurement of treatment acceptability are discussed.
Medieval Russia, 980–1584: Foreign policy and foreign trade

During the reign of Ivan III Muscovy conducted diplomatic relations with a wide range of polities. The grand prince exchanged diplomats with heads of state who were as diverse as the Muslim shahs in the Caucasus and the pope at the Vatican; whose realms were as geographically widespread as Denmark in northwestern Europe, Moldova in southeastern Europe, and Shirvan in the Caucasus; and whose power was as varied as that of the rulers of city-states of Italy and the Holy Roman and Ottoman emperors. Some of the diplomats representing Muscovy were Italians and Greeks, who were employed by the grand prince for their familiarity with other societies, political systems, and languages. Others were his own court servitors, usually below the duma ranks, and staff personnel. Their activities were overseen by the administrative staff that kept records of their instructions, messages received from abroad, and agreements concluded with foreign rulers. Muscovy's most intense relations, however, were conducted with its immediate neighbors, Lithuania, Livonia, and Sweden, and also the Tatar khanates that replaced the Golden Horde. The centralized administrative apparatus and the pomestˈe -based army, which evolved during the reigns of Ivan III and Vasily III, were the instruments the grand princes used to implement their foreign policies. Those policies, which included economic as well as political and military components, were generated by the decline of the Russian principalities' mighty neighbors and the creation of conditions that allowed Muscovite expansion to take place.
STUDIES IN THE PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF THE PROTEINS : I. THE SOLUBILITY OF CERTAIN PROTEINS AT THEIR ISOELECTRIC POINTS.

1. Two proteins of the globulin type, serum globulin and tuberin, and the protein of milk, casein, have been purified (a) of the other proteins and (b) of the inorganic electrolytes with which they exist in nature. The methods that were employed are described. 2. All three proteins were found to be only very slightly soluble in water in the pure uncombined state. The solubility of each was accurately measured at 25.0° ± 0.1°C. The most probable solubility of the pseudoglobulin of serum was found to be 0.07 gm. in 1 liter; of tuberin 0.1 gm. and of casein 0.11 gm. The methods that were employed in their determination are described. 3. Each protein investigated dissolved in water to a constant and characteristic extent when the amount of protein precipitate with which the solution was in heterogeneous equilibrium was varied within wide limits. The solubility of a pure protein is therefore proposed as a fundamental physicochemical constant, which may be used in identifying and in classifying proteins. 4. The concentration of protein dissolved must be the sum of the concentration of the undissociated protein molecule which is in heterogeneous equilibrium with the protein precipitate, and of the concentration of the dissociated protein ions. 5. The dissociated ions of the dissolved protein give a hydrogen ion concentration to water that is also a characteristic of each protein.
Placental Transmogrification of the Lung Is a Histologic Pattern Frequently Associated With Pulmonary Fibrochondromatous Hamartoma

Abstract Context.—Placental transmogrification of the lung is a term introduced to describe a peculiar histologic pattern characterized by formation of placental villuslike structures in the lung parenchyma. It has been reported to occur in association with bullous emphysema and lipomatosis. Objectives.—To study the relationship between placental transmogrification and pulmonary hamartomas. Design and Methods.—Reports of 38 cases of pulmonary hamartomas during 18 years (1982–1999) were reviewed. All histologic slides of these cases were examined for the presence of villuslike papillary projections and placenta-like structures. Hamartomas with prominent papillary projections or placenta-like structures were further investigated to assess the histogenesis and proliferation of epithelial and stromal cells. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue using monoclonal antibodies against Ki-67 and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) and polyclonal antibodies against c-Kit antigen (...
Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Historic Theory, A Primer

From Vygotsky’s work, we have learned that the intellectual development of individuals arises from one’s culture, which includes the thought, language, and reasoning processes emerging from social engagement and interaction with others to create a joint knowledge of the culture. This chapter puts forward the supposition that the major assumptions of sociocultural historic theory are fundamental to understanding the theory’s application to mathematical pedagogy. Then, a goal is to exemplify the merging of the theory with practice and the subsequent applications to mathematics teaching and learning.
The Negotiated Identities of Long-Term Inmates: Breaking the Chains of Problematic Integration

