cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Did China diversify its foreign reserves

SUMMARY This paper takes a novel approach to detect the latent currency portfolio of Chinese foreign exchange reserves and the underlying portfolio management strategies during 2000 and 2007. Based on a portfolio accounting identity and the budget constraint of the Chinese central bank's holding of foreign assets, the monthly growth rate of reserves can be decomposed into monthly rate of return, valuation effects of exchange rates, and monthly net purchase rate. The valuation effect reveals the value share of each currency. Bayesian inference is adopted to estimate the state-space model with a mixture of Gaussian distributions. The results show that China significantly and dramatically diversified its reserves out of the US dollar in 2002: both the euro's value and quantity shares increased from 5% to more than 20%. By the end of 2007, China held about (at most) 67.3% of its reserves in the US dollar, 22% in the euro, 2.5% in the Japanese yen, 4.7% in the Australian dollar, and 3.5% in the British pound. The average annual rate of return was about 3%. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abnormal immunoregulation in patients with non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomas. I. Increased helper function of peripheral blood T lymphocytes.

Abstract T lymphocytes isolated from the blood of 24 newly diagnosed and 2 relapsed patients with non-Hodgkin's malignant lymphomas were studied for helper/suppressor activity in cocultures with allogeneic tonsilar B lymphocytes stimulated with pokeweed mitogen. The IgA, IgG, and IgM secretion was measured by double-antibody radioimmunoassay. In 85% of patients with B lymphomas their T lymphocytes produced a severalfold increase in immunoglobulin secretion when compared with age-matched healthy controls. By contrast in two cases of T lymphoma, suppression of immunoglobulin secretion was observed. The ratio of “T helper”/“T suppressor” lymphocytes, as measured with monoclonal antibodies ( OKT 4 OKT 8 ), were similar for patients and controls, and concanavalin A-induced suppression was equally good. However, small numbers of patient T lymphocytes provided good help, while control cells failed in these higher dilutions. Possible explanations of the increased helper activity of “nonmalignant” T lymphocytes in B lymphomas as related to clinical features and the pathogenesis of B- versus T-cell malignancies are discussed.
Matlab Tools for Control System Analysis and Design

Part 1 Getting started: jump start - for those who are in a hurry? to the instructor and the student about this text hardware and software about the CSAD toolbox. Part 2 Theory and tools: mathematical foundation state variable analysis time domain analysis frequency-domain analysis design of control systems.
So Many Galaxies, So Little Time

Over the last decade and a half, significant advances have been made in our understanding of the “structure” of the nearby universe. These have come both from redshift surveys of galaxies and clusters of galaxies and from the comparison of such data to theoretical models of how such structures might have arisen. We present recent results from several of the redshift surveys currently being undertaken at the CfA, and compare the data, including data on galaxy clusters, with the predictions of various cosmological simulations of structure and cluster formation. At present, the observational data on large scale structure are not well described by any of the simple models of structure formation, our understanding of large-scale flows is getting better but is still terribly incomplete, and the best dynamical estimates of Ω are still well below unity.
Nonmonotonic inductive logic programming by instance patterns

In this paper, we present a new approach, called NM-ILP-IP, for inductive learning in the context of nonmonotonic logic frameworks. This approach is based on the notations of concept instances and instance patterns introduced in [13]. When a strictly correct Horn theory cannot be induced, this approach induces a normal logic program, by specializing a previously learned overly-general theory. The advantages of this approach over others include: (a) it does not rely on existing ILP systems, and it avoids many of the effectiveness and efficiency drawbacks of ordinary ILP systems; (b) no theorem prover is needed during the learning process; (c) it introduces negation as failure (NAF) of existing predicates and introduces new abnormality predicates only when necessary, making the final theory more compact.
Wild Spaces or Polluted Places: Contentious Policies, Consensus Institutions, and Environmental Performance in Industrialized Democracies

This article contributes to the literature on environmental governance in industrialized democracies by showing that effectively conserving biodiversity requires different institutional strategies than reducing air emissions. Institutional effectiveness diminishes as the politically contentiousness of the issue increases, moving from biodiversity to air pollution, and then climate change. Drawing on Lijphart’s theory of consensus democracy and theories of functional and actor-centered federalism, we use the 2010 Environmental Performance Index and panel analysis on twenty-one OECD countries to show that consensus-based party systems improve performance. We find that centralization generates greater improvements with respect to air pollution than biodiversity, but that decentralized strategies can improve biodiversity when implemented alongside corporatist bargaining structures.
Cationic liposome–nucleic acid complexes for gene delivery and gene silencing

