cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical control of electron spin precession in semiconductor quantum wells

We demonstrate a spin manipulation scheme that controls the amplitude as well as the phase of the quantum beats from electron spin coherence by exploiting the relative phase between relevant Larmor precessions of electron spins.
Mapping supply chain strategy: an industry analysis

Purpose – In manufacturing industries, the levels of inventories at all stages (i.e. raw material, work-in-process and finished goods inventories) indicate the firm's competitive positioning, strategies, internal processes and relationships with suppliers and downstream customers. The authors identify patterns of manufacturing industries based on levels of raw material and finished goods inventories to classify inbound and outbound supply chain strategies. Design/methodology/approach – The authors review literature on supply chain inventory strategy and perform cluster analysis to analyze patterns of manufacturing industries based on manufacturing industry data collected from US Census of Bureau. Following Porter's Five Forces Model, the authors perform in-depth case studies of four representative industries to analyze factors driving supply chain strategies, including industry intensity of rivalry, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, bargaining power of suppliers, and bargaining power of buyer...
Lesion Detection Characteristics of a Focusing Collimator Gamma Camera Coincidence System

The radioisotope response characteristic of a proposed coincidence mode imaging system consisting of an appropriately designed focusing collimator with a gamma camera modified for second moment measurement are calculated for a range of design parameters. Analytic criteria for the detection of small filling defects imbedded in a radioactive medium are developed which directly relate to some of the practical complexities involved in lesion detection. The calculated performances indices of the system suggest that it may be possible to detect lesions significantly smaller than those currently observable.
A clinical database management system for improved integration of the veterans affairs hospital information system

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Decentralized Hospital Computer Program (DHCP) contains data modules derived from separate ancillary services (e.g., Lab, Pharmacy and Radiology). It is currently difficult to integrate information between the modules. A prototype is being developed aimed at integrating ancillary data by storing clinical data oriented to the patient so that there is easy interaction of data from multiple services. A set of program utilities provides for user-defined functions of decision support, queries, and reports. Information can be used to monitor quality of care by providing feedback in the form of reports, and reminders. Initial testing has indicated the prototype's design and implementation are feasible (in terms of space requirements, speed, and ease of use) in outpatient and inpatient settings. The design, development, and clinical use of this prototype are described.
How are the ABC transporters energized

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are probably the most common as well as the most wide-spread active transport systems. This family includes many bacterial transporters that either export complex molecules (lipids, polysaccharides, or proteins), or import small nutrients in cooperation with the soluble solute-binding proteins (e.g., the maltose and histidine transport systems of Escherichia coli), as well as such human proteins as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and the P-glycoprotein that pumps out many anticancer agents. Each transport complex usually contains four domains or subunits, two transmembrane domains each typically containing six transmembrane helices, and two ATPase domains (Fig. 1). The sequence of ABC or ATPase domains always contains the characteristic Walker A and B motifs that are involved in ATP binding (1), but the intervening section between these two motifs is usually longer here than in other ATP-binding enzymes. It ends in a unique motif called LSGGQ motif, C motif, or “signature motif,” because it is present in all ABC subunits, but usually not in other ATPases. Although ATP hydrolysis is clearly the driving force for active transport by ABC transporters, it was not clear how it was coupled to the transmembrane transport of solutes. In this issue of PNAS, Fetsch and Davidson (2) report results that indicate how the two ATPase domains collaborate in ATP hydrolysis, and suggest how this is likely to be coupled to solute transport.
Characterizing photochemical transformation of aqueous nC60 under environmentally relevant conditions.

Engineered nanomaterials may undergo transformation upon interactions with various environmental factors. In this study, photochemical transformation of aqueous nC60 was investigated under UVA irradiation. nC60 underwent photochemical transformation in the presence of dissolved O2, resulting in surface oxygenation and hydroxylation as demonstrated by XPS and ATR-FTIR analyses. The reaction followed a pseudo-first order rate law with the apparent reaction rate constant of 2.2 × 10−2 h−1. However, the core of the nanoparticles remained intact over 21 days of irradiation. Although no mineralization or dissolution of nC60 was observed, experiments using fullerol as a reference fullerene derivative suggested likely dissolution and partial mineralization of nC60 under long-term UVA exposure. Aquatic humic acid reduced nC60 transformation kinetics presumably due to scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Results from this study imply that photochemical transformation is an important factor controlling nC60 physic...
Neurogenic Phenotype of mind bomb Mutants Leads to Severe Patterning Defects in the Zebrafish Hindbrain

