cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observation of dressed‐exciton oscillating emission over a wide wavelength range in a semiconductor microcavity

We have observed the dressed‐exciton oscillating emission in the time domain and the associated spectral splitting in the frequency domain from a GaAs single quantum well microcavity over a very broad range of cavity resonant wavelengths. The spectral splitting and temporal oscillation period have been measured to be nearly constant over two orders of magnitude variation of pump intensity, which confirms the linear bosonic feature of Wannier excitons in the weak excitation regime.
Osmoregulatory role of the paternal brood pouch for two Syngnathus species.

Even though sea horses, sea dragons, and pipefishes of the teleost family Syngnathidae have been studied for over a century, the physiological significance of the paternal brood pouch is not well defined. Here we document the regulation of brood pouch osmolality during embryonic development for Syngnathus floridae and Syngnathus fuscus, particularly during the middle brood stages or around hatching. S. fuscus brood pouch osmolality was significantly lower than non-brooding conspecifics for all brood stages, but early and late stage S. floridae displayed pouch osmolality comparable to non-brooding males, suggesting brood pouch osmoregulation at these stages may be important for S. fuscus embryonic development. Quantification of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ in paternal blood plasma, pouch fluid, and embryos indicated that regulation of these ions contributes to pouch osmoregulation and furthermore, that ions in the brood pouch are most likely derived from the environment and not paternal blood. While both species displayed significant increases in dry mass and changes in embryonic ion concentrations during development, net uptake of paternally-derived ions was not documented. Overall, this examination furthers our understanding of syngnathid brood pouch physiology and offers insight into the evolution of paternal care in these fishes.
A new look at detrusor underactivity: Impaired contractility versus afferent dysfunction

Detrusor underactivity (DU) is a clinical condition that describes a bladder dysfunction marked by failure of the bladder to generate sufficient contraction strength to empty over a reasonable time period. DU affects both the elderly and patients with disease processes such as diabetes mellitus. Once assumed to be a motor contractility problem, the etiology of DU now appears to be more dynamic, necessitating a new look at afferent dysfunction.
Multi-Band and Broadband IR Plasmonic Frequency Selective Surfaces

The concept of FSS is investigated in infrared to design a multi-band and a broadband FSS with Sierpinski fractal and plasmonic tripods, respectively. Flat stop-band has been achieved by properly cascading layers of plasmonic tripods.
OSTRACODES FROM THE IMO FORMATION (MISSISSIPPIAN, CHESTERIAN) OF NORTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Abstract Low to moderately highly-diverse ostracode assemblages containing a total of 49 taxa occur in the Imo Formation (Mississippian, Chesterian) in north central Arkansas. The less diverse assemblages are dominated by the platycope Cavellina, while the more diverse are dominated by the palaeocopes Hollinella, Gortanella, Amphissites, Sargentina, and Deloia; the leiocopes Proparaparchites and Shivaella; and the metacopes Healdia and Healdioides. The change in assemblages up section in the central portion of the formation indicates a deepening of water with variations in the amount of influx of terrigenous clastics in a nearshore marine environment. New taxa described include Aechminella prostata, Cornigella laterispinosa, Hollinella (H.) imoensis, H. (H.) denotata, Pseudokegelites dorsopeltatus new genus and species, Polytylites oblongus, Glyptopleuroides inregularis, Oliganisus amictus, Doricranos incohatus new genus and species, Knoxina sohni, Proparaparchites ignotus, Shivaella juxarecta, Orthobaird...
New nor-sesquiterpenoids of apparent nardosinane origin from the pacific soft-coral

Abstract Two new nor-sesquiterpenoids, 5 and 6 , apparently related to the nardosinane class, are reported from the alcyonacean soft-coral Paralemnalia thyrsoides collected in Palau.
Preparation of vanadium pentoxide sols by ion exchange

The most widely used method for the preparation of vanadium pentoxide sols involves addition of an acid to ammonium vanadate, washing the precipitated oxide until it begins to peptize and then suspending in water until dispersion is complete (1).2 The sols contain a variable amount of molecular vanadium pentoxide, depending on their age (5). The molecular fraction passes through dialyzing membranes and, since it is in equilibrium with the colloidal particles, purification of the system by dialysis is accompanied by continuous loss of vanadium. The preparation of a sol of low electrolyte content has been reported by Prandtl and Hess (4). The method consisted of hydrolyzing the tertiary butyl ester of orthovanadic acid followed by distillation of the alcohol. This report describes the preparation of a relatively pure vanadic acid system from ammonium vanadate by the method of ion exchange. A batch procedure has been employed because of the low solubility of the starting material.
Port insertion and removal techniques to minimize premature rupture of the membranes in endoscopic fetal surgery