Cationic liposomes (CLs) are studied worldwide as carriers of DNA and short interfering RNA (siRNA) for gene delivery and gene silencing, and related clinical trials are ongoing. Optimization of transfection efficiency and silencing efficiency by cationic liposome carriers requires a comprehensive understanding of the structures of CL-nucleic acid complexes and the nature of their interactions with cell membranes as well as events leading to release of active nucleic acids within the cytoplasm. Synchrotron x-ray scattering has revealed that CL-nucleic acid complexes spontaneously assemble into distinct liquid crystalline phases including the lamellar, inverse hexagonal, hexagonal, and gyroid cubic phases, and fluorescence microscopy has revealed CL-DNA pathways and interactions with cells. The combining of custom synthesis with characterization techniques and gene expression and silencing assays has begun to unveil structure-function relations in vitro. As a recent example, this review will briefly describe experiments with surface-functionalized PEGylated CL-DNA nanoparticles. The functionalization, which is achieved through custom synthesis, is intended to address and overcome cell targeting and endosomal escape barriers to nucleic acid delivery faced by PEGylated nanoparticles designed for in vivo applications.
AAEM minimonograph #2: Important anomalous innervations of the extremities

Anomalous innervations of the extremities are common and influence the interpretation of electrophysiologic studies in normal patients and those with peripheral nerve lesions. The following anomalous innervations are reviewed: median to ulnar nerve communication; ulnar to median nerve communication; variations in the innervation of intrinsic muscles of the hand; accessory deep peroneal nerve; and tibial to peroneal nerve communication. The electrophysiologic recognition of these anomalies and the manner in which they affect the interpretation of electrodiagnostic studies in various conditions is emphasized.
The thermodynamics and kinetics of the gamma-lithium vanadium bronze structure

Abstract The reaction of lithium with alkali metal vanadium bronzes has been studied recently by several investigators, as these materials are of interest as possible positive electrode constitutents in both solid state and molten salt electrolyte secondary lithium batteries. There are several different structures in both the pure lithium vanadium bronzes and mixed alkali bronzes, and lithium insertion and deletion has been found to occur in them, in some cases at high rates and over appreciable ranges of composition. These materials also typically have low lithium activities, and thus high voltages compared to lithium. Its layer-like atomic arrangement and high voltages versus lithium make the gamma phase structure an especially attractive electrode reactant for use in lithium systems. Electrochemical methods have been employed to determine the equilibrium potential-composition relations, and data are reported on the equilibrium electrochemical titration curve. In addition, the chemical diffusion coefficient has been measured by the galvanostatic transient technique. These kinetic parameters are similar to those previously found in materials with the beta structure.
Grain Surface-Roughness Effects on Colloidal Retention in the Vadose Zone

Work to date has raised awareness regarding the importance of transport of colloids in the vadose zone, as it is the critical connection between shallow contaminant sources and the deeper groundwater. Existing models do not predict accurately the physical conditions under which such particle transport occurs. Recent theory on capillary and friction forces acting at the air-water meniscus-solid (AWmS) interface suggests that grain roughness is an important factor in colloid retention for unsaturated media. Our main objective was to investigate the role of surface roughness in governing colloid transport in the vadose zone. Unsaturated flow cell experiments with sands of different grain roughness were performed to determine colloidal retention at the postulated AWmS interface. Two rectangular acrylic vertical flow cells (2 by 2 by 5 and 2 by 2 by 10 cm) were built to collect visual and numerical data under the effects of gravity. Colloid behavior was visualized in situ with digital bright field microscopy, effluent concentrations of colloids were measured concomitantly with spectrophotometry, and retention was quantified with mass balance analysis. From visual analysis, significant retention was observed at apparent AWmS interfaces and in zones of immobile water. An equilibrium deterministic convective-dispersion model was used and fitted to our data with fair accuracy. This study';s visual, quantitative, and statistical results show that: more particles are retained at lower water contents, smoother grain surfaces retain fewer colloids in the porous media under both saturated and unsaturated conditions, and the effects of surface roughness diminish with increasing grain surface roughness.
Repeated failures in reducing rat's spontaneous alternation through the intertrial disruption of spatial orientation*

Three experiments examined the contention that an extramaze cue representing relative spatial direction controls rats’ spontaneous alternation. Attempts to eliminate this short-term directional memory by horizontally rotating the Ss were without effect. These data, along with other recent findings, cast doubt upon the completeness of Douglas’s model of spontaneous alternation.
Role of Ca++‐Dependent Proteases and Lysosomal Enyzmes in Postmortem Changes in Bovine Skeletal Muscle

Bovine longissimus muscles excised at slaughter were compared to cross-sectional slices of contralateral longissimus muscles obtained 12 hr postmortem for calcium-dependent protease (CDP), cathepsins B, H and L activity, and myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI). Slices were suspended in either Tris-acetate buffer, buffer + ethylene diaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA), buffer + ethylene glycol-bis (β, aminoethyl ether) N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) or buffer + CaCl2 for either 1, 3, or 7 days while the postmortem associated changes were followed. EDTA, EGTA and Ca++ had no effect on cathepsin B, H or L activities. EDTA and EGTA treated slices had 149% whereas Ca++ 48% of control CDP activity. Postmortem changes were completed after 24 hr of Ca++ treatment but did not occur in EDTA- and EGTA-treated slices. Thus, the changes observed during postmortem storage appeared to be associated with CDP activity rather than catheptic enzymes.
Healing following conventional and cryosurgical discoplasty in the monkey temporomandibular joint

