cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of stock correlation networks

How to depict the relationships between stocks has always been a focus for scholars. Knowing the relationship between two stocks means that we can adjust the investment plans based on the correlation between the stocks. We are able to lower the risk of the portfolio while maintaining its expected return if we know the correlations between the stocks in the portfolio, assuming that information carries on through time In this study, we establish a method to depict the relationship between two stocks in a more generalized way, as to provide a new approach to find the relationship between two stocks other than correlation. The following four categories are taken into account: the correlation between the stocks, how close the stocks are in case of the category of the companies that issue the stocks, how frequently that the two stocks are mentioned together, and possible transaction in the business between the two companies that issue the stocks. To determine the relationships between stocks, an algorithm is initiated to generate a score between 0 and 1 for all four categories described above. Typically, a higher score indicates a more significant relationship between the two stocks. The data of the stocks are imported from the wind database, including the price and category of the stocks. The business transactions between the companies have been taken from D&B Hoovers. Primary and secondary sources about the stocks will be considered as textual evidence. On the basis of the algorithm, the following 4-step analyses have been conducted. First, the correlation between the two stocks is calculated using the covariance matrix from the DCC-GARCH model. We assume the score of the correlation section equals the correlation between the two stocks. Second, if the fields of the two companies that issued the stocks are closer, the score for this section will be higher. Third, the score for the business transaction between the companies is determined by the proportion of transactions between the two companies. Last but not least, the score for textual evidence will be calculated using the equation below.
Collective Healing: A Framework for Building Transformative Collaborations in Public Health.

The capacity of cross-sector collaboration to create meaningful change across social–ecological levels has long been understood in public health. But the ability of cross-sector collaboration to ac...
Hanson-Wright Inequality for Random Tensors under Einstein Product

The Hanson-Wright inequality is an upper bound for tails of real quadratic forms in independent subgaussian random variables. In this work, we extend the Hanson-Wright inequality for the maximum eigenvalue of the quadratic sum of random Hermitian tensors under Einstein product. We first prove Weyl inequality for tensors under Einstein product and apply this fact to separate the quadratic form of random Hermitian tensors into diagonal sum and coupling (non-diagonal) sum parts. For the diagonal part, we can apply Bernstein inequality to bound the tail probability of the maximum eigenvalue of the sum of independent random Hermitian tensors directly. For coupling sum part, we have to apply decoupling method first, i.e., decoupling inequality to bound expressions with dependent random Hermitian tensors with independent random Hermitian tensors, before applying Bernstein inequality again to bound the tail probability of the maximum eigenvalue of the coupling sum of independent random Hermitian tensors. Finally, the Hanson-Wright inequality for the maximum eigenvalue of the quadratic sum of random Hermitian tensors under Einstein product can be obtained by the combination of the bound from the diagonal sum part and the bound from the coupling (non-diagonal) sum part.
Balanced Incomplete Block Designs

Random assignment of treatments within homogeneous blocks is an effective way to eliminate confounding due to differences between blocks when analyzing treatment differences. A complete block design includes observations within every combination of blocking factors. Balanced incomplete block designs provide a more efficient alternative in which all combinations are not represented, but every pair of blocks appears equally often. Keywords: random treatment assignment; analysis of variance; block designs
Diel production and microheterotrophic utilization of dissolved free amino acids in waters off southern California

Diel patterns of dissolved free amino acid (DFAA) concentration and microheterotrophic utilization were examined in the spring and fall of 1981 in euphotic waters from the base of the mixed layer off the southern California coast. The average depths of the isotherms sampled were 19.2 m for spring and 9.0 m for fall. Total DFAA levels were generally higher in the spring than in the fall, 18 to 66 nM and 14 to 20 nM, respectively. Two daily concentration maxima and minima were observed for total DFAAs as well as for most individual DFAAs. Maxima were usually measured in the mid-dark period and in the early afternoon; minima were typically observed in early morning and late afternoon. Bacterial cell numbers reached maximal values near midnight in both seasons. These increases coincided with one of the total DFAA maxima. The second total DFAA maximum occurred in early to midafternoon, during the time of maximum photosynthetic carbon production and rapid dissolved amino acid utilization. Microbial metabolism (incorporation plus respiration) of selected 3H-amino acids was 2.7 to 4.1 times greater during the daylight hours. DFAA turnover times, based on these metabolic measurements, ranged between 11 and 36 h for the amino acids tested, and rates were 1.7 to 3.7 times faster in the daylight hours than at night. DFAA distributions were related to primary production and chlorophyll a concentrations. Amino acids were estimated to represent 9 to 45% of the total phytoplankton exudate. Microheterotrophic utilization or production of total protein amino acids was estimated as 3.6 μg of C liter−1 day−1 in spring and 1.9 μg of C liter−1 day−1 in the fall. Assimilation efficiency for dissolved amino acids averaged 65% for marine microheterotrophs.
Stereochemical aspects of synthetic and naturally occurring 2-hydroxy fatty acids. Their absolute configurations and assays of optical purity.