Abstract Background Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) remains a significant complication of fetal surgery. Rates of 40% to 100% have been reported after both open and endoscopic fetal surgery. We describe a technique of endoscopic port insertion and removal that minimizes trauma to the membranes. Methods Twenty-seven consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic laser ablation for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome were reviewed. In each case, a minilaparotomy was performed, and the amniotic cavity was entered under direct vision of the uterus using a Seldinger technique. The entry site was carefully dilated to accommodate a 4.0-mm-diameter cannula. A gelatin sponge plug was placed at port removal. Postoperative management and outcome were evaluated. Results Median gestational age at operation was 21.3 weeks. Median operating time was 60 minutes. One patient delivered intraoperatively because of fetal distress. Seventeen (65.4%) patients required postoperative tocolysis (median duration, 12 hours). Median postoperative gestation was 6.5 weeks (range, 1-20 weeks). Only 1 (4.2%) of 24 patients with successful gelatin sponge placement developed PROM. Conclusions Meticulous technique and atraumatic insertion and removal of ports help minimize the risk of postoperative amniotic leak after endoscopic fetal surgery. Our PROM rate of 4.2% contrasts sharply with previously reported rates after similar operations.
Resonance Raman spectroscopic detection system for liquid chromatography

A fiber-optic-based system for Raman detection in liquid chromatography is described. This system provides for on-the-fly acquisition of resonance Raman spectra with correction for sample absorption. Two azo dyes, eriochrome black T and eriochrome blue SE, are used to test the system. Detection limits are about 160 ng for these analytes. The ability to recover quantitative information for the case in which there is no chromatographic resolution of the components is demonstrated.
Simvastatin suppresses cyclophosphamide-induced changes in urodynamics and bladder inflammation

Objective To assess the ability of daily oral simvastatin administration to reduce the negative urodynamic changes associated with cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced cystitis and to prevent bladder inflammation. Patients undergoing CP chemotherapy frequently develop cystitis, leading to urinary dysfunction and hemorrhage. Recent studies have suggested statins possess anti-inflammatory properties and might be uroprotective. Materials and Methods Urodynamic properties were analyzed in 4 groups of female Sprague-Dawley rats: group 1, vehicle (300 μL, 0.5% methylcellulose, orally for 7 days); group 2, simvastatin (1 mg/rat/d); group 3, vehicle plus CP (intraperitoneally 80 mg/kg, 24 h before cystometry); and group 4, simvastatin plus CP. The inflammation in the groups was assessed using Evans blue extravasation. Results CP stimulated significant increases in the number of nonvoiding contractions (0.83 ± 0.26 vs 4.97 ± 1.90; P = .03) and decreases in the peak voiding pressure (53.46 ± 5.08 vs 33.34 ± 4.37 cm H2O; P = .01). Simvastatin returned these parameters to the control levels of 1.62 ± 0.73 (P = .70) and 45.98 ± 7.78 cm H2O (P = .38). CP at this level caused a slight, but significant, increase in the voided volume (0.82 ± 0.13 vs 1.16 ± 0.14 mL; P = .04), which returned to control levels (0.74 ± 0.12 mL; P = .65) with simvastatin. Other urodynamic parameters, such as the threshold pressure, were not affected by simvastatin or CP, or the combination of the 2. CP-induced inflammation in the bladder (Evans blue extravasation) was suppressed by simvastatin. Conclusion Simvastatin was effective at ameliorating the negative urodynamic changes and inflammation in the bladder after CP administration and is a potential therapy for preventing side effects in patients undergoing this chemotherapy.
Postmodernism and fuzzy systems

Affinities and shared ideas may be found at the foundations of both fuzzy set theory and the western philosophical movement commonly referred to as Postmodernism. The interest in highlighting these affinities is driven by the fact that the ideas and beliefs that are questioned by both these movements are exactly those which stand (or used to stand) as foundations of both western philosophy and science, and have their roots in an Aristotelian view of the world. By direct comparison between concepts drawn from passages of the main philosophers of the Postmodern movement and fundamentals of fuzzy set theory, parallelisms and commonalities are brought to the surface.
Rocket flight of a multilayer coated high-density EUV toroidal grating

A multilayer coated high density toroidal grating was flown on a sounding rocket experiment in the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS) instrument. To our knowledge this is the first space flight of a multilayer coated grating. Pre-flight performance evaluation showed that the application of a 10-layer Ir/Si multilayer coating to the 3600 l/mm blazed toroidal replica grating produced a factor of 9 enhancement in peak efficiency near the design wavelength around 30 nm in first order over the standard gold coating, with a measured EUV efficiency that peaked at 3.3 percent. In addition, the grating''s spectral resolution of better than 5000 was maintained. The region of enhanced grating efficiency due to the multilayer coating is clearly evident in the flight data. Within the bandpass of the multilayer coating, the recorded film densities were roughly equivalent to those obtained with a factor of six longer exposure on the previous flight of the SERTS instrument.
Effect of cationic buffer additives on the capillary electrophoretic separation of serum transferrin from different species