Failure of Notch signaling in zebrafish mind bomb (mib) mutants results in a neurogenic phenotype where an overproduction of early differentiating neurons is accompanied by the loss of later-differentiating cell types. We have characterized in detail the hindbrain phenotype of mib mutants. Hindbrain branchiomotor neurons (BMNs) are reduced in number but not missing in mib mutants. In addition, BMN clusters are frequently fused across the midline in mutants. Mosaic analysis indicates that the BMN patterning and fusion defects in the mib hindbrain arise non–cell autonomously. Ventral midline signaling is defective in the mutant hindbrain, in part due to the differentiation of some midline cells into neural cells. Interestingly, while early hindbrain patterning appears normal in mib mutants, subsequent rhombomere-specific gene expression is completely lost. The defects in ventral midline signaling and rhombomere patterning are accompanied by an apparent loss of neuroepithelial cells in the mutant hindbrain. These observations suggest that, by regulating the differentiation of neuroepithelial cells into neurons, Notch signaling preserves a population of non-neuronal cells that are essential for maintaining patterning mechanisms in the developing neural tube. Developmental Dynamics, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An MRI-compatible hand sensory vibrotactile system.

Recently, the application of vibrotactile noise to the wrist or back of the hand has been shown to enhance fingertip tactile sensory perception (Enders et al 2013), supporting the potential for an assistive device worn at the wrist, that generates minute vibrations to help the elderly or patients with sensory deficit. However, knowledge regarding the detailed physiological mechanism behind this sensory improvement in the central nervous system, especially in the human brain, is limited, hindering progress in development and use of such assistive devices. To enable investigation of the impact of vibrotactile noise on sensorimotor brain activity in humans, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-compatible vibrotactile system was developed to provide vibrotactile noise during an MRI of the brain. The vibrotactile system utilizes a remote (outside the MR room) signal amplifier which provides a voltage from ?40 to +40?V to drive a 12?mm diameter piezoelectric vibrator (inside the MR room). It is portable and is found to be MRI-compatible which enables its use for neurologic investigation with MRI. The system was also found to induce an improvement in fingertip tactile sensation, consistent with the previous study.
The Effects of Surface Lactone Hydrolysis and Temperature on the Specific and Nonspecific Interactions Between Phenobarbital and Activated Carbon Surfaces

ABSTRACT: The effect of hydrolyzing lactone functional groups on the surfaces of different activated carbons upon the specific and nonspecific interactions between phenobarbital and activated carbon surfaces was studied. The effect of temperature on both specific and nonspecific interactions was also studied. The increase in OH groups on the surfaces of activated carbons, as a result of hydrolyzing surface lactone groups, caused an increase in the specific adsorption capacity ( K 2 ) for phenobarbital without having a significant effect on the hydrophobic bonding capacity ( K HB ). Increasing the temperature at which the adsorption experiment was carried out, on the other hand, resulted in a decrease in K HB without having a significant effect on K 2 . The decrease in K HB per unit temperature increase was the same regardless of the activated carbon. These results are in very good agreement with the modified-Langmuir-like equation (M-LLE). © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.
Structure of twin boundaries with added tilt and twist in silicon

Abstract Si bicrystals containing ΣN3 (60°, [111]1, 2) twin boundaries have been fabricated by sintering together single-crystal (111) wafers which deviated from the exact (111) orientation by up to ±4°. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the boundaries to be near-twin boundaries having a superposed tilt component. The grain-boundary dislocation structure observed in these boundaries has been interpreted as arising from the interaction of a large tilt component with a smaller twist component, to give the observed low-energy configuration.
Genomic and genetic database resources for the grasses.

In the strict sense, a biological database is not a Web site. However, the interface that a researcher uses to access the data stored within a database is almost always a Web site. Nonetheless, the two terms are synonymous in the minds of most biologists. With the advent of high-throughput
Tectonically controlled, time-predictable basaltic volcanism from a lithospheric mantle source (central Basin and Range Province, USA)

Understanding the evolution of basaltic volcanic fields is critical to our concepts of basaltic magmatism and to volcanic risk assessment. We summarize physical volcanological, geochemical, and time–volume characteristics of the Plio-Pleistocene part of the Southwestern Nevada Volcanic Field (SNVF) as an example of an extremely low volume-flux end member of basaltic fields. The SNVF has produced 17 volcanoes of dominantly trachybasaltic composition over the past 5 Myr with a total volume of slightly less than 6 km 3 . Eruptive fissure lengths, volumes, and inferred lava effusion rates decreased between Pliocene- and Pleistoceneage volcanoes. Major element data suggest that most of the magmas underwent similar degrees of fractionation during ascent, and trace element compositions indicate a decrease in the degree of partial melting of the lithospheric mantle source since ∼3 Ma. Isotopic data support an interpretation wherein magmas ascended relatively quickly from their source regions with little if any interaction with crustal rocks. Relationships between age and cumulative erupted volume indicate that the repose interval between eruptive episodes is determined by the volumes of prior episodes and, since ∼3 Ma, an average eruption rate of ∼0.5 km 3 /Myr, i.e., the field is time-predictable. All of these features support a model wherein magmatism is a passive result of regional tectonic strain. Partial melt resides in pockets of lithospheric mantle that are relatively enriched in hydrous minerals; slow deformation focuses melt, occasionally resulting in sufficiently high melt pressure to drive dikes upward and feed eruptive episodes. Larger source volumes result in larger eruptive volumes and wider dikes that relieve relatively more strain in the crust than smaller volume events, and therefore are followed by longer repose intervals required for recovery of crustal stresses. We suggest that timepredictability may be a fundamental property of tectonically controlled basaltic fields, where melt accumulation and ascent are controlled by tectonic strain rate. This behavior contrasts with magmatically controlled fields where magma flux is sufficiently high to overwhelm local tectonic strain, eruptions are primarily caused by magmatic processes that build pressure in reservoirs, and the systems are more likely to be volume-predictable. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Secretion of Heptachlor Epoxide in Milk