Abstract d - and l -Cerebronic acid 5 , 6 methyl esters were obtained from a dl -mixture by converting the racemic ester to the l -acetylmandelates and separating the diastereomers by thin-layer chromatography; the diasteromers were then decomposed with mild acid methanolysis. The optical purities of the d - and l -enantiomers were determined as described below and found to be 82.5% and 87.1%, respectively. Absolute configurations of the enantiomers were confirmed by their ORD spectra; specific rotations at the peak of the anomalous curves at 223 nm of the d - and l -isomers were −989 ° and +1120 °, respectively. Considering their optical purities, the actual maximum rotations of these enantiomers were calculated as −1520 ° and +1509 °, respectively. The conditions for the reaction of l -acetylmandelyl chloride and 2-hydroxy fatty acid esters were modified to be suitable for the optical assay of 2-hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters. The method was also shown to be applicable to the assay of 3-hydroxy isomers and possibly to other positional isomers. The absolute configuration of 2-hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters obtained from calf brain cerebrosides and from yeast cerebrins were determined to be d (−), confirming previous assignments. Methyl cerebronate obtained from its less soluble strychnine salt was found to be the l (+)-enantiomer, contrary to a previous assignment. Methyl d -cerebronate was hydrolyzed with tetrahydrofuran-HCl to obtain D-cerebronic acid without racemization.
A Primer on Binocular Rivalry, Including Current Controversies

Among psychologists and vision scientists,binocular rivalry has enjoyed sustainedinterest for decades dating back to the 19thcentury. In recent years, however, rivalry'saudience has expanded to includeneuroscientists who envision rivalry as a “tool” for exploring the neural concomitants ofconscious visual awareness and perceptualorganization. For rivalry's potential to berealized, workers using this “tool” need toknow details of this fascinating phenomenon,and providing those details is the purpose ofthis article. After placing rivalry in ahistorical context, I summarize major findingsconcerning the spatial characteristics and thetemporal dynamics of rivalry, discuss two majortheoretical accounts of rivalry (“eye” vs“stimulus” rivalry) and speculate on possibleneural concomitants of binocular rivalry.
Computers in education are entering the fourth revolution--yet health education is just entering the third.

(1983). Computers in Education are Entering the Fourth Revolution—Yet Health Education is Just Entering the Third. Health Education: Vol. 14, No. 6, pp. 72-75.
Solution structure and properties of AlgH from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the algH gene regulates the cellular concentrations of a number of enzymes and the production of several virulence factors, and is suggested to serve a global regulatory function. The precise mechanism by which the algH gene product, the AlgH protein, functions is unknown. The same is true for AlgH family members from other bacteria. In order to lay the groundwork for understanding the physical underpinnings of AlgH function, we examined the structure and physical properties of AlgH in solution. Under reducing conditions, results of NMR, electrophoretic mobility, and sedimentation equilibrium experiments indicate AlgH is predominantly monomeric and monodisperse in solution. Under non-reducing conditions intra- and intermolecular disulfide bonds form, the latter promoting AlgH oligomerization. The high-resolution solution structure of AlgH reveals alpha/beta-sandwich architecture fashioned from ten beta strands and seven alpha helices. Comparison with available structures of orthologues indicates conservation of overall structural topology. The region of the protein most strongly conserved structurally also shows the highest amino acid sequence conservation and, as revealed by hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies, is also the most stable. In this region, evolutionary trace analysis identifies two clusters of amino acid residues with the highest evolutionary importance relative to all other AlgH residues. These frame a partially solvent exposed shallow hydrophobic cleft, perhaps identifying a site for intermolecular interactions. The results establish a physical foundation for understanding the structure and function of AlgH and AlgH family proteins and should be of general importance for further investigations of these and related proteins.
Negotiating Paths, Creepy Crawly Creatures and Things that Go Bump in the Night: The Cautionary Tale of a Fourth-Year Dean

This essay on the perils and pleasures to be found on the path of a law school dean was written for the 10th Leadership in Legal Education Symposium at the University of Toledo College of Law.
Nonlinear integer programming for optimal allocation in stratified sampling

A stratified random sampling plan is one in which the elements of the population are first divided into nonoverlapping groups, and then a simple random sample is selected from each group. In this paper, we focus on determining the optimal sample size of each group. We show that various versions of this problem can be transformed into a particular nonlinear program with a convex objective function, a single linear constraint, and bounded variables. Two branch and bound algorithms are presented for solving the problem. The first algorithm solves the transformed subproblems in the branch and bound tree using a variable pegging procedure. The second algorithm solves the subproblems by performing a search to identify the optimal Lagrange multiplier of the single constraint. We also present linearization and dynamic programming methods that can be used for solving the stratified sampling problem. Computational testing indicates that the pegging branch and bound algorithm is fastest for some classes of problems, and the linearization method is fastest for other classes of problems.
Raman spectra of titanium dioxide