The presence of specific transferrin (Tf) glycoforms in human serum has been shown to correlate with certain clinical syndromes. Hence, the ability to separate and quantitatively measure the various forms of human transferrin has become increasingly important. As a means of evaluating the potential for developing a rapid capillary electrophoresis-based assay for the analysis of carbohydrate-deficient transferrins (CDTs), the capillary zone electrophoretic (CZE) analysis of Tfs from several species was evaluated using uncoated capillaries and a separation augmented with cationic additives. With bovine Tf, five peaks (representing different sialylated forms) were partially resolved in borate and baseline-resolved when 1,4-diaminobutane was added to the buffer. These same conditions were found to be inadequate for the resolution of the sialoforms from other species. Some success was achieved using alpha, omega-bis-quaternary ammonium alkanes instead of the 1,4-diaminobutane and optimizing the pH for each of the species Tfs. Human Tf was found to be resolved in an uncoated capillary equilibrated with a borate buffer containing millimolar concentrations of decamethonium bromide as a buffer additive. Under these conditions, resolution of the various sialoforms from the iron-saturated Tf was possible and the glycoforms were found to migrate differently than their iron-depleted counterparts. Despite the resolution achievable under these conditions, the lengthy analysis time is incompatible with the requirements for a clinical CZE-based assay.
Factors associated with alcohol problems among Asian American college students: gender, ethnicity, smoking and depressed mood

Objective: This study examined gender, ethnicity and psychological factors associated with alcohol problems among Asian American college students, using the CAGE questionnaire. Method: The study is a cross-sectional, school-based survey. College students who self-identified as Asian, participated. Results: The sample comprised 258 Asian American college students (132 men and 126 women). In all, 17.7% of males and 8.9% of females had alcohol problems based on CAGE score of 2 or more; yet, the difference was marginally significant (χ2 [1, N = 225] = 3.7, p = 0.08). Chinese and Vietnamese males tended to have more alcohol problems than females in their respective ethnic subgroups. Among Koreans, more females (33%) had the problems than males (11%). Male students did not differ in alcohol problems by ethnicity, whereas Korean females were more likely to have the problems (χ2 [4, N = 112] = 13.0, p = 0.01) than females in the other groups. After controlling for gender, Asian American college students who were ...
High prevalence of Yersinia pestis in black-tailed prairie dog colonies during an apparent enzootic phase of sylvatic plague

Sylvatic plague (Yersinia pestis) was introduced into North America over 100 years ago. The disease causes high mortality and extirpations in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), which is of conservation concern because prairie dogs provide habitat for the critically endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). Our goal was to help elucidate the mechanism Y. pestis uses to persist in prairie ecosystems during enzootic and epizootic phases. We used a nested PCR protocol to assay for plague genomes in fleas collected from prairie dog burrows potentially exposed to plague in 1999 and 2000. No active plague epizootic was apparent in the 55 prairie dog colonies sampled in 2002 and 2003. However, 63% of the colonies contained plague-positive burrows in 2002, and 57% contained plague-positive burrows in 2003. Within plague-positive colonies, 23% of sampled burrows contained plague-positive fleas in 2002, and 26% contained plague-positive fleas in 2003. Of 15 intensively sampled colonies, there was no relationship between change in colony area and percentage of plague-positive burrows over the two years of the study. Some seasonality in plague prevalence was apparent because the highest percentages of plague-positive colonies were recorded in May and June. The surprisingly high prevalence of plague on study area colonies without any obvious epizootic suggested that the pathogen existed in an enzootic state in black-tailed prairie dogs. These findings have important implications for the management of prairie dogs and other species that are purported to be enzootic reservoir species.
Parameter estimation and tests of equal forecast accuracy between non-nested models

Abstract This paper reviews recent work regarding the effects of estimated model parameters on tests of equal forecast accuracy between non-nested models. When accounting for these effects using standard methods, strong assumptions about the distribution of the observables may be needed. We provide a new method that enables us to avoid making those assumptions. Monte Carlo evidence indicates that the new method can lead to improvements in the size and power of the test across a range of sample sizes.
Xylem feeding by periodical cicada nymphs on tree roots

. 1. Histological sections of tree roots on which periodical cicada nymphs of both the 17-year and the 13-year race arid various instars had fed showed that salivary sheaths made by the nymphs ended in xylem vessels. 2. Because no salivary sheaths were found in phloem cells, this observation indicates that cicada nymphs are xylem feeders throughout their developmental period. 3. The habit of feeding on xylem fluid, which is extremely dilute, may explain why periodical cicada nymphs require so many years (13 or 17) to mature. It may also explain why they excrete amino acids rather than sugars, as phloem feeders do.
Is exercise ignored in palliative cancer patients

Exercise and rehabilitation approaches in palliative care programs for cancer patients affect patients' symptoms, physical functioning, muscle strength, emotional wellbeing, psychological symptoms, functional capacities, quality of life, mortality and morbidity positively. Based on scientific data, palliative cancer patients should be recommended to participate in exercise programs. There is no standard approach to recipe an exercise regimen for a palliative cancer survivor. Studies for demonstrating the positive effects of exercising in palliative care patients are increasing in number day by day. At this point, increasing awareness about exercising in the entire team monitoring the patient and our efforts in this matter seems to be very important.
Connection of concrete barrier rails to FRP bridge decks