Abstract Twelve cows, fed alfalfa hay containing 0.08 or 0.29ppm heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide for 35 days, secreted into their milk an average of 17 and 9% of the intake, respectively, all in the form of the epoxide. A log-log relationship with a correlation coefficient of 0.97 was found between the amount of heptachlor plus its epoxide consumed and the concentration of the epoxide in the milk fat. Cows in early lactation secreted slightly more of their intake into their milk than cows in late lactation. However, cows in late lactation produced milk and milk fat with a slightly higher concentration of the epoxide than cows in early lactation. Jersey cows had a higher concentration of the epoxide per kilogram of milk than did Holsteins, but the Jersey milk fat had a lower concentration than did Holstein milk fat.
Cooperation in Outage-Limited Multiple-Access Channels

We consider three variants of the multiple-access (MA) channel and propose protocols that simultaneously achieve the corresponding full-diversity and full-multiplexing gains. The three variants considered in this work are the scalar cooperative MA (CMA) channel, the scalar MA relay (MAR) channel and the vector automatic retransmission request CMA (ARQ-CMA) channel. For the scalar CMA channel, we propose a recursive amplify and forward (AF) protocol and prove its optimality with respect to the diversity-multiplexing tradeoff (DMT). For the scalar MAR channel, we characterize the performance of the dynamic decode and forward (DDF) protocol. This characterization proves that DDF simultaneously achieves the full-diversity and full-multiplexing gains. It also shows that the protocol is DMT optimal, over the range of multiplexing gains 0.5 ges r ges 0. The last variant considered in this paper is the vector ARQ-CMA channel. For this scenario, we propose a protocol and characterize its achieved tradeoff. This characterization reveals that the devised protocol achieves both, the full-diversity and full-multiplexing gains. It also establishes the asymptotic optimality of the proposed protocol as the number of transmission rounds grows to infinity
Scenario aggregation for supply chain quantity-flexibility contract

In this research, we apply a scenario aggregation approach to solving the supply chain contract model formulated by two-stage stochastic programming problem. The supply chain contract can achieve the coordination between the buyer and the supplier. We formulate the stochastic programming model for a quantity-flexibility contract. The scenario aggregation method called the progressive hedging method is used to solve this problem. Experimental results show the convergence behaviour of the algorithm and the sensitivity of parameters.
Onion Graphs for Focus+Context Views of UML Class Diagrams

The paper introduces the use of onion graphs as a focus+context technique for visualizing large UML class models. The focus area, which can be manually or automatically derived, is visualized using the standard UML notations. The remainder of the model is abstracted (context) and presented at varying levels of detail in onion notation. A selective aggregation technique for achieving the abstractions is presented. Finally, the technique is demonstrated by examples on two subsystems of an open source project.
Feeling supported and feeling satisfied: How one partner's attachment style predicts the other partner's relationship experiences

This study explored the association between one partner's attachment style and the other partner's relationship experiences (N = 305 couples). It was hypothesized that individuals would be more satisfied in their relationship when their partners were more secure (lower in attachment avoidance and anxiety), and that this association would be mediated by perceived caregiving. Results indicated that men were less satisfied when their female partners were higher in attachment anxiety, whereas women were less satisfied when their male partners were higher in avoidance. Structural equation modeling revealed that these links were partially mediated by perceived caregiving; individuals who were involved with insecure partners were less satisfied in part because they perceived their partners to be less effective caregivers.
A novel dimeric inhibitor targeting Beta2GPI in Beta2GPI/antibody complexes implicated in antiphospholipid syndrome.