How long-term inmates perform any number of identities across the span of a prison career is a question that must be negotiated by each individual as he struggles with the perils of life behind bars. With a phenomenological and grounded theory approach, this study sought to demonstrate how inmates in a men's maximum security prison enact their evolving identities across the span of their incarceration and what challenges they experience in doing so. Problematic integration further clarifies these challenges. Namely, negotiating multiple divergent identities results in significant uncertainties, ambivalence, and divergence as inmates struggle with how best to communicate.
Intellectual Property: How the Right to Keep it to Yourself Can Facilitate Dissemination

The fundamental conflict in the goals of intellectual property (IP) policy is the apparent incompatibility of protection of the creator and ease of dissemination. Copyrights and patents seem to favor the first goal and conflict with the second, but patents have actually helped to resolve the conflict by transforming the IP into a tradable commodity. As a result, many patent proprietors actively promote use of their IP by others, even direct competitors. Patent licensing is a major revenue source for many firms. Patent pools institutionalize remunerative sharing of IP. Even from their medieval beginnings, patents were used to encourage dissemination and they continue to serve that purpose directly via disclosure requirements. So, perhaps with some redesign and innovative usage, copyrights can help to reconcile the two apparently conflicting goals - provision of incentives for both creative activity and widespread use of its products.
SEX OF FIRST CHILD AS A PROGNOSTIC FACTOR FOR BREAST CANCER IN YOUNG WOMEN

In a study in upstate New York, incidence and survival rates of 317 young women (less than 45 years), diagnosed with breast cancer, were examined in relation to the sex of each woman's first offspring. While incidence of breast cancer was not found to be affected by the sex of the first child, prognosis was poorer when the first child was made (p less than 0.05). The authors examined the effect of stage at diagnosis, interval between first pregnancy and diagnosis and concurrent pregnancy at the time of diagnosis as factors other than sex of first offspring that might have an additional influence on survival. Among these, only interval had an effect, and it was of weak statistical significance (0.05 less than p less than 0.1). These findings regarding survival in relation to the sex of the offspring are opposite to those reported recently in France by Juret et al. (Lancet 1:415-416, 1978). Possible differences between the two studies which may account for the opposite findings are discussed.
A Framework for the Analysis of Diffusion Compartment Imaging (DCI)

The brain microstructure consists of the complex organization of cellular structures and extra-cellular space. Insights into this microstructure can be gained in vivo by means of diffusion-weighted imaging that is sensitive to the local patterns of diffusion of water molecules throughout the brain. Diffusion compartment imaging (DCI) provides a separate parameterization for the diffusion signal arising from each compartment of water molecules at each voxel. Their use in population studies and longitudinal monitoring of diseases hold promise for unraveling alterations of the brain microstructure in various disorders and conditions. Yet, to analyze multi-compartment models, high-level operations commonly used in scalar images need to be generalized. We present a framework that enables interpolation, averaging, filtering, spatial normalization and statistical analyses of multi-compartment data with a focus on multi-tensor representations. This framework is based on the generalization of linear combinations of voxel values through mixture simplification. We illustrate the impact of this framework in registration, atlas construction, tractography and population studies.
A Pure-Jump Transaction-Level Price Model Yielding

We propose a new transaction-level bivariate log-price model, which yields fractional or standard cointegration. The model provides a link between market microstructure and lower-frequency observations. The two ingredients of our model are a Long Memory Stochastic Duration process for the waiting times between trades, and a pair of stationary noise processes which determine the jump sizes in the pure-jump log-price process. Our model includes feedback between the disturbances of the two log-price series at the transaction level, which induces standard or fractional cointegration for any fixed sampling interval. We prove that the cointegrating parameter can be consistently estimated by the ordinary least-squares estimator, and obtain a lower bound on the rate of convergence. We propose transaction-level method-of-moments estimators of the other parameters in our model and discuss the consistency of these estimators. We then use simulations to argue that suitably-modified versions of our model are able to capture a variety of additional properties and stylized facts, including leverage, and portfolio return autocorrelation due to nonsynchronous trading. The ability of the model to capture these effects stems in most cases from the fact that the model treats the (stochastic) intertrade durations in a fully endogenous way.
Transaxillary Endoscopic Thyroidectomy: An Alternative to Traditional Open Thyroidectomy