Abstract First-order Raman spectra have been recorded at room temperature for the anatase and rutile phases of polycrystalline titanium dioxide using an argon ion laser as exciter. The high-temperature rutile phase was found to be stabilized at temperatures below 450°C. Anatase transforms to rutile phase at ∼750°C. All the Raman active fundamentals predicted by group theory are observed.
Application of Groebner Basis Methodology to Nonlinear Analysis of an Underwater Cable

The governing equations for a large deflection cable analysis have a highly nonlinear and coupled nature. As a result, analytical solutions are unavailable or limited to a few simplified cases. The present study is to apply the Groebner Basis methodology combined with the Galerkin method to a geometrically nonlinear analysis of an underwater cable as an example.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Experimental gain characteristics and barrier lasing in strained‐layer InGaAs‐GaAs‐AlGaAs quantum well heterostructure lasers

Gain characteristics are reported for a series of five separate confinement heterostructure InxGa1−xAs‐GaAs‐Al0.20Ga0.80As (0.08<x<0.33) strained‐layer quantum well lasers with a 70 A well thickness. The differential current gain β increases with indium composition from 14.2 for x=0.16 to 27.4 cm/A for x=0.33, as calculated from a semilogarithmic gain‐current density relation. Data are also presented on emission wavelengths and threshold current as a function of composition and cavity length. Devices with x=0.08 are unable to reach threshold on the quantum well transition, and laser operation in the barriers is observed for all cavity lengths. Devices with higher indium fraction switch from the n=1 transition in the quantum well for long cavity lengths to the n=2 transition and to the GaAs barriers for short cavities due to saturation of the available quantum well gain.
Elastomeric PGS Scaffolds in Arterial Tissue Engineering

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading cause of mortality in the US and especially, coronary artery disease increases with an aging population and increasing obesity 1 . Currently, bypass surgery using autologous vessels, allografts, and synthetic grafts are known as a commonly used for arterial substitutes 2 . However, these grafts have limited applications when an inner diameter of arteries is less than 6 mm due to low availability, thrombotic complications, compliance mismatch, and late intimal hyperplasia 3,4 . To overcome these limitations, tissue engineering has been successfully applied as a promising alternative to develop small-diameter arterial constructs that are nonthrombogenic, robust, and compliant. Several previous studies have developed small-diameter arterial constructs with tri-lamellar structure, excellent mechanical properties and burst pressure comparable to native arteries 5,6 . While high tensile strength and burst pressure by increasing collagen production from a rigid material or cell sheet scaffold, these constructs still had low elastin production and compliance, which is a major problem to cause graft failure after implantation. Considering these issues, we hypothesized that an elastometric biomaterial combined with mechanical conditioning would provide elasticity and conduct mechanical signals more efficiently to vascular cells, which increase extracellular matrix production and support cellular orientation. The objective of this report is to introduce a fabrication technique of porous tubular scaffolds and a dynamic mechanical conditioning for applying them to arterial tissue engineering. We used a biodegradable elastomer, poly (glycerol sebacate) (PGS) 7 for fabricating porous tubular scaffolds from the salt fusion method. Adult primary baboon smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were seeded on the lumen of scaffolds, which cultured in our designed pulsatile flow bioreactor for 3 weeks. PGS scaffolds had consistent thickness and randomly distributed macro- and micro-pores. Mechanical conditioning from pulsatile flow bioreactor supported SMC orientation and enhanced ECM production in scaffolds. These results suggest that elastomeric scaffolds and mechanical conditioning of bioreactor culture may be a promising method for arterial tissue engineering.
Review: Stress hyperglycemia after ischemic stroke indicates a greater risk for death in patients without diabetes

Source Citation Capes SE, Hunt D, Malmberg K, Pathak P, Gerstein HC. Stress hyperglycemia and prognosis of stroke in nondiabetic and diabetic patients. A systematic overview. Stroke. 2001 Oct 1;32:...
Energy deposition in low-power coaxial plasma thrusters

An experimental examination of energy deposition in self-field, coaxial plasma thrusters revealed that the thrust efficiency ranged from 2-9 percent and that the dominant losses resulted from electrode heating and propellant ionization. Sensible enthalpy and radiative losses were negligible. Thruster specific impulse increased with current, ranging from 550-1750 seconds. Spectroscopic studies of the plume plasma showed that the electron temperature ranged from 0.5-2.5 eV and that the dominant species were singly and doubly ionized argon. Attempts to raise thruster efficiency by increasing the chamber pressure resulted in reduced electrode losses and lowered I(sp), but the thrust efficiency decreased because of a current redistribution that lowered the thrust beyond expectations.
Ultrasonic NDE in a reactor core with an AlN transducer

In radiation environments ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation has great potential for improving reactor safety and furthering the understanding of radiation effects and materials. In both nuclear power plants and materials test reactors, elevated temperatures and high levels of radiation present challenges to ultrasonic NDE methodologies. The challenges are primarily due to the degradation of the ultrasonic sensors utilized. We present results from the operation of an ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer, composed of bulk single crystal AlN, in a nuclear reactor core for over 120 MWHrs. The transducer was coupled to an aluminum cylinder and operated in pulse echo mode throughout the irradiation. In addition to the pulse echo testing impedance data was obtained. Further, the piezoelectric coefficient d33 was measured prior to irradiation and found to be 5.5 pC/N which is unchanged from as-grown samples, and in fact higher than the measured d 33 for many as-grown samples.
Glucocorticoid Enhancement of Bone Resorption by Rat Peritoneal Macrophages in Vitro

