cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transmission Line Boundary Protection Using Wavelet Transform and Neural Network

Two of the most expected objectives of transmission line protection are: 1) differentiating precisely the internal faults from external and 2) indicating exactly the fault type using one end data only. This paper proposes an improved solution based on wavelet transform and self-organized neural network. The measured voltage and current signals are preprocessed first and then decomposed using wavelet multiresolution analysis to obtain the high frequency details and low frequency approximations. The patterns formed based on high frequency signal components are arranged as inputs of neural network #1, whose task is to indicate whether the fault is internal or external. The patterns formed using low frequency approximations are arranged as inputs of neural network #2, whose task is to indicate the exact fault type. The new method uses both low and high frequency information of the fault signal to achieve an advanced line protection scheme. The proposed approach is verified using frequency-dependent transmission line model and the test results prove its enhanced performance. A discussion of the application issues for the proposed approach is provided at the end where the generality of the proposed approach and guidance for future study are pointed out
Nutrient contributions to the Santa Barbara Channel, California, from the ephemeral Santa Clara River

Abstract The Santa Clara River delivers nutrient rich runoff to the eastern Santa Barbara Channel during brief (∼1–3 day) episodic events. Using both river and oceanographic measurements, we evaluate river loading and dispersal of dissolved macronutrients (silicate, inorganic N and P) and comment on the biological implications of these nutrient contributions. Both river and ocean observations suggest that river nutrient concentrations are inversely related to river flow rates. Land use is suggested to influence these concentrations, since runoff from a subwatershed with substantial agriculture and urban areas had much higher nitrate than runoff from a wooded subwatershed. During runoff events, river nutrients were observed to conservatively mix into the buoyant, surface plume immediately seaward of the Santa Clara River mouth. Dispersal of these river nutrients extended 10s of km into the channel. Growth of phytoplankton and nutrient uptake was low during our observations (1–3 days following runoff), presumably due to the very low light levels resulting from high turbidity. However, nutrient quality of runoff (Si:N:P = 16:5:1) was found to be significantly different than upwelling inputs (13:10:1), which may influence different algal responses once sediments settle. Evaluation of total river nitrate loads suggests that most of the annual river nutrient fluxes to the ocean occur during the brief winter flooding events. Wet winters (such as El Nino) contribute nutrients at rates approximately an order-of-magnitude greater than “average” winters. Although total river nitrate delivery is considerably less than that supplied by upwelling, the timing and location of these types of events are very different, with river discharge (upwelling) occurring predominantly in the winter (summer) and in the eastern (western) channel.
Preparation and Electric Field Alignment of Acicular SbSI Crystals

Ferroelectric needles of SbSI may be aligned in an electric field, just as magnetic particles are aligned in magnetic fields, prior to consolidation into a highly oriented polycrystalline ceramic. The discovery, in 1978, should have wide applicability.
Systematic global mixing and melting in lunar soil evolution

[1] We present a revised model of soil evolution constrained by the recent LSCC data for lunar soils. In addition to an observed universal increase in feldspathic components in the finer fractions of soils [Taylor et al., 2001, 2003a, 2003b], both differential melting and lateral mixing processes appear to be required during the evolution of lunar soils. We propose mare-highland mixing of a significant glass component along with a preferential melting sequence for agglutinitic glass formation of: glass > plagioclase > pyroxene ≫ ilmenite.
Cognitive aging: New answers to old questions

The use of techniques for functional brain imaging is beginning to provide insights into the psychological and neural mechanisms that underlie age-related changes in cognitive performance.
Assessing structural changes in knits during processing

An automatic fabric evaluation system is developed to analyze knit structures and objectively evaluate fabric properties. Fabric images are captured with a CCD camera, and digital images are processed by histogram equalization, binary morphological operators, and pattern recognition. Six knitted fabrics are evaluated at different phases of manufac turing. Fabric construction parameters such as courses and wales per unit length, fabric cover, and areal density are measured and evaluated using the new approach and manual methods. Structural changes that occur in the fabrics at different levels of relaxation are also documented. Our image capturing and analysis system is capable of on-line control of knit structures' spatial characteristics before and after wet treatments.
Determination of uranium in NBS biological standard reference materials by delayed neutron assay

Uranium was measured in eight biological standards at the part-per-billion level. Matrix effects encountered in the use of liquid standards are discussed.
The Role of Host Identity in Determining the Distribution of the Invasive Moth Cactoblastis cactorum (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Florida