Background The traditional thyroidectomy technique typically approaches the thyroid through a range of different sized transverse incisions in the neck. Such a scar can result in hypesthesias, paresthesias, and increased patient self-awareness. Furthermore, in some patients of darker-skin ethnicity, the traditional neck incision can result in hyperplas-tic and keloid scar formation in a highly visible area of the neck. In an effort to lessen this adverse cosmetic outcome, we recently began performing endoscopic thyroidectomy, as described by Ikeda et al, using an axillary approach to conceal the incisions. We recently reviewed our series and studied the feasibility and safety of this approach in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. We herein present our results in the use of this procedure in all patients requiring thyroid resection and highlight the potential advantage in patients having a tendency for hypertrophic cervical scarring. From August 2003 to January 2008 we performed a transax-illary endoscopic thyroidectomy on 53 patients. Forty-one patients were of African descent. All patients underwent successful completion of thyroidectomy using this approach. Conclusions Excellent aesthetic results with no visible scarring in the neck region can be safely achieved with this innovative surgical technique. Although the procedure has been shown to be of benefit to all patients, an added advantage may be seen in those patients prone to hypertrophic scarring. Transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy is a safe alternative to the traditional open approach in select patients with benign thyroid disease.
Improving large-scale testing capability by modifying the 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel

Interagency studies conducted during the last several years have indicated the need to improve full-scale testing capabilities. The studies showed that the most effective trade between test capability and facility cost was provided by repowering the existing Ames Research Center 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel to increase the maximum speed from about 100 m/s (200 knots) to about 150 m/s (300 knots) and by adding a new 24- by 37-m (80- by 120-ft) test section powered for about a 50-m/s (100-knot) maximum speed. This paper reviews the design of the facility, a few of its test capabilities, and some of its unique features.
Online Pilot Model Parameter Estimation Using Sub-Scale Aircraft Flight Data

Human pilots exhibit a wide range of control behavior changes even during the same phase of the flight. In this paper, an Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) based real-time pilot model parameter identification algorithm is presented for longitudinal control of an aircraft. The UKF estimates the parameters of a lead-lag pilot model using pilot inputs and flight data collected using a Sub-Scale Research Aircraft (SSRA). The study is focused on the approach and landing phase of the flight. The real time estimation of the parameters can help identify changes in pilot control behavior that could lead to Loss of Control (LOC) events.
A novel two-scale progressive failure analysis method for laminated fiber-reinforced composites

A novel, two-scale computational model has been developed to predict the progressive damage and failure responses of fiber-reinforced composite laminates using the material properties at the constituent (fiber and matrix) level. These properties were measured from coupon level tests on a unidirectional lamina of the same material system. In the proposed computational scheme, the macroscale finite element analysis (FEA) was carried out at the lamina level of a 3D laminate model, while micromechanical analysis was implemented concurrently at the subscale to compute the local fields at the fiber and matrix scale. Thus, the influence of matrix microdamage at the microscale manifests as the progressive degradation of the lamina stiffness, resulting in the nonlinear evolution of the stress versus strain response, while the lamina stiffness matrix remains positive-definite. The lamina post-peak strain softening response resulting from catastrophic failure modes including fiber tensile breakage, fiber kinking and matrix cracking, were modeled using the smeared crack approach (SCA). The interlaminar failure due to delamination was accounted for through cohesive elements inserted in-between the layers. The predictive capability of the proposed method is illustrated by comparing the computational results with experiment for three different lay-ups of IM-7/977-3 carbon fiber composite laminates subjected to various loading conditions, including both un-notched and open-hole specimens subjected to remote tensile and compressive loading, respectively.
Some Aspects of Obesity in Children

There is no general agreement on a satisfactory standard for growth; however, subcutaneous thicknesses seem to give the most reliable basis for diagnosing obesity in children.Obesity which develops before the age of 10 or after the age of 16 has a poor prognosis for future weight reduction; obesity developing just before puberty may be transient and self-correcting.Studies have indicated that inactivity is a possible primary cause of obesity in children and adolescents.Obesity exposes children to difficult situations and damaging pressures which may have psychologic effects.
Host Factors Influencing the Response to Antimicrobial Agents