{beta}2GPI is a major antigen for autoantibodies associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy loss. Only the dimeric form of {beta}2GPI generated by anti-{beta}2GPI antibodies is pathologically important, in contrast to monomeric {beta}2GPI which is abundant in plasma. We created a dimeric inhibitor, A1-A1, to selectively target {beta}2GPI in {beta}2GPI/antibody complexes. To make this inhibitor, we isolated the first ligand-binding module from ApoER2 (A1) and connected two A1 modules with a flexible linker. A1-A1 interferes with two pathologically important interactions in APS, the binding of {beta}2GPI/antibody complexes with anionic phospholipids and ApoER2. We compared the efficiency of A1-A1 to monomeric A1 for inhibition of the binding of {beta}2GPI/antibody complexes to anionic phospholipids. We tested the inhibition of {beta}2GPI present in human serum, {beta}2GPI purified from human plasma and the individual domain V of {beta}2GPI. We demonstrated that when {beta}2GPI/antibody complexes are formed, A1-A1 is much more effective than A1 in inhibition of the binding of {beta}2GPI to cardiolipin, regardless of the source of {beta}2GPI. Similarly, A1-A1 strongly inhibits the binding of dimerized domain V of {beta}2GPI to cardiolipin compared to the monomeric A1 inhibitor. In the absence of anti-{beta}2GPI antibodies, both A1-A1 andmore » A1 only weakly inhibit the binding of pathologically inactive monomeric {beta}2GPI to cardiolipin. Our results suggest that the approach of using a dimeric inhibitor to block {beta}2GPI in the pathological multivalent {beta}2GPI/antibody complexes holds significant promise. The novel inhibitor A1-A1 may be a starting point in the development of an effective therapeutic for antiphospholipid syndrome.« less
A New Technique for Recording Heavy Primary Cosmic Radiation and Nuclear Processes in Silver Chloride Single Crystals

A new technique for recording heavy primary cosmic radiation and nuclear processes has been developed through decoration of dislocations formed by these processes in large silver chloride single crystals. The crystals are prepared and exposed to cosmic radiation during high altitude balloon flights. The crystals are then treated according to the Haynes-Shockley photoelectric technique which results in silver collecting at the dislocations and thereby decorates the dislocations at room temperature within two hours. Since silver chloride is transparent to visible light, the decorated dislocations are observable with an optical microscope at a magnification of about 150-200. A one-to-one correspondence has been established between tracks in the crystals and those in photographic emulsions accompanying the crystals during balloon flights. Examples of heavy primary cosmic radiation and nuclear processes in crystals are shown.
Induction of apoptosis and activation of NF-κB by CD95 require different signalling thresholds

Mutations in the death domain of the death receptor CD95 (APO-1/Fas) cause lymphoproliferation and autoimmune disease in both lprcg mice and in patients with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) type Ia. By testing lymphocytes from ALPS type Ia patients, comparing heterozygous with homozygous lprcg mice and coexpressing wild-type and mutant CD95 receptors, we demonstrate that induction of apoptosis requires two wild-type alleles of CD95. By contrast, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) can be fully activated in cells expressing both a mutant and a wild-type CD95 allele, suggesting different thresholds to activate the two signalling pathways. This was confirmed by testing lymphocytes from heterozygous lpr mice, which showed reduced sensitivity to CD95-mediated apoptosis but normal activation of NF-κB when compared with wild-type mice. Mutations in CD95 may eliminate the tumour-suppressive function of CD95, at the same time allowing induction of survival or proliferative pathways, which could contribute to the increased risk for lymphoma seen in ALPS type Ia patients.
Tension pneumopericardium as a complication of single-lung transplantation

Tension pneumopericardium is distinctly uncommon in the adult population. We present a case of tension pneumopericardium as a complication of lung transplantation in a 54-year-old woman with thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension who underwent single-lung transplantation.
TRENDS IN AMERICANS' POLITICAL INFORMATION, 1967-1987

This study utilizes National Opinion Research Center (NORC) surveys in 1967, 1987, and 1988, and Survey Research Center/Center for Political Studies (SRC/CPS) data from 1960 to 1986 to explore trends in Americans' knowledge of public affairs. NORC and SRC/CPS data indicate that, despite being better educated, the public in the 1980s is slightly less informed than in the 1960s. The primary culprits for diminished political information are diminution in political interest and lessened reliance on newspapers.
A voltage perturbation control of VSI with estimator in weak microgrid

This paper presents a voltage perturbation control strategy in weak microgrid, which is able to use a voltage estimator to perform voltage feed-forward control. The proposed control strategy is embedded in voltage source inverter (VSI) and provides supplementary control in power-voltage control system. When a series of parameters perturbation occur, the output voltage waveform of VSI would be distorted, at the same time, the amplitude error and the phase error as compared to microgrid voltage would appear. As the amount of perturbation cannot be obtained directly through measurement, an estimator is used to calculate this perturbation in order to realize feed-forward compensation for the perturbation component. Finally, VSI output voltage amplitude, frequency and phase are the same as those of microgrid at the point of common coupling. Therefore, the distributed generator through VSI can be connected without phase locked loop. Furthermore, the robustness of the control system is investigated under parameters' variation. The simulation and experimental results show that the smooth transition is achieved when a DG is connected or disconnected from the islanded microgrid.
Creating the `Ripe Moment' in the East Timor Conflict