ABSTRACT We examined the association between the exotic South American cactus moth, Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), and its host plants (prickly pear cacti, subfamily Opuntioideae) in Florida to assess the role of host plant identity and local host community on the prevalence of this invasive moth. From May to September 2008, we surveyed 4,243 plants across 165 sites throughout Florida for C. cactorum. The probability of C. cactorum presence at a particular site was best explained by the presence of either Opuntia humifusa var. ammophila (Small) L. D. Benson or O. stricta (Haworth) Haworth. Within infested sites, only O. stricta individuals were significantly more infested than other host plants. Our results suggest that understanding patterns of C. cactorum infestation, both in Florida and as it spreads towards the western United States relies, at least in part, on determining the mechanism by which O. stricta influences the suitability of specific host communities.
Applications of the normal-incidence rotating- sample ellipsometer to high- and low-spatial- frequency gratings

The normal-incidence rotating-sample ellipsometer is an instrument that can be used to characterize grating surfaces from the measured ratio ρof complex reflection coefficients r(y)/r(x) of light polarized perpendicular and parallel to the grating groove direction. Experimental results at different wavelengths for different gratings with spatial frequencies from 150 to 5880 grooves/mm are presented. The groove depth of the 5880-grooves/mm gold-coated grating can be estimated from the measured ρ and rigorous grating theory.
Estimating serial correlation by visual inspection of diagnostic plots

Abstract By counting the “peaks” (relative maxima) of a time series, it is possible to estimate the serial correlation in the series, under the assumption that the series is a first-order autoregressive process. The estimator is inefficient, but it is effective nonetheless, and since all computations can be performed mentally and no tables are required, it is suitable for the quick assessment of computer-generated diagnostic plots. It also enjoys certain robustness properties. As a test for serial correlation, the procedure is essentially the same as one proposed by Bienayme in 1874 and by Wallis and Moore in 1941, which is itself equivalent to tests based on the counts of runs up and down.
Technological support for e-democracy: history and perspectives

The interdependence of technology and society is unquestioned and has influenced research in technical sciences as well as social sciences for a long time. Technology to support citizen participation and e-democracy can potentially influence a whole political system. This paper discusses the role of technology with respect to citizen participation and e-democracy. Three core requirements for systems supporting citizen participation and e-democracy are specified and it is analysed how they are met by current systems. Community networks are introduced and their evolution is characterised as an example of sociotechnical evolution with respect to citizen participation and e-democracy.
Anti-Imperialism and International Competition in Central America, 1920-1929

Using archival material from Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain and the United States, this book asserts that US meddling in the internal affairs of Central America stemmed from Washington's assumption that regional political turbulence threatened the operation of the Panama Canal.
Matching education and training to employment: practical problems and theoretical solutions – or the other way round?

Este articulo contrasta los diferentes planteamientos teoricos sobre la coordinacion entre el formacion/educacion y empleo con sus aplicaciones practicas y politicas. Desde un enfoque amplio que espera encontrar algunos caminos que nos faciliten encontrar solucion tanto a los problemas practicos como teoricos, o, por lo menos, para esbozar algunos caminos que nos permitan avanzar en el razonamiento y analisis acerca de esta coordinacion. Las soluciones practicas y politicas presentadas se basan en la experiencia austriaca.
Spatial and temporal optimization in habitat placement for a threatened plant: the case of the western prairie fringed orchid

This paper investigates an optimization approach to determining the placement and timing of habitat protection for the western prairie fringed orchid. This plant’s population dynamics are complex, creating a challenging optimization problem. The sensitivity of the orchid to random climate conditions is handled probabilistically. The plant’s seed, protocorm and above-ground stages are all accounted for in a case example from the Sheyenne National Grassland in North Dakota. Sensitivity of the case example model to dispersal assumptions and climate condition probabilities is demonstrated.
Therapeutic Alliance With Depressed Adolescents: Predictor or Outcome? Disentangling Temporal Confounds to Understand Early Improvement

Psychotherapy research reveals consistent associations between therapeutic alliance and treatment outcomes in the youth literature; however, past research frequently suffered measurement issues that obscured temporal relationships between alliance and symptomatology by measuring variables later in therapy, thereby precluding examination of important early changes. The current study aimed to explore the directions of effect between alliance and outcome early in therapy with adolescents by examining associations between first- and fourth-session therapeutic alliance and symptomatology. Thirty-four adolescents (∼63% female, 38% ethnic/racial minority) participated in a school-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents with depression. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory at baseline and Session 4, and therapeutic alliance was coded from audiotapes of Sessions 1 and 4 by objective coders using the Alliance Observation Coding System. Autoregressive path analyses determined that first-session therapeutic alliance was a strong significant predictor of Session 4 depression symptoms, but pretreatment depression scores were not significantly predictive of subsequent therapeutic alliance. Adding reciprocal effects between alliance and depression scores did not adversely affect model fit, suggesting that reciprocal effects may exist. Early therapeutic alliance with adolescents is critical to fostering early gains in depressive symptomatology. Knowing alliance's subsequent effect on youth outcomes, clinicians should increase effort to foster a strong relationship in early sessions and additional research should be conducted on the reciprocal effects of therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome in adolescence.
Combinatorial Polymer Electrospun Matrices Promote Physiologically-Relevant Cardiomyogenic Stem Cell Differentiation