The issue of the direct action of glucocorticoids on bone resorption was addressed in a model system consisting of a pure (99%) population of putative osteoclast precursors, namely thioglycollate-elicited rat macrophages cocultured in vitro in devitalized rat bone particles which had been prelabeled in vivo with 45Ca. After 4 days in culture, these macrophages mobilized a net 20-30% 45Ca from bone. The addition of cortisol in physiological concentrations (10(-8) M) elicited significant (P less than 0.001) increases in isotope mobilization; optimal enhancement occurred at 10(-6) M and approximated the circulating level achieved with high dose glucocorticoid therapy. Other steroids, specifically aldosterone, 17 alpha- and beta-estradiol, 11-deoxycortisol, and progesterone, did not enhance the resorptive process. The augmentation of bone 45Ca mobilization by cortisol-treated macrophages was not due to protracted cell viability in culture or the increased avidity with which treated cells bind to bone. On the other hand, cortisol treatment was associated with stimulated protein and RNA synthesis, as evidenced by enhancement (P less than 0.001) of both [3H]leucine and [3H]uridine incorporation into treated cells. This association was also underscored by the observation that increased protein and RNA synthesis and enhanced mineral mobilization were inducible phenomena, i.e. phenomena that could be observed 48-72 h after cells were pretreated with cortisol. We conclude, therefore, that glucocorticoids can directly modify both the metabolism and the mineral-mobilizing activity of bone-resorbing cells.
Characterization of cosputtered tungsten carbide thin films

Polycrystalline thin films of W-C were deposited on single-crystal Si〈111〉 or SiO2 substrates by r.f. planar magnetron cosputtering of graphite and tungsten targets. The reaction of these W-C films in the presence or absence of an additional bonding layer of titanium with silicon or SiO2 substrates was studied in the temperature range from 500 to 800 °C by a combination of backscattering spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and sheet resistivity measurements. Films of composition W43C57 are of the cubic WC1-x phase and have a room temperature resistivity of 100 μΩ cm. On thermal annealing for 30min in vacuum on silicon substrates, they form blisters above 700 °C. Films of composition W75C25 are of the hexagonal α-W2C phase and have a room temperature resistivity of 140 μΩ cm. On silicon substrates, they are thermally stable up to 800 °C annealing. WSi2 is observed only above 800 °C annealing. The sheet resistance at room temperature of films of either composition on SiO2 is unchanged after annealing up to 800 °C. In the configurations W75C25/Ti/Si and W75C25Ti/SiO2, backscattering spectra show no detectable interfacial reaction of the W75C25 film with the titanium up to 800 °C annealing.
On Crack Initiation Mechanisms in Fretting Fatigue

By using the crack analogue model of rigid flat-ended contact, crack initiation in fretting fatigue is analyzed. The coefficient of friction at the edge of contact, which characterizes the asymptotic stress field, is considered as the primary controlling parameter in the process. Meanwhile, the maximum tangential stress criterion and the maximum shear stress criterion are used to predict opening-mode and shear-mode crack initiations, respectively. By examining the model prediction and comparing it with experimental observations, it is shown that the observed microcracks at the small angles to a fretting surface were nucleated in shear mode in the early stage of tests with a smooth initial surface. while the microcracks at the large angles were nucleated in opening mode in the later stage with a rough worn surface. This understanding may help to establish the sequential damage mechanisms in the complex process of fretting fatigue.
Treatment of Refractory Persistent Corneal Epithelial Defects: A Standardized Approach Using Continuous Wear PROSE Therapy

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate continuous wear of a fluid-ventilated, gas-permeable scleral PROSE device using a standardized protocol as treatment for refractory persistent corneal epithelial defects in patients with severe ocular surface disease.Methods: Retrospective review of eight eyes of seven consecutive patients with persistent epithelial defects refractory to traditional therapies. The standardized treatment regimen consisted of: (1) 24-hour-a-day PROSE wear until re-epithelialization was achieved, (2) brief daily device removal, cleaning, disinfection, and reservoir fluid replacement, (3) addition of a benzalkonium chloride (BAK)-free fourth-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic drop to the reservoir, and (4) transition to long-term, daytime PROSE wear upon re-epithelialization.Results: All eight eyes exhibited resolution of the persistent epithelial defect. No eyes developed microbial keratitis. Four eyes exhibited recurrences; all recurrences promptly responded to reinstitution of continuous wea...
Studies on cell-clearing activity in α-lactalbumin: Effects of calcium removal on activity and conformation