When the desired clinical response to an antibiotic therapeutic regimen is not achieved, despite appropriate antibiotic selection and organism sensitivity, the clinician must be aware that several host factors exist that may influence the outcome. Examples of the influence of host-related factors on drug disposition have been briefly reviewed in this article. It should be noted, however, that further investigation is needed to determine whether these factors truly exert a significant influence on the outcome of antibiotic utilization.
Anchor Link Prediction Using Topological Information in Social Networks

People today may participate in multiple social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc.). Predicting the correspondence of the accounts that refer to the same natural person across multiple social networks is a significant and challenging problem. Formally, social networks that outline the relationships of a common group of people are defined as aligned networks, and the correspondence of the accounts that refer to the same natural person across aligned networks are defined as anchor links. In this paper, we learn the problem of Anchor Link Prediction (ALP). Firstly, two similarity metrics (Bi-Similarity BiS and Reliability Similarity ReS) are proposed to measure the similarity between nodes in aligned networks. And we prove mathematically that the node pair with the maximum BiS has higher probability to be an anchor link and a correctly predicted anchor link must have high ReS. Secondly, we present an iterative algorithm to solve the problem of ALP efficiently. Also, we discuss the termination of the algorithm to give a tradeoff between precision and recall. Finally, we conduct a series of experiments on both synthetic social networks and real social networks to confirm the effectiveness of our approach.
Reduced sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) processing through site-1 protease (S1P) inhibition alters oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro.

The formation of the myelin membrane of the oligodendrocyte in the CNS is a fundamental process requiring the coordinated synthesis of many different components. The myelin membrane is particularly rich in lipids, however, the regulation of this lipid synthesis is not understood. In other cell types, including Schwann cells, the myelin-forming cells of the PNS, lipid synthesis is tightly regulated by the sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) family of transcription factors, but this has not been previously shown in oligodendrocytes. We investigated SREBPs' role during oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro. Both SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 were expressed in oligodendrocyte precursor cells and differentiating oligodendrocytes. Using the selective site-1 protease (S1P) inhibitor PF-429242, which inhibits the cleavage of SREBP precursor forms into mature forms, we found that preventing SREBP processing inhibited process growth and reduced the expression level of myelin basic protein, a major component of myelin. Further, process extension deficits could be rescued by the addition of exogenous cholesterol. Blocking SREBP processing reduced mRNA transcription and protein levels of SREBP target genes involved in both the fatty acid and the cholesterol synthetic pathways. Furthermore, de novo levels and total levels of cholesterol synthesis were greatly diminished when SREBP processing was inhibited. Together these results indicate that SREBPs are important regulators of oligodendrocyte maturation and that perturbation of their activity may affect myelin formation and integrity. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13781.
Multi-agent Networked Systems with Adversarial Elements

In nutshell, multi-agent networked systems involve the modeling framework of multiple heterogeneous agents (or decision makers, or players) connected in various ways, distributed over a network (or interacting networks) and interacting with limited information (on line and off line) under possibly conflicting objectives. We can actually view the agents as nodes in a graph or multiple graphs, which could be time varying (some edges in the network appearing or disappearing over time [11]), and the nodes themselves could be mobile [8]. In such settings, agents actually interact in a three-tiered architecture, with each tier corresponding to a different layer [21] , namely: Layer 1, where the agents operate and decisions are made; Layer 2, which is the information level where data, models, and actionable information reside and are exchanged; and Layer 3, which consists of the physical communication network that is used for Layers 1 and 2, and contains software and hardware entities, as well as sensors and actuators with which the teams interface with the dynamic physical environment. The underlying network for Layer 1 can be viewed as a collaboration network, where edges of the corresponding graph capture the collaboration among corresponding nodes (agents); the network for Layer 2 can be viewed as a communication/information network, where edges of the corresponding graph constitute communication links (uni- or bi-directional) among corresponding nodes (agents); and Layer 3 can be viewed as a physical network, where edges constitute the physical links.
PERILS OF POLYPHARMACY : 10 STEPS TO PRUDENT PRESCRIBING