Myocardial infarction results in extensive cardiomyocyte death which can lead to fatal arrhythmias or congestive heart failure. Delivery of stem cells to repopulate damaged cardiac tissue may be an attractive and innovative solution for repairing the damaged heart. Instructive polymer scaffolds with a wide range of properties have been used extensively to direct the differentiation of stem cells. In this study, we have optimized the chemical and mechanical properties of an electrospun polymer mesh for directed differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) towards a cardiomyogenic lineage. A combinatorial polymer library was prepared by copolymerizing three distinct subunits at varying molar ratios to tune the physicochemical properties of the resulting polymer: hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG), hydrophobic poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL), and negatively-charged, carboxylated PCL (CPCL). Murine ESCs were cultured on electrospun polymeric scaffolds and their differentiation to cardiomyocytes was assessed through measurements of viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), α-myosin heavy chain expression (α-MHC), and intracellular Ca2+ signaling dynamics. Interestingly, ESCs on the most compliant substrate, 4%PEG-86%PCL-10%CPCL, exhibited the highest α-MHC expression as well as the most mature Ca2+ signaling dynamics. To investigate the role of scaffold modulus in ESC differentiation, the scaffold fiber density was reduced by altering the electrospinning parameters. The reduced modulus was found to enhance α-MHC gene expression, and promote maturation of myocyte Ca2+ handling. These data indicate that ESC-derived cardiomyocyte differentiation and maturation can be promoted by tuning the mechanical and chemical properties of polymer scaffold via copolymerization and electrospinning techniques.
BEAUTIFUL PHYSICS AT CDF

B-physics with p{anti p} collisions at CDF is reviewed, including production cross sections, masses, and decay properties. with a focus on lifetime and mixing measurements. A two-component lifetime fit of B{sup 0}{sub s} {yields} l{sup +}D{sup -}{sub s}X results in the limit {Delta}{Gamma}{sub s}/{Gamma}{sub s} < 0.81 (95% C.L.), which is converted into an indirect upper bound on {Delta}m{sub s}. From our five B{sup 0}{sub d}-{anti B}{sup 0}{sub d} oscillation analyses, we highlight the use of ``same side`` flavor tagging.
Discriminative models for spoken language understanding.

This paper studies several discriminative models for spoken language understanding (SLU). While all of them fall into the conditional model framework, different optimization criteria lead to conditional random fields, perceptron, minimum classification error and large margin models. The paper discusses the relationship amongst these models and compares them in terms of accuracy, training speed and robustness.
Sinus and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in the same patient

Sinus and atrioventricular (A-V) nodal reentry are shown to coexist in the same patient, and the following conclusions are drawn: (1) Reentry at one nodal site may mask reentry at the other nodal site, (2) concealed reentry at either site may become manifest reentry under the appropriate conditions, (3) manifest sinus nodal reentry may alternate with manifest A-V nodal reentry, and (4) a Wenckebach type phenomenon manifest in the A-V node and concealed in the sinus node may in some instances be the basis for coexistent sinus and A-V nodal reentry in man.
Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci Influencing Wood Property Traits in Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.). III. QTL Verification and Candidate Gene Mapping

A long-term series of experiments to map QTL influencing wood property traits in loblolly pine has been completed. These experiments were designed to identify and subsequently verify QTL in multiple genetic backgrounds, environments, and growing seasons. Verification of QTL is necessary to substantiate a biological basis for observed marker-trait associations, to provide precise estimates of the magnitude of QTL effects, and to predict QTL expression at a given age or in a particular environment. Verification was based on the repeated detection of QTL among populations, as well as among multiple growing seasons for each population. Temporal stability of QTL was moderate, with approximately half being detected in multiple seasons. Fewer QTL were common to different populations, but the results are nonetheless encouraging for restricted applications of marker-assisted selection. QTL from larger populations accounted for less phenotypic variation than QTL detected in smaller populations, emphasizing the need for experiments employing much larger families. Additionally, 18 candidate genes related to lignin biosynthesis and cell wall structure were mapped genetically. Several candidate genes colocated with wood property QTL; however, these relationships must be verified in future experiments.
The performance psychology of Jacques Lacan

(1983). The performance psychology of Jacques Lacan. Literature in Performance: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 27-30.
Learning the manifolds of local features and their spatial arrangements