Effects of calcium removal on the cell-clearing activity of alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA) and concomitant changes in conformational structure have been investigated as part of a continuing study of the activity found earlier [McKenzie, H.A. & White, F.H., Jr. (1987) Biochem. Int. 14, 347]. This activity is similar to that of lysozyme, whereby lysis of the bacterial cell wall is catalyzed. However, the specific activity of alpha-LA is on the order of 10(-6) that of lysozyme. Under conditions where activities of apo and native alpha-LA were approximately linear functions of the protein concentration, the maximal ratio of apo to native activity was 5.7:1, determined by comparison of second order velocity constants. The CD spectrum of apo alpha-LA is intermediate between that of the A state and the native protein. By NMR, the conformation of apo alpha-LA is similar to, but distinctly different from, that of the native protein. The apo form did not revert completely to the native state when Ca(II) was resupplied, consistent with a role for this cation in folding. It is suggested that the activity increase may result from a diminished constriction of the "cleft" region in alpha-LA.
MULTIPLE ANOMALIES OCCURRING IN A NEW-BORN SPANISH GOAT FOLLOWING PRENATAL GAMMA-RADIATION.

A UNIQUE and complex combination of abnormalities occurred in a Spanish goat (genus Capra) following prenatal irradiation. The dam, a vigorous 3-year-old, was subjected to radiation from a cobalt-60 source1 on the 30th day of pregnancy. Dosage was 300 r. administered at 100r./h.
FIELD SYSTEMS AND FROST DRAINAGE IN THE PREHISTORIC AGRICULTURE OF THE UPPER GREAT LAKES

Hypotheses regarding functions of prehistoric ridge-and furrow agricultural fields from Wisconsin and Michigan have been tested by resorting to data derived from experimental agricultural fields. The primary function of these fields was frost drainage in an area that was marginal to agriculture because of a minimal frost-free growing season. The time of introduction and disappearance of these features may correlate with climatic changes in North America from A.D. 1250 to 1550. Scattered across the landscape of Wisconsin and southern Michigan are a series of archaeological phenomena that have puzzled ethnologists and archaeologists alike for more than a century. These are the ridge-and-furrow agricultural fields of the upper midwest. Even now archaeologists do not know who constructed them, whether they are early or late among the works of prehistoric agricultural Indians of the eastern United States, or why the garden beds were built in geometrical patterns that almost presage the practice of modern farmers. The purpose of the research described here was to test specific hypotheses about the function of the features found in Wisconsin and Michigan. The primary function of these plots was hypothesized to be one of frost drainage in areas with a high risk from localized killing frosts. The hypothesis was tested by physical simulation and experiment. The results of the experiments substantiated the hypothesis, and this confirmation, in addition to other evidence, suggests that frost drainage was at least one among several functions for this kind of agricultural practice in the upper midwest during prehistoric times. Further research relating to the chronology, cultural affiliation, and labor requirements of this kind of land manipulation in prehistoric midwestern societies is currently in progress. Configurations of aboriginal features located in Wisconsin and Michigan were reported during the nineteenth century to be the remnants of prehistoric agricultural fields. Lapham (1973) first brought these features to the attention of antiquarians and the public in the middle of the nineteenth century and tentatively assigned them functions as garden beds. Schoolcraft concurred with Lapham in this, and the characterization of the features as garden beds has stood the test of time (Schoolcraft 1860). The numbers of these features, the regularity of the ridge-and-furrow sets, and the number of hectares covered by them suggest to the authors that the attribution of these features to agricultural practices is correct. The areas covered by the plots vary from less than .4 ha to more than 40.5 ha (Brown 1909; Fowler 1969:373). It is difficult for us to imagine nonagricultural functions for plots 40.5 ha in size. The features, now mostly destroyed, were recorded by a large number of authors after Lapham and Schoolcraft, and we have accurate descriptions of those found in lower Michigan and of a
Pulmonary Embolization of Microcrystalline Cellulose in a Lung Transplant Recipient

Intravenous injection of drugs that contain insoluble foreign material can lead to pulmonary embolization of the material and can have devastating results, including pulmonary hypertension and death. Most cases are detected after the onset of extensive, irreversible damage, precluding potentially life-saving intervention, or are detected at autopsy. We report here a case of microcrystalline cellulose embolization in a lung transplant recipient detected at routine transbronchial biopsy, and we describe the circumstances associated with the development of this condition and its clinical outcome.
A simple stochastic model of two phase flow pressure drop accompanied by boiling inside circular tubes with in-line static mixers

Abstract A simple stochastic model has been developed for boiling pressure drop inside a circular tube with in-line static mixers. This model gives rise to the dimensionless correlating equation of the form: [f] = a[Pr m ] −1 2 [Re L ] −1 μm μ L ρ ρ −1 2 H se + xH LG C pm ΔT −1 2 This correlation shows good agreement with the experimental data.
Phase-matched microstrip waveguides for generation and coherent detection of broadband terahertz radiation

We describe novel waveguide devices allowing for single-mode propagation of optical pump and probe beams and broadband THz radiation. We demonstrate generation and coherently detection of broadband THz radiation with <10 mW average optical power.
Effects of external and internal nutrient supplies on decomposition of wild rice, Zizania palustris