Abstract The techniques of conventional discoplasty and the scar producing potential of cryosurgical treatment of the bilaminar region were examined in a study of 17 adult female cynomologous monkeys. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) tissues were obtained at four and 10 days, four, 20, 52, and 78 weeks after surgery, and compared to TMJ tissues in unoperated control animals. No clinically observable changes in weight, occlusion, or jaw function were identified. All the surgical sites healed normally. At necropsy, lesions of the articular surface of the condyle were apparent in areas that had been surgically “shaved.” The anterior, intermediate, and posterior zones of the surgically-treated discs were generally free of change. Two cryosurgically-treated discs showed lesions and perforations. Histologic and autoradiographic observations suggested that the bilaminar area heals quickly with minimal scarring, following both conventional surgical manipulation and cryosurgery. Under the conditions of this experiment the cryosurgical technique was judged not to be superior to the conventional surgical approach.
WE-C-217BCD-12: Irreversible Two-Tissue Compartment Model Fitting for Dynamic 18F- FDG PET: A Practical Comparison of Methods Using Simulated Time- Activity Data.

Purpose: To compare techniques of fitting simulated Dynamic 18F‐FDG PET time‐activity curves to the irreversible two‐tissue compartment model. The precision and accuracy of various algorithms were assessed in the presence of measurement error and with a practical focus on CPU time. Methods: Dynamic PET analysis is often applied to multiple individual voxels, leading to concerns regarding time efficiency, yet a reluctance to compromise on accuracy. This study evaluates selected fitting algorithms in terms of the precision/bias of fitted parameters and run‐time. As a standard for comparison, biological parameters were fixed at typical values (K1=0.2, k2=0.25, k3=0.05, K&#7522;=0.3334). Tissue time‐activity curves were generated using the modelequation and by incorporating activity/time dependent Gaussian noise. The following algorithms were then applied: Genetic, Conjugate Gradient (CG), Gradient Descent (GD), Simulated Annealing (SA), Levenberg‐Marquardt (LMQ), Gauss‐Newton (GN), and Limited‐BFGS (L‐BFGS). Non‐iterative, problem specific approaches were also considered: Patlak analysis (K? only), and Blomqvist linearization (BL). Parameter accuracy and precision were quantified with relative errors (REs). Results: At typical noise levels, maximal REs were >60% (resulting in |I′K?|>10%) for GD and SA, <20% for BL (|I′K?|<6%) and Patlak (|I′K?|<4%), and <15% (|I′K?|<2%) with other methods. On average, the highest fidelity parameter estimates (rate‐constant REs<2.5%, |I′K?|<0.15%) were attained with L‐BFGS, GN, and LMQ. In contrast, the non‐iterative methods provided poorer estimates (RE between 1–7%), though run‐time (<0.05 ms) was 100‐1000x less. Using BL results as initial estimates for L‐ BFGS (BL+L‐BFGS), GN (BL+GN) or LMQ (BL+LMQ) yielded rapid convergence (<0.1 ms), while maintaining superiority with respect to parameter bias. Conclusions: Poor choice of a fitting algorithm may lead to significant errors in estimated kinetic parameters and/or unpractically high computation times. Thus, our recommendation is the use of BL+L‐BFGS, BL+GN or BL+LMQ, which is contrary to the gold standards, Patlak and LMQ (alone), commonly seen in the literature.
Intron-Size Constraint as a Mutational Mechanism in Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome

Rothmund-Thomson syndrome (RTS) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by deleterious mutations in the RECQL4 gene on chromosome 8. The RECQL4 gene structure is unusual because it contains many small introns <100 bp. We describe a proband with RTS who has a novel 11-bp intronic deletion, and we show that this mutation results in a 66-bp intron too small for proper splicing. Constraint on intron size may represent a general mutational mechanism, since human-genome analysis reveals that ∼15% of genes have introns <100 bp and are therefore susceptible to size constraint. Thus, monitoring of intron size may allow detection of mutations missed by exon-by-exon approaches.
Money with partially directed search

Abstract Partially directed search replaces the total randomness of monetary search models. Agents choose whether to stay in their production location or visit other locations. Each visiting agent randomly chooses one shop among many in each location. As in random matching models, a commodity or fiat object can endogenously become money, but the details are richer and conform better with evidence: any commodity can be money; the “best” commodity is the most likely money; fiat money can totally crowd out commodity money in an asymmetric environment; going shopping is more likely than door-to-door sales. The model nests Walrasian equilibria.
Is self-mastery always a helpful resource? Coping with paradoxical findings in relation to optimism and abstinence self-efficacy