Local features play an important role for many computer vision problems; they are highly discriminative and possess invariant properties. However, the spatial configuration of local features plays an essential role in recognition. Spatial neighborhoods capture local geometry and collectively provide shape information about a given object. In this dissertation we studied explicit and implicit ways to exploit the joint feature-spatial arrangement in images for recognition problems. We introduce a framework to learn an embedded representation of images that captures the similarity between features and the spatial arrangement information. The framework was successfully applied in object recognition and localization context. The framework was also applied for feature matching across multiple images. We also showed the viability of the framework in regression from local features for viewpoint estimation. We also studied implicit ways to exploit the feature-spatial manifold structure in the data without explicit embedding and within a transductive learning paradigm for object localization. We learned the labels of the local features from an object class in a manner that provides spatial and feature smoothing over the labels. To achieve that we adapted the Global and Local Consistency Solution for Label Propagation to our implicit manifold model to infer the labels of local features. We showed excellent accuracy rates with very low false positive rates on the learned features labels in the test images.
Effects of Accumulated CEO Pay and Relative Performance on Risk Taking and Performance Variance

In this study, we argue that chief executives who have accumulated greater total compensation throughout their tenure at a firm have higher tendency to engage in risky behaviors— manifest in volumi...
Regional climatic similarities in the temperate zones of North and South America

We performed an analysis of the climatic patterns of the temperate zones in North and South America using a global database of monthly precipitation and temperature. Three synthetic variables, identified by a principal component analysis (PCA) of the monthly data, were used: mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature and the proportion of the precipitation falling during summer. We displayed the spatial gradient of the three variables by constructing a com- posite colour raster image. We used a parallelepiped classification algorithm to locate areas in both continents that are climatically similar to five North American Long Term Ecological Research sites and to two South American long- term ecological research sites. The same algorithm was used to identify areas in South America which are climatically similar to some of the major grassland and shrubland types of North America. There is substantial overlap between the climates of North and South America. Most of the climatic patterns found in South America are well represented in North America. How- ever, there are certain climates in North America that are not found in South America. An example is a climate with relatively low mean annual temperature and high summer precipitation. The climatic signatures of three North American LTER sites (Cedar Creek, CPER and Sevilleta) were not found in South America. The climatic signatures of two LTER sites (Konza and Jornada) had some representation in South America. Two South American research sites (Rio Mayo and Las Chilcas) were well represented climatically in North America. The climates of six out of seven selected North American grassland and shrubland types were represented in South America. The northern mixed prairie type was not represented climatically in South America. Our analysis sug- gests that comparisons of North and South America can provide a powerful test of climatic control over vegetation.
Review of Sector and Regional Trends in U.S. Electricity Markets. Focus on Natural Gas. Natural Gas and the Evolving U.S. Power Sector Monograph Series. Number 1 of 3

This study explores dynamics related to natural gas use at the national, sectoral, and regional levels, with an emphasis on the power sector. It relies on a data set from SNL Financial to analyze recent trends in the U.S. power sector at the regional level. The research aims to provide decision and policy makers with objective and credible information, data, and analysis that informs their discussions of a rapidly changing energy system landscape. This study also summarizes regional changes in natural gas demand within the power sector. The transition from coal to natural gas is occurring rapidly along the entire eastern portion of the country, but is relatively stagnant in the central and western regions. This uneven shift is occurring due to differences in fuel price costs, renewable energy targets, infrastructure constraints, historical approach to regulation, and other factors across states.
Portrayals of Eating and Drinking in Popular American TV Programs: A Comparison of Scripted and Unscripted Shows

This study investigated portrayals of eating and drinking behaviors in popular American TV programs and compared scripted and unscripted (i.e., reality) shows. Through a content analysis of 95 episodes, the prevalence and nature of food/alcohol consumption that accompanied depictions of eating and drinking behaviors in 461 scenes were measured. Various foods were portrayed, but only 9% of foods portrayed were healthy (e.g., low in calories/fat content, such as fruits, vegetables, etc.). Approximately half of eating or drinking scenes either were accompanied by alcohol or contained solely alcoholic beverages. Significant differences between the scripted and unscripted shows were also found.
Hydroxyurea therapy for diverse pediatric populations with sickle cell disease

Hydroxyurea (HU) is the first widely used treatment to have an impact on the severity of disease in adult patients with sickle cell anemia, but limited data are available for younger patients or those with variant genotypes. We reviewed 324 months of experience with HU in 16 patients from 5.3 to 18.4 years of age treated for 6 to 50 months. The major toxicity was reversible neutropenia. Linear growth continued unchanged, and all patients gained weight. Hematologic results were similar to those reported in adults with increases in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and total and fetal hemoglobin (HbF). We noted that the maximal hematologic effects occurred at less than the maximum dose. Clinically, patients experienced an 80% reduction in episodes of acute chest syndrome and a reduced need for blood transfusion, as well as a 30% decrease in the number of hospitalizations for painful events during HU therapy compared with an equivalent number of months before HU. These highly statistically significant results confirmed the value of HU in ameliorating the severe clinical course of pediatric patients. Similar effects were observed in three patients with sickle beta degrees-thalassemia, sickle beta+-thalassemia, and S-O Arab. Recurrent acute splenic sequestration and progressive symptomatic osteonecrosis were observed during HU. Thus, HU may not prevent the development of complications once organ damage is present. The challenge remains to determine when and to which pediatric patients with sickle cell disease HU should be offered.
SU-G-206-06: Analytic Dose Function for CT Scans in Infinite Cylinders as a Function of Scan Length and Cylinder Radius.