Analyzing the East Timor conflict by way of applying William Zartman's notion of 'ripeness' and John Burton's 'basic human needs' not only proves indispensable for pointing out the personalities, forces and dynamics that might contribute to a negotiated outcome of the East Timor conflict, but also to how these notions might be applied to intractable conflicts more generally. This paper argues that a means of breaking out of the present impasse in negotiations concerning the East Timor conflict is to create what Zartman calls the 'ripe moment'. It is argued that the missing ingredient for the 'ripe moment' in the case of East Timor is what Zartman calls a 'formula for a way out'. Central in the development of such a formula is that parties build upon 'basic needs' which they mutually recognize - 'Type 1 needs' - and defer to a later stage of negotiations those 'basic needs' where disagreement is found - 'Type needs'. After criticizing Burton's notion of basic needs and the distinction intended to deal with the criticism of Burton's theory, it is argued that the likely initiators of the 'formula for the way out' in the case of the East Timor conflict are what are referred to as pro-autonomy East Timorese. The significance of developing such a formula lies in its potential to become a focus of negotiations between the Indonesian government and representatives of pro-autonomy East Timorese - negotiations that are supported by the international community and expatriate East Timorese political organizations.
Measurements of Lacrimal Glands from Cadavers, With Descriptions of Typical Glands and Three Gross Variants

Objective: To measure cadaveric human lacrimal glands. Methods: Excised lacrimal glands from 22 male and 23 female embalmed cadavers were stored in embalming fluid. They were then blotted, weighed, and measured using dividers and a digital micrometer. Results: Besides the typical gland (Type I), three gross variants were found. The subencapsulated variant (Type II) has dense connective tissue covering its deep surface. This would prevent the usual horizontal positioning of the lobes relative to the levator palpebrae superioris aponeurosis (lpsa), causing the latter to extend but minimally beneath the free edge of the orbital lobe. Consequently, the gland lies mainly beside the globe and angulated parallel to the lpsa. Its adjacent palpebral lobe lies beneath the latter. The bilayered variant (Type III) has its smaller orbital lobe's deep surface affixed above its large, ovoid palpebral lobe. Most of the gland droops beside the globe except for the edge of its orbital lobe which lies above the edge of the ...
Impact of a physician-in-triage process on resident education.

Introduction: Emergency department (ED) crowding negatively impacts patient care quality and efficiency. To reduce crowding many EDs use a physician-in-triage (PIT) process. However, few studies have evaluated the effect of a PIT processes on resident education. Our objective was to determine the impact of a PIT process implementation on resident education within the ED of an academic medical center. Methods: We performed a prospective cross-sectional study for a 10-week period from March to June 2011, during operationally historic trended peak patient volume and arrival periods. Emergency medicine residents (three-year program) and faculty, blinded to the research objectives, were asked to evaluate the educational quality of each shift using a 5-point Likert scale. Residents and faculty also completed a questionnaire at the end of the study period assessing the perceived impact of the PIT process on resident education, patient care, satisfaction, and throughput. We compared resident and attending data using Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: During the study period, 54 residents and attendings worked clinically during the PIT process with 78% completing questionnaires related to the study. Attendings and residents indicated “no impact” of the PIT process on resident education [median Likert score of 3.0, inter-quartile range (IQR): 2-4]. There was no difference in attending and resident perceptions (p-value =0.18). Both groups perceived patient satisfaction to be “positively impacted” [4.0, IQR:2-4 for attendings vs 4.0,IQR:1-5 for residents, p-value =0.75]. Residents perceived more improvement in patient throughput to than attendings [3.5, IQR:3-4 for attendings vs 4.0, IQR:3-5 for residents, p-value =0.006]. Perceived impact on differential diagnosis generation was negative in both groups [2.0, IQR:1-3 vs 2.5, IQR:1-5, p-value = 0.42]. The impact of PIT on selection of diagnostic studies and medical decision making was negative for attendings and neutral for residents: [(2.0, IQR:1-3 vs 3.0,IQR:1-4, p-value =0.10) and (2.0, IQR:1-4 vs 3.0, IQR:1-5, p-value =0.14 respectively]. Conclusion: Implementation of a PIT process at an academic medical center was not associated with a negative (or positive) perceived impact on resident education. However, attendings and residents felt that differential diagnosis development was negatively impacted. Attendings also felt diagnostic test selection and medical decision-making learning were negatively impacted by the PIT process. [West J Emerg Med. 2014;15(7):–0.]
Genetic analysis of eye development in zebrafish.