This study investigated the relationship between three personal resources (self-mastery, optimism, and abstinence self-efficacy) and ways of coping among recovering substance abusers (n = 52) residing in Oxford Houses. Although residents' scores on optimism and abstinence self-efficacy were significantly correlated in a positive direction, residents' self-mastery scores were significantly and negatively related to both optimism and abstinence self-efficacy scores. However, residents reported using significantly more emotion-focused than problem-focused coping even though there was a significant positive relationship between emotion-focused coping and self-mastery. These paradoxical findings might be due to communal living and 12-step philosophy that is antithetical to a sense of control, which may have facilitated residents' emotional regulation to stress. Furthermore, significant relationships between coping strategies and personal resources imply that active coping strategies are instrumental in recovering substance abusers' use of optimism and abstinence self-efficacy, whereas passive coping strategies are involved with self-mastery. In addition, African American residents reported using significantly more wishful thinking coping, suggesting ethnicity might be an important aspect of the coping process. Overall, findings suggest that optimism and abstinence self-efficacy are effective personal resources for recovering substance abusers in 12-step programs.
The Pedagogy of Primary Historical Sources in Mathematics: Classroom Practice Meets Theoretical Frameworks

We analyze our method of teaching with primary historical sources within the context of theoretical frameworks for the role of history in teaching mathematics developed by Barbin, Fried, Jahnke, Jankvist, and Kjeldsen and Blomhoj, and more generally from the perspective of Sfard’s theory of learning as communication. We present case studies for two of our guided student modules that are built around sequences of primary sources and are intended for learning core curricular material, one on logical implication, the other on the concept of a group. Additionally, we propose some conclusions about the advantages and challenges of using primary sources in teaching mathematics.
Heterotrophy by Plankton in Three Lakes of Different Productivity

THE utilization of dissolved organic compounds by heterotrophic microorganisms is an important process in the aquatic carbon cycle and in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems in general1. It has been hypothesized that the only significant uptake of naturally occurring dissolved organic compounds by plankton is carried out by heterotrophic bacteria and that competition by phytoplankton for these compounds is insignificant2. In this communication I present evidence which does not support this hypothesis and I also show the importance of heterotrophy in relation to the total metabolism of plankton communities in freshwater ecosystems.
Localization of the pyramidal tract in the internal capsule of man

Abstract Where are the descending direct motor pathways in the posterior limb of the internal capsule? The traditional view following Dejerine (1901) has been that they lie in the anterior half of the posterior limb. Recent investigations refute this localization and the evidence strongly suggests that pyramidal tract fibers are confined to a compact region in the posterior half of the posterior limb. A case history is described with pathologic correlation that supports this view and the supporting literature is reviewed.
Confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) in the modern context: the European experience1

Abstract Every region has to elaborate its own confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) culture, while not abandoning the basic Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) accords in this field. CSBMs cannot be seen as an aim in themselves. They have to be incorporated in the broader, emerging security regime. If our security is threatened, both internally and externally (from territories far away from Europe), our counteraction must correspond to the new nature of these threats. Although played down, the concept of CSBMs is not a thing of the past and may be a useful instrument in addressing various kinds of security issues, including those on the Korean peninsula. There is an urgent need to start a serious discussion on the overall concept of arms control and CSBMs and its place in the security-building processes. The main forum for European CSBMs remains the OSCE, although arms control efforts are also being developed outside its remit. The promotion of endeavors in this field ...
Evidence from proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy for a metabolic cascade of neuronal damage in shaken baby syndrome

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to use proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) as a metabolic assay to describe biochemical changes during the evolution of neuronal injury in infants after shaken baby syndrome (SBS), that explain the disparity between apparent physical injury and the neurological deficit after SBS. METHODOLOGY: Three infants 6 months (A), 5 weeks (B), 7 months (C). with SBS were examined repeatedly using localized quantitative proton MRS. Examinations were performed on days 7 and 13 (A), on days 1, 3, 5, and 12 (B), and on days 7 and 19 (C) posttrauma. Long-term follow-up examinations were performed 5 months posttrauma (A) and 4.6 months posttrauma (B). Data were compared to control data from 52 neurologically normal infants presented in a previous study. RESULTS: Spectra from parietal white matter obtained at approximately the same time after injury (5 to 7 days) showed markedly different patterns of abnormality. Infant A shows near normal levels of the neuronal marker N-acetyl aspartate, creatine, and phosphocreatine, although infant C shows absent N-acetyl aspartate, almost absent creatine and phosphocreatine, and a great excess of lactate/lipid and lipid. Analysis of the time course in infant B appears to connect these variations as markers of the severity of head injury suffered in the abuse, indicating a progression of biochemical abnormality. The principal cerebral metabolites detected by MRS that remain normal up to 24 hours fall precipitately to approximately 40% of normal within 5 to 12 days, with lactate/lipid and lipid levels more than doubling concentration between days 5 and 12. CONCLUSIONS: A strong impression is gained of MRS as a prognostic marker because infant A recovered although infants B and C remained in a state consistent with compromised neurological capacity. Loss of integrity of the proton MR spectrum appears to signal irreversible neurological damage and occurs at a time when clinical and neurological status gives no indication of long-term outcome. These results suggest the value of sequential MRS in the management of SBS. Language: en
Determination of Gaseous and Particulate Fluorides by Ion Chromatographic Analysis