Abstract The paper investigates the viability of use of conventional joining concepts between reinforced concrete barrier rails to fiber-reinforced polymer composite bridge decks. The concept is tested and implemented as part of a FRP bridge system incorporating concrete filled carbon/epoxy shells as girders and a pultruded core E-glass/vinylester–polyester deck. The barrier was anchored into the deck using polymer concrete filled cavities within the deck at discrete locations. Experimental results indicated that the configuration provides excellent anchoring capacity and a mode of failure that is more stable and capable of greater energy absorption than the conventional system due to the encapsulation of the anchorage within the composite deck. Failure was initiated through yield in the bars at a load of 129 kN compared to a demand level of 44.5 kN. No damage accrues to the deck itself with minimal damage in the anchorage. Analytical predictions of onset of yield and failure are shown to match experimental results as well. The testing validates the use of the system pursuant to specification mandated criteria.
An efficient recursive algorithm to compute wave function optimization gradients for the graphically contracted function method

An efficient recursive algorithm is presented to compute orbital-level Hamiltonian matrices for wave functions expanded in a basis of graphically contracted functions (GCF). Each GCF depends on a nonlinear set of parameters called arc factors. The orbital-level Hamiltonian matrices characterize the dependence of the energy on the wave function changes associated with a subset of these nonlinear parameters corresponding to an individual molecular orbital. From these Hamiltonian matrices, gradients with respect to the nonlinear arc factor parameters may be computed and other arc factor optimization algorithms may be used. The recursive algorithm allows the orbital-level Hamiltonian matrices to be computed with O(Nωn4) total effort, where NGCF is the dimension of the GCF basis, n is the dimension of the orbital basis, and where the scale factor ω depends on the number of electrons N and ranges from O(N0) to O(N2) depending on the complexity of the underlying Shavitt graph. This effort is about two to five times that required to compute an energy expectation value for a given set of arc factors; thus the energy and gradient have the same scaling behavior with increasing molecule size, NGCF dimension, and orbital basis size. Timings are given for wave functions that correspond to configuration state function expansions over 1073 in length, many orders of magnitude larger than can be considered using traditional electronic structure methods. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Representativity of a mesoscale network for weather-related factors governing pollen dispersal

The cultivation of transgenic crops, such as maize, requires successful gene isolation in field environments. Five spatial statistical techniques are used to evaluate the use of a regional mesoscale observation network (Iowa Environmental Mesonet) as a means to drive field-scale pollen dispersion modeling. The Nearest Neighbor Index, Fractal Dimension, Morisita Index, Thiessen Polygons, and Coefficient of Representativity are computed showing the positive and negative impacts of sequential addition of observation networks into a mesonet framework (a collection of pre-existing networks). While it is shown that the arbitrary combination of disparate observing networks increases spatial resolution, this improvement is often at the expense of increased clustering due to co-location of observation sites near urban areas. Network composition in terms of density and degree of clustering was evaluated with a grid analysis using the Barnes scheme as a means to mitigate clustering and improve prediction accuracies when mesonet data are applied to modeling. This paper shows the importance of understanding and accounting for the spatial characteristics of an observational network before applying it to a modeling effort such as field scale pollen dispersion.
The Rhetorical Persona: Marcus Garvey as Black Moses.

The persona concept of traditional dramaturgy which refers to the masks worn by actors in Greek and Roman theater can assist a rhetorical critic in explaining the persuasive power of speakers who strongly remind their auditors of an archetypal hero. When a speaker's rhetorical self becomes so closely associated with some set of human experiences or ideas that it becomes virtually impossible for an audience to think of one without the other, then that individual stands in a symbolic relationship to those ideas or experiences and may wear the mask of a rhetorical persona. Listeners, in such cases, impute to the speaker the ethos of their archetypal deliverer. The purpose of this essay is to test this concept by applying it to Marcus Garvey, a prototype Moses for Harlem blacks who were fervently awaiting a deliverer. The essay is grounded in the formistic world view of Stephen C. Pepper. The Black Moses Persona is treated as the transcendent form, and the factors of deliverance rhetoric found in Garvey's spe...
A high-level architecture framework for Air Traffic Management (ATM) Operations

This paper presents a preliminary high-level architecture framework for Air Traffic Management (ATM) Operations in the context of the aviation transportation enterprise. The analysis contained in this paper examines ATM Operations as a specialized case of a logistics process and utilizes key concepts of transportation theory. The analysis used to develop the high-level architecture examines ATM Operations as a socio-technical Systems of System (SoS) where the human is examined as an integral part of the system, together with other physical components such as automation and infrastructure. The framework is developed using a systems methodology and presents a high-level architecture of functions and data. It also presents a set of notional operational and service-level requirements. In this paper we use the example of ATM Operations in the United States (U.S.) to illustrate the application of the high-level framework. As more research is conducted in both breadth and depth, it is expected that this high-level architecture will evolve. The framework presented in this paper is intended to help aviation stakeholders in their quest to develop new capabilities while meeting the mission needs of the organization. The framework is intended to be used in planning and coordinating systems research and development. It is expected the framework can also be used as a basis to help define expectations between organizations.
Characterization of a prostaglandin-like metabolite of linolenic acid produced by a flaxseed extract