The vertebrate eye is a remarkable biological sensor which provides an extraordinary assortment of detailed information about the surrounding world. The accurate performance of the eye requires the cooperation of many elements with fundamentally different functional and structural properties such as the lens, ocular muscles, and the retina. The embryological origins of the eye are as diverse as its structure. The neural retina and the pigmented epithelium originate as an outpocketing of the neural tube, the lens as an ectodermal placode, while the ocular muscles arise from the mesenchyme. In the past decade or so, a small aquatic vertebrate, the zebrafish, has emerged as an excellent model system to study the genetic basis of vertebrate eye development.
A 28nm 3.6GHz 128 thread SPARC T5 processor and system applications

The SPARC T5 processor implements 16 8-threaded SPARC S3 cores, an 8-MB 16-way set-associative L3 cache, 8 BL8 DDR3-1066 schedulers, and integrated PCIe Gen-3. The processor doubles the performance of the previous generation SPARC T4 CPU and expands support for up to 8 socket systems in a single hop glueless fashion. It is implemented in the TSMC 28nm process using 1.5 billion transistors and a 13 layer metal stack. The chip has a maximum operating frequency of 3.6 GHz.
Factors affecting activity and selectivity in the oxidation of glycerol promoted by platinum catalysts

The kinetics of the catalytic oxidation of glycerol in water solutions by O2 gas, promoted by silica-supported platinum catalysts, was characterized. The reaction was optimized as a function of temperature, glycerol concentration, and oxygen flow rates. Critically, it was observed that, at least in batch reactors, both activity and primary selectivity (between the terminal and central alcohol groups, to yield glyceraldehyde and dihydroxyacetone, respectively) depend strongly on the extent of conversion of the reaction, a result that may call into question some of the conclusions reached for this system in previous studies. It was determined that the observed changes are mainly due to a reversible poisoning of the catalyst by dihydroxyacetone (and possibly other primary products), not to a secondary effect from subsequent conversion of glyceraldehyde to glyceric acid or other products. In addition, it was found that the conversion of a fresh reaction mixture with a recycled catalyst after mild reconditioning, or even after no treatment at all, displays almost the same activity and selectivity as in the initial catalytic run. Multiple use of the catalyst does lead to slow deactivation, presumably because of a buildup of carbonaceous deposits on the surface, and more stringent pretreatments cause irreversible Pt nanoparticle sintering.
The ground test accelerator control system database: configuration, run-time operation, and access

A database is used to implement the interface between the control system and the accelerator and to provide flexibility in configuring the I/O (input/output). This flexibility is necessary to allow the control system to keep pace with the changing requirements inherent in an experimental environment. It is noted that this is not achieved without cost. Problems often associated with using databases are painful data entry, poor performance, and knowledge of the database structure embedded in code throughout the control system. The author describes how the database configuration, access, conversion, and execution in the Ground Test Accelerator (GTA) Control System overcome these problems. The database is configured using an interactive tool that requires minimal training. The configuration tool provides a variety of modification and reporting facilities to aid the application engineers. Database access routines provide a run-time binding to the database and remove the need for code to know the structure of the database in order to access the data. The routines provide the interface with a minimum of overhead. Database scan routines are compiled with knowledge of the database structure to efficiently process the I/O. Attention to the potential problems of using a database along with increased processor bandwidth has results in flexibility and excellent performance. >
Understanding data center network architectures in virtualized environments: A view from multi-tier applications

In recent years, data center network (DCN) architectures (e.g., DCell [11], FiConn [14], BCube [10], FatTree [1], and VL2 [8]) received a surge of interest from both the industry and academia. However, evaluation of these newly proposed DCN architectures is limited to MapReduce or scientific computing type of traffic patterns, and none of them provides an in-depth understanding of their performance in conventional transaction systems under realistic workloads. Moreover, it is also unclear how these architectures are affected in virtualized environments. In this paper, we fill this void by conducting an experimental evaluation of FiConn and FatTree, each respectively as a representative of hierarchical and flat architectures, in a clustered three-tier transaction system using a virtualized deployment. We evaluate these two architectures from the perspective of application performance and explicitly consider the impact of server virtualization. Our experiments are conducted in two major testing scenarios, service fragmentation and failure resilience, from which we observe several fundamental characteristics that are embedded in both classes of network topologies and cast a new light on the implication of virtualization in DCN architectures. Issues observed in this paper are generic and should be properly considered in any DCN design before the actual deployment, especially in mission-critical real-time transaction systems.
Classroom-Based Cognitive--Behavioral Intervention to Prevent Aggression: Efficacy and Social Validity.