Abstract The determination of gaseous and particulate fluorides using a modified sampler and ion chromatographic (IC) analysis was examined in response to problems that were recently identified with the existing National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7902, “Fluorides, Aerosol and Gas.” After development of the new sampler and IC technique, the modified method was compared to the existing method, which is based on ion selective electrode potentiometry (ISE). The sampling train that was recommended in NIOSH Method 7902 was modified to a 37-mm cassette with a 0.8-μm mixed cellulose ester filter, which is supported by a porous plastic pad in the front section and an alkaline treated cellulose pad in the rear section; these sections are separated by a half-inch extension. The IC analysis employed a Dionex AS4A column, AG4A guard column, and conductivity detection (Dionex Corp., Sunnyvale, California). The sodium tetraborate eluant was the only eluant of four that were tested which...
An Experimental and Computational Study of the Gas-Phase Structures of Five-Carbon Monosaccharides

The gas-phase structures of five five-carbon monosaccharides (d-ribose, d-lyxose, 2-deoxy-d-ribose, d-xylose, and d-arabinose) were studied via ion−molecule reactions with dimethoxyphosphenium ion and 1,3-dioxolane-2-phosphenium ion in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. These reagent ions have been earlier demonstrated to be sensitive to the three-dimensional structures of diastereomeric vicinal diols. They were found to display unique reactivity toward each monosaccharide. The results indicate that the gaseous monosaccharides are cyclic molecules. On the basis of a comparison of the reactions of monosaccharides introduced into the gas phase via two different methods, laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD) and thermal desorption, the monosaccharides are concluded to maintain their crystalline structure, a pyranose form, throughout the evaporation procedure. For all the monosaccharides in this study except for d-lyxose, the lowest-energy structure found computationally using d...
Spatial summation in the fovea: Asymmetrical effects of longer and shorter dimensions

Abstract Spatial summation was measured for foveally viewed rectangles superimposed on a 1000-td background. The longer and shorter dimensions of the stimuli were independently varied from 0 to 50′. Visibility increased as the longer dimension was increased up to 40 or 50′. However, changes in the shorter dimension affected visibility systematically only when the shorter dimension was less than 5′. When the stimulus was near the luminance threshold, the shorter dimension was more accurately estimated than the longer dimension. The results suggest that detection is mediated by only those spatial frequency components which lie parallel to the long axis of the stimulus.
Triiodothyronine repletion in infants during cardiopulmonary bypass for congenital heart disease

Objective: Cardiopulmonary bypass suppresses circulating thyroid hormone levels. Although acute triiodothyronine repletion has been evaluated in adult patients after cardiopulmonary bypass, triiodothyronine pharmacokinetics and effects have not previously been studied in infants undergoing operations for congenital heart disease. We hypothesized that triiodothyronine deficiency in the developing heart after bypass may adversely affect cardiac function reserve postoperatively. Methods: Infants less than 1 year old undergoing ventricular septal defect or tetralogy of Fallot repair were randomized into 2 groups. Group T (n = 7) received triiodothyronine (0.4 µg/kg) immediately before the start of cardiopulmonary bypass and again with myocardial reperfusion. Control (NT, n = 7) patients received saline solution placebo or no treatment. Results: These groups underwent similar ischemic and bypass times and received similar quantities of inotropic agents after the operation. The NT group demonstrated significant depression in circulating levels, compared with prebypass levels, for free triiodothyronine and total triiodothyronine at 1, 24, and 72 hours after bypass. Group T demonstrated similar low thyroxine values, but free and total triiodothyronine levels were maintained at prebypass levels for 24 hours and remained elevated over those of group NT (P < .05) at 72 hours. Heart rate was transiently elevated in group T compared with group NT (P < .05), and peak systolic pressure-rate product increased after 6 hours.
The specific activities and half lives of americium-241 and americium-243

The specific activities of one sample of Am/sup 241/ metal and two samples of Am/sup 243/ metal have been measured. Half-lives of 457.7 plus or minus 1.8 years and 7951 plus or minus 48 years, respectively, have been obtained. (auth)
Characterization of a novel bidirectional distraction spinal cord injury animal model