Purpose: The radiation dose absorbed at a particular radius ρ within the central plane of a long cylinder following a CT scan is a function of the length of the scan L and the cylinder radius R along with kVp and cylinder composition. An analytic function was created that that not only expresses these dependencies but is integrable in closed form over the area of the central plane. This feature facilitates explicit calculation of the planar average dose. The “approach to equilibrium” h(L) discussed in the TG111 report is seamlessly included in this function. Methods: For a cylindrically symmetric radiation field, Monte Carlo calculations were performed to compute the dose distribution to long polyethylene cylinders for scans of varying L for cylinders ranging in radius from 5 to 20 cm. The function was developed from the resultant Monte Carlo data. In addition, the function was successfully fit to data taken from measurements on the 30 cm diameter ICRU/TG200 phantom using a real-time dosimeter. Results: Symmetry and continuity dictate a local extremum at the center which is a minimum for the larger sizes. There are competing effects as the beam penetrates the cylinder from the outside: attenuation, resulting in a decrease; scatter, abruptly increasing at the circumference. This competition may result in an absolute maximum between the center and outer edge leading to a “gull wing” shape for the radial dependence. For the smallest cylinders, scatter may dominate to the extent that there is an absolute maximum at the center. Conclusion: An integrable, analytic function has been developed that provides the radial dependency of dose for the central plane of a scan of length L for cylinders of varying diameter. Equivalently, we have developed h(L,R,ρ).
Nonlinear wave scattering at the flexible interface of a granular dimer chain

Uncompressed granular dimer chains composed of repetitive pairs of heavy-light spherical, linearly elastic beads exhibit interesting intrinsic responses. The dynamics of these highly discontinuous nonlinear media is governed by the mass ratio scaling the mass disparity of each heavy-light pair of beads. In particular, it has been theoretically and experimentally shown that they support countable infinities of anti-resonances at a discrete set of mass ratios leading to solitary pulses propagating through the dimers with no attenuation or distortion. Conversely, they support countable infinities of resonances at a different discrete set of mass ratios, leading to substantial and rapid attenuation of propagating pulses due to energy scattering from low-to-high frequencies and wavenumbers by means of radiating traveling waves. In this work we computationally study nonlinear scattering of impeding pulses at the interface of an impulsively excited dimer chain with a dispersive elastic boundary, namely, a finite linear string resting on an elastic foundation. We develop a computational algorithm which, through iteration and interpolation at successive time steps, accurately computes (and ensures convergence of) the highly discontinuous contact forces and displacements at the flexible interface of the granular medium. This enables accurate computation of wave transmission, reflection, localization or multi-scale nonlinear scattering at the flexible interface for varying mass ratios of the dimer and the interface parameters. We show that, depending on the mass ratio of the dimer and the stiffness of the elastic foundation, the nonlinear scattering at the flexible interface may lead to significant reduction of the maximum contact force at the interface, and, thus, drastically affect the transmitted and reflected energy at the flexible boundary. In fact, an inverse relation between the stiffness of the elastic foundation and the residual energy transferred from the dimer chain to the flexible boundary is found. Moreover, for sufficiently small mass ratios of the dimer chain transient breathers are realized close to the interface in the form of localized “fast” oscillations of light granules of the dimer that entrap shock energy and then release in a slow time scale back to the chain and the flexible boundary. This work paves the way for studying highly discontinuous and nonlinear scattering phenomena at interfaces of granular media with flexible continua.
Acid Sensing Ion Channels (ASICs) in NS20Y cells – potential role in neuronal differentiation

Cultured neuronal cell lines can express properties of mature neurons if properly differentiated. Although the precise mechanisms underlying neuronal differentiation are not fully understood, the expression and activation of ion channels, particularly those of Ca2+-permeable channels, have been suggested to play a role. In this study, we explored the presence and characterized the properties of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) in NS20Y cells, a neuronal cell line previously used for the study of neuronal differentiation. In addition, the potential role of ASICs in cell differentiation was explored. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction and Western blot revealed the presence of ASIC1 subunits in these cells. Fast drops of extracellular pH activated transient inward currents which were blocked, in a dose dependent manner, by amiloride, a non-selective ASIC blocker, and by Psalmotoxin-1 (PcTX1), a specific inhibitor for homomeric ASIC1a and heteromeric ASIC1a/2b channels. Incubation of cells with PcTX1 significantly reduced the differentiation of NS20Y cells induced by cpt-cAMP, as evidenced by decreased neurite length, dendritic complexity, decreased expression of functional voltage gated Na+ channels. Consistent with ASIC1a inhibition, ASIC1a knockdown with small interference RNA significantly attenuates cpt-cAMP-induced increase of neurite outgrowth. In summary, we described the presence of functional ASICs in NS20Y cells and demonstrate that ASIC1a plays a role in the differentiation of these cells.
MINOS: Long Baseline Search for Neutrino Oscillations at Fermilab