A focused, systematic intervention by the primary care physician can often remedy the problem of polypharmacy in older patients. Such an approach includes medication disclosure, drug identification, side effect recognition, treatment review, and a thoughtful, well-monitored reduction in the numbers and doses of medicines. By developing skillful prescribing habits, the physician can resolve drug side effects, prevent future adverse reactions, reduce pharmacy expenditures, and improve medication compliance. Prudent prescribing is one way to improve quality of life for the older patient.
PASSIVE COOLING TECHNIQUES FOR THE ARCHITECT IN BARODA, INDIA

ABSTRACT This paper describes the design implications of passive cooling techniques for Baroda, India, whose climate is characterized by alternating hot dry and hot humid seasons. Comfort requirements and site specific climatic conditions are used to identify the areas in which passive cooling is required. Various Passive Cooling techniaues are examined in light of their basic scientific principles and their applicability is evaluated. The paper also deals with the management aspect of communication and information transfer of passive cooling techniques to the architect in Baroda.
Rethinking Plagiarism in Information Literacy Instruction: A Case Study on Cross-Campus Collaboration in the Creation of an Online Academic Honesty Video Tutorial

Librarians at Austin Peay State University (APSU) in Clarksville, Tennessee, created a fun and engaging video informing students about academic honesty and dishonesty, with the focus on responsible decision making instead of negative consequences. “Plagiarism: Making the Right Choices” is a fully functioning video tutorial embedded in the university’s learning management, system, as well as the library’s website, making it accessible from multiple electronic devices. Included are assessment tools for instructors and librarians and immediate quiz feedback for students. The final product is a successful tutorial that works with students’ different learning preferences and is customized for our campus community. The content serves as an introduction to academic honesty, the research process, and understanding student behavior in our first-year experience course, APSU 1000—“Transition to the University,” as well as a refresher in graduate-level courses.
The impact of phone calls on follow-up rates in an online depression prevention study.

Abstract Background Automated Internet intervention studies have generally had large dropout rates for follow-up assessments. Live phone follow-ups have been often used to increase follow-up completion rates. Objective To compare, via a randomized study, whether receiving phone calls improves follow-up rates beyond email reminders and financial incentives in a depression prevention study. Method A sample of 95 participants (63 English-speakers and 32 Spanish-speakers) was recruited online to participate in a “Healthy Mood” study. Consented participants were randomized to either a Call or a No Call condition. All participants were sent up to three email reminders in one week at 1, 3, and 6 months after consent, and all participants received monetary incentives to complete the surveys. Those in the Call condition received up to ten follow-up phone calls if they did not complete the surveys in response to email reminders. Results The follow-up rates for Call vs. No Call conditions at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively, were as follows: English speakers, 58.6% vs. 52.9%, 62.1% vs. 52.9%, and 68.9% vs. 47.1%; Spanish speakers, 50.0% vs. 35.7%, 33.3% vs. 21.4%, and 33.3% vs. 7.1%. The number of participants who completed follow-up assessments only after being called at 1-, 3- and 6 months was 2 (14.3%), 0 (0%), and 3 (25.0%) for English speakers, and 2 (18.9%), 0 (0%), and 1 (7.7%) for Spanish speakers. The number of phone calls made to achieve one completed follow-up was 58.8 in the English sample and 57.7 and Spanish-speaking sample. Conclusions Adding phone call contacts to email reminders and monetary incentives did increase follow-up rates. However, the rate of response to follow-up was low and the number of phone calls required to achieve one completed follow-up raises concerns about the utility of adding phone calls. We also discuss difficulties with using financial incentives and their implications.
Enhancing Beijing’s Resilience by Improving Tongzhou’s Access to High-Speed Rail Transportation