Scoliosis corrective surgery requires the application of significant multidirectional stress forces, including distraction, for correction of the curved spine deformity and the application of fixation rods. If excessive, spine distraction may result in the development of new neurological deficits, some as severe as permanent paralysis. Current animal models of spinal cord injury, however, are limited to contusion, transection, or unidirectional distraction injuries, which fail to replicate the multidirectional forces that occur during spine corrective surgery. To address such limitation, we designed a novel device that relies on intervertebral grip fixation and linear actuators to induce controllable bidirectional distraction injuries to the spine. The device was tested in three (i.e., 3, 5, and 7 mm) distention paradigms of the rat T9-T11 vertebra, and the resulting injuries were evaluated through electrophysiological, behavioral, and histological analysis. As expected, 3mm bilateral spine distractions showed no neurological deficit. In contrast, those with 5 and 7 mm showed partial and complete paralysis, respectively. The relationship between the severity of the spine distraction and injury to the spinal cord tissue was determined using glial fibrillary acidic protein immunocytochemistry for visualization of reactive astrocytes and labeling of ED1-positive activated macrophages/microglia. Our results demonstrate that this device can produce bidirectional spine distraction injuries with high precision and control and, thus, may be valuable in contributing to the testing of neuroprotective strategies aimed at preventing unintended new neurological damage during corrective spine surgery.
Evaluating Defects in Solution-Processed Carbon Nanotube Devices via Low-Temperature Transport Spectroscopy

We performed low-temperature electron transport spectroscopy to evaluate defects in individual single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) devices assembled via dielectrophoresis from a surfactant-free solution. At 4.2 K, the majority of the devices show periodic and well-defined Coulomb diamonds near zero gate voltage corresponding to transport through a single quantum dot, while at higher gate voltages, beating behavior is observed due to small potential fluctuations induced by the substrate. The Coulomb diamonds were further modeled using a single electron transistor simulator. Our study suggests that SWNTs derived from stable solutions in this work are free from hard defects and are relatively clean. Our observations have strong implications on the use of solution-processed SWNTs for future nanoelectronic device applications.
THE CAUSALITY BETWEEN STOCK MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM THE UNITED STATES

The present study investigates the direction of causality between stock market development and economic growth in the case of the United States. We use the Johansen‐Juselius cointegration procedure followed by vector error‐correction modelling. We examine both the long‐run cointegrating relationships and associated causal orderings, and short‐run interactions among the variables. The results indicate that there are stable long‐run equilibrium relationships among the variables and that the stock market contains information about future changes in real income.
Efficient techniques for canceling transceiver noise

High-speed data transceiver circuits employ several techniques for dealing with noise, such as using differential architectures. However, under certain circumstances, a transceiver's dominant noise can be bounded and band-limited; and in those cases simpler noise cancellation circuits may suffice. For such transceivers we have designed a tracking circuit to effectively suppress noise. In a 40 nm CMOS technology the tracking circuit consumes a 37% power overhead over a baseline receiver.
Brand Damage Valuation: Theory and Practice

When wines are “corked”, as determined by distributors, retailers, or consumers, a winery's brand image is damaged and return on winery marketing is lost. A tainted product can easily disrupt or destroy the competitive advantage gained by a winery over years of differentiation techniques through marketing and image. This problem exists for wineries worldwide. Large lawsuits have recently occurred due to problems with wineries using defective intermediate products, especially corks. While there is some debate as to corked wine's cause, this study focuses assessing monetary damages in such a case and the breadth of financial effects on a winery. Tainted products easily disrupt or destroy competitive advantage gained by wineries over years of differentiation techniques through marketing. Augmentation of explicit and implicit costs, and reduced revenues, contribute to financial damages. This study provides insight on what damages to include in these calculations and how forensie economics views the discount rates to use and the dates defining business disruption.
Partitioning of metals among metal-binding proteins in the bay mussel, Mytilus edulis

Metabolism of metals was assessed in populations of Mytilus edulis exposed to metals in the laboratory and in the field. Chronic exposure to metals in both environments resulted in increased concentrations of metals in both the low molecular weight metal-binding protein fraction, which contains metallothioneins, and in the high molecular weight metal-binding protein fraction, which contains metalloenzymes. Our results from analysis of laboratory-exposed populations and from monitoring indigenous and transplanted populations indicate that the capacity for production of metallothioneins is limited and that the quantities present differ greatly with seasonal changes in the environment.
Application of commercially available cantilevers in tuning fork Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) studies

We describe the construction and operation of an atomic force microscope based on a tuning fork sensor with probe tips obtained from commercially available cantilevers. Only the tip from the cantilever is mounted on the tuning fork, minimizing the change in resonant frequency and the quality factor Q of the tuning fork. The technique allows the use of a variety of commercially available tips for use in different probe microscopy applications like magnetic force microscopy. The compact design of the microscope and its simple feedback electronics make it well suited for operation in novel environments such as at cryogenic temperatures. We present high resolution atomic force images of graphite surfaces, as well as scanning probe images of magnetic domains and Ni dot arrays taken with this microscope.
An efficient method for on-line identification of steady state

A novel method for the on-line identification of steady state in noisy processes is developed. The method uses critical values of an F-like statistic, and its computational efficiency and robustness to process noise distribution and non-noise patterns provide advantages over existing methods. The distribution of the statistic is obtained through Monte-Carlo simulations, and analytically derived shifts in the distribution due to process ramp changes and autocorrelations in the process data are shown to cross check with simulations. Application is demonstrated on experimentally measured pH, temperature and pressure data.
State Oversight of the Proprietary Sector.