MINOS — a long baseline two-detector search for neutrino oscillations mixing until now studied only with atmospheric neutrinos.
Heroine of the Peripheral? Biography, Feminism, and Sylvia Plath

(1993). Heroine of the Peripheral? Biography, Feminism, and Sylvia Plath. a/b: Auto/Biography Studies: Vol. 8, FEMINIST BIOGRAPHY, pp. 179-197.
The Equity Risk Premium and the Equity Premium Puzzle

All of finance rests on the proposition that investors dislike risk and demand higher returns as compensation for bearing risk. In behavioral terms, the equity risk premium may be regarded as the additional rate of return that risk-averse investors, as a class, demand in exchange for the burden of bearing volatility and the attendant risk of downside loss. Although one study has concluded that the replacement of standard deviation in the conventional CAPM by a downside risk measure would advise investors to lower the stock allocations within their portfolios,1 another study suggests that investors’ reliance on fixed-income positions vastly exceeds the allocation that any strictly rational, utilitarian evaluation of risk in equity investing would ever counsel.2 Given the presence of a “sizeable equity premium,” why indeed should “a substantial fraction of investable wealth [be] invested in fixed income instruments”?3
Actualizing marine policy engagement

Authors Winder and Le Heron (2017) call on geographers to engage in marine policy venues associated with the Blue Economy agenda. This commentary suggests a pragmatic approach, drawing on our human...
Block Copolymer Thin Films on Patterned Substrates

Self-assembled block copolymers are building blocks of various advanced nanotechnologies based on ‘bottom-up’ fabrication methods. Self-organizing materials provide simple and low-cost processes to make large-area periodic nanostructures. On the other hand, ‘top-down’ lithographic approaches offer arbitrary geometries and superior nanometer-level precision and accuracy. By combining ‘bottom-up’ self-assembly with ‘top-down’ patterned templates, directed self-assembly (DSA) provides rich opportunities for both fundamental studies of self-assembly behavior on a predetermined substrate and innovative new nanofabrication methods.
Cytokines Are Markers of the Clostridium difficile-Induced Inflammatory Response and Predict Disease Severity.

The host immune response affects pathogen virulence in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Thus, cytokine responses to CDI are likely associated with disease initiation and progression. Understanding the molecular drivers of inflammation and biochemical markers of disease severity are important for developing novel therapies and predicting the disease prognosis. In this study, we investigated cytokine production in patients with CDI and evaluated the potential of cytokines to serve as biomarkers for CDI and predictors of disease severity. The systemic cytokine profiles of 36 CDI patients (20 with severe disease) and 8 healthy donors, and the toxin-induced cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were determined. Further, we evaluated glucosyltransferase (GT) activity in regulation of toxin-induced cytokine expression. We found upregulation of the majority of measured cytokines (11/20, 55%) in CDI patients. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A and IL-16 were the most upregulated. High serum levels of IL-2 and IL-15 were associated with a poor prognosis in CDI patients whereas high levels of IL-5 and IFN-γ were associated with less severe disease. Both TcdA and TcdB were potent inducers of cytokine responses as demonstrated by stimulation of a greater number and amount of cytokines. In addition to confirming prior reports on the role of IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-6 in CDI, our data suggest that IL-16 and IL-17A, as well as the IL-1β/Th17 axis, may play a key role in driving inflammatory responses in CDI. A functional GT domain of C. difficile toxins was required for the induction of a majority of cytokines investigated.
The Locality Problem

Chapter 3 focused on Schrodinger’s argument that quantum mechanical wave functions (evolving always in accordance with Schrodinger’s own equation) cannot be understood as providing complete descriptions of the physical states of individual systems. In this chapter we focus on a second argument, due largely to Einstein, for the same conclusion – namely, the incompleteness of the quantum mechanical description of physical reality.
The Minimum Wage and Job Creation

Based on the positive welfare effects of the minimum wage for the middle class, the minimum wage can serve as a foundation for jobs creation. The standard models for job creation typically used have been fiscal policy, whether through tax cuts and/or fiscal stimulus packages, and monetary policy. These approaches alone aren’t enough; rather wage policy in the form of a minimum wage also needs to be a critical component in the mix. A minimum wage that forms a foundation for job creation could reduce reliance on the welfare state and foster greater self-sufficiency. In this regard, the minimum wage may also be the most conservative approach to assisting the middle class.
Dynamic cues for whisker-based object localization: An analytical solution to vibration during active whisker touch