The relocation of 400,000 Beijing municipal employees to Tongzhou promises to reduce congestion and pollution in the city center. Further, the relocation could facilitate economic cooperation and integration of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei megaregion. Together, these initiatives can help make Beijing and Northern China more resilient, though critical issues of the connectivity of Tongzhou to the rest of Beijing and the megaregion need to be addressed. This paper focuses on two questions related to the success of these efforts: (1) How many additional commuters can be expected to use the existing subway stations in Tongzhou as a result of the relocation; and (2) How can Tongzhou be better connected to the megaregion’s high-speed rail network and a major airport. To answer the first question, a GIS-based model was used to analyze subway ridership data to estimate changes in rush hour commuters at Tongzhou’s subway stations under three scenarios. The results estimate substantial increases in commuters unless large proportions of the workers move their residences to Tongzhou. To answer the second question, a Moving Platform Infrastructure Network (MPIN) was conceptualized as an innovative alternative to provide needed access to high-speed rail and a major airport. The resulting MPIN provides fast and environmentally sensitive connections, while potentially reducing congestion at the Beijing South railway station. In addition, the MPIN concept could be used in other parts of the megaregion.
Modelling social norms of water conservation.

Social norms are the dominant behavioural patterns in a group that affect how people follow rules and regulations. A new modelling study shows, for different localities around the world, how the combination of biophysical context and social norms affects cooperation in water conservation.
Waves and Beams in the Continuously Stratified Ocean

The equatorial ocean features deep jets that oscillate rapidly with depth. One possible mechanism for creating these jets is the propagation of wind-driven waves deep into the interior. However, the jump in density at the main thermocline will reflect waves. Deep penetrating waves, on the other hand, will bounce off the bottom. Using ideas borrowed from quantum scattering, vertical beams are analyzed through a mix of theory and number-crunching.
Task demands, tDCS intensity, and the COMT val158met polymorphism impact tDCS-linked working memory training gains.

Working memory (WM) training paired with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can improve executive function in older adults. The unclear mechanism of tDCS likely depends on tDCS intensity, and task relevant genetic factors (e.g., for WM: COMT val158met, DAT, BDNF val66met). Higher tDCS intensity does not always lead to greater cognitive gains, and genetic polymorphisms may modulate tDCS-linked WM improvements. To evaluate these factors, 137 healthy older adults provided DNA samples and received Visual and Spatial WM training paired with tDCS (sham, 1, 1.5, 2 mA). After one session of tDCS, significant group differences in WM performance were predicted by COMT val158met status. One month after training, there was a significant interaction of tDCS intensity, COMT genotype, and WM task. Specifically, val/val homozygotes benefited most from 1.5 mA tDCS on Visual WM and from 1 mA tDCS on Spatial WM. For met/met homozygotes, 2 mA resulted in significantly poorer performance compared to 1.5 mA on Spatial WM. While this pattern was observed with relatively small sample sizes, these data indicate that variations in COMT val158met may predict the nature of WM improvement after initial and longitudinal tDCS. This contributes to our understanding of the underlying mechanism by which tDCS affects behaviour.
Prototypes of Social Simulation

This chapter continues the description of SocioFramework from Chap. 5 with discussion how SocioFramework composes prototypes of social systems and how implementations of necessary modeling dimensions are realized. Moreover, it presents programmatic templates of the proposed prototypes and goes into a discussion of software execution issues such as the runtime behavior.
A Delicate Balance: Science, Medicine, and Motherhood

The question I’m asked probably more than any other is “How did you get to where you are today?” I think that’s because even now, physician-scientists who are also women with children are not as common as they ought to be. Patricia Schroeder, the long time congresswoman from Colorado, in response to a question from a colleague about how she could be both a mother of two young children and a member of Congress at the same time, replied “I have a brain and a uterus and I use them both.” Looking back on it, I can see that there were many times during the course of my life when, if it had not been for the right kind of help at the right time and place, I could have gone in another direction. But I’m not sure that I actually thought about it in those terms at the time; I was simply focused on getting the job done. So I’m glad for this opportunity to reflect on the path I’ve taken, and I hope that my musings may be of value to others who find themselves in similar circumstances. It’s a cliche that you should begin at the beginning, but in my case, the circumstances of my childhood had a lot to do with where I am now.
The Human Frontier: Robotics New Quest and Challenge