State oversight is a response to demands for accountability for student achievement and for the use of student financial aid; the overall effect may be aforced convergence.
Measurement of femtosecond ionization dynamics of atmospheric density gases by spectral blueshifting.

The new plasma diagnostic technique of spectral blueshifting of femtosecond pulses is used for the first time to analyze quantitatively the ionization of noble gases under the influence of intense, femtosecond illumination. The two processes of strong-field tunneling ionization and electron impact ionization are found to play competing roles on these time scales
Marijuana and ethanol: differential effects on time perception, heart rate, and subjective response.

Performance on a time production task, heart rate, and subjective responses were studied in twelve male subjects given oral doses of marijuana (0.7 mg of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol/kg), ethanol (1.0 ml/kg), and placebo, on three testing days which were each separated by 1 week. Orders were balanced across subjects and testing conditions were doubleblind. Compared to ethanol and placebo, marijuana induced a significant under-production of time intervals, suggesting an acceleration of the internal rate of time perception. The onset of this acceleration of time sense in which geophysical time seemed to pass slowly corresponded with the characteristic increase in heart rate and the onset of the subjective feelings of drug effects. Initial phases of alcohol intoxication were associated with the opposite effects on the time production task. These findings replicate previous work and indicate that an easily administered time production task provides a consistent, non-motor measure of acute marijuana intoxication and also reflects ethanol intoxication.
Gender differences in the perception of the work environment within large international accounting firms

Contends that prior research has not investigated whether employee outcomes such as performance, commitment, satisfaction and turnover vary between the genders in the large international public accounting firms. Moreover, there is little evidence on whether variables believed to affect these outcomes, such as role stress and job characteristics, vary between men and women. Based on a survey of staff auditors in the USA, identifies some significant differences in these variables between the genders and illustrates how gender differences alter the interpretation of relationships within a model of the public accounting work environment.
Dermatologic education for primary care in the United States.

Aux Etats-Unis, la population medicale s'accroit de meme que le cout de la sante. L'inflation du personnel medical concerne les specialistes, alors qu'il faudrait que le nombre des medecins generalistes (internistes, pediatres, medecins de famille) augmente. Il apparait que ces generalistes ont, d'apres les etudes proposees, des connaissances insuffisantes en dermatologie pour assumer de nouvelles responsabilites concernant le diagnostic et le traitement des affections dermatologiques
The Design Of Stable Acousto-Optical Spectrometers For Radio Astronomy

A number of acousto-optical spectrometers (AOS) have been constructed for radio astronomy in recent years. Although such spectrometers are simple and relatively cheap, great care is needed in their construction if the stability necessary for radio astronomy is to be achieved. An experimental AOS, with a bandwidth of 100 MHz, has been built at Caltech and used for a study of the various sources of drifts. The results of this study are presented. The experimental AOS can already operate with negligible drift at a chopping rate of 0.02 Hz. Improvements planned for the next version should permit operation at a chopping rate of 0.01 Hz.
Possible Implications of the Damage by Radiation in the Storage of Propellants in Outer Space and Tentative Methods for Its Measurement

The damage by radiation that can be expected during the storage of hydrogen-bonded propellants in outer space is analized in terms of the available data on radiation levels. On this basis, the alternatives of storing the propellants as liquids or as solids, at low temperature, are discussed, and account is taken of recent results on their thermal behaviour obtained at this Laboratory. Vitreous states of aggregation that could crystallize spontaneously after long periods of irradiation are shown to present some hazards that can be prevented. General considerations of radiation-damage detection in outer space are also made. Paramagnetic resonance is found to be of limited use although it could be used for studying the damage produced by intense solar flares. Solid-state devices are finally recommended.
Degradation rates of the AVHRR visible channel for the NOAA 6, 7, and 9 spacecraft

The stability of the AVHRR scanners on board the NOAA 6, 7, and 9 satellites was assessed using the Libian Desert as a target site and a directional reflectance model for determinations of the degradation rates for the channel 1 (0.57-0.69 micron) of the scanners. It was found that the degradation rates determined for 68 months of observations (May 1980-October 1987) were 0, 3.5, and 6.0 percent per year for NOAA 6, 7, and 9, respectively. An analysis based on zonal measurements covering half of the earth's surface showed that these rates are applicable to all surface types and other spacecraft-based earth-viewing scanners subject to shortwave degradation.
Identification of Rate Models for Solid Catalyzed Gaseous Reactions