Vibrations are important cues for tactile perception across species. Whisker-based sensation in mice is a powerful model system for investigating mechanisms of tactile perception. However, the role vibration plays in whisker-based sensation remains unsettled, in part due to difficulties in modeling the vibration of whiskers. Here, we develop an analytical approach to calculate the vibrations of whiskers striking objects. We use this approach to quantify vibration forces during active whisker touch at a range of locations along the whisker. The frequency and amplitude of vibrations evoked by contact are strongly dependent on the position of contact along the whisker. The magnitude of vibrational shear force and bending moment is comparable to quasi-static forces. The fundamental vibration frequencies are in a detectable range for mechanoreceptor properties and below the maximum spike rates of primary sensory afferents. These results suggest two dynamic cues exist that rodents can use for object localization: vibration frequency and comparison of vibrational to quasi-static force magnitude. These complement the use of quasi-static force angle as a distance cue, particularly for touches close to the follicle, where whiskers are stiff and force angles hardly change during touch. Our approach also provides a general solution to calculation of whisker vibrations in other sensing tasks.
Is “Treatment” the Right Way to Think about It?

I come to this chapter, and to the transition in perspective that it reflects, as a clinical psychologist trained in a traditional scientist-practitioner model. My graduate education and thus my early teaching and research focused on individual pathology and its treatment. Both the program from which I received my Ph.D. training and the one in which I have taught for 25 years are accredited by the American Psychological Association, and reflect its model of clinical training: the psychologist learns to recognize and diagnose psychopathology, to assess its manifestations in the individual, to develop a treatment plan (ideally based on empirically supported methods), and to administer treatment interventions appropriate to remove or ameliorate the identified pathology and deficits. In short, most psychologists are trained to be expert physicians of the psyche. Indeed, in the mid-20th century, a heated battle was fought over whether psychotherapy could be provided only by medical doctors.
Balloon catheter dilatation and thrombectomy for acute aortoiliac occlusion.

Abstract A case of acute distal aortic thrombosis in an elderly high-risk patient was successfully managed with intraoperative thrombectomy and balloon catheter dilatation of the common iliac arteries. Balloon catheter dilatation may be indicated prior to bypass grafting in high-risk patients with acute aortoiliac thrombosis.
Interactions between Sb and As on InAs(0 0 1) surfaces

Abstract Interfacial broadening that occurs due to intermixing of Sb and As at the interfaces is a challenge for growing high quality mixed anion heterostructures. In this work, we examine the atomic scale interaction between As and Sb. Experimental observations show that the surface consists primarily of (4 × 3) and c(4 × 4) reconstructions as a function of As and Sb overpressure. Density functional theory calculations confirm the experimental phase diagram and show that many of the reconstructions contain both Sb dimers and sub-surface Sb. This indicates concurrent mechanisms for interfacial broadening: some Sb atoms are weakly bound in dimer sites and segregate during growth, while some Sb atoms are driven to infiltrate the crystal and intermix with As. The calculations also predict a stoichiometric Sb-terminated α2(2 × 4) to be stable, suggesting that abrupt III-As/III-Sb heterostructures could be obtained by growing on this surface. While not trivial to achieve, this surface can be experimentally obtained by depositing Sb directly on an In-terminated surface.
Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes of the Matti-Russe Technique for Scaphoid Nonunions in Pediatric Patients.

Background: Scaphoid fractures are a common injury, and a known complication is nonunion. One option to treat this nonunion is with the Matti-Russe technique, which takes a corticocancellous graft ...
An Optically Gated Transistor Composed of Amorphous M + Ge2Se3 (M = Cu or Sn) for Accessing and Continuously Programming a Memristor

We demonstrate that a device composed of sputtered amorphous chalcogenide Ge2Se3/M + Ge2Se3 (M = Sn or Cu) alternating layers functions as an optically gated transistor (OGT) and can be used as an access transistor for a memristor memory element. This transistor has only two electrically connected terminals (source and drain), with the gate being optically controlled, thus allowing the transistor to operate only in the presence of light (385–1200 nm). The switching speed of the OGTs is <15 μs. The OGT is demonstrated in series with a Ge2Se3 + W memristor, where we show that by altering the light intensity on the OGT gate, the memristor can be programmed to a continuous range of nonvolatile memory states using the saturation current of the OGT as a programming compliance current. By having a continuous range of nonvolatile states, one memory cell can potentially achieve 2n levels. This high density, combined with optical programmability, enables hybrid electronic/photonic memory.
Analysing Professional Discourse on Twitter: A Mixed Methods Analysis of the #Openeducation Hashtag