Abstract Classroom teachers need effective, efficient strategies to prevent and/or ameliorate destructive student behaviors and increase socially appropriate ones. During the past two decades, researchers have found that cognitive strategies can decrease student disruption/aggression and strengthen pro-social behavior. Following preliminary pilot work, we conducted a study to determine whether a classwide, social problem-solving curriculum affected measures of knowledge and behavior for 165 4th and 5th grade students at risk for behavior problems. We found significant positive treatment effects on knowledge of problem-solving concepts and teacher ratings of aggression. Outcomes differed across teachers/classrooms, and there was no evidence that booster lessons affected treatment efficacy. Teacher ratings of social validity were generally positive. We discuss issues about classroom-based prevention research and future research directions.
A central limit theorem for quadruple-wise independent arrays of random variables

Abstract While the question of whether for a nondegenerate strictly stationary sequence with finite second moments, quadruple-wise independence implies the CLT remains open, we show that the CLT holds for a triangular array of quadruple-wise independent random variables which, in addition, are strongly mixing and satisfy the Lindeberg condition.
Golden Rule and Other Representative Values for Atanassov Type Intuitionistic Membership Grades

Our interest here is on comparing Atanassov type intuitionistic membership grades, this is a problem since they are not completely ordered. We suggest the use of an associated scalar value that we refer to as the representative value. We note the formal correspondence between interval valued membership grades and Atanassov type intuitionistic membership grades. Inspired by this we review some ideas on the formulation of representative values for interval valued membership grades. We then use this formal correspondence to help transfer these ideas to Atanassov type intuitionistic membership grades. We note while the construction of a representative value requires the satisfaction of some properties, these properties do not completely constrain its formulation and as such leave room for the inclusion of some subjective aspects in formulating representative values. Here we look at different representative values. A particularly notable example of representative values investigated here is what we refer to as the Golden Rule representative value.
Stochastic volatility and option pricing

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the present literature on applications of stochastic volatility (SV) models in pricing options. It includes discussions on modeling of SV in both discrete time and continuous time and modeling of SV with jumps, option pricing under SV and implications of SV on option prices, as well as the interplay between SV and jumps, estimation of SV models with a focus on the simulation-based indirect inference as a generic approach and the efficient method-of-moments (EMM), and volatility forecasting based on standard volatility models and volatility forecasting using implied volatility from option prices. The relationship between option prices and underlying asset return dynamics offers guidance in searching alternative option pricing models that have the “right” distribution as implied from option prices. The SV model has a flexible distributional structure in which the correlation between volatility and asset returns serves to control the level of asymmetry and the volatility variation coefficient serves to control the level of kurtosis. It is obvious that implications of SV on option prices depend critically on the specification of the SV processes.
Analysing Technology Investments -- from NPV to SCM

This paper considers the very difficult managerial challenge of evaluating potential investments in new manufacturing technology. A U.S. based case study is used to demonstrate the limitations of the conventional NPV framework and to demonstrate the role of explicit strategic analysis through the SCM framework.
Three Verifications of Thiele's Date for the Beginning of the Divided Kingdom

Edwin Thlele's work on the chronology of the divided kingdom was first published in a 1944 article that was an abridgement of his doctoral dissertation.' His research later appeared in various journals and in hls book The Mysteereons Numbers ofthe Hebrew Kings, whch went through three edrtions before Thiele's death in 1986.' No other chronological study dealmg with the divided monarches has found such wide acceptance among historians of the ancient Near East. The present study will show why this respect among historians is justified, particularly as regarding Thiele's dates for the northern kingdom, while touching somewhat on the reasons that later scholars had to modrfy Thiele's chronology for the southern kingdom. The breakthrough for Thiele's chronology was that it matched various fixed dates in Assyrian history, and also helped resolve the controversy regardrng other Assyrian dates, while at the same time it was consistent with all the biblical data that Thiele used to construct the chronology of the northern kingdom-but with the caveat that thls was not entirely the case in h s treatment of texts for the Judean kings. Of interest for the present discussion is the observation that Thiele's dates for the northern kingdom had no substantial changes between the time of his 1944 article and the 1 986 publication of the frnal edition of Mysteriozts N~mbers.~ The initial skepticism that greeted Thiele's findings has been replaced, in many quarters, by the realization that h s means of establishing the dates of these hngs shows a fundamental understanding of the historical issues involved, whether regarding Assyrian or Babylonian records or the traditions of the Hebrews. Rather than trying to cover all the dates and hstorical data that have brought many scholars to this judgment, I shall focus on just one date that
A combined ERA/MME algorithm for robust system realization/identification

lye address the problem of determining an accurate inathematical model of appropriate order for a dynamic system. using discrete. time-domain, generally noisy output ~neasurements. The problem tj-pically entails two tasks. namely. the rfnli:ufion task of choosing the niodel form and order. and the identification task of estimatir~g the parameters in the model after its order has been chosen. Recently. the Eigensysteni Realization Algorithm (ER.1) has heen developed for both realization and identification of models of dynalnic systems. Separately. i l ininiuln iIode1 Error (11 i IEj estimation 11as been developed for state estimation of poorly nlodeled dynamic systeins. The ER.4 method w x k s very xvell i f the nleasurement noise is Ion-. but loses accuracy as the measurement noise increases. The .\I.\IE is not specificallja realization.identification technique. hut is capable of very accurate state estimation in the piesence of 110th significant model error and measureinent noise. 111 this paper. n-e develop and deinonstrate a 1-ery robust a;gorithtn for sj-stem realization ' identific~tion which comhines features of both the ER-1 and .\I.\IE.
Dispersal and Population Structure in the European Starling