Abstract Modeling of reactions is vital for the optimum design and operation of process reactors as well as for analyses of mechanisms of heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Recently a number of modeling
Optimal Softening and damping design for buildings

Retrofit strategies based on softening techniques with supplemental damping have shown promise in reducing dynamic response of civil infrastructures as compared with other optimal retrofit techniques. This technique involves the determination of optimal locations and corresponding capacities of dampers and softened stories. The three optimal design methodologies presented in this paper are capable of determining optimal locations and optimal stiffnesses and capacities of softened stories and dampers placed in a building. Initially, a preliminary design procedure based on a spectral approach is used to estimate global stiffness modification and total damping which should be Lidded to the original building. This procedure allows for reducing the maximum expected spectral demands to acceptable levels. The first method presented for the structural performance optimization is based on a procedure for finding optimal storey stiffnesses and damper placements that minimize the sum of amplitudes of the transfer functions of inter-storey drifts. The second approach is based on concepts of optimal control theory through an adaptation of a gain matrix obtained from using the linear quadratic regulator (LQR) algorithm. The third method is a modification of the simplified sequential search algorithm that uses a performance index, which considers inter-storey drifts and absolute floor velocities and accelerations to find the optimum placement of damping devices and storey stiffnesses. Two examples of shear-type buildings with uniform and non-uniform initial stiffness distributions are presented to show effectiveness of the proposed design methodologies. The optimum distributions obtained using these optimization methods are compared using response time history analysis
Development of a framework to automate process planning functions and to determine machining parameters

A methodology is developed to perform the machining parameter selection function in an automated process planning environment. At the same time, a framework is developed to perform the machine and tool selection function of process planning. The purpose of the machining parameter selection function, as envisioned in this study, is to determine the number of roughing and finishing passes needed, depth of cut, cutting speed, and feed for each pass depending on the part geometry, tolerance, the available machine types and appropriate grades of cutting tools. A new stable cutting region constraint is proposed. A machining-related cost based on tolerance, called measurement and adjustment cost, is derived and included in the formulation. A way to determine maximum roughing depth of cut is indicated. Finally, a part example is used to demonstrate the concepts for a turning operation.
Effects of average molecular charge on amino acid interfacial partitioning in reversed micelles

Abstract The effect of pH on amino acid interfacial partitioning in reversed micelles is reported. A simple thermodynamic analysis of the data allows estimates of the interfacial electrostatic potential in these reversed micelles to be made, from which the effects of external electrolyte type and concentration may be inferred. Good agreement with the predictions of the Poisson-Boltzmann equation is obtained. Inferences can be drawn as to the orientation of the amino acids within the structured interfaces, and it is argued that the amino acid headgroup dipole must be aligned almost normal to the direction of the electric field. Changes in amino acid speciation in reversed micellar systems, coupled with an apparent shift in pH of the external aqueous phase, can be attributed to a concentration of the hydroxonium ion in the reversed micellar water pools, and not to changes in intrinsic dissociation constants. It is demonstrated that species distribution in the AOT Winsor II system closely resembles various chromatographic processes, there being a direct analogy between the chromatographic retention coefficient and the reversed micellar interfacial partition coefficient.
Topic Expansiveness and Family Communication Patterns

Conversational topic largely has been studied as an individual's binary decision to engage in disclosure or avoidance. The study complements this work by examining how various topics are engaged in parent-adolescent family communication. Specifically, it examines topical differences in dialogic expansiveness, conceptualized with Bakhtin's dialogism theory as the extent to which all interactants' viewpoints are encouraged and legitimated. Operationalized through topic-specific reports about conversation orientation and conformity orientation provided independently by 122 parents and their late-adolescent children, the study reconceptualized family communication patterns from a traitlike to a state-like feature of communication. Results identified four distinct clusters of topics, two of which were dialogically contractive: the single topical domain of sexual issues and the cluster consisting of the three topics of drinking/drugs/smoking, money matters, and educational progress. Topics related to adolescent...
Structural and biochemical alterations in canine venous autografts.

Abstract This paper describes morphological alterations and quantifies the changes in lipid concentration and composition which occur in veins transplanted into the arterial system. Under normolipidemic conditions, intimal proliferation occurs in the vein grafts with no significant alteration in the lipid concentration. Under hypercholesterolemic conditions intimal proliferation as well as the accumulation of substantial quantities of lipids occur in these grafts. The extent of the lipid accumulation in the vein grafts was considerably larger than in the arteries.
On lasing without inversion within the sodium D 1 line

We present and analyze a simple scheme demonstrating lasing without inversion (LWI) within the Na D1 line, i.e., within the hyperfine manifolds of the 3 2P1/2 and 3 2S1/2 states.