One of the products formed upon incubation of linolenic acid (cis9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid) with an extract of flaxseed acetone powder has been characterized as 8-[2-(cis-pent-2′-enyl)-3-oxo-cis-cyclopent-4-enyl]octanoic acid. The cyclopentenone ring structure of this acid is analogous to that of the A-type prostaglandins produced in mammalian systems.
Proximity to needle exchange programs and HIV-related risk behavior among injection drug users in Harlem

Abstract The present study sought to determine whether proximity to a needle exchange program (NEP) was associated with lower levels of HIV-related risk behavior among 587 injection drug users (IDUs) in East Harlem. Three neighborhood samples were compared: IDUs recruited at a NEP; those recruited within 10 blocks (‘proximal access’) of the NEP site; and those recruited more than 10 blocks away (‘distal access’). Most respondents were Puerto Rican or African American single men, and receiving public assistance. Levels of HIV risk behavior—both injection- and sexual-related—reported by the three comparison groups were lower than in similar samples obtained in many earlier studies. Participants recruited at the NEP were less likely to share syringes and other injection paraphernalia, and more likely to use condoms with main sex partners. After adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, education and injection frequency, analyses of covariance revealed that IDUs located at the NEP were less likely than other IDUs to inject with a syringe that someone else had squirted drugs into, use dirty needles by themselves, or share a cooker; and were more likely to use new sterile needles and use a condom with a steady partner and during vaginal sex. Although 90% of IDUs recruited within 10 blocks of the NEP were NEP attendees, this group had injection- and sexual-risk levels similar to the distal access group. However, lending support to the plausibility of NEPs as referral providers, IDUs with access to the NEP site were more likely to participate in drug abuse treatment at present and in the past six months. The substantially lower rates of risk-taking among respondents located at the NEP is consistent with existing evidence that such programs are important elements in the array of strategies to slow the spread of HIV.
Amending Subsoil with Composted Poultry Litter-II: Effects on Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) Establishment, Root Growth, and Weed Populations

Turfgrasses established on a soil deprived of the topsoil during construction disturbance often have low levels of density and uniformity making them susceptible to weeds. Field experiments evaluated composted poultry litter incorporation into subsoil on Kentucky bluegrass growth attributes and subsequent effects on weed populations. Top 20 cm of topsoil was removed and composted poultry litter was incorporated at 0.1, or 0.2, or 0.4 cm/cm-soil into the exposed subsoil to a depth of 12.7 cm before seeding or sodding, and was compared to N-fertilized (50 × 10−4 kg m−2) and control plots. A greenhouse experiment was also conducted to determine the effect of compost incorporation rates on turfgrass rooting depth. Turfgrass yield from seeded plots with compost incorporation rates of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 cm/cm-soil, were 200%, 300%, and 500% more, respectively, compared to control plots. Composted poultry litter incorporated at 0.1 cm/cm-soil resulted in at least 70 seedlings in 7.6 cm−2, which was sufficient to attain 100% turf cover. Higher incorporation rates in seeded plots maintained lower numbers of buckhorn plantain and red clover than untreated plots. Rooting depth also increased linearly with compost rates. Overall, compost treatments were able to maintain superior turf cover and quality compared to conventionally fertilized or control plots.
The effect of antuitrin-s and posterior pituitary extract on cinchophen ulcers in dogs

1. A brief survey of the literature reveals several theories advanced to establish the relationship between peptic ulcer and the endocrine glands. The clinical results from the use of a variety of endocrine products show improvement in a number of the patients. However, the percentage of cures obtained is apparently no better than the use of the more orthodox method of treatment. 2. Dogs receiving cinchophen respond to treatment with standard type of therapy. Treatment of such animals with Antuitrin-S and posterior pituitary extract given intramuscularly had little effect in preventing the occurrence of peptic ulcers.
Fast performance-driven optimization for buffered clock trees based on Lagrangian relaxation

Delay, power, skew, area, and sensitivity are the most important concerns in current clock-tree design. We present in this paper an algorithm for simultaneously optimizing the above objectives by sizing wires and buffers in clock trees. Our algorithm, based on Lagrangian relaxation method, can optimally minimize delay, power, and area simultaneously with very low skew and sensitivity. With linear storage overall and linear runtime per iteration, our algorithm is extremely economical, fast, and accurate; for example, our algorithm can solve a 6201-wire-segment clock-free problem using about 1-minute runtime and 1.3-MB memory and still achieve pico-second precision on an IBM RS/6000 workstation.
Sir Gilbert Walker and a Connection between El Niño and Statistics