University of Minnesota M.S. dissertation. February 2011. Major: Integrated biosciences. Advisor: John Joseph Pastor. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 56 pages, appendix p. 53-56.
New Antiepileptic Drugs for Children: Felbamate, Gabapentin, Lamotrigine, and Vigabatrin:

After a 15-year hiatus, several new antiepileptic drugs have been approved or are under Food and Drug Administration investigation for use in the United States. This article reviews four of these new drugs--felbamate, gabapentin, lamotrigine, and vigabatrin. Although these drugs have been primarily developed for use in adults with partial seizures, they will also likely be used in children with partial epilepsy. Pediatric experience with several of these drugs has demonstrated safety and efficacy in other seizure types and epilepsy syndromes. These drugs will be an important addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for pediatric epilepsy. Additional studies are needed to fully explore the safety and efficacy of these drugs in a variety of pediatric epilepsies and to compare them to existing antiepileptic drugs.
The progressive educator and the Third World: a first look at John Dewey

(1990). The progressive educator and the Third World: a first look at John Dewey. History of Education: Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 23-40.
The effect of available capacity on jail incarceration: An empirical test of Parkinson's law

Abstract The strong positive association between available capacity and incarceration rates has been interpreted by social scientists as consistent with one of two competing hypotheses: (1) that available capacity affects rates of incarceration or (2) that capacity levels respond to variations in confinement populations. Although these two alternative hypotheses imply different causal mechanisms, it has been difficult to adjudicate between them, in part because of the data and methodologies employed in prior research. This study investigates whether a large increase in jail capacity in Orange County, Florida increased daily jail incarceration levels above that expected on the basis of preexisting incarceration trends and police activity. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that available capacity influences incarceration levels. The number of daily arrests made by police, however, is of little consequence in predicting levels of jail incarceration. Taken in total, these findings suggest that adding additional capacity may act to accelerate the growth of confinement populations.
Laser Doppler velocimetry investigation of swirler flowfields

Detailed measurements of mean and turbulent velocity components and turbulent shear stress components have been made for jet flows of 20-, 40-, and 60-deg swirlers for 750 and 1500 mm H{sub 2}O supply air pressure conditions. When the mean velocity components are normalized based on the maximum axial velocity at the nozzle exit, there is a very close similarity between normalized profiles at different supply pressures for each swirler. The recirculation zone, which depends on the degree of swirl and the swirler geometry, is not well established near the nozzle exit for the case of high ratio of the inner to outer radius of the swirler and of low degree of swirl. This can create a serious deposition problem of fuel droplets onto the hub surface. Measurements of turbulent velocity components demonstrate that each jet can be considered to be close to local isotropic turbulence except at the nozzle exit, where the magnitudes and decay of the fluctuations depend strongly on flow direction. 14 refs.
Parallel placement for FPGAs revisited

The runtime of classic sequential placement algorithms for FPGAs continues to represent a serious problem, aggravated by the continuous increase of FPGAs. The traditional way to parallelize the placement step is to use parallel distributed implementations run on a network of processors. This approach can suffer from significant communication and synchronization runtime overheads. To address that, we propose the use of multithreading for parallelization. The top level placement problem is decomposed into region-based placement sub-problems using four-way min-cut partitioning. These sub-problems are then processed in parallel by worker threads. The final solution, constructed using the results from all sub-problems, is further improved using a fast low-temperature annealing refinement step. Using this technique, we parallelize the simulated annealing based placement algorithm of VPR. The new parallel placement algorithm achieves an average speed-up of 2.5x using four threads, while the wirelength after placement and circuit delay after routing increased on average with 3.7% and 2.15% respectively.
Silica Colloidal Crystals for Enhanced Fluorescence Detection in Microarrays

Silica colloidal crystals were investigated for their potential as high surface area materials to enhance sensitivity over planar surfaces for microarrays using fluorescence detection. A relation was derived showing how crystal thickness and transmission, as well as colloid size, combine to determine the optically accessible surface area for enhancing sensitivity. Experimentally, crystals of 250-nm colloids were prepared with thicknesses determined by SEM to be 1.6, 4.2, and 11.0 μm. The material was sintered at 1000 °C to make it durable without affecting the crystalline structure, as confirmed by SEM. UV/visible spectrometry showed the depth of penetration (1/e) to be 8.4 μm at 488 nm for these materials. Fluorescein-labeled streptavidin and biotin were used as a model ligand−receptor pair. For the fluorescence measurements, biotin was covalently bonded to the silica surfaces, and the fluorescence was detected from the captured streptavidin−fluorescein. The observed fluorescence enhancement agreed well ...
Live, attenuated rubella vectors expressing HIV and SIV vaccine antigens