Professionals and academics now use social networking sites like Twitter for scholarly discourse around resources and networking. Adding hashtags to tweets allows users to connect with previously unknown others around areas of common interest and provides opportunities to examine these connections. This study explored how open education is discussed on Twitter around the #openeducation hashtag through a scalable mixed methods content analysis model useful for the multi-pronged analyse of hashtag discourse. Researchers analysed a convenience sample of 903 tweets using the #openeducation hashtag and grouped the results into themes. Thirty-two themes emerged, which were grouped into eight categories. To extend the research model, a questionnaire developed from the themes was piloted with a subset of active hashtag users. The results provide insight into the major discourse on open education, as well as a scalable means to analyse discourse on Twitter, identify active participants, and probe further about ties people have to a topic of interest.
Shaping Pro-Social Interaction in VR: An Emerging Design Framework

Commercial social VR applications represent a diverse and evolving ecology with competing models of what it means to be social in VR. Drawing from expert interviews, this paper examines how the creators of different social VR applications think about how their platforms frame, support, shape, or constrain social interaction. The study covers a range of applications including: Rec Room, High Fidelity, VRChat, Mozilla Hubs, Altspace VR, AnyLand, and Facebook Spaces. We contextualize design choices underlying these applications, with particular attention paid to the ways that industry experts perceive, and seek to shape, the relationship between user experiences and design choices. We underscore considerations related to: (1) aesthetics of place (2) embodied affordances, (3) social mechanics, (4) and tactics for shaping social norms and mitigating harassment. Drawing on this analysis, we discuss the stakes of these choices, suggest future research directions, and propose an emerging design framework for shaping pro-social behavior in VR.
Perceptions of Sexual Harassment in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Training and Practice

Purpose Despite increased awareness of sexually harassing behavior (SHB) and national movements such as #MeToo, SHB remains a persistent problem for women training in medical and surgical fields. The aims of the present study were to 1) estimate the prevalence and nature of SHBs in a set of female oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residents and practicing surgeons in the United States; 2) measure and describe the subjective effects of SHBs on the professional development of female OMSs; and 3) measure the effect of SHB education in training programs and its association with its prevalence. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using an adapted validated Sexual Experiences questionnaire. The 22-question survey was e-mailed to female members of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons' women's clinical interest group. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were computed using age and SHB training as predictor variables for the prevalence of SHBs. Results A total of 89 participants were e-mailed, and 67 responded (75%). Of the 67 respondents, 53 were practicing OMSs (79%) and 14 were OMS residents (21%). Of the 67 respondents, 96% had experienced at least 1 form of SHB. Specifically, 96% reported gender harassment, 52% unwanted sexual attention, and 9% sexual coercion. An “intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment” was associated with “having a negative effect on yourself as a professional” (P Conclusions Our results have shown that SHBs received by female OMSs is common. Our findings suggest that SHBs erodes the personal confidence and career development of female OMS practitioners and residents. We recommend SHB educational training for all residents, faculty, and staff to ensure personal and academic growth in a safe environment.
Extracting the strangeness freeze-out temperature from net-Kaon data at RHIC

Using the moments of the net-kaon distribution calculated within a state of-the-art hadron resonance gas model compared to experimental data from STAR's Beam Energy Scan, we find that the extracted strange freeze-out temperature is incompatible with the light one extracted from net-proton and net-charge fluctuations. Additionally predictions for net-$Lambda$ fluctuations are made that also appear to be consistent with a higher freeze-out temperature for strange particles. This strangeness freeze-out temperature is roughly $10-15$ MeV higher than the corresponding light freeze-out temperature. We also discuss cross-susceptibilities using different identified particles, which may be a further test of this two freeze-out temperature picture. Finally, we lay out the necessary updates needed in relativistic hydrodynamic models to take into account for this two freeze-out temperature scenario and present preliminary results of $\Lambda$ spectra at RHIC for AuAu $\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200$ GeV collisions that indicate a higher freeze-out temperature is preferred.
Effect of component materials and mixing protocol on the short-term performance of generic ultra-high-performance concrete

Abstract Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) has drawn the attention of researchers and practitioners because of its unique properties that make it particularly well-suited for infrastructure applications. To facilitate on-site mixing and allow larger batches to be produced in the field, this paper examines the fresh and hardened properties of generic UHPC made from components sourced from a variety of suppliers. The tests conducted include workability, compressive strength, and direct tensile properties. Steel fibers with two different aspect ratios and dosages are also investigated and the possibility of replacing steel fibers with polyethylene fibers is explored. Results from tests show that with few exceptions, the 28-day compressive strength and peak tensile strength of all mixtures are higher than 150 MPa and 8.3 MPa, respectively, fulfilling the minimum requirement for field-cast UHPC. In addition, a new mixing protocol is introduced to reduce the burden on field mixers and allow for larger mix loads in the field.
ICTD Research in Latin America: literature review, scholar feedback, and recommendations

Reviews of the ICTD literature have noted a scarcity of studies about Latin American countries. We investigate (1) what are the alternatives to ICTD and English-language ICTD publication venues res...