The eponym "Walker Circulation" refers to a concept used by atmospheric scientists and oceanographers in providing a physical explanation for the El Nino-Southern Oscillation phenomenon, whereas the eponym "Yule-Walker equations" refers to properties satisfied by the autocorrelations of an autoregressive process. But how many statisticians (or, for that matter, atmospheric scientists) are aware that the "Walker" in both terms refers to the same individual, Sir Gilbert Thomas Walker, and that these two appellations arose in conjunction with the same research on the statistical prediction of climate? Like George Udny Yule (the "Yule" in Yule- Walker), Walker's motivation was to devise a statistical model that exhibited quasiperiodic behavior. The original assessments of Walker's work, both in the meteorology and in statistics, were somewhat negative. With hindsight, it is argued that his research should be viewed as quite successful.
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis of the selective complexation of the cis and trans isomers of phenylalanylproline by β-cyclodextrin

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to examine the effect of β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex formation on the cis-trans equilibrium constant of phenylalanylproline, Phe-Pro. The pKa values of the ionizable groups of Phe-Pro have been determined in solutions containing equimolar ratios of the peptide and β-cyclodextrin. Comparison of these values with acidity constants of the free peptide suggest a hydrogen bond between β-cyclodextrin and the cis isomer car☐ylate group that is not observed for the trans isomer. Diffusion coefficients for the cis and trans isomers of Phe-Pro in aqueous and in β-cyclodextrin solution have been measured using pulsed-field gradient NMR spectroscopy. Diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy (DOSY) was used to selectively measure the diffusion coefficients of β-cyclodextrin and both isomers of Phe-Pro. The preferential formation of the β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex with cis Phe-Pro was observed in the DOSY spectra and formation constants for this complex calculated.
NUMERICAL MODELING OF KITES FOR POWER GENERATION

A computational model of a massless kite that produces power in an airborne wind energy system (AWE) is presented. AWE systems use tethered kites at high altitudes to extract energy from the wind, and are being considered as an alternative to wind turbines since the kites can move in high-speed cross-wind motions over large swept areas to increase power production. In our model the kite completes successive power-retraction cycles where the kite angle of attack is altered as required to vary the resultant aerodynamic forces on the kite. The numerical simulation models the flow field in a two-dimensional domain near the flexible kite by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations. Eulerian grid points for the flow domain together with a Lagrangian representation of the kite are employed. The flow field is determined through a second-order finite difference projection method using a non-uniform mesh on a staggered grid. A corrector-predictor technique is employed to ensure the second-order accuracy in time of the numerical simulation. The two-dimensional kite shape is modeled as a slightly cambered immersed boundary that evolves with the flow. The flexible kite surface is modeled with a set of linear springs following Hooke’s law. The unstretched length of each elastic tether at a given time step is controlled using periodic triangular wave shapes to achieve the required power-retraction phases. A study was conducted in which the wave shape amplitude, frequency, and phase (between two tethers) was adjusted to achieve a suitably high net power output with very good agreement to predictions for Loyd’s simple kite in two-dimensional motion. Aerodynamic coefficients for the kite, tether tensions, tether reel-out and reel-in speeds, and vorticity flowfields in the kite wake are also determined.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Did CDM Particles of Mass 2.47 × 10−3 eV Interact with Precursor Biopolymers and Nucleic Acids to Initiate and Boost Lifeforms on Earth?

Recent observations and theoretical studies have shown that non-baryonic Cold Dark Matter (CDM), which constitutes about 84% of all matter in the Universe, may feature a complex-scalar-field that carries particles of mass \( m \cong 2.47 \times {10^{{ - 3}}}eV \) with the associated Compton range \( {m^{{ - 1}}} \cong 8.02 \times {10^{{ - 3}}}cm, \) a distance on the scale of extended bionucleic acids and living cells. Such a complex-scalar-field can enter a weak-isospin Lorentz-invariant interaction that generates the flow of right-handed electrons and induces a chirality-imbued quantum chemistry on the m−1 scale. A phenomenological Volterra-type equation is proposed for the CDM-impacted time development of N, the number of base pairs in the most advanced organism at Earth-age t. The solution to this equation suggests that the boosts in N at t ≅ 1.1 Gyr (advent of the first living prokaryotic cells), at t ≅ 2.9 Gyr (advent of eukaryotic single-celled organisms) and finally at t ≅ 4.0 Gyr (the Cambrian explosion) may be associated with three multi-Myr-duration cosmic showers of the complex-scalar-field CDM particles. If so, the signature of the particles may be detectible in Cambrian rocks.
Analysis of signal degradation in an integrated active crossbar switch

One of the most desirable features for a modern systems architecture is reconfigurability. It facilitates the sharing of various processing and memory resources among many different subsystems, thereby reducing the need for each subsystem to duplicate these resources. Reducing duplication also reduces size, weight, power consumption, and cost; all important considerations, especially in modern military systems. Sensor data requires very-wide- bandwidth, point-to-point connections, which are easily provided by fiber optics with good noise immunity, but the switching of such wide-bandwidth signals is problematic because electrical switches have both limited bandwidth and limited switching times. A wide- bandwidth, reconfigurable optical switch is required that overcomes coupling and splitting losses experienced by the optical signal passing through the switch so that sufficient signal- fidelity is maintained. In this paper, we investigate an integrated, active (i.e. amplifying) photonic crossbar switch to determine the signal degradation incurred for intensity modulation and direct detection using an NRZ data format and an ideal, matched-filter receiver. Various device configurations are analyzed in order to determine which produces the smallest degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio.
New message based priority buffer insertion ring protocol