Background Despite progress in identifying targets of neutralizing antibodies and T cell immunity, many HIV antigens have been weak immunogens. We have developed rubella as a live viral vector to enhance immunogenicity by presenting HIV and SIV antigens in the context of an acute infection. These vectors are based on the rubella vaccine strain RA27/3: safety and immunogenicity have been established in millions of children around the world. If the vector loses its insert, it would revert to the vaccine strain. It is immunogenic: one dose protects for life (against rubella). It elicits mucosal and systemic immunity. Rubella readily infects rhesus macaques, and these animals can test vector growth, immunogenicity and protection against SIV or SHIV challenge.
PHOTONIC MATERIALS AND DEVICES Progress in relating rare-earth ion 4f and 5d energy levels to host bands in optical materials for hole burning, quantum information and phosphors

Rare-earth ions play an important role in modern technology as optically active elements in solid-state luminescent materials. In many of these materials, interactions between the electronic band states of the host crystal and the rare-earth ion's localized 4f N and 4f N−1 5d states influence the material's optical properties. The importance of these interactions is discussed for material applications in photon-gated hole burning, quantum information and phosphors. Material dependent trends in the relative binding energies of the 4f N states and the host bands have been observed and are summarized. An empirical model for the ion dependence of the 4f electron binding energies is formulated in terms of atomic number and compared with previous models. These models are extended to describe the 4f N−1 5d states with one additional parameter. Improved estimates for the free-ion ionization potentials used in the model are also presented and discussed.
Lyme disease: new thoughts and directions.

In this month's Pediatrics Electronic Pages , 2 articles are presented that expand our knowledge base regarding Lyme disease. Although much has been written in the lay press and discussed by our patients in open forums about Lyme disease, it is refreshing to see that data in pediatrics continue to emerge that will be useful in appropriately identifying and treating patients for Lyme disease. In their article on the validation of a predictive model for diagnosing central nervous system (CNS) Lyme disease, Garro et al1 have succeeded in using the predictive model developed by Avery et al2 as it applies to their clinical cases of aseptic meningitis, in hopes of elucidating which patients were more likely to have CNS Lyme disease. Differentiating CNS infections in patients from Lyme disease–endemic areas is often difficult. … Address correspondence to Sharon Nachman, MD, HSC SUNY Stony Brook, Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8111. E-mail: sharon.nachman{at}stonybrook.edu
Visual target selection employing local to global strategies for support vector machines

In this paper, we propose a new measure of novelty detection for target selection in visual scenes. Our approach to the definition of novelty is based on the use of local kernels and Fisher information metric in the context of support vector machine regression. We discuss the applications in the specific context of visual saccades as a mechanism of search and discuss naturel generations of the approach in other contexts. We also propose natural regularization approaches arising from consideration of the problem that can be applied to learning machines including the SVM.
Frequency-amplitude response of individual polyvinylidene fluoride piezoelectric C-block actuators

There is an increasing need in the field of smart materials and structures for high-force, high-displacement actuators. C- blocks, created to meet this need, are curved piezoelectric laminated beams poled in the radial direction which flex when voltage is applied. C-blocks can be made from a number of different materials with any number of layers, both active and inactive. An important portion of the characterization of an individual C-block actuator is the identification of natural frequencies and the description of the amplitude response across the frequency spectrum. This paper introduces a simple model for the frequency-amplitude behavior of the C-block. The model is derived using Hamilton's principle to formulate the equations of motion for a general composite piezoelectric C- block, and solving the equations using the appropriate boundary conditions and piezoelectric forcing terms. To verify the model, piezoelectric polymeric C-block prototypes were fabricated and displacement amplitudes were experimentally determined across a range of frequencies. The response of the prototypes matched well the behavior predicted by the simple analytical model.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
(π, πN) puzzle: Effects of pion charge exchange

The ratio of cross sections for nucleon knockout by pions, e.g. $\frac{\ensuremath{\sigma}[^{12}\mathrm{C}({\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}, \ensuremath{\pi}N)^{11}\mathrm{C}]}{\ensuremath{\sigma}(^{12}\mathrm{C}({\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}, \ensuremath{\pi}N)^{11}\mathrm{C}]}$, is shown to be insensitive to pion charge exchange either before or after the knockout collision.
UNCED and the oceans

Abstract Living marine resources issues were among the most controversial topics at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. Conflicts about conservation and management of high-seas fisheries proved impossible to resolve. Participating States advanced numerous proposals designed to secure particular interests in straddling and highly migratory stocks, but to no avail. As a compromise, Agenda 21 recommended a new international conference under UN auspices to seek improvement in the provisions of the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention dealing with these stocks. Major alternative proposals for such improvement are examined.
Photosystem I/molecular wire/metal nanoparticle bioconjugates for the photocatalytic production of H2

Photosystem I (PS I) is a robust photosynthetic complex that adeptly captures photons to create a charge-separated state with a quantum efficiency that approaches 1.0. This charge-separated state is stable for approximately 100 ms, and the low-potential reductant that is produced is poised at a redox potential favorable for H2 evolution. PS I has been covalently linked to Pt and Au nanoparticle surfaces by 1,6-hexanedithiol which serves as a molecular wire to both connect PS I to the particles and transfer electrons from the terminal electron transfer cofactor of PS I, FB, to the nanoparticle. Illumination of these Photosystem I/molecular wire/nanoparticle bioconjugates is able to catalyze the reaction: 2H+ + 2e(-)--> H2. Transfer of the electrons from PS I to the nanoparticle through the molecular wire is not rate-limiting for H2 evolution. Supplying the system with more efficient donor-side electron donating species results in a 5-fold increase in the rate of H2 evolution.
Pathway for Parkinson disease.