Dispersal in birds can be estimated in several ways, including the use of banding data and the indirect use of genetic data. This study uses both of these to estimate dispersal and genetic population structure in the European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) in North America. Banding data imply that natal dispersal is quite high, and this finding is supported by the observed rapid colonization of North America. Genetic data, based on allozyme allele frequcncies from populations in Virginia, Vermont, Colorado, and California, are consistent with a species with large demes and high rates of dispersal.
Optimum Penstock Diameter in Hydroelectric Plants

Solution for best size of penstock should include consideration of special conditions affecting cost and structural safety; general equations derived for variable and nonvariable shell thickness for various purposes, may apply to penstock problems for preliminary design and cost estimate purposes; time saving achieved.
A Methodology for Examining the Congruency of Factors Derived from Different Samples

This paper introduces the factor comparison methodology as a tool for comparative research efforts where the researcher is investigating similarities and differences in the responses of subjects from different samples. A factor congruency test, originally developed by Tucker (1951), is defined and illustrated using a comparative study of exporting firms from United States, Canada and Norway. The factor congruency test produces a congruency coefficient which relates each factor of one factor matrix to each factor of another matrix. This coefficient ranges in value from ∓ 1 for perfect agreement to zero for no agreement.
Culture, Ecology, and Social Policy

This chapter discusses culture, ecology, and social policy. Anthropology as a discipline has focused on peoples outside of the historical mainstream for so long that it is hard to establish a dialog with the contemporary world and its issues. There are few links between anthropological knowledge and the critical ecological problems of the age. However, the contemporary ecological situation is outside the professional comprehension of anthropologists at this time. Perhaps anthropology as a field is not especially well-equipped to handle such matters and perhaps its chief contributions to the environmental problem will lie in general theory and in intensive studies of human–environmental relations in special economic contexts, especially agricultural. However, even if the contribution should be a specialized one, anthropologists will need to revise their methods and their choices of research sites. At the heart of any attempt to deal with human ecology from the standpoint of social policy lies the question of whether society itself becomes an environment comparable to the natural environment. A degree of policy relevance in cultural–ecological research, therefore, can be achieved by studying the world, going out beyond the isolated, sheltered cases.
What Can I Do? Small Effects and the Collective Action Worry

Large-scale problems like the population crisis can leave each of us, as an individual, feeling causally impotent in our ability to make a difference. While it is technically true that I can make the population crisis better or worse—that is, most of us can choose either to make more people or not—in the context of a population of more than seven billion, the number of people any one of us can create appears not to matter. Consider resource shortages: it seems absurd to think that my adding one child, or two, or even seven, will make any real difference. But if my having a child doesn’t change whether or not there are enough resources, and no individual will perceive the difference, then it would appear that my action doesn’t actually harm anyone. The existence of another person in the world is a difference that doesn’t make a moral difference. In the present chapter, I will argue that this objection from ‘causal impotence’ may seem compelling, but that it depends on a contentious principle concerning what considerations can make an action morally wrong. I close by suggesting that this principle, which I call ‘Significant Difference’, is not as plausible as it first appears, and so we should expand our search for governing moral principles.
Outcome-based competency model for systems engineering training

This paper describes how dominant theories relating to outcome-based learning and workforce competency were synthesized into a singular outcome-based competency model to address a general problem of ineffectual training evaluation. A baseline model was developed using leading theories from the academic literature pertaining to competencies for systems engineers across three categories: cognitive, skill and knowledge based, and affective/behavioral. The model was further refined via qualitative and quantitative analysis of formal interviews from subject matter experts in the field of systems engineering workforce management. The resultant theoretical model is both grounded in robust theory and validated by subject matter experts, and is suitable to drive practical evaluations of the efficacy of systems engineering training across multiple contexts. The model classifies the competencies into three tiers of workforce functionality: foundational, specialized, leadership.
The Third Gaza War: Devastating Consequences

The chapter offers an intimate account of the author's involvement in ceasefire diplomacy and includes analysis how flaws in ceasefire understandings can have major consequences. Demonstrating diplomacy in action he analyses how flaws in a ceasefire understanding can have major unintended consequences. The UN and Secretary Kerry learned the bitter lesson of a ceasefire that should have stopped the war at mid-point, but instead was violated in the first hours and followed by some of the worst fighting. After the war the UN brokered the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM) between Israel and the Palestinian government of national consensus. The mechanism was intended to open up Gaza for the massive reconstruction needs, but for reasons which are explained the GRM was never fully enabled. It is argued that Gaza must be prioritized for any future peace process to have a chance to succeed.