A new buffer insertion ring protocol with message based priorities is presented. The overall throughput of the new system matches that of the nonmessage-priority system. Data provide comparisons of number of priority levels, performance of each priority level, effect of operating modes on performance, and the dual impact of implementation of priority sorting and high network load.
Winter predation by insectivorous birds and consequences for arthropods and plants in summer

Top-down effects of predators can have important consequences for ecosystems. Insectivorous birds frequently have strong predation effects on herbivores and other arthropods, as well as indirect effects on herbivores’ host plants. Diet studies have shown that birds in temperate ecosystems consume arthropods in winter as well as in summer, but experimental studies of bird predation effects have not attempted to quantitatively separate winter predation impacts from those in summer. To understand if winter foraging by insectivorous birds has consequences for arthropods or plants, we performed a meta-analysis of published bird exclusion studies in temperate forest and shrubland habitats. We categorized 85 studies from 41 publications by whether birds were excluded year-round or only in summer, and analyzed arthropod and plant response variables. We also performed a manipulative field experiment in which we used a factorial design to exclude birds from Quercus velutina Lam. saplings in winter and summer, and censused arthropods and herbivore damage in the following growing season. In the meta-analysis, birds had stronger negative effects on herbivores in studies that included winter exclusion, and this effect was not due to study duration. However, this greater predation effect did not translate to a greater impact on plant damage or growth. In the field experiment, winter exclusion did not influence herbivore abundance or their impacts on plants. We have shown that winter feeding by temperate insectivorous birds can have important consequences for insect herbivore populations, but the strength of these effects may vary considerably among ecosystems. A full understanding of the ecological roles of insectivorous birds will require explicit consideration of their foraging in the non-growing season, and we make recommendations for how future studies can address this.
Dicopper(II) complexes with flexible binucleating ligands containing two tridentate coordination sites

Abstract Three new binucleating ligands have been synthesized in which two tridentate PY2 units (PY2=bis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]amine) are connected by carbon chains containing either an olefin linkage or a phenyl substituent. These three ligands are: N , N , N ′, N ′-tetrakis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-1,4-diamino- cis -2-butene (C4PY2) ( 3 ), N , N , N ′, N ′-tetrakis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-1,4-diamino- trans -2-butene (T4PY2) ( 4 ) and N , N , N ′, N ′-tetrakis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-2-phenyl-1,3-diaminopropane (P3PY2) ( 5 ). The corresponding dicopper(II) complexes; Cu 2 (C4PY2)Cl 4 ·MeOH ( 6 ), Cu 2 (T4PY2)Cl 4 ( 7 ) and Cu 2 (P3PY2)Cl 4 ·2H 2 O ( 8 ) were isolated as tetrachloride derivatives in the solid state. Analysis of the diffuse transmittance d–d and powder EPR spectra of 6 – 8 indicates a trigonal bipyramidal (tbp) copper ion geometry for these complexes in the solid state. In DMSO:H 2 O (5:2) solution all three complexes exhibit similar d–d spectra characteristic of square pyramidal copper(II) and exist predominantly as an intramolecular, dihydroxy bridged species. This ‘closed’ dihydroxy bridged species is in equilibrium with an ‘open’ species in which no exogenous bridging groups are present. The ‘open’–‘closed’ equilibrium is shifted by the addition of H + or OH − and has been studied by electronic spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electrochemical techniques.
Friction parameter in an Anderson model

Abstract We discuss the evaluation of the friction parameter of a Brownian motion formalism using an Anderson model to treat the electron scattering. Calculational ambiguities are noted but a particular approach leads to agreement with known results.
Thermal radiation produced by the expansion of the Universe

I show here that the expansion of the Universe can create particles with a black-body distribution. I give a simple model in which the creation of particles in an initially empty space time leads at very early times to a Friedmann expansion dominated by hot relativistic particles (probably including gravitons) having a black-body spectrum, even before classical thermalising processes have had a chance to act. If the particle creation occurs near the Planck time, the entropy produced is consistent, in order of magnitude, with that required by the Einstein equations. The conditions in which one achieves consistency with the observed 3K black-body radiation are also discussed.
Comparison of ocular pathologies in vitamin A-deficient mice and RPE65 gene knockout mice.