Parkinson disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease with unknown etiology. PD is commonly referred to as a “motor disease,” reflecting its clinical symptoms, including resting tremors of extremities, muscular rigidity, shuffling gait, stoop posture, and bradykinesia (1). The underlying pathology of PD is progressive neuronal loss, particularly in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), and the presence of abnormal protein-rich aggregates—known as Lewy bodies—in the remaining neurons (2). The loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, leading to dopamine deficiency, is believed to be responsible for the motor and nonmotor symptoms, including orthostatic hypotension, mood disorders, sleep disorder, and loss of sense of smell. Dopamine replacement therapy provides symptomatic relief, but disease progression continues unabated. Therefore, there is a need for understanding the mechanisms of PD to aid the development of more effective therapeutics. This endeavor is fueled by genetic discoveries in the past two decades that identified a number of genes associated with rare inheritable PD, including SNCA, Parkin/PRKN, DJ-1/Park7, PINK1, and LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) (3). The push now is to understand the functions of these gene products and the biological pathways in which they operate. In PNAS, Beilina et al. identify a number of LRRK2 interactors whose jobs are to process endocytosed vesicles, thereby associating LRRK2 with the vesicle endocytosis pathways (4).
A polymeric sulfur nitride, (sn)x, electrode responsive to ph and its application to the aqueous potentiometric titration of weak acids

Abstract The characteristics of polymeric sulfur nitride, (SN) x , electrodes for the sensing of pH in aqueous acid—base systems is reported. The application of this new pH-sensor to titrations of both strong and weak acids with strong base is described. The (SN) x . electrode has significant advantages for titrations of weak acids (p K a ⩾ 9) with a strong base, compared to the classical procedure with the glass electrode. Comparative titration curves and quantitative results for hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid, trifluoroacetic acid, boric acid, p -nitrophenol, resorcinol, glycine, phenol, acetic acid, benzoic acid and propanoic acid with glass electrode and (SN) x electrode are given.
Orthostatic hypotension in the anesthetized rabbit in the sitting position exceeds cerebral autoregulation.

BACKGROUND Orthostatic hypotension and cerebral autoregulation have been extensively studied in the rabbit. However, these physiologic responses have not been previously studied utilizing a rabbit in the sitting position under anesthesia. METHODS This unusual position was obtained as the preferred orientation based on geometry requirements of associated equipment for a study of osteoarthritis of the knee. Rabbits for this experiment did not survive and an additional experimental condition was developed to elucidate the mechanism and cause of death. The carotid artery pressure was measured under general anesthesia with incremental tilt testing to achieve the sitting position. RESULTS Under this condition, rabbits developed orthostatic hypotension and did not survive. CONCLUSIONS According to previous studies of orthostatic hypotension and limits of cerebral autoregulation, it is concluded that orthostatic hypotension in the anesthetized rabbit in the sitting position exceeds cerebral autoregulation.
Some aids to the voltage conditioning of an electrostatic accelerator

Abstract Several additional monitors that give a more complete indication of the processes occurring during conditioning are described. These together with a cyclic conditioning circuit give much better control and hence reduce sparking and risk of component damage.
Clinical evaluation of the 3M Littmann Electronic Stethoscope Model 3200 in 150 cats

Detection of murmurs and gallops may help to identify cats with heart disease. However, auscultatory findings may be subject to clinically relevant observer variation. The objective of this study was to evaluate an electronic stethoscope (ES) in cats. We hypothesized that the ES would perform at least as well as a conventional stethoscope (CS) in the detection of abnormal heart sounds. One hundred and fifty consecutive cats undergoing echocardiography were enrolled prospectively. Cats were ausculted with a CS (WA Tycos Harvey Elite) by two observers, and heart sounds were recorded digitally using an ES (3M Littmann Stethoscope Model 3200) for off-line analysis. Echocardiography was used as the clinical standard method for validation of auscultatory findings. Additionally, digital recordings (DRs) were assessed by eight independent observers with various levels of expertise, and compared using interclass correlation and Cohen's weighted kappa analyses. Using the CS, a heart murmur (n = 88 cats) or gallop sound (n = 17) was identified in 105 cats, whereas 45 cats lacked abnormal heart sounds. There was good total agreement (83-90%) between the two observers using the CS. In contrast, there was only moderate agreement (P <0.001) between results from the CS and the DRs for murmurs, and poor agreement for gallops. The CS was more sensitive compared with the DRs with regard to murmurs and gallops. Agreement among the eight observers was good-to-excellent for murmur detection (81%). In conclusion, DRs made with the ES are less sensitive but comparably specific to a CS at detecting abnormal heart sounds in cats.