Robotics is rapidly expanding into human environments and vigorously engaged in its new emerging challenges. Interacting, exploring, and working with humans, the new generation of robots will increasingly touch people and their lives. The successful introduction of robots in these environments will rely on the development of competent and practical systems that are dependable, safe, and easy to use. To effectively work and cooperate with a person, robots must display abilities and skills that are compatible with those of humans. The discussion focuses on the ongoing effort for the design and development of human-friendly robotic systems that can safely and effectively interact and work with humans.
The Internal and External Distribution of Pronominal DPs

The form and distribution of pronouns varies considerably cross-linguistically. In this paper, I will propose that there is a direct relation between the form (i.e. DP internal realization), and syntactic distribution (i.e. DP external realization).
Scaling of magnetized inertial fusion with drive current rise-time

The Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) concept [Slutz et al. Phys. Plasmas 17, 056303 (2010); Gomez et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 155003 (2014)] is being studied on the Z facility at Sandia National Laboratories. MagLIF is a specific example of the more general Magnetized Inertial Fusion (MIF) approach to fusion. Numerical simulations indicate that yields approaching 100 kJ should be possible on the Z machine and much higher yields (10–1000 MJ) should be possible with pulsed power machines producing larger drive currents (45–60 MA) [Slutz et al. Phys. Plasmas 23, 022702 (2016)]. A significant advantage of MIF is that the implosions can be driven more slowly than conventional inertial fusion. In general, the efficiency of pulsed power machines increases with the current rise-time; however, we show by numerical simulation that the current and energy required to obtain a given fusion gain increase monotonically with the current rise-time over the range (10–500 ns). These results can be used to optimize the design of future accelerators to drive MIF concepts such as MagLIF. We also show that the required preheat energy increases strongly with current rise-time, which indicates that very long current rise-times are not desirable at least for MagLIF.
Association between hospital volume and overall survival (OS) of stage 3 and 4 cutaneous malignant melanoma (MMel).

9524Background: Therapeutic advances altered the course of MMel in the last decade. The therapeutic and survival disparities of MMel were evaluated based on hospital volume using the National Cance...
Assessing impact of uncertainties in decline curve analysis through hindcasting

Abstract This study attempts to characterize the uncertainties in production forecasting for unconventional gas wells through hindcasting. The analysis focuses on how results from decline analyses change as the well population ages. The study is based on publicly available and subscription-based production data on 34,000 shale gas wells in the Marcellus, Fayetteville, Haynesville and Barnett plays. A hindcasting analysis was performed on wells, where production has been forecast using a physics-based decline curve analysis. This allows the accuracy of decline methods to be tested and the nature of errors to be assessed. Based on this analysis, the study identified systematic and random errors that impact estimates of ultimate recovery. Fields where few wells have entered boundary-dominated flow show higher uncertainty for field-wide production forecasts. Uncertainty decreases as more production history is accumulated. The physics-based approach for decline curve analysis is shown to be robust through hindcast analysis. The uncertainty in per-well recoveries for the fields studied are in the range 4–8%. The uncertainty in field-wide average ultimate recovery is less than 4% for three of the fields and 5.6% for the Marcellus. Understanding the sources and magnitudes of errors and uncertainties in estimated ultimate recovery values for unconventional gas wells allows operators to account for these in determining economic outcomes and performing financial planning of wells.
Current Risks of Transfusion

Blood transfusion is one of the most common medical interventions in hospitals and has been historically viewed as predominately beneficial with minimal risks. Over time, the risks associated with transfusion have become increasingly well understood. However, most clinicians think only of transfusion-transmitted infections such as hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus in regard to transfusion risk. There are many other transfusion risks including transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI); transfusion-associated cardiac overload (TACO); febrile, hemolytic, allergic, and anaphylactic reactions; transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis (TANEC); and transfusion-related immunomodulation (TRIM). Newly identified risks, such as acute organ injury, inflammation, thrombosis, nosocomial infection due to immunomodulation, exacerbated bleeding to platelet, and plasma transfusions, will also be addressed. This chapter will explore the risks and benefits for transfusion of critically ill patients and discuss recent studies that shed light on this topic.
A novel method to assess breast shape and breast asymmetry

Inspired by topography, a new way of systematically extracting breast measurements is proposed and used in analyzing breast shape. Furthermore, we propose an asymmetry index to quantify the degree ...