Vitamin A is essential for the maintenance of epithelial cell growth, immune competence, embryonic growth and development, and visual function.1–3 There are several derivatives of vitamin A in living organisms, including retinol (alcohol form), retinal (aldehyde form), retinoic acid (acid form), and retinyl esters (ester forms).4 11-cis retinal is a polyene chromophore of visual pigments, and photoisomerization of 11-cis retinal triggers the phototransduction cascade and initiates vision. All-trans retinol is the major transportation form of vitamin A and serves as the precursor of chromophore of photosensitive pigments in both rods and cones5; it is essential for the epithelial cell RNA and glycoprotein synthesis on the ocular surface.6 Retinoic acid is an important embryonic growth factor,7 regulating the growth, differentiation, and morphology of RPE cells.8 Vitamin A deficiency caused by malnutrition, presenting with nyctalopia in humans,5 is the leading cause of night blindness by malnutrition in the developing world.9 RPE65, a membrane-associated protein predominantly expressed in the RPE, is essential for normal vision.10,11 Mutations in RPE65 are associated with inherited diseases involving severe vision loss, such as Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA), RP, and early-onset severe rod–cone dystrophies.12–15 Homozygous RPE65 gene knockout (Rpe65−/−) mice lack isomerohydrolase activity and 11-cis retinoid products, revealing an interrupted visual cycle.16 Previous studies have shown that RPE65 is the isomerohydrolase in the visual cycle and is essential for the 11-cis retinal regeneration.17,18 Previously, we have reported that in Rpe65−/− mice, massive cone degeneration occurs at early ages, which is associated with significant downregulation of cone-specific genes, while rods remain intact at early ages.19 Several groups have used vitamin A–deficient (VAD) mice generated by a vitamin A deprivation diet in immunology, growth and development, and vision studies.20–23 Rpe65−/− mice were considered a model for vitamin A deficiency in the retina because they lack 11-cis retinal, the chromophore.18 However, the similarities and differences of vision between VAD mice and Rpe65−/− mice have never been compared. In the present study, we set out to compare VAD mice with Rpe65−/− mice in phenotypic similarities and differences, such as photoreceptor degeneration, photoreceptor-specific gene expression, endogenous retinoid profile, and isomerohydrolase and lecithin-retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) activity.
Exposure Assessment: Methods of Analysis for Environmental Carcinogens1

Human populations are exposed to environmental carcinogens in both indoor and outdoor atmospheres. Recent studies indicate that pollutant concentrations are generally higher in indoor atmospheres than in outdoor. Environmental pollutants that occur in indoor air from a variety of sources include radon, asbestos, organic and inorganic compounds, and certain particles (e.g., tobacco smoke). Some of the gases or vapors are adsorbed on suspended particulate matter, whereas others exist entirely in the gas phase or are distributed between the latter and a particle-bound state. Because of differences in chemical and physical properties, each class of carcinogens generally requires different sampling and analytical methods. In addition, a single indoor environment may contain a wide variety of air pollutants from different sources. Unfortunately, no single best approach currently exists for the quantitative determination of such complex mixtures and, for practical reasons, only the more toxic or the more abundant pollutants are usually measured. This paper summarizes the currently available monitoring methods for selected environmental pollutants found in indoor atmospheres. In addition, some possible sources for those pollutants are identified.
Composition, functionality, and sensory evaluation of eggs from hens fed dietary menhaden oil

Enrichment of omega-3 fatty acid content of egg yolk may increase consumer acceptance of egg products if eggs maintain characteristic functionality, exhibit compositional stability, and are sensorially acceptable. The diet of laying hens was enriched with 3% menhaden oil. Arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) was decreased 70.2%, and linolenic (18:3n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3) were increased 78.5% and 356%, respectively, in egg yolk. Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3) was also incorporated into test egg yolk as compared to nondetectable levels in control eggs. Cooking did not alter the fatty acid composition of eggs nor were functional properties of test eggs affected. Panelists differentiated n-3 enriched eggs from controls (P ≤ 0.01) when scrambled but not when hard cooked.
Metastatic melanoma of the left ventricle: cardiac imaging in the diagnosis and surgical approach.

A mass lesion occupying the left ventricle was noted on a screening CT scan in a 42-year-old man with a history of malignant melanoma. Subsequent echocardiography and cardiac MR imaging provided further hemodynamic and anatomic characterization of the lesion. These studies were also essential in guiding the proper surgical approach to allow extensive resection of the large mass without disrupting cardiac structures and function. The unique clinical aspects of this case are the unusual location for a lone cardiac metastasis of melanoma and the asymptomatic presentation despite the large size of the tumor and its apparent obstruction of ventricular outflow. The clinical and imaging features of this patient’s threatening cardiac lesion are presented.
Deception: The Dark Side of E-Collaboration

Much research within the field of MIS has been devoted to the use of collaborative technology by decision makers and the impact computer-mediated communication (CMC) has on collaborative work. Yet, there may be some unintended consequences for users of CMC, if someone involved in the joint effort decides to take the opportunity to deceive the others involved. In this paper, we posit that CMC offers would-be deceivers advantages that otherwise do not exist with more traditional, richer media, using past research and established theories to help explain why. We review some of the findings from our ongoing research effort in this area and explain how difficult it is for computer users to detect deception, when it occurs. Finally, we discuss how the art of deception in computer-mediated collaboration potentially can affect both the current effort and future efforts of those involved, and we offer our thoughts on some of the factors CMC practitioners should consider when trying to combat computer-mediated deception.